Stay informed about the issues you care about
Sign up for Illinois Answers’ free weekly newsletter to get our latest stories delivered to your inbox every Tuesday morning.
A Popular Affordable Housing Initiative Is Ripe For Expansion in Chicago — But When?
City officials and multiple alderpeople agree the Additional Dwelling Unit program deserves a boost. But amid political and logistical hurdles, they warn it will take time.
What Happens at the End of a ShotSpotter Contract?
As Chicago decides whether to end the controversial service that alerts police to gunshots, the city of Dayton, which canceled its contract, may offer some lessons.
Big Spending and a Springfield Joyride for South Suburban ‘People’s Mayor’
Tiffany Henyard makes about $250,000 a year as the mayor of Dolton and the supervisor of Thornton Township. Critics blast her free spending ways while her fans cite the progress she’s made.
More From Illinois Answers
Chicago Pension Reform Teed Up As Veto Session Priority
Mayor Brandon Johnson put the brakes on controversial pension legislation while other tax-related bills cleared the General Assembly
Alderperson Says Migrants Are Causing TB Outbreaks at Police Stations, But It’s Not True
Housing migrants temporarily at Chicago police stations is no one’s first choice, but a rapidly growing number of asylum seekers arriving in the city…
Illinois Gender-Neutral Bathroom Bill Was Tip of the Iceberg for Trans-Inclusive Legislation Passed This Session
As anti-trans legislation piles up in red states, Springfield is looking to raise a ‘beacon’ for inclusiveness in the Midwest
Public data at your fingertips
The Illinois Answers Project offers two easy-to-use databases of public information to bring greater clarity to how tax dollars are used.
Updated
Illinois Public Employee Salaries
Illinois Answers compiles the most comprehensive database to review, explore and compare compensation for public employees in Illinois.
Illinois Public Pensions
We collect data from the largest public pension systems in the state and centralize it into our Illinois Public Pensions Database.
more from Illinois answers
Illinois Answers Project Welcomes New State and Solutions Editor
Rachel Aretakis has joined the Illinois Answers Project as the state and solutions editor. In her role, she will help launch the newsroom’s statewide “embed” reporting project. The novel program, funded by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, will allow Illinois Answers Project reporters to collaborate with Illinois newsrooms pursuing investigative…
BGA Continues Expansion, Adds Three New Hires
The Better Government Association, and its nonprofit newsroom the Illinois Answers Project, has added three new staff members amid ongoing expansion. New additions include Mumina Mohamud, community engagement and partnerships specialist; Saloni Nahar, events coordinator; and Cam Rodriguez, data reporter. A Chicago native, Mumina Mohamud joins the BGA from the…
Connect With Us
The Illinois Answers Project is an investigations and solutions-focused nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization published by the Better Government Association. Launched in November 2022, the Illinois Answers Project identifies problems and solutions to significant Chicago and Illinois problems. Learn more
Newsletters
Subscribe to Illinois Answers newsletters for the latest Illinois & Chicago news straight to your inbox.
Tips & Suggestions
Have a tip or an idea for a story? We’re interested. Contact us here.
Solutions
Could Lake Michigan be home to the largest lake wind farm in the country?
A bill passed in the state’s House would establish an offshore wind farm of more than 30 turbines. Is it worth it?
4 Ideas Being Floated for a More Effective City Council
More committees, better transparency and even Chicago-specific political parties have been proposed as the council looks to declare its independence.
Investigations
Explained: Chicago’s Migrant Crisis
Chicago has been staring down a manufactured migrant crisis for months that has entered a boiling point — leaving vulnerable asylum seekers in despair and struggling to find safe shelter.
Tax Hikes to Ebb for Many North Suburban Businesses, Leaving Homeowners on the Hook
Thousands of homeowners in north and northwest Cook County are in for sticker shock this fall, data shows
Opinion
Greising: Brandon Johnson pushes back on independence in the City Council
Brandon Johnson punished the aldermen behind the move for council independence and rewarded those who stood by him during the election.
Greising: Kim Foxx and Lori Lightfoot Show the Reality of Governing With Progressive Ideals in Illinois
Much has been made of a new progressive era in Illinois politics, and a series of recent public remarks by elected Chicago officials formed a triptych of the promise and the problems of being a progressive leader at this time in Illinois. “The vanguard for progressive policy all over this country” is what Mayor-elect Brandon…
Greising: Will Chicago’s Next Mayor Be Beholden to the Union That Supported Him?
The key question for voters is how much the money and endorsements might matter after the new mayor is sworn in.