Milking Medicaid: A new state contract covers the health care of 36,000 vulnerable children. But documents detailing the contractor’s performance are a “trade secret,” officials say.
David Jackson
David Jackson was a senior investigative reporter at the Illinois Answers Project from 2020 to 2022.
Posted inCriminal Justice & Public Safety
Few Programs Steer Child Carjackers Away From Trouble
Children as young as 13 have been caught hijacking cars in Chicago. Experts say first-time arrestees can’t get the intervention they need.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Illinois Medicaid Companies Rake In Record Profits From Pandemic
Milking Medicaid: As part of an ongoing series examining one of Illinois’ largest expenses, the Better Government Association reveals how the five private insurance companies running the state’s healthcare program for low-income residents benefited from the COVID-19 lockdown.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Empresas Medicaid De Illinois Amasan Ganancias Récord Durante La Pandemia
La explotación de Medicaid: Como parte de la continuación de una serie investigativa que analiza uno de los mayores gastos de Illinois, Better Government Association (BGA) revela cómo las cinco compañías de seguros privadas que administran el programa de salud del estado para residentes de bajos ingresos se beneficiaron de los confinamientos durante la pandemia del COVID-19.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Powerful State Senator Got Caribbean Trips, Campaign Donations And Cash Through Loretto Hospital
State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford accepted campaign contributions from a Loretto Hospital contractor and Caribbean travel as part of her board duties.
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity
Loretto Hospital Got Vaccines to Help Black West Siders — but More Than Half of Early On-site Shots Went to White and Asian People
The hospital also admitted to vaccinating ineligible people at Trump Tower and a luxury jewelry shop, according to an audit obtained by the BGA and Block Club Chicago.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
City Spends Millions Defending Secrecy Practices
A BGA investigation shows Chicago leaders paid millions in legal fees to withhold public records, thwarting a decade-old state reform measure to give citizens more power to shake loose government documents.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Cash-Strapped Loretto Hospital Paid Millions to Companies Formed by Ousted Executive’s Pal
Before COO Anosh Ahmed resigned after hooking up friends with early vaccines, Loretto Hospital was paying millions to companies founded by Ahmed’s close pal and business partner.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
‘Lo Que Se Dice Aquí, Se Queda Aquí’. El Trabajo Del Comité Que Identificó Los 41 Monumentos Públicos Para Su Posible Remoción Permanece Opaco.
El comité creado por Lightfoot concluyó que las estatuas de Colón, Washington, Lincoln y otros deberían ser retiradas, pero el Ayuntamiento no ha dado detalles sobre cómo se tomaron esas decisiones, porque dice que el comité no es un organismo público.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
‘What’s Said Here, Stays Here.’ Work of the Committee That Identified 41 Public Monuments for Possible Removal Remains Opaque.
Committee formed by Lightfoot concluded statues of Columbus, Washington, Lincoln and others should be reviewed, but City Hall isn’t releasing many details about how those decisions came to be because it says the committee isn’t a public body.
