Officials say they’ll let enough special taxing districts expire to generate the money needed to pay back the debt. Some analysts are skeptical.
Investigations
Posted inInvestigating Responses
For Many Illinoisans in Flood-Prone Areas, Buyouts Are the Only Way Out
A state government home buyout program has helped hundreds of people move out of harm’s way. But for many, it takes too long.
Posted inInvestigating Responses
‘Green Alleys’ Help Prevent Flooding, But Vulnerable Neighborhoods Must Wait in Line
‘It’s a little bit of a shot-in-the-dark implementation strategy,’ a key City Council member said.
Posted inInvestigation
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
When it comes to preventing severe flooding, there’s not one fix. Over the next few weeks, the Illinois Answers Project will examine what city and state agencies are doing to protect residents.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
The Inside Story on a Billion-Dollar Chemical Company’s Fight to Keep its Secrets From the Public
After the Cicero Independiente and MuckRock published investigative articles about air pollution and the chemicals company Koppers, it hired a public-relations firm to organize a secret, behind-the-scenes campaign to influence local officials.
Posted inInvestigations
311 Complaints and Fines Fail to Solve Usual City Winter Woe —Too Many Snow-Packed Sidewalks
As it considers pilot program to clear sidewalks, Chicago can look to Toronto, Syracuse where the cities do the plowing.
Posted inCriminal Justice & Public Safety
Court Clerk’s Error Exposed Data Involving Thousands of Juvenile Defendants, Violating State Law
A clerk’s office spokesman called the exposure “brief, non-damaging and limited in nature.” But a top county official says it was only the office’s latest failure.
Posted inInvestigating Responses
Mientras la ciudad batalla con una escasez de viviendas, la CHA deja que se deterioren cientos de casas vacías
Se supone que la Autoridad de Vivienda de Chicago está para ayudar a que las personas necesitadas puedan conseguir viviendas asequibles. Pero la agencia tiene casi 500 viviendas que están vacías – y muchas de ellas causan problemas a los vecinos.
Posted inInvestigations
Landlord Pushes Tenants Out Despite Getting State Money
Tenants at an Englewood apartment building are left out in the cold after their landlord pockets rental assistance with little oversight from the state.
Posted inEducation
Could a Ride-Sharing Network Help Get Chicago Students to School?
Chicago Public Schools has had early conversations with HopSkipDrive, a transportation network company designed specifically for students. Here’s how it operates in other cities – and what it would take to work here.
