A joint investigation with Illinois Answers and the Chicago Tribune found that smoke alarms were absent, defective or missing batteries in 57 out of 87 fatal residential fires in Chicago from 2020 through 2022.
Investigations
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Fires Continue to Kill People in Unsafe Buildings as Chicago Ignores Problems with its Inspection System
As other cities across the country adopt innovative programs to fix problem buildings, Chicago lags behind
Posted inCriminal Justice & Public Safety
Chicago Police’s Foot Pursuit Policy Explained
A police officer seemingly adhered to the Chicago Police Department’s foot pursuit policy — still cost him his life
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Lightfoot Made Headway on Pensions, but the Next Mayor Still Faces a Gaping Crisis
Mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have given few hints on how they’d replenish the city’s severely depleted pension funds.
Posted inInvestigations
Principal Resignations Soar Across Chicago and Illinois, as Educators Cite Burnout
Leaders in education are calling for more support as more and more principals are leaving their jobs.
Posted inInvestigations
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Claims That Illinois and Chicago Cut Police Spending Are False
The Republican governor visited Elmhurst in what was pegged as a pro-police rally where he compared crime rates of Chicago to the whole state of Florida
Posted inSolutions
Here are 4 ways the Bears could score public funding for a move — and why they’d all be controversial
The Bears say they aren’t looking for a handout, but they want ‘property tax certainty’ and public infrastructure spending in Arlington Heights. Here’s what that could look like.
Posted inInvestigations
Big talk, slow progress from Mayor Lightfoot on anti-violence programs
City Hall touts its $410M plan to fight crime but has spent little money; some cash goes to street outreach groups with no experience or troubled leadership.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Ald. Rod Sawyer did legal work for firm that bought Beverly home for $32K from man with dementia
A judge later invalidated the sale, but Sawyer, who is running for mayor, notes he was dismissed from the court case involving the purchase, with no finding of wrongdoing
Posted inSolutions
Is Lightfoot’s Signature Housing Policy Working? Depends on Who You Ask
One visible metric shows a big slowdown in housing construction since the 2021 Affordable Requirements Ordinance took hold. But a deeper look shows a more complex picture.
