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Illinois Answers Project

Illinois Answers Project

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Fatal Fires

3 Cities Chicago Could Emulate for Safer Buildings

3 Cities Chicago Could Emulate for Safer Buildings

Denver and New Orleans are all pushing to implement nationally recognized best practices on building inspections and fire safety while Chicago officials resist change.

by Alex Nitkin March 15, 2023March 21, 2023
Smoke Detectors Save Lives, But Chicago Slow to Toughen Rules

Smoke Detectors Save Lives, But Chicago Slow to Toughen Rules

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.

by Alex Nitkin, Adriana Pérez and Kelli Duncan March 13, 2023March 16, 2023
Fires Continue to Kill People in Unsafe Buildings as Chicago Ignores Problems with its Inspection System

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

by Alex Nitkin, Adriana Pérez and Kelli Duncan March 10, 2023March 16, 2023
9 Potential Solutions to Keep Chicagoans Safer From Fires

9 Potential Solutions to Keep Chicagoans Safer From Fires

A follow-up to a BGA/Chicago Tribune investigation finds other major cities have enacted reforms to improve building safety that could save lives in Chicago — if city leaders break from a pattern of neglect.

by Madison Hopkins and Cecilia Reyes August 2, 2021January 26, 2023
The Failures Before the Fires: Dozens Die in Chicago Buildings Where the City Knew of Fire Safety Issues

The Failures Before the Fires: Dozens Die in Chicago Buildings Where the City Knew of Fire Safety Issues

Saying a federal appeals court mistakenly created a “watershed moment” that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul sides with insurance titans that administer healthcare reimbursements

by Madison Hopkins and Cecilia Reyes April 23, 2021March 14, 2023
Deadly Fires, Broken Promises

Deadly Fires, Broken Promises

Chicago’s political leaders fail to enact safety rules that stick.

by Madison Hopkins and Cecilia Reyes April 23, 2021January 26, 2023
42 Fires, 61 Deaths: A Story of Failed City Oversight

42 Fires, 61 Deaths: A Story of Failed City Oversight

Look at photos. Listen to 911 calls. Read excerpts from key documents.

by Madison Hopkins and Cecilia Reyes April 23, 2021January 26, 2023
The Failures Before the Fires: How We Reported This Story

The Failures Before the Fires: How We Reported This Story

Saying a federal appeals court mistakenly created a “watershed moment” that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul sides with insurance titans that administer healthcare reimbursements

by Madison Hopkins and Cecilia Reyes April 23, 2021January 26, 2023
‘Old Lessons That Tragically Went Unheeded’

‘Old Lessons That Tragically Went Unheeded’

Over and over, Chicago fails to learn from fatal fires

by Madison Hopkins and Cecilia Reyes April 23, 2021January 26, 2023

Here at the Illinois Answers Project, our team of reporters work every day to uncover waste and wrongdoing in government, hold public officials accountable, and lift up solutions to Illinois’ most pressing problems.

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