Illinois Answers Project
Working every day to uncover waste and wrongdoing in government, hold public officials accountable and lift up solutions to Illinois’ most pressing problems.
- State officials say high incentives reflect competition for quantum companies, high wages and capital costs, but questions remain about how accessible these jobs will be for local residents. bit.ly/4rt6Xty
- Meet Ruby Bailey, the Editor in Chief of the Illinois Answers project. She brings 30 years of award winning reporting to our Women Who Hold Power to Account panel. Hear her insights on accountability in journalism. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3YVXv5U
- Jane Ruby is president of the League of Women Voters of Chicago. Jane’s work has focused on protecting and expanding voting rights, civic education and women’s empowerment issues. Don’t miss her speak on holding power to account at this Women’s History Month panel in Chicago: bit.ly/3YVXv5U
- Illinois’ 128-acre Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park promises “thousands” of jobs, but current tax incentive agreements guarantee only about 240 new positions — and known company commitments total just over 300 jobs so far. bit.ly/4rt6Xty
- A search warrant reveals the FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief. Read the story with @capitolnewsil.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2026/02/03/search-w…
- NEW: City Sues For Millions In Damages After ‘Worst Landowner’ Property Auction Fails illinoisanswers.org/2026/02/04/city-sue…
- Body camera video shows officers telling Ryan Harter, an off-duty cop, “You’re one of us” and “You’re not in any trouble” after a four-hour armed standoff at his Plainfield home. Police initially closed the case without charges. bit.ly/4c0pGYQ
- Reporter @gracehauck.bsky.social will be on @wgntv.com at 4:30 p.m. to discuss her newest story covering a suburban cop's armed standoff with police. Read the story here: bit.ly/4c0pGYQ And watch her appearance live here: bit.ly/4rrqryU
- Meet Ruby Bailey, the Editor in Chief of the Illinois Answers project. She brings 30 years of award winning reporting to our Women Who Hold Power to Account panel. Hear her insights on accountability in journalism. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3YVXv5U
- An off-duty suburban cop crashed his car with his kids inside, fled home and held police at bay for four hours while armed, police records show. The standoff ended with a hug — and no charges that day. bit.ly/4c0pGYQ
- Supporters say Chicago’s quantum park could someday rival other global tech hubs, but local residents continue to question whether the massive investment will translate into jobs and lasting benefits for the surrounding community. bit.ly/3LElB23
- Submissions are now open for the 22nd Anniversary Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. News organizations across Chicago and Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit your entry is Monday, February 23rd at 11:59 p.m. CDT. bit.ly/4k2DAvC
- Nearly 90% of the public money going into Chicago’s proposed quantum park is earmarked for infrastructure and equipment, with a much smaller share devoted to long-term tax incentives for companies. bit.ly/3LElB23
- More than $1 billion has been committed to Chicago’s Quantum campus since 2024, with roughly half coming from the state of Illinois. Dive deeper into quantum’s funding here: illinoisanswers.org/2026/01/27/how-much…
- Save the date! Join us for Beyond the Byline: Featuring the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting on Thursday, May 7, from 3:30–8:30 p.m. at Venue SIX10 in downtown Chicago. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4pVG4ND
- Instead of making assumptions, we want to hear directly from you about what types of stories you're interested in, how you like to consume news, and more. Take our quick audience survey here: medill.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eShfyyV…
- Save the date! Join us March 10 for Women Who Hold Power to Account, an evening conversation honoring Women’s History Month and spotlighting women who exemplify accountability and integrity across Chicago’s civic landscape. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3YVXv5U
- Chicago police initially blocked Officer Carlos Baker from joining a tactical unit over disciplinary concerns, only to later approve his transfer. Months after the move, Baker fatally shot his partner. bit.ly/4pG7LtW
- Illinois Answers Reporter @ctoner.bsky.social will be a guest speaker at the Mouse Arts and Letters Club's "News Night" tomorrow at 7 p.m. Learn more here: mouseartsandletters.org/events/event-one-ek26a
- Records show Chicago police leaders initially blocked Officer Carlos Baker from joining an elite tactical unit over disciplinary issues, only to approve his transfer months later. Months after the move, Baker fatally shot his partner. bit.ly/4pG7LtW
- Reposted by Illinois Answers Projectillinoisanswers.org/2026/01/15/c... My latest with @schuba.bsky.social and Peter Nickeas about the tac team cop who shot and killed his partner. After Carlos Baker's initial rejection, Baker's district commander approved his promotion even after Baker disobeyed orders and cussed out his sergeant
- NEW: Chicago Police Brass Had Rejected Troubled Cop’s Move to Elite Unit Before He Fatally Shot Partner illinoisanswers.org/2026/01/15/chicago-…
- An analysis of state data shows that 17% of all police officers hired by the Robbins Police Department since 2000 came on board directly after they were fired from previous law enforcement jobs, the most of any department in Illinois. bit.ly/49jyMOX
- Chicago homeowners are being walloped with a record property tax hike, with some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods absorbing the steepest increases even as downtown office owners see their bills fall, according to new data from the Cook County treasurer’s office. bit.ly/49D6rlF
- This investigation offers the fullest account to date of how many of those waiting for an IDHS placement are being detained longer in jail in part because of their mental illness. Read the full story here: bit.ly/3Ldv9AK
- A pilot program in 18 libraries across nine counties trains staff to help residents navigate civil court proceedings, offering a lifeline in communities where legal aid and public transit are scarce. Read the full story here: bit.ly/49ytz5C
- ‘Where is Justice for Krystal?’ Mom of Cop Asks After Suing Chicago Police Department, Partner Who Shot Her illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/11/where-is…
- ICYMI: A Once Dying Mall in Southern Illinois is Getting a Mighty Makeover, Thanks to $112M Bond Deal, But The Project Has Hit a Speed Bump
- This struggling mall in Marion, Illinois, is getting a major $112 million redevelopment backed by state bonds to boost the local economy, but the project hit a snag after one developer faced lawsuits and foreclosure, raising questions about its future. bit.ly/458rzhS
- Gov. JB Pritzker signed a public transit funding bill today creating the Northern Illinois Transit Authority after months of debate over how to avert a major funding cliff. Read our reporting that shows how a legal loophole stalled earlier fixes: bit.ly/4s5TtVY
- This struggling mall in Marion, Illinois, is getting a major $112 million redevelopment backed by state bonds to boost the local economy, but the project hit a snag after one developer faced lawsuits and foreclosure, raising questions about its future. bit.ly/458rzhS
- NEW: A Once Dying Mall in Southern Illinois is Getting a Mighty Makeover, Thanks to $112M Bond Deal, But The Project Has Hit a Speed Bump bit.ly/458rzhS
- Officer Krystal Rivera’s family says in the wrongful death suit that Officer Carlos Baker was struggling to accept her decision to end their romantic relationship when he shot her in the back in Chatham on June 5. bit.ly/4rQ0ji7
- A federal judge just ruled the Cook County Treasurer’s Office’s tax-sale system unconstitutional. Read our 2022 investigation that exposed how the process hit Black homeowners hardest, stripping families of wealth. bit.ly/48vEqNr
- Reporter Sidnee King Pineda will be on @abc7chicago.bsky.social this morning to discuss her latest story covering new federal rules that could put formerly unhoused people back out on the streets. Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: abc7.ws/3wRZlr1
- Johnson wants to preserve pandemic-funded programs he says are working and lowering crime, even as Chicago faces a $1.2B shortfall — and much of City Council isn’t buying it. illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/02/chicago-…
- A growing number of Illinois residents are turning to librarians — not lawyers — for help with remote court hearings, translations and e-filing. A new pilot program is quietly closing the justice gap. illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/01/illinois…
- Illinois librarians are stepping in to close the justice gap. A pilot program trains them to help residents navigate remote hearings, translation requests and e-filing — support many can’t get elsewhere. illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/01/illinois…
- With a $1.2B deficit looming, Johnson defends pandemic-era programs he says helped cut crime. Much of City Council remains skeptical. From @alexnitkin.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/02/chicago-…
- A pilot program in 18 libraries across nine counties trains staff to help residents navigate civil court proceedings, offering a lifeline in communities where legal aid and public transit are scarce. illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/01/illinois…
- ICYMI: Chicago homeowners are being hit with a record property tax hike, with some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods absorbing the steepest increases even as downtown office owners see their bills fall. illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/record-p…
- 3 days until we connect systems, power and people. Don’t miss Power of Journalism Dec 2 at The Experimental Station! RSVP here: host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?…
- In many Illinois suburbs, dial-a-ride services funded by transit taxes aren’t a convenience — they’re a lifeline. illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/counties…
- Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social will be on @abc7.bsky.social today to discuss his recent story on property tax increases. Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: abc7chicago.com/watch/live/
- Illinois is treating some mentally ill defendants in jails. It can speed up care, but experts warn jail isn’t a real substitute for proper treatment. illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/illinois…
- Be a part of this crucial dialogue with change makers redefining local journalism and its impact on Chicago’s future. Light bites and drinks will be served. host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?…
- The Trump administration is dramatically cutting the money available to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities. illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/18/new-fede…
- Sinking Loop office values fuel spike in Chicago residential bills, especially on South, West sides, report shows. illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/r...
- The number of times Illinois defendants have been found unfit and in need of inpatient restoration has exploded in recent years, resulting in people having to wait longer for an available hospital bed. They are often waiting in jail. illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
- Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago. In many cases, it’s more than three months. illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
- When Jose Jeronimo Guardian showed up at a Spanish language traffic court this week, he didn’t expect to be detained and face expulsion from a country he’d lived in for more than two decades. With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
