Illinois Answers Project
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Working 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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Follow the Illinois Answers team here to get all the latest investigations and solutions: go.bsky.app/T1JhmKW
Follow the Illinois Answers team here to get all the latest investigations and solutions: go.bsky.app/T1JhmKW
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...
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
‘They are literally targeting people.’ ICE comes to southern Illinois
CARLYLE, Ill. — 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 […]
illinoisanswers.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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...
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
State lawmakers just approved $1.5B to rescue CTA and other Northern Illinois transit agencies from major cuts - in part by raising a sales tax whose tricky politics we reported on this week.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
October 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
State lawmakers just approved $1.5B to rescue CTA and other Northern Illinois transit agencies from major cuts - in part by raising a sales tax whose tricky politics we reported on this week.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
Amid a looming fiscal cliff for transit in Northern Illinois that could force deep CTA cuts, less attention is on suburban riders who depend on on-demand transit.
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
These Counties Spend Transit Tax Money on Ride Services. They’re Lifelines for Thousands of Residents
Fledgling dial-a-ride networks are filling gaps in public transit in the collar counties, but they struggle to meet demand.
illinoisanswers.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Amid a looming fiscal cliff for transit in Northern Illinois that could force deep CTA cuts, less attention is on suburban riders who depend on on-demand transit.
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
Reposted by Illinois Answers Project
"We have a dire, dire, transit funding crisis, and we’re spending this money on roads and public safety," said Audrey Wennink of the Chicago-based nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council. w/ @alexnitkin.bsky.social @illinoisanswers.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
A Little-Known Legal Loophole Has Scrambled State Efforts to Save Transit Agencies From Financial Disaster
Suburban counties last year spent $83M in RTA sales taxes on jails and courts; they'll fight to keep the money as the state scrapes for cash.
illinoisanswers.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
"We have a dire, dire, transit funding crisis, and we’re spending this money on roads and public safety," said Audrey Wennink of the Chicago-based nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council. w/ @alexnitkin.bsky.social @illinoisanswers.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
Calls For 'Belt-Tightening' in Chicago Budget Face Hurdles Amid Few Options for Pain-Free Cuts
Cutting city spending faces at least as many logistical and political challenges as raising taxes.
illinoisanswers.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
After decades of building a real estate empire out of overgrown vacant lots in the poorest parts of Chicago, Suzie B. Wilson and her sister agreed earlier this year to auction off the properties to pay off their companies’ mounting debts.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/h...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/h...
Hundreds Of Lots Owned By 'City's Worst Landowner' Went Up For Sale. But Only A Fraction Have Sold
Parcels that belonged to Suzie B. Wilson and her sister accumulated $15 million in city fines for rat-related violations. Hundreds are sitting empty.
illinoisanswers.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
After decades of building a real estate empire out of overgrown vacant lots in the poorest parts of Chicago, Suzie B. Wilson and her sister agreed earlier this year to auction off the properties to pay off their companies’ mounting debts.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/h...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/h...
Facing a nearly $1.2 billion budget gap, budgetmakers in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration have been dogged by a question: Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
Calls For 'Belt-Tightening' in Chicago Budget Face Hurdles Amid Few Options for Pain-Free Cuts
Cutting city spending faces at least as many logistical and political challenges as raising taxes.
illinoisanswers.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Facing a nearly $1.2 billion budget gap, budgetmakers in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration have been dogged by a question: Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social was on @citycastchicago.bsky.social yesterday to discuss his story with @adquig.bsky.social covering tax hikes for the South and West sides.
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Whose Property Taxes Are Going Up This Year in Chicago? - City Cast Chicago
While property tax bills have been delayed, we do have a sense of who’s likely to see the biggest tax hikes in Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran sits do...
chicago.citycast.fm
September 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social was on @citycastchicago.bsky.social yesterday to discuss his story with @adquig.bsky.social covering tax hikes for the South and West sides.
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
More than 37,000 residential properties on the South and West sides saw their tax assessments more than double between 2023 and 2024.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Brace For Impact: Tax Hikes Loom For South, West Side Homeowners
Property assessments double for 37,000 homes in Chicago’s historically neglected neighborhoods amid fresh investor interest.
illinoisanswers.org
September 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
More than 37,000 residential properties on the South and West sides saw their tax assessments more than double between 2023 and 2024.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
More than 37,000 residential properties on the South and West sides saw their tax assessments more than double between 2023 and 2024.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Brace For Impact: Tax Hikes Loom For South, West Side Homeowners
Property assessments double for 37,000 homes in Chicago’s historically neglected neighborhoods amid fresh investor interest.
illinoisanswers.org
September 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
More than 37,000 residential properties on the South and West sides saw their tax assessments more than double between 2023 and 2024.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Join the Illinois Answers Project, The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and @blockclubchi.bsky.social for an evening of conversations about the promises and pitfalls of quantum computing.
Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Join the Illinois Answers Project, The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and @blockclubchi.bsky.social for an evening of conversations about the promises and pitfalls of quantum computing.
Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
ICYMI: Such stark increases are expected to leave many homeowners in those neighborhoods struggling to pay their tax bills this fall.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Brace For Impact: Tax Hikes Loom For South, West Side Homeowners
Property assessments double for 37,000 homes in Chicago’s historically neglected neighborhoods amid fresh investor interest.
illinoisanswers.org
September 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
ICYMI: Such stark increases are expected to leave many homeowners in those neighborhoods struggling to pay their tax bills this fall.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Leodus Thomas Jr. sees a brighter future for Chicago’s West Side. It’s why, after buying his house in Austin nine years ago, he decided to become a developer. But in the last several years, a new threat has emerged.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Brace For Impact: Tax Hikes Loom For South, West Side Homeowners
Property assessments double for 37,000 homes in Chicago’s historically neglected neighborhoods amid fresh investor interest.
illinoisanswers.org
September 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Leodus Thomas Jr. sees a brighter future for Chicago’s West Side. It’s why, after buying his house in Austin nine years ago, he decided to become a developer. But in the last several years, a new threat has emerged.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Our Investigate the State conference is up and running! If you didn't register, you can still sign up and join this free, virtual conference here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Our Investigate the State conference is up and running! If you didn't register, you can still sign up and join this free, virtual conference here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
NEW: Illinois is the only state that has yet to reform its tax sale laws after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
Lawsuits Pile Up as Illinois Lags on Reforming Tax Sale Laws
Illinois is the only state yet to reform its law after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org
September 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
NEW: Illinois is the only state that has yet to reform its tax sale laws after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
Just added! Lunch & Learn: Empowering Investigative reporting with Solutions Journalism, featuring Tina Rosenberg (Co-Founder, @soljourno.bsky.social), Deborah D. Douglas (Director, Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub) and @gracehauck.bsky.social (Illinois Answers, Investigative Reporter).
September 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Just added! Lunch & Learn: Empowering Investigative reporting with Solutions Journalism, featuring Tina Rosenberg (Co-Founder, @soljourno.bsky.social), Deborah D. Douglas (Director, Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub) and @gracehauck.bsky.social (Illinois Answers, Investigative Reporter).
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Investigate the State
Thinking of expanding your coverage to statewide audiences? Looking for partnerships with newsrooms in your community or even statewide? Interested in how news outlets around the Midwest are confronti...
illinoisanswers.org
September 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
ICYMI: 10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse devastated human services, providers say they’re once again bracing for a financial storm.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
10 Years After State Budget Impasse, Human Services in Illinois Again Brace for ‘Tsunami’
Nonprofits hurt by impasse boosted budgets with federal funding — now endangered by Trump.
illinoisanswers.org
September 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
ICYMI: 10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse devastated human services, providers say they’re once again bracing for a financial storm.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
Reposted by Illinois Answers Project
A decade ago, Illinois began what would become a two-year budget impasse. Since then, human services have recovered, albeit unevenly, thanks in part to COVID-era federal funds. @illinoisanswers.bsky.social https://loom.ly/o80xxOY
August 28, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A decade ago, Illinois began what would become a two-year budget impasse. Since then, human services have recovered, albeit unevenly, thanks in part to COVID-era federal funds. @illinoisanswers.bsky.social https://loom.ly/o80xxOY
Reposted by Illinois Answers Project
Today's must read from @hannahmeisel.bsky.social of @capitolnewsil.bsky.social & @ctoner.bsky.social of @illinoisanswers.bsky.social:
10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse gutted human services, providers warn they’re facing another financial storm. Federal relief funds are drying up just as demand surges. @capitolnewsil.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
10 Years After State Budget Impasse, Human Services in Illinois Again Brace for ‘Tsunami’
Nonprofits hurt by impasse boosted budgets with federal funding — now endangered by Trump.
illinoisanswers.org
August 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Today's must read from @hannahmeisel.bsky.social of @capitolnewsil.bsky.social & @ctoner.bsky.social of @illinoisanswers.bsky.social:
10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse gutted human services, providers warn they’re facing another financial storm. Federal relief funds are drying up just as demand surges. @capitolnewsil.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
10 Years After State Budget Impasse, Human Services in Illinois Again Brace for ‘Tsunami’
Nonprofits hurt by impasse boosted budgets with federal funding — now endangered by Trump.
illinoisanswers.org
August 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse gutted human services, providers warn they’re facing another financial storm. Federal relief funds are drying up just as demand surges. @capitolnewsil.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
ICYMI: Officer Carlos Baker was accused of attacking a female cop at DSTRKT Bar & Grill. He told police he was harassed by two women — the off-duty cop and his girlfriend’s mother, who he said attacked him and referred to him as “a murderer.”
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/18/c...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/18/c...
Chicago Cop Who Killed Partner Says He's the Victim in Wicker Park Bar Fight
Officer Carlos Baker told police he was harassed at a Wicker Park bar by two women — an off-duty cop and his girlfriend’s mother, who he said attacked him and referred to him as "a murderer."
illinoisanswers.org
August 19, 2025 at 5:19 PM
ICYMI: Officer Carlos Baker was accused of attacking a female cop at DSTRKT Bar & Grill. He told police he was harassed by two women — the off-duty cop and his girlfriend’s mother, who he said attacked him and referred to him as “a murderer.”
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/18/c...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/18/c...
BREAKING: Officer Carlos Baker, the Chicago cop who fatally shot his partner Krystal Rivera while pursuing a suspect, was stripped of his police powers on Friday but not for the shooting. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/15/c...
Chicago cop who fatally shot partner Krystal Rivera is stripped of his police powers — but not for that
Officer Carlos Baker, the Chicago cop who fatally shot his partner Krystal Rivera while pursuing a suspect, was stripped of his police powers on Friday but not for the shooting. […]
illinoisanswers.org
August 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
BREAKING: Officer Carlos Baker, the Chicago cop who fatally shot his partner Krystal Rivera while pursuing a suspect, was stripped of his police powers on Friday but not for the shooting. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/15/c...
Months after fatally shooting his partner during a foot pursuit, Chicago police officer Carlos Baker is accused of attacking another officer at a Wicker Park bar, leaving her with a split lip that required stitches.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/13/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/13/b...
Chicago cop who fatally shot partner Krystal Rivera accused of attacking female officer
Carlos Baker, the Chicago police officer who shot and killed his partner Krystal Rivera allegedly attacked a female officer at a bar in Wicker Park
illinoisanswers.org
August 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Months after fatally shooting his partner during a foot pursuit, Chicago police officer Carlos Baker is accused of attacking another officer at a Wicker Park bar, leaving her with a split lip that required stitches.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/13/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/13/b...