Some families are frustrated about a public backlash, saying what they did was legal. They say the real problem is the cost of higher education.

And updates on the creation of new casinos around the state.

Lawmakers described the practice as disturbing, disheartening and shocking.

Illinois politicians considered denying admission to students whose families exploited the guardianship law to qualify for aid they wouldn’t otherwise receive, saying it was an “injustice.”

Owners of one of Illinois’ largest video gambling companies are behind efforts to influence city politics, expand gambling and build a casino near land they control.

Un día después de nuestro reportaje, el inspector general del departamento dice que quiere cerrar los agujeros legales de ayuda financiera.

A tip, and then lots of work — including looking through nearly 2,000 files — over a very short period of time.

Legislators said parents who turn over guardianship of their children to get financial aid engaged in a “manipulative practice.” They’re exploring whether they can subpoena parents to testify.

Primero, los padres transfieren la tutela de sus hijos adolescentes a un amigo o pariente. Después, el estudiante declara independencia financiera para calificar para ayudas monetarias y becas.

One day after our reporting, the department’s inspector general said it wants to close financial aid loopholes.

First, parents turn over guardianship of their teenagers to a friend or relative. Then the student declares financial independence to qualify for tuition aid and scholarships.

Some 55,000 Illinoisans could regain their driver’s licenses very soon.

After more than a year of reporting from ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced ticketing changes and said she would support legislation to change state law — beginning to make good on a campaign promise.

Oficiales estatales dicen ahora que quieren contratar más empleados bilingües y reclutar más familias de acogida hispanohablantes.

Lawmakers respond to DCFS’s repeated violations of a court order to provide Spanish-speaking services to Spanish-speaking families.

State officials now say they want to increase bilingual hiring and the recruitment of Spanish-speaking foster families.

We’ve created an event toolkit to help communities start or continue conversations about how Chicago’s parking and vehicle ticketing system drives motorists into debt and jeopardizes livelihoods.