Archive
How Overbuilt Levees Along the Upper Mississippi River Push Floods Onto Others
A new analysis of government data shows how levee districts that have raised their levees without federal permits would be better protected against future flooding, while those that follow the rules would see extra flooding.
Takeaways From Our First Free Street Theater Journalism Workshop
Here’s what we learned from our kickoff event in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Seeing Journalism Make a Difference in Election Results
Here’s to getting through the weeds, getting out to vote and the impact of local reporting. But our work isn’t over.
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios’ Defeat Opens the Door to Reform
Democratic primary winner Fritz Kaegi pledged change, but delivering it won’t be easy.
A Political Boss Goes Down
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, one of the last leaders of the old Democratic machine, loses the Democratic primary to a wealthy political newcomer.
Getting to Know Illinois — And You
For a Chicago newbie, learning about a city begins with books, buildings and, especially, people. One thing I’ve figured out: I need a snow shovel.
Flawed Assessments Caused $2 Billion Shift in Property Taxes, Study Finds
Under Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios, assessment system shaved $1 billion from Chicago’s most expensive homes, while owners of lower-valued homes picked up the tab.
Some States No Longer Suspend Driver’s Licenses for Unpaid Fines. Will Illinois Join Them?
Our analysis shows suspensions tied to ticket debt disproportionately affect motorists in largely black sections of Chicago and its suburbs.
How Do We Keep Bias Out of Stories?
We stick with the facts, and several editors read every story.
We’ve Updated Our Campaign Widget to Better Help You Follow the Money
In the pricey Illinois governor’s race, it’s more important than ever.
Win or Lose in GOP Primary for Governor, Jeanne Ives Helps Push Illinois to the Right
Top donors, operatives abandon Rauner and put their money with conservative crusader.
We’ve Updated ‘The Money Game,’ Our Illinois Governor’s Race Fundraising Widget
We now show candidates’ self-funding and have cards to share on social media.
She Owed $102,158.40 in Unpaid Tickets, but She’s Not in the Story
Still, we want to tell you a little bit about her, and about some of the other people we interviewed, because they helped inform our ticket debt investigation.
How Chicago Ticket Debt Sends Black Motorists Into Bankruptcy
A cash-strapped city employs punitive measures to collect from cash-strapped black residents — and lawyers benefit.
The Many Roads to Bankruptcy
Here are some stories of Chicagoans driven into ticket debt.
Bringing Theater and Investigative Reporters to You
Here are the places ProPublica Illinois and Free Street Theater will be visiting. Will we see you there?
When Is a Story Ready to Publish?
It's a tricky balance: more reporting versus the need to get the story out. And sometimes deadlines come and go.
How We Made Our Illinois Governor’s Campaign Finance Widget
It's the first of many experiments to reach our audience with useful, data-driven visual journalism.
Congressman Calls For Investigation Of Conservative Think Tank
Veteran Democrat Lipinski joins critics of the Illinois Policy Institute with a letter to the IRS.
Cook County’s Residential Property Tax Assessments Deeply Unfair, Independent Study Confirms
Findings that assessments were error-ridden and burdened the poor undermine Assessor Joseph Berrios’ claims that he properly valued residential property.
