Mick Dumke
Mick Dumke was a reporter for ProPublica. His work focused on politics and government, including investigations of local and federal gun policies, secret police databases and corruption at Chicago City Hall.
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Mick Dumke was a reporter for ProPublica. His work focused on politics and government, including investigations of local and federal gun policies, secret police databases and corruption at Chicago City Hall. Mick came to ProPublica after two years on the Watchdogs team at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he reported on civil liberties, the war on drugs and the dismantling of public housing. Before that, he spent almost a decade as a politics writer and editor for the Chicago Reader. He has also worked as a reporter and editor at the Chicago Reporter, taught social studies at an alternative high school, and studied religion at Northwestern University and McCormick Theological Seminary.
At Chicago’s City Council, Committees Are Used to Reward Political Favors and Fund Patronage
Without new oversight and accountability, City Hall cannot “escape corruption, mismanagement and waste,” the city watchdog says.
Cook County Judge Loosens Unusual Restrictions on Publishing Details of Child Welfare Case
Calling her previous order “overbroad,” the presiding judge of the child protection division says ProPublica Illinois is free to report on the case but can’t disclose the identities of the children.
Chicago’s Inspector General Finds the City’s Gang Database Is Riddled With Errors
The database has been accessed more than 1 million times, including some 32,000 times by immigration officials. Police said they will fix the database but not erase it.
Cook County Judge Keeps Limit on Publication in Place in Child Welfare Case
The presiding judge of the child protection division of juvenile court says she will rule soon on ProPublica Illinois’ request to lift ban.
Promises, Tamales and Even Truth-Telling: Chicago’s Mayoral Race Hits the Final Stretch
In the campaign to succeed Rahm Emanuel, candidates Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle talk neighborhoods and look for votes.
Cook County Judge Blocks ProPublica Illinois From Publishing Details of Child Welfare Case
In moving to shield minors, the judge weighs a challenge to the First Amendment right to publish.
Chicago’s Election Signals Break from the Past — in Wards and at City Hall
In the 49th Ward, a newcomer from the left unseated the once progressive Joe Moore. And mayoral candidates tried to distance themselves from Rahm Emanuel, although the two top finishers have their own ties to the political establishment.
At Chicago City Hall, the Legislative Branch Rarely Does Much Legislating
The mayor dominates the City Council while aldermen reign over the “fiefdoms” of their wards.
Cook County Takes Steps to Erase Its Regional Gang Database
Commissioners are set to pass a law banning the database and requiring it to be destroyed.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Says Its Gang Database Is on Lockdown, but Questions Remain
Many welcomed the announcement that the sheriff took the database offline. But the office has resisted calls to destroy it immediately or publicly explain other details of its plans.