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Molly Parker

Molly Parker is general assignment and investigative projects reporter for The Southern Illinoisan.

Culture of Cruelty

We Found Widespread Abuse of Disabled Patients at an Illinois Facility. The DOJ Is Investigating.

A federal probe into Illinois’ treatment of disabled people will examine abuse and neglect allegations at state-run residential institutions — including Choate, the subject of a yearlong Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica investigation.

Local Reporting Network

Illinois Has Virtually No Homeschooling Rules. A New Bill Aims to Change That.

Following a ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois investigation, an Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require families to tell their public school districts if they are homeschooling.

Local Reporting Network

Five Big Obstacles to Opening Child Care Facilities in Rural Illinois

Though the state faces a critical child care shortage, the government has not made it easy to open new facilities. These are the biggest roadblocks for providers.

Local Reporting Network

“All Our Future Money Is Gone”: The Impossible Task of Providing Child Care in Rural Illinois

Though the governor promised to make Illinois “the best state” to raise young children, child care continues to disappear. And, as one couple learned, there’s almost no help for those building a child care facility from the ground up.

Local Reporting Network

The Government Spends Millions to Open Grocery Stores in Food Deserts. The Real Test Is Their Survival.

The community of Cairo, Illinois, once a food desert, welcomed its new market last year with balloons and cheers. But the store is struggling — exposing problems with the programs set up to help.

Local Reporting Network

How Illinois’ Hands-Off Approach to Homeschooling Leaves Children at Risk

At 9 years old, L.J. started missing school. His parents said they would homeschool him. It took two years — during which he was beaten and denied food — for anyone to notice he wasn’t learning.

Local Reporting Network

Culture of Cruelty

In Crisis, She Went to an Illinois Facility. Two Years Later, She Still Isn’t Able to Leave.

The state of Illinois is asking for the end of court oversight of its system of care for people with developmental disabilities. But some advocates say it’s too soon.

Local Reporting Network

Illinois Judge Closes Juvenile Detention Center After “Facility in Crisis” Fails to Meet New State Standards

The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center abruptly closed on Dec. 31. The judge who ordered the closure said staffing shortages made it difficult to meet state standards for caring for youth in custody.

Local Reporting Network

Inside Illinois’ Youth Lockups, Children Go Without Basic Services and Face “Excessive” Punishments

State audits point to troubling conditions in juvenile detention centers, but no agency has strong enough oversight to bring about change.

Local Reporting Network

Culture of Cruelty

Choate Director Replaced as New Report Says Abuse at the Facility Hasn’t Stopped

A new report by an advocacy agency details how abuse and neglect at Choate have continued despite calls for and promises of reform. Now, the Illinois Department of Human Services has reversed its decision to keep Choate’s top leadership in place.

Local Reporting Network