Illinois Answers Project
@IllinoisAnswers
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Working every day to uncover waste and wrongdoing in government, hold public officials accountable, and lift up solutions to Illinois’ most pressing problems.
Chicago, IL
Joined May 2022
As Gov. Pritzker announces a new South Chicago home for quantum startup Infleqtion, questions remain about how this fast-growing field will deliver real community benefits. Our February investigation explored the promises and pitfalls:
illinoisanswers.org
Developers promise a quantum computing hub in South Chicago will bring jobs and revive the community. South Siders are skeptical.
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ICYMI: This Southern Illinois city was promised a fix for sewage flooding, but residents are still waiting.
illinoisanswers.org
Carterville residents say sewage floods their homes and yards. A new wastewater treatment plant could resolve the issue, but construction hasn’t started.
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A delay in building the wastewater treatment plant has forced Carterville residents to endure overflows and foul odors. Officials say project bids opened recently, but construction has yet to begin. Read the story here:
illinoisanswers.org
Carterville residents say sewage floods their homes and yards. A new wastewater treatment plant could resolve the issue, but construction hasn’t started.
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Reporter @AlexNitkin will be on @WBEZreset today at 12:20 p.m. to discuss ADUs in Chicago. Tune in live here: And read his story here:
illinoisanswers.org
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or "granny flats" are illegal to build in most of Chicago, but a pilot program allowing them in some areas showed promising results. City officials are divided over...
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NEW: Carterville reported 40 sanitary sewer overflows over the past decade. Residents and officials agree a new wastewater plant would end the spills — but construction is still pending despite a promised start date last year. Read the investigation:
illinoisanswers.org
Carterville residents say sewage floods their homes and yards. A new wastewater treatment plant could resolve the issue, but construction hasn’t started.
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An investigation by Illinois Answers showed most of Chicago still bans granny flats and political gridlock has stalled broader reform. Now, Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing to legalize them citywide—setting up a key vote at City Council this week.
illinoisanswers.org
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or "granny flats" are illegal to build in most of Chicago, but a pilot program allowing them in some areas showed promising results. City officials are divided over...
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“Most drivers aren’t making money. They’re just not. And they’re killing their cars,” said Camila Hudson, a part-time Uber and Lyft driver in Chicago. Some say gig work traps them in unstable, low-paying jobs with no way to get ahead.
illinoisanswers.org
Rideshare workers in Chicago say they’re being exploited and kept in unstable and low-paying jobs that prevent them from getting ahead in life. Organizers are calling for due process for termination,...
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“I have to drive twice as long to make the same money.”. App-based gig work, like Uber and Lyft, was supposed to be a lucrative side hustle offering workers freedom and flexibility. Now, drivers say they feel stuck, exploited and unsafe.
illinoisanswers.org
Rideshare workers in Chicago say they’re being exploited and kept in unstable and low-paying jobs that prevent them from getting ahead in life. Organizers are calling for due process for termination,...
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ICYMI: The family of Officer Krystal Rivera — fatally shot in the back by a fellow officer — is demanding an independent investigation and full transparency from CPD.
illinoisanswers.org
The family wants Illinois State Police to take over the investigation as their attorney says CPD’s narrative doesn’t “pass the smell test.”
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Student loan debt is a crisis in Illinois. With a collective balance of nearly $63 billion, the state is seeking new solutions.
illinoisanswers.org
With $63 billion in collective student loan debt, forgiveness programs and innovative solutions aim to help borrowers. But state funding and public awareness remains an obstacle.
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ICYMI: A Chicago officer who accidentally shot and killed his partner had racked up more than a dozen misconduct complaints in just four years on the force.
illinoisanswers.org
Officer Carlos A. Baker has had more than a dozen complaints against him, records show. He has faced three suspensions and two reprimands.
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NEW with @Suntimes: Chicago Cop Who Inadvertently Shot and Killed Partner Has Lengthy Disciplinary Record over Short Career.
illinoisanswers.org
Officer Carlos A. Baker has had more than a dozen complaints against him, records show. He has faced three suspensions and two reprimands.
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For decades, raw sewage has flooded streets and homes in Southern Illinois. Residents are left waiting while government solutions stall. Watch the video here:
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Many senior homeowners turn to reverse mortgages to pay for urgent home repairs. But when the loans come due, families can be left with tough choices—and lasting debt. Read the investigation:
illinoisanswers.org
Home repair is at the root of the ability of senior Chicagoans to stay in their homes as they age. Local organizations are trying to provide relief without depriving seniors of the ability to pass...
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Some senior homeowners turn to reverse mortgages when they need extra income to repair their homes. But for those who come after them, reverse mortgages can effectively close the door to inheritance.
illinoisanswers.org
Home repair is at the root of the ability of senior Chicagoans to stay in their homes as they age. Local organizations are trying to provide relief without depriving seniors of the ability to pass...
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“I just have anxiety now, like, even more anxiety than before. Am I gonna be able to pay this month?. Thousands of Cook County residents are buried under medical debt, meaning many people are delaying life goals, like saving for retirement or the ability to rent an apartment and.
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Five dozen Southern Illinois towns saw a third of the state’s sewer overflows over the last decade—but shrinking populations and red tape make fixes elusive. Read the investigation with @bellevillenewsd:
illinoisanswers.org
Five dozen communities in Southern Illinois account for a third of the reported sanitary sewer overflows in the state in the last decade. But with low revenues, population declines, and bureaucratic...
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Thousands of Cook County residents are buried under medical debt, meaning many people are delaying life goals, like saving for retirement or the ability to rent an apartment and buy a car.
illinoisanswers.org
Cook County became the first local government to buy medical debts in bulk. But data shows the majority of debt was relieved for people who likely should have qualified for free care — a sign that...
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“We're at the mercy of child care.”. Our latest investigation looks into how Illinois puts limits on its child care subsidy far stricter than federal recommendations, excluding tens of thousands of children.
illinoisanswers.org
While the state infuses millions of dollars a year into child care programs, the strict eligibility requirements and limitations for its largest child care subsidy exclude tens of thousands of...
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