Grace Hauck
LightNews LightNews
gracehauck.bsky.social
Grace Hauck
@gracehauck.bsky.social
510 followers 840 following 11 posts
State Investigative Reporter @illinoisanswers.bsky.social. Previously @usatoday.com. Email [email protected]
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Grace Hauck
meredithnewman.bsky.social
Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago.

My latest for @illinoisanswers.bsky.social

illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting.
Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...
illinoisanswers.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
gracehauck.bsky.social
“These are due process violations,” Nevdal said in court. “This is an equal protection issue.” A must-read today from @meredithnewman.bsky.social @illinoisanswers.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting.
Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...
illinoisanswers.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
jayohday.bsky.social
‘They are literally targeting people.’ ICE comes to southern Illinois

By me and @bhundsdorfer.bsky.social for @illinoisanswers.bsky.social @capitolnewsil.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
‘They are literally targeting people.’ ICE comes to southern Illinois
CARLYLE, Ill. — When Jose Jeronimo Guardian showed up at a Spanish language traffic court this week, he didn’t expect to be detained and face expulsion from a country he’d […]
illinoisanswers.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
alexnitkin.bsky.social
As transit funding hangs in the balance in veto session this week, @gracehauck.bsky.social and I have a pair of stories looking at the stakes for a part of the state that's gotten relatively little attention: the collar counties.
t.co/oswatwJcdQ
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/legal-loophole-scrambled-state-efforts-to-plug-transit-agencies-funding/
t.co
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
gracehauck.bsky.social
What's the future of public transit in the Chicagoland area?

Fledgling dial-a-ride networks are filling gaps in the collar counties, but they struggle to meet demand. w/ @alexnitkin.bsky.social @illinoisanswers.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
These Counties Spend Transit Tax Money on Ride Services. They’re Lifelines for Thousands of Residents
Fledgling dial-a-ride networks are filling gaps in public transit in the collar counties, but they struggle to meet demand.
illinoisanswers.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
gracehauck.bsky.social
"We have a dire, dire, transit funding crisis, and we’re spending this money on roads and public safety," said Audrey Wennink of the Chicago-based nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council. w/ @alexnitkin.bsky.social @illinoisanswers.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
A Little-Known Legal Loophole Has Scrambled State Efforts to Save Transit Agencies From Financial Disaster
Suburban counties last year spent $83M in RTA sales taxes on jails and courts; they'll fight to keep the money as the state scrapes for cash.
illinoisanswers.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
After decades of building a real estate empire out of overgrown vacant lots in the poorest parts of Chicago, Suzie B. Wilson and her sister agreed earlier this year to auction off the properties to pay off their companies’ mounting debts.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/h...
Hundreds Of Lots Owned By 'City's Worst Landowner' Went Up For Sale. But Only A Fraction Have Sold
Parcels that belonged to Suzie B. Wilson and her sister accumulated $15 million in city fines for rat-related violations. Hundreds are sitting empty.
illinoisanswers.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
alexnitkin.bsky.social
New from me:
Chicago's budget has approximately doubled in the past decade. So why can't the city just cut runaway spending instead of raising taxes?
Turns out, lots of reasons:
t.co/BS4bP7FzIG
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/tightening-chicago-budget-faces-hurdles-amid-few-options-for-pain-free-cuts/
t.co
October 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Facing a nearly $1.2 billion budget gap, budgetmakers in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration have been dogged by a question: Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
Calls For 'Belt-Tightening' in Chicago Budget Face Hurdles Amid Few Options for Pain-Free Cuts
Cutting city spending faces at least as many logistical and political challenges as raising taxes.
illinoisanswers.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Join the Illinois Answers Project, The Chicago Council on Science and Technology and @blockclubchi.bsky.social for an evening of conversations about the promises and pitfalls of quantum computing.

Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
More than 37,000 residential properties on the South and West sides saw their tax assessments more than double between 2023 and 2024.

illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Brace For Impact: Tax Hikes Loom For South, West Side Homeowners
Property assessments double for 37,000 homes in Chicago’s historically neglected neighborhoods amid fresh investor interest.
illinoisanswers.org
September 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
alexnitkin.bsky.social
Story here:
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...
‘Granny Flats’ Poised For Expansion — But Only in Neighborhoods Where Alderpeople Allow Them
New law will allow more coach house construction and conversions but will likely create confusion and increase costs, advocates say.
illinoisanswers.org
September 25, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Leodus Thomas Jr. sees a brighter future for Chicago’s West Side. It’s why, after buying his house in Austin nine years ago, he decided to become a developer. But in the last several years, a new threat has emerged.

illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Brace For Impact: Tax Hikes Loom For South, West Side Homeowners
Property assessments double for 37,000 homes in Chicago’s historically neglected neighborhoods amid fresh investor interest.
illinoisanswers.org
September 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Our Investigate the State conference is up and running! If you didn't register, you can still sign up and join this free, virtual conference here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Investigate the State
Thinking of expanding your coverage to statewide audiences? Looking for partnerships with newsrooms in your community or even statewide? Interested in how news outlets around the Midwest are confronti...
illinoisanswers.org
September 9, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
NEW: Illinois is the only state that has yet to reform its tax sale laws after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
Lawsuits Pile Up as Illinois Lags on Reforming Tax Sale Laws
Illinois is the only state yet to reform its law after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org
September 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
peternickeas.bsky.social
Strange, in court this morning. In the middle of a hearing, judge took a phone call from her "boss," then came back and ruled that documents + videos would remain secret despite prosecutors + defense agreeing the secrecy order could be lifted. When asked, chief judge's office refused to comment.
Judge Won't Lift Order Barring Release of Body-Cam Footage of Officer Krystal Rivera's Killing
Judge Barbara Lynette Dawkins declined to lift the order, even though prosecutors and defense attorneys had no objection to the move.
illinoisanswers.org
September 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
heathercherone.bsky.social
Today's must read from @hannahmeisel.bsky.social of @capitolnewsil.bsky.social & @ctoner.bsky.social of @illinoisanswers.bsky.social:
August 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
ICYMI: 10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse devastated human services, providers say they’re once again bracing for a financial storm.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...
10 Years After State Budget Impasse, Human Services in Illinois Again Brace for ‘Tsunami’
Nonprofits hurt by impasse boosted budgets with federal funding — now endangered by Trump.
illinoisanswers.org
September 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
illinoisanswers.bsky.social
When Medicaid claims are denied, patients suffer the consequences. Providers report weeks‑long waits for care and some refusing Medicaid altogether as payments stall.

Read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/05/m...
Billions in Profits, Millions in Unpaid Claims: Medicaid Insurers Leave Illinois Providers Struggling, Patients Losing Care
Clinics and hospitals are drowning in denied and delayed claims from Illinois Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs). To cope, some have stopped accepting Medicaid altogether. Meanwhile, MCOs see ...
illinoisanswers.org
August 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
jayohday.bsky.social
A New Wastewater Plant in Carterville Could Stop Sewage Overflows — Why Hasn’t Construction Started Yet?

My latest

illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...
A New Wastewater Plant in Carterville Could Stop Sewage Overflows — Why Hasn’t Construction Started Yet?
Carterville residents say sewage floods their homes and yards. A new wastewater treatment plant could resolve the issue, but construction hasn’t started.
illinoisanswers.org
July 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
cplhouse.bsky.social
After investigating the decades of sewage flooding in Cahokia Heights, state investigative reporter @jayohday.bsky.social is back w/ a look into sewage flooding in Carterville & why a new wastewater treatment plant approved years ago still hasn't been built.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...
A New Wastewater Plant in Carterville Could Stop Sewage Overflows — Why Hasn’t Construction Started Yet?
Carterville residents say sewage floods their homes and yards. A new wastewater treatment plant could resolve the issue, but construction hasn’t started.
illinoisanswers.org
July 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
cplhouse.bsky.social
Here at the National Public Housing Museum, where we're talking about our "Making it in Chicago" project.

We've got storytelling sessions on affordable housing, violence interrupters, child care subsidies, & student loan debt.

First up is Marisa Novara in conversation with @alexnitkin.bsky.social
July 10, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Reposted by Grace Hauck
peternickeas.bsky.social
The Chicago police officer who accidentally shot+killed his partner earlier this month was accused of flashing a gun at a woman while she was on a date with another man at a North Side bar. This was during his probationary period when CPD could have summarily fired him. #chicago
Chicago Cop Who Inadvertently Shot and Killed Partner Has Lengthy Disciplinary Record over Short Career
Officer Carlos A. Baker has had more than a dozen complaints against him, records show. He has faced three suspensions and two reprimands.
illinoisanswers.org
June 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM