Illinois Answers Project
@illinoisanswers.bsky.social
Working every day to uncover waste and wrongdoing in government, hold public officials accountable and lift up solutions to Illinois’ most pressing problems.
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Follow the Illinois Answers team here to get all the latest investigations and solutions: go.bsky.app/T1JhmKW
Follow the Illinois Answers team here to get all the latest investigations and solutions: go.bsky.app/T1JhmKW
Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social will be on @abc7.bsky.social today to discuss his recent story on property tax increases.
Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: https://abc7chicago.com/watch/live/
Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: https://abc7chicago.com/watch/live/
ABC7 Chicago Live Stream: Newscasts, Breaking News from WLS-TV
Watch live streaming video and newscasts from Chicago and stay updated with the latest local WLS broadcasts, plus live breaking news and weather as it happens.
abc7chicago.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social will be on @abc7.bsky.social today to discuss his recent story on property tax increases.
Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: https://abc7chicago.com/watch/live/
Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: https://abc7chicago.com/watch/live/
Illinois is treating some mentally ill defendants in jails. It can speed up care, but experts warn jail isn’t a real substitute for proper treatment.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/illinois-is-turning-to-local-jails-to-treat-mentally-ill-defendants-some-early-results-offer-hope-and-warnings/
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/illinois-is-turning-to-local-jails-to-treat-mentally-ill-defendants-some-early-results-offer-hope-and-warnings/
Illinois Is Turning to Local Jails to Treat Mentally Ill Defendants. Some Early Results Offer Hope — and Warnings
It’s not often that Menard County Jail has a detainee who has been found unfit for trial. The jail, just north of Springfield, is small. With a census that can […]
illinoisanswers.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Illinois is treating some mentally ill defendants in jails. It can speed up care, but experts warn jail isn’t a real substitute for proper treatment.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/illinois-is-turning-to-local-jails-to-treat-mentally-ill-defendants-some-early-results-offer-hope-and-warnings/
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/illinois-is-turning-to-local-jails-to-treat-mentally-ill-defendants-some-early-results-offer-hope-and-warnings/
Be a part of this crucial dialogue with change makers redefining local journalism and its impact on Chicago’s future. Light bites and drinks will be served. https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=453d13e6-2155-45b2-b7c9-2222cb47ad43&envId=p-fEp6e6mKFk2iQ5k7ZFAgFg&zone=usa
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Be a part of this crucial dialogue with change makers redefining local journalism and its impact on Chicago’s future. Light bites and drinks will be served. https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=453d13e6-2155-45b2-b7c9-2222cb47ad43&envId=p-fEp6e6mKFk2iQ5k7ZFAgFg&zone=usa
The Trump administration is dramatically cutting the money available to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/18/new-federal-rules-could-put-formerly-unhoused-people-back-out-on-the-streets-across-illinois/
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/18/new-federal-rules-could-put-formerly-unhoused-people-back-out-on-the-streets-across-illinois/
New Federal Rules Could Put Formerly Unhoused People Back Out on The Streets Across Illinois
The Trump administration is slashing funds to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities.
illinoisanswers.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
The Trump administration is dramatically cutting the money available to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/18/new-federal-rules-could-put-formerly-unhoused-people-back-out-on-the-streets-across-illinois/
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/18/new-federal-rules-could-put-formerly-unhoused-people-back-out-on-the-streets-across-illinois/
Sinking Loop office values fuel spike in Chicago residential bills, especially on South, West sides, report shows.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/r...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/r...
Record Property Tax Increases Slam Chicago Homeowners as Downtown Owners See Cuts
Sinking Loop office values fuel spike in Chicago residential bills, especially on South, West sides, report shows.
illinoisanswers.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Sinking Loop office values fuel spike in Chicago residential bills, especially on South, West sides, report shows.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/r...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/r...
The number of times Illinois defendants have been found unfit and in need of inpatient restoration has exploded in recent years, resulting in people having to wait longer for an available hospital bed.
They are often waiting in jail.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
They are often waiting in jail.
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 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The number of times Illinois defendants have been found unfit and in need of inpatient restoration has exploded in recent years, resulting in people having to wait longer for an available hospital bed.
They are often waiting in jail.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
They are often waiting in jail.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
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.
In many cases, it’s more than three months.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
In many cases, it’s more than three months.
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 5:59 PM
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.
In many cases, it’s more than three months.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
In many cases, it’s more than three months.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
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 lived in for more than two decades.
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
With @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
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
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 lived in for more than two decades.
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
State lawmakers just approved $1.5B to rescue CTA and other Northern Illinois transit agencies from major cuts - in part by raising a sales tax whose tricky politics we reported on this week.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
October 31, 2025 at 6:50 PM
State lawmakers just approved $1.5B to rescue CTA and other Northern Illinois transit agencies from major cuts - in part by raising a sales tax whose tricky politics we reported on this week.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
Amid a looming fiscal cliff for transit in Northern Illinois that could force deep CTA cuts, less attention is on suburban riders who depend on on-demand transit.
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: 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 2:17 PM
Amid a looming fiscal cliff for transit in Northern Illinois that could force deep CTA cuts, less attention is on suburban riders who depend on on-demand transit.
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
Read the story from @gracehauck.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/c...
Reposted by Illinois Answers Project
"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
"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...
Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
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 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Why can’t the city cut its spending bloat before it taxes residents to close the gap?
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
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...
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
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...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/h...
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...
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
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...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/15/t...
Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social was on @citycastchicago.bsky.social yesterday to discuss his story with @adquig.bsky.social covering tax hikes for the South and West sides.
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Whose Property Taxes Are Going Up This Year in Chicago? - City Cast Chicago
While property tax bills have been delayed, we do have a sense of who’s likely to see the biggest tax hikes in Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran sits do...
chicago.citycast.fm
September 30, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social was on @citycastchicago.bsky.social yesterday to discuss his story with @adquig.bsky.social covering tax hikes for the South and West sides.
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
Listen to the epsiode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/who...
And read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
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...
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
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...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
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...
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
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...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
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...
Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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...
Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
ICYMI: Such stark increases are expected to leave many homeowners in those neighborhoods struggling to pay their tax bills this fall.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
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 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
ICYMI: Such stark increases are expected to leave many homeowners in those neighborhoods struggling to pay their tax bills this fall.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
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...
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
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...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...
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
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...
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...
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
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...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
Just added! Lunch & Learn: Empowering Investigative reporting with Solutions Journalism, featuring Tina Rosenberg (Co-Founder, @soljourno.bsky.social), Deborah D. Douglas (Director, Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub) and @gracehauck.bsky.social (Illinois Answers, Investigative Reporter).
September 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Just added! Lunch & Learn: Empowering Investigative reporting with Solutions Journalism, featuring Tina Rosenberg (Co-Founder, @soljourno.bsky.social), Deborah D. Douglas (Director, Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub) and @gracehauck.bsky.social (Illinois Answers, Investigative Reporter).
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
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...
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
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...