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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 12d

An interesting follow-up to our "Making it in Chicago" reporting on ADUs in Chicago.

After years of stalled progress, thousands more homeowners will be able to build coach houses...as long as their alderperson approves it

@alexnitkin.bsky.social reports.

illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...

‘Granny Flats’ Poised For Expansion — But Only in Neighborhoods Where Alderpeople Allow Them

The new law will allow more coach house construction and conversions but will likely create confusion and increase costs, advocates say.

illinoisanswers.org

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 20d

"Whatever else we have going on in our newsroom, investigations have to be a priority." - Todd Eschman

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 20d

Now: Todd Eschman, EIC at Belleville News Democrat (BND) in downstate IL on"Investigations from a small newsroom perspective"

BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.

"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 20d

Now: Todd Eschman, EIC at Belleville News Democrat (BND) in downstate IL on"Investigations from a small newsroom perspective"

BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.

"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 20d

Great insights at our "Investigate the State" virtual conference.

Right now: "How to cover Indian Country (and other communities) when there isn't any official data" with Mary Hudetz & Dianna Hunt

"I treat every investigation as a mini-beat." - @maryhudetz.bsky.social

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Reposted by Crystal Paul

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · 20d

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...

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 21d

Last chance to register! Come for one session or stay for the whole day.

We'll see you there!

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 22d

Our *virtual* conference is this Thursday. Check out the program and come through for any sessions that interest you. See you soon!
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

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 22d

Our *virtual* conference is this Thursday. Check out the program and come through for any sessions that interest you. See you soon!
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

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 26d

In 2023, a Minnesota homeowner argued that the County violated her Fifth Amendment rights by taking her home and pocketing more than the $15,000 she owed in back taxes. Following the ruling, states rushed to reform their laws to avoid legal fallout.

All except Illinois.

(🖊️ Sidnee King Pineda)

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · 27d

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

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Sep 5

We're hosting a *virtual* conference for Midwest journalists interested in expanding investigative journalism resources in our region.

Come through! And share ideas with investigative journalists and news leaders throughout the Midwest.

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

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Sep 2

"Official government numbers don't always provide a complete picture of how many immigrants are in detention. But according to ICE, the number of detained immigrants jumped to more than 61,000 as of Aug. 24. And the new federal budget has allocated $45 billion for immigrant detention."

Shannon Heffernan @shannonheffernan.bsky.social · Sep 2

ICE wants more detention space and it’s faster to re-open old facilities to hold immigrants than to build new ones. Enter: ZOMBIE PRISONS

www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/29/m...

‘Zombie Prisons’: How ICE Detention Is Raising Troubling Facilities From the Dead

ICE needs more detention space, and it’s faster to open old facilities than to build new ones.

www.themarshallproject.org

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Aug 7

ICYMI some dogged follow-up to the Loretto Hospital scandal from @bauerjournalism.bsky.social‬ blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/22/t...

Read the original investigation from Kelly Bauer and David Jackson here: illinoisanswers.org/2021/04/28/c...

The Flashy Fugitives: Ex-Loretto Leader And Pal Accused Of Stealing Millions Are Living Large In Dubai

Anosh Ahmed and Sameer Suhail could face years in prison in the United States — but they’ve fled abroad, court records show. Suhail has opened a luxe plastic surgery clinic, while Ahmed is making appe...

blockclubchicago.org

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Aug 5

When providers care for Mediciad patients, managed care orgs (MCOs) are supposed to reimburse them in 30-90 days. Instead, they're delaying & denying them at rates as high as 60%.

Illinois providers say they have to drop Medicaid patients or go out of business
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 increasing profits, but aren’t meeting quality metrics.

illinoisanswers.org

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Jul 21

“Size in baseball never mattered, and if that doesn’t matter, neither does gender. You don’t have to bench 400 pounds to hit a baseball,” Carlton Hondras said. “In the long run, I want them to be recognized as ballpayers, not just girls playing baseball.”

blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/18/c...

Chicago's All-Girls Baseball Team, Full Of Barrier-Breaking High School Stars, Heads To Nationals

Perfect Catch Chicago is made up of girls playing on varsity high school boys’ baseball teams, with one already receiving a scholarship to play college ball.

blockclubchicago.org

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Jul 16

While you wait for the City Council vote on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) today, read up on how and why "granny flats" have been such a fraught issue in Chicago:
illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g... by @alexnitkin.bsky.social

'Granny flats' are illegal to build in most of Chicago —and political gridlock is keeping it that way.

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 the...

illinoisanswers.org

Reposted by Crystal Paul

ProPublica @propublica.org · Jul 16

How segregated are your local private schools?

With our database, look up the demographics of private schools across the country and see how they compare to the public schools nearby.

By @cerealcommas.bsky.social @natlash.bsky.social @bxroberts.org

Private School Demographics — ProPublica

Look up the demographics of private schools across the country and see how they compare to the public schools nearby.

projects.propublica.org

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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Jul 15

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

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