In his bid for Congress, Mayor Keith Pekau is touting the downward turn in reported crimes during his tenure. While the reported statistics bear him out, there was a spike in violent crime his first year in office.
Investigation
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Security Cameras Scarce in Parks with Most Reported Crimes
Only 16 of the 600 parks in city neighborhoods have security cameras, but many of them are in white, wealthy neighborhoods without much of a crime problem. Many parks in higher-crime areas, including more neighborhoods of color, have no cameras at all despite requests from residents.
Posted inInvestigation
Chicago Park District Has History of Racism Allegations
From federal lawsuits to scathing reports, the administration of the city’s greenspaces has for decades come under fire on grounds that underserved communities are treated unfairly
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Illinois Rep. Mary Miller Claims Biden Administration Is Encouraging Kids to Take “Castration” Drugs, Undergo Surgeries
Miller, a Republican from east central Illinois, took to Twitter after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called out Alabama lawmakers for approving a bill to block transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care. Miller falsely claimed the White House is lying to kids by telling them puberty blockers are reversible.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Ald. Walter Burnett Softened Stance on Affordable Housing After Cash Flowed
Developer Onni Group wanted out of its obligation to include affordable units in its luxury Old Town highrises. Onni paid a Burnett friend more than $417,000 to lobby City Hall, helped sponsor a Burnett fundraiser and pledged $25,000 to a charity run by Burnett’s wife. Some tenants said the alderman abandoned them.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Duckworth Overstates Specifics of Gender Pay Gap Study
The U.S. Senator and veteran joins a growing number of Democratic politicians who have incorrectly cited a national study of the gender pay gap to include an analysis of men and women in the same job. It doesn’t.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Pritzker Orders Funds Released to Madigan-Sponsored Projects
Citing a BGA investigation, nine lawmakers requested a funding freeze in the wake of former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s 22-count federal indictment on charges he traded his office to enrich himself and his friends.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Former Police Superintendent Accused of Lying in Murder Case
A man exonerated after 33 years in prison for double murder says records prove then-Lt. Philip Cline lied to jurors during his trial about taking his confession in 1987. He is suing the city.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Pritzker Freezes Funds to Madigan-Sponsored Projects
Citing a BGA investigation, nine lawmakers requested the freeze in the wake of former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s 22-count federal indictment on charges he traded his office to enrich himself and his friends.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-check: Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin claims he reduced homicides by 40% his first year in office
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin in a tweet last month claimed he reduced homicides by 40% during his first year in office. Experts say using percentages instead of actual numbers to describe crime trends is misleading.