Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Grace Hauck

Janelle O’Dea @jayohday.bsky.social · 2d

‘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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 5d

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/

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Grace Hauck @gracehauck.bsky.social · 5d

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

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Grace Hauck @gracehauck.bsky.social · 5d

"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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · 17d

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · 18d

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/

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · 17d

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 24

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...

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 25

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Alex Nitkin @alexnitkin.bsky.social · Sep 25

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 22

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 18

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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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 9

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 11

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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Reposted by Grace Hauck

🎄Peter Nickeas 🎅🏻 @peternickeas.bsky.social · Sep 10

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · Aug 28

Today's must read from @hannahmeisel.bsky.social of @capitolnewsil.bsky.social & @ctoner.bsky.social of @illinoisanswers.bsky.social:

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Aug 28

10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse gutted human services, providers warn they’re facing another financial storm. Federal relief funds are drying up just as demand surges. @capitolnewsil.bsky.social
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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 2

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Sep 4

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...

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Aug 6

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Janelle O’Dea @jayohday.bsky.social · Jul 15

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

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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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · Jul 10

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

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🎄Peter Nickeas 🎅🏻 @peternickeas.bsky.social · Jun 30

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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

🎄Peter Nickeas 🎅🏻 @peternickeas.bsky.social · Jun 27

The officer who authorities say accidentally shot + killed his partner had accrued more than a dozen misconduct allegations against him during his 3.5 years as a PO. Five were during his probation period, when CPD could have summarily fired him. Unclear how he ended up on a tac team.

#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

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Reposted by Grace Hauck

Illinois Answers Project @illinoisanswers.bsky.social · Jun 24

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/2025/05/27/f...

When Seniors Face Expensive Home Repairs, the Solutions Can be a Lifeline…Or Leave Their Families an Inheritance of Debt

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 the...

illinoisanswers.org

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