The Investigative Project on Race and Equity hosted a virtual training this fall on “Investigating History for Reparative Storytelling.”

The session gave reporters tools to weave history into accountability reporting and to uncover how systemic racism shapes today’s news.

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An investigation by a group of Chicago-area newsrooms and independent journalists found that federal agents used tear gas and pepper spray at least 15 times in Brighton Park on Oct. 4 — more than the Chicago Police Department has used all year.

Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/9avc2xdf

Assist Emeline with this report by contacting them at [email protected]

Our investigations editor Marissa Evans brought sharp insights and real talk to three panels at #IRE2025 — including a standout session on what The Real Housewives can teach us about investigative journalism.

#InvestigativeJournalism #RaceAndEquity @themarshallproject.org @famu1887.bsky.social

BIG NEWS: We just won the 2025 Next Challenge Vision Award — given to a finalist with a bold vision to reinvent media and journalism. We’re humbled and honored to be one of the five startups chosen from a pool of more than 400 applicants. Thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way.

We had a big night at the Chicago Headline Club’s Peter Lisagor Awards last Friday. We were nominated for four awards, and we would have had a clean sweep, but we were up against ourselves in one category, and there could only be one winner! 🎉

Eric Wilkins, 54, says he’s been stopped by Chicago police more times than he can remember and has rarely been ticketed. Drivers of color like him make up the majority of traffic stops that end in violence, an investigation from the Investigative Project and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Every year, the Chicago Police Department pulls over hundreds of thousands of people of color. In some cases, those stops escalate — leaving drivers and passengers injured and hospitalized. Our newest investigation uncovers troubling patterns in the use of force during traffic stops.

What happens when officers are pressured to meet traffic stop quotas? Our latest investigation with the Chicago Sun-Times reveals how quotas fuel aggressive policing — and, in some cases, deadly force. Alexandra Block of the ACLU of Illinois talks about the link between quotas and police violence.

Earlier this month, we hosted a virtual training with advisory council member Josh McGhee (MindSite News) and Farrah Anderson (Invisible Institute) on using TRRs—tactical response reports—in investigative reporting. They shared why it’s key to understand what TRRs won’t tell you.
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