How have other states tried to address the misuse and abuse of restraint chairs in county jails? This week, we bring you examples from 3 states. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/15/how…

.Illinois Answers Project keeps pushing PHENOMENAL content on the topic of restraint chairs. KMBC 9 recently collaborated with Illinois Answers on our newest Chronicle documentary : Restrained. Check out these powerful stories from Grace Hauck. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/15/how…

Upward mobility is increasingly out of reach for many Chicagoans as cost of living skyrockets. We investigated the barriers that stand in the way of getting ahead in Chicago and explored some of the efforts to mitigate them. Check out the series here: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org

As part of Illinois Answers Project' series "Making it in Chicago," Madison Hopkins and I investigated the cost of child care in Cook County. We found the state's largest child care subsidy doesn’t provide enough relief for many families and providers. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/wer…

The high cost of child care forces many Illinois parents to make tough decisions – ultimately stalling the chance for families to advance financially and professionally. Illinois Answers Project has more. loom.ly/PTble2w

Chicagoans are taking violence prevention into their own hands, investing in jobs, block clubs and neighborhood programs to address root causes - even as city-backed efforts remain underfunded and scattered. Read the story with South Side Weekly here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/job…

In awe of this important, ambitious project — a collab between Illinois Answers Project and South Side Weekly — and proud of the small part I got to play in it: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org Please check it out today.

Here's my story, on an affordable housing tool nearly everyone seems to agree is a good idea, but that the Chicago City Council and (so far) state legislators can't manage to push forward: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/gra…

I had a blast talking with S A S H A + the folks at Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons about the cost of child care and our most recent investigation into the IL's largest child care subsidy. wbez.org/reset-with-sas…

In Chicago’s West Side, residents are tackling gun violence not with more policing, but by investing in jobs, mental health support and community leadership. Read the story with South Side Weekly here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/job…

This popular affordable housing program has shown it can create more low-cost apartments in pricey neighborhoods, at no cost to taxpayers. Political gridlock is keeping it from expanding. Read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/gra…

Granny flats could help ease Chicago’s housing crunch, adding affordable units without costing taxpayers a dime. But political gridlock is keeping them illegal in most neighborhoods. Read the story from Alex Nitkin here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/gra…

More than 300 ADUs have been permitted in Chicago since 2021. Most are basement spaces that were converted into apartments, and more than 90% are located on the city's north side. Read our full solutions story on 'Granny Flats' in Chicago here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/gra…

Education, jobs, health care, safe neighborhoods, and housing are all key to upward mobility but out of reach for many Chicagoans. A new Illinois Answers Project series co-published with the Weekly explores inequality, solutions and more in our latest print issue issuu.com/southsideweekl…

The Child Care Assistance Program significantly reduces costs for Illinois families and it can be an essential source of income for child care businesses. Yet it doesn’t provide enough relief for many families and providers, our investigation found. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/wer…

Southern Illinois has coped decades with sewer flooding. Why hasn’t it been fixed? bnd.com/news/local/art…

Five dozen Southern Illinois towns saw a third of the state’s sewer overflows over the last decade—but shrinking populations and red tape make fixes elusive. Read the investigation with BND.com: illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/17/was…

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/for…

Our Chicago Sun-Times Illinois Answers Project story about the the short career and lengthy disciplinary history of the Chicago police officer who inadvertently shot and killed his partner. illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/27/chi…

A delay in building the wastewater treatment plant has forced Carterville residents to endure overflows and foul odors. Officials say project bids opened recently, but construction has yet to begin. Read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a-n…