Illinois Answers Project

Cash-Strapped Loretto Hospital Paid Millions to Companies Formed by Ousted Executive’s Pal Before COO Anosh Ahmed resigned after hooking up friends with early vaccines, Loretto Hospital was paying millions to companies founded by Ahmed's close pal and business partner.

In 2021, we reported Loretto Hospital paid nearly $4M to firms tied to COO Anosh Ahmed’s associate. Now both are accused of stealing $300M in a COVID fraud scheme and are reportedly living in luxury in Dubai.
illinoisanswers.org/2021/04/28/c... blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/22/t...

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 ...

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 ...

Providers across Illinois are facing financial crisis due to delays and denials from Medicaid MCOs. Some clinics report profits for insurers rising over $2 billion in the last two years.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/05/m...

The Promises and Pitfalls of Quantum Computing in Chicago Developers promise a quantum computing hub in South Chicago will bring jobs and revive the community. South Siders are skeptical.

As Gov. Pritzker announces a new South Chicago home for quantum startup Infleqtion, questions remain about how this fast-growing field will deliver real community benefits.
Our February investigation explored the promises and pitfalls: illinoisanswers.org/2025/02/06/t...

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.

ICYMI: This Southern Illinois city was promised a fix for sewage flooding, but residents are still waiting.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...

‘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...

The City Council will consider an ordinance today that would allow construction of apartments called "granny flats" (officially, "accessory dwelling units" or ADUs) in coach houses and basements. @alexnitkin.bsky.social dug into ADUs in this @illinoisanswers.bsky.social piece

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.

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...

WBEZ Chicago - WBEZ Chicago

Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social will be on @wbez.org’s Reset today at 12:20 p.m. to discuss ADUs in Chicago.

Tune in live here: www.wbez.org
And read his story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

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.

NEW: Carterville reported 40 sanitary sewer overflows over the past decade. Residents and officials agree a new wastewater plant would end the spills — but construction is still pending despite a promised start date last year.

Read the investigation: illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...

'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...

An investigation by Illinois Answers showed most of Chicago still bans granny flats and political gridlock has stalled broader reform. Now, Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing to legalize them citywide—setting up a key vote at City Council this week. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

'Most Drivers Aren’t Making Money:' App-Based Gig Work Promised Freedom and Flexibility. Workers Feel Exploited and Unsafe. Rideshare workers in Chicago say they’re being exploited and kept in unstable and low-paying jobs that prevent them from getting ahead in life. Organizers are calling for due process for termination, ...

“Most drivers aren’t making money. They’re just not. And they’re killing their cars,” said Camila Hudson, a part-time Uber and Lyft driver in Chicago. Some say gig work traps them in unstable, low-paying jobs with no way to get ahead.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/m...

'Most Drivers Aren’t Making Money:' App-Based Gig Work Promised Freedom and Flexibility. Workers Feel Exploited and Unsafe. Rideshare workers in Chicago say they’re being exploited and kept in unstable and low-paying jobs that prevent them from getting ahead in life. Organizers are calling for due process for termination, ...

“I have to drive twice as long to make the same money.”

App-based gig work, like Uber and Lyft, was supposed to be a lucrative side hustle offering workers freedom and flexibility. Now, drivers say they feel stuck, exploited and unsafe.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/m...

Family of Slain Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera, Shot in Back by Fellow Officer, Calls For Independent Investigation, Full Transparency From CPD The family wants Illinois State Police to take over the investigation as their attorney says CPD’s narrative doesn’t “pass the smell test.”

ICYMI: The family of Officer Krystal Rivera — fatally shot in the back by a fellow officer — is demanding an independent investigation and full transparency from CPD.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/02/f...

New issue includes a great story from @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social as part of the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social Making It in Chicago series, a great look at the challenges Chicagoans are facing in getting ahead.

Plus a really nice long review from Albert Williams on a new Angels in America staging

Unsettling Accounts: How Illinois is Confronting the Student Loan Crisis With $63 billion in collective student loan debt, forgiveness programs and innovative solutions aim to help borrowers. But state funding and public awareness remains an obstacle.

Student loan debt is a crisis in Illinois. With a collective balance of nearly $63 billion, the state is seeking new solutions.

illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/u...

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.

ICYMI: A Chicago officer who accidentally shot and killed his partner had racked up more than a dozen misconduct complaints in just four years on the force.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/27/c...

YouTube video by Illinois Answers Project Wasted Waters: How Southern Illinois is Coping with Decades of Sewage Flooding

For decades, raw sewage has flooded streets and homes in Southern Illinois. Residents are left waiting while government solutions stall. Watch the video here: youtu.be/O2Ws063pRlE?...

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...

Many senior homeowners turn to reverse mortgages to pay for urgent home repairs. But when the loans come due, families can be left with tough choices—and lasting debt. Read the investigation: 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...

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...

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...

Wasted Waters: How Southern Illinois is Coping with Decades of Sewage Flooding… and Why it Still Isn’t Solved. Five dozen communities in Southern Illinois account for a third of the reported sanitary sewer overflows in the state in the last decade. But with low revenues, population declines, and bureaucratic d...

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:
illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/17/w...

Cook County Tried to Rid People of Medical Debt, but, for Many, Help Comes Too Late Cook County became the first local government to buy medical debts in bulk. But data shows the majority of debt was relieved for people who likely should have qualified for free care — a sign that hos...

Thousands of Cook County residents are buried under medical debt, meaning many people are delaying life goals, like saving for retirement or the ability to rent an apartment and buy a car. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/c...

'We're at the Mercy of Child Care:' Child Care Costs are Crushing Families — Illinois' Largest Subsidy Excludes Thousands While the state infuses millions of dollars a year into child care programs, the strict eligibility requirements and limitations for its largest child care subsidy exclude tens of thousands of familie...

While Illinois invests millions in early‑childhood programs, experts say CCAP’s strict eligibility rules and low provider reimbursement leave too many families with no relief.

Read the full story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/w...

'We're at the Mercy of Child Care:' Child Care Costs are Crushing Families — Illinois' Largest Subsidy Excludes Thousands While the state infuses millions of dollars a year into child care programs, the strict eligibility requirements and limitations for its largest child care subsidy exclude tens of thousands of familie...

“We're at the mercy of child care.”

Our latest investigation looks into how Illinois puts limits on its child care subsidy far stricter than federal recommendations, excluding tens of thousands of children.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/w...

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/g...

Studies show strong links between poverty and violence in Chicago Block clubs and other community-driven programs offer ways for people to connect to deter violence in Chicago.

Catch the Weekly's investigations editor @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social discussing his reporting collaboration with @illinoisanswers.bsky.social about the connections between divestment, poverty and gun violence on ABC7 abc7chicago.com/post/studies...

'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...

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 @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

'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...

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/g...

Jobs. Block Clubs. Investment: How Chicagoans are Interrupting Violence at its Roots The causes and solutions to gun violence are difficult to quantify—or control. One thing is clear: gun violence is highest in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.

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 @southsideweekly.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/j...

Jobs. Block Clubs. Investment: How Chicagoans are Interrupting Violence at its Roots The causes and solutions to gun violence are difficult to quantify—or control. One thing is clear: gun violence is highest in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.

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 @southsideweekly.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/j...