Grace Hauck

Chicago's quantum hub has some of the highest state funding per job. Here's the breakdown Editor’s Note:  This is the second of three explainers examining key issues in the 128-acre Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park, or IQMP. Today, we look at the project’s potential for […]

State officials say high incentives reflect competition for quantum companies, high wages and capital costs, but questions remain about how accessible these jobs will be for local residents.
https://bit.ly/4rt6Xty

Videos shed new light on off-duty cop’s armed standoff with police in Plainfield He roamed in and out of his house with guns and ammo draped across his body, spurring officers to close streets and warn residents to stay inside as they called in neighboring police, drones, a SWAT team and an armored vehicle to the standoff.

He roamed in and out of his house with guns and ammo draped across his body, spurring officers to close streets and warn residents to stay inside as they called in neighboring police, drones, a SWAT team and an armored vehicle to the standoff.

Search warrant reveals FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief Article Summary This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story. CARLYLE — A search warrant executed by the FBI revealed the target of a […]

A search warrant reveals the FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief.

Read the story with @capitolnewsil.bsky.social here: https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/02/03/search-warrant-reveals-fbi-is-investigating-former-carlyle-police-chief/

City Sues For Millions In Damages After ‘Worst Landowner’ Property Auction Fails It’s the latest controversy surrounding land owned by Suzie B. Wilson and her sister Swedlana Dass, who have been caught in a legal web since an investigation by Illinois Answers Project and Block Clu...

NEW: City Sues For Millions In Damages After ‘Worst Landowner’ Property Auction Fails
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/02/04/city-sues-for-millions-after-worst-landowner-property-auction-fails/

City Sues For Millions In Damages After ‘Worst Landowner’ Property Auction Fails It’s the latest controversy surrounding land owned by Suzie B. Wilson and her sister Swedlana Dass, who have been caught in a legal web since an investigation by Illinois Answers Project and Block Clu...

illinoisanswers.org/2026/02/04/c... "Now, the city is suing the company that ran the auction, claiming the firm was negligent and incompetent and overvalued the land by failing to price in empty lots, which left the city hanging out to dry when the sale flopped."

Search warrant reveals FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief Article Summary The former chief of police in downstate Carlyle, Mark Pingsterhaus, is being investigated for possible charges that include

Carlyle police chief, who resigned Dec. 1, is the subject of an FBI investigation. @bhundsdorfer.bsky.social & @jayohday.bsky.social from @illinoisanswers.bsky.social➡️ https://loom.ly/UirT2MQ

‘You’re One of Us’: After Off-Duty Cop Crashed Car Then Holed Up at Home in Armed Standoff with Police, He Got a Big Hug and Initially Faced No Charges Officer Ryan Harter eventually was charged with misdemeanors — nearly three weeks later.

An off-duty suburban cop crashed his car with his kids inside, fled home and held police at bay for four hours while armed, police records show. The standoff ended with a hug — and no charges that day.
https://bit.ly/4c0pGYQ

‘You’re One of Us’: After Off-Duty Cop Crashed Car Then Holed Up at Home in Armed Standoff with Police, He Got a Big Hug and Initially Faced No Charges Officer Ryan Harter eventually was charged with misdemeanors — nearly three weeks later.

Two months ago, a reader reached out to us with concerns about how law enforcement had handled a crash and 4-hour armed standoff with an off-duty officer in Plainfield, Illinois.

That night, police hugged him, closed the case, and told him "You're one of us" and "We want to protect you." Read more:

How Much Public and Private Money Is Powering Chicago’s Quantum Push? Editor’s Note: We published a story last year examining the massive public investment aimed at developing the quantum industry in South Chicago. This week, we begin a three-part explainer series […]

More than $1 billion has been committed to Chicago’s Quantum campus since 2024, with roughly half coming from the state of Illinois. Dive deeper into quantum’s funding here: https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/01/27/how-much-public-and-private-money-is-powering-chicagos-quantum-push/

Chicago Police Brass Had Rejected Troubled Cop's Move to Elite Unit Before He Fatally Shot Partner The chief of patrol approved Officer Carlos Baker’s transfer despite denying his request for the move less than a year earlier because of “discipline’ problems.

NEW: Chicago Police Brass Had Rejected Troubled Cop’s Move to Elite Unit Before He Fatally Shot Partner
https://illinoisanswers.org/2026/01/15/chicago-police-brass-rejected-troubled-cop-move-to-elite-unit-before-he-fatally-shot-partner/

Chicago Police Brass Had Rejected Troubled Cop's Move to Elite Unit Before He Fatally Shot Partner The chief of patrol approved Officer Carlos Baker’s transfer despite denying his request for the move less than a year earlier because of “discipline’ problems.

illinoisanswers.org/2026/01/15/c... My latest with @schuba.bsky.social and Peter Nickeas about the tac team cop who shot and killed his partner. After Carlos Baker's initial rejection, Baker's district commander approved his promotion even after Baker disobeyed orders and cussed out his sergeant

Chicago Police Brass Had Rejected Troubled Cop's Move to Elite Unit Before He Fatally Shot Partner The chief of patrol approved Officer Carlos Baker’s transfer despite denying his request for the move less than a year earlier because of “discipline’ problems.

Records show Chicago police leaders initially blocked Officer Carlos Baker from joining an elite tactical unit over disciplinary issues, only to approve his transfer months later. Months after the move, Baker fatally shot his partner.
https://bit.ly/4pG7LtW

Christmas Carols for 2025, by Chicago Media Chorus 7 track album

chicagomediachorus.bandcamp.com/album/christ... Today "The Chicago Media Chorus" released a holiday compilation through Bandcamp for $7 💪. All proceeds benefit Streetwise, a weekly magazine that helps the homeless. Please consider donating! Worth it for Mary Schmich's reading alone

A Once Dying Mall in Southern Illinois is Getting a Mighty Makeover, Thanks to $112M Bond Deal, But The Project Has Hit a Speed Bump Marion officials say the redevelopment is on track, but one of the three main developers has already dropped out, facing a slew of lawsuits.

NEW: A Once Dying Mall in Southern Illinois is Getting a Mighty Makeover, Thanks to $112M Bond Deal, But The Project Has Hit a Speed Bump
https://bit.ly/458rzhS

A Once Dying Mall in Southern Illinois is Getting a Mighty Makeover, Thanks to $112M Bond Deal, But The Project Has Hit a Speed Bump Marion officials say the redevelopment is on track, but one of the three main developers has already dropped out, facing a slew of lawsuits.

A once dying Mall in Southern Illinois is getting a mighty makeover, thanks to $112M bond deal, but the project has hit a speed bump — the latest from me and @bhundsdorfer.bsky.social for @illinoisanswers.bsky.social @capitolnewsil.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/15/a...

Illinois’ Low-Cost Library Program Takes on the Justice Gap Learn how public libraries help bridge the justice gap by offering free help to patrons dealing with court documents and online appearances.

A growing number of Illinois residents are turning to librarians — not lawyers — for help with remote court hearings, translations and e-filing. A new pilot program is quietly closing the justice gap.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/01/illinois-low-cost-library-program-takes-on-justice-gap/

Tax sale process hits Black homeowners hardest An analysis revealed property owners in Black majority neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides are the most likely to lose their homes through the Cook County tax sale process.

A federal judge just ruled the Cook County Treasurer’s Office’s tax-sale system unconstitutional.

Read our 2022 investigation that exposed how the process hit Black homeowners hardest, stripping families of wealth.
https://bit.ly/48vEqNr

Family of Chicago Cop Killed in Botched Chase Sues Chicago Police Department and Partner Who Shot Her Officer Krystal Rivera's family says in the wrongful death suit that Officer Carlos Baker was struggling to accept her decision to end their romantic relationship when he shot her in the back in Chath...

Officer Krystal Rivera’s family says in the wrongful death suit that Officer Carlos Baker was struggling to accept her decision to end their romantic relationship when he shot her in the back in Chatham on June 5.
https://bit.ly/4rQ0ji7

Illinois’ Low-Cost Library Program Takes on the Justice Gap Learn how public libraries help bridge the justice gap by offering free help to patrons dealing with court documents and online appearances.

Illinois librarians are stepping in to close the justice gap. A pilot program trains them to help residents navigate remote hearings, translation requests and e-filing — support many can’t get elsewhere.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/01/illinois-low-cost-library-program-takes-on-justice-gap/

New from me: budget hawks have called on
@chicagosmayor.bsky.social to cut ARPA-funded programs before considering any new taxes. But it's been hard to nail down the exact price tag of federal programs the mayor wants to keep.

After six weeks of reporting, we found the number: about $33M.

Budget Woes: Mayor, Council Clash Over Programs That Feds Once Paid for That Johnson Wants to Keep — on The City’s Tab Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies argue the programs are critical, but alderpeople say they need more details.

With a $1.2B deficit looming, Johnson defends pandemic-era programs he says helped cut crime. Much of City Council remains skeptical.
From @alexnitkin.bsky.social: https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/02/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-council-clash-over-city-budget/

Illinois’ Low-Cost Library Program Takes on the Justice Gap Learn how public libraries help bridge the justice gap by offering free help to patrons dealing with court documents and online appearances.

A pilot program in 18 libraries across nine counties trains staff to help residents navigate civil court proceedings, offering a lifeline in communities where legal aid and public transit are scarce.
https://illinoisanswers.org/2025/12/01/illinois-low-cost-library-program-takes-on-justice-gap/

State Investigations Editor The Illinois Answers Project seeks a State Investigations Editor who will oversee projects with statewide focus. The Illinois Answers Project is a nonprofit investigative and solutions journalism news...

JOB ALERT: Please come be my editor! illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/14/s...

New Federal Rules Could Put Formerly Unhoused People Back Out on The Streets Across Illinois The Trump administration is slashing funds to help pay for housing for people in need, including those with mental illness or disabilities.

On Thursday, HUD announced it would overhaul its rules for funding homelessness programming. As a result, more than 8000 Illinoisans could be pushed out of their housing. My latest for @illinoisanswers.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/18/n...

How Journalism Connects Systems, Power and People Join us for a conversation with Illinois Answers reporters as they share what they’ve uncovered investigating economic opportunity, government finance, public safety, childcare and the needs of the mo...

Dec. 2.
Come by to learn more about our work, and how you can support it!
illinoisanswers.org/event/how-jo...

Record Property Tax Increases Slam Chicago Homeowners as Downtown Owners See Cuts Sinking Loop office values fuel spike in Chicago residential bills, especially on South, West sides, report shows.

Sinking Loop office values fuel spike in Chicago residential bills, especially on South, West sides, report shows.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/17/r...

Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting. Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...

Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago.

My latest for @illinoisanswers.bsky.social

illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...

Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting. Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...

“These are due process violations,” Nevdal said in court. “This is an equal protection issue.” A must-read today from @meredithnewman.bsky.social @illinoisanswers.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...

‘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 […]

‘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...

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.
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