The BGA's Illinois Answers Project

09/17/2026

What happens when a background check takes weeks — or months — longer than it’s supposed to?

For childcare providers across Illinois, the consequences can be significant. Watch, then read our investigation into the state’s background check delays.

09/15/2026

Every year, Illinois’ more than 90 county jails report thousands of “extraordinary and unusual” occurrences — riots, fires, escapes, forced medications, and deaths. The state agency managing the reports barely investigates any cases and doesn’t track trends.

So we did.

09/04/2026

Illinois Regulators Propose Expansion to Self-Exclusion Program for Compulsive Gamblers. The changes could open new ways to self-ban through mail, online or through provider referrals.

The changes could open new ways to self-ban through mail, online or through provider referrals.

09/02/2026

You’ve probably heard the phrase “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” It’s typically used to describe foolish borrowing practices. A Chinatown landlord did just that to build a $119 million real estate empire and now dozens of longtime businesses and residents are paying the price.

Our latest investigation with Chinatown Spotlight found hundreds of building code violations across Jiazhao ‘Frank’ Chen’s properties, including faulty plumbing, rusting walkways and pest infestations.

We looked at how Chen’s finances unraveled — and what it means for the longtime residents and business owners who now face the threat of being priced out or unable to stay in the neighborhood.

✍️ Binghui Huang & Yonggang Xiao
📸 Ash Lane
📹 Sidnee King Pineda

09/02/2026

You’ve probably heard the phrase “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” It’s typically used to describe foolish borrowing practices. A Chinatown landlord did just that to build a $119 million real estate empire and now dozens of longtime businesses and residents are paying the price.

Our latest investigation with Chinatown Spotlight found hundreds of building code violations across Jiazhao ‘Frank’ Chen’s properties, including faulty plumbing, rusting walkways and pest infestations.

We looked at how Chen’s finances unraveled — and what it means for the longtime residents and business owners who now face the threat of being priced out or unable to stay in the neighborhood.

Read the full investigation:

Nearly 70 properties are in receivership after Jiazhao ‘Frank’ Chen defaulted on at least $119 million in real estate loans. A proposed landlord registry could help the city track irresponsible property owners.

08/31/2026

Illinois Answers Project reporters found that political firms tied to two people convicted of public corruption have been paid for campaign work by Governor JB Pritzker campaigns and the Chicago Teachers Union, backing their favored candidates.

Read how much Gov. Pritzker and other campaigns paid them in the full investigation. Link in our bio!

✍️ Andrew Adams & Peter Nickeas

08/31/2026

Illinois Answers Project reporters found that political firms tied to two people convicted of public corruption have been paid for campaign work by campaigns and the , backing their favored candidates.

Read how much Gov. Pritzker and other campaigns paid them in the full investigation. Link in our bio!

✍️ Andrew Adams & Peter Nickeas

08/28/2026

How did problems at South Chicago Chapel go unchecked for so long?

Illinois Answer Project's latest investigation with Capitol News Illinois found that nearly a year before 56 bodies were discovered there earlier this month, Ald. Peter Chico’s office complained twice in one week that residents were reporting odors coming from the funeral home.

Read the investigation to see what happened — and what officials knew before the 56 bodies were discovered. Click the link in the comments!

08/23/2026

The average homeowner could save more than $2,000 a year if data centers paid property taxes based on higher assessments.

At least 18 data centers near 'Hare International Airport had $2 billion knocked off their assessed property values last year.

So how much are these actually worth?

Big tech companies and assessment officials are battling over their property values — and how much they should pay in property taxes.

We dug into the little-known fight happening in local government hearings, and what it could mean for taxpayers.

08/11/2026

We found that political firms tied to two people convicted of public corruption have been paid for campaign work by Governor JB Pritzker campaigns and the Chicago Teachers Union, backing their favored candidates.

Here’s what we found 👇

👉 Pritzker’s campaigns paid more than $1.2 million to a firm formed by a former Department of Children and Family Services employee who spent months in jail after pleading guilty to a state contracting scheme in 2010.

👉 Chicago Teachers Union has paid more than $36,000 to three political firms linked to people with criminal convictions, in its effort to bolster its endorsed candidate for School Board President, Hilario Dominguez. This represents a third of the contributions made to his campaign so far.

Read the full investigation at the link in our bio.