February 2018 Archive
How We Made Our Illinois Governor’s Campaign Finance Widget
It's the first of many experiments to reach our audience with useful, data-driven visual journalism.
Congressman Calls For Investigation Of Conservative Think Tank
Veteran Democrat Lipinski joins critics of the Illinois Policy Institute with a letter to the IRS.
Cook County’s Residential Property Tax Assessments Deeply Unfair, Independent Study Confirms
Findings that assessments were error-ridden and burdened the poor undermine Assessor Joseph Berrios’ claims that he properly valued residential property.
The CFPB’s Declaration of Dependence
Born as a fiercely independent agency meant to protect citizens, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has quickly been subsumed into the Trump administration. Banks, student-loan agencies and payday lenders are the winners.
El sonido y la furia: Dentro del misterio de la embajada de La Habana
Más de un año después de que diplomáticos americanos empezaron a sufrir extraños síntomas en Cuba, la investigación no ha logrado determinar cómo fueron lesionados ni por quien, y el FBI y la CIA difieren sobre el caso. Una investigación de ProPublica revela las muchas capas del misterio — y las maniobras políticas que están transformando las relaciones entre EE.UU. y Cuba.
The Sound and the Fury: Inside the Mystery of the Havana Embassy
More than a year after American diplomats began to suffer strange, concussion-like symptoms in Cuba, a U.S. investigation is no closer to determining how they were hurt or by whom, and the FBI and CIA are at odds over the case. A ProPublica investigation reveals the many layers to the mystery — and the political maneuvering that is reshaping U.S.-Cuba relations.
‘Trump, Inc.’ Podcast: Money Laundering and the Trump Taj Mahal
The casino’s money laundering controls were so lacking, regulators found, it amounted to “willful” violations of the law.
‘Trump, Inc.’ Podcast Extra: Trump’s Company Is Getting $175 Million Annually in Previously Undisclosed Rent
Forbes reporters tracked down Trump’s many commercial tenants. Among them: a state-owned Chinese bank.
I Approved This Facebook Message — But You Don’t Know That
The Federal Election Commission said in December that big political ads on the social network need disclaimers. But many candidates and groups don’t seem to be paying attention.
Houston-Area Officials Approved a Plan for Handling a Natural Disaster — Then Ignored It
Harris County foresaw key risks, including a slow response from the Red Cross, but never implemented its strategy.
Kushner Companies Decides to Fight Tenants in State Court Rather Than Reveal Its Investors’ Identities
The move follows a federal judge’s ruling in favor of disclosure.
Texas Lawsuit Alleging Fraud in Construction of First Border Wall Comes Apart
Hidalgo County’s claims of improper enrichment by a former employee and his family are either dismissed or withdrawn. Employee sees vindication; the county says it could appeal or head to federal court.
New Widget Helps You Follow the Money in the Illinois Governor’s Race
We’ve created a widget you can use to track fundraising and spending in the Illinois governor’s race, which is on track to break records.
We’re Going to Toulon
Join Free Street Theater — and us, of course — as we learn about Stark County.
As Conservative Group Grows In Influence, Financial Dealings Enrich Its Leaders
Illinois Policy Institute has called for government reform while channeling money to firms owned by insiders.
Outlets in Eight Countries Are Using Our Tool to Monitor Political Ads on Facebook
From Australia to Scandinavia, our Political Ad Collector is holding advertisers accountable by revealing pitches that only a targeted slice of Facebook users would otherwise see.
