A program called RainReady has proven to help mitigate flooding – so much so that there’s a waitlist in Oak Park. But despite Chicago’s promise to launch in 2019, it’s not yet off the ground.
Investigations
Las Inundaciones Son la Catástrofe Natural Más Amenazadora de Illinois. ¿Estamos Preparados?
Cuando se trata de prevenir inundaciones graves, no hay una solución única. En las próximas semanas, Illinois Answers Project examinará lo que están haciendo los municipios y los departamentos estatales para proteger a sus habitante.
The Police Department for Fired Cops
An analysis of state data shows that 17% of all police officers hired by the Robbins Police Department since 2000 came on board directly after they were fired from previous law enforcement jobs, the most of any department in Illinois. Those hires include two cops who lied about what they saw the night Laquan McDonald was murdered.
City of Chicago Amps Up Its Legal Battle Against ‘City’s Worst Landowner’
The city is suing Northbrook resident Suzie B. Wilson and her company for more than $10 million, alleging they failed for years to clean up a hazardous West Englewood dump. Wilson was featured in a Illinois Answers Project/Block Club investigation last year.
Johnson Administration Faces Credibility Crunch Over a Key Plank of $1.25B Bond Plan
Officials say they’ll let enough special taxing districts expire to generate the money needed to pay back the debt. Some analysts are skeptical.
For Many Illinoisans in Flood-Prone Areas, Buyouts Are the Only Way Out
A state government home buyout program has helped hundreds of people move out of harm’s way. But for many, it takes too long.
‘Green Alleys’ Help Prevent Flooding, But Vulnerable Neighborhoods Must Wait in Line
‘It’s a little bit of a shot-in-the-dark implementation strategy,’ a key City Council member said.
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
When it comes to preventing severe flooding, there’s not one fix. Over the next few weeks, the Illinois Answers Project will examine what city and state agencies are doing to protect residents.
The Inside Story on a Billion-Dollar Chemical Company’s Fight to Keep its Secrets From the Public
After the Cicero Independiente and MuckRock published investigative articles about air pollution and the chemicals company Koppers, it hired a public-relations firm to organize a secret, behind-the-scenes campaign to influence local officials.
311 Complaints and Fines Fail to Solve Usual City Winter Woe —Too Many Snow-Packed Sidewalks
As it considers pilot program to clear sidewalks, Chicago can look to Toronto, Syracuse where the cities do the plowing.