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From ‘Blitz’ to Bust: ICE cost businesses $1.2B in losses
From ‘Blitz’ to Bust: ICE cost businesses $1.2B in losses

A new report from UIC says immigration enforcement discourages Cook County shoppers from spending money.

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Decades of data haven’t ended racial disparities in Illinois traffic stops
Decades of data haven’t ended racial disparities in Illinois traffic stops

The state started tracking traffic enforcement data in 2003 to curb racial profiling, but independent monitoring remains critical.

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Nowhere to go: Chicago teens on ‘takeovers,’ curfews, and lost community spaces
Nowhere to go: Chicago teens on ‘takeovers,’ curfews, and lost community spaces

A summer of viral gatherings, arrests and City Council debate has renewed old questions about race, public space and who gets to be young in public.

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Equipping the Next Generation

Training

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How journalists can verify and use images responsibly in reporting

Relying on visuals in reporting, journalists need to confirm where they came from, what they show and how they are being interpreted. Answering those questions is part of a reporting process known as verification.

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How images shape narratives: a guide to reading photographs critically
How images shape narratives: a guide to reading photographs critically

How photography influences public understanding and why journalists must interpret images with the same scrutiny applied to text, data and sources.

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How journalists escalate FOIA requests when agencies refuse to release records

What journalists can do when agencies block records and how to keep investigations moving without waiting months — or years — for a response.

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When ICE won’t respond, local records help expose immigration enforcement

Use these FOIA strategies for immigration enforcement reporting.

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Our Work

Data-Driven Investigations

Our dispassionate style of fact-based, data-driven reporting uncovers systemic racial and economic disparities.

Collaborative Reporting

We partner with Chicago media outlets to support major investigations on race and equity issues in the region and across Illinois.

Journalism Training

Our investigative workshop series helps journalists develop investigative skills, while creating a pipeline of diverse and skilled reporters.

Apprenticeship Program

Our apprenticeship program gives aspiring investigative reporters hands-on experience coupled with a training series and mentorship.

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