The state law that currently mandates licensing requirements for locksmiths is expected to sunset in January 2029, thanks to legislation passed in Springfield. Some fear that will result in problems for consumers, while others say it is needed deregulation.
Stories by DePaul’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence
Chronic Pain Patients Suffer From Opioid Epidemic Overcorrection
According to the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program, both the number of opioid prescriptions written and the number of patients served dropped by almost half since 2015.
Paper Restrictions at Cook County Jail Signal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Concerns
Since the beginning of 2023, Cook County Jail administration has reported 16 deaths in custody, with five attributed to overdoses, according to Cook County Medical Examiner records. To address the uptick in overdose deaths, jail leadership took unprecedented measures, including what some called a facility-wide paper ban.
Fake Taxis: Consumers Concerned Over Lack of Action by Chicago Officials
Those impersonating licensed drivers can easily order counterfeit rideshare company stickers or magnetic taxi labels online. Other tactics include claiming their payment system is malfunctioning so that the ride must instead be charged on third-party payment platforms.
Finding Love With Mental Illness: Those With Anxiety, Depression Say They Must First Swipe Right on Themselves
On Bumble, users may enter their height, occupation and political alignment. Tinder lets users list their Zodiac sign, alma mater and link a music app to show off their favorite artists. But for those dealing with mental illness, there’s no box to check to help disclose the ongoing struggles present in their lives.
Park & Ride Disparities Leave South Side Red Line Commuters Without a Spot
Despite thousands of daily passengers, the CTA’s parking availability pales in comparison to other major cities.
Due to the lack of CTA-provided parking options, South Side commuters are often forced to park on streets, sometimes illegally, risking a ticket or a tow. If they choose to drive the entire commute, they’ll face a packed Dan Ryan Expressway and expensive downtown parking.
As Supreme Court Prepares to Rule on Roe, Illinois Once Again Ground Zero for Abortion Access
Could it mean the return of the Jane Collective for a new era?
If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, states neighboring Illinois are poised to further restrict abortion access. Illinois organizations, both for and against abortion, are bracing for the influx of people who will likely turn to Illinois providers.
Designed to Reduce Cook County Jail Population, Electronic Monitoring System May Produce False Readings
In the county’s electronic monitoring program administered by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office, defendants wear an ankle monitor equipped with GPS and cellular tower tracking technology. Some say the readings are not always accurate, leading to incorrect reports of violations.
Long After COVID-19 Infection Ends, Some Still Face Distorted Senses of Taste and Smell
According to a November study, researchers estimate that anywhere from 700,000 to 1.6 million people in the U.S., are currently experiencing chronic smell loss or distortion because of COVID-19. For several Chicago-area residents, the loss persists.
Where Does the City Plant Trees? A Ward-by-Ward Analysis
Chicago has a long history of segregation and racial inequity. Now, a new data analysis by the DePaul University Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence shows inequity is rooted even in the planting of city trees.
Chicago’s 2008 Climate Action Plan Came Up Short, New Analysis Shows
Advocates say laws, not plans, are needed
Three mayors in the past 15 years have all promised to combat the effects of global climate change. But some critics and scientists, along with a new data analysis by the DePaul University Center for Journalism Integrity & Excellence, reveal their efforts have fallen short.
Lightfoot Cracks Down on Speeding Violations as Traffic Fatalities Rise
Starting Monday, the city of Chicago is jacking up fines for speeding violations near schools and parks — and that has the mayor at odds with some aldermen. Carol Marin and students from DePaul University’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence have the story.
Local Pandemic: A Small Town’s Fight Against COVID-19
Seven years ago, the town of Washington in central Illinois was hit with a tornado. Now, some say the COVID-19 shutdown is an even bigger disaster.
Problem Gamblers Look For Help as Illinois Increases Gaming
State promises budget boost for programs
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, gambling in Illinois was spreading like wildfire, with more places to make a bet than Nevada. But is the state upholding its promise to provide addiction services at the same pace it expands gambling?
Women Forced to Choose Between Food and Menstrual Products
Nearly 25 million American women living below the poverty line are faced with a terrible choice every month: whether to spend money on menstrual hygiene products or other necessities. We explore what’s called period poverty – and the movement to end it.
Bubbly Creek: An Environmental Quagmire for Federal Agencies and Local Activists
More than a century after Upton Sinclair described a stretch of the Chicago River as “a great open sewer,” Bubbly Creek is still plagued by waste – and the restoration process has been mired in its own political muck.
Booting by Private Companies Remains Source of Tension Between Drivers, Businesses and Aldermen
Leave your car unattended in a private lot and you may pay the price
If you park in a private lot and get booted it will cost you nearly three times what the city charges for a regular parking ticket. For more than 15 years it’s been a controversial – and sometimes maddening – fact of city life.
Sanctuary Restaurants Offer Support to Employees, But Little Protection
Chicago has dozens of “sanctuary restaurants,” but like “sanctuary city,” the term is not a legal designation. So what exactly does it mean?
DACA Repeal Puts Med Students in Murky Waters
The possibility of a DACA repeal, its impact on the Illinois health system and the future of medical students: A special report from DePaul University’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence.
In Illinois, Marijuana Laws Struggle to Keep Up With Times
As legislators in Springfield debate the future of marijuana, some believe there is a major disconnect between Illinois’ laws and shifting public opinion.
Chicago Gun Offender Registry Called Into Question
With the city’s mounting gun violence, some remain skeptical about the effectiveness of a little-known city ordinance called the Gun Offender Registry. A special report from DePaul University's Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence.
