Celebrated all-boys charter school in Chicago cited by CPS for ‘dismal’ financial management
CPS says Urban Prep operated using cash advances and predatory loans. School leaders say its financial issues have been resolved.
WBEZ Investigations
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Illinois child welfare officials defend leaving kids in jail after release
They say the state lacks resources to house some troubled kids but they’re working to fix the complicated problem.
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Illinois is routinely housing wards of the state in Chicago’s jail for kids
The state’s child welfare agency says it has nowhere else to put the children. Opponents call it cruel, and a civil rights violation.
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The former Chicago parks leader blamed political pressure for her exit
In recordings from a closed-door meeting, former park district board president Avis Lavelle said she left to relieve pressure on Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
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Judge rules in favor of WBEZ in open-records lawsuit against Lightfoot’s office
The station sued nearly a year ago after the city blacked out portions of a complaint letter from a Chicago Park District lifeguard.
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A former Chicago Park District lifeguard supervisor has been charged with sex crimes
The longtime manager at public pools on the Northwest Side becomes the second supervisor charged in the park district scandal.
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Prisoncast: Listen to a special radio event on Aug. 28th for people in Illinois prisons!
Listen live at 2pm CT on Aug. 28th, when WBEZ is partnering with Illinois Public Radio stations across the state on a special radio event to serve people inside and their loved ones outside!
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The Chicago Park District asks for input on plans prompted by the lifeguard scandal
Interim Park District CEO Rosa Escareno will appear at town hall meetings to discuss improving safety for workers and the new Office of Prevention and Accountability.
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A lawyer at the center of Evanston’s lifeguard abuse scandal lands a Cook County job
Investigators criticized Jennifer Lin’s response to the accusations in Evanston. But she has a new job with the circuit court clerk.
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A new report says Evanston botched its response to ‘pervasive’ lakefront sexual misconduct
An independent counsel is sharply criticizing north suburban officials who buried serious allegations from many female lifeguards and other beach workers.
