How the Chicago Sun-Times is deciding what’s news — by soliciting your input

Oath Keepers: In October 2023, we published a three-part investigation into 27 current and former Chicago police officers whose names appeared in leaked membership records for the Oath Keepers, an extremist group that participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 attempt to violently overturn the results of the November 2020 election.

Chicago’s 50 closed schools: A decade after Chicago closed 50 public schools amid declining student populations and budget shortfalls, we examined the impact of this decision on the city, the school system (including the budget), the students, their families and their neighborhoods.

Corruption trails: We’re keeping tabs on a series of high-profile federal corruption trials challenging Chicago-style politics, which you can follow here. Our ongoing reporting includes, among other cases, coverage of the historic trials of former alderperson Ed Burke, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza and four former political insiders.

Electric and gas companies: Illinois electric and gas companies are quietly sorting their customers into different “risk” categories, which means that customers who struggle to pay their power bills could see their power shut off in as little as 16 days, while those who are considered less “risky” could get up to 40 days.

Insurance: People with bad credit pay more for car insurance in Illinois, even if they are excellent drivers.

Grocery stores: Grocery stores have closed, leaving 102,000 Chicagoans without access to a major grocery store within a mile of their homes. This 2023 number represents a 63% jump from the 38,000 with low food access in 2013. The situation is especially bleak for residents on the South Side and West Side.

Election hub 2024: Get the latest election news at the Chicago Sun-Times election hub, where you’ll find stories about how Illinoians are participating in, and could be affected by, the Nov. 5 election.

Voter Guide 2024: Our voter guide aims to help Chicagoans as they decide who to vote for in the first-ever election of Chicago Board of Education members on Nov. 5. It offers a district-by-district look at candidates’ backgrounds and policy priorities.

Voter Guide 2023: Our voter guide to the 2023 Chicago city elections included voter resources, a questionnaire laying out the views of all the mayoral candidates, videos of all the candidates, and live results and updates.

Find your ward 2023: To help voters during the 2023 municipal elections in Chicago, we created a feature in which readers could enter their address and get information about the candidates in their ward and police district.

Overdue payments: In March, we helped City Hall collect $1 million in overdue payments from sports teams, promoters and organizers of special events.

Junk fees: The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed the rising trend of “junk fees” that are exacerbating the already growing cost of renting apartments in Chicago – and making it harder for renters to comparison shop and budget.

$24,000 cellphone bill: Comcast refunded a barber’s unexpected $24,000 cellphone bill after Chicago Sun-Times’ Money desk reporter Stephanie Zimmermann asked about it.

Unlicenced plumber: The Chicago Sun-Times’ new Money desk, launched in January, told the story of an unlicensed plumber who left an Avondale man with a costly mess – and provided tips on how others can protect themselves.

Catalytic converter: The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed data to understand the scale of Chicago’s catalytic converter theft epidemic, the most targeted vehicles and how the thieves operate – and how consumers can protect themselves.

Consumer problem: We want to help Chicago area residents thrive, with “how to” stories like this article with tips to help consumers successfully complain when they run into issues with retailers or service providers.