ImpactPolitics Chicago Announces Change to State Tax Refund Intercept Program Following Investigation Low-to-moderate income taxpayers in Illinois will not have unpaid fines they owe the City of Chicago automatically deducted from their state income tax refunds this year. Simon Davis-CohenThe Chicago ReporterMarch 16, 2021
InvestigationBusiness, Politics Chicago Has Been Quietly Intercepting Millions From State Tax Refunds During the Pandemic The Lighfoot administration intercepted at least $27 million in 2020 from residents’ state tax refunds to collect on debt, disproportionately hitting lower income neighborhoods and communities of color. Simon Davis-CohenThe Chicago ReporterSeptember 15, 2020
InvestigationPolitics Chicago intercepts tax refunds to collect unpaid debt, hitting poor black areas the hardest Despite Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s agenda to curb unfair fees and fines, a little known program extracts millions in revenue annually from unpaid tickets, court fees and other debt from thousands of taxpayers without regard for their ability to pay. Simon Davis-CohenThe Chicago ReporterMay 11, 2020
AnalysisEnvironment, Politics Big Oil and Gas Take Aim at Ballot Initiative Process in Colorado The anti-fracking movement has relied heavily on the initiative process as a tool against a powerful oil and gas industry presence in the state. Simon Davis-CohenNovember 4, 2016
InvestigationBusiness, Environment Big Oil Takes Aim at Local Control of Fracking As much as local communities in Colorado may want to ban the process, their hands are tied. Simon Davis-CohenFusionAugust 3, 2016