Rachel Hinton
Chicago Sun-Times
Mountain View, CA, United States
Contact Rachel
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Rachel:
Illinois sued for holding foster children in jail due to lack of housing
The lawsuit against the Department of Children and Family Services officials comes after an investigation by the Illinois Answers Project found that the problem was only getting worse. → Read More
Illinois Medicaid contractor Centene Corp. under federal scrutiny over foster kids’ medical care
An Illinois Answers Project investigation found that the insurance giant fell short in providing basic care. Now, federal officials want answers from state agencies overseeing the program. → Read More
Pritzker signs repeal of Parental Notice of Abortion Act
The legislation also creates an advisory group for youth health and safety issues that will identify laws and policies that affect parenting and pregnant people under age 18. → Read More
Aurora mayor considering gubernatorial bid, backing from Ken Griffin in question
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is considering entering the 2022 governor’s race. Sources say Irvin will have billionaire Ken Griffin’s support — a notion Griffin and a source close to him tried to shut down. → Read More
Cook County Democrats endorse Alexi Giannoulias in secretary of state race
The three Democrats also seeking the party’s endorsement — Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and Ald. David Moore (17th) Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) — said they’d stay in the race, though Dowell said she’ll have to "assess how I’m going to move forward." → Read More
Midwifery becomes a licensed profession in Illinois
The legislation Pritzker signed into law Tuesday allows for midwives to go through a newly created licensing process to provide care before, during and after delivery. → Read More
President J.B. Pritzker? Illinois governor not eyeing White House bid — yet
Democratic consultants offered mixed reactions to Pritzker’s name being floated as a potential presidential contender, noting he has his own potentially tough reelection battle to worry about first. → Read More
Pritzker issues disaster proclamation for storm-damaged counties after violent tornadoes rip through Illinois
The governor issued a disaster proclamation for 28 counties in central and southern Illinois, including Bond, Cass, Effingham, Jackson, Kankakee, Lawrence and Madison. → Read More
GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey names Stephanie Trussell as running mate
State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, picked Stephanie Trussell, a "hardworking conservative" and former WLS-AM 890 talk show host, to join the 2022 ticket. → Read More
Violent threats prompt Illinois lawmaker to shelve plan to make unvaccinated pay health care costs
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll said Thursday he decided not to pursue the law because of the "unintended divisive nature" of the proposal, which led to threats against his family and even his synagogue. → Read More
Cook County sheriff’s policy director Levin to seek Harris’ House seat
The first candidate to enter the race, Becky Levin grew up in Des Plaines and has lived in Uptown for the last 10 years, describing herself as a "proud" policy wonk and nerd. She has served as the executive director of public policy for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart since January 2020. → Read More
Valencia wins nurses’ union support in Illinois secretary of state race
Tori Dameron, the president of the Illinois Nurses Association, said in a statement nurses "need the support of strong union allies in office now more than ever" as the pandemic continues to "strain" frontline workers and others in health care. → Read More
Pritzker announces water and sewer bill help for low-income Illinoisans
The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program is the latest state effort to help residents pay their utility bills. It joins a $327 million program announced in September to help residents with bills for their energy services. → Read More
Teachers union, Gutierrez endorse Giannoulias for secretary of state
The Illinois Federation of Teachers represents over 100,000 teachers and support staff across the state’s public school districts, community colleges and universities — as well as about 200 members who work in the Secretary of State’s office. → Read More
Proposed legislation would put unvaccinated on the hook for COVID-19 expenses
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, said the bill he filed Monday comes down to frustration between those who have "been following the science and ... trying to do the right thing" and those who are "choosing not to get vaccinated who are able to for whatever they choose." → Read More
Pritzker signs legislation to create new local school councils, protect students from grooming by predators
"Faith’s Law" is named for Faith Colson, who was sexually abused by a teacher two decades ago. It expands the legal definition of grooming and adds resources and protections for sexual abuse survivors and their families. → Read More
State AG’s retail theft task force recovers over $1 million in stolen merchandise
Kwame Raoul said the items recovered were a mix of electronics, high-end food items, hair extensions, jewelry, men’s and women’s clothing from a variety of major national retailers. → Read More
State to provide $300 million in grants to child care providers
Applications for the latest round of funding are due by early January with the state expecting to disburse the money beginning in February. → Read More
Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris won’t seek reelection
State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, has served in the House since 2006 representing a North Side district that includes all or parts of Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square North Center, West Ridge and Bowmanville. → Read More
Pre-holiday COVID-19 caseload offers mixed news, simple message: Stay ‘vigilant,’ but no ‘need to be terrified’
Because of the shortened holiday work week, the Illinois Department of Public Health released the five-day figures instead of the typical seven-day statistics, complicating comparisons. → Read More