@rrhinton

Investigative Reporter @BlockClubChi | @MaynardInst fellow ‘23 | DePaul alumna. Tips? [email protected]

 Chicago
chicago.suntimes.com/author/rachel-hinton/
Joined October 2013
  • Tweets14.2K
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446Media
Rachel Hinton retweeted
Stephanie Lulay@slulay2Oct 22
Our Chicago School Board Voter Guide is here! 🗳️💪 All 21 Chicago Board of Education members are up for election for the first time ever. @BlockClubCHI @chalkbeatCHI @WBEZ @Suntimes collaborated over months to produce a multilingual guide. Check it out: chalkbeat.org/chicago/school…
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Alice Yin@byaliceyinOct 20
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s CPO sent a letter to the contracting oversight committee today announcing a new gunshot detection pilot on the South, West and Southwest sides. Confirming @HeatherCherone scoop:
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Mina Bloom@mina_bloom_Oct 19
My latest for @BlockClubCHI follows up on an important City Council hearing that was canceled after not enough alders showed up. Not only do we cover council committee hearings, but we also follow up when those hearings go awry. blockclubchicago.org/2026/10…

Why Did So Many Alders Skip A Domestic Violence Hearing? Most Who Missed It Won't Say

Public discussion of a flailing city program might be rescheduled for November — if alderpeople find time on their calendars.

blockclubchicago.org
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Heather Cherone@HeatherCheroneOct 15
NEW: The former deputy director of the Chicago Board of Ethics should be fired for driving while drunk, causing 3 collisions & becoming “physically combative with a bystander,” according to the city’s watchdog, I report with @jaredrutecki for @wttw news. news.wttw.com/2026/10/15/for…

Former Chicago Board of Ethics Deputy Director Should Be Fired After She Drove Drunk, Caused...

Lauren Maniatis, 43, is no longer an employee of the board, which is responsible for enforcing the city’s ethics laws, records show.

news.wttw.com
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Heather Cherone@HeatherCheroneOct 9
BREAKING: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to refinance a chunk of the city’s massive debt to fill a budget gap of $85.1 million generated just half of what he and his top financial advisers promised Chicagoans, records show. @wttw news.wttw.com/2026/10/09/joh…

Johnson’s Debt Refinancing Plan Results in Just Half of What He Promised, Forcing Officials to...

Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city would refinance bonds backed by the city’s sales tax revenues that are at least 10 years old to generate between $65 million and $71 million. But that refinancing...

news.wttw.com
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Melody Mercado@melodymercadotvOct 9
Tale as old as time: is it a nightclub or a restaurant? Chicago Alderman, for years, have wanted more power to crack down on problem bars. Here are the details on an ordinance that could do just that. blockclubchicago.org/2026/10…

Chicago Aldermen Want More Power To Crack Down On ‘Problem Bars’

The proposal would strengthen licensing enforcement, require faster compliance with corrective plans and give the city more leverage to close businesses tied to repeated violence or nuisance compla...

blockclubchicago.org
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Alice Yin@byaliceyinOct 6
ICYMI, story last wk on state of CARE, including update on Mayor Brandon Johnson's vow to phase cops out of the crisis response program: CPD: “(My team has) also done 20 — I know this is a nasty word some of you guys don’t like, but 20 co-responses.” chicagotribune.com/2026/10/0…
Alice Yin@byaliceyinJun 29
ICYMI, months & months of dysfunction between CDPH, City Hall and other city agencies as 911 mental health response program known as CARE struggles under Mayor Brandon Johnson:
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Melody Mercado@melodymercadotvOct 5
I think we've all seen that one video of Johnson dancing, which has sparked a lot of conversations about the role content creators will have in this upcoming election. Spoiler: Johnson isn't the only one courting them; Mendoza and Giannoulias are too blockclubchicago.org/2026/10…

In Chicago Mayor's Race, Candidates Turn To Influencers Hoping To Go Viral With Voters

Mayor Brandon Johnson, Susana Mendoza and Alexi Giannoulias are building relationships with content creators as campaigns rethink how they share their message in the upcoming municipal elections.

blockclubchicago.org
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Alex Nitkin@AlexNitkinOct 1
Tax-increment financing is opaque and complicated, arguably by design. So last year, we had an idea: what if we could show the actual impact of TIFs on all of our tax bills? Today, we've published the result: 🧵
A graphic saying, "If No TIFs Existed, Your Tax Bill Could be $1,130 Lower"

ALT A graphic saying, "If No TIFs Existed, Your Tax Bill Could be $1,130 Lower"

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Wieners Circle Has Always Had Something To Say. What Happens When Its Owner Runs For Mayor? blockclubchicago.org/2026/09…

Wieners Circle Has Always Had Something To Say. What Happens When Its Owner Runs For Mayor?

Matt Brewer’s mayoral bid has put the Lincoln Park hot dog stand’s irreverent politics — and a recent message on its marquee questioning the current mayor’s leadership — under scrutiny.

blockclubchicago.org
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Council Approves $2.5 Billion Parking Meter Sale, With City Set To Get Share Of Profits blockclubchicago.org/2026/09…

Chicago's New Parking Meter Deal Will Give City Share Of Profits For 1st Time Since 2008

Alderpeople voted 46-3 Tuesday to approve the deal expected to generate about $375 million for Chicago over the next 57 years.

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Illinois issued nearly $1 billion in tax credits to film and TV productions over the past six years. The film industry and Gov. Pritzker say the credits help keep Illinois competitive for film jobs. Critics warn they could shift hundreds of millions in fiscal burden to taxpayers. illinoisanswers.org/2026/09/…

Lights, Camera, Tax Credits

llinois lawmakers give big boost to movie industry while academics claim the Hollywood giveaway is a bad deal for taxpayers

illinoisanswers.org
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Existing city curfew laws are enforced largely in Black and Latino communities, data shows. While some alderpeople push for tougher curfew laws, many parents and teens say the current approach is unfair and ineffective. buff.ly/FvNx1zW
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Though commonly known as “Little India,” the West Ridge street is a hub for a diverse swath of South and Southeast Asian immigrant communities that continue to grow. Your Guide To Devon Avenue: Where to eat, shop and spend the day. buff.ly/rFnL1vC
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West Siders hope a new disaster relief program will offer reprieve from flooding in 2023 and 2024. buff.ly/qU2qXe7
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The "city’s worst landowner" ran a shell company scheme to buy a Maserati and luxury condo, attorneys say. buff.ly/62cK4PO
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Shermann “Dilla” Thomas is fighting a $20K legal battle for saying "Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago." buff.ly/yJuKh8o
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Melody Mercado@melodymercadotvSep 11
Lawyer Who Went Viral Opposing Midway Blitz Named Mayor Johnson’s Communications Director Exclusive: Rachel Cohen sat down with me to talk about the transition, what it means to her and how her social media persona will change given her new job. blockclubchicago.org/2026/09…

Lawyer Who Went Viral Opposing Midway Blitz Named Mayor Johnson’s Chief Spokesperson

Rachel Cohen first made headlines for quitting her job at a top Chicago law firm over Trump's policies. Now she's being tapped to lead messaging for Mayor Brandon Johnson.

blockclubchicago.org
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The first city-backed apartments on LaSalle Street are now renting, signaling a transformed financial district. buff.ly/jC0083P
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Rachel Hinton retweeted
Stephanie Lulay@slulay2Sep 10
INTERNSHIP ALERT: @blockclubchi is hiring paid fall investigative interns! 🔍 Work w/ + learn from The Watch team ✍️ Contribute to published stories + pitch your ideas 💰 $22/hour 🤝 Supported by Gary Marx Fund for Emerging Journalists Apply by 9/20: blockclubchicago.org/investi…

Gary Marx Journalism Fund for Emerging Journalists: We're Hiring Investigative Interns

Block Club Chicago’s investigative team, the Watch, accepts internship applications periodically throughout the year. Applications for the fall 2026 have closed. Please check back in 2027. Applicat...

blockclubchicago.org
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