Jodi S. Cohen is a reporter for ProPublica, where she focuses on stories about schools and juvenile justice. Her stories have uncovered the misuse of seclusion and restraint in Illinois public schools, exposed systemic problems in Michigan’s juvenile justice system after a girl was incarcerated during the pandemic for not doing her online school work, and revealed misconduct in a psychiatric research study at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a college financial aid scam. She is based in Chicago.
Jodi S. Cohen
Reporter
Records Reveal “Lax” Supervision, Sexual Activity at Chicago-Area Shelters Housing Immigrant Children
Newly obtained documents provide details on troubling incidents, including children having sex in a TV room and two girls running away on a museum field trip.
“Ocultos a plena vista”: Cientos de migrantes menores son albergados en una red opaca de refugios en Illinois
Documentos y entrevistas revelan acusaciones de abusos, amenazas y relaciones inapropiadas.
“Hidden in Plain Sight”: Hundreds of Immigrant Children and Teens Housed in Opaque Network of Chicago-Area Shelters
Documents and interviews reveal allegations of abuse, threats and inappropriate relationships.
Documents Raise New Concerns About Lithium Study on Children
Prominent University of Illinois at Chicago psychiatrist enrolled her young sons as healthy control subjects in troubled study.
University of Illinois at Chicago Officials Defend Handling of Researcher’s Misconduct
Top officials say reviews found no oversight problems, though documents undercut that claim.
How We Found Sources for Our Research Misconduct Story — And How You Can Help Us Find More
Privacy rules were an obstacle to finding participants in Dr. Mani Pavuluri’s lithium studies, but we got around them.
The $3 Million Research Breakdown
How a star psychiatrist at the University of Illinois at Chicago violated protocols and put children at risk.
A Chicago Cop’s Facebook Posts and a City’s Struggle With Racism
In 50 years, only one officer has been fired for abuse involving racial or ethnically biased language.
Chicago Cop Under Investigation Again Over Social Media Posts
Officer John Catanzara describes himself as a “give no f#$%s, say it like it is man.” His Facebook and Instagram posts have prompted investigations.
Chicago Police Win Big When Appealing Discipline
Analysis shows hundreds of misconduct findings overturned.
Chicago Police Department Grievances
A Chicago Tribune-ProPublica Illinois investigation tracked more than 300 police disciplinary cases appealed through the department’s labor office. We analyzed changes between original discipline orders and what officers actually served.
Police Oversight Ordinance Promised Transparency But Doesn’t Fully Deliver
A revamped agency takes a step backward in informing the public.
Returning to the Scene of a Trauma
At 16, Brandon Whitehead and his father were held at gunpoint by an off-duty Chicago police officer. The cop got suspended for five days, which he served 11 years later. Brandon, now 27, goes back to the scene.
Chicago Police Skirt Punishment as Disciplinary System Fails Yet Again
Even after reporters identified lost cases, only some officers served suspensions.