Meredith Newman

Statewide investigative reporter for @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov | proud alum of @delawareonline, @capgaznews, @dailyorange | [email protected]

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

@Jeff_Neiburg 💙

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

"In the meeting with the Women’s Caucus, Welch also said he didn’t take the former Benton staffer’s initial complaint seriously 'because he gets a lot of complaints against members,' according to one attendee’s notes."

https://t.co/lTmSPBA5t9

[Rick Pearson @rap30]

Our story: Illinois House Speaker Welch's office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton years ago https://t.co/w2Gioaboma

[The BGA's Illinois Answers Project @IllinoisAnswers]

Today at noon, Illinois Answers reporter @MereNewman breaks down the months-long backlog for Illinois parents seeking early intervention therapies for their kids. Listen live on @stlpublicradio or via https://t.co/BDQsN25RJk

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

Read more here ---> By Casey Toner + @maggie_dough of @CapitolNewsIL

Illinois lost more than $7.7 billion gambling last year.  As lawmakers increasingly bet on gambling to pay the state’s bills, they have only spare change to treat compulsive gamblers.
https://t.co/dGPrLA7DB4

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

One of my favorite packages @IllinoisAnswers has published this year.

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

https://t.co/ZMViSkGrP3

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

"Post-pandemic, a new openness to accommodating family needs has made it possible for more mothers and fathers to balance work and parenting — particularly mothers of young children."

https://t.co/To8ZfTcXBe

[Capitol News Illinois @CapitolNewsIL]

Studies analyzing the outcomes of Early Intervention found it can change a child’s developmental trajectory, and may even reduce the need for special education later. @IllinoisAnswers story by Meredith Newman & Madison Hopkins. https://t.co/hHU7Q8sRpU

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

"The sheer logistical and financial madness of raising children in America is now officially a matter of political concern."

https://t.co/UtvSUyXSvY

[The BGA's Illinois Answers Project @IllinoisAnswers]

Early Intervention is a free program for Illinois families who need physical or occupational therapy for their toddlers. It’s proven to help improve developmental delays.

But the therapists who provide the care are paid less than those working in other states:

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

oh hi @Dylan_Segelbaum!!

[Wallace House Center for Journalists @UMWallaceHouse]

Meet the 2026 Livingston Awards Finalists for Local Reporting! 📣

These outstanding young journalists are shining a light on critical local issues—and shaping the future of news.

Read their outstanding work: https://t.co/g6Can8qaL0

#wallacehouse #universityofmichigan

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

@Sam4TR @washingtonpost @PostSports Sam, I'm so sorry. 💔

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

@dougherty_jesse I'm so sorry Jesse 💔

[Dylan Segelbaum @Dylan_Segelbaum]

In Maryland, anyone can apply for criminal charges on their own with no input from police or prosecutors.

I found the system can be easily abused and wreak havoc on people’s lives: https://t.co/mcoiXdxPgU (via @BaltimoreBanner)

[The BGA's Illinois Answers Project @IllinoisAnswers]

Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago.

In many cases, it’s more than three months.

https://t.co/nHp6mjhMvM

[IsabelMillerMedia @IsabelMMiller]

Isabel’s morning briefing
-Bailey to stay in governor’s race following family tragedy
-Key IL Democrats at odds with Durbin over shutdown vote
-Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an IL jail waiting for a hospital bed — and died waiting
https://t.co/Yrw6KZBEGq

[Alex Nitkin @AlexNitkin]

Important story from @MereNewman on a symptom of the state's eroding public health infrastructure: mentally ill defendants spiraling in jail for months while they wait for psychiatric beds — sometimes with fatal consequences
https://t.co/B6rO81fGYj

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

I found that jails in Kankakee and McHenry counties are providing mental health care to defendants, from smaller jails, who have deemed unfit for trial and are awaiting a state hospital bed.

And some are being found fit as a result.

https://t.co/YgU9gZW8Ux

[Meredith Newman @MereNewman]

Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago.

My latest for @IllinoisAnswers

https://t.co/DOPMlv7C0W