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Thursday, April 25, 2024
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Stephanie Zimmermann

Consumer investigations reporter

Stephanie Zimmermann is an award-winning investigative reporter who focuses on consumer issues, defined broadly to include credit and debt, insurance, food, housing, health, transportation, technology, unsafe products, scams/frauds and other issues that affect everyday people.

The Watchdogs
'Deceptive' real estate firm tied to Loop's Monroe Capital sued by Kwame Raoul
MV Realty targeted people who had equity in their homes but needed cash — locking them into decadeslong contracts carrying hidden fees, the Illinois attorney general says in a new lawsuit.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
FBI agent James Rudisill takes down a flag at sunset at his home. The Army veteran and his Chicago lawyer are asking the Supreme Court to take his case, which could help other long-serving vets tap college educational benefits for themselves and their families that they earned under more than one version of the GI Bill.
GI Bill
Supreme Court ruling in GI Bill case could force VA to give more than 1 million vets greater college benefits
The ruling Tuesday in favor of Rudisill, who’s now an FBI agent, also could help other long-serving vets tap college educational benefits for themselves and their families that they earned under more than one version of the GI Bill.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
Hemp stock
The Watchdogs
Hemp products often mislabeled, posing potential danger to consumers, Chicago researcher finds
Lab tests of hemp products sold in Chicago showed wildly varying levels of THC and unexpected cannabinoids in edibles and flowers. Lawmakers are calling for the items to be regulated.
By Stephanie Zimmermann and Tom Schuba
 
United Airlines Baggage Fees
The Watchdogs
Illinois 'junk' fee legislation calling for price transparency, from airline or concert tickets to rent
Legislation is being proposed in Springfield that would require the total price of goods and services, especially extra fees, to be disclosed before customers try to pay.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
Close up view of the shattered rear window of Heidi Molina's light colored Honda HR-V.
The Watchdogs
Honda HR-V rear windows are suddenly shattering: 'Like bang!'
Hundreds of drivers in Illinois and throughout the country describe incidents in which their back windows “shattered” or “exploded” as they were on the road or after they were parked.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
Closeup of pigs’ faces at All Grass Farms near West Dundee. They were born to sows that were never kept in gestation crates. They’re free to roam their pasture in the open air.
The Watchdogs
Crate-free pork’s now the law at grocery stores in two states, not Illinois. Here’s what that means when you’re buying bacon.
Activists are fighting the use of gestation crates, saying they’re cruel. Some Illinois pork farmers disagree. It’s a battle with implications for shoppers in Chicago and across the country.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
Examples of products containing red dye 3 or titanium dioxide, two of five additives that would be banned for use in foods and beverages under legislation proposed in Illinois. Shown are Kimberley’s frosted soft sugar cookies, Nesquik strawberry low-fat milk, Streit’s Jordan almonds and Sun-Maid vanilla yogurt covered raisins purchased on Jan. 21, 2024 in Chicago.
The Watchdogs
Illinois bill seeks to ban food additives linked to health issues
The five additives, including red dye No. 3, would be banned from retail sales of foods and beverages in Illinois by 2027.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
Three-year-old Meghan Beck wears pigtails, a sweater and a smile as she poses in front of rocks.
The Watchdogs
Millions of safety kits to prevent furniture tip-overs are now being recalled
Barrington Hills mom Lisa Siefert’s 2-year-old son Shane died when his dresser fell on him. She urges parents who childproofed furniture to replace the recalled safety anchors.
By Stephanie Zimmermann
 
Vehicles drive into the foreground as the Chicago skyline rises in the background. Traffic moves northbound on the Kennedy Expressway near North Ogden Avenue on Wednesday.
The Watchdogs
Car insurance rates went up again for Illinois drivers last year, analysis shows
Premium increases for new and renewing customers during 2023 totaled $1.25 billion, a consumer group found, with State Farm and Allstate raising rates by the largest amount.
By Stephanie Zimmermann