Jodi S. Cohen
Jodi S. Cohen is a senior editor for ProPublica.
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Jodi S. Cohen is a senior editor for ProPublica. Her work has examined the widespread practice of police ticketing students at school for minor infractions, the misuse of seclusion and restraint in Illinois public schools, systemic problems in Michigan’s juvenile justice system after a girl was incarcerated during the pandemic for not doing her online school work and a college financial aid scam. She collaborated with colleagues to cover the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy for immigrants. Previously, Cohen worked at the Chicago Tribune for 14 years, where she covered higher education and helped expose a secret admissions system at the University of Illinois.
Her stories have led to changes in state laws and policies as well as the release of a teenager from detention. She has been awarded the Worth Bingham Prize for Investigative Journalism, the Education Writers Association Fred M. Hechinger Grand Prize, the Investigative Reporters & Editors Award, the Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics, the ONA Award for Investigative Data Journalism, the Chicago Headline Club’s Watchdog Award and the Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Journalism. She also was honored with the Studs Terkel Award, which recognizes journalists whose career has been driven by service and connection to their communities.
Cohen graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Michigan, where she was managing editor of the campus newspaper, The Michigan Daily. Based in Chicago, she is passionate about local news and wants to hear your Midwest story tips.
Inmigrantes menores enviados a albergues de Chicago están traumatizados y enfermos, a veces con varicela o tuberculosis
Cientos de menores están siendo detenidos en albergues operados por Heartland Human Care Services, en donde dicen haber hecho cambios a raíz de las acusaciones por negligencia y maltrato a niños.
Immigrant Children Sent to Chicago Shelters Are Traumatized and Sick, in Some Instances With Chicken Pox or Tuberculosis
Hundreds of children are being detained in shelters run by Heartland Human Care Services, which says it has made changes since allegations that children were neglected and mistreated.
The University of Illinois Withheld Public Records for Months. Guess What They Showed?
After we obtained the documents, they led to another story about the scandal surrounding psychiatric research at the university’s Chicago campus.
University of Illinois at Chicago Missed Warning Signs of Research Going Awry, Letters Show
UIC has played down its shortcomings in overseeing the work of a prominent child psychiatrist, but newly obtained documents show that the school acknowledged its lapses to federal officials.
Después de la controversia, Heartland va a cerrar cuatro albergues para jóvenes inmigrantes en Illinois
Al mismo tiempo, otro operador de albergues está intentando expandir su presencia en Chicago.
After Controversy, Heartland to Close Four Illinois Shelters for Immigrant Youth
At the same time, another shelter operator is trying to expand its footprint in Chicago.
Illinois Regulators Are Investigating a Psychiatrist Whose Research With Children Was Marred by Misconduct
A former University of Illinois at Chicago researcher is at the center of a state medical licensing and disciplinary board inquiry.
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What We Learned From Letting a Mother and Her Son Tell Their Own Story
We were moved by their words and honesty. We hope you are, too.
“We Will Keep on Fighting for Him.”
After her 10-year-old was accepted into a clinical drug trial for bipolar disorder, a mother chronicled her family’s experiences. Here is their journey, in their own words.