Jodi S. Cohen
Jodi S. Cohen is a reporter for ProPublica, where she focuses on stories about schools and juvenile justice.
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Jodi S. Cohen is a reporter for ProPublica whose 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.
Where Do We Find Our Story Ideas?
They’re everywhere. Sometimes, we drive right by them.
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.
Esto es lo que pasó a los 99 niños inmigrantes separados de sus padres y enviados a Chicago
Documentos confidenciales revelan detalles sobre los problemas para encontrar a los padres y las experiencias traumáticas durante la política de tolerancia cero de la administración Trump.
Here’s What Happened to the 99 Immigrant Children Separated From Their Parents and Sent to Chicago
Confidential records reveal details about struggles to find parents and traumatic experiences during the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance crackdown.
Mientras pasan los meses en albergues de Chicago, menores migrantes contemplan fugarse y hasta suicidarse
Documentos internos revelan la desesperación y el tedio en una de las más grandes redes de refugios para menores en la nación.
Did Three Immigrant Teens Run Away From a Chicago Shelter Last Month?
Yes, but you wouldn’t know it if we relied solely on the agency paid to protect thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children in Illinois.
As Months Pass in Chicago Shelters, Immigrant Children Contemplate Escape, Even Suicide
Internal documents reveal despair and tedium in one of the nation’s largest shelter networks for unaccompanied minors.
Informes revelan supervisión “laxa,” actividad sexual en centros de acogida de niños inmigrantes en Chicago
Documentos recientemente obtenidos aportan detalles sobre incidentes preocupantes, incluyendo a menores teniendo relaciones sexuales en una sala de televisión y la huida de dos niñas durante una excursión a un museo.
We’re Writing About Problems at the Immigrant Shelters Housing Children and Teens — in English and Español
“Lax” supervision at Heartland shelters contributed to runaways, sexual activity and alleged inappropriate relationships.