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The pastor of a Pilsen church says he feels like he's getting hosed - with an $11,000 water bill. And he's not alone.
Over the years, viewers have reached out to the CBS 2 Investigators concerned about the high levels of lead in their drinking water.
For our latest Getting Hosed expose, the CBS 2 Investigators dug into issues with vacant, unmetered properties and the regressive billing policies that lead to inflated water bills.
"I just think that this is municipal property. I can't see it any other way," said Christine Wehrle, who disputes that she should have to pay for the repairs.
The bill for her Southside six-flat is now nearly $60,000 — for water that was never used. In fact, the building has been boarded up and vacant since her last tenant moved out in 2018.
It's Earth Day. Here at CBS 2, we take water seriously: from lakes and rivers to pipes and bills.
Chicago's "Getting Hosed." Again. In our exposé of the City's bad water billing system, we've asked over and over -- why hasn't anything been done to fix it?
For years, the CBS 2 Investigators have exposed baffling gaffes in the bureaucracy that is the Chicago Department of Water Management: big, bad bills. By bad, we mean wrong.
"Getting Hosed" - our exposé into a bungled Chicago Water Department bureaucracy - has won multiple awards. However, it hasn't fixed a broken system. So, we'll keep reporting.
After Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently announced a plan to resume meter installations, we looked into the City program and discovered how ineffective it will be -- especially for one Chicagoan getting hosed.
Camella Batten is retired, she's fought cancer, and she's scared of COVID-19. But her biggest obstacle? The City of Chicago.
"My lawyer called me and said, 'You owe $61,000,'" Hamza Alkamel said. "I was stunned. I'm like, what?"
Over the last year, Chicagoans have reached out to CBS 2 Investigators for help with inexplicable water bills.
Mr. Andrews has witnessed the horrors of war. Yet, he said his fight with the city has been more difficult than the one he survived in Vietnam.
Chicago's water billing system has long baffled customers. Now, the city's inexplicable method for calculating water bills has even stumped CBS 2 Investigators.
Rodney Andrews wants to unpack his boxed-up life. There is just one catch – he's one of the many people getting hosed by Chicago's Water Department.
One woman has a water bill of more than $8,000, even though she hasn't used a drop.
The CBS 2 investigators stay on the water beat. In the latest case, Chicago's water department cut one man's $9.000 water bill in half. Great. Right? Well, not really.
The city's Water Department has a long history of slapping people with wrong bills. This time, it's because the agency was incapable of simple subtraction.
In her 2020 budget, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the new Utility Billing Relief Program for people with outstanding water bills. But it won't help some Chicago water customers who have gotten hosed.
Larry Richardson is one of the people who called CBS 2 Investigators after the first expose on the City's water billing system aired in February. Some owed hundreds of dollars, others tens of thousands.
The City of Chicago is going after residents for millions of dollars, attempting to collect bills for water they never used.
Cook Cook State's Attorney Kim Foxx sat down with CBS News Chicago to reflect on her legacy after eight years in office.
The lights were dark when CBS News Chicago visited Thursday night—and it was the second time this week.
Craig Smith and Nick Foligno also scored as the 'Hawks stopped a three-game slide.
Organizer Covenant House Illinois offers young adults experiencing homelessness a path to independence by providing needed resources.
One man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to an area hospital for treatment, police said.
Cook Cook State's Attorney Kim Foxx sat down with CBS News Chicago to reflect on her legacy after eight years in office.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Gaetz as his nominee to be attorney general last week.
The reopened Pilsen facility is one of three that Mayor Brandon Johnson promised would reopen by the end of the year.
Anthony Finch has filed suit against the village and Mayor Derrick Burgess for wrongful termination. Now, four trustees want to bring Finch back to the village—but this time working as an auditor.
Judicial regulators have filed a complaint against a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who spread election conspiracy theories and was hired by Republicans to lead an investigation into President-elect Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election, accusing him of violating multiple rules of conduct.
So far, despite several requests, the woman has not been able to get a hold of her medical records to send to her new doctors.
Those in the industry who spoke to CBS News Chicago said their margins are already so slim that an increased liquor tax could drive business owners to close their doors.
Robin McElroy said she loves everything about her Morgan Park home—except for the panic-inducing surprises she has been getting in the mail about her supposedly unpaid taxes.
Scammers often get financial information and personal details, or lure in veterans with videos that claim they can win lots of money,
It's the season of giving, but if you're not careful with finances, you could be getting a hefty bill at the end of the holiday season.
Little Penelope Lo Destro's parents were about to start their family when there was a terrible diagnosis.
Lattes and other espresso-based drinks may not be available at some McDonald's restaurants due to a glitch with coffee machines.
The FDA sent a warning letter flagging "significant violations" of manufacturing regulations for Tom's of Maine toothpaste.
The 65-year-old actor and stand-up comedian, best known for portraying Joey Gladstone on "Full House," said he first noticed symptoms in October.
An attorney representing a conservative prosecutor struggled Monday to convince Wisconsin's liberal-leaning Supreme Court to reactivate the state's 175-year-old abortion ban.
Owner Ricky Burns made a big dream come true in the tiny space on Western Avenue in West Ridge.
Those in the industry who spoke to CBS News Chicago said their margins are already so slim that an increased liquor tax could drive business owners to close their doors.
The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation is working to create everlasting change—and has a vision specifically for the commercial corridor at 115th and Halsted streets.
Wonder Group, a New York-based food ordering company that touts "fast fine" dining, is set to be Grubhub's new owner.
Foxtrot will be pouring free drip coffee between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the Fulton Market location to celebrate the reopening.
Ravyn Lenae, a rising R&B star from the South Side of Chicago, is among the artists announced Wednesday for the popular California desert music festival.
Speaking to American Theatre in 2018, Vire said he arrived in Chicago as a "lapsed actor," and fell into theatre criticism "through the back door."
"America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars," Conan O'Brien said.
The IBA also gave out the Silver Dome Awards at its luncheon Wednesday.
The 65-year-old actor and stand-up comedian, best known for portraying Joey Gladstone on "Full House," said he first noticed symptoms in October.
Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.
The youngster joined Santa at 900 North Michigan Shops to light the 54-foot-tall tree.
The lights were dark when CBS News Chicago visited Thursday night—and it was the second time this week. As Jermont Terry reports, neighbors in Woodlawn say this has been a problem for months on end.
Set to move on after two terms, Foxx is proud of her personal and professional journey—with no regrets as she plans to step away from public life for a while. She spoke with Dorothy Tucker.
Covenant House Illinois offers young adults experiencing homelessness a path to independence by providing needed resources. Darius Johnson reports.
The state's highest court ruled a special prosecutor's decision to re-indict Smollett violated his constitutional rights.
The lights were dark when CBS News Chicago visited Thursday night—and it was the second time this week.
Cook Cook State's Attorney Kim Foxx sat down with CBS News Chicago to reflect on her legacy after eight years in office.
Craig Smith and Nick Foligno also scored as the 'Hawks stopped a three-game slide.
Organizer Covenant House Illinois offers young adults experiencing homelessness a path to independence by providing needed resources.
Cook Cook State's Attorney Kim Foxx sat down with CBS News Chicago to reflect on her legacy after eight years in office.
A judge released Constantin Beldie on electronic monitoring in October, after he allegedly beat and tried to kidnap his estranged wife. He's now accused of killing her weeks later.
So far, despite several requests, the woman has not been able to get a hold of her medical records to send to her new doctors.
The police department has spent $22.6 million in overtime this year for officers working special events — only about $2 million of which has been reimbursed to the city.
Indiana is ranked among the states with the weakest gun safety laws, in part because it does not have a law that requires safely storing firearms.
Craig Smith and Nick Foligno also scored as the 'Hawks stopped a three-game slide.
The Bears' defense hopes to make life miserable for Minnesota QB Sam Darnold this coming Sunday.
Will Riley led Illinois (3-1) with 18 points and nine rebounds while Kylan Boswell added 17 and Kasparas Jakucionis had 15.
Zach Lavine scored 27 points to lead Chicago. Torrey Craig added 15, while Nikola Vucevic and Coby White had 14 each.
Morgan went 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 32 appearances last season for the AL Central champion Guardians.
One man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to an area hospital for treatment, police said.
The woman was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.
Don Archer helped police catch the thief in less than 24 hours.
When the girl woke up, the man fled the scene on a rental bicycle, according to police.
Alicia Robles said didn't initially feel the pain because she was still absorbing the situation—and then seconds later, her skin, she said, was on fire.
