Molly Parker
Investigative ReporterVeteran journalist Molly Parker joined Capitol News Illinois in July 2023 as an investigative reporter.
Parker was a member of the Lee Enterprises Midwest Public Service Journalism team. Prior to that, she was a reporter at the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale since 2014. In that role, Parker exposed a housing crisis in Cairo, the state’s southernmost city, that resulted in a federal takeover of the county’s housing authority and the relocation of about 400 people from two dilapidated, WWII-era apartment complexes.
Parker is also an assistant professor of journalism at Southern Illinois University and a distinguished fellow with ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network, which creates partnerships between nonprofit and local newsrooms.
Parker lives and works in Murphysboro. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
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Cairo, once a food desert, welcomed its new market last year with balloons and cheers. But the store is struggling — exposing problems with the programs set up to help. -
Though flooding left homes waist-deep in water and submerged cars, officials said the dam system operated as designed for flooding emergencies and no injuries were reported -
In this special State Week episode, we discuss the problems facing the news industry and what the future may hold. -
At 9 years old, L.J. started missing school. His parents said they would homeschool him. It took two years — during which he was beaten and denied food — for anyone to notice he wasn’t learning. -
The state of Illinois is asking for the end of court oversight of its system of care for people with developmental disabilities. But some advocates say it’s too soon. -
Staffing shortages contributed to the decision to close the facility on Dec. 31. -
Despite audit findings that raise concerns, there are questions about oversight and which agency can bring about change.
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The employees at Ludeman Developmental Center in the Chicago area have been fired, resigned or face discipline. -
State’s McFarland Mental Health Center renamed to honor woman who publicized its former namesake’s abusive methods. -
On this episode, we speak with reporters from ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Lee Enterprises and Capitol News Illinois.
