RESEARCH | ANALYTICS

As an Investigative Producer at CBS2 in Chicago, Simone spent a lot of time reviewing legal documents, case files, and analyzing databases — often looking for a missing connection to help make sense of it all. Taking a complicated subject matter, identifying key findings of an investigation, and communicating it all in a short story for a general television audience is a skill set she continues to use today.

Simone worked exclusively with Pulitzer prize winning reporter Pam Zekman on stories that exposed dangerous doctors, questionable builders, taxi drivers with terrible driving records, homicide investigations by the Chicago Police Department, state and local government workers who were wasting taxpayer dollars, and more. Regardless of the topic, the goal was always the same: Right a wrong.

Today, Simone spends most of her time on strategic communications, but continues to be passionate about investigative journalism. She has worked with private investigators to assist with case reviews. She is also available to talk to journalism classes about her experience while at CBS2 Chicago. Here are some of her more prominent and impactful series, for more stories visit the Thiessen & Co. YouTube Channel.

Hiding Homicides?

This Investigation started with a tip that the Chicago Police Department was misclassifying homicides to keep the murder rate down. We reviewed police files, autopsy records from the medical examiner’s office, and reached out to family members to see if it was true. This series won a 2007 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for Best Investigative Series in a Newscast, 2006 Illinois Associated Press Award, and was a 2006 IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) Award Finalist.

Note: Because of the sensitive nature of this series, you may need to watch it directly on my YouTube channel with a login to prove your age.

Original Airdate: November 2006

Dangerous Doctors?

This series started about a doctor who made repeated surgical mistakes, and performed dangerous procedures in his office. As a result of our stories the doctor’s license was suspended and we helped introduce legislation to protect patients. But it also uncovered a much bigger story - that the state regulatory department didn’t have the capacity to investigate and discipline dangerous doctors. Surgical Secrets received a 2006 Chicago/Midwest Chapter Emmy nomination for Best Investigative series and won 1st place Series/Documentary by the Illinois Associated Press/Broadcasters Association.

Original Airdate: November 2005, 2006

PRI

This investigation identified allegations of negligence in the deaths of several children and falsification of nurses’ notes at a Chicago Pediatric Residential Program. The multi-part series included legal research, reviewing years of state inspection reports, consulting with medical experts, and locating former employees. Simone also went undercover as a volunteer at the facility to witness the neglect first-hand, and wore a hidden camera to document it. Our story prompted a state investigation.

Story originally aired May 2001.

Time Killers

The Time Killers series spanned multiple years, catching government employees from various departments using their government work hours for personal endeavors. Some would go to work at their privately owned restaurant, to the gym, bars, and many just went home - including a building inspector who signed off on building inspections at the same day/time our cameras caught him at home. Most were suspended or fired following our investigations. Time Killers won Best Investigative Report in 2004 and 2005 by the Chicago Midwest Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, and several 1st Place and 2nd place awards by the Illinois Associated Press Association.

In this particular series, we caught Illinois Department of Transportation road crews dancing in the street and sleeping on the job. The Investigation prompted public comment from the Governor, and several employee suspensions.

Original Airdate: August 2004