shawn

Illinois officials decry proposed cuts to HIV care - Chicago Reader President Donald Trump wants to strip public health funding from four states led by Democratic leaders—including $8 million from Illinois.

new: illinois leaders, health care providers, and lbgtq+ advocates are speaking out against president donald trump's attempts to strip $8 million for hiv care from the state.

via @byadamrhodes.bsky.social

Minneapolis Park Board puts moratorium on evictions The action is the first in Minnesota as a result of the ICE crackdown. (And yes, the Park Board owns rental homes.)

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is suspending evictions for its rental properties in response to the ICE surge.

It's the first local government body in Minnesota to enact a rent moratorium because of immigration enforcement.

Love that he wants to enforce gated community rules at “Compassion Baptist Church”

Greg MITCHELL 7th Ward Alderman 7th Ward Service Center 2249 E. 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60617 773.731.7777 7th@GregMitchell7thWard.org State of The Ward Alderman Mitchell Invites You to Attend an In-Person Presentation from City Departments to Discuss Development, Infrastructure Improvements, And Future Projects in the 7" Ward. Presentations By: Advocate Health Care CareHaus Chicago Department of Planning and Development Chicago Department of Transportation IQMP/Psi Quantum Thrive Exchange Location: Compassion Baptist Church 2650 E. 95" Street Chicago, IL 60617 Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM This Meeting is for 7 Ward Residents Only. You will be required to show proof of residence in the 7" Ward before entering.

seventh ward alder greg mitchell is advertising a “state of the ward” event on march 3 where representatives from the quantum campus megadevelopment are slated to give a presentation.

the flier says attendees will have to show proof that they live in the ward to be admitted.

Public officials blocking press from community events and meetings has famously always gone well and never backfired.

Quantum leap or community crossroads? - Chicago Reader Residents organize around the quantum computing megadevelopment planned for Chicago’s southeast side.

alder greg mitchell has publicly supported the quantum campus megadevelopment. his office told us no when we asked if we could attend the “state of the ward” event.

south siders have been organizing against the project:

Greg MITCHELL 7th Ward Alderman 7th Ward Service Center 2249 E. 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60617 773.731.7777 7th@GregMitchell7thWard.org State of The Ward Alderman Mitchell Invites You to Attend an In-Person Presentation from City Departments to Discuss Development, Infrastructure Improvements, And Future Projects in the 7" Ward. Presentations By: Advocate Health Care CareHaus Chicago Department of Planning and Development Chicago Department of Transportation IQMP/Psi Quantum Thrive Exchange Location: Compassion Baptist Church 2650 E. 95" Street Chicago, IL 60617 Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM This Meeting is for 7 Ward Residents Only. You will be required to show proof of residence in the 7" Ward before entering.

seventh ward alder greg mitchell is advertising a “state of the ward” event on march 3 where representatives from the quantum campus megadevelopment are slated to give a presentation.

the flier says attendees will have to show proof that they live in the ward to be admitted.

one of the craziest stories i’ve read in a while

appreciate you reading and sharing this!

@chicagoreader.com is one of the only places I'm seeing dig in on this that hits policy, power, and deeply human stories.

It really matters how people act on their stated visions and values. Structural change requires every tool of government and community power to do the thing and this is not it.

unhoused people, social workers, and advocates all say the same thing: encampment closures are incredibly destabilizing.

why are “progressive” leaders set on this policy? perhaps violence and classicism were always the intended result of a system that responds to poverty with guns and bulldozers.

Some cities are ditching license plate readers over immigration surveillance concerns Cities around the country are debating whether to keep their automatic license plate readers. Concerns about privacy and federal immigration agents can access local data are driving these debates.

Cities around the country are debating whether to keep their automatic license plate readers. Concerns about privacy and federal immigration agents can access local data are driving these debates. n.pr/4rYXPgy

Mamdani to Reinstitute Homeless Encampment Sweeps

“Homeless encampment sweeps are ineffective, they are costly and they don’t actually solve the problem of homeless,” said Jeremy Saunders, an executive director of VOCAL-NY.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/n...

The Ash Wednesday procession through the Chicago suburb of Melrose Park from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church - honoring immigrants, immigration detainees and those killed by ICE & Border Patrol - has begun.

Chicago Archbishop and Cardinal Blase Cupich is near the head of the march.

Happening now: a delegation with the faith group Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership has gathered outside the Broadview, IL ICE facility.

Those waiting to offer Ash Wednesday ashes and communion to those inside the facility have been joined by others for a small prayer service.

The CSPL delegation, consisting of 2 Catholic priests and a Sister, has just entered the Broadview facility; escorted by police from the designated protest zone to the facility proper.

Outside, the rest of the group continues singing and praying.

Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda

"In Illinois, Making Our Tomorrow is set to begin spending in at least four State House races, according to a representative for the group. The money will go toward positive digital ads and direct mail sent to voters."

Idaho won’t let public see if a cop was fired or resigned State agencies will no longer release information about whether an officer retired, resigned or was fired

NEW: After @investigatewest.bsky.social used records from the IDOC & POST Council to report on sexual abuse in Idaho prisons, and @invisible.institute published police employment history data in the state, authorities are now changing policies to conceal both sources of information from the public.

Update: The plaintiff Catholic group in this suit has announced their delegation will be allowed to access the Broadview, IL ICE facility at 3pm today for Ash Wednesday.

The news comes after an organizer said last night they hadn't heard back from DHS re: their court-ordered access to the facility.

The peace circle — which typically brings together the person charged, the person harmed and community members in a confidential conversation — will be replaced by a restorative practice conference. Participants will receive education like firearm safety and how to be a lawful gun owner. Loizon said the State’s Attorney’s Office believed the peace circle model was not appropriate for gun possession cases because there is not a victim.

idk what a "restorative practice conference" is but it sure doesn't sound like restorative justice

https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/28/cook-county-state-s-attorney-reverses-course-diverts-nonviolent-gun-cases-restorative

Leaked Email Suggests Ring Plans to Expand ‘Search Party’ Surveillance Beyond Dogs Ring's CEO told staff the feature is “first for finding dogs,” indicating a plan to expand.

Scoop: Ring's CEO told staff Search Party is not going to be just for dogs, according to a leaked email I obtained. Said it is "first for finding dogs" before suggesting it would be expanded to be used for crime:

www.404media.co/leaked-email...

they taste fab

a late happy paczki day courtesy of the legend @djbyrnes1.bsky.social

A clanker delivering food has Free Palestine written in it.

Lakeview, Chicago

my body is a temple

time to take an amphetamine and wash it down with stale coffee

The same day DHS announced the surge would end in Minnesota, ICE activity increased in small towns The less densely populated areas outside the Twin Cities make it harder for protesters and observers to organize.

There is no drawdown. There is no retreat. ICE is just redistributing their assets to better avoid accountability.

we still don't know the names of the ice agents who stopped and killed silverio villegas gonzáles

Everywhere there is an ICE detention or “processing” center, it’s the same story.