Gregory Pratt

Back of the Yards activists call on shopping plaza to block ICE operations on their property Activists said they have seen federal immigration agents repeatedly use the shopping center at 46th Street and Damen Avenue for staging, sometimes as early as 6 a.m.

The feds have been using a Back of the Yards Plaza for staging and other operations. Activists are calling on out of town (Michigan) management Friedman Real Estate to block ICE operations on their property. A story from SW side. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/07/b...

Chicago police will respond to federal calls for help, Larry Snelling says, and denies cops were ordered to stand down Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Monday said CPD would respond to any call of a crime being committed following uproar over his department’s role in the aftermath of two hit-and-runs…

They are establishing a consent agenda — items to be passed on one go without discussion. If Broadview were part of my beat then I would have scoured the consent agenda before the meeting but today had to do this instead. W help from @royalpratt.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/06/c...

Illinois Democratic lawmakers take on activist role amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown Illinois lawmakers have reaccelerated their activist origins as they find themselves unable to change things from within and have no role in broader immigration policy-making.

Illinois Democratic lawmakers take on activist role amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown. A profile of these times from @olivia0.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/06/i...

Lawsuit from Chicago journalists alleges free speech violations by Homeland Security ICE Border Patrol and more

Gov. Pritzker on news that Trump is sending Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon and other places: “We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion.“

The “Little Village is quiet because of ICE” talk gets exaggerated sometimes. But it’s bad today. Stopped at one of the liveliest local spots after taking my mom to church and it’s dead.

Federal prosecutors announce charges in Brighton Park shooting yesterday

Amid national glare, Broadview mayor keeps focus on her 8,000 residents: ‘I can’t be afraid’ Immigration agents have aggressively responded to protests outside what was once a sleepy ICE facility in the western suburb. Mayor Katrina Thompson says she’s not backing down.

Immigration agents have aggressively responded to protests outside what was once a sleepy ICE facility in the western suburb. Mayor Katrina Thompson says she’s not backing down. Nice profile from Mariah Woelfel @wbez.org
www.wbez.org/immigration/...

In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown If immigrants entered the country illegally or are without granted status, attorneys say they have no protections under a second Trump administration.

Important story: In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/05/i...

A woman at the 39th/Kedzie shooting kept shouting a bunch of things at ICE/Border Patrol agents, including: “Don’t eat our food, don’t like our women!”

NEWS: Trump is federalizing 300 National Guard troops in Illinois, Gov. Pritzker announced.

How am I just now trying Picamas for the first time? Incredible sauce.

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez released statement on particularly chaotic day and chaotic week:

ICE is out of control. ICE is operating with impunity outside the confines of the law. ICE is trampling our rights. ICE is terrorizing our communities.

In other news, Kristi Noem is complaining that the Village of Broadview wouldn’t let her in to use the toilet amid giant ICE raids.

In other news, Kristi Noem is complaining that the Village of Broadview wouldn’t let her in to use the toilet amid giant ICE raids.

Add throwing tear gas from their car in the middle of the street by an elementary school to this list

Today in Chicago: ICE raiding a Walmart, snatching up a man unloading coconuts, and handcuffing Ald. Jessie Fuentes in an emergency room at the hospital. “Thr worst of the worst,” they said.

Officially the CTA refuses to comment or clarify and the press can’t get the agency’s position from you secondhand. That’s not a diss on you! But if they want people to know that they won’t be taking this money, they should just say so when the Tribune repeatedly asks.

Metra, CTA awarded federal grants that could require cooperation with immigration enforcement The CTA and Metra have been awarded federal counterterrorism grants that could require them to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Very interesting transportation news: Metra, CTA awarded federal grants that could require cooperation with immigration enforcement. Both are being coy about whether they’ll accept. Some great digging by @taliasoglin.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/03/m...

Conyears-Ervin is running for Congress and denies wrongdoing. The allegations from former top aides included an attempt to force BMO Harris to issue a mortgage to family friend, having workers run personal errands, and promoting political/religious events with city money.

Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin will pay $30,000 to settle ethics cases Chicago’s treasurer will pay a $30,000 fine to settle ethics cases linked to findings that she misused taxpayer resources and fired whistleblowers.

NEWS: Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin will pay $30,000 to settle ethics cases. This will be the end for now of allegations of misconduct against her that also previously cost taxpayers $100,000.
@chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/02/m...

Prominent activist turned politician faces new scrutiny as lawsuit alleges sexual assault of teenage girl A survivor of sex trafficking has sued anti-violence activist and Dolton trustee Andrew Holmes, alleging he sexually assaulted her at age 16.

The story behind one of those Chicago guys who always is ready to stand in front of a news camera and talk whenever tragedy strikes in the neighborhood www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/28/a...

Follow up: Mother and children detained in Millennium Park released from ICE custody, father flown to Texas detention center. Lawyer said the goal is to pursue their asylum claim together. They currently have an asylum appointment scheduled for Oct 2027.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/01/m...

In 2019, Quigley talked about early announcements being overrated (which he was/is right about). Would be wild to stick head out so early but two little-known winners back to back has lots of folks thinking WHY NOT ME

By all accounts, Quigley is seriously thinking about it. But in 2023 cycle, he did this just so he could run a poll. Way he explained to me at time, he had to for campaign finance reasons. So could lead to something, could lead to nothing.

RIP Jane Goodall

The Border Patrol walked through Chicago's top tourist attractions in masks with long guns, their leader acknowledged they were grabbing people based on "how they look," and afterward posted that 95 percent of people they encountered said they were glad they were there.

8-year old Dasha Ramirez was playing with her brother at Millennium Park when Border Patrol took them. They’re now awaiting deportation to Guatemala. “We never imagined our Sunday would end this way, mother Noemi Chavez said. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/29/i...

Why I Left Sports for Extremism Research “It’s been a long time coming…”

In 2023, I made the decision to step away from sports writing.

Today, I’m finally talking about why and what I’m doing now.

⬇️

bycatgarcia.medium.com/why-i-left-s...

Rahm Emanuel road-tests populist message in Iowa while ‘thinking’ about 2028 At a Democratic fish fry in Des Moines, the former Chicago mayor hones in on economic fairness, education and fatigue with the status quo.

Rahm Emanuel road-tests populist message in Iowa while ‘thinking’ about 2028. @shiakapos.bsky.social reports from the road
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...