RIP Dory Funk Jr., one of the greats

Ver interesting story. A convicted felon says he was trying to turn over an unwanted gun to the police when he was arrested. Police said he was acting drunk and shifty. He’s going on trial next week. chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...

Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan calls gun case against Chicago anti-violence volunteer a 'travesty'

Duncan runs Chicago CRED, which works to prevent shootings. He says volunteer Nakia Smith, arrested in a Far South Side police station in 2023, has been "fighting for the good." Smith, a convicted fel...

chicago.suntimes.com

"Street-working children" is on the rise in Chicago and other major cities across the country. Read @chicagotribune.com for more on dangerous trend www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/04/s...

How children selling flowers have become synonymous with Chicago’s popular corridors: ‘It’s dangerous’

Experts say that the population of “street-working children” is on the rise in Chicago and other major cities across the country.

chicagotribune.com

I see the news did in fact reach our friends at the Sun-Times

Thankful for all the birthday wishes! Turned 37 today. Going to be tough to top the past year -- but I am going to try! Keep supporting local news, stay out of dumb trouble, and take care.

An Indiana pastor became an Illinois oilman. Spills and pollution followed. Great reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social and Jonathan Bullington www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/02/o...

An Indiana pastor became an Illinois oilman. Spills and pollution followed.

Indian Liberty is accused of contaminating Illinois waterways, damaging private property and criminally disposing of waste. A Tribune investigation reveals how abandoned oil and gas wells have prolife...

chicagotribune.com

“The truth about Chicago politics,” said Joanna Klonsky, a longtime political strategist in the city, “is that conventional wisdom is usually useless. Anything can happen.” www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/u...

Chicago’s Mayoral Race Is Taking Shape. But What About the Incumbent?

Several prominent Democrats already are running for mayor of Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson has not said whether he will seek a second term next year.

nytimes.com

My story in the @chicagotribune.com with @royalpratt.bsky.social today: Many credit U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin for allowing them to attend college and find jobs because of — and this doesn’t happen often — a bill he has for decades tried, but failed, to pass. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/02/d...

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin’s quarter-century fight for the DREAM Act remains illusory, but its effects are real

With less than six months left in his legislative career, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is coming to terms with the idea that the DREAM Act — what he describes as his “most important” piece of legislation — w...

chicagotribune.com

New: We found 50 cops who misused Flock cameras and other license-plate readers for personal purposes, often to spy on their girlfriends or ex-wives. He "watched every single move I made. ... Who do you turn the chief of police in to?" wapo.st/3S6rTuo

She left her ex. He secretly tracked her through a network of policing cameras.

Flock’s array of license-plate cameras was built to fight crime. But at least 50 law enforcement officers were charged with or accused of misusing it and other systems.

wapo.st

Read our deep dive on Dick Durbin’s quarter-century fight for the Dream Act, which hasn’t passed but has had tremendous impact across country regardless. To some immigrants, he’s “Papa Durbin.” W @danvock.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/02/d...

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin’s quarter-century fight for the DREAM Act remains illusory, but its effects are real

With less than six months left in his legislative career, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is coming to terms with the idea that the DREAM Act — what he describes as his “most important” piece of legislation — w...

chicagotribune.com

RIP Vincent Pastore, The Sopranos “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero.

Back when I ran the Illinois chapter of @commoncause.org, this article was required reading for my team and my counterparts in other states when explaining how we can have so much yet feel so broken at times.

Gregory Pratt@royalpratt.bsky.social · 7d ago

If you’re wondering why everything in Springfield is opaque and questioning the efficacy of the legislative inspector general, read our 2024 story about how oversight systems in Illinois are designed to fail and hide problems. www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/15/i...

If you’re wondering why everything in Springfield is opaque and questioning the efficacy of the legislative inspector general, read our 2024 story about how oversight systems in Illinois are designed to fail and hide problems. www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/15/i...

Paper tigers: Intentionally weak government oversight gives Illinois public officials cover for corruption

A key factor in Illinois’ pervasive political corruption is weak oversight that prevents meaningful accountability for elected officials.

chicagotribune.com

Ricardo Hernandez-Navarrete testifying at a forum hosted by Senator Durbin about the mistreatment he experienced in ICE custody. He is a teenager who was detained by ICE and jailed for two months, a story we covered extensively @chicagotribune.com

This MAGA Influencer Runs a Charity to Teach Kids Civics. Much of the Money Goes to Him Instead. Great reporting about one of the oddest characters on the online right (who is also highly praised by the president) www.propublica.org/article/trum...

This MAGA Influencer Runs a Charity to Teach Kids Civics. Much of the Money Goes to Him Instead.

Nick Adams’ Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness has brought in millions in donations and helped him land a State Department appointment, but records show there is almost no indication FLAG w...

propublica.org

I would be happy to moderate an academic decathlon with the candidates

The 2027 election race has officially started: The Sun-Times has called Victor Reyes for a quote.

The 2027 election race has officially started: The Sun-Times has called Victor Reyes for a quote.

67 boat strikes 221 people killed EXCLUSIVE: Operation Southern Spear has not reduced the volume, availability, purity or price of cocaine arriving in the U.S., according to an internal DEA assessment and a closed-door Pentagon briefing for senators, and has made enforcement more difficult

67 boat strikes. 221 dead. The cocaine hasn’t slowed, officials report.

The president says Operation Southern Spear has virtually ended drug trafficking by sea. Pentagon and DEA analysts have concluded otherwise.

washingtonpost.com

A Polish-born woman in Des Plaines who “had done everything right” has been in ICE custody for the past year. Green Card for 20 years, sought citizenship. “And it didn’t matter.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/27/i...

Illinois woman with green card has been detained by ICE for 12 months. Her daughters plead for her release.

ICE arrested Beata Siemionkowicz, a Poland native and green card holder of more than two decades, last year while she was gardening in her daughter’s backyard in Des Plaines.

chicagotribune.com

They’re showing ADT home security ads at the movie theaters, damn!

Great stories on today’s front page, and the impact from our investigation of Dr. Ayoub Sayeg

NEWS: Plastic surgeon’s license suspended after @chicagotribune.com investigation exposed 8 patient deaths. The latest from me and Christy Gutowski www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/24/p...

Plastic surgeon’s license suspended after Chicago Tribune investigation exposed 8 deaths

Dr. Ayoub Sayeg’s actions “constitute an immediate danger to the public,” according to state records recently provided to the Tribune.

chicagotribune.com

NEW: In a stunning admission, the Trump administration admitted in court documents that it canceled billions in energy grants to states "based solely" on politics -- and whether that state was represented by Democrats and backed Harris in 2024. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/b...

Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him

Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.

nytimes.com

"In just one day last month, the court issued 551 removal orders. Another way to look at it: For the eight hours the court was open that day, it averaged one new deportation order every 52 seconds. During the Biden administration, even the busiest days barely topped 100 removal orders issued."

Gregory Pratt@royalpratt.bsky.social · 2w ago

“Deportation factory.” The mass raids of roving Border Patrol convoys are over for now, but Chicago’s immigration court is the epicenter for US spike in removal orders, @chicagotribune.com analysis shows www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/24/c...

“Deportation factory.” The mass raids of roving Border Patrol convoys are over for now, but Chicago’s immigration court is the epicenter for US spike in removal orders, @chicagotribune.com analysis shows www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/24/c...

‘Deportation factory’: Chicago’s immigration court epicenter for US spike in removal orders, analysis shows

A Tribune analysis of Department of Justice data has found that, rather than repeating Operation Midway Blitz’s military-style street-level sweeps, the Trump administration this year has supercharged ...

chicagotribune.com

Fight Over Historic Wacker House Goes Public As Preservationists Call For City Action. This incredible historic house is under doing a dramatic, contentious renovation. Great story by Patrick Filbin @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/24/f...

Fight Over Historic Wacker House Goes Public As Preservationists Call For City Action

The Old Town Triangle Association is urging neighbors to report work at the Wacker House, saying years of alterations threaten one of the neighborhood's most significant landmark homes.

blockclubchicago.org

Aldermen sign ‘ICE Out’ pledge demanding officials reject money tied to immigration enforcement. Begun, the 2027 election cycle has www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/21/c...

Aldermen sign ‘ICE Out’ pledge demanding officials reject money tied to immigration enforcement

A dozen progressive aldermen have signed on to a demand for their colleagues to reject contributions from corporations tied to federal immigration enforcement.

chicagotribune.com

If you need to park downtown for a medical appointment, or anything at all, don’t go to Axis Garage. Believe the reviews. Save yourself.

Pro: Shakira, Madonna, Muppets. Anti: Chris Martin, Justin Bieber.