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Marty

@51stward.bsky.social
797 followers 1.2K following 24 posts

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ Call Dick Durbin’s office at (312) 353-4952 Call Tammy Duckworth at (312) 886-3506 www.chicagoabortionfund.org www.chicagosfoodbank.org

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Reposted by Marty
Denali @denali.bsky.social · 16h
Hi Chicago Friends! My neighbors and I put together these Make a Plan Voting guides for the 2026 general election. We have an 8pg minizine and a half page voting plan flyer in color and B/W friendly.
drive.google.com
Chicago Voter Guides 2026 - Google Drive
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Robert Loerzel @robertloerzel.bsky.social · 15h
Chipmunks were chirping a lot today at Montrose Point. (It’s supposedly their alarm to warn of predators, but I suspect the noises may have multiple meanings.)
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Alan @gammacounter.bsky.social · 12h
Petition to get Clankers out of the neighborhood 
Poster applied to a traffic pole about the delivery robots with a QR code to where you can sign a position to get rid of
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Sarah Weinman @sarahweinman.com · 12h
It was a cop. I wonder what else he got away with.
chicagotribune.com
Closing a 65-year-old cold case, CPD says 8-year-old girl was brutally murdered by a young Chicago cop
It was a crime that shocked the city and stayed a mystery for decades, but now police say they have solved the killing of Gloria Kowalewicz using DNA technology. And the perpetrator, they say, was a y...
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Sarah Weinman @sarahweinman.com · 11h
This guy worked homicide and sex crimes and every case he worked on, especially if it led to someone convicted who should not have been, needs a closer look.
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Gourd (pumpkin) @gourdisin.space · 13h
I know I'm preaching to the choir or whatever but whenever I read stuff like this it makes me so angry that so many people are viscerally opposed to more immigration. chicagoreader.com/food/rohingy...
chicagoreader.com
Rohingya roots take hold in West Ridge - Chicago Reader
Through festivals, gardens, and groceries, this southeast Asian community in exile weaves itself into Chicago's food fabric.
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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 11h
ICYMI: Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind is apparently a #BuildTheTunnel supporter, per the Sun-Times chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
chicago.suntimes.com
What’s your NITA dream project? Experts weigh in as new agency directing CTA, Metra, Pace plans budget
As Chicago's new transit agency overseeing CTA, Metra and Pace finalizes its 2027 budget, the Sun-Times wants to hear how you want the agency to spend its nearly $1.5 billion in extra cash.
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Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 22h
ICYMI - I have a dashboard with a lot of different slices of data from Chicago’s automated enforcement program for bus lanes, bike lanes, bus stops, etc Collab with @acannon.bsky.social 📊 michaelmclean.me/chicago-smar...
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Brandon @bedubble.bsky.social · 22h
Conservatives hate Chicago because we’re living they’re dream of having a walkable small diner with sweet waitstaff and unlimited coffee. All they have is a drive thru Starbucks.
A pancake breakfast with coffee syrup and water
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Reposted by Marty
Sam Charles @samjcharles.bsky.social · 20h
An 8-year-old girl was abducted near her South Side home and found murdered in a ravine a few hours later in November 1960. This year, CPD detectives cleared the case. The girl's murderer was a 24-year-old CPD officer who worked for the dept. until 1987. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/11/6...
chicagotribune.com
Closing a 65-year-old cold case, CPD says 8-year-old girl was brutally murdered by a young Chicago cop
It was a crime that shocked the city and stayed a mystery for decades, but now police say they have solved the killing of Gloria Kowalewicz using DNA technology. And the perpetrator, they say, was a y...
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Reposted by Marty
🕷️Spectre of Communism🕷️, MSW (NOT A MAN) 🥯🌹 @acabcalloway.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
It's always "I want to do 50 in a school zone" and not "I'm going to torch every ICE vehicle at Broadview".
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Mon Mothman @kaczar-soze.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
The White Sox in the playoffs before this tweet 4-0 outscoring opponents 20-9 The White Sox after this tweet 0-3 getting outscored 20-8
A Ben Shapiro tweet saying "The best thing happening in America right now is the Chicago White Sox. Just saying."
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Chicago Cityscape @chicagocityscape.com · 06/09/2026
since this map was published over four years ago here's the change in where Chicago still *bans* apartments, condos, and affordable housing: March 2022: 40.7% August 2026: 38.9, a reduction of 1.8 points 👏🏼 [August 2026 🗺️ attached]
map of chicago showing where apartments are allowed in Chicago

overlaid text:

Title
Where apartments are allowed in Chicago

Subtitle
The plurality of Chicago's land is zoned to allow only single-detached houses [magenta swatch]

Right-hand notes
Existing zoning is shown. Existing zoning matters in two ways. Property owners who wish to make additions must comply with the current zoning district rules, not the rules that applied when their property was built.

For new construction, new multi-unit houses are not allowed in RS districts (represented by magenta, comprising 38.9% of zoned land area).

There is an exception in RS-3 zoning districts where if 60% of the houses on the same side of the same block have two or more units then any property on the same side of the same block may have a two-flat. Within the Predominance of the Block (606) District, this exception has been formally codified by ordinance, so RS-3 parcels there are shown on this map as allowing multi-unit buildings (lilac) rather than single-family only (magenta).

Legend — Residential
- Magenta: Apartments & condos not allowed (RS) — 38.9% of zoned land area
- Lilac: Apartments & condos allowed (*) — 22.6% of zoned land area

Legend — Other zoning districts
- Tan: Planned Developments — Unknown which allow residential, 14.1% of zoned
- Brown: All other zones, No residential allowed — 24.4% of zoned land area

Footnotes
* Apartments & condos are allowed in RT, RM, B, C, DR, DC, and DX zoning districts.

Map created by Steven Vance, September 2026. Data from Chicago Department of Planning & Development (zoning map as of August 2026). Groupings and calculations by the author using PostGIS.
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Joseph Miscimarra 🇺🇸 @jmisci.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Reminder: multifamily buildings are BANNED in most of Chicago. As long as our leaders choose not to legalize more density: -fewer families can afford to stay -marginalized groups won’t be able to move here from Republican states -native ecosystems will get ripped up for suburban housing
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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Getting mad at my neighbors again. Why has someone like this been on our Planning and Zoning Commission for 20 years? www.forestparkreview.com/2026/10/02/1...
Kevin Hibbits was the only one of seven board members on the zoning commission to vote against the proposed townhomes.
"I've been fighting density for the last 20 years," Hibbits said of why he voted no.
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Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
See? I told you not to get your hopes up. The only perceptible plan from the responsible parties is to let the Clarence Darrow Bridge continue to rot hoping for the day they can shed crocodile tears and proclaim, "Too bad, so sad, beyond saving, smash it to dust." www.hpherald.com/evening_dige...
hpherald.com
Darrow Bridge reconstruction may not begin until 2030
Reconstruction of Jackson Park’s long-closed Darrow Bridge may not begin until 2030, transportation officials told residents Monday, the latest setback for a project that has been discussed for more t...
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Steven Lucy @slucy.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
This ***pedestrian bridge*** has now been closed for like 15 years and they still can’t begin fixing it for another half decade.
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Steven Lucy @slucy.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
The bridge in this photo was built in less time than it's going to take them to replace a 100ft pedestrian bridge in a park.
Golden Gate bridge
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Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
UPDATE: Judge April Perry denies the government's bid to keep all of this under seal — including the attorney's signature block. "The government has also publicly disclosed … that there is an OPR investigation in this case."
MINUTE entry before the Honorable April M. Perry: The Government's motion to seal 275 is denied. As already noted, the grand jury transcripts in this matter have already been made public - without any opposition from the Government. The Government has also publicly disclosed - in both court filings and open court - the fact that there is an OPR investigation in this case involving the prosecutors who were in the grand jury. See, e.g., Doc. 247 at 48-49. In addition to those two matters, the Government has also asked to seal the "Legal Principles" section of its motion, which sets forth basic principles of law, and the signature block of one of its attorneys. There is a presumption that materials that underpin a judicial decision are open to public inspection unless they meet very specific criteria. See Baxter Intern., Inc. v. Abbott Laboratories, 297 F.3d 544, 545 (7th Cir. 2002). No such criteria are present here. The Clerk of Court is directed to unseal 272 . Mailed notice. (jcc,) (Entered: 10/09/2026)
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Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
NEW: The feds' petition has been made public in unredacted form. Here's the full filing (with signature blocks below): cst.brightspotcdn.com/58/76/38fc5d...
Signature block for Chicago Civil Chief Thomas Walsh and Suzanne Drouet, deputy counsel for the Justice Department.
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Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
"[The Office of Professional Responsibility] has a particular need to interview former Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Sheri Mecklenburg and AUSA Matthew Skiba."
government’s redaction of the October 9, 16, and 23 grand jury transcripts provided to the Court
for in camera review. OPR has a particular need to interview former Assistant U.S. Attorney
(AUSA) Sheri Mecklenburg and AUSA Matthew Skiba concerning their conduct in the grand jury,
and Ms. Mecklenburg and her counsel and AUSA Skiba’s counsel need access to these unredacted
transcripts and exhibits to effectively respond to OPR’s inquiry. The United States relies on
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e)(3)(E) and the Court’s inherent authority to grant
disclosure as requested under the special circumstances described below.
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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
An effort to use automated cameras to ticket drivers who block bicycle and bus lanes is set to become permanent and expand citywide under a measure approved unanimously Friday by a key City Council committee. to.wttw.com/3W1UAu1
to.wttw.com
Key City Panel Agrees to Expand Use of Cameras to Ticket Drivers Blocking Bus, Bicycle Lanes
Drivers blocking bicycle and bus lanes racked up nearly $4.5 million in fines since November 2024, when an effort to use automated cameras to make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians launched d...
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Billionaire Michael Sacks donated $150,000 to Jessica Biggs' campaign for Chicago School Board president, according to new campaign disclosure report.
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Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez @ramirez.house.gov · 10/10/2026
It’s been over a year since DHS agents murdered Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. Now, his community took a major step in seeking justice for him, his children, and loved ones. In the streets, in the courts, and in Congress we will demand accountability.
chicago.suntimes.com
Family of Silverio Villegas González seeks damages over fatal ICE shooting near Chicago
Villegas González’s family filed a formal complaint against the feds on Thursday, taking the first step toward suing the federal government over his death. An attorney for the family said they expect ...
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nathansheskey.bsky.social @nathansheskey.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Our city is once again facing a contentious budget season, but it doesn't have to be this way. Our government could legalize more homes, bringing the cost of living down for everyone while growing the total tax base. citythatworks.substack.com/p/budget-tal...
citythatworks.substack.com
Budget Talks are Missing One Key Option
Importantly, an option completely in City Council’s control
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Thomas Bamonte @thomasbamonte.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
There is “a powerful revenue option completely in City Council’s control: changing land use rules to grow the tax base - particularly by upzoning residential neighborhoods.”
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Stephanie Kollmann @slkollmann.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
"Audit logs show more than 23,000 searches from May through July, while nearly $75,000 in taxpayer funds was reportedly used to pay for access through a third-party company." + www.fox32chicago.com/news/chicago...
fox32chicago.com
Chicago mayor's office responds to questions over CPD’s Flock database access: 'Serious concerns'
Chicago police conducted more than 23,000 searches using Flock technology in three months, and now Mayor Brandon Johnson is responding to questions about undisclosed payments, taxpayer dollars and ove...
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Stephanie Kollmann @slkollmann.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
"A higher-ranking source inside the department told Fox Chicago that only investigators and a designated tech team made up of civilians have access to that network. But CPD, as a department, has not confirmed this yet." So the surveillance centers, along with who knows who else. 250+ times a day.
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Stephanie Kollmann @slkollmann.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Why not name the "3rd party company"? I'd believe that CPD, OPSA, and/or the external SDSC boosters engineered Flock access while purposely avoiding the mayor/council Due to the ShotSpotter history But this is why a mayor has to have a deferential police supt, not a rival or superior (good luck)
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Thomas Bamonte @thomasbamonte.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
“A totally transformed regional housing market that has enough ‘transit-oriented’ housing options to finally meet the overwhelming demand for families to be able to afford to live and work near a bus or rail station,” —Dan Lurie CEO @metroplanning.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/transportati...
chicago.suntimes.com
What’s your NITA dream project? Experts weigh in as new agency directing CTA, Metra, Pace plans budget
As Chicago's new transit agency overseeing CTA, Metra and Pace finalizes its 2027 budget, the Sun-Times wants to hear how you want the agency to spend its nearly $1.5 billion in extra cash.
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 09/10/2026
Workers at six downtown hotels walked out Friday morning after negotiations failed to meet their demands.
chicago.suntimes.com
Hotel workers strike ahead of Chicago marathon, seek better pay and benefits
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nathansheskey.bsky.social @nathansheskey.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
A candidate for alderman asked me to provide them with background reading on housing, and it turned into quite a list! I enjoyed putting it together, so I thought I'd also share it here. I've organized into three categories: describing the problem, describing solutions, and partnership solutions 🧵
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Block Club Chicago @blockclubchi.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The Trump administration has denied Illinois’ request for disaster relief — again. The state sought FEMA’s help after days of severe weather in and around the Chicago area in August. FEMA granted Indiana’s request for help with the same storm. buff.ly/P3ElxRb
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Harebrained @harebrained.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Hey NY, Chicago here. I made you some graphics cause we're all on the same team. Fuck ICE.
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Scott @skh80.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Maybe Lawson should build some bike lanes in his ward.
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Active Transportation Alliance @activetransportation.org · 09/10/2026
“Chicago is primed and ready to benefit from bus rapid transit on Western Avenue,” says Amy Rynell, executive president of the Active Transportation Alliance. “BRT creates a train-like transit experience for a fraction of the cost of heavy rail."
chicago.suntimes.com
What’s your NITA dream project? Experts weigh in as new agency directing CTA, Metra, Pace plans budget
As Chicago's new transit agency overseeing CTA, Metra and Pace finalizes its 2027 budget, the Sun-Times wants to hear how you want the agency to spend its nearly $1.5 billion in extra cash.
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Barry Butler Photography @barrybutler9.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Friday Light Lights. This morning at Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. SaveTheLighthouse.org
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Chicago 🏳️‍⚧️🌱 @chicagotrans-plant.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Oh hell yeah lmao www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/c...
nbcchicago.com
Hotel workers from 6 major Chicago hotels go on strike as thousands arrive for Chicago Marathon weekend
The union said more Chicago hotels could go on strike "at any moment," with dozens of workers already picketing downtown.
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Evanston Transit Alliance @evanstontransit.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
“While the City of Evanston approved 17 new stations, the University declined to install new docks on campus. Now, students are pushing back. The NU Graduate Workers Union created a petition in September to persuade NU to approve the stations.” dailynorthwestern.com/2026/10/09/c...
dailynorthwestern.com
‘It’s a missed opportunity’: Students petition for on-campus Divvy bike stations after failed expansion
After Northwestern declined a proposal to add more Divvy bike stations across campus, students began collecting signatures, urging the University to rethink its decision. Divvy met with NU and…
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Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez @ramirez.house.gov · 09/10/2026
DHS is the biggest threat to our communities. 
The pain and trauma they have inflicted on our children is unforgivable.  
But we can choose to change course, dismantle DHS, protect our children, and reimagine the safety of our communities.
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Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez @ramirez.house.gov · 09/10/2026
Abolish ICE. Dismantle DHS. Reimagining Safety Act!
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Chicago Sun-Times @chicago.suntimes.com · 09/10/2026
As Chicago's new transit agency overseeing CTA, Metra and Pace finalizes its 2027 budget, the Sun-Times wants to hear how you want the agency to spend its nearly $1.5 billion in extra cash.
chicago.suntimes.com
What’s your NITA dream project? Experts weigh in as new agency directing CTA, Metra, Pace plans budget
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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
sickos.jpg
E9 CS*T
Donate
Build downtown Metra tunnel, more frequent service
NITA should connect downtown Metra lines through a series of tunnels, says Peter Tucic, vice president of public policy for the Chicago Lighthouse, which advocates for the blind. The idea for crosstown Metra service is called the STAR:Line and has been long promoted by a blog_promoting #BuildTheTunnel. "Now that NITA exists, we have an opportunity to create real alignment among the region's three transit systems,"
Tucic says.
Rick Harnish, executive director of the High Speed Rail Alliance, wants Metra service to be electrified and run more frequently so it's not just for commuters.
"That would mean trains departing every 15 minutes or better. Metra Electric, especially the South Chicago Branch, is the best place for an early success.
"
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Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez @ramirez.house.gov · 09/10/2026
DHS agents are empowered to act with impunity so that they can meet arbitrary quotas and execute Stephen Miller, Markwayne Mullin, and Donald Trump’s white supremacist mass deportation agenda. Every agent and every fascist will be held accountable.
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Mr Fengi @mrfengi.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
So we're doing this again... chicagoreader.com/news/the-new...
chicagoreader.com
The New Prohibition - Chicago Reader
No bar or liquor store is safe now that Daley's determined to clean up this town.
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Gilgert Martwel @mkroll.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
No? Everything can’t be little fiefdom’s here.
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Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86
espn.com
Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86
Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end who became an NFL legend for his time as coach of the Bears, has died at the age of 86.
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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
NEW: An effort to use automated cameras to ticket drivers who block bicycle and bus lanes is set to become permanent and expand citywide under a measure approved unanimously Friday by a key City Council committee. @wttw.bsky.social
news.wttw.com
Key City Panel Agrees to Expand Use of Cameras to Ticket Drivers Blocking Bus, Bicycle Lanes
Drivers blocking bicycle and bus lanes racked up nearly $4.5 million in fines since November 2024, when an effort to use automated cameras to make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians launched d...
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Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez @ramirez.house.gov · 09/10/2026
We know you are not sorry, Markwayne. You are just a tool. That's why you — like your predecessor — will be held accountable by the American people.
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Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Good morning. Federal prosecutors in Chicago filed partially redacted documents overnight in the "Broadview Six" case. The redactions appear to include the signature block (including the name) of one of the attorneys representing the United States government:
A partially redacted motion to seal a petition for order authorizing disclosure. One signature block on the document belongs to Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Walsh. The other signature block is redacted.The concluding page of a document in which "the United States respectfully requests that the court authorizes the disclosure of the unredacted Oct. 9, 16, 23 transcripts and related exhibits." The rest of the sentence is redacted. 

One signature block belongs to Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Walsh. The other is redacted.
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