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Brenden Moore

@brendenmoore.bsky.social
1.3K followers 164 following 200 posts

Illinois government + politics reporter for @capitolnewsil.bsky.social. Corn dog connoisseur, White Sox fan. Always DePaul, UIS. Tips: bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com

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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 1h
@benszalinski.bsky.social and I already had an interview scheduled with Gov. Pritzker this afternoon, so naturally we shifted gears and talked some Bears. The governor told us there were “all the right players at the table” and that action “should happen” during the fall veto session. More:
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Come work with me!
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
While not disavowing Trump, Bailey had kept some distance in 2026. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/RrSLVgP
capitolnewsillinois.com
Trump: ‘I’m all for Bailey’
Donald Trump endorses Darren Bailey for Illinois governor as Bailey keeps his campaign focused on state issues.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The Bears executive leading the team’s stadium effort and minority owner Pat Ryan met with Gov. JB Pritzker's top economic development official in August, according to emails obtained by @CapitolNewsIL via a public records request. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/7hene22
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Bears stadium lead, board member met with top Illinois official in August
Chicago Bears executives met with a top Pritzker official as the team continues weighing stadium options in Illinois.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that he recently met with Illinois lawmakers and that the team is still "looking at" the 326-acre land it owns in Arlington Heights. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/fQeqX81
capitolnewsillinois.com
Goodell confirms Bears still ‘looking at’ Illinois despite team’s ‘sole focus’ on Indiana
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the Bears are still considering Illinois as talks over a new stadium continue.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Gov. JB Pritzker poured cold water on a call from Illinois Federation of Teachers President Stacy Davis Gates to use Illinois’ $768M Meta settlement to boost education funding, saying “one-time money should really be used for one-time needs.” @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/waLA2l0
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker pours cold water on using Meta windfall for Chicago Schools funding
JB Pritzker pushed back on using Illinois’ $768 million Meta settlement to provide more funding for Chicago schools.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
The Capitol pressroom snack station has been replenished (though clearly I underestimated the amount of licorice needed to fill a container). Free for reporters and staff. The price for legislators and lobbyists is a scoop!
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The Illinois House left Springfield today without a vote on the Bears-backed PILOT bill. But Rep. Kam Buckner told me he doesn’t “see this as a May 31 thing,” suggesting lawmakers could tackle it when they return next month. My latest: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/lawmake...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Lawmakers punt Bears property tax bill to April
Editor's note: We added further comment from Kam Buckner to this story Friday morning. MOORE’S SUMMARY: The Chicago Bears will
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Gov. JB Pritzker is not one for labels, but his supply side solutions to address the state’s housing shortage and energy reflect an ‘abundance’ agenda, @brendenmoore.bsky.social writes in his column: loom.ly/HlM70Bw
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Gov. Pritzker said he's "flattered" by 2028 presidential speculation, but insisted his focus is on getting reelected. He said "whatever decisions I would make would really be about what I think is best for the state of Illinois.” Part 3 of our interview: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker part 3: Governor says Illinois ‘prepared’ if feds ramp up immigration crackdown
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Gov. JB Pritzker told Capitol News Illinois he’s unsure if the Trump administration will follow through on its
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Despite thinking the Bears “had not set themselves up well for getting something done," Gov. Pritzker believes PILOT legislation will pass — and that the team will ultimately build their new stadium in Arlington Heights. Part 2 of our interview: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker part 2: Governor likes Illinois’ odds in Bears stadium tug-of-war
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Gov. JB Pritzker told Capitol News Illinois this week that he likes Illinois’ odds to keep the Chicago
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
New: @benszalinski.bsky.social and I interviewed @govpritzker.illinois.gov earlier this week. He touted progress in his first seven years but said there’s “more work to do” economically as he ramps up his bid for a third term. Part 1 is here — more to come: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/exclusi...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Exclusive interview: Pritzker says Illinois has ‘turned the battleship around’ as he ramps up bid for third term
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In a wide-ranging interview with Capitol News Illinois, Gov. JB. Pritzker touted progress in his first seven years
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
**Important update** Some new details on what property owners can build by right on land zoned for residential under Pritzker's plan: ≤2,500 sq ft: 1 unit 2,500–5,000 sq ft: up to 4 units 5,000–7,500 sq ft: up to 6 units 7,500+ sq ft: up to 8 units
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Gov. Pritzker could give his State of the State/budget speech outside if he wanted to. The forecast for speech time: sunny skies and 65° with a slight breeze. Just a beautiful day in the capital city. It certainly beats the usual frigid temps and sometimes snowy conditions!
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
It’s a supply side approach to address the state’s housing shortage by tackling the “patchwork of local barriers” that prevents builders from building. But expect significant pushback from local governments to the imposition of statewide zoning standards and permitting timelines.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
New from me: @govpritzker.illinois.gov will use his State of the State address to push a sweeping housing plan that’d permit multi-unit buildings on most residential lots, legalize granny flats and slash red tape that’s slowed homebuilding in recent years. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control
Article Summary JB Pritzker will propose a plan during his State of the State address to drastically limit local governments’
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Illinois lawmakers say there’s “positive momentum” on a Bears stadium package. Indiana’s push helped. But a major hurdle – getting enough Chicago lawmakers on board – remains. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports ➡️ loom.ly/gwGBV2k
capitolnewsillinois.com
Bears stadium package has ‘positive momentum’ in Springfield, but not in end zone
Article Summary Illinois lawmakers say a long-stalled proposal to help the Chicago Bears build a domed stadium in Arlington Heights
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Jerry Nowicki @nowickipress.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
@brendenmoore.bsky.social will also be bringing back his column, now called Moore in Springfield. Read his first iteration here: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/moore-i...
capitolnewsillinois.com
‘Moore in Springfield’: A deeper look into Illinois government, politics
SPRINGFIELD — People often ask what I love most about my job covering Illinois politics and government. My answer is
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Exciting things on the way. ⬇️
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Ted Dabrowski has traded think tank influence for a spot on the ballot, pitching himself as more electable than the GOP’s 2022 nominee, Darren Bailey. He’s also calling for rolling back Illinois’ 4.95% income tax to 3%. First in our series profiling GOP candidates for governor:
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Gov. JB Pritzker quietly dropped $5M into a PAC backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s U.S. Senate bid, filings show. The group later confirmed it has raised more than $10M overall. Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski report ➡️https://loom.ly/qLiFVhw
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker drops $5M to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in Senate race
Article Summary JB Pritzker accounted for nearly 80% of the $6.3 million Illinois Future PAC raised in 2025, according to
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
The reason Stratton needs outside help? Raja Krishnamoorthi. He raised $3.6 million in Q4 and entered 2026 with $15.2 million cash on hand, per his campaign's FEC filing. By my count, he dropped $4.8 million on TV ads in the final three months of 2025 alone.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
New: Gov. JB Pritzker donated $5 million last month to Illinois Future PAC, the outside group backing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s U.S. Senate bid, per the PAC's FEC filing. His cousin, Jennifer Pritzker, added $1.05 million. The PAC raised $6.32 million overall in 2025. #twill
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The 3 leading Democratic candidates vying to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin called for some version of dismantling ICE, but only Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton called for the agency's complete abolition. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports ➡️ loom.ly/ZXW6k28
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois’ Democratic U.S. Senate primary heats up over ICE
Article Summary Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton all to varying degrees called
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Illinois has averaged about one lawsuit a week against the Trump administration since January 2025. Here’s the status of them all. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports ➡️ loom.ly/456Vp38
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois vs. Trump: One lawsuit a week
Article Summary Illinois has filed or joined 51 lawsuits against the Trump administration between January 2025 and January 2026, challenging
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Inside JB Pritzker’s media strategy as he gets in Trump’s head, grows his 2028 profile and embraces social media influencers. @benszalinski.bsky.social & @brendenmoore.bsky.social report ➡️ loom.ly/WwOiMT0
capitolnewsillinois.com
Needling Trump as 2028 looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s all-of-the-above media strategy
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker has ramped up his media appearances in 2025 by embracing social media influencers and bringing
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Gov. Pritzker showing up a lot on your TikTok scroll, favorite podcast or TV screen? That’s no coincidence. @benszalinski.bsky.social + I report on Pritzker’s embrace of an all-of-the-above media strategy drawing the attention of Trump and a national audience: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/needlin...
capitolnewsillinois.com
Needling Trump as 2028 looms: Inside JB Pritzker’s all-of-the-above media strategy
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker has ramped up his media appearances in 2025 by embracing social media influencers and bringing
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Top Illinois Democrats are calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal after video contradicted the federal account of a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, echoing two shootings involving federal agents in Illinois last year. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports loom.ly/c2UeC_U
capitolnewsillinois.com
After fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, Illinois Democrats seek Kristi Noem’s impeachment
Article Summary S. Rep. Robin Kelly plans to file impeachment articles against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
From Chicago’s Operation Midway Blitz to Minneapolis, the pattern is familiar: ICE shooting, DHS claims self-defense, then evidence that appears to tell a different story. My pal @ckubzansky.bsky.social digs into the parallels: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/07/f...
chicagotribune.com
Feds’ statements after Minneapolis driver killed by ICE officer echo pattern from Midway Blitz in Chicago
The feds’ statement recalls claims from DHS in the aftermath of two federal agent-involved shootings that took place during Chicago’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
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Will Bauer @will-bauer.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Even with signs of fiscal challenges reemerging in Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats do not appear to be considering raising income taxes on the wealthiest this year, @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social www.stlpr.org/government-p...
stlpr.org
Despite budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot in Illinois
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is not making a graduated income tax a priority in 2026, despite backing the idea in principle and mounting budget pressures.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Illinois’ budget math is getting tougher, but a graduated income tax — rejected by voters in 2020 — remains off Gov. JB Pritzker’s agenda heading into 2026. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports: loom.ly/wZ8bgtU
capitolnewsillinois.com
Despite mounting budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot
Article Summary JB Pritzker is not making a graduated income tax a priority in 2026, despite backing the idea in
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Christine Hatfield @christine.21st.show · 11/12/2025
The primary elections in Illinois really aren't so far away. It's just a couple of months until early voting starts. @brendenmoore.bsky.social with @capitolnewsil.bsky.social joins us on @21st.show to talk through some of the bigger developments in the Senate, House and governor races.
youtube.com
From governor’s race to House and Senate seats, the latest in 2026 election campaigns across Illi...
YouTube video by Illinois Public Media
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Gov. JB Pritzker met with Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Wednesday, discussing the recent Trump immigration raids and inviting the pontiff to visit Illinois. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. Get the full story here: loom.ly/ziVwb24
capitolnewsillinois.com
Pritzker discusses immigration crackdown with Pope Leo XIV in Rome
Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome on Wednesday, with the two discussing the Trump
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
youtube.com/shorts/MSAJH...
youtube.com
Durbin takes heat for shutdown vote, 'Broadview Six' arraigned | Weekly Wrap Up
YouTube video by Capitol News Illinois
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Pritzker often talks about the impact of losing his parents young. I didn’t know until reporting this, but Caprara also lost her mom at a young age. That shared loss helped build their connection — and the empathy they say is at the root of many of the administration’s decisions.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
My final story for Lee Enterprises is out today — a profile of Gov. Pritzker's chief of staff, @annecaprara.bsky.social. She’s helped shape his "Team Fight" approach to dealing with President Trump while using her own agency to enlist others in the battle. Read here: pantagraph.com/news/state-r...
pantagraph.com
Meet JB Pritzker’s ‘indispensable right hand'
JB Pritzker calls Anne Caprara the person who made it possible for him to become governor. Inside the partnership driving Illinois’ pushback against President Trump and the MAGA movement.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Sen. Dick Durbin said he couldn’t justify “playing with other people’s lives” as millions missed paychecks & benefits, and his vote to end the shutdown wasn’t coordinated or orchestrated by Chuck Schumer. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports: loom.ly/uEFuVek
capitolnewsillinois.com
Durbin defends shutdown vote, says it wasn’t coordinated with Schumer
Article Summary Sen. Dick Durbin said he backed reopening the government to protect federal workers and to restore food assistance,
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Golden hour glow up. ✨
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Gov. Pritzker will be in Little Village tomorrow for a Veterans Day ceremony.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
All it took was the first hint of a Chicago winter. Nice scoop from @jmetr22b.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/10/f...
chicagotribune.com
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say
Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was expected to depart Chicago within days, while most Border Patrol agents under this command would soon be redeployed elsewhere, three sources told the Tribune Monday.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Gov. Pritzker is taking a similar “Team Fight” stance here as he did with the GOP government funding deal that passed in March with the votes of a handful of Democratic senators.
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Caroline Kubzansky @ckubzansky.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
After @mandophotos.bsky.social photographed federal agents pointing rifles at 26th/Lawndale yesterday, I inquired with DHS about what threat had prompted them to pull weapons on a busy commercial strip (pictured). This is the response I got from a representative of the United States government.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
@govpritzker.illinois.gov sounds like a hard NO on the House-proposed transit reform bill: "There's got to be a lot of discussion between the House and the Senate in order to come up with a final bill — because it isn't going to look like what the House has put forward." #twill
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
The war of words between President Donald Trump and Gov. JB Pritzker escalated dramatically this week as Texas National Guard troops arrived in Illinois. loom.ly/_J0xM9o
capitolnewsillinois.com
As Trump says Pritzker ‘should be in jail,’ Illinois’ governor taunts: ‘Come and get me’
Article Summary President Donald Trump posted to social media Wednesday that Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should
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Caroline Kubzansky @ckubzansky.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Standing room only for the Broadview, IL village board meeting this evening. Like it’s 2022 again — follow along, yes?
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
A federal judge declined to issue a restraining order against sending troops to Illinois, but she gave the U.S.DOJ 2 days to respond to request. @hannahmeisel.bsky.social @brendenmoore.bsky.social report. loom.ly/9GnMeYA
capitolnewsillinois.com
Judge won’t block federal troop deployment to Chicago — for now
Article Summary Illinois and Chicago are suing the Trump administration to block the deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago.
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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
“Soon” is today! Thrilled to share that I’ve joined the @capitolnewsil.bsky.social team. Grateful to work alongside such a talented group of reporters and editors — all of whom I count as friends. Exciting things to come.
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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Illinois and Chicago are suing the federal government for what JB Pritzker described as an “invasion” of the state and city. @benszalinski.bsky.social @brendenmoore.bsky.social, and Hannah Meisel report. loom.ly/MI6oEvM
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois sues to block Trump’s National Guard deployment to Chicago
Article Summary Illinois and Chicago are suing the Trump administration to block the deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago.
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Peter Nickeas @peternickeas.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Chaos in Brighton Park. This is representative of the amount / direction of pepper and smoke sent into the neighborhood, in this case, for no reason I can discern other than because they were leaving. Feds had a clear path out in a different direction, and residents were vocal but not violent here.
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Caroline Kubzansky @ckubzansky.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Kedzie and Pershing. 3 p.m. Feds v. Protesting civilians
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