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Frank Calabrese

@frankcalabrese.bsky.social
1.9K followers 161 following 534 posts

Cartography, GIS, maps, politics, and elections. Chicago 📍

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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 4h
Billionaire Jimmy John’s founder James Liautaud, who lives in Florida, just contributed $250,000 to Chicago Mayor candidate John Kelly.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Thanks to FOX 32 Chicago @fox32chicago.bsky.social for having me on to discuss the Chicago School Board president election and the latest developments in the race.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Sendhil Revuluri is dropping out of the Chicago School Board president race, though his name will remain on the ballot. That leaves Jessica Biggs, Hilario Dominguez and Victor Henderson actively running. Revuluri is not endorsing anyone, but this is likely a boost for Biggs.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Check out my new Substack breaking down the 2026 race for Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. And tune in to FOX 32 tonight for the IL04 debate. I’ll be joining the post debate coverage with analysis. frankcalabrese.substack.com/p/illinois-4...
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Congressman Mike Quigley transferred $200,000 from his congressional campaign committee, Quigley for Congress, to Friends of Mike Quigley, his campaign for Chicago mayor.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Billionaire Michael Sacks has poured another $2.5 million into Common Ground Collective’s independent expenditure committee. The anti Chicago Teachers Union group is spending heavily in Chicago school board races opposing CTU backed candidates.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Five more Chicago aldermen are endorsing Jessica Biggs for School Board president: Brian Hopkins (2), Matt O’Shea (19), Bill Conway (34), Samantha Nugent (39) and Bennett Lawson (44). That brings Biggs to 10 aldermanic endorsements citywide. Updated map:
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Common Ground Collective just reported $512,000 in expenditures, mostly in opposition to CTU endorsed candidates, including $302,000 opposing Chicago School Board president candidate Hilario Dominguez. The group recently received $900,000 from billionaire Michael Sacks.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Nithya Raman leads Karen Bass by double digits in a new Los Angeles mayoral poll. 🔵 Raman 39% 🔵 Bass 28% Berkeley IGS Sept. 15–20 2,150 likely voters www.latimes.com/california/s...
latimes.com
Raman takes big lead over Bass in latest poll for L.A. mayor's race
Councilmember Nithya Raman leads Mayor Karon Bass by double digits in the latest UC Berkeley/L.A. Times poll. But there is a big caveat.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Check out my first substack post: a deep-ish dive into the upcoming Chicago School Board President election open.substack.com/pub/frankcal...
open.substack.com
Chicago’s School Board President Race: Endorsements, Money, and Unions
Jessica Biggs is adding political and labor support, Hilario Dominguez has the CTU behind him, and outside groups are pouring money into Chicago’s first citywide school board election
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
SEIU funded PAC "Brighter Futures Chicago" is now running digital ads promoting Jessica Biggs for Chicago School Board president. SEIU has endorsed Biggs and contributed $1.1 million to this independent expenditure committee.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I made a matrix to keep track of endorsements in the 2026 Chicago School Board elections, including CTU, SEIU, the Chicago Federation of Labor, Common Ground Collective and Urban Center Action.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Pilsen community organizer Andrew Herrera is jumping into the 25th Ward alderman race, which will be a must-see race with lots of big names from the Pilsen area Byron Sigcho-Lopez Aida Flores Nubia Batista Willman Ian Watkins Miguel Chacon “Leo” Quintero “Chula” Ortiz Andrew Herrera
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
So excited for the new Thompson Center to open in Chicago. The latest renderings by Google are beautiful, especially the atrium. This will be an incredible addition to the Loop.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Always good to talk with @jewishinsider.com about Chicago politics. The 2027 mayoral race is one to watch. jewishinsider.com/2026/09/chic...
jewishinsider.com
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson targets top Jewish Democratic donor amid rocky road to reelection
Jewish leaders in Chicago say Johnson's attack on Michael Sacks and AIPAC invokes tropes about Jewish influence — and point out that AIPAC isn't even in the race
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The Chicago Federation of Labor endorsed Jessica Biggs for Chicago Board of Education president, joining SEIU rather than CTU, which backs Hilario Dominguez. Across the school board slate, CFL generally sided with SEIU: 12 shared endorsements vs. 4 with CTU.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The 2027 Chicago mayoral field spans 40 years in age, from Joe Holberg at 38 to Willie Wilson at 78. Among the leading candidates: Alexi Giannoulias is 50, Brandon Johnson is 50, and Susana Mendoza is 54.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
State Senator Graciela Guzmán is backing Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2027 reelection campaign, giving Johnson his first endorsement from an Illinois state senator. Johnson now has one State Senate district on the board, compared with two for Alexi Giannoulias.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson now has 10 aldermen endorsements: Rossana Rodriguez Chris Taliaferro Anthony Quezada Walter "Red" Burnett Angela Clay Will Hall Byron Sigcho-Lopez Jason Ervin Jeanette Taylor Jesse Fuentes. I’m treating being on stage at his rally as an endorsement.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Brandon Johnson’s reelection message is taking shape: billionaires, AIPAC and Michael Sacks, with a shot at Alexi Giannoulias. But AIPAC doesn’t participate in local races or support Giannoulias.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Who was at Brandon Johnson’s announcement today? I wasn’t there, but watched the livestream and Congressman Danny Davis spoke there.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It's New York Times official: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is seeking reelection
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
How the new 20 Chicago School Board districts voted in the 2023 mayoral runoff. Brandon Johnson carried 13 districts to 7 districts for Paul Vallas. But the Chicago Teachers Union is not fielding candidates in three districts Johnson won: 6B, 9A and 10A.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Chicago 19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea says he won’t seek a fifth term in 2027, becoming the third City Council member to announce his exit. O’Shea, a frequent Brandon Johnson critic, says the job has changed and City Hall is increasingly disconnected from neighborhood concerns.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Map showing the proposed Chicago White Sox stadium in the South Loop, planned for the site of Amtrak’s current maintenance yard, and Amtrak’s proposed replacement maintenance facility in Bridgeport.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Chicago Ald. Mike Rodriguez, who represents Little Village on the southwest side, will not seek reelection in 2027, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. He is the second alderman to not seek re election, after Marty Quinn.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Mike McCuskey is out as legislative inspector general
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Chicago mayoral candidate Alexi Giannoulias is running a Spanish language online ad touting Illinois’ move to standard driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. Giannoulias speaks Spanish in the ad, which also features IL-04 candidate Patty Garcia.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Here is the proposed South Loop site for Justin Ishbia’s new White Sox stadium in Chicago.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Jennifer Custer drops out of the race for Chicago school board president, her name will not appear on the ballot.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Alexi Giannoulias may be the early frontrunner for Chicago mayor. But being the early frontrunner can be a curse. Bill Daley missed the 2019 runoff. Toni Preckwinkle then lost all 50 wards to Lori Lightfoot. Chuy Garcia finished 4th in 2023. Enjoyed joining Sabha Abour on Victim or Villain.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
NEW: A poll paid for by Brighter Futures Chicago, an SEIU-funded PAC, finds the Chicago school board president race wide open. Jessica Biggs 11% Hilario Dominguez 10% Victor Henderson 6% Jennifer Custer 6% Sendhil Revuluri <1% 67% undecided.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Chicago/Illinois Answers: Data centers near O’Hare won nearly $100M in local property-tax savings after almost $2B was knocked off their taxable values. In Northlake, the average homeowner could have paid $2,000+ less without the breaks. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/23/s...
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Lake. Big Lake. @lakebiglake.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
John Kelly for mayor. Let’s see: - Hates Chicago - Thinks he has magical powers to use clout and lobbying skills to fix things - Is married to a Trump-humping right-wing nut - Lives in a $4 million mansion in … Homer Glen (not Chicago) He will not get votes LOL. chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielma...
chicago.suntimes.com
Lobbyist John Kelly, a mayoral candidate, vows to use relationships he's built to save a 'city in decline'
John Kelly, 53, is a consummate political insider who has spent 28 years lobbying on behalf of clients that do business with City Hall — the same people and companies he would have to deal with — and ...
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Reposted by Frank Calabrese
Jared Rutecki @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The Chicago Board of Ethics is investigating mayoral hopeful John Kelly for posting three campaign videos recorded in Chicago Fire Department stations in recent weeks, officials told WTTW News.
news.wttw.com
Ethics Board Investigating Mayoral Hopeful John Kelly for Filming Campaign Videos in Chicago Fire Stations
The videos appear to violate the city’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance, which bans candidates for city office from “intentionally (using) any city property or resources of the city in connection with a...
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
New Chicago School Board president poll commissioned by the Revuluri campaign and reported by WBEZ has Hilario Dominguez leading: Hilario Dominguez 20% Victor Henderson 14% Sendhil Revuluri 11% Jessica Biggs 11% Jennifer Custer 9%
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Ald. Marty Quinn of the storied Southwest Side 13th Ward is retiring and backing Al Cacciottolo to succeed him. Cacciottolo is an elected 8th Police District Council member & Garfield Ridge civic leader. Quinn is the only Chicago alderman to announce retirement so far.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Ballys: Sao Paulo
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
JB Pritkzer just donated $65 million to his campaign. I'm pretty sure he doesn't need that type of money to beat Darren Bailey again.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Chicago aldermanic endorsements for President of the Chicago Board of Education 🔵 Jennifer Custer — 10 aldermen 🔴 Hilario Dominguez — 4 aldermen 🟢 Jessica Biggs — 3 aldermen
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A new SEIU funded PAC is entering Chicago politics with $1.1 million behind it. Brighter Futures Chicago is chaired by Anthony Driver Jr., executive director of the SEIU Illinois State Council since 2022 and a former political coordinator for SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
SEIU just transferred $150,000 to Jessica Biggs’ campaign, escalating its fight with CTU over control of the Chicago School Board.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Two Chicago state senators are backing Alexi Giannoulias for mayor: • Sen. Javier Cervantes (1st) attended his Bronzeville launch wearing a campaign sticker • Sen. Lakesia Collins (5th) endorsed Giannoulias on Instagram
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Liam Stanton is dropping out of the Chicago mayor’s race and endorsing Alexi Giannoulias. The North Side entrepreneur launched his campaign last year and, despite being a first-time candidate, managed to build good name recognition on social media. First reported by @shiakapos.bsky.social
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
New York Times just dropped a new 36 Hours in Chicago www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
36 Hours in Chicago: Things to Do and See
The city shines in the summertime — and this year’s light is especially bright, thanks in part to a new presidential center.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Alexi Giannoulias begins airing Chicago mayor ads today. Cut from his kickoff speech, the spot shows union supporters behind him as he says Chicago’s “greatest days are still ahead” and calls for universal pre-K, higher wages and affordable housing. Ald. Michelle Harris appears.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Before becoming a perennial candidate for mayor, Willie Wilson spent decades hosting Singsation, a Chicago gospel television show he launched in 1989. Wilson served as its host, producer and occasional performer.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Updated Chicago mayor rankings (ranked by likely to win): S tier: Alexi Giannoulias A tier: Susana Mendoza B tier: Brandon Johnson, Matt Brewer and Mike Quigley C tier: Maria Pappas, Lisa Nee and George Cardenas D tier: Joe Holberg, Willie Wilson and John Kelly E tier: Liam Stanton and Danni Carter
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Willie Wilson just went on Facebook Live with a Willie Wilson portrait behind him and said he has a big announcement about the Chicago mayor race on Monday.
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Frank Calabrese @frankcalabrese.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Two Chicago state senators are backing Alexi Giannoulias for mayor: • Sen. Javier Cervantes (1st) was at the Bronzeville launch yesterday wearing the campaign sticker • Sen. Lakesia Collins (5th) posted a endorsement on Instagram
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