iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by John Chase

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 13/09/2026

The Tribune and the University of Chicago's Mansueto Institute examined how Illinois, Chicago and Cook County used aid through the American Rescue Plan Act. The analysis revealed maze-like money trails and few public efforts to identify potential waste and abuse.

chicagotribune.com

How much money Illinois received in pandemic aid

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

New from @jeremygorner.bsky.social & @rick-pearson.bsky.social: The IG report that forced Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton to resign may never be released, but @chicagotribune.com has details. Benton told a female lobbyist at a Chicago bar: “I may look like a five but I f— like a 10." ... 1/9

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Reposted by John Chase

Olivia Olander @olivia0.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

NEW: I wrote about Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious, abundance-coded housing plan. 4 units on basically any standard size Chicago residential lot? ADUs? Looser parking minimums? potentially yes, in our backyard >> www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/12/j...

chicagotribune.com

Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules

A cornerstone initiative from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker would loosen zoning restrictions for multiunit buildings, drawing excitement from housing advocates but concerns from local officials.

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Reposted by John Chase

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 13/02/2026

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has been one of the most vociferous critics of Tyler Technologies, the company that has been in charge of the rocky upgrade of the county’s property tax system, for more than a decade.

trib.al

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas held stock in company that has county technology deal

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas held stock for years in a company with a major contract working in her office, a potential violation of the county’s conflict-of-interest rules.

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Reposted by John Chase

Dan Vock @danvock.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., told the Tribune he opposed the Trump administration’s tariff policies “from an affordability standpoint, from an inflation standpoint and an open market standpoint.” But hours later voted against rescinding Trump’s tariffs on Canada.

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Reposted by John Chase

John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

“Liars use numbers.” The paradox of the GOP race for Illinois governor. Candidates campaigning against a crime wave that numbers show are down — and even Donald Trump now says nation is safe. By @rick-pearson.bsky.social and @jeremygorner.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/i...

chicagotribune.com

Illinois’ Republican candidates for governor push crime as top issue despite data showing declines

The Republican race for governor features a paradoxical narrative in which candidates loyal to President Trump are campaigning against a crime wave he says no longer exists.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Resharing this here from @danvock.bsky.social -- the overall cost for Operation Midway Blitz at $59M. Today, the CBO said the National Gd in Chicago cost was $21M. Our story a month ago said $19.4M. But the Nat. Gd is only a small portion of the total cost. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...

chicagotribune.com

Cost of Operation Midway Blitz: $59M and counting

A Tribune review of court filings, databases and other public records detailing the scope of the incursion and typical costs shows how much the federal government has spent since September.

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Reposted by John Chase

Gregory Pratt @royalpratt.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Well-funded potential challengers already circling Mayor Brandon Johnson. He’s seen as weak and vulnerable, his union support divided by SEIU-CTU beef. Not as done as some fantasize, but he is in real trouble. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/18/w...

chicagotribune.com

Well-funded potential challengers already circling Mayor Brandon Johnson

A large and growing field of candidates is angling to take out Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is seen as very beatable.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

A reminder for Bears fans and reporters to behave yourselves this weekend. Don’t want a repeat of this even though it is absolutely fantastic. m.youtube.com/watch?v=CCyd...

m.youtube.com

Chicago Bears 1986 Playoff Loss JOHN DRUMMOND WBBM TV

YouTube video by Ironworker Jeff

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Reposted by John Chase

Dan Vock @danvock.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

I reached out to Hilton Hotels about the costs of housing ICE and Border Patrol agents in the Chicago area for this story, after there were protests at their properties. They never got back to me. But now they are canceling reservations for ICE in Minnesota

A tweet from ICE asking why Hilton canceled ICE hotel reservations in Minneapolis

A Department of Homeland Security tweet: "NO ROOM AT THE INN! Hilton Hotels has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement. When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations. This is UNACCEPTABLE. Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation's immigration laws?"

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Thanks for reposting @hcrichardson.bsky.social. An important story that got overlooked a bit this weekend with all the other news.

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Reposted by John Chase

Dan Vock @danvock.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

How much has Operation Midway Blitz cost the federal government so far? The Trump administration isn't saying, so for the @chicagotribune.com I came up with a rough -- but conservative -- estimate of $59 million and counting. Check out more at this gift link www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...

chicagotribune.com

Cost of Operation Midway Blitz: $59M and counting

A Tribune review of court filings, databases and other public records detailing the scope of the incursion and typical costs shows how much the federal government has spent since September.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

The Trump admin refuses to detail how much the immigration enforcement process in Illinois — Operation Midway Blitz — costs. So we looked at the numbers and came up with a conservative accounting: $59 million and growing. By @danvock.bsky.social. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...

chicagotribune.com

Cost of Operation Midway Blitz: $59M and counting

A Tribune review of court filings, databases and other public records detailing the scope of the incursion and typical costs shows how much the federal government has spent since September.

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Reposted by John Chase

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 22/12/2025

The payments to Jonathan Jackson’s 3 I Roadwork Inc. began in the year after he endorsed Gov. JB Pritzker’s first bid for governor in 2018. That endorsement came months after Pritzker’s campaign quietly hired Jackson as a $13,000-per-month political consultant.

trib.al

Before Congress, Jonathan Jackson owned a construction firm. It got $750K from Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois.

State-funded work came after Jonathan Jackson was paid as a $13,000-a-month consultant for JB Pritzker’s 2018 campaign for governor.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Latest from veteran reporters Chuck Neubauer and Sandy Bergo -- the political ties between US Rep. Jonathan Jackson and Gov. JB Pritzker. Before Congress, Jackson worked for JB's campaign and later got $750k in state funds for a construction co he owned: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/21/j...

chicagotribune.com

The $750,000 grant: Why Jonathan Jackson’s construction firm received funding from Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois

State-funded work came after Jonathan Jackson was paid as a $13,000-a-month consultant for JB Pritzker’s 2018 campaign for governor.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

It’s fun when the Bears win.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

So the kids are into Wolf Parade? Lots more where that came from Gen Z!

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Attys alleging Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino violated a court’s restraining order when he personally threw tear gas canisters during an immigration enforcement action in Chicago’s Little Village this morning They included this still image: Story here: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/23/f...

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

More than 37k residential properties on South and West sides -- in neighborhoods that can least afford it -- are set to see their property tax bills skyrocket due to increased assessments. @adquig.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social with Tribune and @illinoisanswers.bsky.social t.co/HPvffZVsJ1

t.co

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/21/tax-hikes-loom-for-south-west-side-homeowners/

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Among those handcuffed in a video promoted by DHS Sec’y Kristi Noem on X is Joe Botello, an AMERICAN citizen. @chicagotribune.com photog @staceywescott.bsky.social was there and we spoke to him. He was later released and “blessed that I’m still alive." Story: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/16/e...

chicagotribune.com

US citizen says he was briefly detained in latest Chicago-area ICE blitz

An Elgin man who was born in Texas said he was handcuffed and placed in a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle, as part of the latest Chicago-area ICE blitz.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

From Washington, @danvock.bsky.social with a look at what might be in store for Chicago as soon as this week. “There’s this never-ending feeling of surveillance, fear and anxiety and then wondering, ‘What am I supposed to do about it?” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/31/t...

chicagotribune.com

President Trump’s takeover of Washington, D.C., offers insights on what could be in store for Chicago

As the prospect of President Trump sending a surge of federal forces to Chicago rises daily, the Washington occupation provides insights into what a Chicago incursion could entail.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

A CTA-focused North Side TIF dist has generated $400 million. And it’s still pretty new. Will Chicago use it for the next 20-plus years to pay off bills or shut it down once it pays off its CTA work? @adquig.bsky.social w/ a story you won’t read anywhere else: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/22/c...

chicagotribune.com

As CTA tax district rakes in huge amount of taxpayer money, decision looms over what to do with it

A North Side tax district is on track to pay off a major facelift of four CTA stations and the century-old infrastructure connecting them way ahead of schedule.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

This is a key week for public broadcasting as the Senate prepares to vote on Trump's proposed cuts. The impact will be felt everywhere, but especially in downstate communities where public broadcasting is the primary source of news. By @danvock.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/16/i...

chicagotribune.com

Illinois public broadcasters in Chicago, and especially downstate, fear impact as Senate vote to cut funding looms

While Chicago-area public media outlets WBEZ and WTTW will get hurt if the Senate OK’s cuts, smaller stations in rural areas would get hit harder.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Pregnant and in Chicago w/o legal immigration status, Daniela Sigala isn’t sure her son will be a US citizen. Today’s Sunday read explores SCOTUS decision impact & Trump efforts on birthright citizenship by @nellsalzman.bsky.social and @danvock.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/06/s...

chicagotribune.com

Supreme Court ruling casts doubt on birthright citizenship for immigrant families in Chicago

High court’s decision fuels uncertainty about whether babies born to immigrants lacking legal immigration status will be considered American citizens, despite 14th Amendment.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

When a tech firm -- whose 3 govt contracts have ballooned to $265M -- needed help they hired lobbyist Jay Doherty. He was later convicted in the ComEd 4 case. Folo of joint @chicagotribune.com/@injusticewatch.org by David Jackson & @adquig.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/11/c...

chicagotribune.com

Troubled Cook County tech firm used insider lobbyist who was later convicted in ComEd corruption scheme

Tyler Technologies’ major Cook County contracts – peppered with delays and cost overruns – were shepherded by lobbyist Jay Doherty, who is set to be sentenced in unrelated utility scandal.…

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, in office since 2023, moved his district office to the first floor of a building on East 35th Street near Bronzeville owned by developer Elzie Higginbottom, a longtime Chicago political insider. Here's why that's potentially problematic. A 🧵1/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

The Democrat-led Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday said Republicans waited too long to contest the 2021 redrawing of legislative districts that has maintained Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate. From @rick-pearson.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/09/d...

chicagotribune.com

Democratic-led Illinois Supreme Court rejects GOP challenge to legislative maps that kept Democrats in control

Democratic majority on Illinois Supreme Court said Republicans waited too long to argue 2021 redrawing was unconstitutional political gerrymandering.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

In a flurry of contracts inked a decade ago, some of Illinois’ most powerful political figures declared it was time to fix their obsolete and expensive computer systems. Here's the story about how none of those ideas went according to plan. 1/8 🧵

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Reposted by John Chase

Addison Wright @addisonwright.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Phones in classrooms, what do you think? Enjoyed working with @mollymorrow.bsky.social on this.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Springfield schools made a major change last year, enforcing a strict phone policy to combat distractions in the classroom. Teachers like Jill Friday saw a huge improvement in student engagement after the district required phones to be off and put away during class.

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Reposted by John Chase

Caroline Kubzansky @ckubzansky.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

All you state flag discoursers can take a deep breath: the Tribune's new PAR intern Addison Wright has what surely must be the authoritative look at the flag-selection circus. Also, apparently the state has a "sesquicentennial flag." www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/31/i...

chicagotribune.com

Illinois state flag has fans — and could keep flying after design contest

Votes are being tallied in the Illinois flag contest, but the current flag has its fans and lawmakers could decide to keep it.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

1/6: Over 30,000 face losing their health insurance as @govpritzker.illinois.gov proposes cutting coverage for those 42-64 years old immigrants who are in the country without legal permission to balance the state’s budget, potentially leaving many uninsured again.

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Quick🧵updating a story we did last year: Nearly $500M in taxable real estate value was added to Cook County rolls after an investigation by @illinoisanswers.bsky.social & @chicagotribune.com uncovered hundreds of mistakes in property assessments. The corrections come from an audit. 1/5

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Reposted by John Chase

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 14/11/2024

Here's our starter pack to follow Chicago Tribune reporters, photographers and editors. We'll keep this list updated as more members of our newsroom join!

go.bsky.app

Chicago Tribune's Starter Pack

Join the conversation

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