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Manny Ramos

@mannyramos.bsky.social
3.1K followers 613 following 49 posts

Chicago-based Investigative Reporter at @blockclubchi.bsky.social

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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
A look at USBP's role in Chicago. An interesting finding, most of these immigration officers had extensive training and still behaved recklessly. Undercutting the policy prescription that more training is needed for these agents. blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/30/w... via @cplhouse.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org
Who Were The Midway Blitz Border Patrol Agents? Most Were Veteran Immigration Officers
Though the federal agents often wore masks concealing their identities, Block Club Chicago identified 271 of them. Many were trained specifically for crowd control, yet reported using force more than ...
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Peter Nickeas @peternickeas.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
As thorough an attempt as I've seen to account for the US Customs & Border Protection personnel who operated for a little over two months here. #chicago
blockclubchicago.org
Who Were The Midway Blitz Border Patrol Agents? Most Were Veteran Immigration Officers
Though the federal agents often wore masks concealing their identities, Block Club Chicago identified 271 of them. Many were trained specifically for crowd control, yet reported using force more than ...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Must read: Tortured In El Salvador. Detained For Over A Year. Then Deported Anyway blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/12/t...
blockclubchicago.org
Tortured In El Salvador. Detained For Over A Year. Then Deported Anyway
After he was tortured in El Salvador and one of his family members was killed, M.G. sought refuge in the United States. The Convention Against Torture was supposed to make sure he didn't go back. But ...
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Crystal Paul @cplhouse.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
As Operation Midway Blitz targeted Southwest side residents, Ald. Raymond Lopez made at least 10 appearances on right-wing media, ripping immigration “sanctuary” laws & repeating false claims that roundups were targeting criminals. blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/14/h... ✍️ @mannyramos.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org
How Ald. Raymond Lopez Became Conservative Media's Favorite Chicago Democrat
As Southwest Side neighbors were targeted or hid in their homes, Lopez repeatedly defended Trump's immigration roundups on conservative and right-wing media.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
As Southwest Side neighbors were targeted or hid in their homes, Ald. Raymond Lopez repeatedly defended Trump’s immigration roundups on conservative media. We looked at Lopez’s rise and how he became a favorite in the right-wing media ecosystem. blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/14/h...
blockclubchicago.org
How Ald. Raymond Lopez Became Conservative Media's Favorite Chicago Democrat
As Southwest Side neighbors were targeted or hid in their homes, Lopez repeatedly defended Trump's immigration roundups on conservative and right-wing media.
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Casey Toner @ctoner.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
illinoisanswers.org/2026/03/13/p... My latest about the Polymarket CEO giving a UChicago freshman $20k to start a campus prediction market club, Coinbase suing Illinois while donating $20k to House and Senate Dems, and the prediction markets running wild in defiance of state gambling regulators
illinoisanswers.org
Illinois Regulators Say Prediction Markets Are Illegal Gambling, But Bettors — and the Trump Family — Love Them
Prediction markets rake in millions from wagers on sports but pay nothing in state betting taxes and ignore other state regulations.
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Mina Bloom @minabloom.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
I wrote about an increase in domestic homicides in Chicago for @blockclubchi.bsky.social earlier this year. Today the Mayor’s Office, CPD and community orgs are all meeting to discuss how to combat the surge.
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Stephanie Lulay @slulay2.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Incredibly proud of the entire @blockclubchi.bsky.social team — we're nominated twice for the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting for "Chicago Under Siege" + our Midway Blitz coverage + @mannyramos.bsky.social's troubling investigation "Death Hospital." headlineclub.org/2026/02/04/f...
headlineclub.org
Finalists for the Chicago Headline Club’s first A-Mark Prize for Investigative Editing and Reporting, Watchdog Award - Chicago Headline Club
Winners will be announced on Saturday, March 21 at FOIA Fest The Chicago Headline Club is thrilled to announce the finalists for its inaugural A-Mark Prize for Investigative Editing and Reporting and ...
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Mina Bloom @minabloom.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Officials have revealed little about what led to the arrests. State Police haven’t fulfilled records requests for incident reports. Court records don’t include many details & few of the protesters arrested have appeared in court. @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/12/p...
blockclubchicago.org
Protesters Keep Getting Arrested At Broadview By State Police Despite Promise To Protect Free Speech
About 80 protesters have been arrested at the ICE facility since barricades went up. Protesters and legal observers say the arrests run counter to the state’s stated goals of ensuring public safety an...
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Colin Boyle @colinbphoto.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
“This is my ward! This is my ward!” Rodriguez (22nd) chirps back as Sigcho-Lopez (25th) grills Gov., saying, “the State Police are arresting protesters.” “They’re protecting our protesters,” Gov. JB Pritzker responds.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Two Illinois moms among millions facing SNAP cutoff as pantries say: ‘We cannot meet this need.' From @elviamalagon.bsky.social and Casey He. chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/10...
chicago.suntimes.com
Two Illinois moms among millions facing SNAP cutoff as pantries say: ‘We cannot meet this need’
Nearly 2 million people in Illinois may lose food assistance starting Saturday because of the government shutdown. The state and food pantries say they can’t match the $350 million that SNAP provides ...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Broadview ICE Protesters, Including Congressional Candidate, Facing Federal Conspiracy Charges blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/29/b...
blockclubchicago.org
Broadview ICE Protesters, Including Congressional Candidate, Facing Federal Conspiracy Charges
Kat Abughazaleh, the Democratic congressional candidate, called the charges "yet another attempt by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish those who dare to speak up.”
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Judge Blasts Border Patrol Boss Greg Bovino For Violating Excessive Force Order by @minabloom.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
blockclubchicago.org
Judge Blasts Border Patrol Boss Greg Bovino For Violating Excessive Force Order
“Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer,” U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis told Bovino during a court hearing T...
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Alex V. Hernandez @avhndz.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
The Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement surge brought Congressional Democrats to Chicago on Friday, then forced an abrupt exit by some local officials from a public hearing on the topic. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/24/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org
Congressional Democrats Come To Chicago To Hear About Immigration Enforcement Blitz
Some local elected officials abruptly left the proceedings because masked federal immigration agents were again detaining people across the city.
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Dan Mihalopoulos @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
The Chicago area companies making money directly off the federal immigration "blitz" in many city neighborhoods and suburbs blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
blockclubchicago.org
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Thank you, Lynda!
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Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Big props to Block Club and the reporter @mannyramos.bsky.social. This was such an important contribution for us to understand what is happening in our city rn.
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Shannon Heffernan @shannonheffernan.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Great reporting from @mannyramos.bsky.social: "One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powered guns." blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
blockclubchicago.org
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
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Jen Sabella @jensabella.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Great reporting here by Manny on the many companies that benefitted from the ICE surge in Chicago.
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Alejandra Cancino @writeralejandra.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified Among the awards: A suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5M in 2 weeks for pepper balls + air-powered guns @blockclubchi.bsky.social @mannyramos.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
blockclubchicago.org
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Federal agencies paid $1.5 million to a local nonlethal weapons manufacturer in Chicago for air-powered guns and pepper balls. It also paid $7.3 million to a downtown real estate company to relocate ICE agents leading up to Operation Midway Blitz. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
blockclubchicago.org
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
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Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
ICE all across the northwest side of Chicago with hotspots in Hermosa and Belmont Cragin. There is a recent development in Logan square as well around Central Park and armitage where videos and eyewitnesses are sharing tear gas thrown at protesters trying to intervene.
Emergency alert: Belmont Cragin stay home October 3, 2025

Icirr eyes on ice update: since approximately 11am today the rapid response network verified the presence of federal agents in Belmont Cragin, zip code 60639 at Walmart on diversey and kilPatrick, Cicero and north, Home Depot at Cicero and armitage 

We recommend community members to stay home, multiple arrests have been made. Ice is still in the area. 

To report any possible ice activity, or if you know someone who has been detained please call the family support hotline at 1-855-435-7693
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Elvia Malagón @elviamalagon.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Illinois takes a jab at CDC chicago.suntimes.com/health/2025/...
chicago.suntimes.com
Illinois health officials recommend COVID-19 vaccine for all adults, contradicting feds
The new guidance follows an executive order signed by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this month aimed at expanding access for COVID-19 shots and other vaccines across the state.
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Alex V. Hernandez @avhndz.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Chicago isn’t a “hellhole.” And funds Trump might use to deploy National Guard troops here would be better spent investing in long-term social-safety-net programs already helping reduce the city’s violent crime, experts say. blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/05/s... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org
Sorry, Trump: Chicago Is Not The 'Murder Capital Of The World' — Not Even Close, Data Shows
Chicago has been a political punching bag for decades, and while there is crime here, statements about it being a "hellhole" are just plain false. “There are just a lot of cities that have higher homi...
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Tal Kopan @talkopan.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
New story w/ @hilaryburns.bsky.social: A DOJ lawyer accused Harvard of ‘indifference to antisemitism.’ As a Harvard undergrad he wrote a paper from Hitler’s perspective. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/02/m...
bostonglobe.com
A DOJ lawyer accused Harvard of ‘indifference to antisemitism.’ As a Harvard undergrad he wrote a paper from Hitler’s perspective. - The Boston Globe
Michael Velchik once also told a peer that "Mein Kampf" was among his favorite recent reads.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Thanks for reading and sharing!
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Gregory Pratt @royalpratt.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Some Call It The ‘Death Hospital’: Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems. Outstanding work from @mannyramos.bsky.social and @blockclubchi.bsky.social blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/27/s...
blockclubchicago.org
Some Call It 'Death Hospital': Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems
Patients and staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies and a flooded ER at Community First in Portage Park despite the tens of millions in taxpayer grants sent to the for-profit safety-net hos...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
This investigation required digging through thousands of pages of public records and interviewing dozens of people. It examined our health care system through this one hospital but it isn't the only one operating like this. I hope you give it a read. blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/27/s...
blockclubchicago.org
Some Call It 'Death Hospital': Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems
Patients and staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies and a flooded ER at Community First in Portage Park despite the tens of millions in taxpayer grants sent to the for-profit safety-net hos...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Staff and patient's greatest fear happened in 2022. When a 27-year-old woman who fainted came to the hospital by an ambulance struggling to breathe. She was never medically assessed and died while in the ER's waiting area.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Then there was the patient experience. One patient said her mother's tracheostomy was clogged and struggling to breathe. She sat waiting for hours before her daughter demanded immediate help. Then, nurses tried plugging the suction machine in the wall but there was no power.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Nurse said they sometimes have to feed patients themselves since the cafeteria sometimes runs out of food. Another ER Tech said one day they only had eggs to feed patients. He quit shortly after that.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Staff shared stories that they believe are placing patient in danger. This includes an ER tech who was asked to do medication pushes and on one occasion doing a jugular IV on a patient. These things go beyond what they were license to do.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
We examined years of Medicare Cost reports to try and understand the health of the hospital. And what experts told us is the hospital appears to be in a "financial death spiral" These records painted a picture of declining patient volumes and decreasing revenue.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Yet, in at least one grant, the hospital said it was using the money to help renovate a behavioral/mental health unit at the facility. But as reported this WGNTV, the hospital seemingly stiffed the contractors hired to do it. wgntv.com/video/northw...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
This comes as the hospital has received at least $75 million in state and fed taxpayer grants since 2020. Most government agencies won't say if an audit was conducted of where the money went while one agency said the hospital has not complied with requests to review documents.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Doctors and nurses have tried to perform miracles when medical gloves, thermometers, saline flushes, and other essential supplies and equipment were scarce. The hospital has 17 x-ray machines down — one of the most in the state.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Beds have been broken. Air conditioners have stopped working. Elevators were deemed unsafe and shut down. A parking garage was condemned. Water pipes burst. Biohazard waste and normal garbage cross contaminate.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Community First Medical Center is a for-profit safety-net hospital in Portage Park that provides care to a large population of low-income patients. The hospital has developed a reputation among the neighborhood that have residents scared to go there for care.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
There is a lot going on in the world, but I am popping back in this space to share a yearlong investigation we published today about a hospital on Chicago's Northwest Side that some call the "Death Hospital." Here's why: blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/27/s...
blockclubchicago.org
Some Call It 'Death Hospital': Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems
Patients and staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies and a flooded ER at Community First in Portage Park despite the tens of millions in taxpayer grants sent to the for-profit safety-net hos...
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Elvia Malagón @elviamalagon.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Some Call It The ‘Death Hospital’: Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems blockclubchicago.org/2025/08/27/s..., reports @mannyramos.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org
Some Call It 'Death Hospital': Inside The Northwest Side Medical Center Plagued By Problems
Patients and staff have reported filthy rooms, broken supplies and a flooded ER at Community First in Portage Park despite the tens of millions in taxpayer grants sent to the for-profit safety-net hos...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Come work with us!
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Stephanie Lulay @slulay2.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
📢 DREAM JOB ALERT: @blockclubchi.bsky.social is hiring an Investigative Editor to help lead our award-winning investigative team, The Watch. Deadline: 6/27 Learn how to apply here: blockclubchicago.org/were-hiring-...
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
UnitedHealth Group paid nursing home thousands to stop transferring ailing patients to hospitals to save the company millions. One former worker described the practice as "Well, they’re medically frail, and no one lives for ever.” www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Revealed: UnitedHealth secretly paid nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers
A Guardian investigation finds insurer quietly paid facilities that helped it gain Medicare enrollees and reduce hospitalizations. Whistleblowers allege harm to residents
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
A heart-wrenching story about the domestic violence crisis in Chicago as victims often suffer in silence. Read @minabloom.bsky.social recount the tragic story of DeMarie' Williams and how her story is sadly too common. blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/20/a...
blockclubchicago.org
As Chicago’s Domestic Violence Crisis Deepens, Victims Suffer In Silence
DeMarie' Williams didn't seek help from authorities before her boyfriend beat her to death, prosecutors say. As essential services for domestic violence victims are threatened by funding cuts, advocat...
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Stephanie Lulay @slulay2.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Incredibly proud of @blockclubchi.bsky.social investigative reporter @mannyramos.bsky.social, who is a finalist for the Driehaus Foundation Investigative Reporting Award for his series “CTA In Crisis." blockclubchicago.org/2025/05/15/b...
blockclubchicago.org
Block Club Chicago Finalist For Driehaus Foundation Investigative Reporting Award
Reporter Manny Ramos' investigative series "CTA In Crisis" is nominated for the Driehaus Foundation Awards, which highlight the imperative impact and importance of investigative reporting in the state...
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Dan Hinkel @danhinkel.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Here's Kevin Jackson, who did 23 years & was rejected twice by the CIU, though the evidence against him consisted of statements witnesses recanted before trial. A cop in his case married a prosecutor in the unit. Footage by Abel Uribe, editing by @msivit.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwr8...
youtube.com
Kevin Jackson recounts his experience with the Cook County conviction integrity unit
YouTube video by Injustice Watch
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Ariel Parrella @arielparrella.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
With no updates from police, Logan Square victims of sexual and physical attacks have banded together to speak out about their assaults, which date back to at least 2022 and remain unsolved. They're encouraging the community turn out for a CAPS meeting next week. blockclubchi.co/416NPG5
blockclubchi.co
Desperate For Answers, Logan Square Assault Survivors Urge Neighbors To Pack Upcoming Police Meeting
With no updates from police, several victims of sexual and physical attacks have banded together to speak out about their assaults, which date back to at least 2022 and remain unsolved.
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
So, if in fact terminated, MTA won't get that critical funding to upgrade its deteriorating transit system. gothamist.com/news/trump-m...
gothamist.com
Trump moves to stop congestion pricing tolls in New York City
The tolling program launched on Jan. 5 after years of delays.
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Block Club Chicago @blockclubchi.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
City crews removed tents at the Gompers Park tent encampment on one of the coldest mornings of the year. buff.ly/3D19RSL
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Manny Ramos @mannyramos.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Read this close look at the tenant organizing efforts and how they were told on Christmas Eve they will need to find a new home from @arielparrella.bsky.social
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