iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

even the Hunters were taking sides

an instagram story post by Boston Hunters player Lexi Hastings multiple Queens players reading: “& we’re back to the real world today 😢 GOOD LUCK TO MY FAV CHICAS 🫶 see you soon”

Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

But last month, Harvey announced a contract with the company, complete with license plate scanners, gunshot-detection systems and AI video cameras capable of tracking people. “The tool is only as good as the people using it," said Dale Mitchell, the small, cash-strapped south suburb's new head cop.

One of Flock's Condor cameras, which use AI to track people and makes its video archive searchable via descriptions of appearances, stands across the street from a collapsed building in Harvey earlier this month.

Violet Miller/Sun-Times

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Shout out to @davistint (on instagram), who made these incredible hand-printed signs after seeing posts about our fight for AI protections last week! union journalists 🤝 local chicago artists NO AI USE

A light blue sign with lines alternating blue and red ink reading:

“Chicago deserves authentic journalism not artificial content”

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Shout out to Michael Rodriguez, the Pilsen-born Sox fan and former high school pitcher whose prophetic vision for the team on Pope hat night predicted Luis Castillo’s insane performance last night (10 strikeouts and 1 hit in 7 innings). chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...

Photo of Michael Rodriguez taken by Anthony Vazquez for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Rodriguez credits the team's recent success to the magic wand they've been waving from the dugout, not the pontiff. But the team really found what it needed in the recent trade for pitcher Luis Castillo, he said.

"I grew up in the World Series run, and that was magic to me," Rodriguez said. "This team seems like they could make a magical run."

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

A helpful visualization to compare the recent ICE escalations in Chicago by @kcinbk.bsky.social with data from ICEOut.org. In the past month, the number of requests for legal immigration services made to the Resurrection Project have also about doubled, from 900 to more than 1,700.

A graph showing two major peaks in ICE enforcement in Chicago, the first being in October 2025 when sightings of agents were above 80 and reports of detentions were around 55. Currently sightings are around 45 and reports of detentions are around 25.

The lowest drop off for enforcement is in August 2025 and February 2025, though levels have not returned to pre Midway Blitz numbers at any point.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Puerto Rican Cultural Center takes the lead at the 55th annual Pride Parade “We might have to Act Up again to preserve our human rights… We’re coming here united to make sure what happened before doesn’t happen again.” chicago.suntimes.com/lgbtq/2026/0...

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Another update per @andrefor40th.bsky.social op-ed in the Trib today: CPD didn't submit an incident report for the crash (a requirement when an outside agency is involved, per the mayor’s “ICE on Notice” executive order) raising "concerns that [CPD] has not fully operationalized" it, he said.

Screenshot of above referenced Tribune op-ed:

In response to being asked these questions, CPD stated that the incident was reported and classified as a traffic crash. As a result, it did not review any additional evidence, identify the agents involved, request any records from DHS or consult with the state’s attorney’s office, Illinois State Police or the Illinois attorney general’s office before closing the case. It remains to be seen whether the case will be reopened.

One thing is clear: CPD did not submit an incident report involving an outside law enforcement agency, as is required by the mayor’s “ICE on Notice” executive order. While we are aware of three occasions when CPD has filled out this form after an incident with DHS, this raises concerns that the Police Department has not fully operationalized the executive order

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Susana Mendoza filmed her mayoral campaign announcement video inside the Mexican grocery store in Albany Park that this happened outside of yesterday. In March she called for the man accused of killing Loyola student Sheridan Gorman to be deported to El Salvador, where deportees have been tortured.

Susana Mendoza tweet from March 23, 2026 at 8:45 a.m.:

Excellent job by the investigators.
My heart goes out to the heartbroken family of Sheridan Gorman. This sweet young Loyola freshman had a whole life ahead of her.
Sheridan deserves justice. Let it begin this morning in the courtroom.
Hold him.
Prosecute him.
Deport him to prison in El Salvador

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

During that scuffle, one of the agents dropped a magazine fully loaded with ammunition on the street (a supervisor retrieved that magazine minutes after the agents left the scene). chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

A magazine for a handgun with a live round at the top, sitting on the curb of West Lawrence Avenue.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

The man screamed for help as he was brought to the ground under the agents’ vehicle. One agent then used a taser on him. The agent aimed it at bystanders before and after tasing the man. Another agent aimed a can of pepper spray and pointed it at the crowd. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

This morning federal agents hit a woman’s vehicle while chasing and eventually detaining a man, later using a taser on him while pointing tasers and pepper spray at bystanders at Lawrence/Kedzie in Albany Park. Story to come via @chicago.suntimes.com

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

"Of the 24 schools that provided their procedures, only the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, ISU and Elgin Community College followed all four requirements for how to handle immigration agents on campus." From @lkpwrites.bsky.social and Mary Norkol

Are colleges complying with new immigrant student protections?
Illinois law requires community colleges and public universities to have certain procedures in place in the event that federal immigration agents show up on campus. There are four key requirements that we tracked:

(1) a department, person or team was identified to handle the reports of agents on campus and contact legal counsel,
(2) the schools list a contact number on their websites for people to call if agents are present,
(3) schools must document interactions with immigration enforcement and
(4) schools must notify students or staff if immigration agents are seeking information about them.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Also the fourth tab on their website is a response to them being designated a hate group. There’s really no plausible deniability on the reporter’s part (NYT also cited SEGM in 2024 and 2023)

google search result page reading:
Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine 148 Blue Lakes Blvd N #361. © 2020-2026
Tabs: About Us, Studies, FAQ, Our Response to the SPLC

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

@splcenter.org has a tool showing the tight knit network of researchers who run these groups from their 2023 article on SEGM and others. www.splcenter.org/resources/re...

a web of bubbles for different organizations, showing SEGM as the largest and branching out to others like Genspect, Institute for Comprehensive Gender Dysphoria and others.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

an important dispatch from wrigley (courtesy of my dad)

gray text bubble: “A giant rat was on the field ran by the philly's dugout.”

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

the $20 Nokia 30 Can Collapsible Stereo MusiCooler >>> $1,000,000/month Marquee/MLB tv subscription

the Nokia California Innovations Digital 30 Can Collapsible Stereo MusiCooler (a cooler with various shades of blue with a radio, two speakers and an antenna on the front)

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Among the dozens counting down at the Adler Planetarium was 8-year-old Viviene Ebel. Like Lendian years ago, Viviene dreamed of walking on her favorite planet, Mars, as she awaited lift off. “I just hope I get there," she said. (featuring Giacomo Cain's pics that truly capture the moment)

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Predominantly Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides were hit hardest by the impact not just recently, but 1995-2024 too. -Oakland +636.22% -East Garfield Park +447.22% -Grand Boulevard +411.49% -Lower West Side +282.76% -West Garfield Park +279.10%

Map of Median Residential Property Tax Bill %Change 1995-2024

Source: Cook County Treasurer's Office
Note: Property tax figures are adjusted to 1995 dollars.
Visualization: Alden Loury / WBEZ

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

In far south suburban University Park, which saw a median tax bill increase of nearly 255% in 2023, Hynes got ~70% of the vote, >2x what Kaegi got. The gap between Hynes and Kaegi was roughly the same in Markham and Dixmoor, which saw 2023 bills increase by 89.5% and 76.7% respectively.

Suburban property tax increases, and Kaegi's loss

Where property taxes rose highest in the suburbs, incumbent Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi performed poorly in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

Two maps of Cook County, one showing where median tax bills rose most in the south suburbs correlating with another map of the county showing incumbent Kaegi performed worst where tax bills shot up the most.

Sources: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Cook County Clerk's Office, Cook County Treasurer's Office

Notes: Voting results for Chicago community areas and suburban Cook County municipalities are based on the results of all voting precincts within or overlapping the boundaries of the community areas or municipalities.

Visualization: Alden Loury / WBEZ

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

In the 24th Ward — where the median homeowner tax bill increased nearly $2,000, or about 102% — Kaegi won 34% of the vote to Hynes' nearly 66%. The 16th Ward saw a 92% median increase in tax bills. Hynes landed more than 68% of the vote there to Kaegi’s roughly 32%.

City property tax increases, and Kaegi's loss

Where property taxes rose highest in the suburbs, incumbent Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi performed poorly in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

Two maps of Cook County, one showing where median tax bills rose most in the city correlating with another map of the county showing incumbent Kaegi performed worst where tax bills shot up the most.

Sources: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Cook County Clerk's Office, Cook County Treasurer's Office

Notes: Voting results for Chicago community areas and suburban Cook County municipalities are based on the results of all voting precincts within or overlapping the boundaries of the community areas or municipalities.

Visualization: Alden Loury / WBEZ

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

That’s in addition to $13,500 from lawyers at Worsek and Vihon, a property tax law firm that boasts it led to recent reductions of more than $3 million (each) for several Cook County properties (about $35M total). Among them, multiple data centers, suburban shopping centers and a 750+ room hotel.

225,000 SF DATA CENTER $3,400,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $80,800,000 • Ending Value: $15,000,000 • 81% Reduction

486,000 SF DATA CENTER $3,150,000
Elk Grove • Beginning Value: $178,000,000 • Ending Value: $121,300,000 • 30% Reduction

465,000 SF MAIN BANK FACILITY
$1,800,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $105,800,000 • Ending Value: $69,700,000 • 34% Reduction

8,973 SF BRANCH BANK FACILITY.
Chicago • Beginning Value: $4,145,000 • Ending Value: $1,738,000 • 58% Reduction

2,800 SF BRANCH BANK FACILITY $33,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $1,712,000 • Ending Value: $1,058,000 • 38% Reduction

752 ROOM HOTEL $3,100,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $123,000,000 • Ending Value: $60,000,000 • 51% Reduction

345 ROOM HOTEL $700,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $37,600,000 • Ending Value: $23,600,000 • 37% Reduction

406,000 SF OFFICE BUILDING $2,300,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $107,000,000 • Ending Value: $61,000,000 • 43% Reduction

210,000 SF OFFICE BUILDING $2,250,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $80,000,000 • Ending Value: $35,000,000 • 56% Reduction

480,000 SF OFFICE BUILDING $1,600,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $69,500,000 • Ending Value: $38,800,000 • 44% Reduction

1,050,000 SF OFFICE BUILDING
.$2,940,000 Chicago • Beginning Value: $272,727,000 • Ending Value: $212,181,000 • 22% Reduction

640 ACRE STONE QUARRY - $2,600,000
South Suburbs • Beginning Value: $47,800,000
Ending Value: $27,300,000 • 42% Reduction

SHOPPING CENTER $2,440,000
Deerfield • Beginning Value: $87,700,000 • Ending Value: $25,100,000 • 71% Reduction

151,000 SF SHOPPING CENTER $750,000
Evanston • Beginning Value: $41,800,000 • Ending Value: $28,600,000 • 31% Reduction

323,000 SF SHOPPING CENTER $1,600,000
Niles • Beginning Value: $46,400,000 • Ending Value: $26,500,000 • 43% Reduction

203,359 SF BIG BOX RETAIL $1,300,000
South Suburbs • Beginning Value: $35,200,000 Ending Value: $15,500,000 • 56% Reduction

142,000 SF BIG BOX RETAIL
..... $1,000,000
South Suburbs • Beginning Value: $12,600,000 • Ending Value: $6,200,000 • 51% Reduction

42 UNIT ASSISTED LIVING/MEMORY CARE
$600,000 North Suburbs • Classification Change and Value Reduction • 72% Reduction

153 UNIT SENIOR LIVING FACILITY.******
... $130,000
North Suburbs • Beginning Value: $25,100,000 • Ending Value: $20,100,000 • 20% Reduction

120 BED NURSING HOME $1,900,000
Arlington Heights • Beginning Value: $42,000,000 • Ending Value: $11,500,000 • 73% Reduction

AIRLINE HANGAR, TERMINAL, AND CARGO
$710,000 Chicago • Beginning Value: $60,800,000 • Ending Value: $46,600,000 • 23% Reduction

135,000 SF BANQUET HALL/CONFERENCE
CENTER $1,100,000 Rolling Medows • Beginning Value: $21,900,000 •
Ending Value: $5,800,000 • 73% Reduction

356,000 SF INDUSTRIAL $545,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $27,700,000 • Ending Value: $17,800,000 • 36% Reduction

197,400 SF INDUSTRIAL
Chicago Ridge • Beginning Value: $8,300,000 • Ending Value: $4,400,000 • 47% Reduction

490,00 SF INDUSTRIAL $657,000
Chicago Heights • Beginning Value: $6,100,000 • Ending Value: $1,600,000 • 74% Reduction

626,000 SF DISTRIBUTION CENTER
$320,000 Waukegan • Beginning Value: $43,900,000 • Ending Value: $36,000,000 • 18% Reduction

193 UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING
$717,000 Chicago • Beginning Value: $17,900,000 • Ending Value: $4,100,000 • 77% Reduction

355 UNIT APARTMENT $1,262,000
North Suburbs • Beginning Value: $138,296,680 • Ending Value: $87,956,400 • 34% Reduction

89 UNIT CONDO ASSOCIATION $752,000
Chicago • Beginning Value: $76,200,000 • Ending Value: $39,000,000 • 49% Reduction

502 UNIT CONDO ASSOCIATION $386,000
Des Plaines • Beginning Value: $71,900,000 • Ending Value: $57,600,000 • 20% Reduction

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

interesting morning to get 100+ bot followers all at once

blusky notification page showing several rows of 20+ bot accounts following me

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Also, the partnership referenced: the 2026 Just City Mayoral Fellowship by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Just City Lab at Harvard. As part of it, Thompson will meet with experts in architecture, planning, housing, policy and community design to help plan local improvements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Immediate Release
04 February 2026
David Ormsby, [redacted phone number]

Thompson Wants Broadview ICE Center Closed;
Gets Mayors Group, Harvard Fellowship
Envisions Future Museum on the ICE Site

(Broadview, IL) - The United States Conference of Mayors and the Just City Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Design have selected two Illinois mayors among only eight mayors nationwide to serve as 2026 Just City Mayoral Fellows.

City of Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati and Village of Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson will begin their fellowship in Spring 2026.

[screenshot ends]

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

But notably, in the statement, Thompson said the zoning move by the village last month is aimed at future operations, not the current one. How a museum would happen is unclear given the village’s buildings dept can’t even inspect the facility. It would almost certainly require fed cooperation.

Last month, Broadview’s Board of Trustees adopted a new zoning ordinance that would, in practice, prevent ICE from expanding its operations in the community and establishing a detention center.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Broadview mayor Katrina Thompson said she wants to “permanently close the Broadview ICE Detention Center and reimagine that site as something that reflects our values a place for education, culture, and community well-being,” in a Wednesday statement to press.

Thompson envisions a potential museum for the ICE facility in the future.

“Potentially, this facility could serve as a museum and a civic space that tells the full story of Broadview’s resilience and the experience of those who disappeared behind the ICE facility’s walls,” said Thompson. “We cannot allow the harm inflected by ICE to define our modern history and future. Through this fellowship, I will bring back tools and partnerships to help us repair past injustices.”

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

six months until women’s professional baseball league opening day (aug. 1)

edited ayo edebiri tweet: “i’m seated. the [robin roberts stadium] employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s ‘not august yet’ but i’m simply too seated.”

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

they’ll never replace you dunk

the NSA’s horrifying recycling bin mascot named “dunk” that’s a blue recycling bin with action figure looking arms, purple shorts and a green top

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Broadview has modified its requirements, now saying that gas masks, helmets and other protective equipment will be allowed as well as bags/backpacks and coolers (which were also previously barred) at the protest today. The other restricted items remain, including sign handle parameters.

Weapons, Body Armor, Bottles, etc. Banned at
Broadview "No Kings Protest"
(Broadview, IL) - To protect public safety and ensure that all individuals can exercise their First Amendment rights, law enforcement will restrict a range of items within the designated protest area, according to the Village of Broadview Police Department.
The following items will not be permitted inside the protest area:
• Firearms or other weapons prohibited under Illinois law (including knives, clubs, metal pipes, or similar objects primarily designed or used as weapons).
Wooden or metal poles, boards, or sticks thicker than ¾ inch in diameter or with sharp ends; sign supports must be hollow cardboard or similarly flexible material.
• Glass bottles, rocks, bricks, fireworks, or other hard objects
that can be thrown.
"Individuals who bring prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicles or dispose of them before entering the protest area," said Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills.
"Failure to comply with these restrictions or other lawful orders may result in removal from the area and possible arrest under applicable state or local laws."
The restrictions are intended solely to protect the safety of protesters, residents, businesses, and first responders.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

now that the ai necklace ads are gone the cta has seemingly presented a new enemy for the people

advertisements for “on ro” an injectable weight loss drug

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Broadview is restricting the items people will be allowed to bring inside it’s designated protest area near the ICE facility — under threat of removal or arrest — ahead of a protest tomorrow, which the village said it expects to bring 2-5k people to Lexington and Beach Street.

The following items will not be permitted inside the protest area:

• Firearms or other weapons prohibited under Illinois law including knives, clubs, metal pipes, or similar objects primarily designed or used as weapons.

• Wooden or metal poles, boards, or sticks thicker than ¾ inch in diameter or with sharp ends; sign supports must be hollow cardboard or similarly flexible material.

• Shields, body armor, helmets (other than required motorcycle/bicycle helmets while riding), or gas masks.

• Glass bottles, rocks, bricks, fireworks, or other hard objects that can be thrown.

•Large hard-sided coolers, backpacks, or bags larger than 4×4, except as medically necessary.

"Individuals who bring prohibited items will be asked to return them to their vehicles or dispose of them before entering the protest area," said Broadview Police Chief Thomas Mills. "Failure to comply with these restrictions or other lawful orders may result in removal from the area and possible arrest under applicable state or local laws."

The restrictions are intended solely to protect the safety of protesters, residents, businesses, and first responders.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Chicagoans mourned Renee Good, as well as the city’s own federal fatality in Silverio Villegas Gonzales. A thread of @chicago.suntimes.com coverage from yesterday and a look back at our stories about DHS' history of having their narratives unwound when agents shoot people and claim "self defense."

A Chicago Sun-Times newspaper cover with the headline "Twin cities tragedy echoes Second City ICE shootings" with subheadline"Agent guns down woman who feds say tried to run them down with her car during Minneapolis deportation operation. But — as in Chicago incidents — that narrative is being challenged."

Photo is of a person holding a sign that says "Shame" as federal agents, some in gas masks, look on in the background.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Back at the Little Village Arch, some folks have set up dozens of candles as a memorial for Good. Music is playing, but people are largely just standing around silently staring or crying while they flicker.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

The group is stopping at the Virgin Mary mural on Pulaski shouting “all power to the people”

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

“Whose city? Our city” the crowd chants marching west on 26th

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

More than 100 people are at the Little Village arch for a vigil in honor of Renee Nicole Good. They’re saying they plan to march down 26th.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

in college they told me you have to hook them with the first line

Chicago Sun-Times article screenshot reading: No Illinois drivers will be “BRICKED” on the roads next year.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

from @charlotteobserver.com: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

ICE agent's cellphone video

"This is great," an unnamed officer said as they started following Martinez, as captured by an ICE agent's cellphone video played in court Thursday.

"This is fun," another replied.

The video was less than five minutes long and showed officers chasing Martinez about two miles down North Tryon Street before boxing him in.

"He's gonna crash," an officer said.

One replied: "He's gonna get shot is what's gonna happen."

"I'm gonna smash my car," the driver said.
About 30 seconds later, he did.

"He's going to kill someone," one agent said as Martinez briefly drove against traffic.

At least one federal vehicle drove into oncoming traffic before Martinez did, video shows.

Video shows Martinez merged right into a lane to avoid hitting another person driving, and the ICE driver veered left - toward Martinez.

The cars briefly collided and continued driving.
"I tried, I tried my best," the officer driving said. "Sorry, boys."

As Martinez continued to drive away, one officer said «this is now a federal felony" as others in the car yelled: "Hit him guys, why are you afraid of him? Knock him out! Hit him!”

As other officers in SUVs tried to box Martinez in, the driving agent on video said: "I don't want to do it anymore." Officers eventually stopped Martinez, and when they got out of their cars, they yelled:

"Watch for crossfire!"

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

In honor of Godzilla Day (a day late oops) here are some pics from one of my favorite assignments. Last year @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social held a marathon of the famed monster’s movies for its 75th anniversary, so I took the excuse to merge work with one of my favorite nerdy interests (link below).

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Federal agents fired pepper balls after detaining two people in Albany Park Friday morning as the immigration blitz in Chicago continued through Halloween. “It’s actually horrifying. ... It happens so fast. You prepare, but then you don’t know what to do.” chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

A federal agent in camouflage puts his knee on a man's sternum as he detains him in a navy-colored shirt Friday in the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue.

Protesters with their phones out confront federal agents in green and camouflage fatigues after they detained two men in the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.

A federal agent in military fatigues fires a pepper ball gun at the ground near protesters and reporters Friday in the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue.

A uniformed Chicago police officer urges protesters back onto the sidewalk after they were standing in front of the vehicles of federal agents, who had just detained two people and fired pepper balls in the 3200 block of West Lawrence Avenue Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

if you need music for Right Now, this one may be for you! (and for the other journalists here looking for something to scream along to in the car after a long day, the closing refrain is “if it bleeds it leads”)

why am i so close to
automatic rifles
i write my words down
and shoot holes in your ankles
a national horse race
I call it glue factory
I can't believe i'm just a dateline to my friends

why am so close to
genocide free for all
trial balloon
i'm floating
we all float
drone bomb you
tell no one
i love them
i can't breathe,
i can't eat
i can't sleep,
choke on the light of my friends
for a lower gas price

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

I’ve seen this misconception/question come up several times, so I’m just going to clarify specifically: DHS/ICE/CBP are not staying overnight at Naval Station Great Lakes (which we have been reporting since August). They are using it for all of this ⬇️

Federal agents have been using office space at the base to establish a command center for immigration operations, sources familiar with base operations previously told the Sun-Times.

The base will also serve as a parking lot for at least 140 unmarked vehicles used for immigration operations, sources previously told the Sun-Times. Federal agents were set to leave the base by 5 a.m. daily so as not to interfere with normal base operations.

The Defense Department’s request for assistance asked for three nearly 2,400-cubic-foot storage containers for medical supplies and “less lethal munitions,” a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth previously told the Sun-Times. For months, about 30 to 40 ICE agents had been practicing riot control tactics at the military installation, using flash-bang grenades and marching with shields, a source previously confirmed to the Sun-Times.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

State rep. Hoan Huynh shared video of agents surrounding his vehicle/stopping him + staffers shortly after he said one agent pointed a gun inside his vehicle at him while another threatened to break a window. They were following feds in Albany Park after four people were reportedly taken. Story tk.

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

ICE responded two days after I asked for a statement on Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle making county property “ICE free zones.” I’m not sure they know who SHE (a cis woman in her position for 15 years + 19 on Chi City Council) is. They use “he” and “his” so it’s not a spelling error.

Screenshot of email from ICE

Media Inquiry 6:20 PM
to me, ICEMedia, JEFFREY, STEVEN

"The Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle should be thanking ICE law enforcement officers for arresting violent criminals from his community. Instead, he is banning them from county owned property.
His reckless policies not only endanger our law enforcement, but public safety. While he continues to release pedophiles… (screenshot cuts off)

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Violet Miller @vimiller.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

one of my greatest achievements in journalism thus far (cited on the rat hole wiki): chicago.suntimes.com/news/2024/1/...

8. ^ Miller, Violet (January 19, 2024). " 'Chicago rat hole' restored by neighbors after it's mysteriously filled in: 'Chicago takes care of its own' " C. Chicago Sun-Times. Archived L from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.

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