John Lillig
@jclillig2.bsky.social
English Teacher, Loyola Academy
Advisory Board, Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
A.B., English (Georgetown), M.A., English (DePaul), J.D. (DePaul Law)
Visiting Student (University of East Anglia)
Sport & Athletics Bluesky: @jclillig.bsky.social
Advisory Board, Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
A.B., English (Georgetown), M.A., English (DePaul), J.D. (DePaul Law)
Visiting Student (University of East Anglia)
Sport & Athletics Bluesky: @jclillig.bsky.social
Pinned
John Lillig
@jclillig2.bsky.social
· Feb 4
Other men will overcome this dark and bitter moment when treason seeks to prevail. Go forward knowing that, sooner rather than later, the great avenues will open again where free men will walk to build a better society.
- Salvador Allende (1908-1973), final radio address, 9/11/73
- Salvador Allende (1908-1973), final radio address, 9/11/73
Reposted by John Lillig
Historical Photo of the Day: The intersection of Lawrence and Damen Avenues in Chicago during work on the Sanitary District's Lawrence Avenue conduit, viewed to the northwest on June 17, 1930. Join our next virtual tour on Tuesday, December 9, at 2 p.m. Register here: mwrd.org/education/to...
November 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Historical Photo of the Day: The intersection of Lawrence and Damen Avenues in Chicago during work on the Sanitary District's Lawrence Avenue conduit, viewed to the northwest on June 17, 1930. Join our next virtual tour on Tuesday, December 9, at 2 p.m. Register here: mwrd.org/education/to...
Reposted by John Lillig
If you don't have access to the Boston Globe, here's another story about the horrible and illegal deportatuon of a college student who has been in the US since she was 8.
abcnews.go.com/US/19-year-c...
abcnews.go.com/US/19-year-c...
November 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
If you don't have access to the Boston Globe, here's another story about the horrible and illegal deportatuon of a college student who has been in the US since she was 8.
abcnews.go.com/US/19-year-c...
abcnews.go.com/US/19-year-c...
Reposted by John Lillig
This morning, I saw this wild turkey crossing Cottage Grove Avenue onto the Midway Plaisance.
May 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This morning, I saw this wild turkey crossing Cottage Grove Avenue onto the Midway Plaisance.
Thinking this year about all those incarcerated by ICE, and all their families.
I Shall Be Released - The Band (Ensemble) - The Last Waltz
YouTube video by Just A Account
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Thinking this year about all those incarcerated by ICE, and all their families.
Reposted by John Lillig
We're taking tomorrow off so we're giving early thanks to our members and all of you in our community and what better way than from a program from our favorite, the Dill Pickle Club!
November 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
We're taking tomorrow off so we're giving early thanks to our members and all of you in our community and what better way than from a program from our favorite, the Dill Pickle Club!
Reposted by John Lillig
Today for @wbez.org, @estheryjkang.bsky.social and @amyqin.bsky.social cover worsening conditions at Indian Trails Apartments - a large affordable complex at 121st Pl & Indiana whose current owners are engaging in classic distant slumlord practices, and are profiting handsomely from it.
What happened when Sausage King of Chicago bought a South Side housing complex?
The landlord has gotten millions in federal rent subsidies even as tenants complain about years of poor maintenance and deplorable conditions.
www.wbez.org
November 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Today for @wbez.org, @estheryjkang.bsky.social and @amyqin.bsky.social cover worsening conditions at Indian Trails Apartments - a large affordable complex at 121st Pl & Indiana whose current owners are engaging in classic distant slumlord practices, and are profiting handsomely from it.
Reposted by John Lillig
Chiiiiiiiiicagoland!
November 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Chiiiiiiiiicagoland!
Reposted by John Lillig
Today marks the 38th anniversary of Mayor Harold Washington's death. Take a look back at our oral history of the day, as told by those close to him.
The Day Harold Washington Died
It has been 30 years since Chicago bid farewell to the mayor who broke the Democratic machine and became a beacon of hope for thousands. In remembering the man and the moment, those close to him…
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Today marks the 38th anniversary of Mayor Harold Washington's death. Take a look back at our oral history of the day, as told by those close to him.
Reposted by John Lillig
It’s time for a musical time machine this holiday week and weekend! Starting tomorrow - Wednesday - at 6 PM through Sunday, 11/30, we travel Thru the Years of music from the 70s to now! Every hour, a surprise year. Thanks for listening. Have a great Thanksgiving and thank you for your support!!!
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
It’s time for a musical time machine this holiday week and weekend! Starting tomorrow - Wednesday - at 6 PM through Sunday, 11/30, we travel Thru the Years of music from the 70s to now! Every hour, a surprise year. Thanks for listening. Have a great Thanksgiving and thank you for your support!!!
Reposted by John Lillig
For MAS Context, I investigated what happened to Gerri's Palm Tavern, a legendary Bronzeville venue established in 1933 that survived World Wars, urban renewal, disinvestment, and urban attrition, but ended up a victim of aldermanic prerogative, and an ill conceived development plan.
What Happened to Gerri’s Palm Tavern?
Gerri Oliver stewarded Chicago’s Palm Tavern, a storied Bronzeville venue rooted in the Jim Crow era, for nearly seventy years until a convergence of…
mascontext.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:01 PM
For MAS Context, I investigated what happened to Gerri's Palm Tavern, a legendary Bronzeville venue established in 1933 that survived World Wars, urban renewal, disinvestment, and urban attrition, but ended up a victim of aldermanic prerogative, and an ill conceived development plan.
Reposted by John Lillig
The oldest brewery school in the United States said it would be relocating to Montreal, citing operational costs, industry trends and challenges with students obtaining U.S. visas.
Siebel Institute announces last call in Chicago — one that 'hurts,' says Chicago brewer
The oldest brewery school in the United States said it would be relocating to Montreal, citing operational costs, industry trends and challenges with students obtaining U.S. visas.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The oldest brewery school in the United States said it would be relocating to Montreal, citing operational costs, industry trends and challenges with students obtaining U.S. visas.
Reposted by John Lillig
Little Italy ‘anchor’ restaurant up for sale after 42 years
Little Italy ‘anchor’ restaurant up for sale after 42 years
Dalesio’s of Little Italy is seeking $1.95 million for its liquor license and building, which is in turnkey restaurant condition.
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Little Italy ‘anchor’ restaurant up for sale after 42 years
Reposted by John Lillig
"We are all fools to have left Chicago. It was a town to play in; a town where you could stay yourself, and where the hoots of the critics couldn't frighten your style or drain your soul." — Ben Hecht, writing about his friendship and writing collaborations with Charles MacArthur
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM
"We are all fools to have left Chicago. It was a town to play in; a town where you could stay yourself, and where the hoots of the critics couldn't frighten your style or drain your soul." — Ben Hecht, writing about his friendship and writing collaborations with Charles MacArthur
Reposted by John Lillig
"So it came to pass that Eric Babcock, Nan Warshaw, and I started a record label. We each ponied up $2,000 from our wretched day jobs or savings accounts and — poof — we were a label." buff.ly/AHgr57O
November 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"So it came to pass that Eric Babcock, Nan Warshaw, and I started a record label. We each ponied up $2,000 from our wretched day jobs or savings accounts and — poof — we were a label." buff.ly/AHgr57O
Reposted by John Lillig
Chicago writer David Murray's book Soccer Dad will be released in April 2026 but is available for pre-order now at the link below. Pre-release materials feature a blurb from Pulitzer Prize winner @jonathaneig.bsky.social (Ali: A Life; King: A Life):
Soccer Dad - Disruption Books
disruptionbooks.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Chicago writer David Murray's book Soccer Dad will be released in April 2026 but is available for pre-order now at the link below. Pre-release materials feature a blurb from Pulitzer Prize winner @jonathaneig.bsky.social (Ali: A Life; King: A Life):
Reposted by John Lillig
Current* conditions near Liberty Grove, WI:
November 22, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Current* conditions near Liberty Grove, WI:
Reposted by John Lillig
Features writer Katie Prout (@katieprout.bsky.social) estimates that at least 26 unhoused Chicagoans have been kidnapped by federal agents since September—but there's often little record of disappearances, making it difficult to tell just how many people have been abducted.
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Features writer Katie Prout (@katieprout.bsky.social) estimates that at least 26 unhoused Chicagoans have been kidnapped by federal agents since September—but there's often little record of disappearances, making it difficult to tell just how many people have been abducted.
Reposted by John Lillig
New article documenting the #SaveOurSigns campaign and its development. Learn more about the project!
@ahaaamericanart.bsky.social
journalpanorama.org/article/save...
@ahaaamericanart.bsky.social
journalpanorama.org/article/save...
Save Our Signs: A Crowdsourced Project to Combat Censorship at US National Park Sites - Panorama
Panorama is a peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication dedicated to American art and visual culture (broadly defined). The journal is intended to provide a high-caliber international forum for d...
journalpanorama.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
New article documenting the #SaveOurSigns campaign and its development. Learn more about the project!
@ahaaamericanart.bsky.social
journalpanorama.org/article/save...
@ahaaamericanart.bsky.social
journalpanorama.org/article/save...
Reposted by John Lillig
Mark your calendars! The 2026 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association #Conference #registration will open on December 1. We can't wait for you to join us in this new one-day format in June 2026 with our faculty and agents.
Learn more about the conference: chicagowrites.org/conference
Learn more about the conference: chicagowrites.org/conference
November 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Mark your calendars! The 2026 Let's Just Write! Chicago Writers Association #Conference #registration will open on December 1. We can't wait for you to join us in this new one-day format in June 2026 with our faculty and agents.
Learn more about the conference: chicagowrites.org/conference
Learn more about the conference: chicagowrites.org/conference
Reposted by John Lillig
If you'd like to see the old Social Security Bldg (now the "Wilbur J. Cohen Bldg") in D.C. preserved, consider signing our petition.
The building houses New Deal art and is also a symbol of a gov't that is of, by, and for the people.
#preservation #history #art
www.change.org/p/save-the-w...
The building houses New Deal art and is also a symbol of a gov't that is of, by, and for the people.
#preservation #history #art
www.change.org/p/save-the-w...
Sign the Petition
Save the Wilbur J. Cohen Building — the “Sistine Chapel of the New Deal”
www.change.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:57 PM
If you'd like to see the old Social Security Bldg (now the "Wilbur J. Cohen Bldg") in D.C. preserved, consider signing our petition.
The building houses New Deal art and is also a symbol of a gov't that is of, by, and for the people.
#preservation #history #art
www.change.org/p/save-the-w...
The building houses New Deal art and is also a symbol of a gov't that is of, by, and for the people.
#preservation #history #art
www.change.org/p/save-the-w...
Reposted by John Lillig
Today's architecture column. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.
Endangered Southwest Side chapel designed by Lithuanian refugees could be headed toward salvation
"There's nothing like it in Chicago," historian Rolf Achilles said.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Today's architecture column. “This is a unique little jewel box,” Chicago art historian and stained glass expert Rolf Achilles said of Ave Maria chapel in the West Lawn neighborhood. “[It’s] absolutely unique. There’s nothing like it in Chicago.
Reposted by John Lillig
NEW: Evanston has released video + reports surrounding a 10/31 incident where a CBP agent threatened to shoot people + another beat a handcuffed man.
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
Identified: federal agents who pointed gun, punched detainee in Evanston
Unraveled has verified a hate speech-laden X account belonging to U.S. Border Patrol agent Timothy Donahue, who was seen in numerous viral videos during Operation Midway Blitz. He and another agent, T...
unraveledpress.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:28 PM
NEW: Evanston has released video + reports surrounding a 10/31 incident where a CBP agent threatened to shoot people + another beat a handcuffed man.
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record:
We found some disturbing X posts from one of the feds, also seen in other viral videos. His name is Timothy Donahue, and it's now public record: