Katie Prout
@katieprout.bsky.social
features writer, Chicago Reader: harm reduction, homelessness, and chicago/rust belt history.
proud member, Reader Union
[email protected]; signal katie.507
https://www.katieprout.com/
proud member, Reader Union
[email protected]; signal katie.507
https://www.katieprout.com/
Pinned
Katie Prout
@katieprout.bsky.social
· Aug 21
After taking some time away to have a dang baby, I'm back to work at the Chicago Reader. Have a question or tip about the state of harm reduction, homelessness, and/or drugs in Chicago? Send me a line at [email protected]. I also cover: cultural lore, ghosts of all kinds, & city characters.
Reposted by Katie Prout
Parks commish says "we want to ensure that we’re also reducing recidivism."
Recidivism is a LOADED word. It means to reoffend. Maybe in the most flattering light to relapse.
To use recidivism to talk about people... existing...and then moving elsewhere when they're displaced is unacceptable.
Recidivism is a LOADED word. It means to reoffend. Maybe in the most flattering light to relapse.
To use recidivism to talk about people... existing...and then moving elsewhere when they're displaced is unacceptable.
Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the Chicago Park District budget proposal.
Chicago Park District Budget Proposal Aims to Tackle New Projects, Address Homeless Encampments
A long-awaited new fieldhouse, the transformation of a toxic waste site into a lakefront park and plans to address homelessness are all on the list of priorities for the Chicago Park District.
news.wttw.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Parks commish says "we want to ensure that we’re also reducing recidivism."
Recidivism is a LOADED word. It means to reoffend. Maybe in the most flattering light to relapse.
To use recidivism to talk about people... existing...and then moving elsewhere when they're displaced is unacceptable.
Recidivism is a LOADED word. It means to reoffend. Maybe in the most flattering light to relapse.
To use recidivism to talk about people... existing...and then moving elsewhere when they're displaced is unacceptable.
All my podcast ads are for sports betting and GLP-1s :(
November 26, 2025 at 3:12 PM
All my podcast ads are for sports betting and GLP-1s :(
Reposted by Katie Prout
at least five ice agents in west humboldt park this morning at kildare and le moyne
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 AM
at least five ice agents in west humboldt park this morning at kildare and le moyne
Reposted by Katie Prout
all that and a lot more in my story. give it a read!
Cook County law enforcement agencies get more money in 2026
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
all that and a lot more in my story. give it a read!
Reposted by Katie Prout
i asked the sao if the cuts to the felony review unit were related to the new "expedited felony review" policy. matt mcgrath, o'neill burke's communications director, never responded.
none of the 20+ (soon to be 30+) people in the sheriff's policy & comms office responded to my emails either 🤷
none of the 20+ (soon to be 30+) people in the sheriff's policy & comms office responded to my emails either 🤷
Cook County law enforcement agencies get more money in 2026
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
i asked the sao if the cuts to the felony review unit were related to the new "expedited felony review" policy. matt mcgrath, o'neill burke's communications director, never responded.
none of the 20+ (soon to be 30+) people in the sheriff's policy & comms office responded to my emails either 🤷
none of the 20+ (soon to be 30+) people in the sheriff's policy & comms office responded to my emails either 🤷
Reposted by Katie Prout
while o'neill burke ramps up the number of prosecutors in the courtrooms, the number of staff in the felony review unit in 2026 will fall from 79 to 58.
that coincides with a decision to let chicago cops citywide file felony weapons possession charges without review from a prosecutor.
background:
that coincides with a decision to let chicago cops citywide file felony weapons possession charges without review from a prosecutor.
background:
New Chicago Prosecutor Empowers Police to File More Charges Without Review - Bolts
In the early evening on Feb. 19, two Chicago police officers arrested a 40-year-old man in the Englewood neighborhood. According to their report, the officers cited an odor of “raw... Read More
boltsmag.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
while o'neill burke ramps up the number of prosecutors in the courtrooms, the number of staff in the felony review unit in 2026 will fall from 79 to 58.
that coincides with a decision to let chicago cops citywide file felony weapons possession charges without review from a prosecutor.
background:
that coincides with a decision to let chicago cops citywide file felony weapons possession charges without review from a prosecutor.
background:
Reposted by Katie Prout
state's attorney eileen o'neill burke plans to dramatically scale up the number of courtroom attorneys in 2026. roughly 250 staffers will be assigned to chicago's felony trial courts, up more than two-thirds from this year.
chicagoreader.com/news/politic...
chicagoreader.com/news/politic...
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
state's attorney eileen o'neill burke plans to dramatically scale up the number of courtroom attorneys in 2026. roughly 250 staffers will be assigned to chicago's felony trial courts, up more than two-thirds from this year.
chicagoreader.com/news/politic...
chicagoreader.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Katie Prout
the cook county sheriff's and state's attorney's offices will look to hire dozens of analysts in 2026.
new ccso and sao departments are tasked with using data to streamline internal operations, generate "predictive" analytics, and even steer the strategy for prosecuting gun crimes.
background:
new ccso and sao departments are tasked with using data to streamline internal operations, generate "predictive" analytics, and even steer the strategy for prosecuting gun crimes.
background:
Cook County’s web of surveillance for electronic monitoring
Sheriff Tom Dart worked with the University of Chicago’s Steven Levitt to create a program that could “match” people on EM to reported crimes.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
the cook county sheriff's and state's attorney's offices will look to hire dozens of analysts in 2026.
new ccso and sao departments are tasked with using data to streamline internal operations, generate "predictive" analytics, and even steer the strategy for prosecuting gun crimes.
background:
new ccso and sao departments are tasked with using data to streamline internal operations, generate "predictive" analytics, and even steer the strategy for prosecuting gun crimes.
background:
Reposted by Katie Prout
both the cook county sheriff's office and the state's attorney's office are set to receive massive investments in surveillance infrastructure.
the county set aside tens of millions in the 2026 budget for computers, servers, cloud storage, video forensics, and license plate readers.
the county set aside tens of millions in the 2026 budget for computers, servers, cloud storage, video forensics, and license plate readers.
Cook County law enforcement agencies get more money in 2026
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
both the cook county sheriff's office and the state's attorney's office are set to receive massive investments in surveillance infrastructure.
the county set aside tens of millions in the 2026 budget for computers, servers, cloud storage, video forensics, and license plate readers.
the county set aside tens of millions in the 2026 budget for computers, servers, cloud storage, video forensics, and license plate readers.
Reposted by Katie Prout
next year, the sheriff's office plans to demolish division iv. (haven't seen this reported elsewhere.)
the shuttered dormitory had been slated for demolition in 2024. the project got pushed back while the county finished remediation from the demolition of divisions i and ia, which began in 2021.
the shuttered dormitory had been slated for demolition in 2024. the project got pushed back while the county finished remediation from the demolition of divisions i and ia, which began in 2021.
Cook County Jail Demolition: Five Fast Facts
In June, contractors demolished two dormitories at Cook County Jail, filling surrounding Little Village with airborne pollutants.
southsideweekly.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
next year, the sheriff's office plans to demolish division iv. (haven't seen this reported elsewhere.)
the shuttered dormitory had been slated for demolition in 2024. the project got pushed back while the county finished remediation from the demolition of divisions i and ia, which began in 2021.
the shuttered dormitory had been slated for demolition in 2024. the project got pushed back while the county finished remediation from the demolition of divisions i and ia, which began in 2021.
Reposted by Katie Prout
almost half of the cook county sheriff's 2026 budget—$390 million—is allocated to the massive cook county jail.
next year, the sheriff is creating a 34-person canine unit in the jail. ongoing maintenance will total $862 million by 2035. a new health care facility is expect to cost $190 million.
next year, the sheriff is creating a 34-person canine unit in the jail. ongoing maintenance will total $862 million by 2035. a new health care facility is expect to cost $190 million.
Cook County law enforcement agencies get more money in 2026
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
almost half of the cook county sheriff's 2026 budget—$390 million—is allocated to the massive cook county jail.
next year, the sheriff is creating a 34-person canine unit in the jail. ongoing maintenance will total $862 million by 2035. a new health care facility is expect to cost $190 million.
next year, the sheriff is creating a 34-person canine unit in the jail. ongoing maintenance will total $862 million by 2035. a new health care facility is expect to cost $190 million.
Reposted by Katie Prout
the cook county sheriff's office is the second-largest agency, behind the massive cook county health system.
despite a sagging jail population and the end of the sheriff's electronic monitoring program, sheriff tom dart's budget is set to grow by $64 million, to roughly $815 million.
background:
despite a sagging jail population and the end of the sheriff's electronic monitoring program, sheriff tom dart's budget is set to grow by $64 million, to roughly $815 million.
background:
Cook County chief judge takes over electronic monitoring
On April 1, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office began shuttering one of the country’s largest and most restrictive electronic monitoring programs.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
the cook county sheriff's office is the second-largest agency, behind the massive cook county health system.
despite a sagging jail population and the end of the sheriff's electronic monitoring program, sheriff tom dart's budget is set to grow by $64 million, to roughly $815 million.
background:
despite a sagging jail population and the end of the sheriff's electronic monitoring program, sheriff tom dart's budget is set to grow by $64 million, to roughly $815 million.
background:
Reposted by Katie Prout
last month, 68 groups with the illinois network for pretrial justice called on cook county commissioners to freeze spending on law enforcement to preserve vital programs that have been slashed by the trump admin.
instead, the county board voted to give the sheriff and the state's attorney a raise.
instead, the county board voted to give the sheriff and the state's attorney a raise.
sixty-eight chicago community, faith, + social service organizations are calling on cook county commissioners to “protect and increase social service spending” amid drastic cuts nationally from the trump admin.
they suggest freezing all law enforcement spending, which has “unjustifiably increased.”
they suggest freezing all law enforcement spending, which has “unjustifiably increased.”
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
last month, 68 groups with the illinois network for pretrial justice called on cook county commissioners to freeze spending on law enforcement to preserve vital programs that have been slashed by the trump admin.
instead, the county board voted to give the sheriff and the state's attorney a raise.
instead, the county board voted to give the sheriff and the state's attorney a raise.
Reposted by Katie Prout
new: i read the 2026 cook county budget so you don't have to.
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
Cook County law enforcement agencies get more money in 2026
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
new: i read the 2026 cook county budget so you don't have to.
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
Reposted by Katie Prout
“'No one paid attention to the fact that people were living here without heat before ICE came,' said Infiniti Gant, a housing organizer with Southside Together. 'People were living here with mice and roaches and flea infestation before ICE.'”
Building raided by ICE now ‘falling apart from the inside out,’ South Shore residents say • The TRiiBE
“No one paid attention to the fact that people were living here without heat before ICE came,” said Infiniti Gant, a housing organizer with Southside Together. “People were living here with mice and r...
thetriibe.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
“'No one paid attention to the fact that people were living here without heat before ICE came,' said Infiniti Gant, a housing organizer with Southside Together. 'People were living here with mice and roaches and flea infestation before ICE.'”
Reposted by Katie Prout
Moments ago: tenants of the South Shore apartment building that federal immigration agents raided at the end of September held a presser to announce they're forming a tenants union.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Moments ago: tenants of the South Shore apartment building that federal immigration agents raided at the end of September held a presser to announce they're forming a tenants union.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
They're demanding, among other things, sewage removal and heat and electricity restroration.
More updates TK.
Reposted by Katie Prout
a little further west yesterday in east dundee, illinois:
five vehicles driven by ice agents spotted near railroad and river street.
five vehicles driven by ice agents spotted near railroad and river street.
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
a little further west yesterday in east dundee, illinois:
five vehicles driven by ice agents spotted near railroad and river street.
five vehicles driven by ice agents spotted near railroad and river street.
Reposted by Katie Prout
the wheeling rapid response team reports multiple plainclothes ice agents have been spotted over the past two days eating and shopping at local businesses.
the group warns “residents likely have no idea that they are agents because they are in regular clothing.”
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cu4...
the group warns “residents likely have no idea that they are agents because they are in regular clothing.”
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cu4...
November 24, 2025 at 1:28 AM
the wheeling rapid response team reports multiple plainclothes ice agents have been spotted over the past two days eating and shopping at local businesses.
the group warns “residents likely have no idea that they are agents because they are in regular clothing.”
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cu4...
the group warns “residents likely have no idea that they are agents because they are in regular clothing.”
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cu4...
“According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has violated the “ceasefire” nearly 500 times in 44 days, killing 342 civilians. The deadliest day was on October 29 when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed 109 Palestinians, including 52 children.”
"The 'ceasefire' is a diplomatic sham – a cover for the continuing extermination, displacement and erasure of the Palestinian people in Gaza and a distraction for the international public and the media."
— #AJOpinion by @yarahawari.bsky.social ⤵️ aje.io/p14911
— #AJOpinion by @yarahawari.bsky.social ⤵️ aje.io/p14911
No, there is no ceasefire in Gaza
Israel’s bombing of Gaza is not a ‘violation of the ceasefire'. It is a continuing genocide under diplomatic cover.
aje.io
November 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
“According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has violated the “ceasefire” nearly 500 times in 44 days, killing 342 civilians. The deadliest day was on October 29 when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed 109 Palestinians, including 52 children.”
Writer-in-residence of King Spa
November 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Writer-in-residence of King Spa
This made me emotional?
I will participate in small poem Sunday with this mysterious two line koan I found among my notes
November 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This made me emotional?
Reposted by Katie Prout
been thinking about this a lot lately:
"I think everyone has an understanding of what is going on. I think people also understand whether or not they benefit in some way from what’s going on."
"I think everyone has an understanding of what is going on. I think people also understand whether or not they benefit in some way from what’s going on."
![All of these systems connect. [Former president Joe] Biden did millions of deportations—that was when we needed to resist. The reason that [President Donald Trump is] able to do this is because we already had the systems in place for him to do this. It’s important to resist, but it’s important to analyze why he’s able to do these things, because that’ll lead you to the systems that we actually need to figure out how to get rid of.
Oak Park, for example, just canceled their contract with Flock, which is a license plate reader system. A lot of the reasons [for canceling the contract] came from exposing police sharing license plate data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and allowing for police officers in other states [to use license plate readers] for the purpose of tracking [people who’ve had] abortions.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yiehokin5zwf3t4wxj5cc6yy/bafkreicpsiifp6sdaxcunxveglzkanyh56x5gixthkyowik3aimdspeim4@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
been thinking about this a lot lately:
"I think everyone has an understanding of what is going on. I think people also understand whether or not they benefit in some way from what’s going on."
"I think everyone has an understanding of what is going on. I think people also understand whether or not they benefit in some way from what’s going on."
Reposted by Katie Prout
for the @chicagoreader.com's annual people issue, i talked to @natpalm99.bsky.social about policing, surveillance, abolition, weed, and finding hope when you need it most
Nat Palmer, The Community Builder - The People Issue 2025 - Chicago Reader
It’s clear Palmer does a lot. But she’s the first to tell you that community organizing is less something you do and more who you are.
chicagoreader.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
for the @chicagoreader.com's annual people issue, i talked to @natpalm99.bsky.social about policing, surveillance, abolition, weed, and finding hope when you need it most
Reposted by Katie Prout
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 Katie Prout
ICYMI in the runup to this news:
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
NEW: Head of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center is stepping down Dec. 1 after a decade-long tenure marked by controversy.
(nothing like a good old friday news dump)
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
(nothing like a good old friday news dump)
www.injusticewatch.org/juvenile-cou...
Leonard Dixon stepping down as head of Cook County juvenile detention center
The superintendent of one of the country’s largest juvenile jails is resigning Dec. 1 after a decade-long tenure marked by controversy.
www.injusticewatch.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 AM
ICYMI in the runup to this news:
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC
@kellygarcia.bsky.social
-reported evidence Dixon may not be living in Cook co
-reported on trial and acquittal of a guard by a judge with a long history of reversals and law enforcement background
-published video that shows what the guard did to a child at JTDC