Dan Vock
@danvock.bsky.social
Freelance reporter. Illinoisan in D.C. Helping you understand how government works—or doesn’t. I RT Illinois news and politicians a lot. Reach me at [email protected]
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Subscribe to my newsletter https://danvock.substack.com/
Not sure if they’re texting but Johnson says they’re talking. From a speech in DC today. (He’s at a conference of mayors.)
January 29, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Not sure if they’re texting but Johnson says they’re talking. From a speech in DC today. (He’s at a conference of mayors.)
On our third day after an ice and snow day with only one pass of a snowplow on our street, I’m starting to see the appeal of Chicago’s dibs system. Something I never thought I’d say.
January 28, 2026 at 3:18 PM
On our third day after an ice and snow day with only one pass of a snowplow on our street, I’m starting to see the appeal of Chicago’s dibs system. Something I never thought I’d say.
Thinking about this today
![The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37, NIV translation)
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fmf4vtwcipixbme4kxouoovn/bafkreickkecn6bxwjq6yhllauvuojzkox764rbeopalrlpyhfk45u3lhq4@jpeg)
January 25, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Thinking about this today
Duckworth was a “no” even before today’s killing
![Duckworth Statement on House-Passed Government Funding Bills
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced she will oppose the latest “minibus” of appropriations bills passed by the House of Representatives that includes funding for Trump’s unfocused, reckless and deadly immigration enforcement operations:
“Donald Trump’s lawlessness is spiraling out of control. He is marching us closer to more illegal, forever wars, deploying our troops to intimidate their fellow Americans in their own communities and enabling ICE and Border Patrol to attack—and even kill—citizens with zero accountability.
“There should be a bipartisan majority to rein in this blatant authoritarianism—and the appropriations process should be used to check the President and set up guardrails to protect hardworking Americans, their families and our servicemembers. But instead, Republicans are jamming multiple appropriations bills into a single package—including even more funding for ICE and CBP after they already handed them each over $70 billion slush funds in their Big, Beautiful Betrayal.
“Bottom line: I cannot vote for legislation that authorizes even more funding for Trump’s lawless agents to terrorize our communities in my home state of Illinois and across the country. Not after 2025 was the deadliest year on record to be in ICE custody in two decades. And not after one ICE agent killed a 37-year-old mom in broad daylight with absolutely no accountability in sight.
“I’ve heard from Illinoisans in every corner of my state who are outraged by the Trump Administration’s pattern of abuse. If this funding package remains as is, I cannot vote to bankroll more of Trump’s worst instincts at the expense of the American people.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fmf4vtwcipixbme4kxouoovn/bafkreien7n74a7ns3dblunnqxltpdb6dsbgguzugk2vzkx66nuzb2eibtm@jpeg)
January 25, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Duckworth was a “no” even before today’s killing
INBOX: DURBIN TO VOTE AGAINST DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING BILL
January 25, 2026 at 1:56 AM
INBOX: DURBIN TO VOTE AGAINST DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING BILL
Local angle for Chicago
January 23, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Local angle for Chicago
Immigration activists are celebrating new Virginia Gov. Spanberger’s decision to end state and local law enforcement partnerships with ICE
January 17, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Immigration activists are celebrating new Virginia Gov. Spanberger’s decision to end state and local law enforcement partnerships with ICE
Where you always save more money!
January 15, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Where you always save more money!
I’m sure this is what “Blessed are the peacemakers” meant in Jesus’ time
January 14, 2026 at 12:46 AM
I’m sure this is what “Blessed are the peacemakers” meant in Jesus’ time
In case facts still matter
January 14, 2026 at 12:20 AM
In case facts still matter
After ICE killed Silverio Villegas González in Chicago...
January 13, 2026 at 7:42 PM
After ICE killed Silverio Villegas González in Chicago...
Also Krishnamoorthi (running against Kelly for Senate) h/t @capitolfax.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Also Krishnamoorthi (running against Kelly for Senate) h/t @capitolfax.bsky.social
Rep. Robin Kelly, who’s running against Krishnamoorthi for a Senate seat
January 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Rep. Robin Kelly, who’s running against Krishnamoorthi for a Senate seat
Durbin and Grassley, the top senators on the Judiciary Committee, are pissed that they weren’t included in the Trump administration’s briefing on the “law enforcement” action in Venezuela
January 5, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Durbin and Grassley, the top senators on the Judiciary Committee, are pissed that they weren’t included in the Trump administration’s briefing on the “law enforcement” action in Venezuela
I reached out to Hilton Hotels about the costs of housing ICE and Border Patrol agents in the Chicago area for this story, after there were protests at their properties. They never got back to me. But now they are canceling reservations for ICE in Minnesota
January 5, 2026 at 7:46 PM
I reached out to Hilton Hotels about the costs of housing ICE and Border Patrol agents in the Chicago area for this story, after there were protests at their properties. They never got back to me. But now they are canceling reservations for ICE in Minnesota
A quick look at where that money's being spent
January 4, 2026 at 4:26 PM
A quick look at where that money's being spent
Something good about 2025! Go Illini!
December 31, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Something good about 2025! Go Illini!
These ESPN commentators keep saying this is the first time the Illini have had back-to-back bowl appearances. But that’s not true. It just happened a decade ago.
December 30, 2025 at 10:58 PM
These ESPN commentators keep saying this is the first time the Illini have had back-to-back bowl appearances. But that’s not true. It just happened a decade ago.
I don’t think I realized this until watching “The Tudors”
December 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I don’t think I realized this until watching “The Tudors”