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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 39m

The Red Line extension was set to begin construction early next spring. It now remains unclear where the timeline stands. news.wttw.com/2025/10/07/c...

Chicago Organizers Feel Whiplash as Trump Administration Freezes Funding for Red Line Extension

Local organizers who have been working on the project for more than 30 years said the Red Line extension is essential for those who live in “transportation deserts” on the Far South Side of the city.

news.wttw.com

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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 1h

“This is not the first time Trump has tried to have a Black man unjustly arrested. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I will not back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power. What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?” @wttw.bsky.social

Donald Trump Says Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker ‘Should Be in Jail’

Trump’s comments, posted to his social media platform, came a day after 200 Texas National Guard troops under the command of federal officials arrived at a military facility near Joliet over the vehem...

news.wttw.com

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Jennifer Smith Richards @jsmithrichards.bsky.social · 1h

Education Secretary Linda McMahon says she's leading the department's "final mission" to shut down. But @megomatz.bsky.social and I found it's more than that: Political appointees from ultraconservative groups are in power at ED now, and they hope to dismantle public schools.

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of publ...

www.propublica.org

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 1h

Government shutdown: Jill Hornick, a Social Security in Chicago Heights and member of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1395, said many of her coworkers are facing tough financial decisions, adding that several manage single-income households.

‘We’re in Limbo’: Chicago’s Federal Workers Talk Government Shutdown, Working Without Pay

The federal government entered its sixth day of a shutdown Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of employees furloughed.

news.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 2h

Taxpayers should pay $640,000 to two Chicago families who said their children were held at gunpoint during botched no-knock raids of their apartments, lawyers for the city of Chicago recommended. news.wttw.com/2025/10/07/c...

City Lawyers Recommend Paying $640K to 2 Families Who Say They Were Held at Gunpoint During Botched No-Knock Raids

Botched raids by the Chicago Police Department have cost taxpayers more than $5.5 million since 2020, according to a WTTW News analysis.

news.wttw.com

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The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 2h

President Trump suggested Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be imprisoned for failing to protect ICE officers.

Trump Calls for Jailing of Chicago Mayor and Illinois Governor

The president in a social-media post says Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker have failed to protect ICE.

on.wsj.com

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 4h

NEW: Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools.

It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of public schools as we know them.

These Activists Want to Dismantle Public Schools. Now They Run the Education Department.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has been bringing in activists hostile to public schools. It could mean a new era of private and religious schools boosted by tax dollars — and the end of public schools as we know them.

www.propublica.org

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 16h

Related. news.wttw.com/2025/09/23/r...

The 2024 annual litigation report was published online on June 30 by the Law Department. The Chicago City Council has never held a hearing about the data.

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 16h

They publish it, and update annually (though there always could be more public info)

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 16h

So you mean like … ? www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...

The number of pending civil suits against the City for alleged civil rights violations and vehicle pursuit-
related traffic crashes
As of December 31, 2024, FCRL reported 308 pending lawsuits that involve reportable allegations of civil rights violations and Mass Torts reported 183 related cases involving reportable allegations. Additionally, there were 35 pending lawsuits that involved a vehicle pursuit-related traffic crash. Pending lawsuits include cases filed in 2024 and prior.
3. The disposition of any felony prosecutions of current or former CPD members in 2024
At the time of drafting, there were no felony prosecutions of current or former CPD members reported for 2024.
4. The status of any related administrative investigations
The status of any related administrative investigation is detailed in the tables of settled and litigated cases
attached to this Report as Appendices A and B and discussed below in Section V of this Report.

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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 17h

Chicago taxpayers should pay $18.5 million to a man who spent 34 years in prison after being convicted of a 1989 double murder he didn’t commit, city lawyers recommended.

https://to.wttw.com/3KYrUMU

Pay $18.5M to Man Who Spent 34 Years in Prison for Double Murder He Didn’t Commit: City Lawyers

If approved, it would bring the total amount spent by taxpayers in 2025 to compensate those wrongfully convicted based on evidence developed by Chicago police officers to $164.2 million, according to ...

to.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 18h

The Chicago Park District has shot down a social media rumor that it had received any information about ICE agents targeting Sunday’s upcoming Chicago Marathon for enforcement activities.

With Rumors Swirling Around Possible ICE Activity at Chicago Marathon, Johnson Says ‘We’re Encouraging Everyone to Get Out to Celebrate’

The Chicago Park District has shot down a social media rumor that it had received any information about ICE agents targeting Sunday’s upcoming Chicago Marathon for enforcement activities.

news.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 20h

A key Chicago City Council committee unanimously endorsed a proposed deal w/ the city’s firefighters union that would give the city’s nearly 4,900 firefighters & paramedics annual average raises of approximately 3%—but puts off fraught negotiations over how fire station staffing and ambulance needs

Key City Panel Endorses Proposed Firefighters Union Contract

Chicago firefighters and paramedics — who are prohibited from striking — have been working under the terms of a contract that expired in 2021.

news.wttw.com

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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 23h

Can Chicago truly enforce an "ICE free zone" or is this executive order symbolic?

"We most certainly will," Mayor Brandon Johnson said Monday, adding they will use "every single tool available" to do so, including the courts.

Watch the full interview: https://to.wttw.com/4nP3F2n

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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 22h

Mayor Brandon Johnson told reporters at a Tuesday morning City Hall news conference that he had not been notified that Texas National Guard troops had entered the city.

“It’s illegal, unconstitutional,” Johnson said. https://to.wttw.com/432ssrj

National Guard Arrives in Chicago Area as Local Officials Await Judge’s Ruling

“It’s illegal, unconstitutional,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “It’s dangerous. It’s wrong. This is not about deportations, this is not about safety for this president. This is about authoritarianism. ...

to.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 23h

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted recommendations by a new group of vaccine advisers, and stopped recommending COVID-19 shots for anyone — leaving the choice up to patients.

CDC Stops Recommending COVID-19 Shots for All, Leaves Decision to Patients

Before this year, U.S. health officials — following recommendations by infectious disease experts — recommended annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older.

news.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 1d

Prosecutors in Chicago filed a murder-for-hire charge against 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, whom they claim is a “ranking member” of the Latin Kings gang.

Feds Accuse Reputed Gang Member of Murder-for-Hire Plot Involving Senior Law Enforcement Official

Prosecutors in Chicago on Monday filed a murder-for-hire charge against 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, whom they claim is a “ranking member” of the Latin Kings gang.

news.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 1d

Because there is SO MUCH going on right now, this one is worth your time: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson takes questions on “Chicago Tonight” (w/ @brandisfriedman.bsky.social)

‘In No Way Are We Going to Accept This’: Johnson Vows to Resist Trump’s National Guard Deployment

“We’re not going to be intimidated in Chicago,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “It’s my responsibility to stand up to tyranny and to make sure that we are defending the people of this city.”

news.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 1d

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has signed an executive order that aims to set fixed protest hours outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s suburban processing facility. news.wttw.com/2025/10/06/b...

Broadview Mayor Aims to Limit Protest Hours Outside Suburban ICE Facility

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has signed an executive order setting fixed protest hours outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s suburban processing facility.

news.wttw.com

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 1d

NEW: When a health insurer refuses to pay for your treatment, you may have the right to have the denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider.

Here are six steps experts suggest to help you through the external appeal process.

This Little-Known Appeal Could Force Your Insurer to Pay for Lifesaving Care. Here’s How to File It.

You may have the right to get a denial reviewed — and potentially overturned — by an independent provider. Here’s how experts suggest you do it.

www.propublica.org

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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 1d

Tune in ... now to see @brandisfriedman.bsky.social interview @mayorofchicago.bsky.social 🌟LIVE🌟 on @wttw.bsky.social

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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 1d

The lawsuit filed today by Illinois & Chicago accuses Trump and members of his administration of ordering troops to Chicago as part of a campaign that dates back to 2013 to denigrate Chicago, home to former President Barack Obama, a longtime political rival of the president.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Trump on Chicago: "It's probably worse than almost any city in the world. You could go to Afghanistan, you could go to a lot of different places."

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Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 1d

BREAKING: U.S. District Court Judge April Perry declines to immediately issue a temporary restraining order to block the National Guard deployment, but schedules a hearing for Thursday, Gov. Pritzker announces. @wttw.bsky.social

Heather Cherone @heathercherone.bsky.social · 2d

BREAKING: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson asked a federal judge Monday morning to block President Donald Trump from deploying 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Chicago alongside 300 members of the Illinois National Guard. @wttw.bsky.social

Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson Ask Judge to Block Trump From Deploying 400 Texas National Guard Troops to Chicago

The lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago officials calls the looming deployment of both Texas and Illinois National Guard troops a politically motivated and unconstitutional federal overreach.

news.wttw.com

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Scared Bootecki (but really Jared Rutecki) 🎃 @jaredrutecki.bsky.social · 1d

For those hoping to make their Pumpkin Spice Latte season a little more local ☕ 🎃 ...

It’s Pumpkin Spice Season. These Chicago-Area Coffee Shops Are Serving Up Fall Favorites

While it may not feel like fall yet, pumpkin spice season has arrived. Get your fall-themed beverage fix at these local businesses.

news.wttw.com

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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has signed an executive order that aims to set fixed protest hours outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s suburban processing facility.

https://to.wttw.com/47dmlmw

Broadview Mayor Aims to Limit Protest Hours Outside Suburban ICE Facility

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has signed an executive order setting fixed protest hours outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s suburban processing facility.

to.wttw.com

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