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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 18d

More than 37k residential properties on South and West sides -- in neighborhoods that can least afford it -- are set to see their property tax bills skyrocket due to increased assessments. @adquig.bsky.social and @alexnitkin.bsky.social with Tribune and @illinoisanswers.bsky.social t.co/HPvffZVsJ1

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/21/tax-hikes-loom-for-south-west-side-homeowners/

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · 23d

Among those handcuffed in a video promoted by DHS Sec’y Kristi Noem on X is Joe Botello, an AMERICAN citizen. @chicagotribune.com photog @staceywescott.bsky.social was there and we spoke to him. He was later released and “blessed that I’m still alive." Story: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/16/e...

US citizen says he was briefly detained in latest Chicago-area ICE blitz

An Elgin man who was born in Texas said he was handcuffed and placed in a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle, as part of the latest Chicago-area ICE blitz.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Aug 31

From Washington, @danvock.bsky.social with a look at what might be in store for Chicago as soon as this week. “There’s this never-ending feeling of surveillance, fear and anxiety and then wondering, ‘What am I supposed to do about it?” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/31/t...

President Trump’s takeover of Washington, D.C., offers insights on what could be in store for Chicago

As the prospect of President Trump sending a surge of federal forces to Chicago rises daily, the Washington occupation provides insights into what a Chicago incursion could entail.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Aug 22

A CTA-focused North Side TIF dist has generated $400 million. And it’s still pretty new. Will Chicago use it for the next 20-plus years to pay off bills or shut it down once it pays off its CTA work? @adquig.bsky.social w/ a story you won’t read anywhere else: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/22/c...

As CTA tax district rakes in huge amount of taxpayer money, decision looms over what to do with it

A North Side tax district is on track to pay off a major facelift of four CTA stations and the century-old infrastructure connecting them way ahead of schedule.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Aug 18

Two weeks after arriving in ILL over the Texas remap fight, @jamestalarico.bsky.social spoke at Trinity church on the South Side (Barack Obama's old church). A rising Democratic political star, @olivia0.bsky.social spoke to him about the saga and its impact: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/17/t...

Texas Rep. James Talarico delivers South Side sermon as gerrymandering battle heightens profiles

Texas state Rep. James Talarico received almost a familiar welcome as he delivered a rare politician-led sermon to the historic Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jul 16

This is a key week for public broadcasting as the Senate prepares to vote on Trump's proposed cuts. The impact will be felt everywhere, but especially in downstate communities where public broadcasting is the primary source of news. By @danvock.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/16/i...

Illinois public broadcasters in Chicago, and especially downstate, fear impact as Senate vote to cut funding looms

While Chicago-area public media outlets WBEZ and WTTW will get hurt if the Senate OK’s cuts, smaller stations in rural areas would get hit harder.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jul 6

Pregnant and in Chicago w/o legal immigration status, Daniela Sigala isn’t sure her son will be a US citizen. Today’s Sunday read explores SCOTUS decision impact & Trump efforts on birthright citizenship by @nellsalzman.bsky.social and @danvock.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/06/s...

Supreme Court ruling casts doubt on birthright citizenship for immigrant families in Chicago

High court’s decision fuels uncertainty about whether babies born to immigrants lacking legal immigration status will be considered American citizens, despite 14th Amendment.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jul 3

So @adquig.bsky.social and David Jackson at @injusticewatch.org have been writing about the troubled Tyler Technologies Cook County contract for months & now the political finger-pointing. 10s of millions over budget and delays. Latest in @chicagotribune.com: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/03/c...

Cook County’s troubled tech overhaul boils over, as political leaders start pointing fingers

The latest delays to the Cook County property tax system upgrade by controversial contractor Tyler Technologies is leading to fighting among county leaders.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jul 1

We have an answer: Christian Mitchell: Developing story from @jeremygorner.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/01/g...

Gov. JB Pritzker selects former deputy governor Christian Mitchell as running mate

A former lawmaker and deputy governor, Christian Mitchell now oversees civic engagement at the University of Chicago. Current Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton is running for US Senate.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jul 1

So @govpritzker.illinois.gov picks former lawmaker and deputy gov Christian Mitchell as his lt gov running mate as Pritzker runs for third term as current Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton is running for US Senate. Developing story from @jeremygorner.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/01/g...

Gov. JB Pritzker selects former deputy governor Christian Mitchell as running mate

A former lawmaker and deputy governor, Christian Mitchell now oversees civic engagement at the University of Chicago. Current Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton is running for US Senate.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jun 30

Mayor Johnson’s inner circle worked with outside lobbyists not registered to lobby on behalf of the city in the General Assembly, a practice defended because their contracts were “pending.” @aliceyin.bsky.social, @jeremygorner.bsky.social, @adquig.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/30/m...

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ‘pending’ Springfield lobbyist team draws ethics questions

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new lead Springfield IGA director John Arena argued those lobbyists did not need to register because their contracts with the city were still “pending.”

www.chicagotribune.com

John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jun 30

So @govpritzker.illinois.gov is hiring. Some on the short list to be lt gov: Deputy Gov Andy Manar, ex-Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, and state Rep. Lisa Hernandez. Story by @olivia0.bsky.social, @rick-pearson.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/30/g...

Gov. JB Pritzker is running for reelection. Who will he pick as his No. 2?

The job of Illinois lieutenant governor will become vacant with the current occupant, Juliana Stratton, running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jun 24

On Thursday, @govpritzker.illinois.gov will announce he's running for a third term as Illinois governor. Story by @rick-pearson.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/24/p...

Gov. JB Pritzker running for a third term in 2026, but remains mum about presidential bid

JB Pritzker’s decision to run for governor again settles a significant issue for next year’s election season, where candidates will be vying for an open US Senate seat as well as several in C…

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jun 11

When a tech firm -- whose 3 govt contracts have ballooned to $265M -- needed help they hired lobbyist Jay Doherty. He was later convicted in the ComEd 4 case. Folo of joint @chicagotribune.com/@injusticewatch.org by David Jackson & @adquig.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/11/c...

Troubled Cook County tech firm used insider lobbyist who was later convicted in ComEd corruption scheme

Tyler Technologies’ major Cook County contracts – peppered with delays and cost overruns – were shepherded by lobbyist Jay Doherty, who is set to be sentenced in unrelated utility scandal.…

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · Jun 10

In late 2023, @govpritzker.illinois.gov pulled the plug over environmental concerns on building a migrant tent encampment in Chicago but also said the state won't have to pay for the work. New state budget says state paying $1.3M
@petrellareports.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/10/s...

State agrees to pay $1.3M for never-built migrant tent encampment despite Gov. JB Pritzker’s assurances

Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration has agreed to pay GardaWorld even though the governor said the company would absorb the costs of Chicago encampment construction.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

Read the full story from longtime Chicago and DC-investigative reporters Chuck Neubauer and Sandy Bergo here in the @chicagotribune.com 10/10: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/18/j...

US Rep. Jonathan Jackson spending taxpayer dollars to rent district office space from longtime business partner

House rules typically ban members of Congress from leasing from business partners but US Rep. Jonathan Jackson’s spokesman says ethics officials OK’d the arrangement.

www.chicagotribune.com

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

“Voters have a right to know that members of Congress are good stewards of taxpayers’ funds and are complying with all the rules.” 9/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

And ethics experts still are raising questions. One said Jackson may have gotten the “green light, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t violate the rule.” Another said the rules are “very specific; you can’t spend money on anyone with whom you have this business relationship.” 8/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

But the rule doesn't distinguish b'twn past and current business relationships. Here's the wording: “The Lessor and Lessee certify that the parties are not relatives nor have had, or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant).” 7/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

The spokesman said the situation was discussed with the House Committee on Ethics and the House’s chief administrative officer and that “approval was granted based on compliance with guidelines.” 6/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

While a Jackson spokesman acknowledged the long-standing business relationship, he said Jackson has not violated House rules because he and Higginbottom have not had any new business ventures or other “financial interdependence since congressman Jackson took office.” 5/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

They also require the leases to be at market rate. But Jackson is paying more than twice what the previous tenant, another politician, former Ald. Sophia King, paid to rent the same space and way more per square foot than the other tenant, another politician. 4/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

Specifically, the House rules — put in place to prevent the misuse of taxpayer funds for district office rentals — typically ban members of Congress from leasing from anyone with whom they have or had a professional, legal, or family relationship. 3/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

In addition to Higginbottom being a clouted developer, he's also business partners with Jackson and has been for more than 27 years. The two co-own two buildings they lease for federally subsidized WIC grocery stores. And House rules say that's a no-no. 2/10

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John Chase @johnchase.bsky.social · May 18

U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, in office since 2023, moved his district office to the first floor of a building on East 35th Street near Bronzeville owned by developer Elzie Higginbottom, a longtime Chicago political insider. Here's why that's potentially problematic. A 🧵1/10

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