Olivia Olander
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olivia0.bsky.social
Olivia Olander
@olivia0.bsky.social
chicago tribune reporter

chicagotribune.com/author/olivia-olander
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Chicago Tonight | Week in Review: Transit Funding Package; Feds Charge Anti-ICE Protesters, with Madison Savedra, @rick-pearson.bsky.social @olivia0.bsky.social @bpopetv.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/10/31/w...
Week in Review: Transit Funding Package; Feds Charge Anti-ICE Protesters
State lawmakers ride to the rescue for Chicago-area public transit. And federal prosecutors file charges against anti-immigration enforcement protesters.
news.wttw.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
As Trump’s federal agents continue raiding homes and businesses and marching on city streets to crack down on illegal immigration, many members of Illinois’ legislative branch — typically confined to the guardrails of government — have shifted into rabble-rouser mode.

📝 @olivia0.bsky.social
Illinois Democratic lawmakers take on activist role amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown
Illinois lawmakers have reaccelerated their activist origins as they find themselves unable to change things from within and have no role in broader immigration policy-making.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Illinois Democratic lawmakers take on activist role amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown. A profile of these times from @olivia0.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/06/i...
Illinois Democratic lawmakers take on activist role amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown
Illinois lawmakers have reaccelerated their activist origins as they find themselves unable to change things from within and have no role in broader immigration policy-making.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
The Bears' stadium efforts ran out of time in Springfield, but a suburban lawmaker said a deal was "super close and just ran out of time."

📝 @olivia0.bsky.social
Chicago Bears’ stadium efforts run out of time in Springfield, but suburban lawmaker says deal was close
The Illinois General Assembly approached a deal on related property tax legislation, Rep. Mary Beth Canty said, widely seen as easing a potential Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights.
www.chicagotribune.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Good evening Bluesky from beautiful Springfield IL! Here’s the latest transit proposal as we await a full budget www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/29/i...
Latest transit proposal would hike tolls, tax ride shares to avoid $771 million fiscal cliff
Illinois lawmakers consider a toll hike and other measures to address an expected $771 million financial shortfall for Chicago-area public transit.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 29, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
AmeriCorps cuts leave Chicago programs for kids facing diminished summer. @olivia0.bsky.social with a look at how Trump budget cuts are affecting real people
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/21/i...
AmeriCorps cuts leave Chicago programs serving kids facing diminished summer
In Illinois, cuts to AmeriCorps will leave some programs for the summer shuttered or scrambling for volunteers.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
@katmabu.bsky.social is running for 9th dist in IL to replace
@schakowsky.house.gov. But many with more local connections will soon join the race. A look at the burgeoning campaign and new details about Kat from @olivia0.bsky.social and @danvock.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/12/9...
Democratic digital creator likely facing field of local politicians to succeed US Rep. Jan Schakowsky
In 9th Congressional District race, digital creator Kat Abughazaleh has an unconventional campaign but is already facing more traditional, grassroots candidates.
www.chicagotribune.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Lawmaker calls for study of AI-powered cameras in effort to make DuSable Lake Shore Drive safer. @olivia0.bsky.social with the details
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/16/l...
Lawmaker calls for study of AI-powered cameras in effort to make DuSable Lake Shore Drive safer
State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz is pushing a measure for greater safety measures on DuSable Lake Shore drive including potential research on AI powered cameras.
www.chicagotribune.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Gov. JB Pritzker’s $300M proposal seeks to attract developers to abandoned sites that now draw only vandals. @jeremygorner.bsky.social @olivia0.bsky.social report
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/10/s...
Gov. JB Pritzker’s $300M proposal seeks to attract developers to abandoned sites that now draw only vandals
Gov. JB Pritzker announced a $300 million pitch in February to make an old prison site and four other vacated state properties ready for economic development.
www.chicagotribune.com
March 10, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Citizens are ramping up their political activity in response to the early days of the new Trump admin. Republicans got a backlash at town halls. There’s also dissatisfaction over inaction from Democrats. By @danvock.bsky.social and @olivia0.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/09/s...
‘Something should be done’: Illinois Democratic lawmakers hear from public frustrated about President Donald Trump’s initiatives
Although Democrats are out of power in D.C., anxious Illinoisans want lawmakers to step up to block Donald Trump initiatives.
www.chicagotribune.com
March 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
My story with @olivia0.bsky.social on the growing activism of Chicago area residents upset by Trump’s actions, and how elected Democrats are responding
There’s a palpable dissatisfaction over inaction from rank-and-file Democrats. And those lawmakers are facing constituents of their own who are anxious, especially as their representatives increasingly plead powerlessness to block the new administration’s actions.
‘Something should be done’: Illinois Democratic lawmakers hear from public frustrated about President Donald Trump’s initiatives
Although Democrats are out of power in D.C., anxious Illinoisans want lawmakers to step up to block Donald Trump initiatives.
www.chicagotribune.com
March 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
People with developmental disabilities can wait years for community placements, state records show. An important story from @olivia0.bsky.social and @jeremygorner.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/03/s...
People with developmental disabilities can wait years for community placements, state records show
Across Illinois’ seven remaining state operated facilities for people with developmental disabilities, more than 200 were seeking placement elsewhere as of last month.
www.chicagotribune.com
March 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
While advocates give @govpritzker.illinois.gov credit for putting more attn on moving folks from larger state-operated develop cntrs to smaller homes, the fights for placement underscore ongoing struggles. By @olivia0.bsky.social and @jeremygorner.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/03/s...
People with developmental disabilities can wait years for community placements, state records show
Across Illinois’ seven remaining state operated facilities for people with developmental disabilities, more than 200 were seeking placement elsewhere as of last month.
www.chicagotribune.com
March 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Relatives of kids in DCFS care would have better access to state assistance under proposed legislation, good story by @olivia0.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/26/i...
Relatives of kids in DCFS care would have better access to state assistance under proposed legislation
A bill aimed at making it easier for relatives to get licensed as foster parents for family members is poised to pass in Springfield.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 26, 2024 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Videos shared on social media showed a crane bring down a wall, causing white granular material to spill into the river and bring protective netting down with it. As it hit the water’s surface, the debris produced a dusty cloud and then settled, floating on the river as cranes ground to a halt.
Debris from Freedom Center demolition falls into the river at Bally’s casino site
Conservationists alarmed as winds blew debris into floating gardens of the Wild Mile; cleanup underway.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 18, 2024 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Update:

Amazon delivery drivers in Skokie and six other facilities go on strike.

“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed,” Teamsters president Sean O’Brien said in the news release.
Amazon delivery drivers in Skokie and six other facilities go on strike Thursday
The walkout at the Skokie delivery station and six other facilities nationwide is set to begin at 5 a.m., with workers at other Amazon locations “prepared to join them,” the Teamsters said in a new…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Hundreds of drivers at an Amazon facility in Skokie are planning to strike Thursday morning, potentially disrupting holiday deliveries in an effort to get the online retailing giant to recognize their affiliation with the Teamsters union and negotiate a labor contract.
Amazon delivery drivers in Skokie and six other facilities set to strike Thursday
The walkout at the Skokie delivery station and six other facilities nationwide is set to begin at 5 a.m., with workers at other Amazon locations “prepared to join them,” the Teamsters said in a new…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 19, 2024 at 4:43 AM
Grubhub is expected to pay $25 million and stop practices including tacking on "junk fees" to orders, FTC Chair Lina Khan announced downtown yesterday.

Most of that $$$$ will go back to customers, drivers and restaurants, the FTC said. @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/17/g...
Grubhub agrees to pay $25 million to settle claims it misled customers, restaurants and drivers
Grubhub has agreed to pay $25 million and stop alleged practices including misleading consumers on feeds under a proposed settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 18, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Members of the Chicago Stars and Sky organizations testified Monday in support of a state bill amendment to ensure public stadium funding equality.

📝 @mmontemurro.bsky.social
📝 @olivia0.bsky.social
Chicago Stars and Sky make the case for equality in a stadium public funding bill hearing
Members of the Chicago Stars and Sky organizations testified Monday in support of a bill amendment to ensure public stadium funding equality.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 17, 2024 at 3:07 AM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
[email protected] on the state flag redesign contest: "I really like our current flag. I also like the designs that were put forward. I don't want to sound too political about that, but... I think a lot of a lot of effort was put in to that."
December 12, 2024 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
After President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar threatened mass deportations would begin in Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker said Illinois would protect immigrants while also saying he shared a desire to deport those convicted of violent crimes. @olivia0.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/11/g...
Gov. JB Pritzker promises to protect immigrants, but says those convicted of violent crimes need to go
Pritkzer says immigrants will be protected in Illinois, but those found guilty of violent crimes should be deported.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 11, 2024 at 11:53 PM
Starting this year, public libraries in Illinois had a choice: adopt principles against book bans or give up state grants.

A number of school districts appear to have taken the latter option. Latest @chicagotribune.com w/ Jeremy Gorner www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/08/i...
State anti-book-ban law leads some school districts to forsake grants to maintain local control
Several Illinois school districts have chosen to pass on state grant funding that would require them to comply with an anti-book-banning law.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 9, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Illinois politicians mandated that school districts adopt anti book banning principles or give up (pretty modest) state grants. A small number of districts said: Keep your money. Interesting story by @olivia0.bsky.social and @jeremygorner.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/08/i...
State anti-book-ban law leads some school districts to forsake grants to maintain local control
Several Illinois school districts have chosen to pass on state grand funding that would require them to comply with an anti-book-banning law.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 8, 2024 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Olivia Olander
Starting this year, public libraries in Illinois could adopt principles against book banning or give up state grants. A number, many in conservative areas of Illinois, appear to have chosen the latter. By @olivia0.bsky.social and Jeremy Gorner:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/08/i...
State anti-book-ban law leads some school districts to forsake grants to maintain local control
Several Illinois school districts have chosen to pass on state grant funding that would require them to comply with an anti-book-banning law.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 8, 2024 at 10:34 PM