Patrick Smith
@pksmid.bsky.social
Co-host of Say More with Mary Dixon
Describe the snow near you! Plus we're talking best new Chicago restaurants. Got any great recommendations? 10am. WBEZ. Give us a call at 966-915-9239!
STORRRMMMMWATCHHHHhhh
Live team coverage today at 10a @wbez.org - gimme me & @pksmid.bsky.social a call and let us know how the shoveling is going: 866-915-9239
Live team coverage today at 10a @wbez.org - gimme me & @pksmid.bsky.social a call and let us know how the shoveling is going: 866-915-9239
November 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Describe the snow near you! Plus we're talking best new Chicago restaurants. Got any great recommendations? 10am. WBEZ. Give us a call at 966-915-9239!
Reposted by Patrick Smith
STORRRMMMMWATCHHHHhhh
Live team coverage today at 10a @wbez.org - gimme me & @pksmid.bsky.social a call and let us know how the shoveling is going: 866-915-9239
Live team coverage today at 10a @wbez.org - gimme me & @pksmid.bsky.social a call and let us know how the shoveling is going: 866-915-9239
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
STORRRMMMMWATCHHHHhhh
Live team coverage today at 10a @wbez.org - gimme me & @pksmid.bsky.social a call and let us know how the shoveling is going: 866-915-9239
Live team coverage today at 10a @wbez.org - gimme me & @pksmid.bsky.social a call and let us know how the shoveling is going: 866-915-9239
Reposted by Patrick Smith
The #Trump team carries out its #deportation blitz in Democratic-led #Illinois in the name of fighting crime. But Republican-led states have higher murder and violent crime rates—and faster-growing populations of unauthorized #immigrants.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Trump's claims about murder rates and illegal immigration fit red states more than blue states
As federal immigration agents carry out the president's “Operation Midway Blitz” in Democrat-led Illinois — a "blue state" — a WBEZ and Sun-Times analysis shows other Republican-led "red states" have ...
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The #Trump team carries out its #deportation blitz in Democratic-led #Illinois in the name of fighting crime. But Republican-led states have higher murder and violent crime rates—and faster-growing populations of unauthorized #immigrants.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Patrick Smith
BROADVIEW - state and local authorities just arrested about 20 women who hopped the concrete barricades outside the processing center, sat down in the middle of the street and joined hands. Took maybe five minutes all told.
November 7, 2025 at 3:37 PM
BROADVIEW - state and local authorities just arrested about 20 women who hopped the concrete barricades outside the processing center, sat down in the middle of the street and joined hands. Took maybe five minutes all told.
Reposted by Patrick Smith
new: at least 26 unhoused chicagoans have been abducted since the start of "operation midway blitz."
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
Many unhoused Chicagoans uncounted among the disappeared - Chicago Reader
The Latino Union of Chicago, via its Adopt a Corner initiative, organizes patrols to watch for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents at intersections and landmarks wh...
chicagoreader.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
new: at least 26 unhoused chicagoans have been abducted since the start of "operation midway blitz."
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Smith
FYI this story started with a tip that led to two reporters combing through DUI arrest records in DuPage County, which led to callings lawyers, more reporting and eventually like 15 FOIAs, not to mention the vetting, writing, editing and social media.
So go ahead and complain about paying for it
So go ahead and complain about paying for it
I really wish the @chicagotribune.com would not paywall FOIA-related reporting.
November 6, 2025 at 3:37 AM
FYI this story started with a tip that led to two reporters combing through DUI arrest records in DuPage County, which led to callings lawyers, more reporting and eventually like 15 FOIAs, not to mention the vetting, writing, editing and social media.
So go ahead and complain about paying for it
So go ahead and complain about paying for it
Reposted by Patrick Smith
NEWS: ICE agent charged with drunken driving after shift at Broadview detention center. Car crash into a hedgerow. Trump’s Midway Blitz is claimed to be inspired by an undocumented drunk driving death.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/i...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/i...
‘Doesn’t look good’: ICE agent charged with drunken driving after shift at Broadview detention center
An Immigration and Enforcement agent has been charged with drunken driving after his car crashed after a shift at the Broadview detention center.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:17 PM
NEWS: ICE agent charged with drunken driving after shift at Broadview detention center. Car crash into a hedgerow. Trump’s Midway Blitz is claimed to be inspired by an undocumented drunk driving death.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/i...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/i...
Reposted by Patrick Smith
IDs are mismatched, illegible or still missing 3 weeks after judge’s order to immigration officers
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
IDs are mismatched, illegible or still missing 3 weeks after judge’s order to immigration officers
In dozens of photographs at four locations, Chicago Sun-Times photojournalists documented federal officers failing to wear the “visible identification” needed to hold individuals accountable during th...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:56 PM
IDs are mismatched, illegible or still missing 3 weeks after judge’s order to immigration officers
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Patrick Smith
ICE is using Clearview AI, the controversial facial recognition tool that Illinois law enforcement is barred from using.
There’s apparently few guardrails.
A DHS face recognition policy was wiped from the internet in February. Other pages were archived or disappeared
tinyurl.com/yc64wcvh
There’s apparently few guardrails.
A DHS face recognition policy was wiped from the internet in February. Other pages were archived or disappeared
tinyurl.com/yc64wcvh
ICE has powerful facial recognition app Illinois cops are barred from using — with little apparent oversight
The administration has contracts with Clearview AI, a firm banned from doing business with Illinois police agencies. “This is what dystopian nightmares are made of, this kind of continual expansion of...
tinyurl.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:27 PM
ICE is using Clearview AI, the controversial facial recognition tool that Illinois law enforcement is barred from using.
There’s apparently few guardrails.
A DHS face recognition policy was wiped from the internet in February. Other pages were archived or disappeared
tinyurl.com/yc64wcvh
There’s apparently few guardrails.
A DHS face recognition policy was wiped from the internet in February. Other pages were archived or disappeared
tinyurl.com/yc64wcvh
Reposted by Patrick Smith
The Chicago Sun-Times is demanding the Department of Homeland Security remove its photos from government social media pages under threat of legal action after the newspaper says the federal agency repeatedly used its photos in posts.
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Chicago Sun-Times demands DHS remove social posts using its photos without permission
A letter sent to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Thursday says the government used three Sun-Times photos without permission to promote its immigration enforcement campaign. The ...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 AM
The Chicago Sun-Times is demanding the Department of Homeland Security remove its photos from government social media pages under threat of legal action after the newspaper says the federal agency repeatedly used its photos in posts.
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Where will you be tonight at 7? I'll be at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square seeing @stefanfatsis.bsky.social and Jonathan Eig talk about Fatsis's new book "Unabridged: The Thrill of and Threat to the Modern Dictionary." Come listen, buy a book and say hi. www.bookcellarinc.com/stefan-fatsi...
Stefan Fatsis in conversation with Jonathan Eig, "Unabridged" | The Book Cellar
www.bookcellarinc.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Where will you be tonight at 7? I'll be at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square seeing @stefanfatsis.bsky.social and Jonathan Eig talk about Fatsis's new book "Unabridged: The Thrill of and Threat to the Modern Dictionary." Come listen, buy a book and say hi. www.bookcellarinc.com/stefan-fatsi...
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Agree 100%. Especially since Chicago media—local TV affiliates, Sun-Times/Tribune, local NPR, Block Club, Triibe, college newspapers like Loyola, independent journalists, even some Chicago bureaus of national media outlets—have done terrific work
We’re under assault, & it should matter to everyone
We’re under assault, & it should matter to everyone
The Washington Post and NYT should have Chicago on the front page every single day. Stories, columns and photos. Every day.
October 27, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Agree 100%. Especially since Chicago media—local TV affiliates, Sun-Times/Tribune, local NPR, Block Club, Triibe, college newspapers like Loyola, independent journalists, even some Chicago bureaus of national media outlets—have done terrific work
We’re under assault, & it should matter to everyone
We’re under assault, & it should matter to everyone
Reposted by Patrick Smith
A former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration official says masking is “all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust.
trib.al/xeDdFDW
trib.al/xeDdFDW
Masked immigration agents erode trust and intimidate, former No. 2 DEA boss, others say
A former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration official says masking is "all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust.
trib.al
October 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
A former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration official says masking is “all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust.
trib.al/xeDdFDW
trib.al/xeDdFDW
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Religious leaders say the practices inside and outside the Broadview ICE facility violate liberties and contradict the administration’s claim to the U.S. as a Christian nation.
“The things I see happening at Broadview are so against what I believe Christianity is,” said Sister JoAnn Persch, 91.
“The things I see happening at Broadview are so against what I believe Christianity is,” said Sister JoAnn Persch, 91.
Chicago area religious leaders have been hit with tear gas and pepper balls outside the Broadview ICE facility. They also say immigrants are being denied pastoral care inside the facility. trib.al/rGZJ4yq
Clergy say religious rights are under attack inside and outside the Broadview ICE facility
Chicago area religious leaders have been hit with tear gas and pepper balls outside the building. They also say immigrants are being denied pastoral care inside the facility.
trib.al
October 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Religious leaders say the practices inside and outside the Broadview ICE facility violate liberties and contradict the administration’s claim to the U.S. as a Christian nation.
“The things I see happening at Broadview are so against what I believe Christianity is,” said Sister JoAnn Persch, 91.
“The things I see happening at Broadview are so against what I believe Christianity is,” said Sister JoAnn Persch, 91.
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Great reporting from @mannyramos.bsky.social: "One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powered guns."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
blockclubchicago.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Great reporting from @mannyramos.bsky.social: "One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powered guns."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
Reposted by Patrick Smith
At the federal courthouse this morning for a hearing for Ruben Torres Maldonado, whose daughter Ofelia has stage four cancer. She is in the courtroom. So are community supporters and Alds. Matt Martin and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
October 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
At the federal courthouse this morning for a hearing for Ruben Torres Maldonado, whose daughter Ofelia has stage four cancer. She is in the courtroom. So are community supporters and Alds. Matt Martin and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
Reposted by Patrick Smith
You should sever any relationship, including a close friendship, with someone who is rude to waitstaff.
Do you have any extremely niche, but serious, ethical stances?
October 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
You should sever any relationship, including a close friendship, with someone who is rude to waitstaff.
Reposted by Patrick Smith
if you are a US citizen doing nothing illegal the people sneering/screaming/scolding that you shouldn't do this are confusing their own mental illness with Opsec.
Take a picture of yourself at the No Kings rally.
Print it.
Put it in a frame.
Your grandchildren will speak about you for generations to come. You took a stand against fascism. You stood up for democracy. 
Print it.
Put it in a frame.
Your grandchildren will speak about you for generations to come. You took a stand against fascism. You stood up for democracy. 
October 17, 2025 at 3:53 AM
if you are a US citizen doing nothing illegal the people sneering/screaming/scolding that you shouldn't do this are confusing their own mental illness with Opsec.
Reposted by Patrick Smith
#BREAKING The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refuses to undo an order blocking deployment of National Guard troops within Illinois.
"We conclude that the district court's factual findings … were not clearly erroneous, and that the facts do not justify the President's actions in Illinois."
"We conclude that the district court's factual findings … were not clearly erroneous, and that the facts do not justify the President's actions in Illinois."
October 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
#BREAKING The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refuses to undo an order blocking deployment of National Guard troops within Illinois.
"We conclude that the district court's factual findings … were not clearly erroneous, and that the facts do not justify the President's actions in Illinois."
"We conclude that the district court's factual findings … were not clearly erroneous, and that the facts do not justify the President's actions in Illinois."
Reposted by Patrick Smith
So happy to see @alibera.bsky.social launch her new book, “Funnier,” and talk about comedy, creativity and life on Say More @wbez.org !
October 16, 2025 at 4:39 PM
So happy to see @alibera.bsky.social launch her new book, “Funnier,” and talk about comedy, creativity and life on Say More @wbez.org !
Reposted by Patrick Smith
BREAKING from PP
We found immigration agents have held more than 170 *citizens*
The govt doesn't track citizens held. So we did. We tallied:
Nearly 20 kids, two w/ cancer
More than 20 citizens held for day or more, incommunicado
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
by @nicolefoy.bsky.social
We found immigration agents have held more than 170 *citizens*
The govt doesn't track citizens held. So we did. We tallied:
Nearly 20 kids, two w/ cancer
More than 20 citizens held for day or more, incommunicado
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
by @nicolefoy.bsky.social
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
BREAKING from PP
We found immigration agents have held more than 170 *citizens*
The govt doesn't track citizens held. So we did. We tallied:
Nearly 20 kids, two w/ cancer
More than 20 citizens held for day or more, incommunicado
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
by @nicolefoy.bsky.social
We found immigration agents have held more than 170 *citizens*
The govt doesn't track citizens held. So we did. We tallied:
Nearly 20 kids, two w/ cancer
More than 20 citizens held for day or more, incommunicado
www.propublica.org/article/immi...
by @nicolefoy.bsky.social
Federal Judge 'Profoundly Concerned' After High-Profile Tear-Gassing In Chicago Neighborhoods --https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/16/federal-judge-profoundly-concerned-after-high-profile-tear-gassing-in-chicago-neighborhoods/
Federal Judge 'Profoundly Concerned' After High-Profile Tear-Gassing In Chicago Neighborhoods
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis is modifying the temporary restraining order to require agents to wear body cameras if they've already been issued them. She's also calling Chicago ICE commander Russell...
blockclubchicago.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Federal Judge 'Profoundly Concerned' After High-Profile Tear-Gassing In Chicago Neighborhoods --https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/16/federal-judge-profoundly-concerned-after-high-profile-tear-gassing-in-chicago-neighborhoods/
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Good morning. An overnight court filings reveals discussions took place Wednesday over whether the Trump administration has violated a judge's order addressing the use of force in its Chicago immigration campaign.
"The government believes the TRO has not been violated at all."
"The government believes the TRO has not been violated at all."
October 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Good morning. An overnight court filings reveals discussions took place Wednesday over whether the Trump administration has violated a judge's order addressing the use of force in its Chicago immigration campaign.
"The government believes the TRO has not been violated at all."
"The government believes the TRO has not been violated at all."
Reposted by Patrick Smith
Feds target ride-share drivers at O’Hare: “They didn’t focus on anybody who didn’t look Mexican.” Important story from @taliasoglin.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/i...
Feds target ride-share drivers at O’Hare: ‘They didn’t focus on anybody who didn’t look Mexican’
Last Friday, Border Patrol officers arrested 18 people at O’Hare, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Feds target ride-share drivers at O’Hare: “They didn’t focus on anybody who didn’t look Mexican.” Important story from @taliasoglin.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/i...