‘An out-of-control danger.’ That’s Gov. Pritzker, sharing Sun-Times photos on Twitter X after federal agents chased a car through Chicago’s Southeast Side yesterday, intentionally crashing into the vehicle—a maneuver forbidden by some police departments across the country—before tear-gassing observers …
■ … in what the Tribune says was the third time in recent weeks the feds have deployed tear gas in the city—and at least the second time Chicago officers were gassed.
■ The New York Times (gift link, paid for by readers like you who support Chicago Public Square): “ICE is cracking down on Chicago. Some Chicagoans are fighting back.”
■ At the Trump administration’s request, Facebook has suspended a group devoted to reporting ICE sightings around Chicago.
■ Block Club: Hundreds of people showed up last night at events across town to assemble “whistle kits” Chicagoans can use to alert neighbors when immigration agents are nearby.
■ Los Angeles County’s declared a state of emergency over the feds’ ongoing raids there.
■ MSNBC: “Trump says immigrants are driving violent crime in Illinois, but ICE can’t find many who are. … They keep catching people who are just living their lives.”
■ Men Yell at Me columnist Lyz Lenz: “The best way to counter Trump’s lies? Frogs 🐸” …
■ … which 404 Media praises for some practical reasons: “It’s hard for ICE to hit you in the eyes with spray if they’re not even sure where your face is.”
■ Email obtained by the Sun-Times indicates federal immigration agents will continue to hang out at Naval Station Great Lakes through at least December.
‘This incident should be … horrifying.’ A Chicago lawyer representing a WGN-TV producer violently arrested by ICE Friday as she witnessed an attack in Lincoln Park Square says, “If armed, masked, federal agents are snatching U.S. citizens off the street as they walk to work and throwing them in unmarked vehicles, you can only imagine what these agents must be willing to do to our immigrant neighbors and people who dare to speak out against them.”
■ A news release issued on her behalf: “Ms. Brockman will not be making any statement at this time. … She has been ‘exposed’ enough.”
‘Everyone is welcome, except ICE.’ Those signs are showing up at Chicago’s cafes and restaurants.
■ Cook County’s chief judge has banned civil arrests at courthouses here—a common ICE tactic.
■ The Tribune (gift link): What to do—and what documents you should be carrying—if ICE stops you.
‘Young Republicans caught being exactly who you think they are.’ That’s Wonkette columnist Evan Hurst’s comment on Politico’s scoop: “‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat. … Young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.”
■ The Onion satirically profiles federal shutdown cheerleader Russell Vought: “Credentials: White.”
Saturday shots. Through March 28, Cook County residents can get free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at weekly government clinics.
■ Columnist Neil Steinberg: “What part of ‘autism is genetic’ doesn’t RFK Jr. understand?”
Control pique. Air traffic controllers—working one of the most stressful jobs in government without pay during the shutdown—turned out at O’Hare yesterday to encourage flyers to press for an end to the standoff.
■ Chicago’s airports are refusing to show Homeland Security videos criticizing Democrats for the shutdown.
■ Visiting a national park? Take and share photos of historical and educational placards at risk of removal by the Trump administration.
■ Pod Save America co-host Dan Pfeiffer: Republicans’ shutdown strategy “is corruption in broad daylight.”
■ Economist Paul Krugman: “China has overtaken America and Trump’s policies guarantee that we will never catch up.”
‘Dems’ worst nightmare.’ Politico explains how a case before the Supreme Court today could upend next year’s congressional elections.
■ Hear the arguments here.
‘The assessment of penalties stands.’ An Illinois elections board hearing officer is standing by a recommendation that Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park pay a nearly $10 million fine for taking campaign cash in violation of a law Harmon co-sponsored.
■ A former AT&T executive accused of bribing then-(and now-imprisoned) Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is on the verge of seeing those charges dismissed.
■ Ex-Democratic Chicago City Council member Bob Fioretti is running for Illinois attorney general as a Republican.
■ Here’s a photo of Fioretti 50 years ago, back in his time as a student government official at the University of Illinois.
‘Journalism is not a crime.’ That poster showed up briefly at the Pentagon yesterday as reporters planned to hand in their press passes in protest of Defense Secretary Hegseth’s new policies that essentially criminalize routine reporting.
■ Stop the Presses watchdog Mark Jacob, grading mainstream news organizations for their pro-democracy work, doesn’t think much of the traditional broadcast networks.
■ (Missing link added, 11:37 a.m.) The Writers Guild of America and CBS have told CBS News employees they can blow off Bari Weiss’ demand that they tell her how they spend their workdays.
■ The Supreme Court has rejected conspiracy regurgitator Alex Jones’ appeal, clearing the way for his Infowars website to be sold to The Onion.
Cookies! The Trib’s opened voting for its annual Holiday Cookie Contest.
■ While you’re in the kitchen testing those recipes, consider One5c’s guide to breaking that paper towel habit.
Redefining ‘USB’? 404 Media: ChatGPT plans to offer AI-powered “erotica for verified adults” beginning in December.
■ Also from 404: “Lawyer caught using AI while explaining to court why he used AI” …
■ … making this an apt time to remind you that Square and Northwestern University’s Local News Accelerator are teaming up Nov. 3 to offer you interactive online coaching in the world of AI tools. Sign up free here.
Thanks. Mike Braden and Dave Miretzky made this edition better.
