Not false spring’s fault

Controversial opinion: false spring is actually the best season

Barack and Michelle Obama, two of the most impactful leaders our country has seen, deserve our respect and gratitude, not overtly racist videos from a manchild dictator. It’s no coincidence he’s making these attacks during Black History Month, and we cannot normalize this. Shame on Donald Trump.

Dr. J brought it last night. This is why I'm so excited about @julianastratton.bsky.social. We desperately need more Senators with a backbone and a fighting spirit. Joyful warriors. Not people who are trying to work together and find common ground with fascist thugs.

Me too!

State lawmaker called out by President Obama during Springfield speech A day after President Barack Obama called out state Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, during his address to the Illinois Legislature, the lawmaker talked about his moment in the spotlight.

We had a Dem in the House who voted to sustain the Republican governor's vetoes once upon a time. Barack Obama literally shamed him in front of the whole legislature, and then our entire party apparatus mobilized and spent millions to beat him in a primary. Taking away the voter file is pretty mild.

Love @theassemblync.bsky.social and this is a great piece, but it's a bogus headline.

This isn't a purity test. If you repeatedly vote with Republicans to override your Governor's veto, then you know what, you don't get the party's organizing toolkit for free. It's a privilege, not an entitlement.

Another reason I'm proud to support @julianastratton.bsky.social for Senate. "Abolish ICE" — along with "Ban X" and "Remove Trump from office immediately" — should be a basic, litmus-test position for any Democrat running for federal office

Never thought I could be this happy while also surviving multiple heart attacks #beardown

Men will do literally everything except paid family leave

"How come you never report on the work elephants do in outer space?"

Fresh off a massive electoral victory everywhere from New Jersey to Mississippi to California, Dems ride the wave of momentum to [checks notes] complete capitulation on everything.

Man who threw sandwich at federal agent in Washington is found not guilty of assault charge A former Justice Department employee who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during President Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington has been found not guilty of assault.

BREAKING: A man who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., is found not guilty of assault.

Congrats NYC!!

Hey Democratic leader of the US Senate, in today's election, did you vote for the Democratic nominee? Or the known repeat sexual harasser from the "Fight and Deliver" party who was endorsed by Trump and Stephen Miller?

"Look, I voted"

So awesome to ride home on 100mph passenger rail after voting to save transit

Session adjourned!

Couple more legislative measures here:

• extending some expiring legislative provisions;
• raising the income thresholds for low-income senior tax freezes so they don't get kicked off when Social Security goes up;
• using some race-neutral language to protect scholarships from anti-DEI purges.

Really can't overstate how much of a BFD this is. It was very touch-and-go this week. But this is a generational investment that's going to transform mass transit in the whole region. Delgado, Buckner, and many others have poured hundreds of hours in. And advocates have been absolutely tireless.

Delgado closing. "Transit isn't just tracks and trains and buses, it's people."

And it passes! On to the Senate!

Leader Buckner, who's co-led this effort with Leader Delgado, is recognized as the final speaker.

"This isn't just a transportation bill, this is a transformation bill."

We've legislated separately on structure, then on funding, then on governance. This time we're fixing all three.

Rep Halbrook complaining that the bill contains "really really hard math with big numbers."

Rep Cabello seems to insinuate that if we don't allow ICE enforcement on Metra trains, we'll lose federal funding for transit. This is the hour we've reached.

The debate stretches on. From the chair, Leader West institutes a 3 minute timer.

I did not approve this message. It's 1:30am y'all. And yes I'm known to love candy corn.

Picture of Leader Guzzardi with bewildered eyes. He has a piece of half eaten candy corn in his teeth. Tie offset.

Rep Syed Takeover: Leader Guzzardi is preoccupied with eating candy corn 🍬🌽

Rep Ugaste objecting to raising tolls on highways while not raising fares on transit riders. This is a thing I happen to be extremely fine with.

Leader Spain objecting to taking sales tax dollars on gas for transit instead of sending the money to a road construction fund.

CONTEXT: That fund has around $4 billion just sitting in a bank account, and IDOT actually can't spend the money as fast as it's coming in.

A funny moment in the run-up to the bill: Leader Delgado had to do some procedural business before calling the bill. She began her speech twice — "today we stand at a turning point" — and was interrupted for the adoption of amendments. Now she's off and running. "Today we stand at a turning point."