Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules A cornerstone initiative from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker would loosen zoning restrictions for multiunit buildings, drawing excitement from housing advocates but concerns from local officials.

New policy pushed by @govpritzker.illinois.gov would loosen zoning restrictions that currently limit the residential density allowed on a given lot, @olivia0.bsky.social writes. "And, supporters say, open the door to new multifamily buildings across the state."

Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules A cornerstone initiative from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker would loosen zoning restrictions for multiunit buildings, drawing excitement from housing advocates but concerns from local officials.

NEW: I wrote about Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious, abundance-coded housing plan. 4 units on basically any standard size Chicago residential lot? ADUs? Looser parking minimums? potentially yes, in our backyard >> www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/12/j...

Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules A cornerstone initiative from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker would loosen zoning restrictions for multiunit buildings, drawing excitement from housing advocates but concerns from local officials.

NEW: I wrote about Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious, abundance-coded housing plan. 4 units on basically any standard size Chicago residential lot? ADUs? Looser parking minimums? potentially yes, in our backyard >> www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/12/j...

Unprecedented $62 million shapes Chicago-area congressional primaries, some decry ‘highest bidder’ politics The four most competitive Democratic congressional primaries in Illinois has witnessed a massive influx of cash from direct campaign contributions and outside political action committee spending.

This is a big deal — money is playing a bigger role in who Chicago sends to Congress than ever before. And that money is in a lot of ways trying to hide itself.

Read our story here (again, gift link!): www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/13/c...

And the outside spending is driven largely by groups tied to AI/crypto (around $6 million) and super PACs that are or appear to be tied to AIPAC (at least $19 million).

Outside spending for and against in total (4/5):

That spending is in part driven by the huge number of candidates raising a ton in individual contributions.

Some of those big individual fundraisers have gotten a large amount of money from people who contributed to AIPAC or its affiliate (as much as 67%). The top contribution recipients (3/5):

Unprecedented $62 million shapes Chicago-area congressional primaries, some decry ‘highest bidder’ politics The four most competitive Democratic congressional primaries in Illinois has witnessed a massive influx of cash from direct campaign contributions and outside political action committee spending.

NEW: An unprecedented $62 million is pouring into Chicago's four competitive Democratic Congressional primaries.

That's about $30.4 million in campaign contributions and $31.4 million in outside spending so far. With @olivia0.bsky.social (gift link, 1/5): www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/13/c...

Gov. JB Pritzker suggests no matter how Indiana vs. Illinois fight goes, new Bears home won’t be in Chicago Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, “I think we’re down to the question of whether they’re going to build in Arlington Heights or they’re going to build something in the state of Indiana.&#…

As Indiana and Illinois lawmakers spar over where the Bears should build a new stadium, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged the team’s next home is unlikely to be within Chicago’s city limits.

“They gave the old college try.”

@olivia0.bsky.social's story.

NEW – @olivia0.bsky.social and I spoke with State Sen. Laura Fine tonight after a candidate forum in Evanston about this Super PAC running ads supporting her

She said she "didn't know about those ads until ... this morning," but said she would "love to know who's funding it."

Millions raised fuel fierce fights for 5 open Illinois congressional seats ahead of March primary The five heavily blue congressional districts that span from Algonquin through parts of Chicago and down to Danville have nearly four dozen Democrats competing to replace three retiring members of …

Millions raised fuel fierce fights for 5 open Illinois congressional seats ahead of March primary. Story by @olivia0.bsky.social RobertMcCoppin and Jack O’Connor www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/02/i...

‘Still imprisoned in his mind.’ Illinois exonerees struggle without support after wrongful convictions. Paul Terry’s struggle is a stark example of a problem Illinois has yet to confront meaningfully: what happens to people after the state’s judicial system admits it wrongfully took their freed…

‘Still imprisoned in his mind.’ Illinois exonerees struggle without support after wrongful convictions. Good story from @olivia0.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/i...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

@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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

‘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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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...

Week in Review: Donald Trump Returns to the White House; Bears Hire New Head Coach Donald Trump returns to the White House and immediately exercises his executive powers. And the Chicago Bears name a new head coach.

Chicago Tonight | The Week in Review: Donald Trump Returns to the White House; Bears Hire New Head Coach, with @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social @bpopetv.bsky.social @olivia0.bsky.social @lynnsweet.bsky.social & host @amandavinicky.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/01/24/w...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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…

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 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…

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.

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.

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...