Blair Paddock
@blairpaddock.bsky.social
prisons + investigations for @wttw.bsky.social
Pinned
Despite Illinois Sanctuary Laws, At Least 17 County Sheriffs Have Contracts to Hold People in ICE Custody
To ascertain if county jails are complying with the state’s TRUST Act, WTTW News sent Freedom of Information Act requests to each of the 90 county jails in Illinois to obtain copies of intergovernment...
news.wttw.com
NEW: I found 17 sheriffs in Illinois that have contracts to detain people for ICE through U.S. Marshals Service contracts. IL law explicitly prohibits these types of intergovernmental service agreements. news.wttw.com/2025/10/22/d...
Reposted by Blair Paddock
Reposted by Blair Paddock
Legal experts called DHS’ move to use driver’s license data for citizenship checks more evidence of federal overreach.
“The administration wants to get as much data as it can, however it can, whenever it can.”
With @texastribune.org
“The administration wants to get as much data as it can, however it can, whenever it can.”
With @texastribune.org
DHS Wants States to Hand Over Driver’s License Data for Citizenship Checks
It’s the latest step in an unprecedented initiative to pool confidential data that the Trump administration claims will help identify noncitizens on voter rolls and tighten immigration enforcement.
www.propublica.org
November 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Legal experts called DHS’ move to use driver’s license data for citizenship checks more evidence of federal overreach.
“The administration wants to get as much data as it can, however it can, whenever it can.”
With @texastribune.org
“The administration wants to get as much data as it can, however it can, whenever it can.”
With @texastribune.org
Reposted by Blair Paddock
When Jose Jeronimo Guardian showed up at a Spanish language traffic court this week, he didn’t expect to be detained and face expulsion from a country he’d lived in for more than two decades.
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
‘They are literally targeting people.’ ICE comes to southern Illinois
CARLYLE, Ill. — When Jose Jeronimo Guardian showed up at a Spanish language traffic court this week, he didn’t expect to be detained and face expulsion from a country he’d […]
illinoisanswers.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
When Jose Jeronimo Guardian showed up at a Spanish language traffic court this week, he didn’t expect to be detained and face expulsion from a country he’d lived in for more than two decades.
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
With @capitolnewsil.bsky.social: illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/31/i...
Reposted by Blair Paddock
A partial list of what Bovino does not have to tell a federal judge happened today:
*An agent pushed a City Council member in Albany Park
*Agents deployed pepper spray in Albany Park & Evanston
*Agents were involved in a car crash in Evanston
*An agent pointed a gun at a woman in Evanston
*An agent pushed a City Council member in Albany Park
*Agents deployed pepper spray in Albany Park & Evanston
*Agents were involved in a car crash in Evanston
*An agent pointed a gun at a woman in Evanston
BREAKING: Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, who led a series of raids across Chicago, Evanston and Skokie on Friday, does not have to report every weekday at 6 p.m. in person to the federal judge who has tried to rein in federal agents’ use of force, an appeals court ruled. @wttw.bsky.social
Appeals Court Rules Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino Does Not Have to Check In Every Day With Federal Judge
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, who led a series of raids across Chicago, Evanston and Skokie on Friday, does not have to report every weekday at 6 p.m. in person to the federal judge who has tried t...
news.wttw.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A partial list of what Bovino does not have to tell a federal judge happened today:
*An agent pushed a City Council member in Albany Park
*Agents deployed pepper spray in Albany Park & Evanston
*Agents were involved in a car crash in Evanston
*An agent pointed a gun at a woman in Evanston
*An agent pushed a City Council member in Albany Park
*Agents deployed pepper spray in Albany Park & Evanston
*Agents were involved in a car crash in Evanston
*An agent pointed a gun at a woman in Evanston
Reposted by Blair Paddock
New: a class action suit filed in Chicago's federal court this morning alleges overcrowding and inhumane conditions at the Broadview, IL ICE facility, as well detainees being denied legal counsel.
The plaintiffs say this amounts to 1A and 5A violations.
The plaintiffs say this amounts to 1A and 5A violations.
October 31, 2025 at 1:51 PM
New: a class action suit filed in Chicago's federal court this morning alleges overcrowding and inhumane conditions at the Broadview, IL ICE facility, as well detainees being denied legal counsel.
The plaintiffs say this amounts to 1A and 5A violations.
The plaintiffs say this amounts to 1A and 5A violations.
a year of news nights! november 13!
October 30, 2025 at 10:50 PM
a year of news nights! november 13!
Reposted by Blair Paddock
NEW: ICE is planning to build a shadow deportation network in Texas. A proposal outlines a 24/7 transport operation run by armed contractors—turning Texas into the logistical backbone of an industrialized deportation machine.
My latest @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/ice-is...
My latest @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/ice-is...
October 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
NEW: ICE is planning to build a shadow deportation network in Texas. A proposal outlines a 24/7 transport operation run by armed contractors—turning Texas into the logistical backbone of an industrialized deportation machine.
My latest @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/ice-is...
My latest @wired.com: www.wired.com/story/ice-is...
i am looking for Exciting blogs about chicago or illinois happenings (politics, ecology, art, w/e) for news night. anyone have any recommendations?
October 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
i am looking for Exciting blogs about chicago or illinois happenings (politics, ecology, art, w/e) for news night. anyone have any recommendations?
Reposted by Blair Paddock
NEW: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for 2026 sets aside just $82.5M to cover the cost of resolving police misconduct lawsuits, even though the city has already agreed to spend $90M next year to resolve 176 lawsuits tied to former Sgt. Ronald Watts and his team. @wttw.bsky.social
Johnson’s 2026 Budget Sets Aside Just $82.5M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits, Even Though Chicago Has Already Spent $90M
Chicago taxpayers have spent at least $267 million to resolve lawsuits alleging Chicago police officers committed a wide range of misconduct so far this year, according to an analysis of city data by ...
news.wttw.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
NEW: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for 2026 sets aside just $82.5M to cover the cost of resolving police misconduct lawsuits, even though the city has already agreed to spend $90M next year to resolve 176 lawsuits tied to former Sgt. Ronald Watts and his team. @wttw.bsky.social
NEW: An Illinois lawmaker put out a call to corrections staff to contact her about incarcerated undocumented people. Months later, she gets a list purporting to be that, and hands it to Kristi Noem. But it appears to be information that DHS already had access to. news.wttw.com/2025/10/24/i...
Illinois Lawmaker Wants to Help Federal Immigration Officials ID Undocumented People in State Custody
In an October interview with a downstate radio station, state Sen. Terri Bryant said she gave a list of undocumented individuals currently being held in Illinois state prisons to Secretary of Homeland...
news.wttw.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
NEW: An Illinois lawmaker put out a call to corrections staff to contact her about incarcerated undocumented people. Months later, she gets a list purporting to be that, and hands it to Kristi Noem. But it appears to be information that DHS already had access to. news.wttw.com/2025/10/24/i...
Reposted by Blair Paddock
This brilliant little article gets at what I’ve seen but haven’t yet read: Chicago locals, regardless of status, are apprehensive about venturing out to restaurants and food stalls targeted by ICE. The result is a whole sector in economic and social crisis.
www.chicagomag.com/news/we-wont...
www.chicagomag.com/news/we-wont...
“We Won’t Survive if You Don’t Support Us”
ICE presence in Chicago has hurt the local economies in immigrant communities — which could in turn put a financial strain on the city at large.
www.chicagomag.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This brilliant little article gets at what I’ve seen but haven’t yet read: Chicago locals, regardless of status, are apprehensive about venturing out to restaurants and food stalls targeted by ICE. The result is a whole sector in economic and social crisis.
www.chicagomag.com/news/we-wont...
www.chicagomag.com/news/we-wont...
NEW: I found 17 sheriffs in Illinois that have contracts to detain people for ICE through U.S. Marshals Service contracts. IL law explicitly prohibits these types of intergovernmental service agreements. news.wttw.com/2025/10/22/d...
Despite Illinois Sanctuary Laws, At Least 17 County Sheriffs Have Contracts to Hold People in ICE Custody
To ascertain if county jails are complying with the state’s TRUST Act, WTTW News sent Freedom of Information Act requests to each of the 90 county jails in Illinois to obtain copies of intergovernment...
news.wttw.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
NEW: I found 17 sheriffs in Illinois that have contracts to detain people for ICE through U.S. Marshals Service contracts. IL law explicitly prohibits these types of intergovernmental service agreements. news.wttw.com/2025/10/22/d...
Reposted by Blair Paddock
In 1861, abolitionists in Chicago claimed no “fugitive slave” had been arrested in Chicago in 8 years. But after Lincoln was inaugurated, the new U.S. Marshal for the territory started making arrests. The more progressive papers howled and a vigilance committee was formed:
(1/)
(1/)
October 21, 2025 at 8:21 PM
In 1861, abolitionists in Chicago claimed no “fugitive slave” had been arrested in Chicago in 8 years. But after Lincoln was inaugurated, the new U.S. Marshal for the territory started making arrests. The more progressive papers howled and a vigilance committee was formed:
(1/)
(1/)
TONIGHT!
October 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
TONIGHT!
Reposted by Blair Paddock
For the last five years, people being released from Cook County Jail have gotten out later and later at night.
In 2021, ~14% of people got out between 11 pm and 3 am. In 2024, ~40% of all releases took place in those wee hours.
My latest, for @chicagoreader.com
chicagoreader.com/news/cook-co...
In 2021, ~14% of people got out between 11 pm and 3 am. In 2024, ~40% of all releases took place in those wee hours.
My latest, for @chicagoreader.com
chicagoreader.com/news/cook-co...
Released from jail late at night
Over the last five years, the number of people released from the Cook County jail late at night has steadily increased.
chicagoreader.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
For the last five years, people being released from Cook County Jail have gotten out later and later at night.
In 2021, ~14% of people got out between 11 pm and 3 am. In 2024, ~40% of all releases took place in those wee hours.
My latest, for @chicagoreader.com
chicagoreader.com/news/cook-co...
In 2021, ~14% of people got out between 11 pm and 3 am. In 2024, ~40% of all releases took place in those wee hours.
My latest, for @chicagoreader.com
chicagoreader.com/news/cook-co...
NEWS NIGHT on October 16
October 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
NEWS NIGHT on October 16
Reposted by Blair Paddock
NEW: In the weeks leading up to a massive ICE raid at a South Shore apartment building, neighbors saw drones surveilling the area, and teachers at a nearby school regularly saw agents in the neighborhood.
✍️ Jose Abonce for the Weekly and Maira Khwaja for @invisible.institute
✍️ Jose Abonce for the Weekly and Maira Khwaja for @invisible.institute
Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children
Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.
southsideweekly.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:16 PM
NEW: In the weeks leading up to a massive ICE raid at a South Shore apartment building, neighbors saw drones surveilling the area, and teachers at a nearby school regularly saw agents in the neighborhood.
✍️ Jose Abonce for the Weekly and Maira Khwaja for @invisible.institute
✍️ Jose Abonce for the Weekly and Maira Khwaja for @invisible.institute
Reposted by Blair Paddock
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.
trib.al
October 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
Reposted by Blair Paddock
Tune in ... now to see @brandisfriedman.bsky.social interview @mayorofchicago.bsky.social 🌟LIVE🌟 on @wttw.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Tune in ... now to see @brandisfriedman.bsky.social interview @mayorofchicago.bsky.social 🌟LIVE🌟 on @wttw.bsky.social
Reposted by Blair Paddock
There’s no medical staff or services at Broadview. No food preparation. No beds. That’s all by design because the facility was created for holds less than 12 hours.
@bylaurenfitz.bsky.social @adrianacardmag.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
@bylaurenfitz.bsky.social @adrianacardmag.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
October 3, 2025 at 2:39 PM
There’s no medical staff or services at Broadview. No food preparation. No beds. That’s all by design because the facility was created for holds less than 12 hours.
@bylaurenfitz.bsky.social @adrianacardmag.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
@bylaurenfitz.bsky.social @adrianacardmag.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Blair Paddock
This comes after CBP/ICE, assisted by large number of FBI and other feds, orchestrated a large raid on an apartment building late Monday night/early Tuesday morning.
Immigrant rights orgs estimate at least *forty people*, including children and infants, were taken from their beds in South Shore:
Immigrant rights orgs estimate at least *forty people*, including children and infants, were taken from their beds in South Shore:
Feds detain dozens of immigrants in 'massive' South Shore apartment building raid in Chicago • The TRiiBE
An estimated 40 people were taken by federal agents in the course of the overnight raid in the predominately-Black neighborhood.
thetriibe.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This comes after CBP/ICE, assisted by large number of FBI and other feds, orchestrated a large raid on an apartment building late Monday night/early Tuesday morning.
Immigrant rights orgs estimate at least *forty people*, including children and infants, were taken from their beds in South Shore:
Immigrant rights orgs estimate at least *forty people*, including children and infants, were taken from their beds in South Shore:
Reposted by Blair Paddock
NEW from @injusticewatch.org and @boltsmag.org: Cook County has more documented wrongful convictions than any county in the nation. In the last 10 months, State’s Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke has weakened her office’s main system for freeing innocent people. buff.ly/ysPtaYG
Cook County’s new prosecutor has weakened an already broken system for freeing the innocent
State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Conviction Integrity Unit hasn’t exonerated anyone in her 10 months on the job, and she has done little to confront more than a dozen coercion allegations…
www.injusticewatch.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:13 PM
NEW from @injusticewatch.org and @boltsmag.org: Cook County has more documented wrongful convictions than any county in the nation. In the last 10 months, State’s Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke has weakened her office’s main system for freeing innocent people. buff.ly/ysPtaYG
Reposted by Blair Paddock
“Noemi Chavez and her two children are now confined to a room at O’Hare International Airport, awaiting transfer to a detention facility in Texas before deportation to Guatemala,“ reports the @chicagotribune.com
Mother, children detained by ICE at Millennium Park Sunday held at O’Hare with other families: ‘We never imagined’
The mother said she felt her family was targeted because of their appearance. “There were a lot more people there, but the agents came directly to us because of how we look,” she said.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:48 PM
“Noemi Chavez and her two children are now confined to a room at O’Hare International Airport, awaiting transfer to a detention facility in Texas before deportation to Guatemala,“ reports the @chicagotribune.com
Reposted by Blair Paddock
AG Raoul says "We are in touch with Sheriff Grootens and we’re going to be having a conversation" capitolfax.com/2025/09/29/w...
September 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
AG Raoul says "We are in touch with Sheriff Grootens and we’re going to be having a conversation" capitolfax.com/2025/09/29/w...
NEW: The Illinois Department of Corrections will now permanently scan most physical mail sent to incarcerated people and distribute it electronically.
news.wttw.com/2025/09/29/i...
news.wttw.com/2025/09/29/i...
Illinois Prisons Will Now Scan Physical Mail Sent to Incarcerated People
Beginning immediately, non-privileged mail will be opened and inspected for contraband, scanned in color, then be uploaded to an individual’s tablet, the department announced Monday. Nearly all incarc...
news.wttw.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
NEW: The Illinois Department of Corrections will now permanently scan most physical mail sent to incarcerated people and distribute it electronically.
news.wttw.com/2025/09/29/i...
news.wttw.com/2025/09/29/i...