Crystal Paul
@cplhouse.bsky.social
Journalist, Editor -- Investigations. Enterprise. Equity.
Formerly Illinois Answers Project, Seattle Times
Raised on the road. Found home in South Side Chicago. #pinksky
Formerly Illinois Answers Project, Seattle Times
Raised on the road. Found home in South Side Chicago. #pinksky
Reposted by Crystal Paul
Officials have revealed little about what led to the arrests. State Police haven’t fulfilled records requests for incident reports. Court records don’t include many details & few of the protesters arrested have appeared in court.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/12/p...
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/12/p...
Protesters Keep Getting Arrested At Broadview By State Police Despite Promise To Protect Free Speech
About 80 protesters have been arrested at the ICE facility since barricades went up. Protesters and legal observers say the arrests run counter to the state’s stated goals of ensuring public safety an...
blockclubchicago.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Officials have revealed little about what led to the arrests. State Police haven’t fulfilled records requests for incident reports. Court records don’t include many details & few of the protesters arrested have appeared in court.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/12/p...
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/12/p...
Found unfit for trail, people with mental illnesses are spending months in jails, waiting for room at hospitals where they can be restored to fitness.
Some of them are waiting longer than their sentences would be
Some of them have died waiting...
✍ @meredithnewman.bsky.social
🎨 Kailey Ryan
Some of them are waiting longer than their sentences would be
Some of them have died waiting...
✍ @meredithnewman.bsky.social
🎨 Kailey Ryan
Illinois defendants who have been found unfit for trial – and are in need of inpatient fitness restoration – are waiting nearly twice as long for a state hospital bed as they did five years ago.
In many cases, it’s more than three months.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
In many cases, it’s more than three months.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/11/11/t...
Too mentally ill for trial, she spent months in an Illinois jail as the state looked for a hospital bed. She died waiting.
Many defendants declared unfit for trial have often waited three months or longer to be transferred to a hospital – regularly exceeding the state’s deadline, an Illinois Answers Project investigation ...
illinoisanswers.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Found unfit for trail, people with mental illnesses are spending months in jails, waiting for room at hospitals where they can be restored to fitness.
Some of them are waiting longer than their sentences would be
Some of them have died waiting...
✍ @meredithnewman.bsky.social
🎨 Kailey Ryan
Some of them are waiting longer than their sentences would be
Some of them have died waiting...
✍ @meredithnewman.bsky.social
🎨 Kailey Ryan
While Border Patrol photographers snapped photos, one agent shouted, “Everyone say, ‘Little Village!’”
“Little Village!” the crowd shouted back...
Agents tear-gassed a Little Village street this weekend.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...
📝📸 @colinbphoto.bsky.social
“Little Village!” the crowd shouted back...
Agents tear-gassed a Little Village street this weekend.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...
📝📸 @colinbphoto.bsky.social
Border Patrol Agents Pose At The Bean For Apparent Photo Op
The photo op came after agents tear-gassed a Little Village street and were spotted in the area numerous times. At the Bean, one agent shouted, "Everyone say, 'Little Village!'"
blockclubchicago.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
While Border Patrol photographers snapped photos, one agent shouted, “Everyone say, ‘Little Village!’”
“Little Village!” the crowd shouted back...
Agents tear-gassed a Little Village street this weekend.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...
📝📸 @colinbphoto.bsky.social
“Little Village!” the crowd shouted back...
Agents tear-gassed a Little Village street this weekend.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...
📝📸 @colinbphoto.bsky.social
"Several teachers fled with a student and hid in a back of a pickup truck, 'terrified of being found,' Meadow said.
'They weren’t sure what was going on. ICE, an attack on the school — they didn’t know,' Meadow said."
'They weren’t sure what was going on. ICE, an attack on the school — they didn’t know,' Meadow said."
The incident happened in front of parents and children, Martin and a parent said. Other workers became afraid to come in, and the daycare center closed for the day, parents said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
📝 @mollydevore.bsky.social & Mack Liederman
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
📝 @mollydevore.bsky.social & Mack Liederman
Daycare Teacher Pulled Out Of Preschool By Armed Federal Agents, 'Traumatizing' Parents
The incident happened in front of parents and children at Rayito de Sol in North Center, a parent said. They believe the employee is legally allowed to work in the United States.
blockclubchicago.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
"Several teachers fled with a student and hid in a back of a pickup truck, 'terrified of being found,' Meadow said.
'They weren’t sure what was going on. ICE, an attack on the school — they didn’t know,' Meadow said."
'They weren’t sure what was going on. ICE, an attack on the school — they didn’t know,' Meadow said."
The incident happened in front of parents and children, Martin and a parent said. Other workers became afraid to come in, and the daycare center closed for the day, parents said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
📝 @mollydevore.bsky.social & Mack Liederman
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
📝 @mollydevore.bsky.social & Mack Liederman
Daycare Teacher Pulled Out Of Preschool By Armed Federal Agents, 'Traumatizing' Parents
The incident happened in front of parents and children at Rayito de Sol in North Center, a parent said. They believe the employee is legally allowed to work in the United States.
blockclubchicago.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The incident happened in front of parents and children, Martin and a parent said. Other workers became afraid to come in, and the daycare center closed for the day, parents said.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
📝 @mollydevore.bsky.social & Mack Liederman
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/d...
📝 @mollydevore.bsky.social & Mack Liederman
Thank you! Thrilled our project could be among so many great finalists!
Also congrats to @cplhouse.bsky.social @rubybailey.bsky.social, @illinoisanswers.bsky.social team & the @southsideweekly.bsky.social team for the Making It in Chicago nom! Proud the Reader was able to republish several of these stories makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
Detours and Dead Ends on the Path to Opportunity
makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Thank you! Thrilled our project could be among so many great finalists!
Reposted by Crystal Paul
Also congrats to @cplhouse.bsky.social @rubybailey.bsky.social, @illinoisanswers.bsky.social team & the @southsideweekly.bsky.social team for the Making It in Chicago nom! Proud the Reader was able to republish several of these stories makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
Detours and Dead Ends on the Path to Opportunity
makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Also congrats to @cplhouse.bsky.social @rubybailey.bsky.social, @illinoisanswers.bsky.social team & the @southsideweekly.bsky.social team for the Making It in Chicago nom! Proud the Reader was able to republish several of these stories makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
Reposted by Crystal Paul
Broadview ICE facility a ‘black box’ where immigrants denied access to lawyers, medicine: lawsuit
Story by @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Story by @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Broadview ICE facility a ‘black box’ where immigrants denied access to lawyers, medicine: lawsuit
The ACLU of Illinois and others ask a federal judge to intervene against ‘inhumane’ conditions. Federal immigration officials have said the facility follows its rules.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Broadview ICE facility a ‘black box’ where immigrants denied access to lawyers, medicine: lawsuit
Story by @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Story by @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
A loophole lets counties spend millions in transit taxes not on transit...but on jails & courts
Now, to save Chicago transit from cuts, lawmakers want to use those funds.
The idea met a fierce backlash.
📝 @gracehauck.bsky.social & @alexnitkin.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
Now, to save Chicago transit from cuts, lawmakers want to use those funds.
The idea met a fierce backlash.
📝 @gracehauck.bsky.social & @alexnitkin.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
A Little-Known Legal Loophole Has Scrambled State Efforts to Save Transit Agencies From Financial Disaster
Suburban counties last year spent $83M in RTA sales taxes on jails and courts; they'll fight to keep the money as the state scrapes for cash.
illinoisanswers.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
A loophole lets counties spend millions in transit taxes not on transit...but on jails & courts
Now, to save Chicago transit from cuts, lawmakers want to use those funds.
The idea met a fierce backlash.
📝 @gracehauck.bsky.social & @alexnitkin.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
Now, to save Chicago transit from cuts, lawmakers want to use those funds.
The idea met a fierce backlash.
📝 @gracehauck.bsky.social & @alexnitkin.bsky.social
illinoisanswers.org/2025/10/28/l...
Solid play-by-play on Bovino's hearing today by @heathercherone.bsky.social
Greetings from the Dirksen federal courthouse, where Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis.
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
What you need to know, for @wttw.bsky.social:
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, Who Fired Tear Gas at Little Village Crowd, Set to Face Federal Judge
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis ordered Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino to appear in her courtroom at the Dirksen Federal Building in downtown Chicago at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
news.wttw.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Solid play-by-play on Bovino's hearing today by @heathercherone.bsky.social
"Ellis told Bovino that she wanted to see him every day during the immigration operation so he could report to her on any incidents that occurred.
'Yes, ma’am,' Bovino said."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
📝 @minabloom.bsky.social
'Yes, ma’am,' Bovino said."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
📝 @minabloom.bsky.social
Judge Blasts Border Patrol Boss Greg Bovino For Violating Excessive Force Order
“Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer,” U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis told Bovino during a court hearing T...
blockclubchicago.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
"Ellis told Bovino that she wanted to see him every day during the immigration operation so he could report to her on any incidents that occurred.
'Yes, ma’am,' Bovino said."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
📝 @minabloom.bsky.social
'Yes, ma’am,' Bovino said."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/28/j...
📝 @minabloom.bsky.social
Reposted by Crystal Paul
“Tricia McLaughlin said protesters “shot at agents” with fireworks and threw objects at agents [and] Agents...gave protesters multiple warnings.
The video of the incident does not show protesters throwing rocks or fireworks at agents, nor can agents be heard warning protesters.”
The video of the incident does not show protesters throwing rocks or fireworks at agents, nor can agents be heard warning protesters.”
Border Patrol Boss Bovino Tear-Gasses Chicago Crowd, Violating Judge’s Order, Lawyers Say
New video shows Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino tossing a tear gas canister toward people in Little Village Thursday. Attorneys in an ongoing lawsuit over force against peaceful protesters say Bovino ...
blockclubchicago.org
October 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
“Tricia McLaughlin said protesters “shot at agents” with fireworks and threw objects at agents [and] Agents...gave protesters multiple warnings.
The video of the incident does not show protesters throwing rocks or fireworks at agents, nor can agents be heard warning protesters.”
The video of the incident does not show protesters throwing rocks or fireworks at agents, nor can agents be heard warning protesters.”
News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that would leave journalists vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information — classified or otherwise — that had not been approved by Hegseth for release.
apnews.com/article/pent...
apnews.com/article/pent...
Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Journalists at the Pentagon turned in access badges and cleaned out their workspaces, the price for refusing to agree to new restrictions on their jobs at the seat of U.S. military power.
apnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that would leave journalists vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information — classified or otherwise — that had not been approved by Hegseth for release.
apnews.com/article/pent...
apnews.com/article/pent...
The latest on Chicago's "worst landowner" from Mina Bloom and @ctoner.bsky.social.
"Nobody wanted most of the properties... That leaves the city without the money it anticipated and homeowners still saddled with weed-strewn vacant lots."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
"Nobody wanted most of the properties... That leaves the city without the money it anticipated and homeowners still saddled with weed-strewn vacant lots."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
Hundreds Of Lots Owned By 'City's Worst Landowner' Went Up For Sale. But Only A Fraction Have Sold
Parcels that belonged to Suzie B. Wilson and her sister accumulated $15 million in city fines for rat-related violations. Hundreds are still sitting empty without any promise of redevelopment.
blockclubchicago.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The latest on Chicago's "worst landowner" from Mina Bloom and @ctoner.bsky.social.
"Nobody wanted most of the properties... That leaves the city without the money it anticipated and homeowners still saddled with weed-strewn vacant lots."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
"Nobody wanted most of the properties... That leaves the city without the money it anticipated and homeowners still saddled with weed-strewn vacant lots."
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/15/h...
Reposted by Crystal Paul
This CPD memo went out 1:53 p.m. today. Feds deployed gas, that we know of, on October 3 in Logan Square, October 4 in Brighton Park, October 12 in Albany Park, and October 14 (today) in East Side.
CPD memo to officers today: helmet and gas mask available and accessible at all times, to be read at 7 days of roll calls. (For officers assigned masks.) Supervisors to ensure compliance acc to the memo. #chicago
October 14, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This CPD memo went out 1:53 p.m. today. Feds deployed gas, that we know of, on October 3 in Logan Square, October 4 in Brighton Park, October 12 in Albany Park, and October 14 (today) in East Side.
An interesting follow-up to our "Making it in Chicago" reporting on ADUs in Chicago.
After years of stalled progress, thousands more homeowners will be able to build coach houses...as long as their alderperson approves it
@alexnitkin.bsky.social reports.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...
After years of stalled progress, thousands more homeowners will be able to build coach houses...as long as their alderperson approves it
@alexnitkin.bsky.social reports.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...
‘Granny Flats’ Poised For Expansion — But Only in Neighborhoods Where Alderpeople Allow Them
The new law will allow more coach house construction and conversions but will likely create confusion and increase costs, advocates say.
illinoisanswers.org
September 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
An interesting follow-up to our "Making it in Chicago" reporting on ADUs in Chicago.
After years of stalled progress, thousands more homeowners will be able to build coach houses...as long as their alderperson approves it
@alexnitkin.bsky.social reports.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...
After years of stalled progress, thousands more homeowners will be able to build coach houses...as long as their alderperson approves it
@alexnitkin.bsky.social reports.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/25/c...
"Whatever else we have going on in our newsroom, investigations have to be a priority." - Todd Eschman
Now: Todd Eschman, EIC at Belleville News Democrat (BND) in downstate IL on"Investigations from a small newsroom perspective"
BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.
"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.
"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
"Whatever else we have going on in our newsroom, investigations have to be a priority." - Todd Eschman
Now: Todd Eschman, EIC at Belleville News Democrat (BND) in downstate IL on"Investigations from a small newsroom perspective"
BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.
"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.
"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Now: Todd Eschman, EIC at Belleville News Democrat (BND) in downstate IL on"Investigations from a small newsroom perspective"
BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.
"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
BND had 67 journalists less than a decade ago. Today? 9.
"Enterprising journalism has to be baked into the culture of the newsroom."
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Great insights at our "Investigate the State" virtual conference.
Right now: "How to cover Indian Country (and other communities) when there isn't any official data" with Mary Hudetz & Dianna Hunt
"I treat every investigation as a mini-beat." - @maryhudetz.bsky.social
Right now: "How to cover Indian Country (and other communities) when there isn't any official data" with Mary Hudetz & Dianna Hunt
"I treat every investigation as a mini-beat." - @maryhudetz.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Great insights at our "Investigate the State" virtual conference.
Right now: "How to cover Indian Country (and other communities) when there isn't any official data" with Mary Hudetz & Dianna Hunt
"I treat every investigation as a mini-beat." - @maryhudetz.bsky.social
Right now: "How to cover Indian Country (and other communities) when there isn't any official data" with Mary Hudetz & Dianna Hunt
"I treat every investigation as a mini-beat." - @maryhudetz.bsky.social
Reposted by Crystal Paul
Our Investigate the State conference is up and running! If you didn't register, you can still sign up and join this free, virtual conference here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
September 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Our Investigate the State conference is up and running! If you didn't register, you can still sign up and join this free, virtual conference here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Last chance to register! Come for one session or stay for the whole day.
We'll see you there!
We'll see you there!
Our *virtual* conference is this Thursday. Check out the program and come through for any sessions that interest you. See you soon!
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Investigate the State
Thinking of expanding your coverage to statewide audiences? Looking for partnerships with newsrooms in your community or even statewide? Interested in how news outlets around the Midwest are confronti...
illinoisanswers.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Last chance to register! Come for one session or stay for the whole day.
We'll see you there!
We'll see you there!
Our *virtual* conference is this Thursday. Check out the program and come through for any sessions that interest you. See you soon!
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Investigate the State
Thinking of expanding your coverage to statewide audiences? Looking for partnerships with newsrooms in your community or even statewide? Interested in how news outlets around the Midwest are confronti...
illinoisanswers.org
September 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Our *virtual* conference is this Thursday. Check out the program and come through for any sessions that interest you. See you soon!
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
In 2023, a Minnesota homeowner argued that the County violated her Fifth Amendment rights by taking her home and pocketing more than the $15,000 she owed in back taxes. Following the ruling, states rushed to reform their laws to avoid legal fallout.
All except Illinois.
(🖊️ Sidnee King Pineda)
All except Illinois.
(🖊️ Sidnee King Pineda)
NEW: Illinois is the only state that has yet to reform its tax sale laws after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...
Lawsuits Pile Up as Illinois Lags on Reforming Tax Sale Laws
Illinois is the only state yet to reform its law after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences.
illinoisanswers.org
September 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
In 2023, a Minnesota homeowner argued that the County violated her Fifth Amendment rights by taking her home and pocketing more than the $15,000 she owed in back taxes. Following the ruling, states rushed to reform their laws to avoid legal fallout.
All except Illinois.
(🖊️ Sidnee King Pineda)
All except Illinois.
(🖊️ Sidnee King Pineda)
We're hosting a *virtual* conference for Midwest journalists interested in expanding investigative journalism resources in our region.
Come through! And share ideas with investigative journalists and news leaders throughout the Midwest.
Register here:
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Come through! And share ideas with investigative journalists and news leaders throughout the Midwest.
Register here:
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Investigate the State
Thinking of expanding your coverage to statewide audiences? Looking for partnerships with newsrooms in your community or even statewide? Interested in how news outlets around the Midwest are confronti...
illinoisanswers.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
We're hosting a *virtual* conference for Midwest journalists interested in expanding investigative journalism resources in our region.
Come through! And share ideas with investigative journalists and news leaders throughout the Midwest.
Register here:
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
Come through! And share ideas with investigative journalists and news leaders throughout the Midwest.
Register here:
illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...
"Official government numbers don't always provide a complete picture of how many immigrants are in detention. But according to ICE, the number of detained immigrants jumped to more than 61,000 as of Aug. 24. And the new federal budget has allocated $45 billion for immigrant detention."
ICE wants more detention space and it’s faster to re-open old facilities to hold immigrants than to build new ones. Enter: ZOMBIE PRISONS
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/29/m...
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/08/29/m...
‘Zombie Prisons’: How ICE Detention Is Raising Troubling Facilities From the Dead
ICE needs more detention space, and it’s faster to open old facilities than to build new ones.
www.themarshallproject.org
September 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
"Official government numbers don't always provide a complete picture of how many immigrants are in detention. But according to ICE, the number of detained immigrants jumped to more than 61,000 as of Aug. 24. And the new federal budget has allocated $45 billion for immigrant detention."