Katie Prout
@katieprout.bsky.social
features writer, Chicago Reader: harm reduction, homelessness, and chicago/rust belt history.
proud member, Reader Union
kprout@chicagoreader.com; signal katie.507
https://www.katieprout.com/
proud member, Reader Union
kprout@chicagoreader.com; signal katie.507
https://www.katieprout.com/
Pinned
Katie Prout
@katieprout.bsky.social
· Aug 21
After taking some time away to have a dang baby, I'm back to work at the Chicago Reader. Have a question or tip about the state of harm reduction, homelessness, and/or drugs in Chicago? Send me a line at kprout@chicagoreader.com. I also cover: cultural lore, ghosts of all kinds, & city characters.
Reposted by Katie Prout
In 2025 ICE teargassed a middle-class street in Chicago holding a Halloween parade for children.
In 2025 ICE deployed tear gas in front of middle and elementary schools in Chicago and Evanston, IL.
In 2025 ICE pepper-sprayed a 1 year old baby in her parents' car in Cicero, IL.
This is not new.
In 2025 ICE deployed tear gas in front of middle and elementary schools in Chicago and Evanston, IL.
In 2025 ICE pepper-sprayed a 1 year old baby in her parents' car in Cicero, IL.
This is not new.
Today I saw ICE gas little white kids in the streets of Portland with chemical weapons. Imagine what they're doing to brown and black kids in the detention camps
February 1, 2026 at 5:12 AM
In 2025 ICE teargassed a middle-class street in Chicago holding a Halloween parade for children.
In 2025 ICE deployed tear gas in front of middle and elementary schools in Chicago and Evanston, IL.
In 2025 ICE pepper-sprayed a 1 year old baby in her parents' car in Cicero, IL.
This is not new.
In 2025 ICE deployed tear gas in front of middle and elementary schools in Chicago and Evanston, IL.
In 2025 ICE pepper-sprayed a 1 year old baby in her parents' car in Cicero, IL.
This is not new.
Reposted by Katie Prout
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Took my eyes off the baby for 30 seconds only to find he’d crawled to the bathroom, opened the cupboard, and was sitting in the dark plucking my hair out of my hairbrush and eating it
January 31, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Took my eyes off the baby for 30 seconds only to find he’d crawled to the bathroom, opened the cupboard, and was sitting in the dark plucking my hair out of my hairbrush and eating it
Reposted by Katie Prout
Recordings I obtained of Chicagoans calling 911 to report ICE activity—including Marimar Martínez’s call after an agent shot her—are included in this week’s episode of @thisamericanlife.org
What Is Your Emergency? - This American Life
911 calls unlike any we’ve heard before, and other stories about immigration agents sweeping through America.
www.thisamericanlife.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Recordings I obtained of Chicagoans calling 911 to report ICE activity—including Marimar Martínez’s call after an agent shot her—are included in this week’s episode of @thisamericanlife.org
My three closest coffee shops are closed because of the strike, at least one after taking a vote with their employees to decide what to do (maybe the others did it that way too, they just didn’t say so publicly). I think that’s pretty cool.
January 30, 2026 at 6:01 PM
My three closest coffee shops are closed because of the strike, at least one after taking a vote with their employees to decide what to do (maybe the others did it that way too, they just didn’t say so publicly). I think that’s pretty cool.
Fed agents boxed in a 56 year old observer, addressed her by her first name although they’d never met before, and told her they identified her using facial recognition software.
January 30, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Fed agents boxed in a 56 year old observer, addressed her by her first name although they’d never met before, and told her they identified her using facial recognition software.
Reposted by Katie Prout
Huge thanks to Chicago NOW’s Anthony Ponce and Kaitlin Cody at @fox32chicago.bsky.social for chatting with new editor in chief Sarah Conway about what’s ahead for the Reader!
January 29, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Huge thanks to Chicago NOW’s Anthony Ponce and Kaitlin Cody at @fox32chicago.bsky.social for chatting with new editor in chief Sarah Conway about what’s ahead for the Reader!
Reposted by Katie Prout
@katieprout.bsky.social has some background and historical examples
chicagoreader.com/news/chicago...
chicagoreader.com/news/chicago...
Target: rats - Chicago Reader
What Chicago's rat abatement posters reveal about the cultural and political context from which they came.
chicagoreader.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:40 PM
@katieprout.bsky.social has some background and historical examples
chicagoreader.com/news/chicago...
chicagoreader.com/news/chicago...
Reposted by Katie Prout
Not surprisingly, kids are not faring well in the for-profit family concentration camp. They are distressed, sleeping a lot, not getting enough to eat. Rep. Castro reports that a 2-month-old baby is in there
I just visited Liam and his father. I also met with countless more children and families who have done nothing wrong and should not be detained.
My full update on visiting the Dilley detention center:
youtu.be/j9FcMwyWN2I?...
My full update on visiting the Dilley detention center:
youtu.be/j9FcMwyWN2I?...
I just visited Liam and his father. My full update on visiting the Dilley detention center:
YouTube video by JoaquinCastroTX
youtu.be
January 29, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Not surprisingly, kids are not faring well in the for-profit family concentration camp. They are distressed, sleeping a lot, not getting enough to eat. Rep. Castro reports that a 2-month-old baby is in there
Reposted by Katie Prout
ice was in elgin today. on tuesday, ice kidnapped people from chicago’s hermosa neighborhood as well as the suburbs of bolingbrook (west) and waukegan (far north). last week, feds in six vehicles abducted an adult and three kids from near their home in woodlawn.
they never left. they never stopped.
they never left. they never stopped.
yes, there are no real signs of any big change in DHS activity here yet. In Chicago there really was after Bovino left and they basically ended "Midway Blitz" not so here so far.
I don’t know, declaring victory in MN seems premature. They’re still arresting people and brutalizing the community. The changes appear—so far—to be cosmetic
January 29, 2026 at 4:24 AM
ice was in elgin today. on tuesday, ice kidnapped people from chicago’s hermosa neighborhood as well as the suburbs of bolingbrook (west) and waukegan (far north). last week, feds in six vehicles abducted an adult and three kids from near their home in woodlawn.
they never left. they never stopped.
they never left. they never stopped.
Reposted by Katie Prout
Maher Tarabishi, who has been detained by ICE since October, was the primary caretaker of his disabled adult child, Wael.
On Jan. 23, Wael died from complications related to Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition.
ICE has now denied Maher’s request to attend his funeral, his attorney says.
On Jan. 23, Wael died from complications related to Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition.
ICE has now denied Maher’s request to attend his funeral, his attorney says.
ICE Denies Detainee's Request to Attend His Son's Funeral, Attorney Says
Maher Tarabishi was the primary caretaker of his son, Wael Tarabishi, 30, who died on Friday, Jan. 23, from complications related to Pompe disease.
people.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Maher Tarabishi, who has been detained by ICE since October, was the primary caretaker of his disabled adult child, Wael.
On Jan. 23, Wael died from complications related to Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition.
ICE has now denied Maher’s request to attend his funeral, his attorney says.
On Jan. 23, Wael died from complications related to Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition.
ICE has now denied Maher’s request to attend his funeral, his attorney says.
“When Alex had his bedroom window open, I could hear him singing all the way from my own open window. He loved mandarin oranges and macaroni and cheese, and we agreed it was especially pleasing when all the food on our plates was orange.”
I wrote about my childhood friend Alexi Pretti. Please read it and share it and remember him as a human being. @theverge.com
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by ICE agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:37 PM
“When Alex had his bedroom window open, I could hear him singing all the way from my own open window. He loved mandarin oranges and macaroni and cheese, and we agreed it was especially pleasing when all the food on our plates was orange.”
Removed my original repost of this because @peoplesfabric.com kindly pointed out that this incident happened Saturday & was police, not ICE. bsky.app/profile/peop...
January 27, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Removed my original repost of this because @peoplesfabric.com kindly pointed out that this incident happened Saturday & was police, not ICE. bsky.app/profile/peop...
Reposted by Katie Prout
“As of Feb. 1, people up to age 64 will have to work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for food assistance. The work rules also expanded to include people who are homeless, veterans and parents of teens 14 and older.”
January 27, 2026 at 6:24 PM
“As of Feb. 1, people up to age 64 will have to work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for food assistance. The work rules also expanded to include people who are homeless, veterans and parents of teens 14 and older.”
Reposted by Katie Prout
Crowd has filled up the corner now. At least 200+ people. Lots of unions including AFGE, NNU, CTU, SEIU, and more
January 27, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Crowd has filled up the corner now. At least 200+ people. Lots of unions including AFGE, NNU, CTU, SEIU, and more
Reposted by Katie Prout
"As veterans we know what warfare looks like and right now the United States is against in warfare against their own people"
January 27, 2026 at 6:15 PM
"As veterans we know what warfare looks like and right now the United States is against in warfare against their own people"
Reposted by Katie Prout
Now: Small but growing crowd assembling in front of the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago to rally in memory of Alex Pretti and to demand ICE out of everywhere
January 27, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Now: Small but growing crowd assembling in front of the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago to rally in memory of Alex Pretti and to demand ICE out of everywhere
Reposted by Katie Prout
So many people in the Twin Cities are physically and emotionally scarred by what has been happening there. Still, going out with a broken rib is remarkable. He must have been in severe pain and still decided to step in to help someone.
CNN reporting that a week before Alex Pretti was killed, 5 agents tackled him and he suffered a broken rib. CNN says he stopped his car after he saw ICE agents interacting with a family on foot and began to blow his whistle. Source tells CNN Pretti believed “That day he thought he was going to die”
January 27, 2026 at 5:52 PM
So many people in the Twin Cities are physically and emotionally scarred by what has been happening there. Still, going out with a broken rib is remarkable. He must have been in severe pain and still decided to step in to help someone.
This is an *extremely* important story. Food pantries and mutual aid are beautiful, critical things, but the need will be greater than they can meet. People across the country are going to be forced to choose between paying for food or paying rent.
New SNAP work rules leave unemployed Englewood man + others at risk. New work rules for the federal food assistance program start Feb. 1 in Illinois, with state estimating that as many as 400K residents could be pushed out @elviamalagon.bsky.social reports chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01...
New SNAP work rules leave unemployed Englewood man and thousands of others at risk
The new work rules for the federal food assistance program start Feb. 1 in Illinois, with state officials estimating that as many as 400,000 residents could be pushed out of the program.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 PM
This is an *extremely* important story. Food pantries and mutual aid are beautiful, critical things, but the need will be greater than they can meet. People across the country are going to be forced to choose between paying for food or paying rent.
Reposted by Katie Prout
Marimar Martinez is so brave.
The woman who survived five gunshots from a Border Patrol agent in Chicago, only to be criminally charged and then cleared, now wants a judge’s permission to share records showing how the feds respond when agents use deadly force. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Woman shot by Border Patrol in Chicago asks judge to let her release evidence
Marimar Martinez is blocked from releasing evidence in her case by what's known as a "protective order." Though standard, her attorney says it's “become an albatross” around her neck and “keeps the en...
chicago.suntimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Marimar Martinez is so brave.
Reposted by Katie Prout
The only thing that would make this more of a Congressional Democratic proposal is if they figured out a way to means-test not being shot.
Dems coalescing around 5 restrictions on ICE, I'm told:
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
A Dem Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hits Home: “Breaking Point”
As Trump scrambles to contain the damage from the latest ICE horrors, Senator Chris Murphy offers a sharp indictment of Trump-ICE lawlessness—and explains how Dems can meet the urgency of the moment.
newrepublic.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:24 PM
The only thing that would make this more of a Congressional Democratic proposal is if they figured out a way to means-test not being shot.
Reposted by Katie Prout
There's apparently body cam footage of Alex's murder. Do people know this?
This lets you know that a demand for body cams is USELESS and in fact just a way to give more money to the killers.
This lets you know that a demand for body cams is USELESS and in fact just a way to give more money to the killers.
January 27, 2026 at 12:37 PM
There's apparently body cam footage of Alex's murder. Do people know this?
This lets you know that a demand for body cams is USELESS and in fact just a way to give more money to the killers.
This lets you know that a demand for body cams is USELESS and in fact just a way to give more money to the killers.
Reposted by Katie Prout
What's old is new again: "The fear that young people, particularly young, white girls, would be corrupted if the literature they read acknowledged the existence of sex, queer people, and/or pleasure, was deemed by the federal government to be a national issue."
What is a literary salon, if not a kiki? Govt book bans only attest to the power of queer lit. For my first review of 2026, I read Adam Morgan's debut, "A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls: Margaret C. Anderson, Book Bans, and the Fight to Modernize Literature."
chicagoreader.com/books/book-r...
chicagoreader.com/books/book-r...
In A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, Adam Morgan explores the biggest threat to American youth: books - Chicago Reader
Adam Morgan explores the trial of queer literary magazine publisher Margaret C. Anderson in 1921 on felony obscenity charges.
chicagoreader.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:05 PM
What's old is new again: "The fear that young people, particularly young, white girls, would be corrupted if the literature they read acknowledged the existence of sex, queer people, and/or pleasure, was deemed by the federal government to be a national issue."
What is a literary salon, if not a kiki? Govt book bans only attest to the power of queer lit. For my first review of 2026, I read Adam Morgan's debut, "A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls: Margaret C. Anderson, Book Bans, and the Fight to Modernize Literature."
chicagoreader.com/books/book-r...
chicagoreader.com/books/book-r...
In A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, Adam Morgan explores the biggest threat to American youth: books - Chicago Reader
Adam Morgan explores the trial of queer literary magazine publisher Margaret C. Anderson in 1921 on felony obscenity charges.
chicagoreader.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:04 PM
What is a literary salon, if not a kiki? Govt book bans only attest to the power of queer lit. For my first review of 2026, I read Adam Morgan's debut, "A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls: Margaret C. Anderson, Book Bans, and the Fight to Modernize Literature."
chicagoreader.com/books/book-r...
chicagoreader.com/books/book-r...