Gregory Pratt
@royalpratt.bsky.social
Chicago Tribune investigative reporter. Little Village raised. Proud Tribune Guild. I'm just trying to make my city a better place. Author: "The City is Up for Grabs."
Pinned
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz. Our team fanned out to cover the before, during and after of the federal government’s months-long raid on an American city. This is worth your time to understand the United States today
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
‘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...
‘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…
www.chicagotribune.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:57 PM
‘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...
The @chicagotribune.com did back of the envelope math and conservatively found that Operation Midway Blitz cost the taxpayer $59 million. Good reporting from @danvock.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...
Cost of Operation Midway Blitz: $59M and counting
A Tribune review of court filings, databases and other public records detailing the scope of the incursion and typical costs shows how much the federal government has spent since September.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 4, 2026 at 1:16 PM
The @chicagotribune.com did back of the envelope math and conservatively found that Operation Midway Blitz cost the taxpayer $59 million. Good reporting from @danvock.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...
A Mexican restaurant serving Pepsi is a travesty.
January 3, 2026 at 7:23 PM
A Mexican restaurant serving Pepsi is a travesty.
Huge fan of Yorgos Lanthimos and Bugonia left me speechless. Everyone who’s ever met me knows how hard that is
January 3, 2026 at 5:30 AM
Huge fan of Yorgos Lanthimos and Bugonia left me speechless. Everyone who’s ever met me knows how hard that is
Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones faces allegations of extortion from a former employee who filed a federal lawsuit naming both him and the city as defendants. Jones denies the allegations. Story by Olivia Stevens
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/c...
Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones’ attorney calls allegations false in federal extortion lawsuit
Kenneth Jones claims Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones retaliated against him and wrongfully terminated his employment in August.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones faces allegations of extortion from a former employee who filed a federal lawsuit naming both him and the city as defendants. Jones denies the allegations. Story by Olivia Stevens
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/c...
They said she didn’t belong, but Maria Curtis built a full life in Naperville. A tenderly written obituary of a remarkable person from @carolynstein.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/m...
They said she didn’t belong, but Maria Curtis built a full life in Naperville
When Maria Curtis was born with Down syndrome in 1963, her Naperville family refused to institutionlize her and she would thrive.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:41 PM
They said she didn’t belong, but Maria Curtis built a full life in Naperville. A tenderly written obituary of a remarkable person from @carolynstein.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/m...
This anecdote from @blockclubchi.bsky.social really speaks to the recklessness of federal law enforcement in Chicago this fall, as judged by other police and now a National Guard member (running for office)
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:44 PM
This anecdote from @blockclubchi.bsky.social really speaks to the recklessness of federal law enforcement in Chicago this fall, as judged by other police and now a National Guard member (running for office)
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Starved Rock, Illinois’ most popular state park, to get $18M trail upgrades in new year. Story by Dan Petrella
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/s...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/s...
Starved Rock, Illinois’ most popular state park, to get $18M trail upgrades in new year
The new year will bring long-overdue upgrades at Illinois’ most popular state park, and one of its top tourist destinations outside Chicago.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Starved Rock, Illinois’ most popular state park, to get $18M trail upgrades in new year. Story by Dan Petrella
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/s...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/s...
City Hall hiring freezes, including under Mayor Brandon Johnson, have proved to be more of a chill. @aliceyin.bsky.social with the story www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/m...
City Hall hiring freezes, including under Mayor Brandon Johnson, have proved to be more of a chill
Hundreds of workers were brought on to the payroll since Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration instituted the hiring freeze in August, according to city records.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:40 PM
City Hall hiring freezes, including under Mayor Brandon Johnson, have proved to be more of a chill. @aliceyin.bsky.social with the story www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/02/m...
Happy New Year! Be good to each other, do things that make you feel alive, and kick the asses that need kicking.
January 1, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Happy New Year! Be good to each other, do things that make you feel alive, and kick the asses that need kicking.
President Donald Trump said he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/p...
President Donald Trump says he’s dropping push for National Guard in Chicago — for now
President Donald Trump said he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the eff…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
President Donald Trump said he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/31/p...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
ICE plans $100 million ‘wartime recruitment’ push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires
An internal ICE document shared among immigration officials details plans to use influencers and geo-targeted ads to rapidly hire thousands of deportation officers.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
How Did This Family End Up Back in a Toxic House? A Times investigation found that insurers are driving families into homes contaminated by smoke. Lab results show how one family was exposed to neurotoxins and carcinogens. Great work @rukminicallimachi.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Insurers Said They Could Return Home. Our Tests Found Neurotoxins in Their Bodies.
A Times investigation has found that insurers are driving families into homes contaminated by smoke. Lab results show how one family was exposed to neurotoxins and carcinogens.
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:11 PM
How Did This Family End Up Back in a Toxic House? A Times investigation found that insurers are driving families into homes contaminated by smoke. Lab results show how one family was exposed to neurotoxins and carcinogens. Great work @rukminicallimachi.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
We've been quietly at work, taking a look back at how Operation Midway Blitz changed Chicago and what happened after hundreds of federal agents detained immigrants. Unlike what the feds claimed, over 60% of those arrested did not have criminal charges.
READ:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
READ:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
We've been quietly at work, taking a look back at how Operation Midway Blitz changed Chicago and what happened after hundreds of federal agents detained immigrants. Unlike what the feds claimed, over 60% of those arrested did not have criminal charges.
READ:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
READ:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
NEWS: “Help is on the way.” Audio captures Border Patrol, 911 dispatchers before Chicago Police response when they stopped a man filming the Feds. Story is worth a read, from @ckubzansky.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/a...
‘Help is on the way’: Audio captures Border Patrol, 911 dispatchers before CPD response
On the second day of Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s brief, chaotic return to Chicago earlier this month, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection supervisor dialed 911 as a convoy of federal vehicles spe…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
NEWS: “Help is on the way.” Audio captures Border Patrol, 911 dispatchers before Chicago Police response when they stopped a man filming the Feds. Story is worth a read, from @ckubzansky.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/a...
On Christmas Eve in Chicago, the labor town led by a labor mayor, CPS said ‘miscellaneous’ school workers shouldn’t be allowed to unionize. Story by @taliasoglin.bsky.social and Kate Armanini
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/c...
CPS says ‘miscellaneous’ school workers shouldn’t be allowed to unionize
Chicago Public Schools is challenging the Service Employees International Union’s petition to represent 1,600 miscellaneous workers, stalling the effort.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
On Christmas Eve in Chicago, the labor town led by a labor mayor, CPS said ‘miscellaneous’ school workers shouldn’t be allowed to unionize. Story by @taliasoglin.bsky.social and Kate Armanini
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/c...
North Side alderman pausing Chicago Zoning Committee meetings to pressure Mayor Brandon Johnson to pick chairperson. Ald. Lawson is playing hardball here. This position has been a nonstop mess for the mayor. Story by @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/n...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/n...
North Side alderman pausing Chicago Zoning Committee meetings to pressure Mayor Brandon Johnson to pick chairperson
The interim chair of the Chicago City Council’s Zoning Committee is halting its meetings to try to force Mayor Brandon Johnson to appoint a permanent head of the critical committee.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM
North Side alderman pausing Chicago Zoning Committee meetings to pressure Mayor Brandon Johnson to pick chairperson. Ald. Lawson is playing hardball here. This position has been a nonstop mess for the mayor. Story by @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/n...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/n...
The Tribune documented 106 protesters caught up in the Midway Blitz dragnet -- 100 detained by agents and six indicted. At least half of the 106 never faced charges and, of the rest, only nine have active felony cases. Some have fallen apart spectacularly.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/c...
Rioters? Agitators? Immigration agents’ claims against US citizens mostly fall apart in court.
Time and again, Donald Trump’s immigration agents claimed horrific crimes at the hands of protesters in Chicago. Those allegations of abuse did not withstand the scrutiny of judicial review.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The Tribune documented 106 protesters caught up in the Midway Blitz dragnet -- 100 detained by agents and six indicted. At least half of the 106 never faced charges and, of the rest, only nine have active felony cases. Some have fallen apart spectacularly.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/c...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
Long-form journalism at its best.
Well worth your time and share.
Well worth your time and share.
On a bitterly cold Sunday, Adriana Rivera left to reunite with her deported husband in Michoacán. Theirs had been a story, at one time, of hope and American aspiration. Her friends who are still here are selling the last of the eggs she sold for a living. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Long-form journalism at its best.
Well worth your time and share.
Well worth your time and share.
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
New: We obtained thousands of internal chat messages from the ICE team creating viral videos of raids and "EPIC takedowns."
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
‘It’s a war’: Inside ICE’s media machine
Thousands of internal ICE messages show how its public affairs team has coordinated with the White House to satisfy Trump administration demands for viral arrest videos
wapo.st
December 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
New: We obtained thousands of internal chat messages from the ICE team creating viral videos of raids and "EPIC takedowns."
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
A scramble to satisfy the White House and "feed the beast" spawned a new "propaganda" machine, current and former officials told us.
"It's a war!"
wapo.st/4s6YnC5
Good morning. ICYMI: The @chicagotribune.com published our in depth report on the Trump raids of the city, and it’s well worth your time to read and understand the chaos of our times
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Good morning. ICYMI: The @chicagotribune.com published our in depth report on the Trump raids of the city, and it’s well worth your time to read and understand the chaos of our times
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
She was deported to Mexico. He’s in detention. Now, this Chicago couple has to figure out what’s next. Good reporting from @adrianacardmag.bsky.social @wbez.org www.wbez.org/immigration/...
She was deported to Mexico. He’s in detention. Now, this Chicago couple has to figure out what’s next.
Alexa Ramírez came to Chicago with big plans for the future. As she tries to readjust to life in Mexico, she and her husband are working out how to rebuild their life together.
www.wbez.org
December 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
She was deported to Mexico. He’s in detention. Now, this Chicago couple has to figure out what’s next. Good reporting from @adrianacardmag.bsky.social @wbez.org www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Illinois House candidate for Lincoln Park area fueled by family hotel chain that drew scrutiny in sexual assault lawsuit. They’ve given him $300,000. Story by @olivia0.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/k...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/k...
Illinois House candidate for Lincoln Park area fueled by family hotel chain that drew scrutiny in lawsuit
As he runs for an open Illinois House seat representing part of Chicago’s North Side, Karim Lakhani promotes being a small business owner. But the family business powering his campaign has drawn sc…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Illinois House candidate for Lincoln Park area fueled by family hotel chain that drew scrutiny in sexual assault lawsuit. They’ve given him $300,000. Story by @olivia0.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/k...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/29/k...
It didn’t make this story, but I interviewed Gov. JB Pritzker who ripped Homeland Security’s Tricia McLaughlin as someone who really is “fine with lying” and mocked Gregory Bovino as someone who “makes himself seem taller in his social media.” They’ve cracked at him for months.
December 28, 2025 at 4:11 PM
It didn’t make this story, but I interviewed Gov. JB Pritzker who ripped Homeland Security’s Tricia McLaughlin as someone who really is “fine with lying” and mocked Gregory Bovino as someone who “makes himself seem taller in his social media.” They’ve cracked at him for months.
On a bitterly cold Sunday, Adriana Rivera left to reunite with her deported husband in Michoacán. Theirs had been a story, at one time, of hope and American aspiration. Her friends who are still here are selling the last of the eggs she sold for a living. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...
64 days in Chicago: The story of Operation Midway Blitz
President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement operation led to most surreal autumn in Chicago history. What happened during those 64 days will be remembered for a long time.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
On a bitterly cold Sunday, Adriana Rivera left to reunite with her deported husband in Michoacán. Theirs had been a story, at one time, of hope and American aspiration. Her friends who are still here are selling the last of the eggs she sold for a living. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/28/c...