Abby Miller
@abbylmiller.bsky.social
development reporter @chicago.suntimes.com. amiller@suntimes.com (she/her)
Developers Related Midwest and CRG will pay upward of $100 million to remediate the former U.S. Steel South Works site, where petroleum hydrocarbons, metals and other isolated substances have been found in the soil and groundwater:
chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
Quantum Shore developers expect to spend millions on site remediation at old South Works site
Related Midwest and CRG re-enrolled the 440-acre project into a remediation program with plans to install barriers to minimize health risks and improve resident safety, as recent tests found metals an...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Developers Related Midwest and CRG will pay upward of $100 million to remediate the former U.S. Steel South Works site, where petroleum hydrocarbons, metals and other isolated substances have been found in the soil and groundwater:
chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
chicago.suntimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Abby Miller
Gregory Bovino, commander-at-large of the U.S. #BorderPatrol, claims a @wbez.org/@chicago.suntimes.com report about his comments Sunday in downtown #Chicago was "grossly inaccurate" and taken out of context. So we've posted the interview's unedited AUDIO and TRANSCRIPT:
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Transcript: Gregory Bovino says arrestees in downtown Chicago chosen partly based on ‘how they look’
WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell spoke with U.S. Border Patrol commander about a deportation blitz downtown and in the upscale River North neighborhood. Here is the transcript and unedited audio interview.
www.wbez.org
October 1, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Gregory Bovino, commander-at-large of the U.S. #BorderPatrol, claims a @wbez.org/@chicago.suntimes.com report about his comments Sunday in downtown #Chicago was "grossly inaccurate" and taken out of context. So we've posted the interview's unedited AUDIO and TRANSCRIPT:
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Abby Miller
The Chicago Housing Authority selected a new development team for its 7-acre vacant plot of land, after the project’s previous developers backed out.
Former Cabrini-Green site gets a new developer, with plans calling for apartments, condos and townhomes
The Chicago Housing Authority selected a new development team for its 7-acre vacant plot of land, after the project's previous developers backed out.
trib.al
September 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The Chicago Housing Authority selected a new development team for its 7-acre vacant plot of land, after the project’s previous developers backed out.
Reposted by Abby Miller
Sending National Guard to Chicago could cost taxpayers nearly $1.6 million per day, analysis finds
(No paywall at the Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
(No paywall at the Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Sending National Guard to Chicago could cost taxpayers nearly $1.6 million a day, analysis says
The estimated cost is based on figures from past deployments and on 3,000 troops potentially being sent to Chicago, though no official number has been made public.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Sending National Guard to Chicago could cost taxpayers nearly $1.6 million per day, analysis finds
(No paywall at the Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
(No paywall at the Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Reposted by Abby Miller
EXCLUSIVE: DHS, ICE and CBP agents — and possibly National Guard troops — would operate from a suburban naval base for much of next month as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to target Chicago, per an email from Navy leadership obtained by CST.
They'd be at Naval Station Great Lakes Sept. 2-30.
They'd be at Naval Station Great Lakes Sept. 2-30.
Trump’s planned Chicago blitz would use naval base to house ICE agents, possibly National Guard
Agents with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement would operate out of Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago throughout September, according to an email from a Navy captain who said there were "a lot of concerns and questions" about the plan.
chicago.suntimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
EXCLUSIVE: DHS, ICE and CBP agents — and possibly National Guard troops — would operate from a suburban naval base for much of next month as part of President Donald Trump’s plan to target Chicago, per an email from Navy leadership obtained by CST.
They'd be at Naval Station Great Lakes Sept. 2-30.
They'd be at Naval Station Great Lakes Sept. 2-30.
Meeting Chicago’s parking requirements for housing developments has been a headache for developers. But an ordinance eliminating parking minimums near public transit could change that — and with it, bring more housing to the city at a time where it's desperately needed:
Cutting parking for homes built near transit aims to ease housing crunch
A recently passed city ordinance that eliminates some parking minimums could lead to lower building costs, more housing and lower rents, experts say.
chicago.suntimes.com
August 15, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Meeting Chicago’s parking requirements for housing developments has been a headache for developers. But an ordinance eliminating parking minimums near public transit could change that — and with it, bring more housing to the city at a time where it's desperately needed:
The Merchandise Mart’s New York-based owner is eyeing a sale of the building as Chicago’s office market continues to post record-high vacancies: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Chicago's iconic Merchandise Mart could soon be up for sale
The possible listing comes at a time when office vacancies continue to hit record highs across Chicago's neighborhoods — including River North, where the Mart sits along the river.
chicago.suntimes.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The Merchandise Mart’s New York-based owner is eyeing a sale of the building as Chicago’s office market continues to post record-high vacancies: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Abby Miller
Lincoln Yards was supposed to transform the North Side. What went wrong? Developer Sterling Bay is losing the Lincoln Park site to impatient lenders. Now, Chicago’s JDL Development is close to swooping in, sources tell the @chicago.suntimes.com
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Lincoln Yards was supposed to transform the North Side. What went wrong?
Developer Sterling Bay is losing the Lincoln Park site to impatient lenders. Now, Chicago's JDL Development is close to swooping in, sources tell the Sun-Times.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Lincoln Yards was supposed to transform the North Side. What went wrong? Developer Sterling Bay is losing the Lincoln Park site to impatient lenders. Now, Chicago’s JDL Development is close to swooping in, sources tell the @chicago.suntimes.com
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Abby Miller
A 66-year-old woman suffered a broken left arm in a hit-and-run Tuesday evening while during a downtown anti-ICE protest, officials said.
buff.ly/wHV1ATT
buff.ly/wHV1ATT
Woman, 66, suffers broken arm in hit-and-run during downtown Chicago anti-ICE protests, police say
The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released, Chicago police said.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
A 66-year-old woman suffered a broken left arm in a hit-and-run Tuesday evening while during a downtown anti-ICE protest, officials said.
buff.ly/wHV1ATT
buff.ly/wHV1ATT
Could implementing a citywide vacancy tax help solve Chicago's affordable housing crisis? Three students at the University of Chicago found the tax could raise $30 million annually to fund infill housing in the city:
How to build more affordable housing? Tax vacant properties, say University of Chicago students
Three undergraduate students at the University of Chicago won a new housing challenge for proposing a citywide vacancy tax. The tax would fund affordable, infill housing.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Could implementing a citywide vacancy tax help solve Chicago's affordable housing crisis? Three students at the University of Chicago found the tax could raise $30 million annually to fund infill housing in the city:
Reposted by Abby Miller
The owners of a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Oak Park are hoping that the property’s next owner has a passion for preservation. After nearly 27 years, Tom and Deb Abrahamson are selling their home at 515 Fair Oaks Ave. for an estimated $1.9 million.
Owners of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Oak Park home selling after nearly 27 years
The home, designated as a landmark in Oak Park, was among Wright's first homes to include a picture window and other mainstays seen in his later work.
buff.ly
May 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The owners of a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Oak Park are hoping that the property’s next owner has a passion for preservation. After nearly 27 years, Tom and Deb Abrahamson are selling their home at 515 Fair Oaks Ave. for an estimated $1.9 million.
ICYMI: The city of Chicago is opening up its missing middle housing program to three South Side neighborhoods this year. Community organizations are hopeful the program can reactivate their neighborhoods' vacant lots and help new homeowners build generational wealth:
Chicago's 'missing middle' housing program adds more neighborhoods, extends developer deadline
The program aimed at turning vacant city land into housing for working middle-class families recently expanded to include three South Side neighborhoods.
chicago.suntimes.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
ICYMI: The city of Chicago is opening up its missing middle housing program to three South Side neighborhoods this year. Community organizations are hopeful the program can reactivate their neighborhoods' vacant lots and help new homeowners build generational wealth:
Reposted by Abby Miller
The CST Guild is aware of the third-party “summer guide” content in the May 18 edition of the Sun-Times newspaper.
This was a syndicated section made externally without the knowledge of the members of our newsroom.
We’re deeply disturbed that AI-generated content was printed alongside our work.
This was a syndicated section made externally without the knowledge of the members of our newsroom.
We’re deeply disturbed that AI-generated content was printed alongside our work.
May 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The CST Guild is aware of the third-party “summer guide” content in the May 18 edition of the Sun-Times newspaper.
This was a syndicated section made externally without the knowledge of the members of our newsroom.
We’re deeply disturbed that AI-generated content was printed alongside our work.
This was a syndicated section made externally without the knowledge of the members of our newsroom.
We’re deeply disturbed that AI-generated content was printed alongside our work.
Reposted by Abby Miller
President Donald Trump says his tariffs will re-shore U.S. manufacturing, yet food businesses like those in Illinois are especially hard hit by his trade war.
Illinois food businesses in the crosshairs of trade war Trump says will boost U.S. manufacturing
Produce from warm climates can’t be re-shored to the U.S. for year-round consumption, like some industrial and consumer goods.
buff.ly
May 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
President Donald Trump says his tariffs will re-shore U.S. manufacturing, yet food businesses like those in Illinois are especially hard hit by his trade war.
After months of the public being blocked from using the riverfront plaza outside Trump Tower, the building’s management relented Tuesday and moved the fences under pressure from city officials.
With Fran Spielman and @szreports.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
With Fran Spielman and @szreports.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
Trump Tower plaza barricades pulled back after months of complaints
The fencing violated the planned development ordinance requiring open access to the 1.2-acre public plaza, according to the city’s Department of Planning and Development.
chicago.suntimes.com
May 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
After months of the public being blocked from using the riverfront plaza outside Trump Tower, the building’s management relented Tuesday and moved the fences under pressure from city officials.
With Fran Spielman and @szreports.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
With Fran Spielman and @szreports.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
Reposted by Abby Miller
Cook County is saddled with a “broken system” of property tax appeals that gives breaks to business owners and wealthy white homeowners — while shifting nearly $2 billion of tax burden to the lowest income homeowners, according to a report from the county treasurer’s office.
Some notable numbers 🧵⬇️
Some notable numbers 🧵⬇️
'Broken system' of property tax appeals put extra $2 billion on Cook County homeowners, treasurer says
Chicago had some of the worst disparities in the county, with businesses’ tax bills dropping nearly 20% while residential bills increased by more than 16% during the 2021 to 2023 reassessment cycle.
chicago.suntimes.com
May 5, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Cook County is saddled with a “broken system” of property tax appeals that gives breaks to business owners and wealthy white homeowners — while shifting nearly $2 billion of tax burden to the lowest income homeowners, according to a report from the county treasurer’s office.
Some notable numbers 🧵⬇️
Some notable numbers 🧵⬇️
The Chicago Housing Authority has posted a new call for developers interested in the vacant property at Clybourn Avenue and Larrabee Street after initial investors backed out. With David Roeder:
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Cabrini-Green investor departures force CHA to regroup on Near North development site
The agency has reissued a request for developer interest in property at Clybourn Avenue and Larrabee Street, where it wants mixed-income housing.
chicago.suntimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The Chicago Housing Authority has posted a new call for developers interested in the vacant property at Clybourn Avenue and Larrabee Street after initial investors backed out. With David Roeder:
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Abby Miller
CEO Andy Gloor called the land surrender “an unfortunate pause” in a letter to investors but said they “remain committed” to the vision for megadevelopment Lincoln Yards.
Developer Sterling Bay hands over portion of $6B Lincoln Yards site to lender
CEO Andy Gloor called the land surrender “an unfortunate pause” in a letter to investors but said they “remain committed" to the vision for megadevelopment Lincoln Yards.
buff.ly
April 1, 2025 at 1:10 PM
CEO Andy Gloor called the land surrender “an unfortunate pause” in a letter to investors but said they “remain committed” to the vision for megadevelopment Lincoln Yards.
Reposted by Abby Miller
Today, the Sun-Times announces expanded architecture coverage with my switch from editorial board member/monthly architecture columnist to full-time architecture critic. "The change reflects Chicago’s strong interest in the built environment — and the forces that shape it ..."
A wronged Wright on Chicago's West Side could receive long-needed repairs
Preservationists see the correction of building code violations at the Walser House as a critical first step toward the early Frank Lloyd Wright home being saved and reused.
chicago.suntimes.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Today, the Sun-Times announces expanded architecture coverage with my switch from editorial board member/monthly architecture columnist to full-time architecture critic. "The change reflects Chicago’s strong interest in the built environment — and the forces that shape it ..."
Reposted by Abby Miller
A sad day at work today.
Relieved about no layoffs, but these 30 buyouts include 23 people from the newsroom. 💔
Support your local news outlets 🙏
Relieved about no layoffs, but these 30 buyouts include 23 people from the newsroom. 💔
Support your local news outlets 🙏
Thirty employees of the Chicago Sun-Times — around one in five on its payroll — have agreed to resign after a buyout offer.
The departures primarily affect writers and editors, many of whom have extensive experience at the newspaper.
The departures primarily affect writers and editors, many of whom have extensive experience at the newspaper.
Chicago Sun-Times to lose 20% of staff after buyout offer
Columnists, editorial writers and many more head for the exits as the paper's nonprofit owner, Chicago Public Media, deals with fiscal hardship.
trib.al
March 19, 2025 at 1:42 AM
A sad day at work today.
Relieved about no layoffs, but these 30 buyouts include 23 people from the newsroom. 💔
Support your local news outlets 🙏
Relieved about no layoffs, but these 30 buyouts include 23 people from the newsroom. 💔
Support your local news outlets 🙏
Reposted by Abby Miller
To protect public media we need more journalists in our newsroom — not fewer. #ProtectMyPublicMedia
March 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
To protect public media we need more journalists in our newsroom — not fewer. #ProtectMyPublicMedia
Trump's latest tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China have Illinois businesses facing 'scary times' chicago.suntimes.com/small-busine...
Trump's latest tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China have Illinois businesses facing 'scary times'
From breweries to farms, businesses are bracing for higher costs as well as product and supply chain disruptions — and the hits could impact what consumers pay.
chicago.suntimes.com
March 6, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Trump's latest tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China have Illinois businesses facing 'scary times' chicago.suntimes.com/small-busine...
The United Center’s owners have bought two more parking lots near the stadium as they aim to start a planned $7 billion transformation of the surrounding area this summer: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
United Center owners scoop up parking lots near the stadium ahead of 1901 Project's planned kickoff
An affiliate of the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families paid nearly $10 million for two surface parking lots, after trying last year to purchase the lots for an estimated $8 million.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The United Center’s owners have bought two more parking lots near the stadium as they aim to start a planned $7 billion transformation of the surrounding area this summer: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Abby Miller
After McDonald's rolled back its DEI initiatives last month, I reviewed the policies of 15 other major Illinois-based companies. Many still referenced DEI online and in annual reports, but some have changed their policies within the last month. 1/8
February 21, 2025 at 5:46 PM
After McDonald's rolled back its DEI initiatives last month, I reviewed the policies of 15 other major Illinois-based companies. Many still referenced DEI online and in annual reports, but some have changed their policies within the last month. 1/8
Chicago Plan Commission meets at 10 a.m. this morning with a divisive project on its agenda: a 379-foot residential tower in Old Town. The developer and Ald. Brian Hopkins reached a compromise to reduce the project's scale, but some neighbors are still opposed: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...
Divisive Old Town residential development going before Chicago Plan Commission
Ald. Brian Hopkins and developer Fern Hill reached a compromise for the project, but some local groups still aren't happy with the plans.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Chicago Plan Commission meets at 10 a.m. this morning with a divisive project on its agenda: a 379-foot residential tower in Old Town. The developer and Ald. Brian Hopkins reached a compromise to reduce the project's scale, but some neighbors are still opposed: chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...