Jake Sheridan
@jake-sheridan.bsky.social
City Hall reporter for @ChicagoTribune, covering the City Council.
@CTGuild chair. Excited to be here! Let's talk: jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
@CTGuild chair. Excited to be here! Let's talk: jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
Pinned
Jake Sheridan
@jake-sheridan.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Hey! My name is Jake Sheridan and I'm a Chicago Tribune reporter. I cover City Hall — follow along to hear about what's going on with Mayor Brandon Johnson, the City Council and Chicago politics!
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Fighting Trump’s immigration blitz in Chicago, ward by ward. A story from @jake-sheridan.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com about aldermen opposing ICE www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/13/t...
Fighting Trump’s immigration blitz in Chicago, ward by ward
Some Chicago aldermen are adding new duties: getting tear-gassed and handcuffed, organizing legions of volunteers, and standing guard near elementary schools.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Fighting Trump’s immigration blitz in Chicago, ward by ward. A story from @jake-sheridan.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com about aldermen opposing ICE www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/13/t...
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Chicago aldermen have traditionally measured success by potholes filled, block party bounce houses delivered, votes counted.
But with Trump’s deportation blitz in full swing, some are adding getting tear-gassed and handcuffed and standing guard near elementary schools.
📝 @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
But with Trump’s deportation blitz in full swing, some are adding getting tear-gassed and handcuffed and standing guard near elementary schools.
📝 @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
Fighting Trump’s immigration blitz in Chicago, ward by ward
Some Chicago aldermen are adding new duties: getting tear-gassed and handcuffed, organizing legions of volunteers, and standing guard near elementary schools.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Chicago aldermen have traditionally measured success by potholes filled, block party bounce houses delivered, votes counted.
But with Trump’s deportation blitz in full swing, some are adding getting tear-gassed and handcuffed and standing guard near elementary schools.
📝 @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
But with Trump’s deportation blitz in full swing, some are adding getting tear-gassed and handcuffed and standing guard near elementary schools.
📝 @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Chicagoans say ICE agents responded to heckling with tear gas near a school on a busy Northwest Side street.
"It’s upsetting to see people being paid to attack our community for senseless stupid reasons.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @tesskenny.bsky.social
"It’s upsetting to see people being paid to attack our community for senseless stupid reasons.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @tesskenny.bsky.social
Chicagoans say ICE agents responded to heckling with tear gas near school on busy Northwest Side street
The deployment of smoke canisters — some witnesses described it as tear gas — came as tensions boiled over on the city’s Northwest Side Friday afternoon.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Chicagoans say ICE agents responded to heckling with tear gas near a school on a busy Northwest Side street.
"It’s upsetting to see people being paid to attack our community for senseless stupid reasons.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @tesskenny.bsky.social
"It’s upsetting to see people being paid to attack our community for senseless stupid reasons.”
📝 @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @tesskenny.bsky.social
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Chaos in Brighton Park. This is representative of the amount / direction of pepper and smoke sent into the neighborhood, in this case, for no reason I can discern other than because they were leaving. Feds had a clear path out in a different direction, and residents were vocal but not violent here.
October 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Chaos in Brighton Park. This is representative of the amount / direction of pepper and smoke sent into the neighborhood, in this case, for no reason I can discern other than because they were leaving. Feds had a clear path out in a different direction, and residents were vocal but not violent here.
Not my normal spot for an interview: the bike lane.
I talked with Mayor Brandon Johnson about cycling in Chicago. Here's how he sees bike infrastructure fitting into the city, told by him from atop a Divvy bike to @chicagotribune.com (part 1/2):
I talked with Mayor Brandon Johnson about cycling in Chicago. Here's how he sees bike infrastructure fitting into the city, told by him from atop a Divvy bike to @chicagotribune.com (part 1/2):
September 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Not my normal spot for an interview: the bike lane.
I talked with Mayor Brandon Johnson about cycling in Chicago. Here's how he sees bike infrastructure fitting into the city, told by him from atop a Divvy bike to @chicagotribune.com (part 1/2):
I talked with Mayor Brandon Johnson about cycling in Chicago. Here's how he sees bike infrastructure fitting into the city, told by him from atop a Divvy bike to @chicagotribune.com (part 1/2):
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @jmetr22b.bsky.social w the details. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/m...
Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop
The first-of-its-kind deal, first uncovered by the Tribune in federal court records, would settle all outstanding wrongful conviction cases involving Sgt. Ronald Watts.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @jmetr22b.bsky.social w the details. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/m...
NEW: Ald. Brendan Reilly is officially running for Cook County Board President against Toni Preckwinkle.
He's focusing on crime to unseat Preckwinkle, a progressive who has been in office for 15 years. First reported by @adquig.bsky.social (gift link):
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/d...
He's focusing on crime to unseat Preckwinkle, a progressive who has been in office for 15 years. First reported by @adquig.bsky.social (gift link):
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/d...
Downtown alderman announces run against Preckwinkle for Cook County Board president
Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly formally announced his intent Wednesday to take on Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the March 2026 Democratic primary
www.chicagotribune.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
NEW: Ald. Brendan Reilly is officially running for Cook County Board President against Toni Preckwinkle.
He's focusing on crime to unseat Preckwinkle, a progressive who has been in office for 15 years. First reported by @adquig.bsky.social (gift link):
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/d...
He's focusing on crime to unseat Preckwinkle, a progressive who has been in office for 15 years. First reported by @adquig.bsky.social (gift link):
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/d...
One day. One new speed camera. $60,000.
Chicago's new speed cams are raking it in, early data shows. They captured $1.7M in three weeks in June, now the most-ticketed month in three years, as aldermen tout their safety impact. With William Tong for @chicagotribune.com:
t.co/EHnTVvdcF9
Chicago's new speed cams are raking it in, early data shows. They captured $1.7M in three weeks in June, now the most-ticketed month in three years, as aldermen tout their safety impact. With William Tong for @chicagotribune.com:
t.co/EHnTVvdcF9
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/07/mayor-brandon-johnson-new-speed-cameras-big-early-revenue/
t.co
September 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
One day. One new speed camera. $60,000.
Chicago's new speed cams are raking it in, early data shows. They captured $1.7M in three weeks in June, now the most-ticketed month in three years, as aldermen tout their safety impact. With William Tong for @chicagotribune.com:
t.co/EHnTVvdcF9
Chicago's new speed cams are raking it in, early data shows. They captured $1.7M in three weeks in June, now the most-ticketed month in three years, as aldermen tout their safety impact. With William Tong for @chicagotribune.com:
t.co/EHnTVvdcF9
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Should retired police be able to sell marijuana? Alderman Andre Vasquez says no, blocks dispensary. Interesting, from @jake-sheridan.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/03/r...
Should retired police be able to sell marijuana? Alderman says no, blocks dispensary
Ald. Andre Vasquez cited “fundamental justice concern” with former police officers getting to legally sell marijuana after locking people up for selling pot.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Should retired police be able to sell marijuana? Alderman Andre Vasquez says no, blocks dispensary. Interesting, from @jake-sheridan.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/03/r...
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new speed cameras see big early revenue as aldermen tout safety impact. Story by @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
and William Tong
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/07/m...
and William Tong
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/07/m...
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new speed cameras see big early revenue as aldermen tout safety impact
Speeding tickets from new automated cameras are quickly hurtling toward the $11.4 million benchmark Mayor Brandon Johnson is counting on for 2025.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 7, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new speed cameras see big early revenue as aldermen tout safety impact. Story by @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
and William Tong
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/07/m...
and William Tong
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/07/m...
Powerful graphic: Chicago just saw its smallest summer murder total since 1965.
The city is on track to see one of its lowest murder totals in decades, a trend in play all year that continued through the city's most violent season. Murders are way, way down after a spike. Look:
The city is on track to see one of its lowest murder totals in decades, a trend in play all year that continued through the city's most violent season. Murders are way, way down after a spike. Look:
September 3, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Powerful graphic: Chicago just saw its smallest summer murder total since 1965.
The city is on track to see one of its lowest murder totals in decades, a trend in play all year that continued through the city's most violent season. Murders are way, way down after a spike. Look:
The city is on track to see one of its lowest murder totals in decades, a trend in play all year that continued through the city's most violent season. Murders are way, way down after a spike. Look:
Should cops be able to profit from selling weed?
Ald. Andre Vasquez blocked a group of retired police from opening a dispensary after community pushback. “There’s just something fundamentally unfair and unjust about it.” For
@chicagotribune: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/03/r...
Ald. Andre Vasquez blocked a group of retired police from opening a dispensary after community pushback. “There’s just something fundamentally unfair and unjust about it.” For
@chicagotribune: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/03/r...
September 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Should cops be able to profit from selling weed?
Ald. Andre Vasquez blocked a group of retired police from opening a dispensary after community pushback. “There’s just something fundamentally unfair and unjust about it.” For
@chicagotribune: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/03/r...
Ald. Andre Vasquez blocked a group of retired police from opening a dispensary after community pushback. “There’s just something fundamentally unfair and unjust about it.” For
@chicagotribune: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/03/r...
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Should local TikTok personality Jroy be held accountable for a string of shootings that took place near his West Side street party in Chicago?
We unpack the debate.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/ther...
We unpack the debate.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/ther...
There’s a deeper conversation to be had about Club Jroy • The TRiiBE
Should Jroy be held accountable for a string of shootings that took place near a large street party he hosted on Chicago’s West Side?
thetriibe.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Should local TikTok personality Jroy be held accountable for a string of shootings that took place near his West Side street party in Chicago?
We unpack the debate.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/ther...
We unpack the debate.
thetriibe.com/2025/08/ther...
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
This story from @jake-sheridan.bsky.social unspools the controversy over a Northwest Side anti-gentrification ordinance. An interesting story about money, housing and public policy by our intrepid reporter.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/24/a...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/24/a...
Aldermen opting out of new tenant powers, but proponents defend anti-gentrification effort
An ordinance aims to slow gentrification by giving tenants buying power and discouraging development that decreases density, but a pair of aldermen are opting out.
www.chicagotribune.com
August 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This story from @jake-sheridan.bsky.social unspools the controversy over a Northwest Side anti-gentrification ordinance. An interesting story about money, housing and public policy by our intrepid reporter.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/24/a...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/24/a...
This weekend, dozens of Chicago Tribune journalists will be on standby as huge protests promise to arise in our city.
At the same time, many of us will be organizing to fight buyouts. Our work is essential to democracy, and it's under attack. I'm grateful for my union today.
At the same time, many of us will be organizing to fight buyouts. Our work is essential to democracy, and it's under attack. I'm grateful for my union today.
This is the official bsky account for the Chicago Tribune Guild. We learned today that @chicagotribune.com is offering buyouts to our journalists. This move by Alden Global Capital, our rapacious ownership group, shows a total lack of vision and respect for the newsroom and the city we serve. (1/5)
June 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
This weekend, dozens of Chicago Tribune journalists will be on standby as huge protests promise to arise in our city.
At the same time, many of us will be organizing to fight buyouts. Our work is essential to democracy, and it's under attack. I'm grateful for my union today.
At the same time, many of us will be organizing to fight buyouts. Our work is essential to democracy, and it's under attack. I'm grateful for my union today.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blasts Rahm Emanuel today:
Donald Trump's "playbook" of government cuts is the same strategy Emanuel executed in Chicago with school closings & "neoliberalism," Johnson said.
“A tyrant in the White House. We got here because someone gave him the script." Watch⬇️
Donald Trump's "playbook" of government cuts is the same strategy Emanuel executed in Chicago with school closings & "neoliberalism," Johnson said.
“A tyrant in the White House. We got here because someone gave him the script." Watch⬇️
April 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson blasts Rahm Emanuel today:
Donald Trump's "playbook" of government cuts is the same strategy Emanuel executed in Chicago with school closings & "neoliberalism," Johnson said.
“A tyrant in the White House. We got here because someone gave him the script." Watch⬇️
Donald Trump's "playbook" of government cuts is the same strategy Emanuel executed in Chicago with school closings & "neoliberalism," Johnson said.
“A tyrant in the White House. We got here because someone gave him the script." Watch⬇️
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Yikes! 100 artists have drafted a letter to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressing “deep concern” over alleged failures in his administration’s work for the arts community, ripping Dept. Head Clinée Hedspeth. By @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/10/a...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/10/a...
Artists rip Mayor Brandon Johnson’s arts commissioner, department ‘dysfunction’ in letter
The letter, posted to Instagram Wednesday as a petition people can sign, harshly criticizes Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth.
www.chicagotribune.com
April 10, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Yikes! 100 artists have drafted a letter to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressing “deep concern” over alleged failures in his administration’s work for the arts community, ripping Dept. Head Clinée Hedspeth. By @jake-sheridan.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/10/a...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/10/a...
Reposted by Jake Sheridan
Charities across Chicago are experiencing the same inexplicable decline: A shortage in winter coats. Is it donation fatigue? B/c the city has weathered warm winters recently? A mix of both? “We really can’t put our finger on what it is,” said one advocate. “We’re significantly thousands behind.”
Charities across Chicago see huge shortage in coat donations as winter sets in: ‘We’re significantly thousands behind’
Nonprofits and community organizations that run winter coat drives say they are facing a serious shortage of donations this year as they try to help homeless and low-income Chicagoans weather the c…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 23, 2024 at 4:08 PM
Charities across Chicago are experiencing the same inexplicable decline: A shortage in winter coats. Is it donation fatigue? B/c the city has weathered warm winters recently? A mix of both? “We really can’t put our finger on what it is,” said one advocate. “We’re significantly thousands behind.”
New here: Mayor Johnson pinned hopes for fiscal stability on meetings with Gov. Pritzker's team on "progressive revenue."
Such meetings have not been happening, a source close to Pritzker told me. More on Chicago's financial future, for
@chicagotribune:
t.co/aYh893GhWM
Such meetings have not been happening, a source close to Pritzker told me. More on Chicago's financial future, for
@chicagotribune:
t.co/aYh893GhWM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/22/brandon-johnson-2026-budget-financial-trouble/?share=i2oitrntonowto42ctbc
t.co
December 22, 2024 at 1:56 PM
New here: Mayor Johnson pinned hopes for fiscal stability on meetings with Gov. Pritzker's team on "progressive revenue."
Such meetings have not been happening, a source close to Pritzker told me. More on Chicago's financial future, for
@chicagotribune:
t.co/aYh893GhWM
Such meetings have not been happening, a source close to Pritzker told me. More on Chicago's financial future, for
@chicagotribune:
t.co/aYh893GhWM
Lions huddle on heated rocks. Penguins get a snow melt system & warmed pool. Koalas can't figure out when to go inside with their "smooth surface" brain, so zookeepers watch close.
On how Lincoln Park Zoo animals stay warm in winter, by @chicagotribune.com's Rebecca Johnson:
t.co/tiYg4uHjFH
On how Lincoln Park Zoo animals stay warm in winter, by @chicagotribune.com's Rebecca Johnson:
t.co/tiYg4uHjFH
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/20/chicagos-zoo-animals-how-they-stay-warm-during-cold-snowy-winters/
t.co
December 20, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Lions huddle on heated rocks. Penguins get a snow melt system & warmed pool. Koalas can't figure out when to go inside with their "smooth surface" brain, so zookeepers watch close.
On how Lincoln Park Zoo animals stay warm in winter, by @chicagotribune.com's Rebecca Johnson:
t.co/tiYg4uHjFH
On how Lincoln Park Zoo animals stay warm in winter, by @chicagotribune.com's Rebecca Johnson:
t.co/tiYg4uHjFH
NEW: Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget passes 27-23, the closest vote in decades.
The vote ends a chaotic, tense struggle over the budget that ultimately included no property tax hike, few cuts and several fee hikes. Details in @chicagotribune (gift link):
t.co/cQ1rmKVAHq
The vote ends a chaotic, tense struggle over the budget that ultimately included no property tax hike, few cuts and several fee hikes. Details in @chicagotribune (gift link):
t.co/cQ1rmKVAHq
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/16/mayor-brandon-johnson-2025-chicago-budget/?share=hioenna6ououdcweemn1
t.co
December 16, 2024 at 11:15 PM
NEW: Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget passes 27-23, the closest vote in decades.
The vote ends a chaotic, tense struggle over the budget that ultimately included no property tax hike, few cuts and several fee hikes. Details in @chicagotribune (gift link):
t.co/cQ1rmKVAHq
The vote ends a chaotic, tense struggle over the budget that ultimately included no property tax hike, few cuts and several fee hikes. Details in @chicagotribune (gift link):
t.co/cQ1rmKVAHq
Mayor Brandon Johnson's $17.1 Chicago budget passed in a 27-23 vote.
The 2025 budget largely avoids spending cuts while also not raising property taxes — despite Johnson's initial plan to hike them $300 million — while passing with one of the slimmest margins in decades.
The 2025 budget largely avoids spending cuts while also not raising property taxes — despite Johnson's initial plan to hike them $300 million — while passing with one of the slimmest margins in decades.
December 16, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Mayor Brandon Johnson's $17.1 Chicago budget passed in a 27-23 vote.
The 2025 budget largely avoids spending cuts while also not raising property taxes — despite Johnson's initial plan to hike them $300 million — while passing with one of the slimmest margins in decades.
The 2025 budget largely avoids spending cuts while also not raising property taxes — despite Johnson's initial plan to hike them $300 million — while passing with one of the slimmest margins in decades.
Clear here: Johnson’s relationships with many City Council progressives are just straight up bad right now.
They feel like he doesn’t respect them, doesn’t lead with transparency and isn’t being responsible. It is very hard for him to get much done without them.
They feel like he doesn’t respect them, doesn’t lead with transparency and isn’t being responsible. It is very hard for him to get much done without them.
Both Chicago City Council Progressive Caucus chairs excoriated Mayor Brandon Johnson his budget process. They said it was disrespectful & will harm the city.
“We are not prepared, and the fault lies squarely with you and your administration,” Ald. Maria Hadden said. Her speech:
“We are not prepared, and the fault lies squarely with you and your administration,” Ald. Maria Hadden said. Her speech:
December 16, 2024 at 9:56 PM
Clear here: Johnson’s relationships with many City Council progressives are just straight up bad right now.
They feel like he doesn’t respect them, doesn’t lead with transparency and isn’t being responsible. It is very hard for him to get much done without them.
They feel like he doesn’t respect them, doesn’t lead with transparency and isn’t being responsible. It is very hard for him to get much done without them.
Both Chicago City Council Progressive Caucus chairs excoriated Mayor Brandon Johnson his budget process. They said it was disrespectful & will harm the city.
“We are not prepared, and the fault lies squarely with you and your administration,” Ald. Maria Hadden said. Her speech:
“We are not prepared, and the fault lies squarely with you and your administration,” Ald. Maria Hadden said. Her speech:
December 16, 2024 at 9:56 PM
Both Chicago City Council Progressive Caucus chairs excoriated Mayor Brandon Johnson his budget process. They said it was disrespectful & will harm the city.
“We are not prepared, and the fault lies squarely with you and your administration,” Ald. Maria Hadden said. Her speech:
“We are not prepared, and the fault lies squarely with you and your administration,” Ald. Maria Hadden said. Her speech:
NEW: Plow the Sidewalks has been added to the Chicago budget aldermen will soon vote on.
A line item for $500,000 under "accessibility programming" in the amended budget is an earmark for the program to pilot city-run snow plowing, I'm told.
A line item for $500,000 under "accessibility programming" in the amended budget is an earmark for the program to pilot city-run snow plowing, I'm told.
What's happening with the 'Plow the Sidewalks' campaign?
Nothing, in Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 budget. Despite calling for it to start in 2025 this May, Johnson put $0 toward the transit & disability rights effort. For @chicagotribune + thread👇:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/25/m...
Nothing, in Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 budget. Despite calling for it to start in 2025 this May, Johnson put $0 toward the transit & disability rights effort. For @chicagotribune + thread👇:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/11/25/m...
Sidewalk plowing plan unfunded in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget: ‘It would mean freedom’
The mayor’s team said budget challenges made funding the pilot impossible this year, frustrating advocates who say there is money to do so.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 16, 2024 at 9:55 PM
NEW: Plow the Sidewalks has been added to the Chicago budget aldermen will soon vote on.
A line item for $500,000 under "accessibility programming" in the amended budget is an earmark for the program to pilot city-run snow plowing, I'm told.
A line item for $500,000 under "accessibility programming" in the amended budget is an earmark for the program to pilot city-run snow plowing, I'm told.