Jen Sabella
@jensabella.bsky.social
Block Club Chicago Co-founder + Executive Editor
Ex: DNAinfo, HuffPost, Sun-Times
Lesbian Cat Lady, Chicago Lifer
blockclubchicago.org
Ex: DNAinfo, HuffPost, Sun-Times
Lesbian Cat Lady, Chicago Lifer
blockclubchicago.org
Reposted by Jen Sabella
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
The feds raided an East Chicago home, arrested a mother and her 26-year-old schizophrenic daughter. She's been here since she's 2. In ICE custody, she had no meds and chose to leave the country. Now she's in Mexico, barely speaks Spanish, and her family can't find her.
‘They destroyed us’: East Chicago woman with schizophrenia who opted for deportation now missing in Mexico
When federal immigration agents raided Martha Porcallo Martinez’s East Chicago, Indiana home on June 12, they also arrested her 26-year-old daughter who has schizophrenia.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The feds raided an East Chicago home, arrested a mother and her 26-year-old schizophrenic daughter. She's been here since she's 2. In ICE custody, she had no meds and chose to leave the country. Now she's in Mexico, barely speaks Spanish, and her family can't find her.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
CPD is withholding drone footage from this scene. I noted two drones + timestamp my notes from the alley just east of Kedzie that afternoon.
At least one belonged to CPD. Difficult to say because we haven't seen, but likely to offer the clearest view of federal movements and gas deployment.
At least one belonged to CPD. Difficult to say because we haven't seen, but likely to offer the clearest view of federal movements and gas deployment.
Wanna see what happened after Border Patrol shot a woman in Chicago?
So do @chicago.suntimes.com and @illinoisanswers.bsky.social. So we asked CPD for videos.
But the cops said no — because a chief is accused of waving off the police response and is facing investigation.
tinyurl.com/8ktur6kh
So do @chicago.suntimes.com and @illinoisanswers.bsky.social. So we asked CPD for videos.
But the cops said no — because a chief is accused of waving off the police response and is facing investigation.
tinyurl.com/8ktur6kh
Chicago police withhold Border Patrol shooting videos, citing probe of chief accused of calling off cops
Patrol Chief Jon Hein faced a flood of criticism — from ex-cops, internet trolls and members of his own department — after his officers were ordered not to respond to the Oct. 4 shooting in Brighton P...
tinyurl.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
CPD is withholding drone footage from this scene. I noted two drones + timestamp my notes from the alley just east of Kedzie that afternoon.
At least one belonged to CPD. Difficult to say because we haven't seen, but likely to offer the clearest view of federal movements and gas deployment.
At least one belonged to CPD. Difficult to say because we haven't seen, but likely to offer the clearest view of federal movements and gas deployment.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
NEW: Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino tells agents in LA, "It’s our f–king city" in newly released video. blockclubchi.co/4oU0lTF
November 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM
NEW: Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino tells agents in LA, "It’s our f–king city" in newly released video. blockclubchi.co/4oU0lTF
Reposted by Jen Sabella
Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states, warns a law enforcement bulletin issued last month by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Criminals posing as US immigration officers have carried out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults in several states, warns a law enforcement bulletin issued last month by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
PUñO in Pilsen has issued a shelter in place advisory for vulnerable residents due to ICE activity.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
PUñO in Pilsen has issued a shelter in place advisory for vulnerable residents due to ICE activity.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
Here’s a disturbing video from Evanston of a federal agent hitting a man on the ground as people yell that he can’t breathe.
October 31, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Here’s a disturbing video from Evanston of a federal agent hitting a man on the ground as people yell that he can’t breathe.
💀
Here's a short video of an Edison Park man confronting border patrol. You can hear others in the background. #chicago
October 31, 2025 at 8:19 PM
💀
Great reporting here by Manny on the many companies that benefitted from the ICE surge in Chicago.
Federal agencies paid $1.5 million to a local nonlethal weapons manufacturer in Chicago for air-powered guns and pepper balls. It also paid $7.3 million to a downtown real estate company to relocate ICE agents leading up to Operation Midway Blitz. blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
blockclubchicago.org
October 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Great reporting here by Manny on the many companies that benefitted from the ICE surge in Chicago.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
"With no billionaire owners to answer to, @blockclubchi.bsky.social believes their responsibility is to the community." — @charlesmblow.bsky.social
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Reformation
YouTube video by Press Forward
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"With no billionaire owners to answer to, @blockclubchi.bsky.social believes their responsibility is to the community." — @charlesmblow.bsky.social
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Don't miss @jensabella.bsky.social + @afrodip.bsky.social in this new doc series on the crisis facing local news. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymb...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
If you're not in Chicago, it's difficult to understand how federal immigration actions have changed life as we know it in our neighborhoods.
@franciagarciah.bsky.social + I break down how @blockclubchi.bsky.social is trying to meet the moment for our readers on CJR's podcast:
@franciagarciah.bsky.social + I break down how @blockclubchi.bsky.social is trying to meet the moment for our readers on CJR's podcast:
On the Kicker, @franciagarciah.bsky.social and @slulay2.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social on ICE’s Chicago surge and the attacks on journalists. Listen in with host @joshuahersh.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
October 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
If you're not in Chicago, it's difficult to understand how federal immigration actions have changed life as we know it in our neighborhoods.
@franciagarciah.bsky.social + I break down how @blockclubchi.bsky.social is trying to meet the moment for our readers on CJR's podcast:
@franciagarciah.bsky.social + I break down how @blockclubchi.bsky.social is trying to meet the moment for our readers on CJR's podcast:
Reposted by Jen Sabella
NEW — Rod Johnson will never forget federal agents zip-tying his hands behind his back.
The night of the South Shore raid in Chicago, Johnson said he was detained for two hours.
“I’m an American citizen with no warrants,” Johnson said.
thetriibe.com/2025/10/sout...
The night of the South Shore raid in Chicago, Johnson said he was detained for two hours.
“I’m an American citizen with no warrants,” Johnson said.
thetriibe.com/2025/10/sout...
South Shore raid triggers past traumas and sparks new conversations about divisions between Black and Latino communities • The TRiiBE
Federal agent activity on Chicago’s South and West sides put Black people in the crosshairs.
thetriibe.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:00 PM
NEW — Rod Johnson will never forget federal agents zip-tying his hands behind his back.
The night of the South Shore raid in Chicago, Johnson said he was detained for two hours.
“I’m an American citizen with no warrants,” Johnson said.
thetriibe.com/2025/10/sout...
The night of the South Shore raid in Chicago, Johnson said he was detained for two hours.
“I’m an American citizen with no warrants,” Johnson said.
thetriibe.com/2025/10/sout...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
I'm really glad more people are realizing how brutal ICE has been in Chicago but it's really weird to see people talking about Rev Black getting attacked like it happened yesterday and not 3 weeks ago. Like, I'm glad people are catching up! But it's very weird.
October 8, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I'm really glad more people are realizing how brutal ICE has been in Chicago but it's really weird to see people talking about Rev Black getting attacked like it happened yesterday and not 3 weeks ago. Like, I'm glad people are catching up! But it's very weird.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
ICE agents clash with Forest Park cemetery workers attempting to help man in Des Plaines River youtu.be/aPtEmAwgPRk...
Video: ICE agents clash with Forest Park cemetery workers attempting to help man in Des Plaines Rive
YouTube video by WGN News
youtu.be
October 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
ICE agents clash with Forest Park cemetery workers attempting to help man in Des Plaines River youtu.be/aPtEmAwgPRk...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
The Illinois Press Association board of directors has made a huge mistake. What a mess localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/1...
Illinois Press Association CEO Resigns After Dispute Over ICE Lawsuit
The CEO of the Illinois Press Association, who had joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration for actions toward journalists outside a Chicago-area ICE facility, resigned this week following a ...
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
October 9, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The Illinois Press Association board of directors has made a huge mistake. What a mess localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2025/1...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.
trib.al
October 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
trib.al/9Sxu9IN
Reposted by Jen Sabella
@blockclubchi.bsky.social, our nonprofit newsroom, is suing the federal government after 4 of our journalists were shot w/ pepper-spray bullets & tear-gassed by federal agents at Broadview.
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Block Club Chicago, News Organizations Sue Feds Over First Amendment Violations
Four of our journalists have been shot with pepper-spray bullets and tear-gassed while covering protests outside the Broadview ICE facility. A judge heard arguments at an emergency hearing Monday.
blockclubchicago.org
October 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM
@blockclubchi.bsky.social, our nonprofit newsroom, is suing the federal government after 4 of our journalists were shot w/ pepper-spray bullets & tear-gassed by federal agents at Broadview.
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Here's why we're defending our First Amendment right to report — and your right to know:
Reposted by Jen Sabella
NEW — Video posted to social media shows Unraveled Press co-founder Steve Held being detained by federal agents outside the Broadview immigration facility earlier this evening.
A collection of Chicago newsrooms is calling for his immediate release.
thetriibe.com/2025/09/chic...
A collection of Chicago newsrooms is calling for his immediate release.
thetriibe.com/2025/09/chic...
Chicago journalist detained while covering protest outside Broadview immigration facility • The TRiiBE
Video posted to social media shows Unraveled Press co-founder Steve Held being detained by federal agents earlier this evening.
thetriibe.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:11 AM
NEW — Video posted to social media shows Unraveled Press co-founder Steve Held being detained by federal agents outside the Broadview immigration facility earlier this evening.
A collection of Chicago newsrooms is calling for his immediate release.
thetriibe.com/2025/09/chic...
A collection of Chicago newsrooms is calling for his immediate release.
thetriibe.com/2025/09/chic...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
@joanesposito.bsky.social & I had a great conversation about journalism with these heroes of local news. I hope you'll actively support each one:
+ @tracybaim.bsky.social of Press Forward Chi
+ @laraweber.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
+ @jensabella.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social
+ @tracybaim.bsky.social of Press Forward Chi
+ @laraweber.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
+ @jensabella.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
@joanesposito.bsky.social & I had a great conversation about journalism with these heroes of local news. I hope you'll actively support each one:
+ @tracybaim.bsky.social of Press Forward Chi
+ @laraweber.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
+ @jensabella.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social
+ @tracybaim.bsky.social of Press Forward Chi
+ @laraweber.bsky.social of @statesnewsroom.com
+ @jensabella.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Reposted by Jen Sabella
There is so much wrong with journalism right now in America so I want to talk to somebody who is getting right: @jensabella.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social.
I hope you'll tune in to @lincolnsquare.media today at 11Am CT for our conversation.
STREAM: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
I hope you'll tune in to @lincolnsquare.media today at 11Am CT for our conversation.
STREAM: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
September 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
There is so much wrong with journalism right now in America so I want to talk to somebody who is getting right: @jensabella.bsky.social of @blockclubchi.bsky.social.
I hope you'll tune in to @lincolnsquare.media today at 11Am CT for our conversation.
STREAM: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
I hope you'll tune in to @lincolnsquare.media today at 11Am CT for our conversation.
STREAM: open.substack.com/live-stream/...
Reposted by Jen Sabella
Thinking about the op-ed I wrote 7 years ago for the Times where I waved caution signs in front of the excitement over Chance the Rapper buying Chicagoist to "save local news" (spoiler: he didn't).
True as ever: folks need to break free from the benevolent billion/millionaires news savior fantasy.
True as ever: folks need to break free from the benevolent billion/millionaires news savior fantasy.
February 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Thinking about the op-ed I wrote 7 years ago for the Times where I waved caution signs in front of the excitement over Chance the Rapper buying Chicagoist to "save local news" (spoiler: he didn't).
True as ever: folks need to break free from the benevolent billion/millionaires news savior fantasy.
True as ever: folks need to break free from the benevolent billion/millionaires news savior fantasy.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
Aurora local Amanda Luciano racked up more than $138,000 in debt to attend a “predatory for-profit” college in the Loop. Now, she's suing the loan servicer, Navient, for fraud.
Aurora student saddled with $138K debt for 'worthless' degree sues loan servicer Navient for fraud
The servicer let some borrowers off the hook after a 2022 settlement — but not Amanda Luciano and others who faithfully made their loan payments.
buff.ly
February 27, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Aurora local Amanda Luciano racked up more than $138,000 in debt to attend a “predatory for-profit” college in the Loop. Now, she's suing the loan servicer, Navient, for fraud.
Wow Slack being down is a nightmare.
February 26, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Wow Slack being down is a nightmare.
Reposted by Jen Sabella
A few years ago Byron Sigcho Lopez didn't like one of my stories so he filed a complaint with CPD internal affairs seeking to reveal the identity of one of my sources
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez's chief of staff kicked a Block Club reporter out of a meeting on a controversial bar reopening.
Two other reporters stayed. The move could violate the media’s First Amendment rights, experts said.
I was that reporter. More on this:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/25/a...
Two other reporters stayed. The move could violate the media’s First Amendment rights, experts said.
I was that reporter. More on this:
blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/25/a...
Alderman's Office Kicks Reporter Out Of Meeting On Controversial Bar Reopening
A 25th Ward staffer demanded a Block Club reporter leave a public meeting in Pilsen last week while two other reporters stayed. The move could violate the media's First Amendment rights, experts said.
buff.ly
February 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A few years ago Byron Sigcho Lopez didn't like one of my stories so he filed a complaint with CPD internal affairs seeking to reveal the identity of one of my sources
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...