Frank Calabrese
@frankcalabrese.bsky.social
Cartography, GIS, maps, politics, and elections.
Chicago 📍
Chicago 📍
IL DEM SENATE POLL: A new independent poll from Victory Research shows Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi leading with 29%, followed by Rep. Robin Kelly at 22% and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton st 18%.
December 2, 2025 at 2:01 AM
IL DEM SENATE POLL: A new independent poll from Victory Research shows Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi leading with 29%, followed by Rep. Robin Kelly at 22% and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton st 18%.
Nice graphic by @adquig.bsky.social showing where Chicago property tax money goes: about 45% to CPS and 20% to the City. Recent inflation has let local governments raise their property tax levies by up to 5% each year without asking voters.
December 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Nice graphic by @adquig.bsky.social showing where Chicago property tax money goes: about 45% to CPS and 20% to the City. Recent inflation has let local governments raise their property tax levies by up to 5% each year without asking voters.
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
Plow tracker is live:
Plow Tracker
An ArcGIS Hub site used by transportation and public works organizations to share winter weather plans, snow routes, and parking restrictions.
plow-tracker-chicago.hub.arcgis.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Plow tracker is live:
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas is in real danger of getting kicked off the ballot by progressive challenger Juanita Irizarry. A records exam found him 273 signatures short. He is trying to rehabilitate signatures before his 12/5 election board hearing, but it will be tough.
November 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner George Cardenas is in real danger of getting kicked off the ballot by progressive challenger Juanita Irizarry. A records exam found him 273 signatures short. He is trying to rehabilitate signatures before his 12/5 election board hearing, but it will be tough.
New dark money entity "Fair Share Project" is funding tens of thousands of untraceable funds to Juanita Irizarry's campaign by donating to the Empower Southwest and then donating to Irizarry. The address is an attorney office. Progressives are using the same tactics of old school politicians.
November 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
New dark money entity "Fair Share Project" is funding tens of thousands of untraceable funds to Juanita Irizarry's campaign by donating to the Empower Southwest and then donating to Irizarry. The address is an attorney office. Progressives are using the same tactics of old school politicians.
I used to get lunch at the Christkindlmarket, but now I cannot because of the long lines. I was only able to get in late at night once after waiting in a long line. And it is maddening, because it feels like there aren't many people once you get in.
Chicago Christkindlmarkt update: Due to severe overcrowding in past years, OEMC has reduced entrance capacity 80% (!!) from 5,000 to 1,000 people. This has caused very long lines and a deserted feel once you got in. 🧵
(Photo is from last year)
(Photo is from last year)
November 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I used to get lunch at the Christkindlmarket, but now I cannot because of the long lines. I was only able to get in late at night once after waiting in a long line. And it is maddening, because it feels like there aren't many people once you get in.
Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez has filed FEC paperwork to run for Congress in IL-04 as an independent, for the seat Chuy García is vacating. To even make the ballot he’ll need a massive number of signatures, I've heard at least 11,000.
November 27, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez has filed FEC paperwork to run for Congress in IL-04 as an independent, for the seat Chuy García is vacating. To even make the ballot he’ll need a massive number of signatures, I've heard at least 11,000.
Cook County Sean Morrison announced that he stepping aside in the only Cook County Board district currently represented by a Republican. Former Commissioner Liz Gorman now becomes the GOP nominee by default. Gorman is the only other Republican who filed in the 17th District.
November 21, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Cook County Sean Morrison announced that he stepping aside in the only Cook County Board district currently represented by a Republican. Former Commissioner Liz Gorman now becomes the GOP nominee by default. Gorman is the only other Republican who filed in the 17th District.
The House just passed a rare rebuke of Rep. Chuy García (D-IL) for quietly clearing the 2026 Dem primary field so his own chief of staff would be the only Democrat on the ballot.
23 Democrats joined almost all Republicans to back the “disapproval” resolution.
23 Democrats joined almost all Republicans to back the “disapproval” resolution.
November 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The House just passed a rare rebuke of Rep. Chuy García (D-IL) for quietly clearing the 2026 Dem primary field so his own chief of staff would be the only Democrat on the ballot.
23 Democrats joined almost all Republicans to back the “disapproval” resolution.
23 Democrats joined almost all Republicans to back the “disapproval” resolution.
Cook County Treasurer and fashion icon Maria Pappas is running for Chicago Mayor.
November 18, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Cook County Treasurer and fashion icon Maria Pappas is running for Chicago Mayor.
House vote 206–211: Democrats fail to block debate on Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s resolution rebuking Rep. “Chuy” Garcia over his retirement flip that left only his chief of staff on the ballot. Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden joined all Republicans.
November 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
House vote 206–211: Democrats fail to block debate on Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s resolution rebuking Rep. “Chuy” Garcia over his retirement flip that left only his chief of staff on the ballot. Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden joined all Republicans.
Illinois Governor JB Pritkzer just donated $25.5 million to his campaign. Expect to start seeing commercials.
November 15, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Illinois Governor JB Pritkzer just donated $25.5 million to his campaign. Expect to start seeing commercials.
Congrats to whoever Kevin Ryan is, on winning the Democratic ballot lottery to be first on the ballot for the U.S. Senate seat Dick Durbin is vacating.
November 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Congrats to whoever Kevin Ryan is, on winning the Democratic ballot lottery to be first on the ballot for the U.S. Senate seat Dick Durbin is vacating.
Congratulations to Dan Biss @danielbiss.bsky.social, who just won the ballot lottery and will be first on the ballot. With 10,000 candidates running for IL09, being first matters.
November 12, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Congratulations to Dan Biss @danielbiss.bsky.social, who just won the ballot lottery and will be first on the ballot. With 10,000 candidates running for IL09, being first matters.
Dan Biss leads a new IL-09 Impact Research poll at 31%. Kat Abughazaleh is second with 17%, followed by Laura Fine at 10%. The other countless candidates (I think 12) are in single digits.
November 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Dan Biss leads a new IL-09 Impact Research poll at 31%. Kat Abughazaleh is second with 17%, followed by Laura Fine at 10%. The other countless candidates (I think 12) are in single digits.
After decades in Chicago politics, I’ve finally reached peak clout: early access to the 2026 Maria Pappas calendar.
November 11, 2025 at 1:45 AM
After decades in Chicago politics, I’ve finally reached peak clout: early access to the 2026 Maria Pappas calendar.
It's snowing! ❄️
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It's snowing! ❄️
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
Full moon over Chicago
November 5, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Full moon over Chicago
🚨 Congressman Chuy Garcia Retires 🚨
Chuy's chief of staff Patty Garcia just filed to run for Congress in IL04. Chuy is retiring and will support Patty to run in his place. Garcia to replace Garcia (they’re not related).
Chuy's chief of staff Patty Garcia just filed to run for Congress in IL04. Chuy is retiring and will support Patty to run in his place. Garcia to replace Garcia (they’re not related).
November 3, 2025 at 11:48 PM
🚨 Congressman Chuy Garcia Retires 🚨
Chuy's chief of staff Patty Garcia just filed to run for Congress in IL04. Chuy is retiring and will support Patty to run in his place. Garcia to replace Garcia (they’re not related).
Chuy's chief of staff Patty Garcia just filed to run for Congress in IL04. Chuy is retiring and will support Patty to run in his place. Garcia to replace Garcia (they’re not related).
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
A "close call" on deference to the executive's determination of an emergency?
If trade deficits are an emergency, then so are Tuesdays. The word loses all meaning.
See the brief signed by leading economists (and me):
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
If trade deficits are an emergency, then so are Tuesdays. The word loses all meaning.
See the brief signed by leading economists (and me):
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
Supreme Court Confronts Trump and His Tariffs in Test of Presidential Power
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A "close call" on deference to the executive's determination of an emergency?
If trade deficits are an emergency, then so are Tuesdays. The word loses all meaning.
See the brief signed by leading economists (and me):
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
If trade deficits are an emergency, then so are Tuesdays. The word loses all meaning.
See the brief signed by leading economists (and me):
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
Influencer and candidate for Congress Kat Abughazaleh, local Democratic committeeman Michael Rabbitt, and Chicago aldermanic aide Cat Sharp were indicted by the Feds for allegedly blocked and damaged an ICE officer’s car at Broadview on Sept 26, 2025.
October 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Influencer and candidate for Congress Kat Abughazaleh, local Democratic committeeman Michael Rabbitt, and Chicago aldermanic aide Cat Sharp were indicted by the Feds for allegedly blocked and damaged an ICE officer’s car at Broadview on Sept 26, 2025.
Wild. Hakeem Jeffries flies into Chicago and Springfield to say the Democratic House majority depends on Illinois redistricting… only for Illinois Dem leaders to say "no thanks."
October 29, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Wild. Hakeem Jeffries flies into Chicago and Springfield to say the Democratic House majority depends on Illinois redistricting… only for Illinois Dem leaders to say "no thanks."
Cook County Commissioners Bridget Gainer (10th, North Side), Tara Stamps (1st, West Side), and Sean Morrison (17th, West Suburbs) did not file petitions this morning. All other incumbents did. Opponents for Gainer and Morrison filed. One week remains.
October 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Cook County Commissioners Bridget Gainer (10th, North Side), Tara Stamps (1st, West Side), and Sean Morrison (17th, West Suburbs) did not file petitions this morning. All other incumbents did. Opponents for Gainer and Morrison filed. One week remains.
Reposted by Frank Calabrese
“At least seven people were detained by agents during the mid-morning raid, including Jacqueline Lopez and Elianne Bahena, Rodriguez’s chief of staff, who is an elected member of the Ogden (10th) District Police Council. Both are U.S. citizens, Rodriguez said.”
Lawless is the correct word rn.
Lawless is the correct word rn.
Border Patrol Agents Detain 2 City Employees During ‘Lawless’ Little Village Raids, Ald. Rodriguez Says
“These federal agents are operating lawlessly, demonstrating utter disregard for our constitutional rights,” Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) said.
news.wttw.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:28 AM
“At least seven people were detained by agents during the mid-morning raid, including Jacqueline Lopez and Elianne Bahena, Rodriguez’s chief of staff, who is an elected member of the Ogden (10th) District Police Council. Both are U.S. citizens, Rodriguez said.”
Lawless is the correct word rn.
Lawless is the correct word rn.