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
Bluesky, a reintroduction!
I’m an investigative reporter @chicagotribune.com covering big stories. Now focused on immigration. But I’ll take any tips about people being hurt by government, junk science, healthcare, business or anybody else. Reach out [email protected] or Signal grp.27
I’m an investigative reporter @chicagotribune.com covering big stories. Now focused on immigration. But I’ll take any tips about people being hurt by government, junk science, healthcare, business or anybody else. Reach out [email protected] or Signal grp.27
Little Village chamber of commerce leader Olman Chaheine told Border Patrol, “God bless you guys.” On a day they raided and tear gassed Little Village. He is now out at the organization. Reporting from @franciagarciah.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/03/l...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/03/l...
Little Village Chamber Leader Thanked Border Patrol As Agents Arrested Neighbors, Video Shows
Little Village, an enclave for Mexican Americans and immigrants, was heavily targeted during Operation Midway Blitz. After Block Club uncovered the video, the chamber said the staffer was no longer em...
blockclubchicago.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Little Village chamber of commerce leader Olman Chaheine told Border Patrol, “God bless you guys.” On a day they raided and tear gassed Little Village. He is now out at the organization. Reporting from @franciagarciah.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/03/l...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/03/l...
More city labor drama: SEIU filed a petition to add about 1,600 CPS workers to its ranks. But the Chicago Teachers Union contends that some of those workers rightfully belong with the CTU. This schism is a massive liability for Mayor Brandon Johnson.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/s...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/s...
SEIU looks to beef up CPS ranks amid dispute with CTU
The SEIU Local 73 filed a petition to add about 1,600 school-based Chicago Public Schools workers to its ranks. The Chicago Teachers Union disagrees.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
More city labor drama: SEIU filed a petition to add about 1,600 CPS workers to its ranks. But the Chicago Teachers Union contends that some of those workers rightfully belong with the CTU. This schism is a massive liability for Mayor Brandon Johnson.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/s...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/s...
There were people who thought life might improve with the immigration raid on the South Shore building. Everybody’s actually getting kicked out.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/f...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/f...
First, ICE raided their Chicago apartment building. Now, they’re being forced to vacate it.
The Circuit Court of Cook County granted an order on Nov. 24 from Wells Fargo Bank to have residents at 7500 S. Shore Drive to vacate by Dec. 12.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:06 AM
There were people who thought life might improve with the immigration raid on the South Shore building. Everybody’s actually getting kicked out.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/f...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/f...
Sen. Dick Durbin demands answers from Homeland Security regarding U.S. citizens caught up in immigration raids. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/s...
Sen. Dick Durbin demands answers from Homeland Security regarding U.S. citizens caught up in immigration raids
Citing Chicago Tribune reporting, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin demands answers from Homeland Security regarding U.S. citizens caught up in immigration raids
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Sen. Dick Durbin demands answers from Homeland Security regarding U.S. citizens caught up in immigration raids. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/s...
A border crosser. An execution killing. And political theater. Our story looking at a Venezuelan whose alleged murder of fellow immigrant made him a poster boy for the Trump administration’s crackdown. The reality is far more complicated, with fed failures
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/i...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/i...
A border crosser. An execution killing. And political theater.
Trump’s DHS blamed Democrats for a Chicago homicide, but it didn’t take key action in a case exemplifying effects of political divide
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A border crosser. An execution killing. And political theater. Our story looking at a Venezuelan whose alleged murder of fellow immigrant made him a poster boy for the Trump administration’s crackdown. The reality is far more complicated, with fed failures
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/i...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/i...
4-year-old evacuated from Gaza finds sense of normalcy in Tinley Park while being treated for amputation. A story of our times from @zareensyed.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/g...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/g...
4-year-old evacuated from Gaza finds sense of normalcy in Tinley Park while being treated for amputation
Unlike the thousands of children awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza, Adam was lucky to find a caring host family while getting a prosthetic leg.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:14 PM
4-year-old evacuated from Gaza finds sense of normalcy in Tinley Park while being treated for amputation. A story of our times from @zareensyed.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/g...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/g...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
Chicago snowfall total since Nov. 9 — 11.8 inches
Chicago snowfall total all of last season — 17.6 inches
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/c...
Chicago snowfall total all of last season — 17.6 inches
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/c...
Chicago weather: How our 2025-26 seasonal snowfall compares with previous years
Here’s a look back at how Chicago’s current snowfall compares with previous seasons.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Chicago snowfall total since Nov. 9 — 11.8 inches
Chicago snowfall total all of last season — 17.6 inches
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/c...
Chicago snowfall total all of last season — 17.6 inches
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/02/c...
Border Patrol body camera captured this exchange with a young man and the older man (dad?) he was walking with:
“Please,” the younger man says. “He has a disabled child.”
“That’s not my problem,” the agent answers. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
“Please,” the younger man says. “He has a disabled child.”
“That’s not my problem,” the agent answers. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: ‘It’s all about arresting people’
The group of videos made public through the Loevy & Loevy law firm includes footage from agents who responded to controversial arrest operations in the Little Village and Irving Park neighborho…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Border Patrol body camera captured this exchange with a young man and the older man (dad?) he was walking with:
“Please,” the younger man says. “He has a disabled child.”
“That’s not my problem,” the agent answers. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
“Please,” the younger man says. “He has a disabled child.”
“That’s not my problem,” the agent answers. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
Nearly 1,900 immigrants were detained during the first half of Operation Midway Blitz. Most had no criminal record, newly released federal data shows. @joemahr.bsky.social and @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social report
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/o...
Nearly 1,900 immigrants were detained during the first half of Operation Midway Blitz. Most had no criminal record.
Newly released federal data shows that immigration agents booked in roughly 1,900 immigrants in the first half of Operation Midway Blitz – two-thirds of whom had no known criminal convictions or pe…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Nearly 1,900 immigrants were detained during the first half of Operation Midway Blitz. Most had no criminal record, newly released federal data shows. @joemahr.bsky.social and @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social report
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/o...
Ferguson frames self as transparency hero. But, politics: He first sent the report to Mayor Lori Lightfoot in September 2021 but leaked it just before her 2023 mayoral primary. Ferguson was one of folks helping Vallas thru campaign. (Vallas saw him as a future corp counsel.)
Former Chicago inspector general has no remorse after fine for leaking report on botched implosion
Former Chicago inspector general has no remorse after fine for leaking report on botched implosion
The Chicago Board of Ethics fined former Inspector General Joe Ferguson $5,000 for sharing a report that blasted the city for an implosion that left Little Village coated in dust.
trib.al
December 1, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Ferguson frames self as transparency hero. But, politics: He first sent the report to Mayor Lori Lightfoot in September 2021 but leaked it just before her 2023 mayoral primary. Ferguson was one of folks helping Vallas thru campaign. (Vallas saw him as a future corp counsel.)
A year after Barnes & Noble opens in Wicker Park, nearby indie bookstore forced to close. A fine read from Rebecca Johnson
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/c...
A year after Barnes & Noble opens in Wicker Park, nearby indie bookstore forced to close
Volumes Bookcafe, which has been open for a decade, immediately saw a “significant” drop in sales after Barnes & Noble moved into the century-old Noel State Bank building in October 2024.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:50 PM
A year after Barnes & Noble opens in Wicker Park, nearby indie bookstore forced to close. A fine read from Rebecca Johnson
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/c...
Former Inspector General Joe Ferguson got fined $5,000 for allegedly leaking a confidential Hilco report. The city’s philosopher saint gets dinged by the board of ethics
December 1, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Former Inspector General Joe Ferguson got fined $5,000 for allegedly leaking a confidential Hilco report. The city’s philosopher saint gets dinged by the board of ethics
Union Pacific says rail merger could unclog Chicago. Critics worry about costs and traffic tie-ups. Here's a really interesting story from John Lippert @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/u...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/u...
Union Pacific says rail merger could unclog Chicago. Critics worry about costs and traffic tie-ups.
Union Pacific’s plan could mean less congestion and pollution, but neighborhoods near tracks could experience more commuting delays and noise.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Union Pacific says rail merger could unclog Chicago. Critics worry about costs and traffic tie-ups. Here's a really interesting story from John Lippert @chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/u...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/u...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
This one goes out to my friend and former colleague Ben Joravsky, who taught me most of what I know about Chicago politics. And to all the @injusticewatch.org fans who read us to understand our courts. I've been waiting to write this story for almost a decade!
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
How chief judge Timothy Evans shaped the Cook County courts
For 24 years, Timothy Evans led the Cook County Circuit Court through major reforms and policy changes.
www.injusticewatch.org
December 1, 2025 at 12:25 PM
This one goes out to my friend and former colleague Ben Joravsky, who taught me most of what I know about Chicago politics. And to all the @injusticewatch.org fans who read us to understand our courts. I've been waiting to write this story for almost a decade!
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court...
McHenry County has filed suit against ICE, trying to get the federal government to pay for potential liability for allegedly making immigrant detainees do forced labor. Fascinating legal fight between former lovers, about issues playing out nationwide
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/29/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/29/m...
McHenry County takes on an old client in court: ICE
McHenry County is suing ICE to cover any potential liability for alleged forced labor of immigrant detainees.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
McHenry County has filed suit against ICE, trying to get the federal government to pay for potential liability for allegedly making immigrant detainees do forced labor. Fascinating legal fight between former lovers, about issues playing out nationwide
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/29/m...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/29/m...
Chicago hospitals funnel patients into long-lasting guardianships. Patients pay price as “profit motive” often leaves them “out of money in no time.” Read part 2 of stellar @chicagotribune.com investigation by Emily Hoerner Christy Gutowski and Lisa Schencker
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/30/h...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/30/h...
When hospitals choose private guardians, patients pay the price
When Chicago hospitals seek guardians for patients with assets, a law firm and a private care management organization get nearly all the business.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Chicago hospitals funnel patients into long-lasting guardianships. Patients pay price as “profit motive” often leaves them “out of money in no time.” Read part 2 of stellar @chicagotribune.com investigation by Emily Hoerner Christy Gutowski and Lisa Schencker
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/30/h...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/30/h...
The weirdest local story in Chicago right now is City Hall messing with the Christkindlmarket in Daley plaza. They’ve dramatically cut capacity to half of what it was during COVID (???)
A beloved local tradition getting hassled, why????
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/c...
A beloved local tradition getting hassled, why????
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/c...
Christkindlmarket vendors ‘hopeful’ for resolution over new Daley Center capacity limit
City officials have put a 1,553-visitor limit on the Christkindlmarket, affecting vendors and putting the nearly 30-year-long event at risk.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The weirdest local story in Chicago right now is City Hall messing with the Christkindlmarket in Daley plaza. They’ve dramatically cut capacity to half of what it was during COVID (???)
A beloved local tradition getting hassled, why????
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/c...
A beloved local tradition getting hassled, why????
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/c...
Reposted by Gregory Pratt
h/t @adamwren.bsky.social
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
November 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
h/t @adamwren.bsky.social
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
In St Louis for the weekend. There is a two mile long line of cars in both directions to get to West County mall for Black Friday. Good lord
November 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
In St Louis for the weekend. There is a two mile long line of cars in both directions to get to West County mall for Black Friday. Good lord
Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: “It’s all about arresting people.” Ace @chicagotribune.com team reports on a trove of body cam videos
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: ‘It’s all about arresting people’
The group of videos made public through the Loevy & Loevy law firm includes footage from agents who responded to controversial arrest operations in the Little Village and Irving Park neighborho…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: “It’s all about arresting people.” Ace @chicagotribune.com team reports on a trove of body cam videos
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
A Border Patrol agent under Gregory Bovino wrote a report using ChatGPT and was texting with “Allmightywhity,” bodycam footage reviewed by the @chicagotribune.com shows.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: ‘It’s all about arresting people’
The group of videos made public through the Loevy & Loevy law firm includes footage from agents who responded to controversial arrest operations in the Little Village and Irving Park neighborho…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A Border Patrol agent under Gregory Bovino wrote a report using ChatGPT and was texting with “Allmightywhity,” bodycam footage reviewed by the @chicagotribune.com shows.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/b...
A Chicago woman was sworn in as a United States citizen. She wanted her husband there, but he was taken by ICE. A story about the government tearing a couple apart even though they’re trying to do things the so-called “right way.” By @tesskenny.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/i...
As the immigration blitz wound down, an Uptown couple breathed a sigh of relief. Then they were torn apart.
Less than a day before Eva Gurtovaia was to become a U.S. citizen, federal agents detained her Kurdish husband, who was authorized to work in the country.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A Chicago woman was sworn in as a United States citizen. She wanted her husband there, but he was taken by ICE. A story about the government tearing a couple apart even though they’re trying to do things the so-called “right way.” By @tesskenny.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/i...
Thankful for family and friends. Especially thankful for our free press, without which we are truly screwed. “The media” isn’t perfect but it is crucial, and in Chicago this fall, it’s been essential. Thank you to everyone who puts on their socks every morning and asks important questions.
November 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Thankful for family and friends. Especially thankful for our free press, without which we are truly screwed. “The media” isn’t perfect but it is crucial, and in Chicago this fall, it’s been essential. Thank you to everyone who puts on their socks every morning and asks important questions.
I love this Thanksgiving story from @carolynstein.bsky.social Married College of DuPage professors help man Butterball turkey hotline in Naperville www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/c...
Married College of DuPage professors help man Butterball turkey hotline in Naperville
Michael and Susan Maddox, a married couple who teach at College of DuPage, help man the Butterball turkey hotline in Naperville.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I love this Thanksgiving story from @carolynstein.bsky.social Married College of DuPage professors help man Butterball turkey hotline in Naperville www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/c...
Gregory Bovino’s sister, on him being mad at The Border:
“Greg was so psyched because he'd read all these articles and loved the toughness and the values of all these old timers. Then he went to the movie, and the Border Patrol person was a criminal.” www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
“Greg was so psyched because he'd read all these articles and loved the toughness and the values of all these old timers. Then he went to the movie, and the Border Patrol person was a criminal.” www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
How a family secret led Greg Bovino to lead Trump's border crackdown
Before he became the face of Trump's tough ICE policies, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino endured a childhood marked by a family scandal that changed the trajectory of his life.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Gregory Bovino’s sister, on him being mad at The Border:
“Greg was so psyched because he'd read all these articles and loved the toughness and the values of all these old timers. Then he went to the movie, and the Border Patrol person was a criminal.” www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
“Greg was so psyched because he'd read all these articles and loved the toughness and the values of all these old timers. Then he went to the movie, and the Border Patrol person was a criminal.” www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...