Nick Blumberg
@ndblumberg.bsky.social
@wttw.bsky.social correspondent and Week in Review host | Chicago kid | lover of bike rides, books, and a good Negroni | nblumberg at wttw dot com
Unchecked spending, including at strip clubs, ATMs, & on overseas trips. An improperly issued loan that could leave taxpayers holding the bag. Those are some of the allegations facing Aurora's ex-mayor & a close ally over a city-affiliated nonprofit @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/11/19/e...
Ex-Aurora Mayor Backed $450K Line of Credit Without Council Approval; Nonprofit Leader Racked Up Charges at ATMs and Strip Clubs
OnLight Aurora, a city-supported nonprofit, aims to provide high speed internet to the west suburban community’s institutions, businesses and residents. It’s also in massive debt, with a long history ...
news.wttw.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Unchecked spending, including at strip clubs, ATMs, & on overseas trips. An improperly issued loan that could leave taxpayers holding the bag. Those are some of the allegations facing Aurora's ex-mayor & a close ally over a city-affiliated nonprofit @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/11/19/e...
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
Another banger for @wttw.bsky.social by @ndblumberg.bsky.social
Ex-Aurora Mayor Backed $450K Line of Credit Without Council Approval; Nonprofit Leader Racked Up Charges at ATMs and Strip Clubs
OnLight Aurora, a city-supported nonprofit, aims to provide high speed internet to the west suburban community’s institutions, businesses and residents. It’s also in massive debt, with a long history ...
news.wttw.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Another banger for @wttw.bsky.social by @ndblumberg.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
Chicago Tonight | The Week in Review: ICE Agents Use Pepper Spray on Broadview Protesters; Loyola’s Sister Jean Retires, featuring @quinnmyers.bsky.social @monicaeng.bsky.social @sashaannsimons.bsky.social @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/09/26/w...
Week in Review: ICE Agents Use Pepper Spray on Broadview Protesters; Loyola’s Sister Jean Retires
ICE agents again fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters outside an immigration facility. And Illinois bucks the feds, recommending COVID-19 boosters for all adults.
news.wttw.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Chicago Tonight | The Week in Review: ICE Agents Use Pepper Spray on Broadview Protesters; Loyola’s Sister Jean Retires, featuring @quinnmyers.bsky.social @monicaeng.bsky.social @sashaannsimons.bsky.social @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social & host @ndblumberg.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/09/26/w...
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will seek a third term in office next year amid growing questions about the Democrat’s ambitions for higher office.
WTTW News Correspondent @ndblumberg.bsky.social
also answers the possibility of a presidential run for Prtizker.
to.wttw.com/44vzTIF
WTTW News Correspondent @ndblumberg.bsky.social
also answers the possibility of a presidential run for Prtizker.
to.wttw.com/44vzTIF
June 25, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will seek a third term in office next year amid growing questions about the Democrat’s ambitions for higher office.
WTTW News Correspondent @ndblumberg.bsky.social
also answers the possibility of a presidential run for Prtizker.
to.wttw.com/44vzTIF
WTTW News Correspondent @ndblumberg.bsky.social
also answers the possibility of a presidential run for Prtizker.
to.wttw.com/44vzTIF
"I told the truth right from the beginning."
In March, we told you about an Aurora resident facing battery charges--that he vehemently denied--after a dispute with some of former Mayor Richard Irvin's campaign team.
Today, his case was dismissed. @wttw.bsky.social
news.wttw.com/2025/06/04/b...
In March, we told you about an Aurora resident facing battery charges--that he vehemently denied--after a dispute with some of former Mayor Richard Irvin's campaign team.
Today, his case was dismissed. @wttw.bsky.social
news.wttw.com/2025/06/04/b...
Battery Case Dismissed Against Aurora Resident in Dispute With Former Mayor’s Campaign Team
An Aurora resident who staunchly maintained his innocence on a charge of alleged battery against a member of former Mayor Richard Irvin’s campaign team had his case dismissed by a Kane County judge on...
news.wttw.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
"I told the truth right from the beginning."
In March, we told you about an Aurora resident facing battery charges--that he vehemently denied--after a dispute with some of former Mayor Richard Irvin's campaign team.
Today, his case was dismissed. @wttw.bsky.social
news.wttw.com/2025/06/04/b...
In March, we told you about an Aurora resident facing battery charges--that he vehemently denied--after a dispute with some of former Mayor Richard Irvin's campaign team.
Today, his case was dismissed. @wttw.bsky.social
news.wttw.com/2025/06/04/b...
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
I'm on City Cast Chicago today discussing the ways West Siders are addressing violence and its root causes with @ndblumberg.bsky.social and host Jacoby Cochran megaphone.link/CC3610260195
Read the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social series my story is part of: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
Read the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social series my story is part of: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
How Will State Overhaul Transit? Plus, Anti-Violence Efforts and Free Summer Movies by City Cast Chicago
megaphone.link
May 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I'm on City Cast Chicago today discussing the ways West Siders are addressing violence and its root causes with @ndblumberg.bsky.social and host Jacoby Cochran megaphone.link/CC3610260195
Read the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social series my story is part of: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
Read the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social series my story is part of: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org
Shortly after unveiling a plan to restructure Chicagoland public transit, lawmakers filed a revenue measure aimed at staving off a budget gap that would have risked a "death spiral" -- and boosting funding beyond current levels @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/29/i...
Illinois Lawmakers Unveil New Funding Sources for Chicagoland Transit, Aiming to Stave Off Disastrous Fiscal Cliff
The measure, filed late Wednesday night, features a new menu of revenue sources to help keep Chicago-area buses and trains running. Lawmakers believe the measure will be enough to address the anticipa...
news.wttw.com
May 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Shortly after unveiling a plan to restructure Chicagoland public transit, lawmakers filed a revenue measure aimed at staving off a budget gap that would have risked a "death spiral" -- and boosting funding beyond current levels @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/29/i...
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
The state of Illinois’ Executive Ethics Commission published a series of inspector general reports, including one centered on CTA “time abuse,” which revealed some employees had been getting paid to complete no work.
CTA Paid Some Employees $1M for Remote Work They Could Not Complete, Watchdog Report Finds
The Chicago Transit Authority has paid out more than $1 million over the past five years to vault operations employees for remote work, despite the fact that their work cannot be done remotely, a new ...
news.wttw.com
May 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The state of Illinois’ Executive Ethics Commission published a series of inspector general reports, including one centered on CTA “time abuse,” which revealed some employees had been getting paid to complete no work.
Lawmakers just released a bill overhauling Chicagoland public transit that would effectively replace the RTA and make CTA, Metra, and Pace focused on operations — but no word yet on much-needed revenues @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/28/l...
Lawmakers Unveil Plan to Overhaul Chicago-Area Transit With New Oversight Agency, But No Solution for Fiscal Cliff
The bill would replace the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, with a new entity called the Northern Illinois Transportation Authority. It would be charged with cre...
news.wttw.com
May 28, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Lawmakers just released a bill overhauling Chicagoland public transit that would effectively replace the RTA and make CTA, Metra, and Pace focused on operations — but no word yet on much-needed revenues @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/28/l...
It's crunch time for Illinois lawmakers racing to make a May 31 deadline to pass a budget and close out the spring session. Here are some of the key issues we'll be watching @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/27/b...
From Budget Shortfall to Transit Funding, State Lawmakers Launch Into Final Week of Spring Session
The Illinois General Assembly returned from the long weekend break for its final week of the spring session. Lawmakers have until May 31 to pass a revenue and spending plan with a simple majority of v...
news.wttw.com
May 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It's crunch time for Illinois lawmakers racing to make a May 31 deadline to pass a budget and close out the spring session. Here are some of the key issues we'll be watching @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/27/b...
The DC shooting, the DOJ investigating Chicago, an AI debacle, and much more with the great @tinasfon.bsky.social @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social @mitchtrout.bsky.social & Mariah Woelfel — 7p and streaming anytime from @wttw.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The DC shooting, the DOJ investigating Chicago, an AI debacle, and much more with the great @tinasfon.bsky.social @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social @mitchtrout.bsky.social & Mariah Woelfel — 7p and streaming anytime from @wttw.bsky.social
Full story here: news.wttw.com/2025/05/14/a...
May 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Full story here: news.wttw.com/2025/05/14/a...
At the CTA's monthly board meeting, Ald. David Moore warned directors not to be a "backbiting snake" and push back against Mayor Brandon Johnson's rumored choice for the next CTA president, city COO John Roberson @wttw.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
At the CTA's monthly board meeting, Ald. David Moore warned directors not to be a "backbiting snake" and push back against Mayor Brandon Johnson's rumored choice for the next CTA president, city COO John Roberson @wttw.bsky.social
A Pope from Chicago, a win for the mayor, fights over CPS and CTA leadership and much more with the great panel of @bpopetv.bsky.social @katpham.bsky.social @aliceyin.bsky.social & Justin Laurence — 7pm on @wttw.bsky.social or streaming anytime!
May 9, 2025 at 11:09 PM
A Pope from Chicago, a win for the mayor, fights over CPS and CTA leadership and much more with the great panel of @bpopetv.bsky.social @katpham.bsky.social @aliceyin.bsky.social & Justin Laurence — 7pm on @wttw.bsky.social or streaming anytime!
Rumors are swirling about Mayor Johnson’s pick to run the CTA — but at a quickly scheduled board meeting Thursday, directors took no action and advocates called for a transparent search for a candidate with transit experience @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/08/t...
Transit Advocates Call for a Transparent CTA Leader Search as Board Takes No Action at Quickly Scheduled Meeting
The Chicago Transit Board took no action on the potential appointment of a new agency president at a hastily scheduled special board meeting Thursday afternoon, despite widespread concern the meeting ...
news.wttw.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Rumors are swirling about Mayor Johnson’s pick to run the CTA — but at a quickly scheduled board meeting Thursday, directors took no action and advocates called for a transparent search for a candidate with transit experience @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/05/08/t...
George Ryan’s legacy, Gov. Pritzker’s call to action, Mayor Johnson’s Springfield wishlist and more with the fantastic Rachel Hinton @lkpwrites.bsky.social @michaeljliptrot.bsky.social & @heathercherone.bsky.social — 7pm on @wttw.bsky.social and streaming online!
May 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
George Ryan’s legacy, Gov. Pritzker’s call to action, Mayor Johnson’s Springfield wishlist and more with the fantastic Rachel Hinton @lkpwrites.bsky.social @michaeljliptrot.bsky.social & @heathercherone.bsky.social — 7pm on @wttw.bsky.social and streaming online!
Dick Durbin, Pope Francis, Johnson vs. Emanuel and much more on the Week in Review — 7p or streaming anytime on @wttw.bsky.social with the great Rick Pearson @sskedreporter.bsky.social @quinnmyers.bsky.social and @cptime47.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Dick Durbin, Pope Francis, Johnson vs. Emanuel and much more on the Week in Review — 7p or streaming anytime on @wttw.bsky.social with the great Rick Pearson @sskedreporter.bsky.social @quinnmyers.bsky.social and @cptime47.bsky.social
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told the Economic Club of Chicago to expect uncertainty and a likely increase in inflation amid Trump’s tariffs—and said the central bank is staying above the political fray, despite efforts to curb independent agencies @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/04/16/c...
In Chicago Appearance, Fed Chair Jerome Powell Warns of Tariff-Sparked Uncertainty and Asserts Agency’s Independence From Politics
Speaking at an Economic Club of Chicago luncheon Wednesday, Powell said that despite the instability, the nation’s economy is still in a “solid position,” in particular its labor market. But he acknow...
news.wttw.com
April 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told the Economic Club of Chicago to expect uncertainty and a likely increase in inflation amid Trump’s tariffs—and said the central bank is staying above the political fray, despite efforts to curb independent agencies @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/04/16/c...
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s comments and more of the day’s top stories.
Donald Trump’s Threats to Yank Federal Funding from Chicago Amount to ‘Terrorism,’ Brandon Johnson Says
Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s efforts to strip federal funding from cities like Chicago with laws on the books designed to protect undocumented immigrants amount to ...
news.wttw.com
April 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team of @heathercherone.bsky.social @ndblumberg.bsky.social & host @brandisfriedman.bsky.social on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s comments and more of the day’s top stories.
What happened this week? Well, a lot! Get caught up on @wttw.bsky.social at 7 tonight and streaming online with the fantastic @beckyvevea.bsky.social @vimiller.bsky.social @bloomberg.com’s Shruti Singh & @michaeljliptrot.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
What happened this week? Well, a lot! Get caught up on @wttw.bsky.social at 7 tonight and streaming online with the fantastic @beckyvevea.bsky.social @vimiller.bsky.social @bloomberg.com’s Shruti Singh & @michaeljliptrot.bsky.social
After two terms leading the state’s second most populous city, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin conceded to his opponent, Ald. John Laesch — who’s long accused Irvin of pay to play politics @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/04/01/2...
2-Term Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin Concedes to Challenger John Laesch
Irvin, who was first elected as mayor in 2017, garnered 47.5% of the vote to Laesch’s 52.5%, according to the unofficial results available late Tuesday night.
news.wttw.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:15 PM
After two terms leading the state’s second most populous city, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin conceded to his opponent, Ald. John Laesch — who’s long accused Irvin of pay to play politics @wttw.bsky.social news.wttw.com/2025/04/01/2...
What a week it was! Get caught up on alll the news you might have missed with the killer @wttw.bsky.social Week in Review panel @heathercherone.bsky.social @adquig.bsky.social @cptime47.bsky.social & Jacoby Cochran! news.wttw.com/2025/03/28/w...
March 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
What a week it was! Get caught up on alll the news you might have missed with the killer @wttw.bsky.social Week in Review panel @heathercherone.bsky.social @adquig.bsky.social @cptime47.bsky.social & Jacoby Cochran! news.wttw.com/2025/03/28/w...
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
NEW: Chicago Police Department officials acknowledged to @wttw.bsky.social that officers failed to document 210,622 traffic stops in 2024, even as officials work to craft new rules that would limit the ability of officers to make certain kinds of stops.
Chicago Police Department Brass Acknowledges Officers Failed to Document 211K Traffic Stops in 2024
A Chicago Police Department spokesperson blamed data collection errors and lax supervision for the unreported stops.
news.wttw.com
March 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
NEW: Chicago Police Department officials acknowledged to @wttw.bsky.social that officers failed to document 210,622 traffic stops in 2024, even as officials work to craft new rules that would limit the ability of officers to make certain kinds of stops.
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
As the Aurora mayoral election draws near, some say campaign tactics are getting extreme in the west suburb. (via @ndblumberg.bsky.social)
Critics Accuse Richard Irvin’s Supporters of Underhanded Campaign Tactics in Aurora Mayoral Election
As the Aurora mayoral election draws near, some say campaign tactics are getting extreme in the west suburb.
news.wttw.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:05 PM
As the Aurora mayoral election draws near, some say campaign tactics are getting extreme in the west suburb. (via @ndblumberg.bsky.social)
Reposted by Nick Blumberg
Fermilab received near-failing federal grades in its annual report card following a tumultuous year of budget mismanagement, safety concerns and leadership turnover.
Whistleblower reports highlighted serious problems at the premier physics facility.
to.wttw.com/4bXec6D
Whistleblower reports highlighted serious problems at the premier physics facility.
to.wttw.com/4bXec6D
Report Card Slams Budget Mismanagement, Safety Concerns at Fermilab as New Contractor Takes Over
Fermilab received near-failing federal grades in its annual report card following a tumultuous year of budget mismanagement, safety concerns and leadership turnover. Whistleblower reports highlighted ...
to.wttw.com
March 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Fermilab received near-failing federal grades in its annual report card following a tumultuous year of budget mismanagement, safety concerns and leadership turnover.
Whistleblower reports highlighted serious problems at the premier physics facility.
to.wttw.com/4bXec6D
Whistleblower reports highlighted serious problems at the premier physics facility.
to.wttw.com/4bXec6D