Tom Schenk Jr
@tomschenkjr.bsky.social
The product of too much SimCity and watching too much West Wing. Managing Director of Analytics
KPMG; former Chicago Chief Data Officer;
former Iowa Dept. of Education
KPMG; former Chicago Chief Data Officer;
former Iowa Dept. of Education
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
Wonderful. The CityKey program is a safe, wonderful program that should be emulated.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
NEW: Chicago will no longer allow residents to apply online for a municipal ID card after ICE officials subpoenaed records identifying applicants for the ID, known as the City Key, City Clerk Anna Valencia announced @wttw.bsky.social
Chicago to Stop Accepting Online Applications for Municipal IDs After ICE Subpoena, City Clerk Says
Chicagoans can still make an appointment online to apply in-person for a City Key ID card, officials said.
news.wttw.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Wonderful. The CityKey program is a safe, wonderful program that should be emulated.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
Wonderful. The CityKey program is a safe, wonderful program that should be emulated.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
NEW: Chicago will no longer allow residents to apply online for a municipal ID card after ICE officials subpoenaed records identifying applicants for the ID, known as the City Key, City Clerk Anna Valencia announced @wttw.bsky.social
Chicago to Stop Accepting Online Applications for Municipal IDs After ICE Subpoena, City Clerk Says
Chicagoans can still make an appointment online to apply in-person for a City Key ID card, officials said.
news.wttw.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Wonderful. The CityKey program is a safe, wonderful program that should be emulated.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
Unfortunately, we are in a climate where this user-friendly portal is risky.
If you reside in Chicago, do take a look at getting one at one of the in-person sign-up events.
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
NEW: Chicago will no longer allow residents to apply online for a municipal ID card after ICE officials subpoenaed records identifying applicants for the ID, known as the City Key, City Clerk Anna Valencia announced @wttw.bsky.social
Chicago to Stop Accepting Online Applications for Municipal IDs After ICE Subpoena, City Clerk Says
Chicagoans can still make an appointment online to apply in-person for a City Key ID card, officials said.
news.wttw.com
June 14, 2025 at 4:35 PM
NEW: Chicago will no longer allow residents to apply online for a municipal ID card after ICE officials subpoenaed records identifying applicants for the ID, known as the City Key, City Clerk Anna Valencia announced @wttw.bsky.social
This is shocking.
I directly worked on designing the integration and protections of CityKey. It was designed to provide an ID, be a transit card, library and discount card.
It was to *never* create a digital record while being compatible with state and city laws. Subpoena-proof.
I directly worked on designing the integration and protections of CityKey. It was designed to provide an ID, be a transit card, library and discount card.
It was to *never* create a digital record while being compatible with state and city laws. Subpoena-proof.
ICE subpoenas Chicago for records of applicants in city ID program used by immigrants www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/06/i...
ICE subpoenas Chicago for records of applicants in city ID program used by immigrants
the Chicago Clerk’s Office has kept identifying application materials for more than 2,700 people who used the online CityKey system since December, documents ICE is seeking.
www.chicagotribune.com
June 6, 2025 at 9:28 PM
This is shocking.
I directly worked on designing the integration and protections of CityKey. It was designed to provide an ID, be a transit card, library and discount card.
It was to *never* create a digital record while being compatible with state and city laws. Subpoena-proof.
I directly worked on designing the integration and protections of CityKey. It was designed to provide an ID, be a transit card, library and discount card.
It was to *never* create a digital record while being compatible with state and city laws. Subpoena-proof.
We have been working to define how we'll scale bringing science into policies at state and local governments. Bringing MetroLab into the Federation of American Scientists means we'll be able to bring incredible amount of expertise for new and exciting programs.
🗣️We’re excited to announce that MetroLab Network is now officially a part of the Federation of American Scientists. We’re looking forward to improving the delivery of evidence-based policy into local government.
Learn more about this new chapter ⤵️
fas.org/publication/...
Learn more about this new chapter ⤵️
fas.org/publication/...
The Federation of American Scientists Brings MetroLab Network Into Organization - Federation of American Scientists
FAS is excited to announce it has acquired MetroLab Network (MLN), bringing together two teams with a shared commitment to harnessing science, technology and innovation to drive impact in new ways in ...
fas.org
June 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
We have been working to define how we'll scale bringing science into policies at state and local governments. Bringing MetroLab into the Federation of American Scientists means we'll be able to bring incredible amount of expertise for new and exciting programs.
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
🗣️We’re excited to announce that MetroLab Network is now officially a part of the Federation of American Scientists. We’re looking forward to improving the delivery of evidence-based policy into local government.
Learn more about this new chapter ⤵️
fas.org/publication/...
Learn more about this new chapter ⤵️
fas.org/publication/...
The Federation of American Scientists Brings MetroLab Network Into Organization - Federation of American Scientists
FAS is excited to announce it has acquired MetroLab Network (MLN), bringing together two teams with a shared commitment to harnessing science, technology and innovation to drive impact in new ways in ...
fas.org
June 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
🗣️We’re excited to announce that MetroLab Network is now officially a part of the Federation of American Scientists. We’re looking forward to improving the delivery of evidence-based policy into local government.
Learn more about this new chapter ⤵️
fas.org/publication/...
Learn more about this new chapter ⤵️
fas.org/publication/...
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
I've got my Chicago CityKey on me, do you?
Proud to be one of the nearly 150,000 Chicagoans alongside @chicityclerk.bsky.social with one during the seventh anniversary of this incredible program that's eliminated barriers and increased access to all Chicago has to offer.
Proud to be one of the nearly 150,000 Chicagoans alongside @chicityclerk.bsky.social with one during the seventh anniversary of this incredible program that's eliminated barriers and increased access to all Chicago has to offer.
May 19, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I've got my Chicago CityKey on me, do you?
Proud to be one of the nearly 150,000 Chicagoans alongside @chicityclerk.bsky.social with one during the seventh anniversary of this incredible program that's eliminated barriers and increased access to all Chicago has to offer.
Proud to be one of the nearly 150,000 Chicagoans alongside @chicityclerk.bsky.social with one during the seventh anniversary of this incredible program that's eliminated barriers and increased access to all Chicago has to offer.
This is a solid bill. Some of the most skilled folks I’ve worked with didn’t have degrees—they had hands-on expertise that grads often take years to develop. We needn't treat diplomas as proxies for talent for every job.
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
City Council committee OKs removal of college degree requirement for city jobs
If, as expected, the full City Council approves the switch to "skill-based hiring," Chicago would join the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Minneapolis-St. Paul, in “tearing the paper ceiling" tha...
chicago.suntimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:10 AM
This is a solid bill. Some of the most skilled folks I’ve worked with didn’t have degrees—they had hands-on expertise that grads often take years to develop. We needn't treat diplomas as proxies for talent for every job.
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/20...
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
Looking to talk to current or former federal workers at NOAA for a story for The Economist.
Please share far and wide! I’m on signal at abraun.99
Please share far and wide! I’m on signal at abraun.99
May 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Looking to talk to current or former federal workers at NOAA for a story for The Economist.
Please share far and wide! I’m on signal at abraun.99
Please share far and wide! I’m on signal at abraun.99
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
I have a couple of speaking gigs coming up:
- UIC Law Thursday to talk about DOGE & data privacy www.eventbrite.com/e/second-ann...
- BPS in late June to talk about Digi ID & ACLU's guidelines www.btcpolicysummit.org
I could talk about these topics forever.
- UIC Law Thursday to talk about DOGE & data privacy www.eventbrite.com/e/second-ann...
- BPS in late June to talk about Digi ID & ACLU's guidelines www.btcpolicysummit.org
I could talk about these topics forever.
Second Annual Information and Privacy Law Program
In-Person Event
www.eventbrite.com
May 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I have a couple of speaking gigs coming up:
- UIC Law Thursday to talk about DOGE & data privacy www.eventbrite.com/e/second-ann...
- BPS in late June to talk about Digi ID & ACLU's guidelines www.btcpolicysummit.org
I could talk about these topics forever.
- UIC Law Thursday to talk about DOGE & data privacy www.eventbrite.com/e/second-ann...
- BPS in late June to talk about Digi ID & ACLU's guidelines www.btcpolicysummit.org
I could talk about these topics forever.
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
Figured I’d hop on here today for the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.
March 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Figured I’d hop on here today for the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the ACA is a reminder that change is possible when we fight for progress.
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
I wrote about 18F being closed:
DOGE shutters the government’s in-house tech consultancy
www.economist.com/united-state...
DOGE shutters the government’s in-house tech consultancy
www.economist.com/united-state...
DOGE shutters the government’s in-house tech consultancy
Political loyalty appears to be more important than tech skills
www.economist.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I wrote about 18F being closed:
DOGE shutters the government’s in-house tech consultancy
www.economist.com/united-state...
DOGE shutters the government’s in-house tech consultancy
www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
This is amazing. Harvard has amassed a 16TB collection covering more than 311K datasets and a complete archive of federal public datasets linked by data.gov - with ongoing updates. lil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/02...
Announcing the Data.gov Archive | Library Innovation Lab
lil.law.harvard.edu
February 28, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This is amazing. Harvard has amassed a 16TB collection covering more than 311K datasets and a complete archive of federal public datasets linked by data.gov - with ongoing updates. lil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/02...
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
last year, we stumbled upon chicago factbooks - the only source of historic chicago rent data, going back to 1930. without the resources for a larger digitization project, we took the simplest approach: manual data entry. once we adjusted the rents for inflation, the facts really came to life… 🧵
February 26, 2025 at 11:33 PM
last year, we stumbled upon chicago factbooks - the only source of historic chicago rent data, going back to 1930. without the resources for a larger digitization project, we took the simplest approach: manual data entry. once we adjusted the rents for inflation, the facts really came to life… 🧵
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
Does anyone have a favorite field experiment (or A/B test) with public data where there is outcome data over time, ideally something like daily data or even timestamped events?
This is a common format in industry, but few public data sets look like this.
This is a common format in industry, but few public data sets look like this.
February 21, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Does anyone have a favorite field experiment (or A/B test) with public data where there is outcome data over time, ideally something like daily data or even timestamped events?
This is a common format in industry, but few public data sets look like this.
This is a common format in industry, but few public data sets look like this.
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
New:
DOGE's spending has been secret.
No longer.
My colleagues have uncovered it.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
DOGE's spending has been secret.
No longer.
My colleagues have uncovered it.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
February 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
New:
DOGE's spending has been secret.
No longer.
My colleagues have uncovered it.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
DOGE's spending has been secret.
No longer.
My colleagues have uncovered it.
www.propublica.org/article/doge...
Am I the only person where chatGPT reduces the number of em-dashes being used?
February 18, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Am I the only person where chatGPT reduces the number of em-dashes being used?
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
Current* conditions near Chicago, IL:
February 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Current* conditions near Chicago, IL:
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
This is a very cool map that shows an overlay of the Chicago River as it was before the city expanded eastward via land reclamation
February 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
This is a very cool map that shows an overlay of the Chicago River as it was before the city expanded eastward via land reclamation
This is absolutely right and the tension around USDS with existing departments was notable. The organizational structure was effective, but a gamble.
It certainly is not responsible for the scale of what is happening, but eventually folks are going to have to reckon with how DOGE’s tactics mirror USDS’s & how more checks were needed.
from 2017 federalnewsnetwork.com/reporters-no...
from 2017 federalnewsnetwork.com/reporters-no...
February 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This is absolutely right and the tension around USDS with existing departments was notable. The organizational structure was effective, but a gamble.
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
Hey folks - anyone have seen good tracking on any public data that has been removed? Similarly, seeing any efforts to mirror data?
January 31, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Hey folks - anyone have seen good tracking on any public data that has been removed? Similarly, seeing any efforts to mirror data?
Reposted by Tom Schenk Jr
In my latest @npr.org story, officials and data users warn that the reliability of the U.S. government statistics used to track the country’s economy and population is under threat because of budget concerns. That's before any new funding cuts by President Trump and Congress.
Experts warn about the 'crumbling infrastructure' of federal government data
Unstable federal funding puts at risk the government statistics used to track the U.S. economy and population, officials and data users warn. That's before any cuts by President Trump and Congress.
www.npr.org
January 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
In my latest @npr.org story, officials and data users warn that the reliability of the U.S. government statistics used to track the country’s economy and population is under threat because of budget concerns. That's before any new funding cuts by President Trump and Congress.