THERE ARE STILL A FEW PLANTS LEFT, PLUS A BUNCH OF COOL STUFF AT THE KPAC GARAGE SALE. BUT YOU GOTTA HURRY BECAUSE THE PLANTS ARE GONNA SELL OUT SOON KILBOURN PARK CHICAGO

Thanks to Mike Stephen and @wgnradio.bsky.social Outside the Loop for having me on to discuss my @injusticewatch.org & @boltsmag.org story on Cook County prosecutors fighting to block exonerated people from being formally declared innocent.

Lots of interesting stuff in the @injusticewatch.org newsletter today, including details on our upcoming "article club" event, where I'll discuss my story on Cook County prosecutors opposing certificates of innocence. www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

Rosondunnii Marshall, founder of the Darkroom Chicago, recently started leading film photography workshops at the Cook County Jail. We caught up with her to learn more about her work. Subscribe to our free newsletter to receive the full conversation in your inbox tomorrow. buff.ly/onSIoFY

Tune in to WVON 1690 AM this morning at 9:30 a.m. to hear senior reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social discuss his recent reporting on certificates of innocence. www.wvon.com

NEW: Illinois State Police launches investigation into deadly ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez. Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke's office says her prosecutors will play a "supportive role." @sophiesherry.bsky.social reports: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...

Come on out and we'll talk!

Robert Hill spent a decade in prison before being freed in 2017. A judge denied his certificate of innocence petition, so he couldn’t get his conviction expunged. He’s afraid of getting pulled over by police who might see the case on his record. (w/ @boltsmag.org) buff.ly/GAxhSl8

Know someone who’d be a good fit? We’re looking for someone with fundraising experience and a passion for accountability journalism to be our next executive director. www.injusticewatch.org/about/jobs/e...

Classic Chicago May Sunday (blasting Funeralopolis in my headphones while I mow the lawn in a jacket)

I had the opportunity to profile Chicago's new poet laureate, Mayda Del Valle, for Humboldt Park Magazine. You can read the full piece (for free!) by entering your email address here: www.humboldtparkinchicago.com

Thanks to @blockclubchi.bsky.social for sharing my @injusticewatch.org & @boltsmag.org story on Cook Co. State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke fighting nearly every exonerated person seeking a certificate of innocence. Those come with state compensation and can help people get jobs and housing.

Tune in to WGN-TV today at 4:30 p.m. CT to hear senior reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social discuss his latest investigation, "Cook County prosecutor fights to block exonerated people from clearing their names." wgntv.com

From my story: Kevin Jackson served 23 years before his exoneration. Prosecutors want to block a court order formally clearing his name. He wants that in-part because he hopes it will help him get a passport. He's set on visiting Bora Bora, which he learned about in prison via Anthony Bourdain.

My story on Cook Co. prosecutor Eileen O'Neill Burke battling exonerated people who want declarations of their innocence. Tyrece Williams, freed after 20 years in prison, said he wants to give his certificate of innocence to his 4 kids, as an acknowledgment that what happened to them was wrong.

Luden’s Super Nut (1972-circa 1986): Chocolate-covered peanuts, with a superhero peanut mascot named, well...Super Nut. They were made by the same folks who gave use those ubiquitous cough drops and 5th Avenue Bars

Jeff was a great guy. You couldn’t ask for steadier hand on your copy, and he was quietly very funny and just generally a fun hang.

COMMUNITY NOTE: this user once published an article on Vox stating that Gaza and the West Bank were connected by a 20-mile-long bridge

Staten Island traffic cameras have caught a white RAM 1500 pickup truck blasting through school zones or running red lights more than 547 times since 2022. The truck belongs to James Giovansanti, who lives and works there as an NYPD officer. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/04/23/t...

RIP to Dan Bice, a major figure in Wisconsin newspapering over the last three decades.

Today's @injusticewatch.org newsletter has a little update to my reporting on the former CPD detective Brian Forberg, the subject of many allegations of coercion. And, in lighter news, my admission that I find Criterion Closet Picks and the like very enriching. www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

Repeating "Oh no. Toilet" to myself all day.

Journalists know that losing the Wayback Machine would be a nightmare: www.wired.com/story/the-in...

The drum fill at 2:30 in this.

Worthwhile story by Morley Musick in the @chicagoreader.com on a threat to a Chinatown gem. Richland Center food court’s small business owners are facing drastic rent hikes from a financially beleaguered landlord.

NEW: Three appointed judges were rejected by voters in the Cook County judicial primaries. www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic...

Here are the Cook County election results I know you've all been waiting for: www.injusticewatch.org/judges/judic... @injusticewatch.org

It's Election Day! Make sure you #CheckYourJudges before you vote with @injusticewatch.org's judicial election guide. No endorsements or recommendations. Just the info you need to be an informed voter. injusticewatch.org/checkyourjudges

📺 Tune in to Telemundo Chicago today at 10:30 a.m. to hear senior reporter Carlos Ballesteros breaking down everything you need to know about judicial elections in Cook County.

Today's @injusticewatch.org newsletter has all sorts of good stuff, including, most importantly, the rundown on @cb-312.bsky.social's new story, but also staff recommendations for two cool things: Belmont Tavern and The Singing Nun. www.injusticewatch.org/subscribe/

NEW from @cb-312.bsky.social @injusticewatch.org: Real estate investor Greg Bingham has made millions buying properties through Cook County's tax sale. But our investigation found he hasn't just exploited the law — he also may have broken it. www.injusticewatch.org/project/take...

it's time to share my truth: for years I thought that "Hallelujah" was an original song written for the Shrek soundtrack

I early voted yesterday and used the @injusticewatch.org guide to learn more about the judges on the ballot. Thanks to @danhinkel.bsky.social et al!

Thanks to Paris Schutz for having me on last night to spread the word about judicial elections and our guide.

For very much not the first time, the city of Chicago's strategy in a lawsuit against the police is poised to cost many millions of taxpayer dollars.

📺 Tune in to FOX 32 tonight at 10 p.m. to catch senior reporter @danhinkel.bsky.social discussing Cook County judicial elections with Paris Schutz. www.fox32chicago.com

📅 Primary Election Day is next week. Cook County voters: Use our nonpartisan judicial election guide before you head to the polls. 2026primary.injusticewatch.org

Spring training update: There is a cat in the Brewers dugout.

I'll be there! Come hang out.

All manner of cool places to pick up our guide but I would just note that two places to hang out and learn about judges are the Beer Temple and Bucket O’ Blood Books and Records. Could make a nice Saturday afternoon of it.

Turn to @kellygarcia.bsky.social for some facts and then have a look at our guide to the upcoming Cook County judicial election.

An Elgin cop who went on Facebook to suggest specific places where federal agents might arrest immigrants was granted a disability pension while city officials were still determining whether he would be fired.

How to use our Cook County judicial election guide in four simple steps: 1️⃣ Enter your address to find your judicial subcircuit 2️⃣ Review the candidates 3️⃣ Make your selections 4️⃣ Vote! 2026primary.injusticewatch.org

I’m zipping around town dropping off stacks of the print version of the @injusticewatch.org judicial election guide. Find them all over the dang place or online at that link. 2026primary.injusticewatch.org

Current* conditions near Chicago, IL:

Unstated in this piece is that Mr Clean is retiring in lieu of facing a disciplinary hearing for firing his service weapon during a fight at a high school basketball game that he was refereeing

Toxic Masculinity Brought To Jigsaw Puzzle

Thanks to Mike Stephen from @wgnradio.bsky.social’s Outside the Loop for having me on this morning’s show to talk about my story with David Jackson on the dearth of Cook County judicial candidates and the @injusticewatch.org guide to the March primary election.