Biking the Boulevards all the way, baby

March 8, 2026 - Tehran at sunrise today. But the sun is hidden behind a sky filled with smoke. After a night of intensive strikes on oil facilities, thick black clouds now hang over the city, turning morning into something that feels like night.

Ruin a movie by making it about Illinois* elections: The man with the “I've got this thing and it's fucking golden” arm

Finally made it to New Rose yesterday. Mural of Dave Vanian (The Damned). Chilaquiles hot dog. Playlist with Gang of Four, Devo, Echo and the Bunnymen, New York Dolls, Hüsker Dü, etc. Your new favorite bar. 🥀🦇🖤

This woman, US citizen living in Skokie, was detained at Ohare yesterday, taken to Broadview, then transferred to a detention facility in Wisconsin, now released. We know all this not because of DHS, who repeatedly denied that they even had her, but because her phone was pinging in those locations.

What a tragedy 😔 I live nearby and frequent the Jewel there. Definitely a chaos intersection, even with a few speed-cameras nearby

chicago rapid responders report ice abducted two people from the parking lot of the home depot at kimball/addison about 10:15 a.m. this morning. witnesses say feds were driving three suvs. rapid responders in wheeling, illinois, also confirm ice abducted someone in the area shortly after 9 a.m.

Brendan Reilly is basically Paul Vallas if Paul Vallas sometimes got punched in the face and tossed out of bars.

Raja is an absolutely terrible choice folks.

I love when I’m really getting into a book and then 32 pages of it are missing

Hundreds packed into Chicago's Federal Plaza this evening in protest of the U.S.-Israeli massacre in Iran.

Chicago action today. I’ve opposed the Iranian regime since it was established, but the US military is absolutely the wrong solution to that problem.

In case you’re just waking up, the U.S. has teamed up with Israel overnight to start an illegal war of regime change, apparently on a presidential whim with no involvement of Congress, and they are already committing horrific atrocities.

Happy Friday @chicritmass.bsky.social #bikechi 🚲

Perfect new Gorillaz album weather

BREAKING: We're suing Kansas for a law that invalidates transgender people's updated driver's licenses and authorizes anyone to sue anyone they suspect of being trans for using the "wrong" bathroom.

It seems all Kansas-issued trans drivers' licenses are invalid, effective tomorrow It is now illegal for trans people to drive a car until they surrender their license at a DMV (that most will need to drive to) and have it reissued with the wrong gender marker This was never about woman's sports

Rep. Delia Ramirez met face to face with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday in a combative closed-door meeting in Washington and told her in no uncertain terms — twice — that she’ll work to impeach her.

I cut my LA work trip short in order to host this reading tonight. My flight landed at 5am this morning & I am a zombie. Please come to this reading and help give me life! @lakemarkham.bsky.social / @ljabouttown.bsky.social / @martinezfjulian.bsky.social / @thecorlew.bsky.social

Sad to hear a community member was abducted by ICE earlier today in Hermosa. Saw a distressing video by a resident as she observed. Things have quieted down but seldom a week goes by without at least a few reports. Keeps residents fearful of when ICE may show up on their block or neighborhood.

Empty Bottle remains undefeated

Whoa, Thax Douglas read poems at a Chicago basement show (cc: @imleor.bsky.social @robertloerzel.bsky.social)

Held for no reason in a detention center for six weeks — for no reason — and even after signing self-deportation papers. Based on comments from agents and guards, Newton says she was imprisoned so ICE agents could collect incentive bonuses.

It’s very hard to explain how bad things are in Minneapolis and greater Minnesota right now.

A new distributed offering: How to Protect Bookstores and Why by Danny Caine. Fascinating reading for people that want to support bookstores, but also a lot of great stories and experiences shared by people working in the kind of shops we love. $16.00 from: halfletterpress.com/how-to-prote...

Y'all tolerated the Nazis but maybe the gamble-on-everything grift will finally get you off Substack

Good mail week. 40th (!) Anniversary issue of New City and 50 Years (!!) of the @chicagoreader.com

Email from IMLS today 🤮

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon and fixture in Democratic politics, has passed away at age 84. Revisit our 2024 story about his legacy and political influence. thetriibe.com/2024/08/jess...

ICE killed a teacher in Georgia today when they chose to chase a man who posed no danger and had no criminal history.

Did my pick-up this morning 🍩

👀

How am I just finding out that NYRB relaunched Richard Hell’s second novel this week

It's time to CHECK YOUR JUDGES BAYYYYBEEEEE!!!! Unbelievably excited to share our team's labor of love for the 2026 primary election. There are some doozies in here. Don't vote without it! #checkyourjudges 2026primary.injusticewatch.org

Good morning from River Park

I’ll probably never parachute out of an airplane, but I *will* bike up Franklin during rush hour to satiate my adrenaline needs #bikechi

Street musician on Michigan Ave bumping Careless Whisper, summer is here, baby

First bike commute this morning in about a month. Still lots of “future ICE agent in training” behavior from car drivers

This is why Minnesotans are begging folks outside the state to keep talking about us. Please don’t let the world forget we are still in danger.

Juliana Stratton is the obvious pick. I hate even having to weigh in here. It's plain as day, and the frontrunner is so bad. Folks, this needs to get turned around. Like desperately. Phone bank for Stratton, talk to your friends, anything, just please, Illinois, NO.

CheSa’s been in my list for awhile - might finally be time to get there 👀 looks like a good spot for the gluten-free folks too

Chance nooooooo

🚨BREAKING: Late night decision leads to late night posting of new double A-side single for #bandcampfriday! tedleo.bandcamp.com/album/februa...

Go-to karaoke song: Understanding in a Car Crash

Me at Bookshop

Open Books closing their Logan Square location March 1st 😔

The guy who owns Amazon shutting down the books section of the Washington Post is beyond parody

Watch that first step, it’s a doozy