chicagotribune.com/2026/10/2… Finally, the State has recognized Chicago's flawed system for the investigation of officer-involved shootings by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is contrary to state law and is in fact illegal. Refer to the attached Tribune story (below) for the details. Everyone has known for 11 years that COPA fails to meet the legal requirement codified in the law that requires that police shooting investigations in Illinois MUST be conducted by investigators certified as "Lead Homicide Investigators" (LHI) by the State. In order to be an LHI, one must be a sworn police officer employed by a law enforcement agency. COPA is NOT a law-enforcement agency and its investigators are not sworn officers. COPA used run-arounds to try and avoid that requirement on a number of occasions. The CST had this story in 2021 and even published a copy of a consultant's report commissioned by the LIghtfoot administration that told the City that COPA was operating in violation of the law, while offering alternatives for an independent agency. One of those suggested alternatives was the Public Integrity Task Force, which is an investigative arm of the Cook County States Attorneys Office, and meets the legal requirements specified in the enabling statute. That unit has previously investigated CPD shootings when they have occurred in areas outside the city. It would not be an insurmountable task to provide the additional resources the Public Integrity Task Force would need to take on this task. Amazingly, the City failed to follow the recommendations they paid for, while the CST later scrubbed its website of the consultant's report.

Here's the latest on Amtrak's proposal to move its current Chicago railyard - including a storage tank that holds 450,000 gallons of diesel fuel - literally into the backyards of homes in Chicago's historic Bridgeport community. All without any prior consultation with - or notification to - the elected officials who represent this neighborhood, the larger Near South Side communities, and the City and County. BTW,both the City Council and the Cook County Board of Commissioners have voted against the proposal. Why? What's really behind this land grab that would destroy the neighborhood? Who said the days of the railroads being land barons are over? Read the comments of @jackbyrnes one of the many neighbors who are standing up and saying "NO" to Amtrak. facebook.com/share/p/1EHyCSE…

Amtrak held a Community Meeting Thursday night to finally tell the Bridgeport and Chinatown communities what their plan for an active railyard and a heavy maintenance facility looks like. Amtrak had their say yesterday, so it's only fair the neighbors have a chance to respond. So here it is. instagram.com/p/DdcUaF9HL0I/…

The fight against the proposed move of Amtrak's Chicago Engine Maintenance and Heavy Repair Shop from 14th and Lumber to a residential neighborhood in Chicago's historic Bridgeport Neighborhood near 33rd and Canal continues. Here are a few videos that former Alderman Jim Balcer and I made this morning to show what's really in store for the neighborhood if Amtrak is successful in moving this facility to a residential area. Would you want a heavy maintenance facility and an active railyard in your backyard or next to the park where your kids are playing! Watch the video and decide for yourself. And don't forget about that tank holding 47,000 gallons of diesel fuel... Sorry .. you need to click on each of the links below to watch the videos facebook.com/share/v/1CGQFBg… facebook.com/share/v/1BrziXV…

For those following the developments surrounding the @Amtrak proposal to build a heavy maintenance diesel engine/railroad maintenance facility literally in the back yards of residents in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, here's the latest. Credit to our friend @jackbyrnes for the update. @AmtrakOIG

When is enough, enough? He shouldn't be on the bench at all, let alone hearing criminal cases at 26th St. What more can I - or any of us - say?

Here's the latest on the plan to move the Amtrak Rail Yard from its current location at 14th and Canal to a residential neighborhood in Bridgeport, adjacent to the current location of Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox. The plan was being fastracked by Amtrak, and local government officials and community leaders were blindsided by the plan, which would destroy the neighborhood. Residents who would be displaced started asking questions, and filing FOIA inquiries with Amtrak and the University of Illinois - Chicago, which had hosted an event at which Amtrak gave a presentation on the proposal. As word got out about this fast shuffle, residents organized and made their voices heard, using both traditional and social media to voice their concerns. One of the questions raised was "Why is this plan being fast-tracked and wh is pushing it?" The loud and strident voice of the community led to forcing the hand of the players. It turns out that the prospective future owner of the White Sox is the person who wants to buy the Amtrak Yard, and move it to Bridgeport and then build a new Sox stadium on the current site of the Amtrak Yard. See below for a Public Statement issued by Cook County Commissioner John Daley and Alderwoman Nicole Lee, who are supporting their community and strongly opposing the proposed project. facebook.com/share/p/19UT6e9…

Yesterday, I talked with @ChuckGoudieNBC about the level of violence this summer in New York City as compared to Chicago. Keeping in mind that NYC has approximately three times the population of Chicago as well as three times the complement of sworn police officers, let's take a quick look at the Murder and Shooting numbers for this summer comparing New York and Chicago. NYC CHICAGO Shooting Incidents: 195 433 Shooting Victims: 249 582 Murders: 66 119 People in Chicago need to be concerned. And these tragic numbers need to be addressed by those running for re-election this November, and even more so by those who are running for election for Mayor and Alderman in February. For those in Chicago - now is the time to make your voices heard. And reinforce your message with your votes in November and February. nbcchicago.com/investigation…

For those interested in supporting the residents of the Bridgeport and Chinatown neighborhoods in their fight against the proposed Amtrak Midwest Maintenance Facility, here is a link to the Facebook group that residents have set up to serve as a central point of information. facebook.com/groups/27877087…