Scott Fornek

@sfornek

Former Chicago Sun-Times Breaking News, Political Desks

Chicago

Joined August 2008

156Following

7KFollowers

“Berwyn gas station explodes during severe storms: 'It was like a bomb went off.'” @cindylu_7 & @KadeHeather report. chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/07/2…

sfornek's tweet card. The explosion is believed to be tied to severe weather that was moving Thursday through the Chicago area.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · 1 h

“Last remnant of Columbus statue being removed from Grant Park as city looks to add 'rotating art.’” @fspielman & @_ViMiller report. chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2025/0…

sfornek's tweet card. The statue's pedestal removal Thursday angered the president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, who called it a betrayal of a deal the committee had with Mayor Brandon Johnson's...

Scott Fornek@sfornek · 1 h

‘Chicago Tribune lays off 8 from newsroom, including 5 union members.’ @kwashy12 reports. chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/07/2…

sfornek's tweet card. The cuts amount to about 10% of the newsroom. Meanwhile, the owner of the Tribune submitted a bid to buy the Dallas Morning News.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · 1 h

‘Pet owner surrender rates are up, overwhelming Chicago shelters.’ @mariahrush21 reports. chicago.suntimes.com/money/2025/07/…

sfornek's tweet card. More people have been giving up their dogs and cats, citing a tough economy and housing restrictions. The surge is putting a strain on pet shelters and rescue centers.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · 1 h

"Madigan’s political fixer gets 2-year prison sentence: 'You preferred secrecy and lies.'" @SeidelContent reports. chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corrup…

sfornek's tweet card. Michael McClain was sentenced Thursday for his role in a plot to illegally influence former Ill. House Speaker Michael Madigan on behalf of ComEd.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · 17 h

CORRECTION: Political fixer Mike McClain gets two years in prison — same as ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore but a little more than quarter of the 7½ years handed to former House Speaker Mike Madigan. @SeidelContent from the Dirksen. H/T @Mary_at_Work chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corrup…

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Scott Fornek@sfornek · 19 h

Feeling for our brothers and sisters at @CTGuild today, particularly the five who did not deserve to lose their jobs, but all the others as well. Hang tough in difficult times.

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Scott Fornek@sfornek · 19 h

Scott Fornek@sfornek · 19 h

Political fixer Mike McClain gets two years in prison —same as ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore but nearly four times the 7½ years handed to former House Speaker Mike Madigan. @SeidelContent with the latest in the Dirksen's summer of reckoning. chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corrup…

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Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘Former Worth Township Supervisor John O’Sullivan gets probation for bribery scheme.’ chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corrup…

sfornek's tweet card. The ex-state lawmaker was given 18 months on probation at a hearing Wednesday. He was one of three people involved in a conspiracy to pay off an Oak Lawn trustee.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘Gov. JB Pritzker announces another tenant at South Chicago's quantum park.’ @AbbyLMiller_ reports. chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/20…

sfornek's tweet card. Infleqtion plans to build the first utility-scale quantum computer in Illinois at the state's quantum park and create at least 50 new jobs.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘Amazon sued, accused of bias by former Matteson warehouse worker.’ @amyyeewrites reports chicago.suntimes.com/work/2025/07/2…

sfornek's tweet card. Mario Willis said in his lawsuit that he was discriminated against and faced retaliation from Amazon after witnessing a female worker sexually harass and grope another female colleague.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘Planned Parenthood of Illinois announces new president amid fight to keep Medicaid funds.’ @kwashy12 reports. chicago.suntimes.com/health/2025/07…

sfornek's tweet card. Adrienne White-Faines will lead the reproductive healthcare nonprofit starting in September. She has a long career leading health care organizations.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘City to invest $40 million to modernize shelters for unhoused people.’ @fspielman reports. chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025…

sfornek's tweet card. With 750 permanent shelter beds in seven neighborhoods slated to become “fully accessible,” Mayor Brandon Johnson called a new initiative “the most significant step forward in the history of Chicago...

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘Chicago sweats it out as heat index reaches 105 degrees.’ @mary_norkol, @selenakuznikov & @KadeHeather report. chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2025/0…

sfornek's tweet card. An extreme heat warning is in effect until Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 24

‘Johnson breaks ground on $40 million affordable housing complex at former Robert Taylor Homes.’ @cindylu_7 reports. chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/07/2…

sfornek's tweet card. The mayor says he hopes the Legends South A3 project will "bring new life" to the area that has long been a symbol of the city's past policy failures on public housing.

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 23

"'Unpleasant, uncomfortable and maybe dangerous' temps are headed to Chicago. Here's how to stay safe." @kwashy12 reports. chicago.suntimes.com/weather/2025/0…

sfornek's tweet card. The heat index is expected to hit 105 to 115 degrees in the metro area on Wednesday. The setting sun won't provide much relief — temperatures will likely remain above 90 degrees into the evening...

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 23

'Chicago Union Station celebrates its 100th birthday.' @dstru312 reports. chicago.suntimes.com/transportation…

sfornek's tweet card. The idea for Chicago's Union Station was laid out by famed architect Daniel Burnham, who developed the 1909 Plan of Chicago. The vision was for a hub that would link multiple modes of transportation....

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 23

'Feds want 15 months for ex-City Club President Jay Doherty in ComEd Madigan plot.' @SeidelContent reports. chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corrup…

sfornek's tweet card. The recommendation for Doherty "is significantly less than what the government otherwise would have recommended" had it not been for the sentences already handed down to his co-defendants, a prosec...

Scott Fornek@sfornek · Jul 23

“South Loop family gifts Pope Leo XIV a 'Da Pope' T-shirt: ‘There's such a sense of pride.'” @selenakuznikov reports. chicago.suntimes.com/pope-leo-xiv/2…

sfornek's tweet card. The Muñoz family waited two hours in the heat to meet the pope after Mass on Sunday at the Cathedral of Albano in Albano Laziale, a town outside Rome, near where Leo is spending a six-week summer...