Sarah Freishtat
@srfreish
Once: reporter @chicagotribune. Now investigating elsewhere.
Seems like a good time to ask again…what are the prospects for a new CTA station on the Pink Line, which runs a block from the United Center but hasn’t had a Madison stop in decades? —> chicagotribune.com/2025/02/08/uni… <—
The Chicago City Council approved the 1901 Project, a $7-billion, 55-acre development that will reimagine the blocks surrounding the United Center. Plans include new housing and hotel structures in addition to a music hall and public parks. Estimated completion date in 2040.
Four major departures in city govt announced today: - Andrea Kersten, COPA head - Jamie Rhee, CDA commissioner - Jose Tirado, OEMC director - Joe Calvello, mayor's chief strategist chicagotribune.com/2025/02/13/top…
The United Center hasn’t been served by a Pink Line station since it opened. Took a look at the prospects for a new station now, as a redevelopment proposal for the surrounding area moves forward chicagotribune.com/2025/02/08/uni…
And @RepKamBuckner weighs in
CTA slow zones have grown so much in recent years that now nearly 1/3 of the “L” is speed restricted. A key culprit? Aging and deteriorating tracks. “When you’re trying to get to work or an appointment, it can be a real setback for folks” chicagotribune.com/2025/03/16/cta…
CTA slow zones have grown so much in recent years that now nearly 1/3 of the “L” is speed restricted. A key culprit? Aging and deteriorating tracks. “When you’re trying to get to work or an appointment, it can be a real setback for folks” chicagotribune.com/2025/03/16/cta…
Why two jets nearly collided at Midway Airport, what the federal budget resolution could mean for Medicaid, and Chicago’s new park district superintendent. On @wttw at 7 tonight, with thanks to @rquinnmyers, @shrutidatesingh, @srfreish and @_ViMiller and producer Paul Caine.
The mayor floated the new cameras as a means to raise $11M for slashed CPD positions related to the federal consent decree. Restoring those vacancies after outcry added $11.65M to the 2025 deficit, so the admin said the city will install $2.64M worth of new speed cameras.
To balance Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget, Chicago installing 50 new speed cameras to ticket drivers. chicagotribune.com/2025/02/27/chi…
it’s not OK when the White House does it, it’s not OK when a Chicago alderman does it. either you support the free press or you don’t!
This jumps out: Sigcho-Lopez referred to Block Club — a grassroots & grant-funded nonprofit — as "corporate media." What he said, per article: It is a "tragedy" when "corporate media" centers a story "around some sort of First Amendment rights that are being made up." Excerpt:
Context: Metra paid a law firm over $1.5M for an internal investigation that it won’t release, raising transparency questions —> chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/met… <—
$1.57M in taxpayer dollars, zero transparency. Metra hired outside lawyers to investigate serious misconduct in its police dept, but wont release the findings. The public paid for it. The public deserves to see it. My letter to Metra encouraging transparency is here. I’m working…
Metra paid a law firm over $1.5M for an internal investigation that it won't release, raising transparency questions @srfreish chicagotribune.com/2025/02/24/met…
Missing from this budget: addressing the looming $771M transit fiscal cliff. Pritzker said it doesn't necessarily mean there isn't help coming, and reform should come first "It’s near impossible for us to put a number into a budget" for what the state should contribute, he said
UPDATED budget story: Gov. JB Pritzker proposes belt-tightening budget with no new taxes, invokes Nazism in bashing Trump. @chicagotribune team coverage with @rap30, @JeremyGorner, @oliviaolanderr and @addisonwreports chicagotribune.com/2025/02/19/gov…
NEW: The Chicago City Council rejects a bid to lower the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph. Ald. Daniel La Spata, watching the vote here, said the lower speeds would save lives. But opponents said the effort was a money grab and shared equity concerns before the 21 to 28 vote.
Reminder for when snow hits today: Sidewalks won't be plowed by the city in Chicago. Mayor Johnson agreed to put $500,000 toward a Plow The Sidewalks pilot — less than advocates wanted, after their demands here — but I'm told the goal is to start that pilot in January 2026.
What's happening with the 'Plow the Sidewalks' campaign? Nothing, in Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 budget. Despite calling for it to start in 2025 this May, Johnson put $0 toward the transit & disability rights effort. For @chicagotribune + thread👇: chicagotribune.com/2024/11/25/may…
Chicago airports not immune from air traffic controller shortages @srfreish chicagotribune.com/2025/02/11/chi…
It’s unclear right now how this would affect CTA and the Red Line extension. CTA gets federal COVID-19 relief funds to that allow it to keep running trains and buses, and just signed an agreement for a huge federal grant for the Red Line project. Here’s what they’re saying:
Deportations in Chicago: People are hiding in their attic…
ICE confirms there are arrests taking place today in Chicago. “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with federal partners including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP and the U.S. Marshals Service, began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in Chicago…” Story to come.