r/illinois • • 26d ago

Chicago news & issues We are Sun-Times and WBEZ reporters covering Flock in Illinois. Ask us anything!

331 Upvotes

UPDATE: Thank you so much to everyone who participated and asked questions as part of this AMA! You all had so many great questions, and being able to think through them really helps to inform our ongoing reporting. Reach out to Violet at [vmiller@suntimes.com](mailto:vmiller@suntimes.com) and Lisa at [lphilip@wbez.org](mailto:lphilip@wbez.org) if you have further questions or feedback. Get more local, independent reporting at suntimes.com and wbez.org — and please consider becoming a member to support our work. Until next time!

Hey r/illinois! Violet Miller of the Chicago Sun-Times and Lisa Kurian Philip of WBEZ 91.5 here to announce we're hosting an AMA on this subreddit next Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.!

The topic: Flock Safety in Illinois and how we have reported out the facts for stories like this one about the use of Flock cameras by public universities, or this one about Illinois suburbs that suspended their Flock deals amid alleged misuse by authorities.

License plate readers from businesses like Flock have sparked a heated, nationwide debate over mass surveillance tools in law enforcement. In Illinois, more than 500 law enforcement agencies use Flock's technology.

This AMA is a chance for you to ask us questions about our coverage of Flock, how we think about these stories, and how we report them out. Violet covers Chicago news for the Sun-Times, and Lisa covers higher education for WBEZ and Open Campus.

The Chicago Sun-Times is independent, community-funded, and committed to telling the stories that shape our city. We're free from hedge-fund ownership, shareholders, and political influence. Learn more about becoming a member today: https://chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-member


r/illinois • • 28d ago

Illinois Politics Illinois voter guide to the 2026 general election

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93 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 13h ago

Pritzker Posting JB Pritzker's mystery-folder challenge comes with unfiltered commentary:

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671 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 12h ago

Illinois Politics Aaron Del Mar, Illinois GOP Lt. Governor candidate, claims he can come up with a housing plan on the spot, jfc

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172 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 13h ago

Northern IL news & issues past/ before Chicago to Springfield The Forge In Joliet, IL To Close After Nearly A Decade Of Live Music

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127 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 12h ago

Question Where to place ipass sticker on a motorcycle without a windshield?

9 Upvotes

Hello, and, I was wondering: Where can I place the ipass sticker on a bike that does not have a windshield? Its a Honda CB500 and its a street fighter so it doesnt come with stock with a windshield

I also dont want it to be on the outside of the bike (for weather and looks)


r/illinois • • 1d ago

Trip Planning & Tourist Help/ Guidance Took my first trip to Illinois (Chicago and the surrounding areas)

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401 Upvotes

I went to Chicago on the 16th-19th of October and it’s fair to say I had an amazing time. I put in 25k steps, half of which was on Saturday at the Woodfield Mall which was super cool to walk around because I don’t have a good mall where I’m from. Also, Amtrak trains are a very comfortable way of travel. I’ll be coming back in June for Pokemon NAIC for sure, what else should I do while I’m there?


r/illinois • • 2d ago

Pritzker Posting I think the word you're searching for is 'Space Ranger'

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1.7k Upvotes

r/illinois • • 1d ago

Question What time does the ILSOS site release appointments for the day?

8 Upvotes

I don't remember whether it's 6 or 7 and search has not been fruitful.


r/illinois • • 1d ago

US Politics How loud are these saxophones going to get 🥲

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32 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 1d ago

Illinois News Pace Has a ReVision, and Suburban Transit Is Finally Thinking Bigger

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36 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 2d ago

Illinois News March on Mundelein Town Hall 10/26 - 5:30pm 💜Justice for Mary Alice Love💜

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147 Upvotes

With the state's attorney's recent decision to abstain from pressing charges on Mundelein officer Christopher Brigano, it's more important now than ever for the community to come together and say enough is enough, Justice for Mary Alice Love! We will be gathering at Mundelein village hall before the scheduled board meeting to raise our voices in solidarity with the Love family, and anyone who has experienced violence at the hands of the police.

Time: Monday, October 26, 2026 - 5:30pm

Location:

Mundelein Village Hall

300 Plaza Circle

Mundelein, IL 60060


r/illinois • • 1d ago

Question Is There a Lack of State Pride?

0 Upvotes

I moved here relatively recently from Ohio to Chicago and I feel like there’s a distinct lack of pride in the state, at least in Chicago. People seem to identify as Chicagoans first, Illinoisans second. I’ll admit I’m one of those people haha. And I get it - Chicago is an amazing city and people rightfully have a lot of pride in it. I just find it interesting because in Ohio people seem to have a lot of pride in the state, and identify as Ohioans first and foremost. I feel like a lot of it comes down to the urban/rural divide and how much Illinois is dominated by the Chicago metro whereas in Ohio there are 3 big metros all equally sized and equally spread out throughout the state with smaller metros in between. There is also the obsession with OSU sports that dominates everything and unites people across the state.

I’m just curious how people (especially from outside of Chicago) view state pride and what really unites us as Illinoisans?

EDIT: To everyone shitting on Ohio, saying I moved out because I didn’t like it there - that’s not the case. Ohio is a beautiful state with a lot to love. Is it perfect, of course not. There’s definitely things I don’t like, but that’s not at all why I moved out. I wanted to experience living somewhere else, something that I think everyone should try in their lifetime. I also want to have pride in my adopted home, hence the post.


r/illinois • • 3d ago

Illinois News Nearly a million chickens killed at Illinois farm amid nation's largest active bird flu outbreak

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331 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 3d ago

Illinois Politics LaHood Proud of Trump Endorsement!

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124 Upvotes

It’s always a great idea to blast the endorsement of a very unpopular president who’s caused world chaos! Especially during the week you’re trying to convince your constituents you’ve been pushing back on his tariffs!


r/illinois • • 3d ago

Illinois News Illinois public university enrollment highest since 2015, state says - more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of 2026-27

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358 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 3d ago

Illinois News Illinois man stands trial for killing of transgender woman Dejanay Stanton

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376 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 3d ago

Illinois Politics Republicans Unopposed State Legislature

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74 Upvotes

I was surprised to see that republicans are running unopposed in my district for state senate and state house. I feel like democrat would win in my area


r/illinois • • 4d ago

Illinois Politics A vote for any of them is a vote for Trump.

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624 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 3d ago

Illinois News Metra’s BNSF Line: The Odd Duck Out For Regional Rail 2.0

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57 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 2d ago

Question Gas prices

0 Upvotes

I have family who hate pritzker and blame the gas prices on him. Do you blame him for the gas prices, the president or the regional area you may be in? Because they give no logical answer on how he raises them and Google tells me it’s a more regional area thing instead of pritzker. What are your thoughts? I’d like to hear another POV. I come from a republican/maga family, but I’m starting to lean more towards democratic views and I’d like to have more of an understanding on these things.


r/illinois • • 4d ago

Illinois News Grayslake Data Center Mailer

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100 Upvotes

r/illinois • • 4d ago

Monthly Theme Illinois is America’s pumpkin capital

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422 Upvotes

All hail Illinois the Pumpkin King https://youtu.be/_-2C0aF7G9A


r/illinois • • 4d ago

Illinois Politics Please vote for me!

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84 Upvotes

JB is a big meanie and he beat me within 10 minutes of the polls closing last time. Do I have your vote this time?