Violet Miller

Violet Miller

@vimiller.bsky.social

reporter @chicago.suntimes.com union member @cstguild.bsky.social drummer, mediocre catcher prev: Daily Herald | she/her 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 have a tip? DM me for signal

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More than two dozen people arrived to face federal agents in five different unmarked vehicles with aftermarket emergency lights. One agent had a Jerusalem cross sticker on the back of his phone, a Christian symbol dating to the Crusades that more recently has been associated with white supremacy.

chicago.suntimes.comFederal agents crash into car while detaining man in Albany ParkIt unfolded around 8:07 a.m. near Lawrence and Kedzie avenues as a black Nissan SUV began chasing a shirtless man before a different black Nissan SUV pulled out of grocery parking lot and hit a woman’...
Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

This morning federal agents hit a woman’s vehicle while chasing and eventually detaining a man, later using a taser on him while pointing tasers and pepper spray at bystanders at Lawrence/Kedzie in Albany Park. Story to come via @chicago.suntimes.com

Violet Miller reposted

Violet Miller reposted

Professional softball deserves a fully professional union. That's why an overwhelming supermajority of AUSL players have signed union cards to form the AUSLPA.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office wants the city to place a bid to be a host for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031. While the Chicago Sports Commission would lead the charge, a spokesperson said Johnson sent a letter supporting the initiative to the U.S. Soccer Federation Oct. 7.

chicago.suntimes.comChicago puts in bid to host FIFA 2031 Women's World CupWhile the Chicago Sports Commission would lead the charge, a spokesperson said Mayor Brandon Johnson's office sent a letter of support of the initiative to the U.S. Soccer Federation earlier this mont...

While the bid doesn't specify a venue, if Chicago were to host again, the most obvious would be Soldier Field. It was on a shortlist for the 2026 men’s tournament, hosted five matches of the 1994 World Cup and the Chicago Fire's match against Messi's Inter-Miami drew >63k fans last month.

chicago.suntimes.comLionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski help Fire draw franchise-record crowd in 1-1 tie with Inter MiamiThe crowd of 63,094 saw Messi and Inter Miami steal a point from Lewandowski and the Fire in a match between two of soccer's most famous players.

Violet Miller reposted

“My viewing of it, and many other investigators that have viewed it, as well, it’s pretty obvious that this was an intentional striking and running over of the person by the vehicle, and in that case, that is an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Texas,” [Harris County DA Sean Teare] said.

nbcnews.comTexas DA says ICE intentionally hit immigrant with a car and may have withheld evidenceHarris County DA Sean Teare told NBC News his office has collected multiple videos for its own investigation but isn’t getting cooperation from the federal government. ICE denied their agent intentio...

Violet Miller reposted

Former Joliet police lieutenant Jeremy Harrison, 50, faces a charge of computer tampering and official misconduct in Will County, per Illinois State Police. Harrison’s charges make him at least the third Will County law enforcement officer accused of misusing the surveillance technology this year.

chicago.suntimes.comFormer Joliet police officer charged over alleged Flock camera misuseJeremy Harrison, 50, faces a charge of computer tampering and official misconduct in Will County in July 2025, when Harrison was serving as a lieutenant in the Joliet Police Department.
Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

The latest: Former Itasca officer Marisa Ciccola faces 13 counts of official misconduct and eight counts of computer tampering — and is accused of making several unauthorized searches June 2025-May 2026 — while former West Chicago officer Gerardo Solis faces a single count of each.

Will County board member Destinee Ortiz has proposed banning automated license plate readers on county property. Her ordinance is set to be heard at a board meeting Nov. 12. “We need to hold officers accountable for proven abuse, but we also need to remove these mass surveillance systems.”

chicago.suntimes.comFormer Joliet police officer charged over alleged Flock camera misuseJeremy Harrison, 50, faces a charge of computer tampering and official misconduct in Will County in July 2025, when Harrison was serving as a lieutenant in the Joliet Police Department.

The latest: Former Itasca officer Marisa Ciccola faces 13 counts of official misconduct and eight counts of computer tampering — and is accused of making several unauthorized searches June 2025-May 2026 — while former West Chicago officer Gerardo Solis faces a single count of each.

chicago.suntimes.comFormer Itasca, West Chicago police officers charged over alleged misuse of Flock camerasFormer Itasca officer Marisa Ciccola and ex-West Chicago officer Gerardo Solis both face misconduct and computer tampering charges. They are set to appear in court Nov. 16.
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Another officer facing official misconduct charges has caused a man to become paranoid about being followed, per the alleged victim's attorney. “He has been stalking us for two years, I fear daily he is following myself and [my child],” another alleged victim wrote in a protective order petition.

Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

Part-time Prairie Grove officer William Copp allegedly used Flock's license-plate readers to stalk exes and others through 246 searches of their movements, prosecutors say. When he was arrested this summer, the Chicago area had already emerged as ground zero in a nationwide fight over Flock. 🧵/12

And if you still have questions about Flock cameras, it may already have an answer — my colleague @lkpwrites.bsky.social and I did an AMA earlier today answering some questions from the folks on r/Illinois.

Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

I'm live with @lkpwrites.bsky.social on Reddit answering your questions about Flock cameras/automated license plate readers! Join us and drop some questions if you've got them.

The latest: Former Itasca officer Marisa Ciccola faces 13 counts of official misconduct and eight counts of computer tampering — and is accused of making several unauthorized searches June 2025-May 2026 — while former West Chicago officer Gerardo Solis faces a single count of each.

chicago.suntimes.comFormer Itasca, West Chicago police officers charged over alleged misuse of Flock camerasFormer Itasca officer Marisa Ciccola and ex-West Chicago officer Gerardo Solis both face misconduct and computer tampering charges. They are set to appear in court Nov. 16.

The two are the latest in an ongoing epidemic of alleged police misuse of the mass surveillance system. Channahon Police Department is reviewing use of Flock cameras and Homer Glen suspended them within its borders after investigations were opened up into officers in each jurisdiction.

Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

A growing epidemic of alleged police abuse of Flock's vast surveillance system has led Homer Glen to (for now) halt plate reader use within its borders. West Chicago, Channahon and the Will County sheriff all have officers on leave for alleged unauthorized searches of license plate-tracking data.

Violet Miller reposted

Violet Miller reposted

Violet Miller reposted

The Women's Pro Baseball League boardroom saga continues. This morning, WPBL CEO Keith Stein fired Mina Kim from the board. Kim was pushing for WPBL financial records in court. This effectively ends her case before the judge issued a ruling. frontofficesports.com/article/keit...

frontofficesports.comWPBL CEO Fires Board Member After $600K Offer to Drop CaseThe WPBL’s largest investor wanted financial records from the CEO. Before a judge ruled on her request, the CEO fired her from the board.

Violet Miller reposted

Replying to @mulchy.bsky.social

the use of local surveillance tech to justify federal felony charges against martinez and ruiz isn’t especially remarkable on its own. yet many advocates say the case shows how easily private information can pass from one agency to another with seemingly little, if any, oversight or transparency.

chicagoreader.comFeds tapped local surveillance networks in botched Chicago prosecutions - Chicago ReaderDuring their failed efforts to prosecute Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz, federal authorities accessed a network of Chicagoland license plate readers and surveillance cameras.

Violet Miller reposted

new: federal authorities tapped into a network of flock license plate readers and surveillance cameras owned by chicagoland police during their failed attempts to prosecute marimar martinez and anthony ruiz for following immigration agents last october.

chicagoreader.comFeds tapped local surveillance networks in botched Chicago prosecutions - Chicago ReaderDuring their failed efforts to prosecute Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz, federal authorities accessed a network of Chicagoland license plate readers and surveillance cameras.

Violet Miller reposted

NEW: A new White House rule would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives, including ones that help disabled Americans vote. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict voting access.

propublica.orgThis White House Plan Threatens Funding That Helps Disabled Americans VoteA new rule from the Office of Management and Budget would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restr...

Violet Miller reposted

After mapping nearly 4,000 locations where human remains were found against information on nearly 600 surveillance towers, we discovered that a humanitarian crisis at the border has unfolded in view of the government’s own cameras.

trib.alThe US spent billions on border surveillance. Why can’t it catch people before they die?Surveillance towers, increasingly powered by AI, promised faster responses to crossings. Our investigation of deaths near the towers found they are failing to deliver.

Violet Miller reposted

Violet Miller reposted

watching the replay of the LA Queens/NY Heights game from last night and I’m so glad we got to see a rivalry established in season 1. every game since opening day has been a grudge match and I love it

Violet Miller reposted

Violet Miller reposted

For anyone looking for ESPN for the WPBL (but better), I’ve been using @sportydolphin.bsky.social, who made an incredible stats app/site. For iOS users, there’s also “Peach” (as in the Rockford ones) on the TestFlight app. It gives you a live score widget and some other options.

sportydolphin.funsportydolphin.fun — MLB & WPBL baseball statsFree MLB and Women's Pro Baseball League (WPBL) stats: live scores, player and team stats, standings, and a predictions game.
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The Sox are waiting on environmental and transit evals to even consider the new stadium location, which would sit along the Chicago River from Roosevelt Rd. to 18th St. But Bridgeport residents worry about the environmental impact on the area as Amtrak's shops move into their neighborhood.

chicago.suntimes.comNew Sox Park? Future owner announces proposal for riverside stadium at 'The Railyards'The stadium would sit alongside the Chicago River stretching from Roosevelt Road in the north to 18th Street in the south, and bordered with the river on its east side and Canal Street to its west. Th...

Residents said Amtrak told them it received federal permission to skip a full environmental assessment or impact statement barring "extraordinary circumstances.” “Our neighborhood is not for sale so some billionaires and millionaires can make money while poisoning us and buying up our homes."

chicago.suntimes.comNew Sox Park? Future owner announces proposal for riverside stadium at 'The Railyards'The stadium would sit alongside the Chicago River stretching from Roosevelt Road in the north to 18th Street in the south, and bordered with the river on its east side and Canal Street to its west. Th...

A growing epidemic of alleged police abuse of Flock's vast surveillance system has led Homer Glen to (for now) halt plate reader use within its borders. West Chicago, Channahon and the Will County sheriff all have officers on leave for alleged unauthorized searches of license plate-tracking data.

chicago.suntimes.comIllinois suburbs halt Flock use, suspend officers and review policy amid alleged improper useHomer Glen announced Monday that it was suspending the use of Flock cameras within its borders pending an investigation after a Will County sheriff’s deputy was placed on administrative leave amid all...
Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

Part-time Prairie Grove officer William Copp allegedly used Flock's license-plate readers to stalk exes and others through 246 searches of their movements, prosecutors say. When he was arrested this summer, the Chicago area had already emerged as ground zero in a nationwide fight over Flock. 🧵/12

View full thread

A growing epidemic of alleged police abuse of Flock's vast surveillance system has led Homer Glen to (for now) halt plate reader use within its borders. West Chicago, Channahon and the Will County sheriff all have officers on leave for alleged unauthorized searches of license plate-tracking data.

chicago.suntimes.comIllinois suburbs halt Flock use, suspend officers and review policy amid alleged improper useHomer Glen announced Monday that it was suspending the use of Flock cameras within its borders pending an investigation after a Will County sheriff’s deputy was placed on administrative leave amid all...
Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

Part-time Prairie Grove officer William Copp allegedly used Flock's license-plate readers to stalk exes and others through 246 searches of their movements, prosecutors say. When he was arrested this summer, the Chicago area had already emerged as ground zero in a nationwide fight over Flock. 🧵/12

They join a rash of other cops who have similarly been accused of misuse. The below mentioned Copp faces felony official misconduct charges. Last month, former Kenosha County, WI sheriff’s deputy Frank McGrath also faces felony charges after an audit revealed he’d used Flock to spy on a co-worker.

Violet Miller@vimiller.bsky.social

An attorney for a person Copp allegedly stalked said his client now spots Flock cameras regularly and is paranoid about being followed. “He has been stalking us for two years, I fear daily he is following myself and [my child],” another alleged victim wrote in a protective order petition.

Violet Miller reposted

Our fight for AI protections isn’t just for us, it’s for the integrity of your local news. Human journalists: -verify info we publish -have meaningful connections with our communities -put creativity and emotion into our stories AI can’t. Tell CPM management what you think below ⬇️

Chicago Sun-Times Guild@cstguild.bsky.social

Join us in demanding no layoffs due to AI from Chicago Public Media! Emails for CPM’s management are in the reply ⬇️