🚍 These buses will run more often

Chicago’s Immigration Court Chaos

Illinois Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, and 13 others, are calling for an end to mass immigration hearings. Sun-Times and WBEZ documented as many as 185 daily cases per judge, compared to previous schedules with 30-40 cases.

In a letter to the Department of Justice, lawmakers said the massive hearings do not provide due process and inhibit individuals' ability to “understand their rights, seek legal representation, or even obtain adequate translations while in the hearing.” Some show up without a lawyer; some don’t show at all due to the reduced notice time to appear in court.

How does immigration court typically work? Chicago’s main immigration court, the 15th floor at 55 E. Monroe St., conducts proceedings for people in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The first hearing in a case is called a “master hearing,” where noncitizens are informed of their rights.

• What’s different from criminal proceedings: You are not provided an attorney. Some legal aid organizations, like the National Immigrant Justice Center, may be able to assist at little to no cost.

Enter 'megamaster' hearings: Judges saw the huge spike in cases on their morning dockets by late May. In June, more immigrants missed court than appeared at the Chicago courthouse for the first time since 2019.

• 'Deportation factory': Chicago was the deportation epicenter in June, seeing more removal orders than anywhere in the country. A Tribune analysis of DOJ data found the Trump administration’s mass deportation moved to the courtroom instead of the militarized, on-the-street sweeps carried out during “Operation Midway Blitz.”
• Exodus of judges: Around the same time, two judges in Chicago were fired, part of a wave of departing immigration judges. But a Tribune analysis found these two also lagged behind their peers in removal rates.

Unaccompanied children: Mass hearings also involve children, who may have limited access to legal counsel. Chicago-based legal representatives for unaccompanied minors are struggling with budget cuts after the federal government let a contract between the Office of Refugee Resettlement and a network of 100 legal organizations expire.

• By the numbers: Advocates estimate there are currently around 26,000 unaccompanied minors in the country.

CTA to Run These 4 Buses More Often

The Frequent Network, which provides 10-minutes-or-less service, added four more bus routes to the list. Starting Sunday, buses will run more frequently on the No. 35 31st/35th, No. 74 Fullerton, and No. 85 Central. The No. 8 Halsted route will be added in December. [Sun-Times]

No More NASCAR

NASCAR announced it will not hold a race in Chicago next year. On today’s podcast, we discuss the details. Plus, ABC is suing over early review of broadcast licenses for stations like Chicago’s Channel 7, and hear our picks for the best Mexican food in the city. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Excessive Odors On Southeast Side

Pungent smells are coming from the Pullman Innovations facility that produces ingredients used in animal feed. The Illinois Attorney General and the City of Chicago are suing the company for illegal air pollution. [Tribune 🔒]

• Southeast Siders vs. stink: There’s a history of foul smells around South Deering. [Sun-Times]

Chicago’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Summer

Rain. Tornadoes. Smoke. Mosquitos. This summer’s weather has put a damper on some of the city’s biggest events and cut into seasonal business. As one Instagram commenter put it, “Where do I collect my refund?” [Block Club]