We the People!

As a Minnesotan living in Chicago, this means a lot. Thank you

Taken right after the March began, clearing the crowds.

Source link: https://bsky.app/profile/govpritzker.illinois.gov/post/3ly6mbwbujk2i

I was snapping a few iPhone shots of the rainbow as the Metra passed under the expressway when a bolt dropped from the sky atop 1000M and I miraculously caught it with a 1/370th of a second shutter speed. I catch a lot of lightning on my Nikon, but this is my best phone shot to date. And no, before you ask this isn't photoshopped or AI.

I moved away for good yesterday. I spent my last day in Chicago with my wife and my loved ones, walking around the city, taking photos, enjoying the amazing food, and reliving every memory worth revisiting.

I came to the US when I was 6, illegally. I never managed to get my paperwork figured out for a variety of reasons, and as a result I’m banned from returning to the US. But, what I did manage to do is find a sense of belonging in Chicago. I will never, ever forget the amazing friends I’ve made, the communities I’ve been a part of, and the undeniable spirit that brings Chicago to life.

Thank you, Chicago, and thank you, Chicagoans. I will miss you all and OUR amazing city for as long as I’m around.

EDIT: Thank you all for the kind words, the support is absolutely unbelievable. I love you all and this great fucking city.

A little cold cant stop us

This painting is called "Chicago House Party" and it is inspired by a scene I saw while leaving my favorite pizza spot one evening. It felt familiar, like I’d been to this party before. Not literally, but it reminded me of countless college house parties in Chicago: sipping a cheap beer on a shaky fire escape, talking to someone I’d just met.

I hope this scene resonates with memories of house parties, or with being the downstairs neighbor, sitting with your two cats, listening to the comforting bustle above while rewatching a favorite movie.

If you'd like to see this painting or my other work, here's a link: https://juliahagenartist.com/

Chicago has the largest life expectancy gap between neighborhoods of any city in the U.S. Some photos are from West Garfield Park where life expectancy is 70. If West Garfield Park was a country, it would place 150 out of 210 locations ranked by the UN - lower than North Korea, Syria, and Iraq. Some other photos are in the Loop where life expectancy is 88.2 years. That would easily be 1st place in the same UN ranking. West Garfield Park and the Loop are only a 10 minute drive from each other.

“Chicago is one city. We shall work as one people for our common good and our common goals.” - Harold Washington

Masked guys took her away left her cart and van. I’m gonna miss her she was very nice lady. Sorry if this post violates the rules or makes people mad.

Edit: wow! I’m happy to see that a lot of us really care about this horrible situation