Retired Chicago Tribune reporter, 45 years govt/pols/scoops: 2x Pulitzer Finalist, 7 govs, City Hall, Obama, Burke, book on Madigan

Chicago
Feds recorded calls of ex-lobbyist Mike McClain, close confidant of House Speaker Michael Madigan: sources - Chicago Tribune chicagotribune.com/news/crim… w ⁦@jmetr22b⁩ Send tips: 312-222-3448 or RLong@ChicagoTribune.com
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On its best days, Chicago is nothing short of spectacular
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Of all quotes carved into the walls at Tribune Tower, this is my favorite. It is from Abraham Lincoln. I wanted to get a picture before I left. Though it is our last day in the tower and we are moving next to Millennium Park, I will stand by the quote itself every day.
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Chicago Tribune Guild members are on strike today to give our hedge fund overlords a taste of how we are unafraid of them. Alden pumps up obscene profits by squeezing employees. We break stories. Alden won’t break us. This is Chicago. We know how to fight. We won’t back down.
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Dred Scott, 5 miles from #Ferguson, noticed by reporter Nicole Wilson of IL press corps. #twill
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Bill Murray’s appearance announced in London while standing by unidentified Chicagoans …
Legendary @Cubs fan Bill Murray in the building for London Series!
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Yes, I retired today from ⁦@chicagotribune⁩ I enjoyed my 27-plus years at the paper! The Trib team remains strong! Keep reading!
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'So we're going to go after Newsmax, we're going after One America News and the owners of One American News, who are billionaires, and we're going to go after the individuals who helped spread these lies' 'It's the same lies' as Fox rawstory.com/were-going-to-g…
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This is my 42nd anniversary as a professional journalist, a field I love. Here's to 42 more! ;) Thanks to all of you for going along for the ride!
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39th anniversary in journalism for me today. Thanks to all of you for following me, and thanks for sending tips along the way. I started at the Peoria Journal Star and moved to the Chicago Sun-Times and The Associated Press. Now @chicagotribune for 22+ years. Here's to 39 more!
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I started @chicagotribune 26 years ago today. Time for me to get busy! Keep sending those tips to RLong@chicagotribune.com to help keep this old scribe employed! And thanks for all of the help along the way!
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40 years. I started as full-time copy editor for the Peoria Journal Star on Oct. 12, 1981, after an internship with the Alton Telegraph. From there it was the Sun-Times and AP and the @chicagotribune--since '98. Keep the tips coming: RLong@ChicagoTribune.com I may do 40 more!
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Here’s to 67! Keep Rockin!
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Alden is making obscene money; we want fair wages to fight inflation, recognize our efforts to provide watchdog journalism and bring fairness to the gender, ethnic and racial disparities in pay. Alden needs to stop being stupid. Don't cut healthcare. Protect seniority.
Investigative reporter Ray Long went on strike because he hasn’t had a raise “in years & years & years” as Alden squeezes reporters and readers. “We want Alden to know that we will not buckle to their baloney and we’re ready to rock — harder & harder & harder.” — @RayLong
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Hear ye! Hear ye! I managed to drop 50 pounds since July 12 using an amazing new concept I will reveal for free: Eat better. Exercise more.
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The last group shot of those available to gather for the goodbye picture at the Chicago Tribune's Freedom Center, which will be knocked down for a land-based casino--if Bally's can pull it off. The wall of Pulitzers the paper won over the years is in the background
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Salute!
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On Mother’s Day, I know you are at peace, for you are a peaceful person. I know you taught us love, for you are a loving parent. I know you want the best for us, for you urged us to do our best. I know you are here with us, for your presence is always felt. You are loved each day
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Page 1 again for me at Sun-Times, where I used to write City Hall stories and now land in pic over Ed Burke’s shoulder as part of press corps reporting on his prison sentence
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Great News from @chicagotribune Our legendary reporter @JeremyGorner soon will become our state Capitol bureau chief!
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Hello, Winter! Chicago will be here when your cold bluster is over. Bring it!
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Pritzker wins mandatory vaccine push in arbitration, employees in State Correctional Centers and Juvenile Justice facilities will be required to get their first shot by January 31, 2022, unless approved for a religious or medical exemption. — release
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@Suntimes leaves Page 1 blank, asks people to imagine Chicago without it, makes desperate plea for subscribers in bid to survive #twill
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5 close friends and neighbors have caught Covid in the last 2-3 weeks; it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. I haven’t had it yet. Here’s today’s shot, my 9th so far!
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We call BS when we see it. Alden wants the power to replace my colleagues and me with A.I. As a guild member and as a reporter, I know that won’t work. Journalism needs human beings, not bots! Stand with ⁦@CTGuild⁩ as Alden jerks push for ludicrous contract conditions
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Always enjoyed working at the Sun-Times many moons ago. So I get a kick out of this picture on today’s cover of me chasing ex-Ald. Ed Burke as I work for the Tribune ⁦@Suntimes⁩ ⁦@chicagotribune
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We are encouraged by the tremendous support from so many great folks! Thank you! Unions from throughout Chicago and Illinois!! Thank you! We, of course, are so thankful for reporters who shine a light on injustice! Thanks for the coverage!
Chicago Tribune Guild members are on strike today to give our hedge fund overlords a taste of how we are unafraid of them. Alden pumps up obscene profits by squeezing employees. We break stories. Alden won’t break us. This is Chicago. We know how to fight. We won’t back down.
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Graphic says it all!
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Peggy & me: 32 years!
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A great Billy Goat send-off to retiring Tribune editor, terrific newsman and wonderful person: John Hector. My hat is off. ⁦@jthector⁩
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Obama 2000... found that button for Barack's miscalculated bid for Congress, the one good thing about packing for Tribune's move
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Laura is a tremendous reporter, and I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with her as she tackles tough stories without fear or favor. We stand together in seeking a fair contract from Alden Global Capitol, a hedge fund that puts making obscene amounts of $$ above journalism
Senior reporter Laura Rodriguez decided to strike because she knows journalists of color deserve to be paid as much as their counterparts here @chicagotribune. “I’m ready to escalate because our company won’t even acknowledge that.” — @LAURA_N_ROD
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What is the answer?
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90 months for Madigan, $2.5 million fine
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The sun drops on the city. Merry Christmas, folks!
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Nothing like getting hustled by my own Dad! Good to be together for holidays!!'
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Sister Jean sends Loyola into Elite Eight on Mission from God!!!
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Progressive Ald. Jeanette Taylor slams Mayor Brandon Johnson in podcast: "A, we should not be on the fifth floor. And I'm speaking my whole heart... We were not ready because we haven't been in government long enough to know how government really works."abc7chicago.com/jeanette-tay…
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Lightfoot on Trump's ICE raids: I have directed – and Superintendent Johnson has confirmed – that CPD has terminated ICE's access to CPD's databases related to federal immigration enforcement activities. ...
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MJ & me: Cleaning my desk to prep for @chicagotribune to move just north of Millennium Park, I came across this lesser known moment from #Bulls early '90s glory days. Michael hit a homer at Thillens Stadium, and yours truly laced a triple at charity event
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The fifth horseman
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All 4 GUILTY All Counts
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Unidentified congressman in federal ComEd conspiracy documents is U.S. Rep. Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, sources say chicagotribune.com/news/crim… by @jmetr22b & me
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St. Patrick shirt for journalists! Freedom of Information Act!
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Where has ⁦@WTTW reporter ⁦@AmandaVinicky⁩ been? Congrats!
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So cool to win this in Chicago with my reporting partners @SamRoe & @karisaking
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Went in to pick up a book at Unabridged on North Clark, and ended up signing copies of my new paperback version! The beat goes on! Enjoy!
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Our Front Page & our story w ⁦@jmetr22b⁩ ⁦@crepeau⁩ & me
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Out my window!!
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In honor of Fran Spielman’s 50 years as a reporter, this was presented to her last night. Former Chicago Sun-Times Managing Editor Mary Dedinsky Shows off “Frantastic.” Congrats @fspielman
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Honored to win 2nd place from National Headliners Awards w/ Rick Pearson, Dan Petrella & Megan Crepeau for "best political coverage" for our stories on Madigan, Burke & suburban school races headlinerawards.org/ Winner: Craig Mauger/Detroit News on Trump & fake elector scheme
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To the great folks who did the hard work of making the daily miracle happen, I am sad to see this terrible development, but I salute your great work over the years. Alden is taking away more Illinois jobs.
Tribune Publishing to lay off nearly 200 workers at Freedom Center printing plant ⁦@RobertChannickchicagotribune.com/2024/02/2…
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HIgh culture in Springfield: The Horseshoe
The real reason I came down to Springfield.
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Chicago Sky WNBA champs!!!
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Thanks to all the folks who deliver!
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My #CTA day: A man sticks his head inside bus' front door, angrily yells: Good Morning, Stupid Asses! He keeps walking. A woman sits next to me, says her son was murdered a year ago, another son is in jail, a grandson is playing Prince Charming in school play. We talk of prayer
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Husband with Alzheimer's forgot he was married to his wife of 38 years. He proposed, and they married again. chicagotribune.com/lifestyle…
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Support ⁦@CTGuild⁩ over cold-blooded, greed-lust of Alden overlords
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Lake Michigan is angry today
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36 years ago today I started at Peoria Journal Star, eventually moving on to Chicago Sun-Times, The Associated Press & @chicagotribune
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@BlairKamin laments our pending exit from Tribune Tower The illusion of architectural permanence chicagotribune.com/news/colu…
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Congrats to Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau for 1st place at Chicago Journalists Association for breaking news with me for federal trial coverage of political corruption @jmetr22b @crepeau
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Congrats to Trib’s Greg Pratt ⁦@royalpratt⁩ on the Billy Goat bash party to launch his book: The City is Up for Grabs
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Illinois Senate President Don Harmon improperly accepted $4 million in campaign cash, election authorities say. ⁦@addisonwreports⁩ & me chicagotribune.com/2025/04/0…
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This was real and sad
Imagine being 19 years old and watching live on TV to see if your birthday will be picked to fight in the Vietnam war.
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😎40 but who’s counting?😎
ICYMI: The Tribune’s @RayLong has spent 30+ years covering Springfield power brokers like Tim Mapes. So you know he’s going to have the authoritative report on Mapes’ arraignment on federal perjury charges: chicagotribune.com/news/crim…
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TRONC DEAD! Long live Tribune Publishing... Tronc changing name back to Tribune Publishing! .. Disgusting, Goofy, Embarrassing & Long National Nightmare is Over! Cheers break out in newsroom... Oddball name out Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 4:15 pm, EDT. chicagotribune.com/business/…
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After the Tornado
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Best public high schools in the United States #1 - Walter Payton College Prep #2 - Northside College Prep #6 - Whitney Young High School
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Kiss my mistletoe! This article fails to appreciate great journalists who turned down buyouts and still kick ass. We all miss folks that left, but we broke many, many Madigan stories, added an editor with Illinois roots and a Pulitzer on his resume, and filled the statehouse gig.
Wait...what?? Did the Tribune ignore the Madigan scandal, @TheAtlantic, or did we break it? “After a powerful Illinois state legislator resigned amid bribery allegations, the paper didn’t have a reporter in Springfield to follow the resulting scandal.” theatlantic.com/magazine/arc…
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Good Morning! And here’s to the working men and women of Chicago!
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Trump & internet: Trump's victory could spell the end of the FCC's net neutrality regulations fw.to/oAa10WT
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Got my booster!
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Ever wonder what a winning a #Pulitzer feels like? Here is the great Cecilia Reyes!!!
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I actually like watching good baseball whether it is Cubs or Sox, but turning the Cubs into the SubCubs following the Sell-off of 2021 left me with one choice when I went to Wrigley for the Crosstown Series:
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Matt O’Connor, a journalist’s journalist, took the buyout from the @chicagotribune and received applause from a grateful newsroom. Thanks again, Matt.
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RIP: Jedediah E. Long. Our beloved rescue cat since 2009 is now in kitty Heaven. Thank you for allowing me this personal note. Eternal peace to you, Jed. Always a good boy!
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