A long-stalled plan to put an elected board of Chicago residents in charge of the Chicago Police Department remains mired in limbo after a razor-thin vote Friday.
Stories by Heather Cherone
Blue Angels Set to Soar, Even as Air and Water Show is Canceled
The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels will perform from noon to 1 p.m. on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 after practicing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20.
Lightfoot Dismisses Bears’ Bid for Arlington Racetrack as ‘Negotiating Tactic’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot dismissed the announcement Thursday by the Chicago Bears that the team was seriously considering leaving Soldier Field, where they are locked into a lease through 2033.
Feeling Lucky? Get Vaccinated to Win Cash or Scholarships
Every Illinois resident who has gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to win one of 43 cash prizes — including three million-dollar jackpots — and 20 scholarship awards starting July 8, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.
Aldermen Advance Plan to Cut Off Liquor Sales at Midnight
The measure, which would ban the sale of alcohol at stores after midnight, is part of a part of a massive package of initiatives Mayor Lori Lightfoot said was designed to help Chicago businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lightfoot Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis
Black Chicagoans die more than nine years sooner than other Chicagoans, a gap caused by systemic racism that is only growing, according to a report released this week by the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Alderman Drops Push for Open Hearings into Cybersecurity to Probe Mayor’s Stolen Emails
“We don’t want to provide a road map” for others who seek to obtain the city’s data, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) said.
Aldermen Advance Mayor’s Pick to Serve as City’s Top Lawyer
Celia Meza has served as the city’s top attorney since December, replacing former Corporation Counsel Mark Flessner, who resigned amid a furor over the mayor’s handling of the revelation that Chicago police officers handcuffed a naked woman during a mistaken raid in February 2019.
Aldermen Advance Measure Designed to Stop Wage Theft
Wage theft costs Chicago workers $400 million a year, according to the mayor’s office.
Lightfoot Agrees to Midnight Cutoff on Liquor Sales After Pushback on 10 p.m. Curfew Proposal
Mayor Lori Lightfoot will introduce a measure Thursday that would ban the sale of alcohol at stores after midnight, dropping her effort to set an earlier cutoff. The mayor called the revised proposal “a reasonable compromise.”
No States Covered by Chicago’s COVID-19 Travel Order Until at Least July: Officials
The city’s travel order has been suspended since June 1, when seven states moved from the orange tier to the less-restrictive yellow tier.
Lightfoot Asks State Lawmakers for ‘More Time’ as Pivotal Elected School Board Vote Looms
As state lawmakers prepare to return to Springfield for a pivotal vote on whether Chicago Public Schools should be run by an elected school board, Mayor Lori Lightfoot asked members of the Illinois House to delay a vote approved by the Illinois Senate.
Lightfoot Won’t Commit to Up-Or-Down Vote to Rename Lake Shore Drive for DuSable
While celebrating the full reopening of Chicago on Friday morning as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she does not support the push to rename Lake Shore Drive, again calling it an “iconic” name with national recognition.
‘It Is a Great Day’: As COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Plunge, Illinois, Chicago to Reopen
All businesses will be allowed to operate at full capacity and gatherings of all sizes will be permitted, according to the new rules.
Watchdog Probing Outage at Roseland Pumping Station as ComEd Rejects Blame
ComEd officials said they were not responsible for the outages on May 6 and May 25 at the Roseland Pumping Station.
Aldermen Unmoved as ComEd Officials Tout Reforms
The firm also vowed to fight climate change and reduce shut-offs
Several aldermen are unconvinced that the city should ink a new franchise agreement with ComEd — and Chicago may have other options, officials said.
Illinois Republicans Ask Judge to Toss New Legislative Maps
Plus: Our Spotlight Politics team on that and more
The state’s top Republicans asked a federal judge Wednesday to appoint an eight-member commission made up of four Democrats and four Republicans to craft the maps with census data.
Highly Contagious COVID-19 Delta Variant Present in Illinois: Officials
At least 15 cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant were identified in Chicago through Tuesday, city officials said.
Commission Gets to Work on Redrawing City’s Ward Map, But Uncertainty Looms
The 13-member Chicago Ward Advisory Redistricting Commission is charged with drawing a ward map “that is truly reflective of the diversity of Chicago,” organizers said.
Key City Panel Endorses Plan to Build Boys & Girls Club at Redesigned Police, Fire Training Academy
Construction quietly began on the $95 million facility in West Garfield Park in January and is set to be completed in the fall of 2022, officials said.
While ComEd Negotiations Remain Stalled, Lightfoot Extends Deadline for New Proposals
Firms have until July 30 to submit their pitch to operate and manage the electric distribution system that serves residents and businesses in Chicago, officials said.
Our Democracy is in Peril, Obama Tells Economic Club of Chicago
Former President Barack Obama warned Chicago’s business leaders Friday afternoon that American democracy is imperiled by persistent economic inequality and structural racism, and said corporate America has a responsibility to call out voter suppression efforts.
Outreach Workers to Go Door-to-Door in Neighborhoods Where COVID-19 Vaccinations Are Lagging
City officials are targeting the 13 Chicago neighborhoods that have the lowest rate of vaccination as part of a push to bring the life-saving shots directly to those most at risk of falling ill and dying from COVID-19.
Effort to Greenlight Scooters Permanently in Chicago Hits Pothole
A push to make electric scooters a permanent part of the city’s transportation system stalled Thursday, with several aldermen telling transportation officials that the two-wheelers would create a nuisance on Chicago’s streets and sidewalks.
Effort to Landmark Muddy Waters’ North Kenwood Home Advances
The landmark designation would preserve the legacy of African Americans in Chicago and ensure that future generations recognize Muddy Waters as the father of the blues, supporters said.
Chicago to Fully Reopen June 11, Lightfoot Announces
Amid a steep decline in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Chicago officials will lift all restrictions on businesses and gatherings next Friday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
