The city must match an expected federal grant of $2.16 billion before the first track can be laid — but it is not clear whether the City Council will give the project signal clearance.
Stories by heather cherone
Spurred by Death of 3-Year-Old, Key City Panel Advances Plan to Step Up Bike Lane Enforcement
The City Council’s Transportation Committee advanced the measure six months after 3-year-old Lily Shambrook died while riding in a carrier on her mother’s bicycle.
Scrap Plans for New Chicago Gang Database, Interim Police Oversight Board Urges
The dispute over the future of the gang database represents the first clash between the Police Department’s leaders and the commission made up of Chicagoans given the authority to set policy for the department in an attempt to restore trust in its operations.
Uber to Pay Chicago $10M to Resolve Claims Delivery Apps Hurt Restaurants During Pandemic
A spokesperson for Uber, said firm officials were “pleased to put this matter behind us.”
Spotlight Politics: Ja’Mal Green Nabs Top Ballot Spot in Mayor’s Race — If He Can Turn Back Challenge
Ja’Mal Green, one of the six candidates for mayor who filed at 9 a.m. Nov. 21, won a lottery for that coveted pole position on the ballot, one that many people believe could offer a boost in a crowded race.
Operating Engineers Union Backs García, Ensuring Split Among Powerful Labor Groups in Mayor’s Race
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 backed U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García in the Chicago mayor’s race, splitting from the Chicago Teachers Union and Service Employees International Union Local 73.
Lightfoot Hit with Ethics Complaint After Taking $25K Donation from Chicago Fire Owner Involved in Training Facility Land Swap
Mayor Lori Lightfoot should be investigated for accepting a $25,000 contribution to her re-election campaign from Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto, according to a complaint filed by Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward), who is running for re-election to the City Council.
Indicted Ald. Ed Burke Will Not Run for 15th City Council Term
Burke, 78, faces a November 2023 trial on racketeering, bribery and extortion charges centered on allegations that he repeatedly — and brazenly — used his powerful position at City Hall to force those doing business with the city to hire his private law firm.
Lightfoot, García, Sawyer Make Bids for Chicago Mayor Official By Filing Thousands of Signatures
A total of nine major candidates filed to run for mayor of Chicago. Early voting is set to start Jan. 19, with Election Day set for Feb. 28.
COVID-19 Risk Back at ‘Medium’ Across Chicago, Cook County: Federal Officials
Chicago hospitals and health care providers are also coping with sharp increases in flu cases and illness caused by RSV, a respiratory virus, officials said.
More Than 3 Years After Watchdog Warned Chicago Police Gang Databases Were ‘Deeply Flawed,’ New System Poised to Launch Despite Objections
The interim Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will hold a virtual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to discuss a draft of the policy that would govern the new gang database, dubbed the Criminal Enterprise Information System.
As Lightfoot Considers 12th Ward Aldermanic Appointment, Few Residents Weigh In
A survey designed to determine what residents of the Southwest Side’s 12th Ward think should be the highest priority for their new alderperson received just 25 responses, according to results posted on the city’s data portal on Monday.
6 Candidates for Chicago Mayor File Thousands of Signatures to Get on Feb. 28 Ballot
Willie Wilson, Ja’Mal Green, state Rep. Kam Buckner, Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson and Ald. Sophia King (4th Ward) all filed to run for mayor of Chicago.
Race for Chicago Mayor: Who’s In and Who’s Out for 2023 Election
A wide-ranging and still-growing field of challengers are seeking to deny incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second term in February 2023.
Push to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Homes to Fight Homelessness Faces Mounting Obstacles
The last time Chicago voters passed a binding referendum that applied to the entire city was 1885, according to city records. As supporters’ paths to the ballot have been nearly closed off, they have begun shifting the fight to the 2023 campaign for mayor and City Council.
Indicted Ald. Carrie Austin Tells Judge She is Too Ill to Stand Trial, Says She’ll Leave City Council March 1
Austin, 73, pleaded not guilty to charges that she accepted bribes from a developer and lied to FBI agents. Indicted in July 2021, Austin has never appeared in person before Judge John Kness because of her ill health and restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
WTTW News Explains: How Are Cook County Property Tax Bills Calculated?
Property taxes can be a doozy. Or rather, how they are calculated can be. WTTW News Explains walks you through the ins and outs of the process.
COVID-19 Risk Bounces Back Down to ‘Low’ Across Chicago, Cook County: Federal Officials
The move is likely to reduce fears, at least temporarily, of an imminent surge of COVID-19 once colder weather settled over Chicago for the duration, forcing people indoors.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn Announces He Will Not Run for Chicago Mayor
The former governor said he will instead focus on reform efforts designed to expand the initiative effort. Instead, Quinn said he would focus on efforts to beef up the ability of voters to reform Illinois government through the initiative and referendum process.
4 People Apply to Fill Vacant 12th Ward Chicago City Council Seat, Including Outgoing Alderperson’s Pick
The applicants include Anabel Abarca, Ald. George Cardenas’ former chief of staff and a candidate in the Feb. 28 election.
Lightfoot Pushes City Council to Use Downtown Property Taxes to Fund Far South Side Red Line Extension
Lightfoot formally introduced a proposal on Wednesday to the Chicago City Council to create a new tax-increment financing district along the southern branch of the CTA Red Line to fund the extension of the train line first envisioned by former Mayor Richard J. Daley in the 1950s.
Lightfoot Agrees to Allow Heads of Chicago Public Schools, CTA to Testify at City Council Meetings
Mayor Lori Lightfoot initially opposed efforts by members of the City Council to require the heads of the city’s sister agencies to answer questions from the City Council but dropped her objections Wednesday.
Cook County Property Tax Bills Arrive After Months of Delays and Finger-Pointing
The second-installment of property owners’ 2021 tax bills will be more than 150 days late amid months of bureaucratic wrangling and finger pointing among Cook County officials.
City Council Set to Pay $5M to Family of Teen Shot and Killed by Chicago Police Officer in 2019
The Chicago City Council is set to pay $5.8 million to resolve three lawsuits alledging misconduct by Chicago Police officers.
Lightfoot, Allies Block Hearing on Proposal to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Homes to Fight Homelessness
Dozens of Chicagoans who waited hours to get their turn to address the Chicago City Council were prevented from speaking because a majority of the Chicago City Council attended Monday's special meeting.
SEIU Healthcare Illinois Becomes Latest Union to Back Brandon Johnson for Mayor
The 90,000-member union that represents hospital, nursing home, home care and child care workers throughout the Midwest backed Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner, four days after U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García entered the race for mayor, scrambling the contest.
