Commonwealth Edison announced Tuesday it will not shut off electricity in homes amid the coronavirus and recession — quickly meeting a key condition set by Mayor Lori Lightfoot if the utility giant is to extend its city contract.
Stories by heather cherone
Chicago’s Top Lawyer Warns Aldermen to Be Careful When Pushing Diversity Goals
The city’s top lawyer bluntly warned aldermen to be careful when demanding that firms do more to meet goals set by city officials designed to encourage them to work with firms owned by female, Black and Latino Chicagoans.
Chicago Set to Order Visitors From Wisconsin to Quarantine, Again
Wisconsin’s infection rate is now averaging 31 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, per day, over seven days. A minimum of 15 cases per 100,000 residents triggers Chicago’s quarantine order.
‘No Silver Bullet’: Aldermen Start Confronting Massive Budget Shortfall
Chicago’s chief financial officer warned aldermen Monday that taxing big firms and financial transactions would not help dig the city out of a massive budget hole caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
City Sets Rules for Cold-Weather Outdoor Dining Amid Pandemic
To mark summer’s official end, city officials on Monday released new guidelines designed to help restaurants and some bars keep serving diners and drinkers outside once temperatures drop.
Head of Police Oversight Agency Defends Operations After Critical Audit
The head of COPA said the agency had “never intentionally withheld” information from the public after an audit by the city’s watchdog found it had failed to release video and audio recordings of use-of-force incidents within 60 days.
Systemic Racism to Blame for 9-Year Life Expectancy Gap Between Black, White Chicagoans: Report
Mayor Lightfoot called the life expectancy gap between Black and White residents “unacceptable,” as the Chicago Department of Public Health issued a new report that found systemic racism pervades nearly every aspect of civic life.
Here’s How to Cut $55M from the $1.7B Chicago Police Budget: Office of Financial Analysis
The office designed to help aldermen keep tabs on how the city spends tax dollars detailed a proposal on Thursday that finds savings by cutting “perks” and things that are “nice to have, but need not have.”
Progressive Aldermen Lay Out Plan to Build More Affordable Housing for Black, Latino Chicagoans
“This is an opportunity to get this right,” said Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward), who vowed not to allow developers to dominate the discussion.
Pritzker Extends Ban on Evictions Another Month, Once Again
Pritzker has extended the ban on evictions three times since he lifted the stay-at-home order at the end of May, when the state began to make significant progress in slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Chicagoans Log 230K Rides In First Month After Scooters Return to Chicago
While initial demand is lower than last year’s pilot program, city officials say they are encouraged by data and anecdotal accounts that the lock-to-cable requirement has reduced the number of instances of scooters blocking sidewalks.
Officials Are Failing to Release Video, Documents Swiftly After Police Use Force: Watchdog
The agency charged with investigating allegations of police misconduct has failed to promptly release video and audio recordings of use-of-force incidents, as required by city law, according to a new audit by Chicago’s watchdog.
Chicago is Making ‘Definite Progress’ in Coronavirus Fight as Utah Joins Quarantine Order
The Midwest is now the center of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Allison Arwady said Tuesday, but Chicago has begun making “definite progress” against a surge of infections among young adults and Latinos.
Lightfoot Calls on Investigators to Finish Probe Into Officers Who Lounged, Napped in US Rep. Rush’s Office as Looting Swept South Side
It is past time for investigators to complete their probe into the conduct of 13 officers who lounged, slept and snacked in the burglarized office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush as unrest swept the city in June, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.
Effort To Track COVID-19 Infections With New Workforce Behind Schedule
A push to build a first-of-its-kind workforce to conduct community-level contact tracing is months behind schedule, even as health officials brace for a surge in infections at the start of the traditional flu season.
Chicago Must Build More Affordable Housing That Black, Latino Chicagoans Can Actually Afford: Task Force
The city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance created just 1,049 homes in 13 years by requiring some developers to set aside units for low- and moderate-income Chicagoans, but that has barely dented the city’s affordable housing gap, according to a new report.
Eric Trump to Mayor Lightfoot: ‘We Truly Appreciate You’ Amid Unrest: Texts
Eric Trump, the president’s son, twice texted Mayor Lori Lightfoot to thank her for taking steps to protect Trump Tower in downtown Chicago after violent protests.
2,145 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois, 32 Additional Deaths
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases remained steady in the two regions of the state where officials have increased restrictions after a surge in infections. The statewide positivity rate is 3.9%, officials said Friday.
1,953 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois, 28 Additional Deaths
Nearly 2,000 new cases of coronavirus and 28-virus related deaths were reported Thursday by state health officials, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker said eight Illinois regions are making progress in slowing the spread of the virus.
City Rolls Out Plan to Slowly Replace Lead Service Lines Shown to Contaminate Tap Water in Homes
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday unveiled a plan to replace the lead service lines responsible for contaminating the tap water in thousands of Chicago homes “over multiple decades” that relies on federal and state funds.
Lightfoot Blasts Barr’s ‘Victory Lap’ as ‘Factually Inaccurate’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday blasted Attorney General William Barr for claiming that President Donald Trump’s decision to send approximately 100 federal agents to Chicago was responsible for a drop in homicides.
Plan to Keep Woodlawn Residents In Their Homes Near Obama Center Approved
The City Council on Wednesday approved a $4.5 million package designed to prevent the planned Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park from supercharging gentrification in Woodlawn.
Aldermen Approve Scaled-Back Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products
The Chicago City Council voted 46-4 Wednesday to ban the sale of most flavored liquid nicotine products in Chicago, after an effort to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products failed to advance.
Effort to Expand O’Hare Cargo Operations With City Borrowing Stalls Amid Questions About Diversity Goals
An effort by city officials to finish a project to expand cargo operations at O’Hare Airport by borrowing $55.6 million stalled amid objections from aldermen angry that the company that would benefit from the funds failed to hire enough Chicagoans.
Chicago Adds Kentucky to Quarantine Order; Removes California, Puerto Rico
Starting Friday, Chicago’s quarantine order will apply to 21 states, but visitors from California and Puerto Rico will no longer be required to quarantine for two weeks, officials announced Tuesday.
Aldermen OK New Contract for Chicago Firefighters
Aldermen advanced an agreement Thursday that would give Chicago firefighters $95 million in back pay, but puts off fraught negotiations over how fire stations should be staffed.
