The decennial redrawing of Chicago’s 50 ward boundaries is messy and anything but transparent. Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls the current map an obvious case of gerrymandering, and says it’s bad for Chicago residents.
Stories by Paris Schutz
Legislative Leaders in the Dark on Gaming Bill Specifics
|
Recently passed legislation to expand gambling in Illinois is so massive, not many people know everything that’s in it. That includes at least two of the state’s legislative leaders who helped negotiate the bill.
Spotlight Politics: Lightfoot Proposes New Ethics Plan in Wake of Burke Plea
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is out with a new round of ethics proposals. Our politics team tackles that and more in our weekly roundtable.
Ald. Ed Burke Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges
Ald. Ed Burke pleads not guilty to 14 counts of racketeering, attempted bribery and extortion. A look at how he amassed, and used, his power over the years.
Ald. Ed Burke Indicted on 14 Counts of Racketeering, Extortion, Attempted Bribery
The U.S. attorney’s office returns a sweeping indictment against longtime 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke. Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls the allegations “alarming” and says Burke “must resign immediately.”
Spotlight Politics: Fireworks in Chicago and Springfield
Behind the scenes at Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s first City Council meeting and the flurry of activity in Springfield. Our politics team tackles those headlines and more in our weekly roundtable.
Mayor Lightfoot Exerts Control Over Burke, City Council
Ald. Ed Burke on Wednesday tried to throw new Mayor Lori Lightfoot a curveball and badly missed the strike zone in advance of Lightfoot’s first major legislative test.
Lightfoot Outlines Memorial Day Weekend Safety Plan
We trail Mayor Lori Lightfoot as she outlines her safety plan for the holiday weekend and addresses the controversy over her security detail.
Spotlight Politics: Mayor Lightfoot vs. the Council Machine
Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a stern warning to City Council members in her inaugural address. Our politics team tackles that story and other headlines in our weekly roundtable.
Lightfoot Recounts Ancestor’s Tragedy in the Jim Crow South
|
The little-known story of Lori Lightfoot’s grandfather who was murdered in the Jim Crow South nearly 100 years ago.
Lightfoot Rewards ‘Reform’ and ‘Old Guard’ Alderman in Council Shake-Up
Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot releases her picks for committee chairmanships, proposing that Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) lead the Finance Committee that was led for decades by Ald. Ed Burke (14th).
Spotlight Politics: Lightfoot, New City Council Prepare to Take Over
Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot and some Chicago aldermen are already in a stare down over aldermanic power. Our politics team tackles that story and other headlines in our weekly roundtable.
Lightfoot, Aldermen Battle Over Aldermanic Prerogative
Lori Lightfoot campaigned on forcing change in the City Council, and now she is looking to take away the unilateral power aldermen have to influence decisions in their wards.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Joins ‘Chicago Tonight’ for Exit Interview
To his supporters, Rahm Emanuel was the brash, bright, big-city mayor who unapologetically raised Chicago’s profile as a global city. To his critics, he was a heavy-handed, top-down leader. On Monday evening, the outgoing mayor joins us in discussion.
Controversial Minister Louis Farrakhan Speaks at St. Sabina
The Nation of Islam leader who was recently banned from Facebook spoke Thursday in a wide-ranging sermon that hit upon some of the anti-Semitic and black nationalist themes he has come to be known for.
Spotlight Politics: Illinois Finds $1.5 Billion in Budget Money
A new wrinkle on the age-old tale of Illinois’ pension mess. Our politics team digests the top stories of the week.
Former Mayoral Candidate Faces New Questions About Campaign Spending
A WTTW News exclusive
Amara Enyia received big donations from some music superstars during her bid for mayor. But state election officials are now looking into exactly how that money is accounted for.
Chicago Developer Linked to Ald. Burke Faces Bribery Charge from US Attorney
Federal prosecutors allege a Chicago developer steered business to 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke in exchange for Burke’s help getting a City Hall permit.
Spotlight Politics: Warm Send-Off for Mayor Emanuel
Mayor Rahm Emanuel gets a warm send-off from his colleagues at his final City Council meeting. Our politics team tackles that and some of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering over Lincoln Yards.
City Council Approves Massive TIFs for Lincoln Yards, The 78
After months of debate, the controversial $1 billion public subsidy for Lincoln Yards is now law. City Council approved the measure hours after Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot softened her opposition to the project.
Emanuel, Lightfoot Strike Deal on Lincoln Yards Vote, Rankling Aldermen
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot cut a deal on Lincoln Yards, confusing aldermen who were set to make a key vote Monday.
Burke’s Finance Committee Paid Aldermen’s Phone Bills, Travel Expenses, Records Show
Ald. Ed Burke, arguably City Council’s most powerful member for much of his 50-year reign, had various ways of dishing out perks and favors to colleagues. One of those, apparently, was to help some aldermen pay their bills.
Mayor-Elect Lightfoot Mends Fences on Day One of Transition
Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot wasted no time getting ready for her new job. Just hours after her historic victory, Lighftoot met with city leaders and talked about plans for a transition of power.
Lori Lightfoot Makes History as Chicago Mayor-Elect
Lori Lightfoot has become the first African-American woman elected mayor of Chicago, defeating her opponent, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, in a landslide.
Mayoral, Aldermanic Candidates Try to Close the Deal
Chicago’s historic 2019 election will soon be over, ushering in big changes to city government.
