A mock-up of the city's municipal identification card. (City of Chicago)

More than 1,000 people – mostly migrants – lined up hours before the city clerk’s event on Oct. 12 at Gill Park in Wrigleyville was scheduled to start, overwhelming the 15-person staff, City Clerk Anna Valencia told WTTW News.

A mock-up of the city's municipal identification card. (City of Chicago)

City officials have issued 150% more municipal ID cards so far in 2023 than in all of 2021 and 17% more than in all of 2022, according to city data.

Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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City Clerk Anna Valencia acknowledged her office had erred, delaying a triumphant moment for Mayor Brandon Johnson and the progressive political movement that elected him to office earlier this year.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot listens during the Oct. 26, 2022, Chicago City council meeting. (WTTW News)

The last time the salary paid to Chicago’s mayor changed was in 2006, under former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel was paid $216,210 in each of the eight years he served as mayor, and Lightfoot will be paid the same through her first term in office.

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and Ald. David Moore (17th Ward) are among four Democratic candidates vying to fill his seat. “Chicago Tonight” also invited candidate and former state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias who initially accepted an invitation and then later canceled. Also on the ballot is Sidney Moore.

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), left, helps Ald. Ariel Reboras (30th Ward) figure out the electronic voting system. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to make history here,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, just before the first electronic vote.

City Clerk Anna Valencia and Roberto Lopez, director of project managment test the new electronic voting system to be used by members of the Chicago City Council on Monday, March 21. (WTTW News/Heather Cherone)

The public will get its first glimpse of the $3.5 million effort that began in 2017 to modernize the operations of the Chicago City Council at Wednesday’s meeting — as long as the network is willing, and the cloud does not crash.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Dec. 10, 2019. (WTTW News)

White’s endorsement puts his powerful political machine behind Valencia in the contest against former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Ald. David Moore (17th Ward).

Vehicle fines are driving thousands into debt each year. City Clerk Anna Valencia gives us the road map to changes in parking fees and fines.

Getting a parking ticket is an annoying part of city life for most Chicago residents and visitors. But for some people, it can be life-altering.

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia tells us about the new ID card that pulls triple duty as a library and Ventra card. But it’s not without controversy.

City Clerk Anna Valencia (Chicago Tonight)

City Clerk Anna Valencia joins us to discuss her position and Chicago’s municipal ID program.

City Clerk Anna Valencia (Chicago Tonight)
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The fates of municipal IDs, police oversight and aviation security at O’Hare hang in the balance at City Council.