The Chicago City Council’s License and Consumer Protection Committee voted to ban the thousands of unpermitted sweepstakes machines that operate in all kinds of businesses across the city, including in bars, restaurants, gas stations, laundromats and convenience stores.

Mayor Brandon Johnson called David Glockner “a seasoned public servant with the experience, independence, and integrity needed to serve as the city’s watchdog and strengthen accountability across our operations.”

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) was recently chosen to lead the City Council’s Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, putting him at the center of decisions that shape everything from residential housing to billion-dollar developments.

A bird-friendly building ordinance has once again been introduced to the Chicago City Council — the second time such legislation has been brought before City Council since 2019 — but advocates fear the measure was dead on arrival.

Chicago restaurants must phase out the tipped minimum wage by July 1, 2028, while giving servers and other workers who earn gratuities 8% raises annually every July 1.

The city’s 2026 budget set aside just $82.5 million for police misconduct settlements, and authorized officials to borrow an additional $283.3 million to cover the soaring cost of lawsuits alleging wrongdoing by police officers, records show.

The vote came after officials with Bally’s Corp. issued the most direct warning to the City Council that its move to green-light video gaming would kneecap the city’s permanent casino, scheduled to open in River West later this year.

The City Council’s Workforce Development Committee advanced the measure after a lengthy debate over whether all city employees, not just CPD members, should be banned from “actively participating” in extremist and anti-government groups.

The proposal, authored by Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward), would give the Civilian Office of Police Accountability the authority to probe officers accused of “actively participating” in extremist and anti-government groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

An ordinance allowing 34 of Chicago’s 50 wards to build additional dwelling units, or ADUs, took effect April 1. The ordinance permits Chicagoans to build small homes in their backyards, basements and attics and rent them out.

Since the start of the year, Chicago taxpayers have paid nearly $30 million to resolve four wrongful conviction lawsuits.

It will take 34 votes for the Chicago City Council to override Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto, the third he has issued in less than a year. That effort is expected to take place on April 15.

Chicago police brass did not update Mayor Brandon Johnson and three City Council committee chairs about their progress in crafting the system until days after WTTW News reported they had failed to comply with city law.

Supporters of keeping the lower tipped minimum wage say it’s a win for restaurant owners who have seen an increase in all costs.

“I will not abandon phasing out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers at a time when Trump’s wars and tariffs are making it increasingly difficult to live and raise a family throughout the city and country,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement.

The City Council voted unanimously to explicitly grant the the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, known as COPA, the authority to investigate whether Chicago Police Department officers helped federal agents carry out deportations.