Something seems shady at City Hall. It’s not the first time a Chicago politician is operating in the dark. But the actions of Mayor Brandon Johnson are conspicuous for the progressive union organizer who ascended to office on bold promises of cogovernance with the pantheon of Chicago’s political left who coalesced around him. Since taking […]
Tag: City Council
Posted inNews & Politics
Gratuity included
Editor’s note: On September 20, the Workforce Development Committee voted 9–3 to advance the ordinance ending Chicago’s subminimum wage to the full city council. A proposed ordinance moving through the complicated world of city council committees would require businesses to pay their tipped employees—like bartenders, bussers, and servers—at the statewide $15.80-per-hour minimum wage instead of […]
Posted inNews & Politics
Daring to win
Helen Shiller’s new autobiography details decades of political struggles in Uptown.
Posted inNews & Politics
Breaking tradition
Alderperson Matt Martin boldly tries to go where few have gone before.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Not a dream
As I lay in bed drenched in sweat, battling COVID, it came to me as in a fevered dream . . . The city council had overwhelmingly approved Mayor Lightfoot’s idea to spend untold millions on a casino. Even as Alderperson Brendan Reilly warned them that it may wind up being as bad as the […]
Posted inCity Life
The glowing citizen
Walking down North Avenue with his bulky Home Depot purchases in tow, George Blakemore sparkled in a glistening metallic-toned ensemble he painted himself. “I think that we all are artists,” he said. “We all use our imagination and we all are creative. There was a Black gentleman that died called Mr. Imagination who would say […]
Posted inNews & Politics
Alders fault rules committee chair for missed deadlines on civilian oversight of police
But despite delays, progressive alderpersons and activists remain hopeful on ECPS
Posted inNews & Politics
Politics of fear: Are youth really to blame for the carjacking spike?
Cops say masked teens with a thirst for violence and joyrides are terrorizing the city. An examination of arrests reveals a narrative built on shoddy data and anecdotal evidence.
Posted inNews & Politics
How suburban influence defeated a resolution to condemn the Indian government
The fiery opposition warned of “outside agitators,” but most were weighing in from outside the city themselves.
Posted inNews & Politics
The murder Chicago didn’t want to solve
In 1963, a Black politician named Ben Lewis was shot to death in Chicago. Clues suggest the murder was a professional hit. Decades later, it remains no accident authorities never solved the crime.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Strange reformers
Alderman Ed Burke finally tells the truth about the budget games that mayors play.
Posted inNews & Politics
Chicago won’t pay ‘hush money’ to prevent police misconduct records release—for now
A City Council vote on Charles Green’s lawsuit settlement was postponed.
Posted inNews & Politics
A viral budget grab
Does the mayor’s COVID-19 executive order put her on light footing?
Posted inNews & Politics
Lightfoot’s first council meeting excites but sheds little light on procedures
What’s going on in the City Council? Still hard to say!
Posted inNews & Politics
Just 15 seats hang in the balance
Runoff season is here, and Chicago may further freshen up the City Council.