Chicago's City Council Will Meet In-Person Wednesday For First Time In Over A Year
Chicago's City Council will meet in-person Wednesday for the first time in over a year.
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Chicago's City Council will meet in-person Wednesday for the first time in over a year.
Asked by Ald. David Moore (17th) what it would cost the city not to establish the proposed police misconduct database, Inspector General Joseph Ferguson said the city's very reputation is at stake.
The City Council has been meeting via Zoom since last spring due to the pandemic, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot's office announced Friday afternoon that in-person meetings would resume with their next meeting on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
"There is no question of what transpired now: a scared thirteen year old child stopped when he was directed to by police, he raised his hands as directed, and he complied," the City Council Latino Caucus said in a statement.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot threw up a potential roadblock in an effort to create a public database of closed Chicago Police Department misconduct files dating as far back as 1994, saying she doesn't support the plan advanced by two key allies on the City Council.
A Northwest Side alderman's proposal to require towing companies to obtain a city license in order to respond to car crash scenes was held up on Wednesday, amid confusion over some of the requirements that would be imposed on tow truck operators.
After months of delays, aldermen appear poised to vote on an ordinance that would require the city to create a public database of closed Chicago Police Department misconduct files dating as far back as 1994.
"This ordinance will ensure that no worker has to choose between keeping their job and getting the COVID-19 vaccine," Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareno said.
Chicago's puppy mill ordinance prohibits retailers from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits that do not come from government-run animal shelters, private humane societies, or animal rescue groups.
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th), one of two Jewish members of the City Council, said Congresswoman Mary Miller "disgraced her office and gravely offended the citizens of the state of Illinois."
Seeking to boost the number of affordable housing units available for lower-income Chicagoans, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday proposed new requirements for developers who get city subsidies, purchase city land, or require a zoning change for their projects.
Beale has introduced a proposal to end the ticketing of drivers going 6 mph to 9 mph over the limit, and to resume ticketing only drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more.
The Taste of Chicago, the Air & Water Show, and other popular summer festivals were canceled last year as part of the city's efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
The mayor said her office will hold briefings with aldermen in the coming days to discuss specific plans for how meetings will be held to allow for proper social distancing and other safety measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
"This is an extremely reasonable policy to protect naturally-occurring affordable housing in our Chicago neighborhoods that are seeing record-high displacement in this moment," said Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th).
The proposed ordinance would require employers to allow workers to use any available paid sick time or other paid time off to get a vaccine.
Revenue from the additional fees would go to the city's Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund, which collects various fees from developers to help subsidize affordable housing initiatives in lower-income neighborhoods.
Similar pilot programs in other U.S. cities typically offer $500 cash to around 125 people for a limited time, with no strings attached.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro said he's recommending sponsors of the Anjanette Young Ordinance speak with the mayor about "working together on responsible legislation."
The city's 2021 spending plan does not include money for the Taste of Chicago or the Air & Water Show, but officials hope the latest federal COVID relief plan might help fund some summer events.
Aldermen voted 37-10 in favor of an ordinance authorizing a package of new federal grants to go toward the public health response to the pandemic, rental assistance, and other programs.
After holding meetings exclusively by video conference for the past 11 months, the City Council could resume in-person meetings as early as April, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at Wednesday's meeting.
Lightfoot apparently didn't realize her microphone wasn't muted when she uttered "you got to be f*****g kidding me," during the meeting.
Lightfoot said the $377 million in federal grants include $179 million for the Chicago Department of Public Health's response to the pandemic, and $79.8 million for the Department of Housing for rental assistance programs.
"To call her a firecracker wouldn't be enough to say. She was more of a stick of dynamite. So she was a hugely, unbelievably a true labor leader," said Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th).
The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg, police said.
An ad by mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza claims that homicides are down in Chicago due to the work of trauma surgeons. Some say the ad is misleading, but it brings back the conversation about gun violence.
Ninety-seven new citizens from 34 countries swore allegiance to the U.S. at a ceremony Tuesday in the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Adriana might not have much to say, but her work speaks volumes.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign confirmed on Tuesday that it recieved a letter from the Department of Defense, which has announced "research security audits" at 30 universities nationwide.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign confirmed on Tuesday that it recieved a letter from the Department of Defense, which has announced "research security audits" at 30 universities nationwide.
The Justice Department is planning to deploy a record 1,000 federal monitors to polling places throughout the U.S. for the midterm elections.
Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin announced Tuesday that he is filing a complaint against Treasurer Maria Pappas over some profanity-related texts.
Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin is demanding an apology from Treasurer Maria Pappas for some profanity-laden text messages he says are offensive.
Zach Lahn won the Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary over Trump's endorsed candidate, but three months before Election Day, many in his own party say they still don't know who he is.
A new Illinois law signed by Gov. Pritzker offers up to $1,000 to eligible homeowners hit by storm damage, but the money won't be available until next year — and the program only covers certain areas of Chicago.
Illinois is one of 46 states that have reached a $15.5 million settlement with a Pennsylvania-based mortgage servicer for improperly imposing new insurance policies on homeowners who already had insurance.
The Trump administration is taking aim at power grid operator PJM Interconnection over rising electricity bills that affect Illinois and Indiana residents.
Chicago remained the most bed bug-treated city in the country, according to Orkin's latest annual rankings covering a full year of residential and commercial treatment data.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have uncovered some information on how space travel affects — or actually doesn't affect — the heart.
As people age, it becomes crucial to do whatever possible to protect from issues like memory loss. But leading neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter said the process actually starts well before advanced age.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is not adopting new federal child vaccine guidelines and will continue following recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
With the cyclosporiasis linked to iceberg lettuce growing and consumers wary of the products on grocery shelves, many in Chicago are turning to local farmers market for fresh and safe greens.
The Original Rainbow Cone celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday with a special event at its Beverly location.
The Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile announced plans Thursday for a multimillion-dollar renovation project.
While the building that housed the flagship Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont Avenue has been torn down, the renowned Chicago restaurant chain is now set to open a new Lakeview location.
Nationally, data centers used 17.4 billion gallons of water in 2023 — a figure projected to reach 72.6 billion gallons by 2028, raising concerns about states' water supplies.
Chicago's Wishbone Restaurant will soon be closing after 36 years in business.
Madonna leads all artists with 11 nominations at this year's MTV VMAs, and a full sweep would tie her with Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the most VMA wins in history.
Hayden Panettiere, who starred in "Remember the Titans" as a child actor and rose to fame in the series "Heroes," has died at the age of 36. The coroner's office says she was found in cardiac arrest.
Buddy Guy was honored with the Chicago Music Legend Award at the Obama Presidential Center's Chicago Culture Ball this weekend.
Bal Khabra is the author of the four-part series "Off the Ice," a college hockey romance collection that is wrapping up at just the right time.
Crews need about a week and a half to tear down the festival site before the city can begin its own inspection — and past cleanup costs have topped $1 million.
Susana Mendoza, in the ad, claims that homicides are down in Chicago due to the work of trauma surgeons. Experts say the survival rates for victims across the city have not been improving. In fact, they've actually gotten worse.
The village is known for its hotels, concert venues and shopping. Now you can add one more attraction to the list. Photojournalist Jeff Langan takes you inside.
When you walk in Eileen de Jesus and Victor Iniguez’s home, from the living room to the kitchen to the dining room, her parents' bedroom and the basement, you'll find Adriana’s artwork.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon is tracking the latest in First Alert Weather.
The Gurnee Fire Department said the man was measuring cable lines outside a home in the 3600 block of Country Club Avenue and accidentally made contact with the main ComEd cable line.
Some people living in northwest Indiana might be waiting another week to have their power restored from last week's storm.
NASCAR is calling off plans to bring its street race back to downtown Chicago in 2027, but is holding out hope for the event to return in the future.
Shayde Fisher says the scammers went as far as conducting a video interview, sending official-looking employment paperwork and even mailing her a check. The whole thing turned out to be a scam.
The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg, police said.
An ad by mayoral candidate Susana Mendoza claims that homicides are down in Chicago due to the work of trauma surgeons. Some say the ad is misleading, but it brings back the conversation about gun violence.
CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, Harley Johnson, gave CBS News Chicago an exclusive look inside the new park in South Chicago.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation last inspected South Chicago Chapel funeral home in October, 10 months before 56 decomposing bodies were found there.
The discovery of dozens of decomposing bodies at a Chicago funeral home run by a couple with a history of mishandling human remains has raised questions about how Illinois regulates the funeral home and crematory industries.
An arrest at a Lululemon athletic wear store in the Gold Coast neighborhood in Chicago led investigators to a crew that was exploiting unhoused people and responsible for thefts totaling $100,000.
More violations at Chicago's Bohemian National Cemetery and Crematorium have surfaced, which is now under investigation for its role in mishandling bodies connected to the family that ran South Chicago Chapel.
NASCAR is calling off plans to bring its street race back to downtown Chicago in 2027, but is holding out hope for the event to return in the future.
A fight broke out in the stands at Wrigley Field during a Crosstown Classic game on Monday evening.
The Cubs snapped a two-game skid and ended the White Sox's three-game winning streak.
Kamilla Cardoso had 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Natasha Cloud scored 20 points.
Chicago lost for the third time in four games.
A man has been arrested and charged after authorities said he decided to make himself at home at the Macy's flagship store on State Street in downtown Chicago.
Chicago police on Tuesday asked for help from the public in solving a pair of burglaries that happened in the early-morning hours on the city's West and Northwest sides.
A man convicted of gun charges in the case involving the shooting death of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera has now been indicted separately on drug charges.
A man was left in critical condition early Tuesday after being shot on Chicago's Near West Side.
A 14-year-old girl suffered a graze wound from gunfire Monday morning in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood.