Aldermen Back Crackdown On Lobbying By Elected Officials; 'This BS Is Over With'
"We are surrounded by impropriety; at the state level, at the county level, and in this body," Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) said.
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"We are surrounded by impropriety; at the state level, at the county level, and in this body," Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) said.
Despite opposition from many progressive aldermen that her spending plan does not include more taxes on the wealthy, the City Council approved the mayor's $11.65 billion budget plan by a 39-11 vote on Tuesday.
Lightfoot was able to close an $838 million budget shortfall without a major property tax hike, though some of her revenue projections remain uncertain.
As her 2020 budget plan moved one step closer to final approval on Wednesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot shrugged off criticism that it relies in part on federal funding that remains uncertain.
"We have seen actually four different proposals from Uber, all of which have been extremely questionable," Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareno said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot's budget plan for 2020 cleared its first hurdle on Monday, including her plan to raise the city's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021, on a unanimous vote by the City Council Budget Committee.
With recreational marijuana becoming legal in Illinois next year, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is moving to end the city's practice of impounding cars found with pot inside, and to reduce the fines for using marijuana in public.
A handful of aldermen suggested the department instead should be considering an increase in the community policing budget, given its focus on improving its relationship with the community.
Calling himself "a Chicago guy through and through," Johnson said he's been proud to serve as a police officer on the same streets where he grew up.
"I think this is a historical opportunity, and it's a great opportunity for the city of Chicago," Ald. David Moore (17th) said.
The ordinance setting limits on where recreational marijuana businesses can operate in the city passed by a 40-10 vote.
Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Illinois next year, but on Tuesday, what seemed like a routine City Council Zoning Committee vote was suddenly blocked when the Black Caucus demanded a closed-door meeting.
The new facility will feature office space for Blue Cross employees and a community health center.
The ordinance would exempt the spouses of fallen police officers, firefighters, and paramedics from paying the city's portion of their property tax bills -- usually 20% to 25% of the total due.
In both cases, city attorneys conceded that officers had no legitimate reason to break into the victims' homes.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot noted Cook County leads the nation in Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings, with many of those cases tied to unpaid debt to the city.
The city also would prohibit marijuana sales within any designated residential zoning district, any building with a residential unit, or within 500 feet of a school.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the city of Chicago is stepping up efforts to prevent kids from vaping, amid a growing number of deaths and serious illnesses nationwide connected to electronic cigarette use.
The Chicago City Council on Wednesday officially designated the rainbow pylons and Legacy Walk on the Boystown strip of North Halsted Street as a landmark.
"Oh, back again," Lightfoot whispered from her seat on the dais in the City Council chamber. "This is this FOP clown."
Ald. Carrie Austin (34th) has been scarce since the raid by FBI agents on her ward office. She even canceled a town hall meeting set for Thursday night in her ward.
Chicago's City Council approved a $3.7 million legal settlement to three people injured in a 2014 car crash.
In her first city council meeting, Mayor Lori Lightfoot took on indicted Ald. Ed Burke. Wednesday she tangled with an executive of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says more reform is coming to City Hall, and she's trying to tighten the reins on aldermen with new changes for the City Council.
In a forceful rebuke of indicted Ald. Ed Burke, Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on him to resign from his longtime position has political leader of the 14th ward.
The Chicago Fire Department on Tuesday honored former Lt. Scott Gillen, 25 years after he died.
A major milestone was reached Tuesday at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side.
A dog in Chicago tested positive for rabies, marking the first case in Illinois in over 30 years.
A third teen stood charged Tuesday morning in the brutal beating of a 62-year-old man on a CTA bus on Chicago's West Side last week.
A man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the back in the Jeffery Manor neighborhood on Chicago's South Side Tuesday morning.
A major milestone was reached Tuesday at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side.
Four Democratic members of Congress made a surprise visit to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in west suburban Broadview on Monday.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office said there should be an answer by Monday as to whether the mayor will veto a budget plan passed by the City Council over the weekend.
Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said Sunday that President Trump's idea to give Americans $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenue will "depend on what happens with Congress."
More see Trump's policies responsible for economy today than Biden's; there are also concerns about AI impact on jobs.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
James Ransone, the actor who played Ziggy Sobotka in the HBO series "The Wire" and appeared in many other TV shows and movies, has died.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
Another batch of Epstein files was released by the Justice Department.
One man is dead, and another was injured after a shooting on the CTA Pink Line train in The Loop early Tuesday morning.
A major milestone was reached Tuesday at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side.
“‘Twas the Night Before” is Cirque Du Soleil’s only holiday show, and it’s onstage at the Chicago Theatre with incredible acrobatics, lovable characters, and a soundtrack with reimagined holiday classics. Joining Jackie Kostek is company manager Jessica Leboeuf, alongside performers Jess, Jamie, Ping, and Chris.
CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg joins us to talk about the state of affairs for holiday travel, some tips for dealing with the airport during the holidays, and what to expect for travel in 2026.
Police are investigating a shooting on a CTA Pink Line train in The Loop early Tuesday morning.
A boy and a girl, both 15, were charged with multiple felony counts of aggravated battery in the attack that left Larry Gilkey, 62, in a medically induced coma.
An intersection along 111th Street in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood was closed early Monday after a pavement collapse.
Six alleged members of a South Side street gang are accused of running an operation that committed armed robberies and carjackings, murdered rivals, and violently protected their turf.
The Chicago Fire Department on Tuesday honored former Lt. Scott Gillen, 25 years after he died.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
Murakami, or "Mune" as he likes to be called, was introduced on Monday on the South Side after signing a two-year, $34-million contract.
Each of the kids had $250 to spend during their holiday shopping spree at JD Sports on State Street.
The Flames spent the day with a handful of second through eighth-graders from Glenwood Academy and really got into the holiday spirit with a fun shopping spree.
The Bulls had nine scorers in double figures, led by Matas Buzelis with 28 points.
The Bears' next game will be against the 49ers on Dec. 28.
A third teen stood charged Tuesday morning in the brutal beating of a 62-year-old man on a CTA bus on Chicago's West Side last week.
A man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the back in the Jeffery Manor neighborhood on Chicago's South Side Tuesday morning.
A 19-year-old tourist was speaking out on Monday, days after she was attacked on the CTA Red Line in the Loop. The woman now charged has a history of violent encounters on public transit.
Cook County Sheriff's investigators last week recovered 12 tons of a stolen substance with stimulant properties from a warehouse in Chicago's suburbs.
A federal grand jury has indicted six alleged members of a South Side Chicago street gang, accusing them of running an operation that committed armed robberies and carjackings, murdered rivals, and violently protected their turf.
