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Leslie Hairston
PI Original
by Matthew Blake
6:20pm
Tue Apr 24
11 comments

Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust Passes Council Vote Despite Continued Concerns (VIDEO)

Chicago City Council

The Chicago City Council passed 41-7 today Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial “Infrastructure Trust” public-private partnership, arguably Emanuel’s most significant proposal in his one year as mayor.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
7:12pm
Mon Apr 23
4 comments

Chicago Aldermen Propose Infrastructure Trust Changes

Six Chicago City Council aldermen will suggest a number of changes to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed Infrastructure Trust public-private partnership at tomorrow’s city council meeting, where city lawmakers are expected to vote on the controversial Trust.

Driving the changes is the notion that Emanuel’s Infrastructure Trust – where the city uses private investors to fund public infrastructure projects – concentrates too much unchecked power in the hands of the mayor and a five-member Infrastructure Trust board.

“We are not opposed to the Trust in principle,” says Ald. John Arena (45th), one of the amendment authors. “We want clear, enforceable oversight built into the ordinance.” Read more »

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
3:45pm
Wed Apr 18
3 comments

Emanuel Infrastructure Trust Vote Postponed, But Opponents Not Celebrating

Ald. Edward Burke (14th), chairman of the Chicago City Council Finance Committee, deferred a full City Council vote today on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Infrastructure Trust public-private partnership plan, arguably the most consequential and controversial proposal of Emanuel’s brief time as mayor thus far. Burke delayed the vote amid speculation that Trust opponents might use a parliamentary maneuver to table the measure.

However, the City Council is anticipated to hold a special session next Tuesday, April 24 to vote on the measure, much to the chagrin of ordinance opponent Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd). Read more »

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
2:10pm
Wed Apr 18
3 comments

Chicago Speed Camera Bill Passes Council Vote

The Chicago City Council passed 33-14 today a proposal to install automated speed cameras near schools and parks, with aldermen portraying the once hotly contested measure in the same manner in which Mayor Rahm Emanuel has: A simple way to enhance children’s safety. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
4:20pm
Thu Mar 8

G8 Moves, But Summit Ordinances Stay

Chicago is sorting through the stunning White House announcement Monday that Camp David, not McCormick Place Convention Center, will play host to the Group of Eight summit May 19-21, after months of hype and build up.

One lingering question – which Progress Illinois looked at yesterday – is if World Business Chicago, the non-profit in charge of managing both the G8 and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summits, will redirect their fundraising efforts now that just NATO is coming to town.

Another concern: What becomes of two controversial ordinances that passed City Council in January, in anticipation of the simultaneous summits? According to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office, both measures are still in effect. Read more »

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
7:29pm
Wed Jan 18

Revised Protest Ordinance Passes City Council Amid Concerns (VIDEO)

Politics

Activists used the Chicago City Council's passage today of two ordinances that deal with protests in anticipation of the May G8/NATO summits to say Rahm Emanuel is trampling on First Amendment rights.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
4:21pm
Tue Jan 17

Many Unknowns, Police Say, For NATO/G8 Summits

Chicago Police Department leadership has pretty broad guesses about what security will be needed for the NATO and G8 summits, how many people will come in to Chicago to attend the summits, and who might be arrested for protesting the summit.

“This is a federal, White House event and we don’t have a lot of information at this time,” said Debra Kirby, the police department’s chief of international relations in response to questions posed by Ald. Ed Burke (14th) at a city council Budget and Government Operations committee hearing today. The NATO and G8 summits will be held at McCormick Place more or less simultaneously, May 19-21.

“Frankly, it leaves a lot of unknown questions at this time,” she added.

Read more »