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Pat Dowell
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.

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
9:37pm
Mon Apr 16
1 comment

Finance Committee Scrutinizes, Then Passes, Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust

Chicago City Council

Chicago aldermen spent five hours raising questions that went unanswered about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “Infrastructure Trust” ordinance, particularly whether it would benefit investors on the backs of taxpayers. Nonetheless, the Finance Committee passed the ordinance with a divided 11-7 vote.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
6:08pm
Wed Apr 11
2 comments

Speed Camera Bill Speeds Through Committee Despite Concerns

A city council committee today passed a controversial proposal to install speed enforcement cameras near schools and parks – despite incomplete information on changes to the proposal, especially how the city might use speeding ticket revenue. Read more »

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
3:08pm
Wed Apr 11
2 comments

Cloud Of Skepticism Surrounds Chicago Infrastructure Trust

Politics

There are worries that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed “Infrastructure Trust” will not be accountable to the public and City Council. However, the trust is still largely undefined, raising another, more basic question: What projects will it finance?

Quick Hit
by Aricka Flowers
5:37pm
Fri Aug 12, 2011
1 comment

Fed Up Illinoisans Fight Bank Of America Over Abandoned Foreclosures

A number of Chicago residents spent the week tirelessly protesting Bank of America for the plethora of abandoned foreclosed properties that are blighting neighborhoods across the city and state.

The group of Action Now members were joined by other organizations supporting their fight throughout the week. Fifty-two year old Marsha Godard, who held a Bank of America account, was arrested when she tried to speak with the financial institution's officers about the impact abandoned foreclosed homes are having in the city's communities.

Read more »

Quick Hit
by
3:47pm
Thu Jul 7, 2011

PI's Cheat Sheet: July City Council Meeting Proposals

Wednesday’s City Council meeting was jam packed with policy and ordinance proposals. See Progress Illinois’ cheat sheet for an update:

PASSED:
Gun Ranges - Mayor Rahm Emanuel got an ordinance through the full committee that allows gun ranges in the city. Practicing at a range -- which previously meant a trip to the suburbs -- is part of the process in obtaining a permit. The ordinance will allow indoor ranges to set up shop in areas zoned for manufacturing and would require city and Chicago Police approval. Passing the ordinance lets the city get a hold on two related federal lawsuits that are pending.
Read more »

Quick Hit
by Micah Maidenberg
11:36am
Fri Apr 8, 2011
1 comment

More Details About The Independent Or Progressive Caucus

The Chicago News Cooperative (CNC) has a piece out today about efforts to beef up an independent or progressive caucus in Chicago's next City Council. Alds. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), Ricardo Munoz (22nd Ward), Scott Waguespack (32th Ward), and Joe Moore (49th Ward) will lead an April 25 training session for council newcomers covering "subjects as setting up a ward office, assessing zoning change proposals and interacting with the mayor’s administration."

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Quick Hit
by Micah Maidenberg
10:11am
Thu Apr 7, 2011

Dowell's Vacant Building Bill In Springfield's Hands (UPDATED)

A bill in Springfield could have a big impact on the way Chicago deals with vacant homes. State. Rep. Karen Yarbrough's Housing Committee is scheduled to take up legislation this morning has its roots in a Chicago ordinance 3rd Ward Ald. Pat Dowell first drafted last summer. HB 1109, as we first noted a couple of weeks ago, would give muncipalities in Illinois more tools to deal with the vacant homes, many of them in the foreclosure process and many of them blighted, that destabilize neighborhoods. The bill would authorize cities to create rules for the maintenance of vacant properties, impose registration fees on owners of empty buildings, and assess fines for those who fail to comply.

Read more »

PI Original
by Micah Maidenberg
3:55pm
Wed Apr 6, 2011
1 comment

How Will The New City Council Align?

2011 Municipal Elections

Chicago's City Council is full of new faces following the completion of last night's election cycle. We talk to a few observers and aldermen about how the new council might align.