Chicago City Council

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
4:21pm
Tue Feb 7

A New Attempt To Deal With Foreclosed, Vacant Properties

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has announced a new pilot program aimed at assisting homeowners and rehabilitating vacant, foreclosed upon properties in Cook County.

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
5:04pm
Thu Feb 2

Remap Complicates Ward Committeeman Races

Ald. Nicholas Sposato (36th) and attorney Larry Andolino are dueling for 36th Ward Democratic Committeeman. At the same time, both candidates mercilessly skewer the new ward map City Council approved January 19, and are open to a legal challenge regarding the very ward boundaries they are vying to represent.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
4:45pm
Mon Jan 23

Library Issue Remains Unsettled For Public Employee Union, Community Residents

AFSCME logoThe American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, which represents city library workers, is calling on the city to return to a 48-hour operating week for branch libraries. Also, AFSCME wants the city to rehire more than 100 laid off Chicago Public Library employees.

AFSCME held a “People’s Library Hours” rally outside three closed neighborhood branches this morning to push for the restoration of hours and jobs.

Read more »

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
11:30am
Fri Jan 20

Alderman: City Council Will Review Mental Health Cuts

Ald. George Cardenas (12th) said Thursday that the health committee he chairs will hold a hearing to review cuts in the city’s 2012 mental health care budget – including the outlined closing of six of the city’s twelve mental health clinics.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
3:44pm
Thu Jan 19

Chicago Ward Remap Could Still Face Lawsuit

The City Council approved today, 41-8, a new map of Chicago’s 50 wards, just clearing the threshold to avoid a public referendum on competing maps. But after months of deliberate public hearings and also closed-door meetings between aldermen, the final compromise map could still face legal action.

"We will see what happens after all the lawsuits are filed," Ald. Nick Sposato, whose 36th ward becomes majority Hispanic under the map, told Progress Illinois. Sposato voted against the map today.

Read more »