Editor’s note: On September 20, the Workforce Development Committee voted 9–3 to advance the ordinance ending Chicago’s subminimum wage to the full city council. A proposed ordinance moving through the complicated world of city council committees would require businesses to pay their tipped employees—like bartenders, bussers, and servers—at the statewide $15.80-per-hour minimum wage instead of […]
Tag: City Council
Posted inNews & Politics
Daring to win
Helen Shiller’s new autobiography details decades of political struggles in Uptown.
Posted inNews & Politics
Breaking tradition
Alderperson Matt Martin boldly tries to go where few have gone before.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Not a dream
As I lay in bed drenched in sweat, battling COVID, it came to me as in a fevered dream . . . The city council had overwhelmingly approved Mayor Lightfoot’s idea to spend untold millions on a casino. Even as Alderperson Brendan Reilly warned them that it may wind up being as bad as the […]
Posted inCity Life
The glowing citizen
Walking down North Avenue with his bulky Home Depot purchases in tow, George Blakemore sparkled in a glistening metallic-toned ensemble he painted himself. “I think that we all are artists,” he said. “We all use our imagination and we all are creative. There was a Black gentleman that died called Mr. Imagination who would say […]
Posted inNews & Politics
Alders fault rules committee chair for missed deadlines on civilian oversight of police
But despite delays, progressive alderpersons and activists remain hopeful on ECPS
Posted inNews & Politics
Politics of fear: Are youth really to blame for the carjacking spike?
Cops say masked teens with a thirst for violence and joyrides are terrorizing the city. An examination of arrests reveals a narrative built on shoddy data and anecdotal evidence.
Posted inNews & Politics
How suburban influence defeated a resolution to condemn the Indian government
The fiery opposition warned of “outside agitators,” but most were weighing in from outside the city themselves.
Posted inNews & Politics
The murder Chicago didn’t want to solve
In 1963, a Black politician named Ben Lewis was shot to death in Chicago. Clues suggest the murder was a professional hit. Decades later, it remains no accident authorities never solved the crime.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Strange reformers
Alderman Ed Burke finally tells the truth about the budget games that mayors play.
Posted inNews & Politics
Chicago won’t pay ‘hush money’ to prevent police misconduct records release—for now
A City Council vote on Charles Green’s lawsuit settlement was postponed.
Posted inNews & Politics
A viral budget grab
Does the mayor’s COVID-19 executive order put her on light footing?
Posted inNews & Politics
Lightfoot’s first council meeting excites but sheds little light on procedures
What’s going on in the City Council? Still hard to say!
Posted inNews & Politics
Just 15 seats hang in the balance
Runoff season is here, and Chicago may further freshen up the City Council.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Alderman Ed Burke out as head of finance committee
Rahm has already chosen his replacement.