The Latest Breaking News from Brandon Johnson

A contractor is expected to begin the final phase of construction over the objections of Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th) at a site where heavy metal contamination was found.

Over protests, Mayor Brandon Johnson is moving ahead with plans to shelter migrants on polluted Brighton Park site

Effective Friday, all migrants entering shelters have 60 days before they must leave. The rule worries those who await work permits, which can take months.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois will funnel an additional $160 million to help get migrants on their feet in Chicago

The department was still mourning the loss of firefighter EMT Andrew “Drew” Price, who died earlier in the week.

With the city spending $40 million a month on the migrant emergency and no assurance of more state or federal aid, the long-term financial impact of Johnson’s budget is still very much up in the air.

The mayor discussed the plan only briefly Wednesday, offering few details, but promised to reveal more on Friday. The goal, he said, is to more quickly move asylum-seekers out of shelters and into work and self-sufficiency.

Lawmakers haven’t settled on a voting map and floated a last-minute proposal to accelerate moving to a fully elected board.

The $16.77 billion plan, approved 41-8, holds the line on taxes and increases spending for an array of popular programs. But it also relies on one-time revenues and budgets far too little for the ongoing migrant crisis, on the hope that more state and federal help is on the way.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget is expected to sail through the Chicago City Council on Wednesday. It’s balanced in part with $786.5 million in one-time revenues. The search for new revenue sources has been punted to a Council subcommittee.

New rules ban profane, vulgar, threatening, abusive or disruptive language at Chicago City Council meetings. Also out: banners, signs, large bags and sharp objects.