The Latest Breaking News from Chicago City Council

Former President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to a pre-kindergarten class at Parkside Community Academy in South Shore, people enjoyed hot tub rides down the Chicago River, andthe Humboldt Park Puerto Rican flag at Western and Division was lit up for the holiday season for the first time…

Mayor Brandon Johnson was forced to call for a recess after public observers gathered in the third-floor gallery overlooking the City Council chambers banged on the glass and shouted from their seats.

The stage has been set for another legal clash at the Dirksen courthouse. But it’s unclear whether another central political figure, former Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, will make an appearance in the courtroom.

Ald. Ray Lopez is calling for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s floor leader to resign after an alleged “manhandling” of one of their colleagues, putting an ugly exclamation mark on a raucous council meeting.

Proposal would require Chicago employers to give five sick days and five vacation days.

Political science professor Constance Mixon’s testimony about government operations will be crucial to helping jury understand the racketeering case against former City Council member Ed Burke, prosecutors say.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall held Tuesday’s hearing to determine whether Elmhurst University political science professor Constance Mixon should be allowed to testify during ex-Ald. Ed Burke’s trial.

That power came from “scratch my back” Chicago politics. Burke’s clout emanated from the sheer force of his personality, the favors he did for other City Council members and the intimidation he wielded over his colleagues.

The former 25th Ward alderperson sold his political soul for small favors, then tried to reclaim it by wearing a wire on two of the biggest powerhouses in the history of Illinois politics.