The Latest Breaking News from City Council

Civic Federation’s acting president makes case for major reform of city government

Over the years, the Civic Federation has repeatedly advocated for cutting the 50-member City Council in half, only to have alderpersons protect their fiefdoms.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 22, 2023

Divided City Council approves $1 million settlement in police shooting case

“The sin of the police officer was he turned the body camera off a little too soon. ... We should not be paying this family a million dollars,” said Ald. Nick Sposato. But Ald. Chris Taliaferro disagreed: “Either we trust our lawyers or we don’t.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 21, 2023

Effort revs up to phase out ‘sub-minimum wage’ for tipped workers

The “One Fair Wage” campaign wants tipped workers to make the same minimum wage as anyone else in Chicago. Tipped workers instead are paid $9. On July 1, that rises to $9.48 and the $15-an-hour minimum wage goes to $15.80.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 21, 2023

Advocates want Atlanta to dedicate funds for abortion access

ATLANTA — Abortion rights advocates are asking Atlanta City Council to step up their support for abortion access a year after women’s reproductive rights were stripped in Georgia and across the country.

Tribune News Service · Jun 16, 2023

Group recommends reforms for scandal-plagued Los Angeles city council

Los Angeles should add more city council members, create two new independent redistricting commissions and better enforce ethics rules, a panel of academics tasked with proposing reforms for the scandal-plagued city government said Thursday

The Independent UK · Jun 15, 2023

City Council could explore reparations for Black Philadelphians

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia is poised to study whether it’s able to pay reparations to Black Americans.

The Philadelphia Inquirer · Jun 15, 2023

Long-sought Chicago casino could open by Labor Day as Bally’s plan for temporary site clears state hurdle

The Illinois Gaming Board’s “preliminary suitability” finding allows Bally’s to lay the groundwork for operations both at the Medinah Temple in River North and the permanent $1.7 billion casino complex at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street, expected to open by 2026.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 15, 2023

Independent reform group recommends expanding LA City Council to 25 members

For the past half-year, a small group of leading scholars has been quietly meeting to envision a less broken version of Los Angeles city government.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 15, 2023

In abrupt about-face, Finance Committee signs off on $1 million settlement tied to controversial police shooting

In January, opposition from police union allies on the City Council allies forced then-Finance Committee Chair Scott Waguespack to yank the $1 million settlement to the mother of Sharrell Brown off the agenda. But Wednesday, it passed with little or no debate.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 14, 2023

City Council Indictment Shows How L.A.'s Overregulated Housing Market Breeds Corruption

City Councilmember Curren Price is indicted for steering favors to affordable housing developers who were bribing his wife.

Reason · Jun 14, 2023