The Latest Breaking News from City Council

Lightfoot declares emergency amid new surge of immigrant arrivals: ‘We’ve reached a breaking point’

At an afternoon news conference, the mayor slammed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for busing new arrivals to Chicago, saying he had “manufactured” a crisis “for cynical political purposes,” and is “unable to see the humanity” in those coming to the United States seeking a better life.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 9, 2023

Will Ramirez-Rosa’s new Council leadership roles be ‘big step forward’ for progressives — or kick in the pants to developers?

If the new zoning chair and Council floor leader is more pragmatic than some of his critics expect, it could be a positive step for progressive politics in Chicago and developers.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 8, 2023

Mayor-elect Johnson forges ‘Unity Plan’ to reorganize the new City Council

The plan shrinks the number of Council panels from 28 to 20. Pat Dowell, whose switch of support from Lightfoot to Johnson was crucial to his victory, will be finance chair.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 8, 2023

Mayor-elect warned: don’t mess with City Council reorganization

Finance Committee Chair Scott Waguespack is among the committee chairs who could be pushed out in favor of more chairs loyal to Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 20, 2023

Mayor-elect Johnson chooses City Hall ‘lifer’ as his chief of staff

After retiring two weeks ago as chief of the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications, 54-year-old Rich Guidice has agreed to serve as Brandon Johnson’s first chief of staff.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 20, 2023

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan dies at 92

LOS ANGELES — Richard J. Riordan, the take-charge venture capitalist who as mayor shepherded Los Angeles’ rebound from the 1992 riots, expanded its Police Department and masterminded its recovery from the Northridge earthquake, has died at his Brentwood home.

Los Angeles Times · Apr 20, 2023

San Antonio to vote on progressive wish list on abortion, marijuana, low-level arrests

Proposition A on the May 6 ballot will test the city’s political climate and progressives’ ability to advance a controversial agenda.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 20, 2023

Another long COVID impact studied, activists prep for DNC and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is about an eight-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 19, 2023

Lightfoot extends pandemic lifeline to airport concessionaires on her way out the door

Presiding over her last City Council meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced an ordinance empowering Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee to negotiate new, more “limited relief” for O’Hare and Midway concessionaires.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 19, 2023

Year of the Incumbent? Only one sitting City Council member unseated this year — first time in a century

The solitary defeat of appointed Ald. Anabel Abarca (12th) marks the fewest defeated incumbents since Chicago instituted the 50-member City Council system in 1923. Seven sitting members were knocked out in each of the previous two election cycles.

Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 19, 2023