The Latest Breaking News from City Council

Council mandate would ‘cripple’ social service providers, members warned

If the Council requires providers to sign labor peace agreements, it won’t trigger unionization, but it will allow employees to organize and join unions if they choose, without fear of retaliation. But the mere threat of higher costs is scaring social service agencies.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 14, 2023

City Council member proposes pilot program to have city, not homeowners, shovel sidewalks

Chicago homeowners and property owners are required to shovel their front sidewalks — a law that’s seldom enforced. Ald. Gilbert Villegas said that makes it more urgent for the city to assume responsibility — despite the potential cost.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 14, 2023

Judge allows secret ComEd recordings to be released, emergency COVID benefits end for SNAP recipients 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 · Mar 14, 2023

'Ya Fav Trashman' was a viral sensation, then a rising public figure. Now he admits he mishandled campaign funds.

PHILADELPHIA — Terrill Haigler, a former city sanitation worker who gained Instagram fame under his alter ego "Ya Fav Trashman," ended his campaign for Philadelphia City Council this week, telling his thousands of social media followers he did not get enough signatures to appear on the ballot.

The Philadelphia Inquirer · Mar 10, 2023

A new fight over local control is brewing: How much control should Baltimore have over its police force?

BALTIMORE — After Baltimore residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of the city having control of its police department last November, debate swirled early this year around the timeline of formalizing the city’s authority.

Tribune News Service · Mar 10, 2023

Dallas needs more affordable homes. It could cost $4 billion to fill gap, official says

Dallas’ latest plan to address its affordable housing crisis is slated to go to the City Council in April, according to the city’s top housing official. But he says it’ll take years and hundreds of millions of dollars from the city alone to make a dent.

Tribune News Service · Mar 9, 2023

Day 4 of our Top 15 stories to watch in 2023 – local elections

Welcome to the Thursday, March 9, Brew. 

Ballotpedia · Mar 9, 2023

Minnesota town votes to dump motorized trail project approved by DNR for offroading

Having won a clear majority of seats on the Houston, Minn., City Council in last fall's elections, opponents of a proposed motorized trails project on city-owned land have voted to dump the idea after more than 14 years in the making.

Tribune News Service · Mar 8, 2023

Plan to move Taste of Chicago near Navy Pier draws City Council backlash

Mayor Lori Lightfoot blasted for creating “planning disaster” by proposing 4th of July weekend food fest be moved to accommodate takeover of Grant Park by city’s new NASCAR race.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 7, 2023

Extremism probes in CPD, new endorsements of mayoral candidates and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is a five-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 7, 2023