The Latest Breaking News from City Council

Ciere Boatright says she will use tax increment financing, the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and what she called the “entire financial toolbox” to remove roadblocks she encountered as a real estate executive known for her work on community revival.

A coalition of real estate and development groups filed suit Friday seeking to knock the binding referendum off the ballot, calling it an example of “log-rolling,” a legislative tactic of combining a politically unpopular proposal with popular one so voters will swallow the bitter pill.

What’s sad is that corruption continues to be so normalized in this town, an Irving Park resident writes.

The Committee on Health and Human Relations voted on a one-sided resolution, Ald. Debra Silverstein writes. The council must also advocate for the release of hostages and condemn the violence against Israeli citizens.

Former and current elected officials comment on the conviction of the longest-serving, once-powerful dean of the Chicago City Council. ‘The tyranny of Ed Burke is over,’ former Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

There’s affection and respect for the man who mentored far more colleagues than he bullied during his record 54-year reign. Ald. Ray Lopez said Burke’s ‘fingerprints are on so much of what is Chicago. To have this as the final act of a remarkable career is a tragedy.’

A jury of nine women and three men heard from 38 witnesses over 16 days of testimony as prosecutors made their case that Burke was “a bribe taker” and “an extortionist.”

The Committee on Health and Human Relations voted Monday to recommend the resolution to the full City Council in January — drawing a roar of applause.

“What’s the best evidence of defendant Burke’s intent?” asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker. “The words that came out of his mouth.”