The Latest Breaking News from City Council

The man who oversees the City of Lexington’s affordable housing program says there continues to be a tremendous need for more units. Affordable Housing Manager Rick McQuady presented an update to a City Council committee last week.

Prosecutors kicked off their case with Elmhurst University political science professor Constance Mixon, who began to explain Chicago city government to the jury.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall, prosecutors and defense attorneys have chosen 12 jurors at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse who will hear evidence that was used in 2019 to level criminal charges against Burke in a push against old-school, Chicago-style corruption.

With the city spending $40 million a month on the migrant emergency and no assurance of more state or federal aid, the long-term financial impact of Johnson’s budget is still very much up in the air.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget is expected to sail through the Chicago City Council on Wednesday. It’s balanced in part with $786.5 million in one-time revenues. The search for new revenue sources has been punted to a Council subcommittee.

New rules ban profane, vulgar, threatening, abusive or disruptive language at Chicago City Council meetings. Also out: banners, signs, large bags and sharp objects.

Ald. Bill Conway moved to ban bullhorns, speakers from streets around Family Planning Associates, 659 W. Washington Blvd., after ‘increasingly aggressive’ protests during which activists would ‘harass’ and stop women.

One day after the mayor cast the tie-breaking vote that saved Ald. Carlo Ramirez-Rosa from a Council censure, senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee said it was not a mistake for Johnson to empower the chair of the Council’s Socialist Caucus as both floor leader and Zoning Committee chair.

Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote against censure of his former floor leader, accused of “manhandling” Ald. Emma Mitts while trying to prevent her entrance to Council chambers.

Tuesday’s 32-17 vote is a major political victory for Mayor Brandon Johnson. Next comes a battle between Johnson’s progressive coalition and the business community and real estate industry.

Several people in the gallery were escorted out by security after an observer singled them out as supporters of welcoming migrants. Later, the full Council voted to accept donated land at 115th and Halsted streets that will become the temporary site of a winterized tent camp for migrant.