Ald. Jason Ervin (28) drew a challenger, while the races in the 25th and 43rd Wards got even more crowded. Meanwhile, Jerry Joyce reported a big haul of campaign cash and Mayor Rahm Emanuel vowed to leave no ally behind — despite his looming departure from City Hall.

Democrats pushing a bill that would prohibit employers from asking about a job candidate’s previous salary finally sent the legislation to the governor’s desk on Wednesday. Meanwhile, an LGBT-focused independent expenditure committee filed paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Approximately 450 people took 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins’ survey about the massive proposal that would remake the North Branch of the Chicago River — and the results show deep opposition to the plan — and a strong desire for parkland and open space. Close to two dozen elected, church, and law enforcement leaders met to propose a range of changes — but no quick fixes — to gun violence.  

Another candidate filed the paperwork with state officials to run for the open 47th Ward seat, while challengers emerged in the 15th, 16th and 45th wards. In addition, city officials launched another push on Wednesday to grow the ranks of the Chicago Police Department.

Lawmakers will take another shot at green lighting a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois, while state workers demanded that officials do more to stop a bed bug infestation at a Chicago facility. Meanwhile, JB Pritzker hits the airwaves with an ad designed to use humor to defuse one of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s most frequent attacks.

Two City Council committees are set to meet Friday, while Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s spokesman prepares to retire.

A group of female elected officials launched an effort to significantly cut the number of women behind bars, while aldermen prepared to advance a plan to rename Congress Parkway for a Civil Rights icon and consider two high-profile appointees.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel weighed in Tuesday on the shooting death of a man Saturday in South Shore, saying he hoped it would become a “teachable moment” for a city. Ald. Ed Burke (14), Chicago’s longest serving alderman — and perhaps the City Council’s most vulnerable — will have no trouble financing a bid for another term, according to reports filed with state officials.

The Daily Line 2018 aldermanic spreadsheet features four new candidates. 48th Ward challenger Morry Matson, a delegate for President Donald Trump, includes a letter he wrote to Attorney General Jeff Sessions about his efforts to bring a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk to the Edgewater lakefront on his old-school website. Our spreadsheet also includes the most recent statements of financial interest for incumbent aldermen. Mayor Rahm Emanuel challenged President Donald Trump once again in court, and the Cook County Republican Party named two new committeemen.

Two candidates have emerged so far to fill the seat in the Illinois House vacated by Silvana Tabares, sworn in Wednesday as 23rd Ward alderman in Chicago – Carlos Aparicio, a Cook County board aide, and Sergio Rodriguez, the mayor of the southwest suburban Summit.