Alex Nitkin is The Daily Line’s reporter covering Cook County and Chicago land use policy. He came to TDL from The Real Deal Chicago, where he covered Chicago real estate news. He previously worked at DNAinfo, first as a breaking news reporter, and then as a neighborhood reporter covering the city's Northwest Side. Nitkin graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a bachelor’s degree.
Bio
Solutions reporter, @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov. Formerly of @thedailylinechi, @trdchicago & @DNAinfoChi. Amateur baker. Tips: [email protected]
OCT 28, 2020
The Chicago Fire Department is projected to see a $60 million increase to its budget under the mayor’s proposal.Budget hearings are scheduled to continue on Wednesday as aldermen dig into the $985 million combined budgets of the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Public Library system, Commission on Human Relations and the Office of Emergency Management & Communications.
Fire Department, OEMC, public library system to come under budget microscope Wednesday
The Chicago Fire Department is projected to see a $60 million increase to its budget under the ...
OCT 27, 2020
A red light camera in Chicago [DNAinfo Chicago]Mayor Lori Lightfoot and top financial officials in her administration on Monday stood by their proposal to widen the criteria for issuing speeding tickets next year, saying they did so primarily as a public safety measure.
Lightfoot’s plan to close a $1.2 billion gap in the 2021 budget includes a $38.8 million hike in fines, fees and forfeitures over 2020, including by ticketing drivers who exceed the speed limit by more than 6 miles per hour. The $35 citation, first reported by the Tribune, would be sent to drivers who are twice caught by cameras driving between 6 and 9 mph over the speed limit. The first infraction would incur a warning.
Lightfoot, budget officials defend expanding speeding tickets: ‘This is about keeping communities safe’
A red light camera in Chicago [DNAinfo Chicago]
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and top financial official...
OCT 27, 2020
News in brief: Cook County launches $2M cash assistance program; new restrictions in suburban Cook County
TDL Chicago Morning Briefs: Tuesday, October 27th
News in brief: Cook County launches $2M cash assistance program; new restrictions in suburban Coo...
OCT 26, 2020
The recently-rebuilt Wilson CTA station [Flickr/Chicago Transit Authority]
CTA presents unbalanced 2021 budget without service cuts or fare hikes in hopes of more federal stimulus
The recently-rebuilt Wilson CTA station [Flickr/Chicago Transit Authority]Faced with plunging r...
OCT 23, 2020
Israel Rocha, Jr. was confirmed Thursday as the next CEO of the Cook County Health system.The new top executive of Cook County’s behemoth health and hospital system plans to audit bill collections, enroll more patients in insurance plans and work with private hospital systems to keep the county’s public network “financially resilient” as it faces long-term mounting costs amid a historic pandemic, he said Thursday.
Confirmed by county board, health system CEO looks to chart long-term course to ‘fiscally resilient’ hospitals
Israel Rocha, Jr. was confirmed Thursday as the next CEO of the Cook County Health system.The n...
OCT 22, 2020
Cook County Clerk chief legal counsel Sisavanh Baker speaks to commissioners during a meeting of the county board’s Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Wednesday.The union representing employees in the Cook County Recorder of Deeds office is raising an alarm over nearly 80 county workers they say are in danger of losing their jobs when it comes time for their roles to be subsumed into Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s office later this year.
Yarbrough, SEIU at impasse over potential job losses in assumption of recorder deeds employees
Cook County Clerk chief legal counsel Sisavanh Baker speaks to commissioners during a meeting o...
OCT 22, 2020
Developers would have to apply for a special permit before using certain demolition materials under an ordinance set for consideration Thursday.Cook County commissioners are set Thursday to confirm Israel Rocha, Jr. as the next CEO of the $2.8 billion Cook County Health system and adopt new regulations aimed at protecting residents from demolition dust during their last regular meeting before budget hearings get underway later this month.
New health system CEO, demolition debris regulations set for county board approval
Developers would have to apply for a special permit before using certain demolition materials u...
OCT 22, 2020
Businesses won’t have to renew expired licenses until at least Jan. 30 under an ordinance set for consideration by a City Council committee on Thursday.Businesses will enjoy an extended forgiveness period for expired city licenses under a measure set for consideration Thursday, a small consolation as they brace for a long winter with no federal aid in sight.
Aldermen to consider extending forgiveness for expired business licenses through January
Businesses won’t have to renew expired licenses until at least Jan. 30 under an ordinance set f...
OCT 21, 2020
GAPA coordinator Desmon Yancy and CPAC leader Tamer Abouzeid pitch their competing plans
A pair of coalitions pitching dueling plans for civilian-run police oversight councils faced a grilling from aldermen Tuesday on which proposal holds up better under legal and practical scrutiny, even as neither is likely to get a vote in its current form.
Aldermen probe languishing police oversight plans as Lightfoot’s ‘alternative’ proposal lies in wait
GAPA coordinator Desmon Yancy and CPAC leader Tamer Abouzeid pitch their competing plans
A pair o...
OCT 20, 2020
Cook County Board of Review Comm. Dan Patlak (R-1) and Democratic challenger Tammy WendtTammy Wendt, the defense attorney and first-time candidate trying to knock off one of Cook County’s last remaining Republican elected leaders, is not well known among voters.
Outspent 20-1, Board of Review hopeful seeks another upset to oust one of Cook County’s last elected Republicans
Cook County Board of Review Comm. Dan Patlak (R-1) and Democratic challenger Tammy WendtTammy W...
OCT 20, 2020
Cook County commissioners meet virtually to confirm Israel Rocha, Jr. (top right) as the next CEO of the Cook County Health systemIsrael Rocha, Jr. promised Cook County commissioners on Monday he would leverage his nearly two decades of business, public policy and hospital administration experience to navigate the $3 billion Cook County Health system through the double-crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and a persistent rise in hospital costs.
New Cook County Health CEO vows vigilance over beleaguered budget: “we need…a positive margin’
Cook County commissioners meet virtually to confirm Israel Rocha, Jr. (top right) as the next C...
OCT 19, 2020
New Zoning Board of Appeals chair Timothy Knudsen considers a proposal by Dispensary 33 to open a pot shop at 1152 W. Randolph St.The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals on Friday gave its first-ever approval to a cannabis grow operation and endorsed a proposal for a new 6,600-square-foot dispensary in the Fulton Market district, setting off a race between two rival pot companies over who can score a license first from state regulators.
Fulton Market dispensary, Belmont Cragin grow site approved by zoning board
New Zoning Board of Appeals chair Timothy Knudsen considers a proposal by Dispensary 33 to open...
OCT 16, 2020
TDL Chicago Morning Briefs: Friday, October 16th
News in brief: Pot shop, grower to face Zoning Board; Blanchard turns up heat on Board of Review
OCT 16, 2020
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle outlines her proposed spending plan for the 2021 fiscal year. [Cook County]Preckwinkle touts restorative justice in budget that slashes court, jail funding: ‘We cannot police our way out’
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle outlines her proposed spending plan for the 2021 f...
OCT 15, 2020
Cook County’s $1.9 billion general fund, which funds most of the county’s non-health related programming, shrank slightly from 2021.Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle plans to cut nearly 700 vacant positions and spend tens of millions in cash reserves in order to close the county’s $410 million projected 2021 budget gap without tax hikes or widespread layoffs.
Cook County to raid reserves, cut vacant positions to avoid tax hikes or major layoffs in 2021
Cook County’s $1.9 billion general fund, which funds most of the county’s non-health related pr...
OCT 15, 2020
The city’s Plan Commission Thursday will consider proposals for an office building in Fulton Market and a hotel in River North.Fulton Market could get a new office building clocking in at 15 stories, and River North will see a new 66-room hotel under proposals set to be considered by the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday.
Fulton Market, River North development proposals set for Plan Commission approval
The city’s Plan Commission Thursday will consider proposals for an office building in Fulton Ma...
OCT 14, 2020
Chicago Board of Ethics executive director Steve Berlin and Ald. Jason Ervin (28) during a meeting of the City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight on TuesdayAldermen overwhelmingly rejected a proposal on Tuesday to partially roll back the city’s recent ban on so-called “cross-lobbying,” delivering a rebuke to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a contingent of aldermen who said they believe the nearly year-old ban went too far.
Aldermen smack down proposed rollback of cross-lobbying ban: ‘Absolutely the wrong time’
Chicago Board of Ethics executive director Steve Berlin and Ald. Jason Ervin (28) during a meet...
OCT 13, 2020
A previously stalled amendment to a recent ban on “cross-lobbying” is set for consideration in a hearing on Tuesday. [Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago]Carve-out in ‘Cross-lobbying’ ban set for consideration Tuesday
A previously stalled amendment to a recent ban on “cross-lobbying” is set for consideration in ...
OCT 09, 2020
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announces the launch of the county’s Recovery Mortgage Assistance Program during a press conference in Daly Plaza Thursday.Cook County is funneling federal dollars into a new $20 million program aimed at helping vulnerable suburban homeowners make their monthly mortgage payments, officials announced Thursday.
County to dole out $20M in mortgage assistance to suburban homeowners: ‘The need remains critical’
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announces the launch of the county’s Recovery Mort...
Bio
Solutions reporter, @IllinoisAnswers/@BetterGov. Formerly of @thedailylinechi, @trdchicago & @DNAinfoChi. Amateur baker. Tips: [email protected]
