Chicago News
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JUN 22, 2020
UNLOCKEDHOUSING TASK FORCE ‘WRAPPING UP’ — A 20-member task force charged with reimagining a crucial piece of Chicago’s affordable housing policy is set to issue its final recommendations in the coming weeks, housing department Comm. Marisa Novara said Friday. Speaking during a virtual panel event hosted by the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group, Novara said Covid-19 forced the department to “push the timeline back a bit” for monthly meetings of the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Task Force, a diverse group of housing organizers and real estate professionals who were convened by city officials last fall to brainstorm changes to the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance. “But we are wrapping up this month in terms of task force recommendations, and we hope to have a new or revised ordinance in the fall,” Novara said. Also participating in the panel was Department of Planning and Development Comm. Maurice Cox, who said his department plans to issue Requests For Proposals in August for the 12 South and West Side commercial corridors targeted in the city’s INVEST South/West initiative. The corridors were hit hard by looting earlier this month, Cox said. (Alex Nitkin)
INDOOR DINING OPENING — Chicagoans can once again dine and drink indoors starting Friday. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that businesses can open indoor service “under limited capacity” and with social distancing restrictions in place. “Like all Chicagoans, I am personally excited to see them take these new, cautious steps towards safely reopening, and commend their collaboration throughout this unprecedented crisis,” Lightfoot said in a statement. Restaurants and bars are only allowed a maximum capacity of 50 people per room or floor. Tables need to be spaced six feet apart. Only 10 people are fewer per table is allowed. If you’re at a bar, don’t expect to linger. Liquor sales at bars that don’t serve food are cut off after two hours per party. Cut-off for liquor is 11 p.m. For more guidelines, visit here. The city is hosting webinars twice Monday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., to give bar owners and restauranteurs a full overview. To register, visit here. (Mark Guarino)
PPE IN CITY CABS — Chicago cabbies can now purchase PPE to operate safely in Chicago. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection launched a new program Friday to reimburse taxi drivers $200 per taxicab per year for face coverings, gloves, disinfecting products, partitions, and other supplies needed for appropriate Covid-19 safety. "Chicago's taxi industry is a critical component in the City's efforts to provide more accessible transportation options for people with disabilities," said Laurie Dittman, acting commissioner of the Mayor's Office of People with Disabilities. To be eligible, taxicabs must be in good standing with the PACE Taxi Access Program (TAP), through which paratransit customers travel via taxicab at reduced rates for trips originating within the City of Chicago. to apply visit here. (Guarino) -
JUN 22, 2020
Administrators of the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) deviated from nationally recognized best practices in the way they kept their books and chose buyers, an independent auditor reported Friday. The report did not find any evidence that the authority violated laws or county guidelines. -
After weeks of negotiations to reopen Arlington Racecourse this summer, officials from both the racetrack and the thoroughbred horse racing industry said Thursday they were nearly at an agreement to open the track in late July but needed help from the Illinois Racing Board to get the deal to the finish line.
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JUN 19, 2020
UNLOCKEDNONPROFIT LOBBYING RULES DELAYED, AGAIN — A controversial new rule requiring nonprofit groups that advocate on city legislation to register as lobbyists will not take effect until Jan. 1 of next year, leaders of the Chicago Board of Ethics announced Thursday. It marks the third delay for the new rule, which was included in an ethics reform package (SO2019-5305) approved by the City Council in a 50-0 vote last July. The rule became a source of anxiety for nonprofits, even after the board issued three advisory opinions in January to clarify and narrow the scope of the registration requirements. Board of Ethics executive director Steve Berlin wrote in a statement Thursday that delaying implementation until next year — a full year after it was originally supposed to take effect — is “appropriate,” given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Board and Mayor’s Office continue to be committed to working diligently with non-profit organizations and stakeholders to understand and respond to their concerns about this law, and on working toward amendments that increase transparency in Chicago,” Berlin added. [Alex Nitkin] -
JUN 19, 2020
UNLOCKEDA broad coalition of Cook County commissioners telegraphed their support on Thursday for siphoning money out of the county’s $1.2 billion criminal justice operation when it comes time to make tough decisions on next year’s budget.
During a nearly four-hour meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday, 14 out of 17 commissioners spoke up in support of a resolution (20-2867) sponsored by Comm. Brandon Johnson (D-1) calling on the county to “redirect money from the failed and racist systems of policing, criminalization, and incarceration” and reinvest the money in areas like health care, economic development and housing assistance. -
JUN 18, 2020
Sterling Bay’s proposal for a 14-story office building at 1200 W. Carroll Ave.
Covid-19 and the ensuing economic slowdown have not been enough to stop the steady progression of new development in the Fulton Market district, where a new 14-story office building is set to key a clear regulatory hurdle on Thursday. -
JUN 18, 2020
One month after the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to extend Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s emergency powers to respond to Covid-19, commissioners are back this month with more proposals aimed at helping residents respond to the pandemic.
Businesses in unincorporated Cook County will be able to apply for a “temporary beer garden license” under a measure set for consideration Thursday. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli] -
Mayor Lori Lightfoot presides over a virtual Chicago City Council Wednesday.
The Chicago City Council approved a $1.13 billion Covid-19 spending plan Wednesday that outlines how the city will spend money from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act through the end of the year. -
JUN 17, 2020
Related Midwest plans two towers at 400 North Lake Shore Drive
A $1 billion plan to add two new apartment towers to the Chicago’s downtown skyline took a leap forward on Tuesday, heralding an end to the 80-foot hole that has marked one of the city’s most valued pieces of real estate for more than a decade. -
JUN 17, 2020
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JUN 16, 2020
