Chicago News


  • MAY 12, 2020
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    Sean Penn organization helps usher in six new Chicago Covid-19 testing sites

    A nonprofit relief organization founded by film actor Sean Penn will play a role starting this week to open more Covid-19 testing sites in Chicago, city officials announced Monday. 
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 12, 2020
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    Proposed ordinance protects employees for obeying COVID-19 rules

    Aldermen advanced a proposal on Monday to make it illegal for employers to demote or fire their workers for staying at home in line with city and state orders related to Covid-19.  
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 12, 2020
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    Affordable housing loan program, SSA board appointments under consideration Tuesday

    If approved by aldermen Tuesday, a new proposal will allow city housing officials to modify city-backed loans for affordable housing properties without approval from the City Council.
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  • MAY 11, 2020
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    Chicago COVID-19 reopening plan looks ahead potential recovery

    Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot released a five-step framework Friday for how to reopen the city after almost two months of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new metrics are based on the rate of the virus’ spread across the city and nearby counties, testing capacity, support systems, and the viability of the city’s health care system in case of a surge. 
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 11, 2020
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    Aldermen to consider new worker protections in line with Covid-19 guidelines

    The City Council Committee on Workforce Development is scheduled on Monday to consider a proposal (O2020-2343) by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to make it illegal for employers to demote or fire their workers for complying with city and state orders related to Covid-19. Actions that would be protected from retaliation include staying home if employees feel sick, obeying isolation orders or following other health department directives “regarding the duties of hospitals and other congregate facilities.”
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  • Simon Davis-Cohen
    MAY 11, 2020
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    Chicago intercepts tax refunds to collect unpaid debt, hitting poor black areas the hardest

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    Despite Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s agenda to curb unfair fees and fines, a little known program extracts millions in revenue annually from unpaid tickets, court fees and other debt from thousands of taxpayers without regard for their ability to pay.

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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 11, 2020
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    Tribune East approved despite concerns over affordable unit inclusion

    City planning officials gave initial approval for the construction of the 1,422-foot Tribune East, which developers said could break ground as early as fall 2021.

    The Chicago Plan Commission approved a $700 million proposal on Friday to reshape the city’s skyline by building Tribune East, a hotel and residential tower that would be the second tallest in the city next to Willis Tower. 

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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 08, 2020
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    City to suspend fines for expired business licenses, delay fees for taxis and ride-sharing

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    City officials will delay cracking down on businesses whose licenses have expired and suspend the collection of taxi and ride-share fees, according to a proposal advanced by aldermen on Thursday.
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 08, 2020
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    Plan Commission vote could push city’s second tallest skyscraper closer to reality


    Chicago could be one step closer to getting its second-tallest skyscraper with a vote scheduled Friday by city planning officials to approve Tribune Tower East, a 1,442-foot, $700 million development located next door to the historic Tribune Tower.

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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 07, 2020
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    Aldermen set to consider raising fine for loud music on outdoor patios

    Bars and restaurants could face fines of up to $1,000 for playing music for their outdoor patrons under a measure proposed by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2).
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 07, 2020
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    Cappleman opponent launches independent party org in Uptown

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    An Uptown consultant and activist who last year came within 25 votes of unseating Ald. James Cappleman (46) chartered an independent political group this week, the latest in a series of progressive neighborhood-level organizing ventures to materialize in the wake of last year’s earth-shaking city elections. 
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  • Chalkbeat Chicago
    MAY 07, 2020
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    Even before federal COVID-19 rescue checks arrive, Illinois schools spend tens of millions on technology

    A young boy participates in an online lesson for his kindergarten class while schools remain closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Chicago, Illinois, April 3, 2020. Interim Archives/Getty Images


    By Mila Koumpilova, Alejandra Cancino, and Katie Drews

    Illinois school leaders spent tens of millions of dollars within weeks as they scrambled to respond to the coronavirus outbreak and the abrupt school closures it triggered.


    In a bid to roll out remote learning plans quickly, officials made rapid-fire buys even before the federal government promised $678 million in emergency aid for Illinois schools. In some of the largest school districts across the state, the bulk of the spending went toward thousands of laptops and tablets.
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 06, 2020
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    AG sues Hilco, seeks more than $100K in damages over botched smokestack demolition

    Hilco Redevelopment Partners violated Illinois law and state pollution control regulations when its April 9 demolition of a smokestack at the former Crawford power station sent a cloud of dust over neighboring homes, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by state Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
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  • Alex Nitkin
    MAY 06, 2020
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    Report: Covid-19 likely intensifying pressure on vulnerable renters

    Mass unemployment sparked by the coronavirus pandemic is likely accelerating the forces that were already squeezing vulnerable renters out of gentrifying neighborhoods, according to findings released Tuesday by the DePaul University Institute for Housing Studies.
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  • MAY 05, 2020
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    Lightfoot threatens arrests for people who continue to gather in defiance of stay-at-home order

    Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was disappointed by the presence of groups of people gathering throughout the city last weekend despite her administration’s aggressive campaign to promote social distancing in the wake of COVID-19. She suggested that arrests and fines are potential measures the city could take in the coming weeks against people who continue to throw parties and promote large gatherings. 
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