A proposal to cap the number of honorary street signs and have the local aldermen foot the bill is getting another hearing and vote today in City Council’s Transportation Committee after several aldermen raised a fuss over the rules in December and demanded clarity.

(Podcast: Hear highlights of the testimony from that Transportation Meeting)

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As Chicago Public Schools continues its fight with the governor over a lack of state aid, the Chicago Plan Commission will consider zoning plans for three CPS-led construction projects totaling upwards of $70 million.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) put together a Q&A on ward public safety questions from recent town hall meetings.


• Ald. Pat Dowell's (3) next town hall is Thursday. It includes discussion of COPA and CPD's Use of Force. 


• Ald. Sophia King (4) will host one of her "On the Block" events today at the Eleven City Diner. 


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) broke a lot of hearts yesterday. So did Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24). 


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) says the February issue of the 19th Ward Quarterly will be in every mailbox in Beverly, Morgan Park, and Mount Greenwood this week.


• Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26) tweeted "#ToImmigrantsWithLove, your presence makes our community strong. You make Chicago & the nation better! Join us and share your letter."


• Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30) is fundraising for this year's Polar Plunge. 


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) tweeted another "#ToImmigrantsWithLove, as Americans we believe that we are better because you are here. Join us and share your letter."


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) has a valentine. For Comm. Chuy Garcia. 


• Ald. Marge Laurino (39) says thoughts and prayers are with the family of Konrad Tucharski, a Department of Water Management employee who died when a trench collapsed at the construction project at Sauganash and Peterson. "The project where this occurred is currently on hold while officials investigate the collapse. We will provide further updates on this project as they become available." Committeeman Robert Murphy shared some ways to help. 


• Ald. John Arena (45) has an immigrant resources site. 


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) tweeted in response to the news of the CPS lawsuit. "We need funding equity,progressive revenue,more resources for poorer districts,& less wealthy people with myopic views on public education."


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) cut the ribbon at The Growling Rabbit in Edgewater. "If you haven't been in for coffee, baked goods, or delicious food yet, you are missing out!"


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  Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking "for more federal agents to fight this crime!" He was referring to the six children killed in Chicago so far in 2017. "We must act!"


• Comm. Stanley Moore (D-4), Ald. Howard Brookins (21), and State Rep. Justin Slaughter are hosting a night at the Oscars on February 26.


• Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) is "co-hosting 1st City-County hearing with @Alderman_Pawar & @40thWard on the need of #ACA to protect our residents & workforce" this morning. 


• Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) is kicking off his for re-election campaign next month. "One of the realities of politics is that campaigning costs money. That's why most elected officials have several fundraisers every year. On the other hand, I haven't had a fundraiser in over a year and a half and I need your help now!"

The years-long conflict between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool went to the courts yesterday, as the district and five parents of CPS students filed a two count complaint in Cook County Chancery Court against the Governor, the State Board of Education, and the Comptroller, alleging racial discrimination. It’s the latest in a series of attempts to help get Chicago Public Schools on sound financial footing. The announcement came one day before the governor’s budget address and the district’s deadline to pay $563 million in debt service.  

Cook County Commissioners and aldermen will gather in the Council Chamber this morning to hear testimony from experts on the potential local impact of a federal repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The meeting, organized by Comm. Bridget Gainer, will consist of a joint meeting of the city and county’s Workforce committees.

The Council’s License Committee has a packed agenda today, from appointing a new commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to walking back parts of the city’s controversial Airbnb rules passed last summer.

The city's “Share Housing” Ordinance, aimed at regulating platforms like Airbnb in Chicago, has been the subject of two lawsuits since the regulations were approved in June: one filed in federal court in November by the nonprofit Keep Chicago Livable; another filed in Cook County Circuit Court a week later by the Liberty Justice Center, the legal arm of the conservative-leaning Illinois Policy Institute.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Sophia King (4) early voted (we're thinking it was for herself). Here's her pitch video. 


• Ald. Gregory Mitchell (7) is revamping his email newsletter and website in the "near future," and says the 7th ward will receive over 50 new officers this year.


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared video from a press conference he held yesterday: "We must continue to expose those that would harm our communities. Silence only gives these criminals cover to shoot more children, kill more innocents, and shatter more communities."


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) participated in the Chicago High School for Ag Sciences Job Shadow Day with @SenatorBillC and @chrisgkennedy. There was a baby pig. 


• Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27) has a reminder for his Clean & Sober Steppers Set to benefit the Salvation Army. 


• Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) delivered this letter to Chicago Public Schools requesting they "put a halt" to the expansion of Speer Academy. "I do not believe that the Northwest Side can afford additional charter schools. They continue to suck resources from our great neighborhood schools like Steinmetz College Prep and North-Grand High School. We have to recognize that our neighborhood schools are more than just schools, they are the center of our communities and will continue to serve that function for decades to come." He thanked a group of fellow aldermen for supporting neighborhood schools, including Ald. Milly Santiago (31), who delivered the letter with him.  


• Ald. John Arena (45) declared his Valentine's Day party a smashing success.


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) shared this article about a manufacturing tycoon and emigrant from India supporting President Trump, calling him "a fool & an Islamaphobe. Beware Hindu nationalists: @POTUS just sees skin color. So don't think you're safe as an Islamophobic Hindu."


• Ald. Joe Moore (49) has established "an action committee that will work to promote and improve Rogers Park's neighborhood public schools," The Committee on Rogers Park Schools (CORPS). 


• City Treasurer Kurt Summers warned there's only a few more days to apply for his office's Black History Month Essay Competition. Top prize is a $2,500 scholarship. He also celebrated Chance's big night at the Grammy's. 


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  Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) was at a "packed" meeting "to protect #RoevWade with HB40 @Fightin47th @SaraFeigenholtz @PersonalPAC@RepAnnWilliams".


• Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) says Mayor Emanuel's visit to DC to talk infrastructure is a "Good start, shame that no elected officials from Cook County government attended, to proud to ask for fed help/resources = our kids killed."

Updated Tuesday February 14 @ 4:40 p.m.: We incorrectly reported that investigators at IPRA’s replacement agency will continue to receive training at Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates, Inc. IPRA spokesperson Mia Sissac clarified that IPRA investigators have received training from that firm in the past, but they have not yet determined where future COPA lead investigators will receive their training, as is required under state law. 

Only one company submitted a bid to assist the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) with its transition to become the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the city has decided to accept the bid. The winner is a small, Chicago-based IT firm with experience working on various website and technology upgrades for Cook County.

Carminati Consulting, Inc., a software and IT management company that built the public websites for Cook County’s Trauma and Burn Unit and the Cook County Health and Hospitals’ System, will be paid up to $200,000 under the contract with the city. IPRA’s selection seems to be a curious one: nowhere in Carminati’s website does it detail experience in anything other than IT management.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) "sat down with JB Pritzker to discuss some of the problems we see here in the 1st Ward. We both agreed that a good early childhood education system is necessary to curb crime."


• Ald. Pat Dowell (3) says "Trump senior advisor Stephen Miller looks and acts like Agent Smith from The Matrix movie. Where is Neo when you need him? Jeez..." She also likes Ald. Sophia King (4). King won the endorsement of the Sun-Times this weekend.


• Ald. Greg Mitchell (7) says he and the 7th Ward Community Education Partners Council "visited every school in the 7th Ward to acknowledge high performing students and provide them with school supplies to support their academic growth." The photos date back to 2013.


• Ald. George Cardenas (12) declared his Valentine Bingo "A Lovely Success".


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) asked followers to "keep 12 yo Kanari Gentry in your prayers. She was shot yesterday while playing at her playground after fight ends in gunfire."


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) shared info about upgrades coming to Mount Greenwood and Esmond elementary schools.


• Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. (21), in a rare social media post, shared an article about rape accusations against French police with the comment: "wtf?"  


• Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) has updates on Finkl Steel hearings, public safety in the ward, and the impact of mid-year CPS cuts on local schools. 


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) has a menu fund survey. 


• Ald. Pat O'Connor (40) has a sad goodbye for the Swedish Bakery in Andersonville.


• Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) shared a story of "Another HERO Apple in the bunch!!!!" Officer Matthew Ruppert, whose tourniquet application saved a life after a shooting. "Officer Ruppert responded to a call, never once stopping to ask WHO needed his help. Chicago's Police and Fire put themselves in harms way day-in and day-out to protect and save lives no matter the Religion, sexual preference, Race or political affiliation of the person on the other end of that call. Job well done Officer Ruppert and thank you for your service!" 


• Ald. John Arena (45) says he's "deeply saddened at the shooting death of Alvin Stoll. My prayers are with his family. The incident remains under investigation... This murder is particularly shocking, as the 16th District has one of the lowest murder rates in the city." 


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) wrote a long Facebook post about his parents' move to America and path to citizenship: "It's so heartbreaking to see our federal government target immigrants in the same community where my parents and so many other Indian and Pakistani families got their start. We are not Trump's America and #WeWillResist."


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) hosted a packed house for a Bike and Pedestrian meeting.


• Ald. Joe Moore (49) hosted a community meeting over a week ago on a proposal for a seven-story mixed-income and mixed-use development on the 6400 block of N. Sheridan Road. The project includes market rate and affordable rental housing and a small “flexible format” Target store. "Over a hundred residents attended the meeting, which lasted three and a half hours, the lengthiest community meeting I ever have held on any topic." He's got FAQs and responses.  


• City Clerk Anna Valencia shared lists of city resources in multiple languages suggested by The Chicago is With You Task Force.

Updated, February 13, 2017, 10:41 a.m.

Fourth Ward Aldermanic challenger Gregory Livingston was midway through explaining why Mayor Rahm Emanuel was wrong for Chicago when his cell phone jingled. Livingston, sitting in his campaign office, put the call on speaker. The caller made a pitch, then asked, “Are you willing to support Sophia King for 4th Ward Alderman?”

Politicians often talk over each other, but this week it seemed to be in overdrive. CPS CEO Forrest Claypool and Gov. Bruce Rauner couldn’t agree on basic facts regarding Chicago Public Schools. Cook County commissioners spent over an hour arguing over two very similar resolutions asking for federal help from President Trump, then another hour talking about the finer points of FOIA. Plus, Mayor Rahm Emanuel pledged to get that longshot express train from O’Hare to the Loop–which had some budget watchers doing a double take.  

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) shared pictures (including 360 degree ones) from "another packed house for last night's Wicker Park community meeting." Commanders Saldana and Avila, Ald. Brian Hopkins, and Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) attended also. 


• Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) is "very excited about this plan for a new 70-acre park," a proposal for additional lakefront acreage that he's shared before. "This is one of the best things we can do to improve the city. I think Daniel Burnham would be proud."


• Ald. Sophia King (4) live-tweeted a candidate forum.


• Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10) strongly advocated for fellow CTU member Sarah Chambers, a special education teacher and visible CTU Executive Board and CORE member whose hours at Saucedo Elementary were apparently cut. "Sarah has always gone above and beyond to put her students first. She is their voice when they can't speak she is their champion when they can't fight. This is a perfect example of a principal putting their personal feeling before the students that they are suppose to educate and nurture." 


• Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11) was on Radio Free Bridgeport talking "new businesses, the need for more police officers, 31st street bus, waterway access, new revenue, and his passion for hockey."


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) has pics from the Construction Summit this week. Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp, City Clerk Anna Valencia, Ald. Jason Ervin (28), Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36), and former Ald. Deborah Graham (29) were there. 


• Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27) has video from the Green Line at Damen announcement yesterday. 


• Ald. Jason Ervin (28) spent two evenings in with his daughter, Jeneva, calling it his "new normal..." 


• Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) shared a "different view" on the proposed O'Hare Express.


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) caught up with "el 'mero mero,' Don @jesuschuygar"


• Ald. Emma Mitts' (37) pastors' alliance meeting is Saturday. 


• Ald. Pat O'Connor (40) warned: the canine flu is spreading again. 


• Ald. Michele Smith (43) says DPD's last public meeting for the North Branch Industrial Corridor is Tuesday, Feb. 21. "You are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting and express your support for public recreational space."


• Ald. Tom Tunney (44) met with parents from Blaine, Nettlehorst, Hamilton, Agassiz, Hawthorne and Inter-American School students last week "to offer Chicago Cubs World Series Championship Banners from City Hall for future fundraising endeavors."


• City Treasurer Kurt Summers shared Coretta Scott King's letter about AG Jeff Sessions. "During Black History Month, let this serve as a strong reminder that we must not be silenced and that we must continue to fight for each and every one of us."


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  Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) is holding a town hall meeting on his Community Revitalization Act Feb 18. 


• Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) seems to be rooting for South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg's run for DNC: "Watching my good friend @PeteforDNC on @Morning_Joe w great message- 'show up' for people so U never lose touch"

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) met with parents and officials from Clemente, Wells, and LaSalle II schools to discuss bringing a language academy high school to the ward.


• Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) and Sheriff Tom Dart invited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms "to use 13th District as joint task force locale." He, Ald. Michele Smith (43), Ald. Ameya Pawar (47), and Ald. Deb Silverstein (50) attended the interfaith meet-up at the recently vandalized Loop synagogue yesterday. 


• Ald. Pat Dowell (3) and local stakeholders hit "a major milestone" in efforts to build a bigger, better field house at Williams Park in Dearborn Homes.


• Ald. George Cardenas (12) says his community is "outraged by Trump's statements blaming documented for Chgo violence. Shame on him! Scapegoats!"


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa's (35) statement on President Trump: "“This is another one of President Trump’s ‘alternative facts,’ a continuation of Trump’s attacks on immigrants, Muslims, women, Chicago’s youth, and our working families. It is wrong that the President of the United States would seek to scare and divide the American people." 


• Ald. John Arena (45) says he's "saddened to see such hateful imagery and language occur in one of Jefferson Park's former beloved Catholic schools and soon-to-be-home of a pre-k center." The school was vandalized and graffitied with hate speech. "Now more than ever, we must open our hearts and minds to one another and be accepting of our differences."


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) is proud to see Metropolis Coffee "listed as the first Edgewater food establishment to join the Sanctuary Restaurants movement!"


• City Clerk Anna Valencia and Ald. Danny Solis (25) co-issued a statement: "The President’s recent statements attempting to link immigration and crime are not only shameful but also incredibly dangerous. The current administration should stop putting out 'alternative facts' that criminalize populations on baseless claims and should instead focus on leading the country."


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  Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) has declared Wu Wednesday the best thing she's ever seen: Wu Tang+Kung Fu+ramen. 


• Comm. John Daley (D-11) thanked the Civic Federation for their support of the Board's efforts to streamline the meeting schedule.


• Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) has sworn off Trump posts for 48 hours, opting for a pic of his pup in the meantime. 


• Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) shared a statement he co-issued with Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) on yesterday's federal help debate: "Sadly, citizens continue to be murdered in record numbers while Cook County elected officials chose partisan politics over needed resources."

Ward Reports

• Ald. Sophia King (4) was endorsed by the National Organization for Women. 


• Ald. Roderick Sawyer's (6) next quarterly community meeting is February 22nd. 


• Ald. David Moore's (17) latest Facebook post: "BLACK PEOPLE DON'T READ!!! Now that I have your attention, I need you to watch this video, and join Dr. Chandra Gill Every Sunday for some knowledge."


• Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27) has info on the new Fulton Market streetscape. 


• Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) recommended reading @natalieymoore's book, "The South Side".


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) had a #terribletuesday: "DeVos confirmed, Springfield broken, CPS school budgets whacked again... #terribletuesday #understatement#sickening"


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) says if the state "overturns the law disallowing rent control," he plans to "introduce an ordinance to stabilize rents for working people."


• Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) is hosting a series of meetings across the ward "to discuss strategies to combat the up tick in burglaries and auto thefts."


• Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) held ward night at the French Market.


• Ald. John Arena (45) shared his WGN interview on the latest goings-on in Jefferson Park. 


• Ald. James Cappleman (46) thanked his former aldermanic opponent, "@Amy_E_Crawford for her willingness to offer legal services for immigrants when needed."


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  Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) spoke at the @Ravenswood_Chi Women's Leaders in Biz lunch yesterday.


• Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) has a close-up of the World Series trophy. Comm. Gregg Goslin (R-14) posed alongside it. 

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) shared pics of the standing room only crowd at last night's West Town Community Meeting.


• Ald. Pat Dowell's (3) next town hall meeting will include discussion of COPA and CPD's use of force. 


• Ald. Sophia King (4) won another big endorsement: Sen. Dick Durbin.


• Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11) and several other elected officials donned red scarves and posed for a Chinese New Year picture. 


• Ald. George Cardenas (12) joined EPA workers at a rally against nomination of Scott Pruitt.


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) noted "Oak Park just voted unanimously to adopt model sanctuary ordinance with no carve outs, time for Chicago to catch up."


• Ald. Michele Smith (43) will join the Jewish Federation of Greater Chicago Wednesday at noon "to rally against hate at the Loop Synagogue".


• Ald. Joe Moore's (49) "27th Annual FREE VALENTINE’S DAY FILM EXTRAVAGANZA" at the New 400 Theaters will feature kid friendly movies this weekend. 


• City Treasurer Kurt Summers wrote on Facebook: "I'm a public school kid, and what I learned in school is that experience is important. That's why I urge the Senate to vote NO on Betsy DeVos. This is too important an issue."


• City Clerk Anna Valencia had a "Great conversation on immigration and access to education this morning with the Latino Caucus."


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  Comm. Pete Silvestri (R-9) presented a "congratulatory resolution to Mayor Arlene Juracek commemorating the centennial anniversary of the Village of Mount Prospect."


• Comm. John Daley (D-11) was "Disappointed to read about the Chicago Loop Synagogue being vandalized over the weekend. There is no place in our society for such hateful behavior."