The city activated its Heat Watch program in response to extreme temperatures Friday, and the county medical examiner’s office is celebrating an award for organ and tissue donation.

Advocates that make up a coalition supporting Bring Chicago Home rallied in the lobby of City Hall Thursday ahead of the hearing on the proposal. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line] 

Alderpersons largely voiced support Thursday during a hearing on Bring Chicago Home, the proposal to raise the real estate transfer tax on property sales over $1 million and use that new revenue to fund affordable housing and services for people experiencing housing instability. 

The subject matter hearing was held during a meeting of the City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate. Alderpersons who spoke overwhelmingly supported the tax hike as a means to fund homelessness solutions. The policy would need to be approved by Chicago voters via referendum before it could become law. 

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi addresses the County Board of Commissioners during a mid-year budget hearing Wednesday. [Livestream]

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi told county commissioners his expectations for hiring throughout the rest of the year and answered questions about recent property tax bill delays during a mid-year budget hearing Wednesday.

The City Council will hold a hearing on a policy proposal to raise funds to provide housing and other services for homeless residents, and the county’s preliminary budget gap will grow following agreements with some labor unions representing county workers.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart speaks at a news conference in Springfield in support of carjacking legislation in 2022. [Ben Szalinski]

During a mid-year budget hearing Tuesday, Cook County commissioners heard from the county sheriff about the decrease in certain instances of crime in Chicago’s River North neighborhood as a result of the office’s presence but also about the office’s ongoing hiring difficulties.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s remarks to the County Finance Committee were among multiple presentations made by county agencies and departments Tuesday, the first of two days of mid-year budget hearings. 

Cook County experienced a record number of overdose deaths from opioids last year, and the county’s environment department is celebrating an award for its unique recycling plant created largely through federal relief funding.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) is pictured during a City Council meeting in May 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations heard from local policy advocates and from officials in three other cities during a subject matter hearing on Treatment Not Trauma, the policy proposal aimed at providing better resources for residents experiencing mental health crises and reducing the need for armed police responses to mental health-related calls. 

County lawmakers will hold their first day of a two-day slate of preliminary budget hearings, and the city's special events department has announced details for the upcoming annual air and water show.

Alderpersons and advocates held a news conference last week to introduce an ordinance that would expand paid leave. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Alderpersons last week introduced proposals that would create a permanent guaranteed basic income program, expand paid leave for Chicagoans and create a new Office of Contracting Equity. 

A City Council committee will hold a hearing on a proposed policy framework to more compassionately respond to mental health crisis calls, and Cook County property tax bills are on track to be late for another year in a row.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners meets July 20, 2023. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

A proposal for a property tax relief program for properties affected by storm damage and a measure to protect access to translated voting materials for non-English speakers were introduced during the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday.

The board also gave final approval to legislation allowing employee mental health leave, changes to the human rights code and changes to the selection process for inspectors general. 

A development proposed for 375 N. Morgan St. In the 27th Ward [City of Chicago presentation] 

The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a proposed 460-unit residential development that will also include a Guinness brewery and taproom on the Near West Side. City officials applauded the development for its incorporation of affordable housing and green space.  

Former Alderman and lobbyist Joe Moore speaks with Ald. Gil Villegas during July's City Council meeting. (Don Vincent | The Daily Line)

A working group will research and make policy recommendations by May 2024 on a potential pilot program for a city-run sidewalk snow plowing program after the City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance creating the working group. 

Separately during Wednesday’s City Council meeting, an alderperson temporarily delayed consideration of an ordinance introduced during the meeting that would phase out the city’s sub-minimum wage over two years.

The flag of Cook County hangs outside the County Building in Chicago. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

A measure to preserve translated ballots and election materials for non-English speakers will be introduced at the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday morning. 

The County Board will also act on items approved during committee meetings Wednesday, including code changes to the process for selecting a new independent inspector general, an ordinance to allow county employees to use sick leave for burnout and other mental health issues and a resolution supporting the union representing United Parcel Service (UPS) workers.  

But commissioners did not approve a measure that included a water bill assistance program funded by federal dollars. 

The Plan Commission will consider a proposal for the above development on the Near West Side. [City of Chicago presentation] 

The Chicago Plan Commission will meet Thursday to consider an uncharacteristically light agenda that includes a proposed 460-unit residential building with commercial space in the 27th Ward. 

Members of the Plan Commission will also hear a presentation on minority contracting participation.