Ward Reports

• Ald. Brian Hopkins (2) tweeted: "and I thought @ladygaga was fearless when I saw her do the polar plunge. jumping off a stadium roof tops that. great halftime show."
  
  Ald. Pat Dowell (3) hosted her "8th annual Super Bowl party for my constituents at Studios 1801. I love this event - food from Chicago's Chicken and Waffles, good conversation, laughs, and of course football." State Rep. Julianna Stratton attended. 


• Ald. Sophia King (4) says she's proud to "support the landmark designation of the former Johnson Publishing Company building... Once home to EBONY and JET Magazines (among other publications), it remains the only office structure in downtown Chicago built by an African American." She also has some tweets from a candidate forum over the weekend. 


• Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11) congratulated the "108 officers who graduated from the police-training academy and the 200 police veterans who graduated to a higher rank. We wish these officers the best of luck, pray for their safety and will continue to support them."


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) joined Ald. Danny Solis (25) and Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), organizations like Erie House, SWOP, The Resurrection Project, Instituto Progreso, Indo-American Center, Immigrant Workers Project, Centro Romero, NPNA, Korean American Resource Center, and Heartland Alliance to raise awareness for the city's legal defense fund. 


• Ald. David Moore (17) wrote on Facebook in response to Sen. Dick Durbin's opposition to Betsy DeVos' confirmation as Secretary of Education: "Senator Durbin, I agree with your assessment, but many of the charter and corporate policies pushed by Arne Duncan and the current Mayor's Administration are very similar to Devoe's [sic] policies. The black community need your voice on these issues when our schools are being privatized for corporate profit. Right now I'm not seeing any difference between Devoe [sic] and Duncan."


• Ald. Danny Solis (25) periscoped the Chinese New Year parade. 


• Ald. Scott Waguespack (32), Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1), Ald. Brian Hopkins (2), 14th District Cmdr. Fabian Saldana and other local reps will attend a special Bucktown/Wicker Park public safety meeting Wednesday. 


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) shared CTU's video from Friday's protest outside the mayor's office: "Stop balancing the budget on the backs of our children, it's time for Bruce Rauner and Rahm Emanuel to ask the rich and big corporations to pay their fair share." He also attended a Democratic Socialists of America mixer Friday. 


• Ald. Pat O'Connor (40) has the latest coyote news out of Winnemac Park. 


• Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) shared a survey on the new proposed high school in Dunning. 


• Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) said of the Loop Synagogue vandalism: "Sickening & wrong. It's sad that these hate groups have been emboldened by our new President."


• Ald. Michele Smith (43) said of the vandalism: "We must stand together to resist anti-semitism. #neveragain"


• Ald. John Arena (45) says he's "been surprised by the vitriol that has been directed" at a new mixed-income zoning proposal in the ward that includes housing for veterans. "This meeting is for the exchange of information between the developer and you, my constituent. As such, there will be a strict enforcement of rules of decorum and civility." Those rules: only 45th ward residents can attend, no banners allowed, and anyone being vocally disruptive will be asked to leave.  


• Ald. James Cappleman's (46) husband Richard, dressed a lot like Ald. Harry Osterman (48). He's got a side by side pic. 


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) campaigned in Carbondale yesterday. 


• Ald. Deb Silverstein (50) says CPD has announced new cops in two districts in the ward: "The 24th District, which covers most of the 50th Ward, is getting five new officers, and the 17th District, which covers Peterson Park, is getting four new officers."


• City Treasurer Kurt Summers attended the Equality Illinois gala this weekend. "The message was clear - while there is much to celebrate, there is still more work to do to advance LGBTQ rights!" He also participated in Rainbow PUSH Coalition's Saturday Morning Forum, joining Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., Ariel Investments' John Rogers, Jr., State Treasurer Mike Frerichs, & SEIU's Renaye Manley "to discuss the importance of minority & women-owned firms being included in the money management of pension funds, investments, & endowments."


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  Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) says the Board "will debate a Resolution I introduced with several of my colleagues calling on President Trump and the federal government to bring resources to Chicago's endangered communities" on Wednesday. "Economic investment and additional law enforcement can serve as an immediate solution to the problem, but long-term initiatives are equally important."


• Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) says as the result of his anti-Trump posts, "I've now blocked more people than Hakeem Olajuwon."


• Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) tweeted a video of praise for President Trump's work ethic: "Go figure government struggling with a private sector mentality that subscribes to work until the task at hand is completed, before u stop." He says he feels sorry for Nancy Pelosi, a "sad bigot".

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) is hosting a public safety meeting Monday with State Rep. Cynthia Soto and other electeds. 


• Ald. Leslie Hairston (5) met with Becoming A Man (BAM) participants at Hyde Park Academy. 


• Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) noted "More than a dozen cities have higher rates of shootings and homicides than Chicago."


• Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) and Comm. Stanley Moore (D-4) were honorary co-hosts for their 2nd Annual Transportation Symposium highlighting the railroad industry yesterday.


• Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) "had a blast skating in the CFD vs. CPD charity hockey game for our American troops. All proceeds went to Solute Inc."


• Ald. John Arena (45), Mayor Emanuel, and State Rep. Rob Martwick announced a $36 million plan to address overcrowding at Jefferson Park's Prussing School


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) campaigned in Springfield yesterday. 


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) shared a Trib video from yesterday morning's gathering at Swift Elementary in support of immigrants and refugees. 

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• Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) was looking to set the record straight on his ask for federal help from President Trump: "...the inertia and inaction of leaders in the city, state, and county to deal with this issue requires White House leadership and resources... We are witnessing a modern day Genocide."


• Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) congratulated her Director of External Affairs "@MartyMal1 on his appointment to VP Comms of @YoungIrishFC – well deserved!"

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) will be at a community meeting next Wednesday at Pritzker School to "discuss the recent violence in our neighborhood, what we have been doing to address it, and what remains to be done."


• Ald. Pat Dowell (3) issued a statement on the state of affairs in her latest newsletter: "Just this past month, we have seen those old fights reignite. I was proud to speak at the Women's March on Chicago and I'm committed to upholding the rights of ALL of Chicago's citizens."


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) tweeted of the Ohio pastor who offered to sit President Trump down with Chicago gangs: "Many Chi gangs are block by block, diff leaders over hundreds of streets. Anyone believe some pastor in OH talked to them?"


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) tweeted he was "Proud to be attending the annual @IlliniRestAssoc meeting. The IRA supports restaurant operators & advocates for the hospitality workforce."


• Ald. Walter Burnett (27) shared an invite to Clean & Sober Steppers Set to benefit the Salvation Army. 


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) is hosting a know your rights training session for immigrants this weekend. 


• Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) says State Rep. Chris Welch is a "great pick" for Chairman of the Higher Education Committee. 


• Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) has info on the new high school planned for the Northwest Side. "We will be assisting Taft High School and the Local School Council (LSC) in conducting numerous meetings with CPS to gain your feedback. I would also encourage you to contact your grade school LSC, attend their meetings and share your thoughts."


• Ald. Michele Smith (43) has a new Facebook page. 


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) will participate in a "Not My President's Day" on January 20. 


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48), Swift Elementary Parents and public school advocate Troy LaRaviere will rally in front of Swift "to send a message of hope, change, and support for its immigrant and refugee families." 


• City Clerk Anna Valencia handed out #ChiBags in Englewood with Streets and San, CPD, and Chicago Budget & Management employees.


• City Treasurer Kurt Summers' office is giving away a $2500 black history month scholarship as part of an essay contest. 


• The Progressive Caucus' next "Tour de Fork" fundraiser is next month. Host sponsorship will cost $1000.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) supports the mayor's efforts to host welcoming events "& look fwd to setting up like dinners w/ @eriehouse & other 1st Ward community orgs".


• Ald. George Cardenas (12) shared a pic from last night's immigration workshop. 


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) thanked those who showed up to his 2017 First Quarter Ward meeting: 9th District Commander Stephen Chung, CPD, OEMC & BACP... Special thanks to Chief Judge Timothy Evans for giving a very spirited presentation on the courts & the active role they play in shaping justice in our communities."


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) introduced the ward's new alderpup, Penny. 


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) posted a flashback pic from a year ago in Iowa, where he campaigned for Bernie Sanders. 


• Ald. Pat O'Connor (40) penned a missive about presidential fiats. "How can these good goals become so disdainful? I have come to the conclusion that the answer is twofold. First, a good goal for a bad reason can be harmful and insidious and second, the stated goals can be pretexts to achieve goals that, if articulated, would be universally rejected as inappropriate for a civilized society."


• Ald. James Cappleman (46) tweeted about income inequality: "In the 1970's, the difference between highest paid worker and lowest paid worker was around 40%. Today, it's around 400%. Not sustainable."


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) says it's time for the city to sue the Trump administration over the sanctuary city directive. 


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  Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) is hosting a Neighborhood Revitalization Act Town Hall meeting February 4th. There will be free hot breakfast served.


• Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) congratulated Andrew Holmes, who was "named a 2016 recipient of #FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award today in Chicago." He is the president of Operation Restoring Innocence and a 2014 FBI Chicago Citizens Academy graduate. He shared this tweet from Bill Mitchell, which he said was "Poignant".

Tense debate over how commissioners should ask the federal government for help addressing violence dominated the day at the Cook County Board Wednesday. Changes to increase FOIA accountability and a new role for the Chicago-Cook Workforce Partnership to help tax break recipients fill vacancies were also approved. And as Board President Toni Preckwinkle again admonished President Donald Trump for his rhetoric, she and other Democratic commissioners introduced new measures aimed at protecting the county's immigrants.

A joint Council committee unanimously approved a package of reforms aimed at consolidating various business licenses and fees for mobile food vendors and other smaller business enterprises, as well as strengthening the Building Commissioner’s authority to crack down on contractors and tradesmen who work without permits.

Anticipate a packed day at the Cook County Board, as commissioners consider an overhaul to the county’s property tax incentives system, a new role for the Chicago-Cook Workforce Partnership, rules to make county employees and elected officials more FOIA friendly, and routine settlements and tax breaks. A debate on federal funding–and how to ask President Donald Trump for assistance in fighting violence–is also expected.

Plans to strengthen city Building Commissioner Judy Frydland’s control over the permitting process–by giving her the authority to suspend permits or bar contractors and tradesmen from applying for future permits–will be the subject of a joint hearing of the Council’s Zoning and License Committees. Changes to various licensing fees ranging from licenses for Uber and Lyft drivers to slashing the mobile food vendor license for senior citizens and veterans are on tap as well.  

Commissioners will have their chance to pose with the Chicago Cubs’ World Series trophy this morning during consent calendar proceedings before hearing an update on vaccinations and tracking of animals that carry disease. Much of the day’s major proceedings–including possible real estate acquisitions and updates on court cases–will occur in executive session.

An intergovernmental agreement between the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the Regional Transportation Authority is up for consideration today by the Council’s Human Relations Committee.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has promoted two long-time county staffers to her executive team, completing the shuffle after the exit of her Chief of Staff, Brian Hamer and main county board lobbyist Vasyl Markus. Hamer and Markus left before the new year after serving less than nine months on the job.

SEIU is issuing mailers, scheduling patch-through auto-calls, and protesting outside the offices of Aviation Committee Chairman Mike Zalewski (23) and Ald. Walter Burnett (27), targeting both for not sponsoring an ordinance aiming to increase wages and benefits for airport service workers, a union rep tells The Daily Line.

The Chicago Board of Ethics issued an advisory after their monthly meeting last Wednesday obliquely referencing “an individual” and his or her company for illegally lobbying a city official. An analysis by The Daily Line of emails contained in the recent FOIA dump of Mayor Emanuel’s personal account and the city’s lobbying database suggests the likely individual and company are David Plouffe, then the Senior Vice President of Policy and Strategy for Uber. The fines for violation "are substantial", the advisory from BOE states, $2,000 for the company and $90,000 for the individual.

City and Cook County elected officials raised more than $4.3 million between October 1 and December 31, 2016, according to the most recent quarterly expense reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The total includes all money fundraised through individual campaign funds, political party funds collected by Democratic Ward Committees, and independent expenditure groups or PACs created by or in support of electeds. City officials, which includes all fifty aldermen, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and City Treasurer Kurt Summers, significantly outraised County officials by about $2.9 million.

Week one of the Trump administration has wrapped, and Chicago is on guard: over crime, its status as a sanctuary city, and federal intervention. Mayor Rahm Emanuel defended (for the umpteenth time) Chicago as a safe haven for immigrants, and rolled out new crime-fighting policies in police districts with the most acute gun violence issues. He also welcomed new City Clerk Anna Valencia, said goodbye to Corporation Counsel Steve Patton, and helped Superintendent Eddie Johnson to a chair after a health scare mid-press conference. We talk about it all this week.

Have questions, corrections, or suggestions? Email us: [email protected].