Chicago News
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On Aug. 7, certain Chicagoans began receiving text messages.
They didn’t know who sent the cryptic messages, and the number was an unfamiliar one: 97200.
“Free Msg. If you want change, then you MUST vote for it! Do you plan on voting in the 2019 Chicago Mayoral Race? Please reply Y/N,” the mystery texter wrote.
The text messages — sent by a firm that mayoral candidate Paul Vallas confirmed to The Daily Line he had hired to do voter outreach — walk a fine line between polling and advertising, campaign observers said.
From top left, a site created by mayoral candidate Paul Vallas to advertise his commitment to gay rights. The other sites were sent to Chicagoans after they responded to a mystery texter. [The Daily Line]
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Another massive office tower is set to be built in the red-hot and fast-changing Fulton Market District under a proposal given the green light Thursday by the Chicago Plan Commission.
Developer Trammell Crow plans to build a 13-story building at 1375 W. Fulton St. that would feature 315,300 square feet of office space, shops on the ground floor and 116 parking spaces. [Credit: Chicago DPD] -
The final bill for overtime racked up by 115 police officers called into to patrol the anti-violence march that shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway on July 7 totaled $83,300, according to data released by the Chicago Police Department Thursday in response to a request from The Daily Line under the Freedom of Information Act.
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Three ride-hailing firms agreed Thursday to pay $10.46 million to the city of Chicago, acknowledging they failed to follow the city’s ordinance for vetting drivers.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Corporation Counsel Ed Siskel announce that settlement proceeds with rideshare companies will be used for mentoring programs on August 16, 2018. [Credit: Heather Cherone/The Daily Line] -
News that indicted Ald. Willie Cochran will plead guilty to corruption charges and not run for re-election shook up the already crowded race for the 20th Ward seat — which has now been held by three politicians convicted of crimes related to their official duties. Two candidates dropped out of the 49th Ward race and endorsed Maria Hadden’s bid to unseat Ald. Joe Moore, while new candidates surfaced in the 15th and 50th wards.
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Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s financial team will decide within 10 days whether to recommend a plan to borrow as much as $10 billion to pay down the city’s $28 billion in pension debt — and limit the need for another massive property tax hike, said Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown.
“It is about politics, not sound public policy,” mayoral candidate Paul Vallas said during a City Hall news conference. “It is fiscally irresponsible.” [Heather Cherone/The Daily Line] -
The draft consent decree that lays out the framework for federal oversight of the Chicago Police Department “falls far short” in imposing necessary reforms, two groups charged Tuesday at City Hall.
Plaintiffs who sued the Chicago Police Department detail their demands for a set of demands for the draft consent decree designed to reform the Chicago Police Department. [A.D. Quig/The Daily Line] -
Hours of emotional testimony filled City Hall Monday, as Chicagoans recounted the pain of having their family members deported by federal immigration authorities.
Esperanza Montes Perez testified about the deportation of her son Miquel Perez, a veteran of the Afghan war. During her testimony, Ald. Raymond Lopez arranged for Perez, who is now living in Tijuana, Mexico, to address the committee. [Heather Cherone/The Daily Line] -
Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will have to convince elections officials that he collected at least 52,533 valid signatures and followed state law to force a measure on to the Nov. 6 ballot that would limit Chicago mayors to two terms in office.
Former Gov. Pat Quinn delivers mayoral term limit petitions signed by more than 86,481 people to Peter Polacek, the managing editor of the City Council Journal. [Heather Cherone/The Daily Line] -
The trend of good news for Chicago Public Schools continued as a third ratings agency boosted its outlook for the agency’s debt. Mayor Rahm Emanuel touted his administration’s efforts to expand services for Chicagoans living with HIV — as all 50 aldermen call for a hearing on staff cuts at clinics.
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The decision by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to release the result of its investigation into the shooting deaths of Quintonio Legrier and Bettie Jones raised “concerns about COPA’s commitment to the integrity of fair investigations,” new Public Safety Inspector General Joseph Lipari wrote Thursday.
New COPA Chief Administrator Sydney Roberts addresses reporters. [A.D. Quig/The Daily Line] -
The race for the 22nd Ward seat left vacant by Ald. Ricardo Munoz’ retirement is underway with the first candidate making it official. Cook County Comm. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who is set to become a congressman, backed Chicago Public Schools teacher Erika Wozniak, who will challenge Ald. James Cappleman in the 46th Ward.
