The Cook County Democratic Party endorsed Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes for Cook County Assessor, backing him over incumbent Democrat Fritz Kaegi and setting up a primary fight for the city’s top property tax official.

A coalition of Chicago alderpeople and advocacy groups unveiled a sweeping "Senior Tenants Bill of Rights" on Wednesday, aiming to address widespread complaints of neglect in housing for residents aged 60 and older. The ordinance (O2025-0018701), spearheaded by Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20), would impose strict new requirements on landlords and revive a standalone Department on Aging, separating it from the Department of Family and Support Services for the first time since 2011.

A proposal to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) citywide without requiring zoning changes was “deferred and published” during Wednesday’s City Council meeting, delaying a final vote until at least September.

A compromise ordinance (O2025-0016750) from Ald. Bennet Lawson (44) was scheduled for a vote after the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved the ordinance Tuesday, but opponents Ald. Marty Quinn (13) and Ald. Greg Mitchell (7) successfully moved to stall the measure.

The City Council meets June 18. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Wednesday could give final approval to proposed changes to a city program that sells vacant lots for cheap to develop homes, a resolution urging federal financial support for a local technical and trade school, a new comptroller appointment and a safe youth transportation pilot program in Austin.

Additionally, a South Side alderperson plans a second attempt to get the council to vote to remove a rule that allows alderpeople to participate and vote at meetings virtually. The council will meet at 10 a.m.

Ald. Bennett Lawson (44) speaks during a City Council meeting on March 12, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Wednesday could give final approval to an ordinance legalizing the establishment of coach houses and attic and basement conversion units citywide after an ordinance was approved 13-7 by the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards Tuesday.

Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell (3) is pictured at a City Council meeting on June 12, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday approved city financial assistance for several projects, the appointment of a new comptroller and multiple million-dollar settlements but narrowly rejected an effort to require a supermajority of the council to approve new debt issuance.

Ald. Matt Martin (47) is pictured during a City Council meeting on Oct. 9, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council’s ethics committee on Monday approved a revised version of a measure aimed at addressing concerns about alleged Department of Law interference in Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigations as well as the department’s alleged lack of cooperation with some investigations.

Ald. Marty Quinn (13) is pictured during a City Council meeting on January 15, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday will consider the mayor’s appointment for city comptroller, multiple legal settlements, disbursements of city financial assistance and an ordinance giving the City Council greater say over bond issuances. 

The finance committee will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers.

Ethics Chair Matt Martin is pictured at a City Council meeting on Oct. 9, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

This story was updated at 8:50 a.m. to reflect developments over the weekend.

Following an agreement struck over the weekend with the city's law department, the City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight on Monday will consider a new version of a proposal aimed at addressing concerns about alleged Department of Law interference in Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigations as well as the department’s alleged lack of cooperation with some investigations.

Luis Bermudez testifies at a confirmation hearing before the Committee on Police and Fire on July 10, 2025. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Police and Fire on Thursday voted to appoint a youth development and education leader to the vacant position on the 17th Police District Council.

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference at City Hall on April 1, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Mayor Brandon Johnson is calling this year’s iteration of the city’s youth summer jobs program a success, with the program on track to hit the mayor’s goal of 29,000 young people hired this summer, the mayor and city Department of Family and Support Services, which administers the program, said.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), chair of the housing committee, is pictured at a City Council meeting on April 7, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council housing committee on Wednesday approved appointments to the board of Chicago’s Green Social Housing program development corporation and an ordinance enacting changes to the City Lots for Working Families Program.

The Committee on Housing and Real Estate also held a subject matter hearing on concerns surrounding software that’s alleged to facilitate illegal rent-fixing.

Ald. Bill Conway (34) is pictured at a City Council meeting on June 18, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way on Wednesday held a resolution that calls for a crackdown on people smoking on city trains and buses, with the sponsor opting to wait until the acting head of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) testifies before council members later this month. 

But the committee approved a resolution that calls for the establishment of a pilot program to utilize public transit to provide safe travel for youth in Austin to and from events. 

Ald. Bennett Lawson (44) is pictured during a City Council meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Mayor Brandon Johnson is calling for the City Council to approve a long-deferred ordinance next week that would allow additional dwelling units (ADUs) to be established citywide, while some alderpeople want carveouts to protect the impact on single-family zoning districts.

The City Council’s arts, events and culture committee on Tuesday approved city assistance for a neighborhood garden project, and the council’s public safety committee this week will consider a proposal to punish people who act in a threatening manner toward city officials.