The Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to limit single-use plastics in the district on Tuesday.

The resolution (24-0209) declares a climate emergency within the county and directs the district to “limit the procurement of single-use plastics” except in health emergencies or for disability needs and include new “green purchasing guidelines” in the district’s procurement manual. The resolution also declares an intention to formally limit single-use plastics via ordinance by the end of the year.

The Cook County Finance Committee unanimously approved a proposed resolution modifying the allocation of the county’s Disaster Response and Recovery Fund on Wednesday. The resolution (24-2103) authorizes $70 million to be repurposed for food service and other costs for new migrant arrivals throughout the year, fulfilling the county’s share of a three-government deal to close a gap in funding.

In February, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Gov. JB Pritzker announced joint funding plans to assist the ongoing influx of thousands of migrants including asylum seekers arriving from Texas and close a $321 million gap in funding. The governor is seeking $182 million in funding for fiscal year 2025, and the county board president requested the board of commissioners reallocate previously approved funding for migrants.

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability held a forum with the Chicago Police Department (CPD)  Supt. Larry Snelling on April 8. The meeting included a public comment portion for community members to provide Snelling and the commission with feedback and ask questions.

Snelling provided a brief introduction to start the forum, mentioning his roots in Englewood. After growing up in the neighborhood, he became an officer before serving as a lieutenant, eventually becoming district commander.

Budget Committee Chair Jason Ervin is pictured at a City Council meeting April 17, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The chairs of the City Council’s budget and finance committees deferred final votes on new spending for migrant care and a massive bond authorization to fund housing, economic and cultural development programs citywide until a special council meeting scheduled for Friday.

During a news conference Wednesday, the mayor said the delay of the items by allies on the council was a “parliamentary tactic” to ensure alderpeople get all their questions answered before anything is approved and not a signal that he lacked the votes to pass the measures.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is pictured at a City Council meeting April 17, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The mayor’s pick to lead the reconstituted Department of Technology and Innovation and an order to keep gunshot detection technology in individual wards were both deferred during the City Council meeting Wednesday, delaying votes to Friday at the earliest.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) is pictured during a City Council meeting on April 17, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance reconvened its recessed meeting Wednesday morning and voted to recommend approval of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $1.25 billion economic development and housing bond proposal, which was then deferred by the City Council later that day, postponing a final vote on the proposal until a special council meeting on Friday.

Ald. David Moore (17) speaks to acting Buildings Comm. Marlene Hopkins during her confirmation hearing at the City Council zoning committee meeting April 16, 2024. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved the appointment of a new buildings department commissioner Tuesday without asking any questions about her role overseeing a demolition that went wrong.

The City Council meets on March 20, 2024. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council will consider giving final approval to the mayor’s request for $70 million in additional funds to shelter, feed and care for migrants, multiple cabinet appointments, a Democratic National Convention (DNC) security measure, new regulations for scooter share businesses, a measure to track migrant evictions and an ordinance that could keep ShotSpotter in some wards on an individual basis.

The council could also hold a vote on the mayor’s housing and economic development bond proposal depending on the outcome of a potential finance committee vote.

City Hall is pictured in this file photo. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council’s budget committee voted 20-8 Monday to allocate $70 million in city funds for additional migrant care costs on Monday, sending the final decision to the City Council this Wednesday. 

Alds. Emma Mitts (37), Marty Quinn (13), Raymond Lopez (15), Bill Conway (34), Chris Taliaferro (29), David Moore (17), Felix Cardona (31) and Nick Sposato (38) voted no.

The allocation would come from the city’s assigned and unassigned fund balance reserves from 2022. The funding would be added to the previously allocated $150 million for migrant care costs passed in the 2024 budget.

34th Ward Ald. Bill Conway is pictured during a City Council meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance postponed a vote on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond proposal after more than a dozen alderpeople expressed interest in significantly reducing the bond authorization amount and lowering the threshold to require aldermanic approval for bond-financed projects.

The finance committee was recessed until 9:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, and Ald. Pat Dowell (3), the finance chair, said a vote on the bond ordinance could happen if committee members come to an agreement.

On April 13, 2024, U.S. Palestinian Community Network national chair Hatem Abudayyeh speaks to reporters about his March on the DNC coalition's protest plans this August. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

Officials are planning to designate some space within the security footprint of the Democratic National Convention for planned protests, and though permits from several groups seeking to protest near the convention have not been approved, law enforcement told a City Council panel that peaceful protests will be allowed regardless.

The City Council Committee on Finance meets in chambers on Thursday, April 11, 2024. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance on Thursday held its second subject matter hearing in several weeks on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $1.25 billion proposed bond issuance to bolster existing housing, cultural and economic development programs citywide.

In response to questions and concerns raised during and after a March 22 finance committee hearing, a substitute bond ordinance (SO2024-0007838) was put forth that incorporates a number of new provisions related to transparency, fiscal responsibility and council authority over spending of the proposed bond proceeds.

The Committee on License and Consumer Protection votes on an ordinance adding new scooter share regulations on Wednesday. [Livestream]

The City Council's license committee on Wednesday approved new regulations for scooter share businesses, including a new fee structure, allowance for overnight rides and new character-, equity- and conduct-based requirements for business license renewal.

But alderpeople on the committee were particularly concerned with cutting down on unsafe behavior from scooter riders — most notably riding on sidewalks.

Ald. Bill Conway (34) asks acting DCASE Comm. Clinée Hedspeth (third from left) about the proposed Chicago River charity race during a confirmation hearing Wednesday. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation voted to approve Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to lead the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Wednesday, sending final confirmation to the City Council next week.

While some alderpeople gave acting DCASE Comm. Clinée Hedspeth a glowing recommendation, others said they wanted more information from the mayor’s office about why her predecessor, former Comm. Erin Harkey, was fired in February.

Ald. Daniel La Spata (1), chair of the pedestrian and traffic safety committee, is pictured. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Alderpeople on Thursday will hold a subject matter hearing to explore the possibility of lowering the city’s default speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph to encourage slower driving.  

While Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) said the hearing will be a preliminary discussion and there isn’t an ordinance ready to be introduced yet, he told The Daily Line similar actions have significantly reduced traffic fatalities in neighboring Evanston. 

The City Council Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety will hold the hearing in council chambers at noon on Thursday, during which no votes on the issue will be taken.