From top left across, Ald. Monique Scott, Creative Scott, Vetress Boyce and Edward Ward. From bottom left across, Traci "Treasure" Johnson, Drewone Goldsmith and Luther Woodruff. Not pictured is Larry Nelson. [Courtesy photos] 

Despite an eight-way race for 24th Ward alderman, no challenger has been able to compete in the fundraising sphere with the incumbent, who was handpicked by the mayor last year. The 24th Ward includes North Lawndale and a part of Little Village.

City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters 

Aldermen were unsatisfied with conflicting and evasive answers Chicago Police Department officials gave during a committee hearing Wednesday about the department’s policy on dealing with officers alleged to have been associated with far-right groups.

The building proposed for 640 W. Randolph St. [City of Chicago presentation] 

With less than one week before the Feb. 28 election, the agenda for Thursday’s meeting of the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards is light with proposals for two separate mixed-use office buildings up for consideration.

Seated from left to right: Ed Mullen, attorney for petition challenger; Andrew Finko, attorney for Shawn Walker; and candidate Shawn Walker. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

A candidate who was initially kicked off the ballot in the race for 28th Ward alderman but reinstated following an order from the Illinois Appellate Court will remain on the ballot following a Tuesday decision from the Chicago Electoral Board. 

The public safety committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

The City Council Committee on Public Safety on Wednesday will hold an in-person hearing on Chicago Police officers who are members of the far-right anti-government organization Oath Keepers and a separate hearing on Chicago Police officer Robert Bakker who lied about his tied to Proud Boys, another far-right extremist group. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to allegations of directing the city’s police pension board to deny benefits to officers disabled by a COVID-19 infection, and Anjanette Young endorsed one of Lightfoot’s opponents in the mayor’s race.

Aldermen spent more than $1.65 million on cameras in 2022. [Chicago Inspector General's Office] 

Aldermen in 2022 spent more than $1.65 million in discretionary menu money on police surveillance cameras and license plate readers, records from the city’s budget department show. 

From top left across, William Hall, Kim Egonmwan, Aja Kearney, second row across from left Patrick Brutus, Paul Bryson and Sharon Pincham and third row across from left Barbara Bunville, Kirby Birgans and Richard Wooten. Tavares Briggs is in the bottom left corner, and Sylvester Baker is not pictured. [Courtesy photos]

Despite a crowded race to fill the 6th Ward seat being vacated by mayoral candidate Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), one candidate has outpaced others in fundraising in the final weeks before the election, according to public campaign finance data as of Feb. 17. 

The South Side ward includes Auburn-Gresham, Chatham, Chesterfield, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing and Park Manor.

Members of the Chicago Plan Commission unanimously approved a new citywide plan Thursday. [City of Chicago livestream]  

The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution adopting the We Will Chicago Framework Plan — the citywide plan creating goals and objectives for the next decade. 

A joint City Council committee heard from representatives from businesses specializing in equipment that could prove crucial in preparing for future airborne disease pandemics. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced several actions aimed at making reentry easier for Chicagoans leaving prison. 

The City Council in December approved a new tax-increment financing district to help fund the Red Line Extension south. [City of Chicago presentation] 

Members of the Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday will hear an informational presentation on potential future development along the planned 5.6-mile Red Line Extension that will stretch the train line from its existing terminus at 95th Street to 130th Street.

City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations chairman Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) is pictured during a City Council meeting Dec. 14, 2022. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Joint Committee on Health and Human Relations and Economic, Capital and Technology Development will convene Thursday for a subject matter hearing on technology that can be used to combat the spread of COVID-19 and other future airborne viruses. 

Mueze Bawany in line waiting to file gathered signatures to be on the ballot. [Don Vincent | The Daily Line]

The Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) confirmed Tuesday it has rescinded its endorsement of Mueze Bawany in the race for 50th Ward alderman. 

From top left, Ald. Timmy Knudsen, Wendi Taylor Nations and Rebecca Janowitz, and from bottom left, Brian Comer, Steve Botsford and Steven McClellan. [Provided photos]

Aside from a massive self-funded campaign effort, the incumbent in the race for Chicago’s 43rd Ward remains the candidate drawing the most money from donors even as the previous alderman has endorsed one of his opponents. The ward includes Lincoln Park, Old Town and Gold Coast. 

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43) has served as alderman since September following the departure of former Ald. Michele Smith last August. Mayor Lori Lightfoot picked Knudsen, former chair of the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals, out of 17 applicants to succeed Smith. Some of those applicants are running in this year’s election.

Early voting in all 50 wards began Monday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

Just two weeks out from the Feb. 28 municipal election, 11,728 people had voted early at in-person sites by the end of Monday — the first day early voting sites were open in all 50 wards.  

The number of ballots cast early so far this year is nearly double the number cast 15 days out from Election Day in 2019 and slightly more than double the number of ballots cast early 15 days out from Election Day in 2015, according to information from the Chicago Board of Elections.