Mayor Rahm Emanuel will preside over his last City Council as mayor on Wednesday — and it will mark one of the few times in his eight-year tenure that it is not clear whether aldermen will do his bidding.

Sending City Hall into chaos, Emanuel backed Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot’s call on Monday to delay a key vote on $1.6 billion in city subsidies to fuel two massive developments that will transform Chicago’s landscape with 16,000 new apartments and condominiums.

Emanuel had led a full-court press by his office, his closest aides and his allies on the City Council to push Lincoln Yards and The 78 through City Council before he left office. The push continued despite vehement objections that the projects will exacerbate Chicago’s affordable housing shortfall and the economic or racial segregation plaguing the city.

If the projects were stopped, it would have a chilling effect on business and development in Chicago, according to the mayor and his team.

However, Lightfoot said in a late-night statement Tuesday that she expects the measures to be approved Wednesday, despite her concerns.

Lightfoot said her team met with Sterling Bay, the developer of Lincoln Yards, and Related Midwest, the developer of The 78, on Tuesday and “both developers agreed to meaningfully strengthen their commitments to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises” from $80 million to $400 million overall.

Lightfoot said her team would closely monitor compliance with those agreements.

“These changes represent a vital sign that my administration will be able to make progress toward an equitable and fair deal for our communities,” Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot said she was “confident” provisions in place in the agreements “will allow for us to further improve these deals and to bring community voices into the process going forward” if they are approved Wednesday.

“Either way, upon swearing in, I will engage with the community and committed activists who have advocated forcefully for affordable housing, park space and the responsible use of tax increment financing dollars for many months,” Lightfoot said.

To set up a potential final vote by the full City Council, the Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday consider the plans to create a 168-acre Cortland and Chicago River Redevelopment Area (F2018-72) for Lincoln Yards and a 141-acre Roosevelt/Clark Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Area (F2018-71) for The 78.

A package of six ordinances (O2019-2145; O2019-2149; O2019-2162; O2019-2170; O2019-2185; O2019-2583) would create the Cortland and Chicago River TIF.

A package of five ordinances (O2019-2502; O2019-2542; O2019-2543; O2019-2544: O2019-2574) would create the Roosevelt/Clark TIF.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, whose 2nd Ward includes all 55 acres of Sterling Bay’s proposed Lincoln Yards development, has vowed to defy the mayor and push for a vote, insisting he has at least the 26 votes necessary to pass the measure.

Related: Fate of $1.6B in subsidies for Lincoln Yards, The 78 uncertain after Rahm backs Lightfoot’s call for delay

Lincoln Yards is a $6 billion project that promises to transform 55 acres along the North Branch of the Chicago River with 6,000 units between Lincoln Park and Bucktown. Fourteen aldermen voted against the project last month — 12 short of killing the project.

The Cortland and Chicago River TIF will generate at least $900 million to cover the cost of infrastructure projects to pave the way for Lincoln Yards to be built, including new bridges over the Chicago River, a new Metra station, an extension of the 606 trail, water taxis, dedicated bicycle lanes as well as a potential light-rail transit way and extension of the city’s street grid.

Lincoln Yards is set to include 600 affordable housing units as part of the development.

The 78 would include 10,000 apartments and condominiums between the South Loop and Chinatown. It was approved unanimously by the City Council in November. Ald.-elect Byron Sigcho Lopez (25) urged aldermen to reject the subsidy.

If the Roosevelt/Clark TIF is approved, it would generate $700 million to build the infrastructure necessary for The 78 – a new CTA station, a realignment of Metra tracks, Clark Street improvements, a 15th Street extension and a new river wall.

Developer Related Midwest agreed to set aside 500 units as affordable as part of the development, and pay a $91.3 million fee to the city’s Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund in lieu of adding another 500 on-site units.

The meeting could also be the last for ousted Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1); Ald. Toni Foulkes (16); Ald. Milly Santiago (31); Ald. Pat O’Connor (40) Ald. John Arena (45) and Ald. Joe Moore (49).

In addition, retiring Aldermen Ricardo Muñoz (22); Magaret Laurino (39) and Ameya Pawar (47) could bid their colleagues goodbye — while disgraced Ald. Danny Solis (25) is not likely to return to City Hall. Solis will be replaced by Ald.-elect Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who is one of at least five members of the Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America who will join the City Council May 20. Alds. Deb Mell (33) and James Cappleman (46) will not know until next April 16 whether they will return next term.

The lame-duck aldermen face an agenda packed with measures from Emanuel’s bucket list.

The City Council will consider whether to ink an exclusive nine-year contract to allow Lyft (O2019-1434, O2019-1611) to operate the city’s Divvy bicycle-sharing system — and reject a proposal from Uber to offer dockless bicycles and scooters. [Our coverage]

Aldermen are also expected to approve a watered down package of reforms proposed by Emanuel that would:

• force committee chairmen to give up their perk-filled perches if they recuse themselves from a vote before their committee more than three times per year and fail to resolve the conflict.


• ban committee chairmen from presiding over matters they plan to recuse themselves from.


• require aldermen who object to a permit to name “substantive reasons” to block it within 20 days.


• block campaign contributions of more than $1,500 from parties with matters before City Council for six months before the matter’s consideration in addition to the current limit, which applies for six months after the matter’s consideration.


• require aldermen to update their annual Statements of Financial Interest within 30 days of any changes “relating to outside employment, board service or business interests.”

The City Council will also consider a measure (O2018-7001) that could allow liquor to be sold within 100 feet of places of worship, schools and hospitals as well as homes for the aged, indigent and veterans with the support of Chicago’s liquor commissioner.

While supporters said the change would reduce red tape and fill empty storefronts, opponents said the new rules could complicate efforts by aldermen to block unwanted bars and liquor stores. [Our coverage]

Aldermen are also set to approve a number of items:

• R2018-1153; R2019-159 — Two 11th Ward property tax breaks for commercial projects. [Our coverage]


• O2019-2545 — A property tax break to fuel the renovation of Macy’s on State Street.


• O2018-2577 — A measure to allow mobile boutique operators to continue to operate until Jan. 31, 2020.


• O2019-1335; O2019-1457; O2019-1416; O2019-1447 — Measures to lift bans on packaged liquor sales in the 21st, 27th, 39th and 45th ward.


• O2019-1443 — A measure to ban liquor sales in the 35th Ward.


• O2019-1922 — A collective bargaining agreement with the Illinois Nurses Association.


• O2019-1403 — A measure to allow helicopter landings and takeoffs by exhibitors at 2019 International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference Oct. 26-29. [Our coverage]


• O2019-1398 — A redevelopment agreement to build a $169 million industrial and distribution center project on 196 acres of vacant land in the 10th Ward near 116th Street and Avenue O.


• O2019-1397 — A measure to use $3.5 million in tax-increment financing funds to help Sarah’s Circle to build 38 units of supportive housing.


• O2019-1400; O2019-1401; O2019-1402 — Three park projects in Old Town, Englewood and North Lawndale paid for by TIF funds. [Our coverage]


• O2019-1650; O2019-1404; O2019-1405 — Three measures to extend the Goose Island, 95th/Western and Byrn Mawr/Broadway tax-increment financing districts set to expire in 2019 for an additional 12 years to 2031.


• O2019-1423 — A measure to extend the 60th and Western TIF for one year.


• Three proposed settlements, including a $4.5 million payment to end a wrongful conviction lawsuit filed by a man who served 11 years in prison after he was convicted of raping a court clerk at the Daley Center.


• O2019-1429 — A measure to expand the list of ways aldermen can spend their annual $98,000 expense accounts.


• O2019-1456 — A measure to extend the city’s pilot of free-floating car sharing service Car2Go through Dec. 31.


• O2019-1477 — A measure to give the commissioner of Fleet and Facility Management authority over the Pedway system Downtown.


• O2019-1452 — The first update to the city’s building code in 70 years.


• O2018-7612 — A measure approving a 41-story, 456 unit tower near Wells and Division streets as part of the Atrium Village complex. [Our coverage]


• O2019-9262 — A measure approving an anaerobic digestion center at 650 W. 83rd St. in Auburn Gresham that will compost food waste, officials said.


• O2019-1442 — A measure approving a new Portillo’s to open in on the Northwest Side at 3357 W. Addison St. in Avondale.


• O2018-9254 — A measure approving a $24 million, three-story annex at Dirksen Elementary School in Norwood Park, which is among the most crowded schools in the city.


• A2019-25 — the appointment of Peggy A. Davis, chief officer of programs and strategic integration for The Chicago Community Trust, to the City Colleges of Chicago Board of Trustees.


• O2019-2578; O2019-2575; O2019-2576 — Three measures approving $5.16 million in grants to three businesses from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. [Our coverage]


• O2019-1427 — A measure to change the Public Safety Officers Home Buyer Assistance program to the Community Connections Home Buyer Assistance program and make members of Laborer’s Local 1001 and Laborer’s Local 1092 eligible for the grants.


• O2019-1656 — A measure to bump up the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund’s limit by $11 million, to $23.5 million.


• O2018-9042 — A proposal to change the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance designed to increase the number of family units on the West Side.


• O2019-1544 — An agreement to sell 830 N. Christiana Ave. to the Salvation Army to build supportive housing. In exchange, the city would receive Salvation Army property at 3345 W. Rice St. so the city can expand an existing park and build a new skate park in Humboldt Park near the Tribune’s printing plant


• O2019-1524; O2019-1519; O2019-1514 — Three measures to lease city-owned office space to Cook County to allow the county to offer telepsychiatry services.

A member of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s cabinet heads for the exit, as aldermen fail to reach an agreement on a measure that supporters said would give workers more control over their schedules, while opponents said it would put a heavy burden on businesses.

Aldermen once again balked at the bulk of ethics reforms proposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the wake of the criminal charge lodged against Ald. Ed Burke (14.)

Three large projects set to get $5.16 million from the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund are set for a vote Tuesday at the meeting of the Government and Budget Operations Committee.

The fund was created in May 2016 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel who began by charging developers additional fees in return for allowing them to build bigger and taller buildings Downtown.

All projects set to get more than $250,000 from the fund must be approved by the City Council.

Aldermen will also vote on increasing the fund’s limit by $8.5 million to $21 million (O2019-1656).

The projects up for consideration are:

• Ogden Washtenaw JV LLC (O2019-2578) — Developers of the site at 2632 W. Ogden Ave. would use $2.5 million grant “for the buildout of three ground-floor retail spaces within the $21.5 million Ogden Commons mixed-use project ... Tenants would include Steak & Shake, Ja’ Grill, and a yet-to-be identified third business,” according to the mayor’s office. The Zoning Committee cleared the Commons project in May. It promises to transform eight acres of long vacant land in Douglas Park owned by the Chicago Housing Authority into a new complex with a hotel, 384 apartments, 547 parking spaces as well as shops and stores adjacent to Mt. Sinai Hospital.


• SYTE Corporation (O2019-2575) –  A $2.1 million NOF grant would be used to renovate an 18,000-square-foot building at 6793 S. South Chicago Ave into SYTE Corp.’s new headquarters with office space and a small business training incubator. The total project cost – which includes a move from Goose Island to Woodlawn – is $3.7 million. The company “provides construction and maintenance services to public and private sector clients,” according to its website.


• Enlace Chicago (O2019-2576) –  Enlace Chicago LLC would receive a $550,000 grant new $1.8 million office and business incubator at 2759 S. Harding Ave. The building would be used to provide legal and immigration services, as well as a business training incubator focusing on food, agriculture, and art, the Mayor’s Office says.

Interactive Map: TDL’s Guide to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
New developments are in green — click on a pin to see an image of the development and its details. NOF grant projects are in shades of blue and listed in order of when they were announced. You can also add boundary lines for neighborhoods and wards.

Also on the agenda is a measure (O2019-1427) from Ald. Emma Mitts (37) and Ald. James Cappleman (46) to change the Public Safety Officers Home Buyer Assistance program, which was designed to encourage first responders to live in high crime areas, to the Community Connections Home Buyer Assistance program and make members of Laborer's Local 1001 and Laborer's Local 1092 in good standing for at least a year eligible for the program.

WBEZ reported last August that while the city made $30,000 loans available to officers, firefighters and paramedics to help pay for closing costs in one of the six highest crime police districts, officials received just 11 applications for 100 available grants. Mitts’ ward will soon be home to the new $95 million police training academy.

Aldermen will also consider three measures (O2019-1462, O2019-1463, O2019-1465) from Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) to identify funding to stream City Council committees, which is expected to cost $105,000 to get the equipment up and running in Room 201A and about $50,000 for an employee to help operate it.

An exclusive nine-year contract to allow Lyft (O2019-1434, O2019-1611) to operate the city’s Divvy bicycle-sharing system cleared the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee Monday, as aldermen likewise rejected a proposal from Uber to offer dockless bicycles and scooters.

A new tower at the Atrium Village apartment complex that split the Chicago Plan Commission over whether it contains enough units for low- and moderate-income Chicagoans is set for a vote Tuesday.

A change to the city’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance (O2018-9042) from West Side aldermen Jason Ervin (28), Michael Scott Jr. (24), and Walter Burnett (27) is up for consideration at an afternoon meeting of the Housing Committee.

Chaos reigned at City Hall Monday after Mayor Rahm Emanuel backed Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot’s call to delay a key vote on $1.6 billion in city subsidies to fuel two massive developments that will transform Chicago’s landscape with 16,000 new apartments and condominiums.

Aldermen have a full slate of committee meetings set for Monday as they race to check off big ticket items from their end of session to-do lists.

Realtors and backers of charter schools spent more than $1.5 million in municipal elections, notching several high-profile victories — and one conspicuous defeat in the 40th Ward, where both groups rallied to defend Ald. Pat O’Connor.

The contests for the City Council in the 5th, 33rd and 46th wards are still too close to call as of Saturday afternoon, elections officials said.

 A rendering of the proposed Lincoln Yards development. [Sterling Bay]

Aldermen are set to advance $1.6 billion in city subsidies to fuel two massive developments that will transform Chicago’s landscape with 16,000 new apartments and condominiums.

A man who served 11 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of raping a court clerk at the Daley Center should be paid $4.5 million, city lawyers recommended Friday.

Carl Chatman, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of a May 2002 rape and assault in a Daley Center courtroom. A clerk at the Daley Center said he raped her while threatening her with scissors.

However, in September 2013 Cook County prosecutors asked a judge to overturn Chatman’s conviction, saying they no longer believed a sexual assault took place and that the allegation was part of a scheme to defraud Cook County.

Chatman was arrested while walking near the Daley Center, was identified by the woman, and confessed to the crime.

However, a Chicago police detective filed a report with the internal affairs office shortly after Chatman’s confession alleging that a detective physically abused Chatman and forced him to sign a confession.

The woman lost thousands of dollars at a casino and was notified by the IRS that they planned to audit her tax returns in the weeks before the incident. The woman eventually settled her lawsuit for $500,000, according to court records.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners agreed to pay Chatman $3.7 million to settle his wrongful conviction claim in November 2018.

Aldermen will also weigh a recommendation from city attorneys to pay a man shot by police officers in 2009 $300,000 to settle his lawsuit alleging his Constitutional rights were violated.

Police officers shot Lewis Ball after he fled a traffic stop on Dec. 29, 2009. Ball’s car became stuck in snow, and he alleges officers used excessive force when they shot him after he surrendered. The officer involved said he believed Ball had fired at other officers when he fired on Ball’s car.

Aldermen will also consider paying $380,000 to Katherine Ruark, who filed a premises liability complaint against the city.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15). [Ted Cox/DNAinfo]

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15), who was re-elected this week, quit the City Council’s Latino Caucus, which he once helped lead.

In a letter to Latino Caucus Chairman Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) Friday, Lopez said he was resigning and could no longer be involved in “an organization that works against its members.” Lopez had served as the group’s treasurer.

A measure that could allow liquor to be sold within 100 feet of places of worship, schools and hospitals as well as homes for the aged, indigent and veterans advanced Thursday despite concerns the new rules could complicate efforts by aldermen to block unwanted bars and liquor stores.

As proposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the measure (O2018-7001) would give the city’s Liquor Commission the authority to decide whether to issue liquor licenses near sensitive uses — rather than forcing applicants to ask the General Assembly and governor to sign a new law waiving the restrictions, first imposed during the Prohibition Era.

Attendance: Chairwoman Emma Mitts (37); Roderick Sawyer (6); Greg Mitchell (7); Michelle Harris (8); David Moore (17); Matt O’Shea (19); Michael Scott (24); Chris Taliaferro (29); Scott Waguespack (32); Michele Smith (43); Tom Tunney (44); John Arena (45); James Cappleman (46); Debra Silverstein (50).

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19) cast the only dissenting vote at Thursday’s meeting of the License and Consumer Protection Committee, saying he was not comfortable giving Local Liquor Control Commissioner Shannon Trotter the final decision on licenses near churches and other sensitive uses.

“I’m not comfortable taking control from elected officials and giving it to an appointed official,” O’Shea said.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) said he would vote no when the measure comes before the full City Council, noting that Trotter has overruled his decisions on liquor licenses.

“We have to guard against the lowest common denominators,” said Reilly, who has been working to shut down Bottled Blonde in River North for several years after hundreds of complaints.

The current law and system is “antiquated,” Reilly said, “but it does serve as a potential veto for aldermen, as long as you have a good relationship with your state representatives.”

Trotter said she would give “great deference” to the opinion of the aldermen, but noted that the proposed ordinance lays out the specific criteria for rejecting — or approving — a measure. Trotter already has the authority to waive the ban on booze sales within 100 feet of libraries.

If a waiver is granted, city officials could impose additional restrictions on the bar or store because of its proximity to a church, school or hospital, Trotter said.

State law changed last year to allow local liquor commissioners to grant a waiver to the rules blocking liquor sales near churches and other sensitive uses.

The proposal is backed by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the Hospitality Business Association.

Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia told aldermen the rule change would “save time and money for all involved,” while Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maureen Martino said it would help fill empty storefronts.

Ald. John Arena (45) said efforts to fill a vacant storefront on Milwaukee Avenue in Jefferson Park have foundered because it is 99 feet away from a church — and the requirement to pass a state law waiving the restriction is too onerous.

“This has really put a chill on efforts to open businesses in the 45th Ward,” Arena said.

Ald. Tom Tunney (44), who owns Ann Sather Restaurant, said it was “very intimidating” to go through the process to get a liquor license.

“It will be impossible for an entrepreneur if you tell them they need to go to Springfield, pass a law and get the governor to sign it,” Tunney said. “The governor has bigger issues to worry about.”

In other action, aldermen approved a proposal (O2018-2577) to allow mobile boutique operators, who currently operate under the Emerging Business Permit, to continue to operate until Jan. 31.

Emanuel proposed allowing the five permit holders to continue to operate until Dec. 31, but the committee approved Tunney’s suggestion to extend the permit until after the end of the holiday shopping season.

In May, aldermen balked at an effort by the mayor to encourage mobile businesses by creating a permanent permit for the firms on wheels, saying the measure could create a host of problems for Chicago businesses.

The committee approved the other items outlined in our preview, except for two proposals to allow the sale of alcohol in the 47th Ward and another measure in the 50th Ward.