The Chicago Plan Commission deferred a proposal to build a new $44 million elementary school in the 23rd Ward–a project included in Chicago Public Schools’ Capital Budget for 2017. It was the only item on Thursday’s agenda not to go before the commission. All other items received unanimous approval and will advance to the City Council’s Zoning Committee scheduled to meet next week.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) tweeted assurances: "There have been rumors about ICE checkpoints at CTA locations: IT IS NOT TRUE. CTA and CPD won't ask u 2 prove u are in the US legally."


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) has two words after a 12 year old succumbed to her shooting injury: "WTF Chicago?"


• Ald. David Moore (17) says "As legislatures have the discussion around "Truth In Sentencing", it is important that we include wrap around services. We just can't say longer sentencing for repeat offenders without wrap around services for the entire family."


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) is recruiting for his polar plunge team (Ald. Pat Dowell (3) says it's not her cup of tea, but she'll contribute). 


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) snapped a pic of an unsuspecting Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) on her morning train ride. 


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) shared info on todays' health committee meeting, which will include "a subject matter hearing on my resolution expressing support for the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Tribe and their fight to protect the sacred and halt the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline."


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) retweeted a picture of his "packed" fundraiser. 


• City Clerk Anna Valencia launched her listening tour with Ald. Anthony Beale (9) and Ald. Michelle Harris (8) "Over the next several weeks, our goal is to bring together Chicago residents from all 50 wards to solicit input on how to make our office an example of what government can do to improve the day-to-day lives of people across the City."


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  Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) continued his Black History Month series on his Facebook. Yesterday's entry: James Armistead Lafayette. 


• Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) issued a strong endorsement for Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) for governor. "I know that there are naysayers who say that this is a fight that can’t be won. But it is often the hardest battles that most need to be fought and there are messages that the public deserves and needs to hear. Ameya will bring fresh ideas and a fresh face to a public who is yearning for just those things. He has the desire, talent, vision and drive to work to put our state back on the right path by being a Governor for all of Illinois not just a chosen few. I hope that you will join me in supporting Ameya Pawar for Governor."

 

A joint City Council and Cook County Board subject matter hearing on the local impact of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act drew concern and stark statistics from stakeholders Wednesday, but few concrete next steps. Workforce Chairman Pat O’Connor (40) put it most succinctly: “What are we gonna do besides say, ‘Don’t’?”

The Council’s License Committee approved modifications to the city’s Airbnb rules, a ban on street performers along two arterial downtown streets, and a new commissioner for the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Only Samantha Fields’ BACP appointment, as well as several routine items, passed without dissent.

A 15-year contract that would renovate and expand the number of shops, restaurants, specialty retail and other concessions at Midway Airport is up for consideration today by the Council’s Aviation Committee.

A proposal to cap the number of honorary street signs and have the local aldermen foot the bill is getting another hearing and vote today in City Council’s Transportation Committee after several aldermen raised a fuss over the rules in December and demanded clarity.

(Podcast: Hear highlights of the testimony from that Transportation Meeting)

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As Chicago Public Schools continues its fight with the governor over a lack of state aid, the Chicago Plan Commission will consider zoning plans for three CPS-led construction projects totaling upwards of $70 million.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) put together a Q&A on ward public safety questions from recent town hall meetings.


• Ald. Pat Dowell's (3) next town hall is Thursday. It includes discussion of COPA and CPD's Use of Force. 


• Ald. Sophia King (4) will host one of her "On the Block" events today at the Eleven City Diner. 


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) broke a lot of hearts yesterday. So did Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24). 


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) says the February issue of the 19th Ward Quarterly will be in every mailbox in Beverly, Morgan Park, and Mount Greenwood this week.


• Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26) tweeted "#ToImmigrantsWithLove, your presence makes our community strong. You make Chicago & the nation better! Join us and share your letter."


• Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30) is fundraising for this year's Polar Plunge. 


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) tweeted another "#ToImmigrantsWithLove, as Americans we believe that we are better because you are here. Join us and share your letter."


• Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) has a valentine. For Comm. Chuy Garcia. 


• Ald. Marge Laurino (39) says thoughts and prayers are with the family of Konrad Tucharski, a Department of Water Management employee who died when a trench collapsed at the construction project at Sauganash and Peterson. "The project where this occurred is currently on hold while officials investigate the collapse. We will provide further updates on this project as they become available." Committeeman Robert Murphy shared some ways to help. 


• Ald. John Arena (45) has an immigrant resources site. 


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) tweeted in response to the news of the CPS lawsuit. "We need funding equity,progressive revenue,more resources for poorer districts,& less wealthy people with myopic views on public education."


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) cut the ribbon at The Growling Rabbit in Edgewater. "If you haven't been in for coffee, baked goods, or delicious food yet, you are missing out!"


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  Comm. Richard Boykin (D-1) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking "for more federal agents to fight this crime!" He was referring to the six children killed in Chicago so far in 2017. "We must act!"


• Comm. Stanley Moore (D-4), Ald. Howard Brookins (21), and State Rep. Justin Slaughter are hosting a night at the Oscars on February 26.


• Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) is "co-hosting 1st City-County hearing with @Alderman_Pawar & @40thWard on the need of #ACA to protect our residents & workforce" this morning. 


• Comm. John Fritchey (D-12) is kicking off his for re-election campaign next month. "One of the realities of politics is that campaigning costs money. That's why most elected officials have several fundraisers every year. On the other hand, I haven't had a fundraiser in over a year and a half and I need your help now!"

The years-long conflict between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool went to the courts yesterday, as the district and five parents of CPS students filed a two count complaint in Cook County Chancery Court against the Governor, the State Board of Education, and the Comptroller, alleging racial discrimination. It’s the latest in a series of attempts to help get Chicago Public Schools on sound financial footing. The announcement came one day before the governor’s budget address and the district’s deadline to pay $563 million in debt service.  

Cook County Commissioners and aldermen will gather in the Council Chamber this morning to hear testimony from experts on the potential local impact of a federal repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The meeting, organized by Comm. Bridget Gainer, will consist of a joint meeting of the city and county’s Workforce committees.

The Council’s License Committee has a packed agenda today, from appointing a new commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to walking back parts of the city’s controversial Airbnb rules passed last summer.

The city's “Share Housing” Ordinance, aimed at regulating platforms like Airbnb in Chicago, has been the subject of two lawsuits since the regulations were approved in June: one filed in federal court in November by the nonprofit Keep Chicago Livable; another filed in Cook County Circuit Court a week later by the Liberty Justice Center, the legal arm of the conservative-leaning Illinois Policy Institute.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Sophia King (4) early voted (we're thinking it was for herself). Here's her pitch video. 


• Ald. Gregory Mitchell (7) is revamping his email newsletter and website in the "near future," and says the 7th ward will receive over 50 new officers this year.


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) shared video from a press conference he held yesterday: "We must continue to expose those that would harm our communities. Silence only gives these criminals cover to shoot more children, kill more innocents, and shatter more communities."


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) participated in the Chicago High School for Ag Sciences Job Shadow Day with @SenatorBillC and @chrisgkennedy. There was a baby pig. 


• Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27) has a reminder for his Clean & Sober Steppers Set to benefit the Salvation Army. 


• Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36) delivered this letter to Chicago Public Schools requesting they "put a halt" to the expansion of Speer Academy. "I do not believe that the Northwest Side can afford additional charter schools. They continue to suck resources from our great neighborhood schools like Steinmetz College Prep and North-Grand High School. We have to recognize that our neighborhood schools are more than just schools, they are the center of our communities and will continue to serve that function for decades to come." He thanked a group of fellow aldermen for supporting neighborhood schools, including Ald. Milly Santiago (31), who delivered the letter with him.  


• Ald. John Arena (45) declared his Valentine's Day party a smashing success.


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) shared this article about a manufacturing tycoon and emigrant from India supporting President Trump, calling him "a fool & an Islamaphobe. Beware Hindu nationalists: @POTUS just sees skin color. So don't think you're safe as an Islamophobic Hindu."


• Ald. Joe Moore (49) has established "an action committee that will work to promote and improve Rogers Park's neighborhood public schools," The Committee on Rogers Park Schools (CORPS). 


• City Treasurer Kurt Summers warned there's only a few more days to apply for his office's Black History Month Essay Competition. Top prize is a $2,500 scholarship. He also celebrated Chance's big night at the Grammy's. 


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  Comm. Bridget Gainer (D-10) was at a "packed" meeting "to protect #RoevWade with HB40 @Fightin47th @SaraFeigenholtz @PersonalPAC@RepAnnWilliams".


• Comm. Sean Morrison (R-17) says Mayor Emanuel's visit to DC to talk infrastructure is a "Good start, shame that no elected officials from Cook County government attended, to proud to ask for fed help/resources = our kids killed."

Updated Tuesday February 14 @ 4:40 p.m.: We incorrectly reported that investigators at IPRA’s replacement agency will continue to receive training at Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates, Inc. IPRA spokesperson Mia Sissac clarified that IPRA investigators have received training from that firm in the past, but they have not yet determined where future COPA lead investigators will receive their training, as is required under state law. 

Only one company submitted a bid to assist the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) with its transition to become the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the city has decided to accept the bid. The winner is a small, Chicago-based IT firm with experience working on various website and technology upgrades for Cook County.

Carminati Consulting, Inc., a software and IT management company that built the public websites for Cook County’s Trauma and Burn Unit and the Cook County Health and Hospitals’ System, will be paid up to $200,000 under the contract with the city. IPRA’s selection seems to be a curious one: nowhere in Carminati’s website does it detail experience in anything other than IT management.

Ward Reports

• Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) "sat down with JB Pritzker to discuss some of the problems we see here in the 1st Ward. We both agreed that a good early childhood education system is necessary to curb crime."


• Ald. Pat Dowell (3) says "Trump senior advisor Stephen Miller looks and acts like Agent Smith from The Matrix movie. Where is Neo when you need him? Jeez..." She also likes Ald. Sophia King (4). King won the endorsement of the Sun-Times this weekend.


• Ald. Greg Mitchell (7) says he and the 7th Ward Community Education Partners Council "visited every school in the 7th Ward to acknowledge high performing students and provide them with school supplies to support their academic growth." The photos date back to 2013.


• Ald. George Cardenas (12) declared his Valentine Bingo "A Lovely Success".


• Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) asked followers to "keep 12 yo Kanari Gentry in your prayers. She was shot yesterday while playing at her playground after fight ends in gunfire."


• Ald. Matt O'Shea (19) shared info about upgrades coming to Mount Greenwood and Esmond elementary schools.


• Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. (21), in a rare social media post, shared an article about rape accusations against French police with the comment: "wtf?"  


• Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) has updates on Finkl Steel hearings, public safety in the ward, and the impact of mid-year CPS cuts on local schools. 


• Ald. Deb Mell (33) has a menu fund survey. 


• Ald. Pat O'Connor (40) has a sad goodbye for the Swedish Bakery in Andersonville.


• Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41) shared a story of "Another HERO Apple in the bunch!!!!" Officer Matthew Ruppert, whose tourniquet application saved a life after a shooting. "Officer Ruppert responded to a call, never once stopping to ask WHO needed his help. Chicago's Police and Fire put themselves in harms way day-in and day-out to protect and save lives no matter the Religion, sexual preference, Race or political affiliation of the person on the other end of that call. Job well done Officer Ruppert and thank you for your service!" 


• Ald. John Arena (45) says he's "deeply saddened at the shooting death of Alvin Stoll. My prayers are with his family. The incident remains under investigation... This murder is particularly shocking, as the 16th District has one of the lowest murder rates in the city." 


• Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) wrote a long Facebook post about his parents' move to America and path to citizenship: "It's so heartbreaking to see our federal government target immigrants in the same community where my parents and so many other Indian and Pakistani families got their start. We are not Trump's America and #WeWillResist."


• Ald. Harry Osterman (48) hosted a packed house for a Bike and Pedestrian meeting.


• Ald. Joe Moore (49) hosted a community meeting over a week ago on a proposal for a seven-story mixed-income and mixed-use development on the 6400 block of N. Sheridan Road. The project includes market rate and affordable rental housing and a small “flexible format” Target store. "Over a hundred residents attended the meeting, which lasted three and a half hours, the lengthiest community meeting I ever have held on any topic." He's got FAQs and responses.  


• City Clerk Anna Valencia shared lists of city resources in multiple languages suggested by The Chicago is With You Task Force.

Updated, February 13, 2017, 10:41 a.m.

Fourth Ward Aldermanic challenger Gregory Livingston was midway through explaining why Mayor Rahm Emanuel was wrong for Chicago when his cell phone jingled. Livingston, sitting in his campaign office, put the call on speaker. The caller made a pitch, then asked, “Are you willing to support Sophia King for 4th Ward Alderman?”