Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) is pictured during a City Council meeting in May 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations heard from local policy advocates and from officials in three other cities during a subject matter hearing on Treatment Not Trauma, the policy proposal aimed at providing better resources for residents experiencing mental health crises and reducing the need for armed police responses to mental health-related calls. 

County lawmakers will hold their first day of a two-day slate of preliminary budget hearings, and the city's special events department has announced details for the upcoming annual air and water show.

Alderpersons and advocates held a news conference last week to introduce an ordinance that would expand paid leave. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Alderpersons last week introduced proposals that would create a permanent guaranteed basic income program, expand paid leave for Chicagoans and create a new Office of Contracting Equity. 

A City Council committee will hold a hearing on a proposed policy framework to more compassionately respond to mental health crisis calls, and Cook County property tax bills are on track to be late for another year in a row.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners meets July 20, 2023. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

A proposal for a property tax relief program for properties affected by storm damage and a measure to protect access to translated voting materials for non-English speakers were introduced during the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday.

The board also gave final approval to legislation allowing employee mental health leave, changes to the human rights code and changes to the selection process for inspectors general. 

A development proposed for 375 N. Morgan St. In the 27th Ward [City of Chicago presentation] 

The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a proposed 460-unit residential development that will also include a Guinness brewery and taproom on the Near West Side. City officials applauded the development for its incorporation of affordable housing and green space.  

Former Alderman and lobbyist Joe Moore speaks with Ald. Gil Villegas during July's City Council meeting. (Don Vincent | The Daily Line)

A working group will research and make policy recommendations by May 2024 on a potential pilot program for a city-run sidewalk snow plowing program after the City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance creating the working group. 

Separately during Wednesday’s City Council meeting, an alderperson temporarily delayed consideration of an ordinance introduced during the meeting that would phase out the city’s sub-minimum wage over two years.

The flag of Cook County hangs outside the County Building in Chicago. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

A measure to preserve translated ballots and election materials for non-English speakers will be introduced at the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday morning. 

The County Board will also act on items approved during committee meetings Wednesday, including code changes to the process for selecting a new independent inspector general, an ordinance to allow county employees to use sick leave for burnout and other mental health issues and a resolution supporting the union representing United Parcel Service (UPS) workers.  

But commissioners did not approve a measure that included a water bill assistance program funded by federal dollars. 

The Plan Commission will consider a proposal for the above development on the Near West Side. [City of Chicago presentation] 

The Chicago Plan Commission will meet Thursday to consider an uncharacteristically light agenda that includes a proposed 460-unit residential building with commercial space in the 27th Ward. 

Members of the Plan Commission will also hear a presentation on minority contracting participation. 

The City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations met Tuesday. [City of Chicago livestream]

The City Council on Wednesday will vote on a wide range of measures that have worked their way through committees over the past month, from a proposal for a working group to study municipal sidewalk snow plowing to setting term limits for the city’s appointed position of inspector general.

Wednesday’s meeting marks the last time the City Council is scheduled to meet before taking August off and returning in September to begin delving into budget season. 

The Board of Commissioners for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County conducts a board meeting at the Brookfield Zoo on July 18, 2023. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The Board of Commissioners for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County appointed a new member of the Conservation and Policy Council and approved contracts for habitat enhancement and unpaved trail repairs during a meeting at the Brookfield Zoo Tuesday.

Cook County Comm. Kevin Morrison (D-15) during a county board meeting in March 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

During committee meetings Wednesday, Cook County commissioners will consider measures to amend the county’s human rights code to include updated language, allow county employees to use their sick days to address burnout and other mental health issues and consider changes to the process for selecting a county inspector general.

The City Council Committee on Finance met Monday. [City of Chicago livestream] 

A key City Council committee on Monday approved what city officials have called the “last step” in legislation for Chicago’s 100-year deal to supply water to the city of Joliet. 

The City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday to consider a range of proposed ordinances, most of which are set to be introduced directly into committee. 

Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22), chair of the Workforce Development committee, is pictured during a City Council meeting in March 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Workforce Development approved a resolution Monday supporting the union representing United Parcel Service (UPS) workers and a measure creating a subcommittee on youth employment.