Renderings of the Jigzibik affordable housing development, designed by Canopy architecture and design. [Canopy architecture and design]

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday approved numerous wrongful settlements stemming from police conduct, including vehicle pursuits and a case of excessive force during 2020 racial justice protests. Additionally, the committee approved financial assistance for the city’s first affordable housing development that will specifically cater to Indigenous Americans.

Appointments to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council appear before the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation March 10, 2025, with DCASE Comm. Clinée Hedspeth on the far right. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation on Monday approved six appointments to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council, a 30-member volunteer body that advises the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) on ways to support, expand and promote arts and culture within the city.

The Rector Building, with its "Weather Bell" sign hanging at the corner, at 79 W. Monroe St. is planned to be adaptively refurbished into a mixed-use development. [Department of Planning and Development presentation]

The City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards will meet on Tuesday to consider a landmark designation for one of the downtown office buildings planned to be converted into mixed-income housing through a city initiative.

The zoning committee, which will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers, will also consider a large residential development in Lincoln Park and other mixed-use developments.

City Hall is pictured. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday will consider several proposed legal settlements in alleged police misconduct and vehicle pursuit cases. The committee will also consider the approval of financial assistance to a housing project and a change to a workforce development program in tax increment financing (TIF) districts.

The finance committee will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers.

Mayor Brandon Johnson testifies in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. [Livestream]

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined three other big city mayors on Wednesday to defend Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance at a congressional hearing on sanctuary cities and the effect they have on public safety and immigration enforcement. 

“Any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous,” Johnson said in opening remarks. “Those fears cause witnesses and victims to avoid cooperating with police.”

The proposed Firebird Community Arts center renderings are shown at the March 5, 2025 housing committee meeting. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Wednesday approved the sale of city land to support an arts center, new housing and a community garden and the renewal of lease agreements to support a public library branch in Garfield Ridge and a children’s literacy organization, sending final approval of those items to the City Council next week.

The Committee on License and Consumer Protection meets on March 4, 2025. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection on Tuesday approved the appointment of a permanent Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) commissioner and approved a citywide ban on the sale of most fur products.

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) and animal advocates hold a press conference in front of Chicago Animal Care and Control headquarters on March 3, 2025. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

Ald. Raymond Lopez (15) and animal advocate and care organizations are calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson to name a permanent leader of Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC). 

At a news conference in front of CACC headquarters Monday morning, they said that the lack of a permanent director for more than two years has been a detriment to Chicago’s animal care efforts, resulting in lower adoptions and higher rates of euthanasia.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), chair of the housing committee, is pictured at a council meeting Sept. 18, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Wednesday will consider the sale of city land to support an arts center, new housing and a community garden and the renewal of lease agreements to support a public library branch in Garfield Ridge and a children’s literacy organization.

The housing committee will meet at 12:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) attends a mayoral press conference after a City Council meeting on Jan. 15, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) next month will step down after nearly a decade on the City Council to become the next superintendent of the Chicago Park District, giving Mayor Brandon Johnson his first opportunity to appoint an alderperson to a vacant seat.

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50), chair of the license and consumer protection committee, is pictured at a City Council meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection on Tuesday will consider the appointment of a permanent business affairs commissioner and an ordinance to ban the sale of fur products.

The committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. in Room 201A at City Hall.

Apartments near the 606 Bloomingdale Trail. [Eric Allix Rogers]

A pilot program aimed at preserving affordable multifamily housing in Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Avondale, Hermosa and West Town is finally set to go into effect this weekend after months of delay. 

While the impacts of the pilot won’t be immediately apparent, affected building owners and realtors will be watching to see if properties experience reduced sale prices or delayed transactions.

Ald. Nicole Lee (11) speaks about the $830 million general obligation bond authorization ordinance at a special City Council meeting on Feb. 26, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Wednesday voted 26-23 to approve an $830 million general obligation bond authorization in a divisive vote over concerns about the proposed repayment structure from nearly half the council.

Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry speaks at a news conference flanked by Mayor Brandon Johnson on Oct. 9, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry on Tuesday defended her department against recent allegations from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that the law department routinely interferes in investigations that could be politically harmful to top city officials.

Ald. Michelle Harris (8), chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules, is pictured during a City Council meeting Oct. 9, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council rules committee on Tuesday re-referred ordinances to various committees, including an ordinance to implement the city’s Plow the Sidewalks pilot effort, a measure to remove economic disclosure requirements in specific cases, two hemp-related ordinances and a measure to allow the city to set up a new nonprofit housing development corporation.