Mayor Brandon Johnson met with the president of the Chicago Bears Wednesday as the team looks to potentially relocate its operations, and the city is gearing up for its annual minimum wage increase.

Environmental justice advocates held a news conference at City Hall Tuesday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Environmental justice advocates are putting their trust in Mayor Brandon Johnson that he will appeal a decision by an administrative judge last week overturning the city’s denial of General Iron’s permit for the controversial Southeast Side metal shredding facility.

United Way of Metro Chicago President and CEO Sean Garrett, flanked by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, speaks about the expansion of his organization's Neighborhood Network Initiative during an event in Park Forest on June 6, 2023. [Provided by Cook County]

United Way of Metro Chicago has announced an expansion of its Neighborhood Network Initiative to the Ford Heights/Chicago Heights, Harvey and Park Forest/Richton Park communities while also revealing its plans to increase investment in the existing Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network.  

The organization announced the plans, which fulfill some goals of the county’s Equity Fund, at an event in Park Forest with Cook County officials Tuesday. United Way of Metro Chicago has partnered with the county and has support from the Nicor Gas Foundation in its initiative to address disinvestment in communities, according to a news release.

A flyer notifies residents of District Council 14 meetings. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Members of the 22 Police District Councils were sworn in for the first time just over one month ago, and a majority of the councils have already held at least one public meeting.  

District Councils, each with three elected seats, were established under the ordinance (SO2019-4132) approved by the City Council in 2021 that also created the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the first civilian police oversight body of its kind in Chicago. 

Related: After delay in establishing police oversight commission, applications set to open before year’s end 

At least one candidate has announced his pursuit of an open position on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board. The county announced the final allocation of federal relief dollars to community organizations as part of a county gun violence prevention program.

The Logan Boulevard bike lane in Chicago between Rockwell Street and Diversey Parkway. [Erin Hegarty] 

Cook County recently released its first-ever plan to address the needs of cyclists and beef up its bike infrastructure in response to findings that the area’s bike path connectivity and accessibility could be improved. The Cook County Bike Plan, released May 24, lays out the principles and methods for improving cycling infrastructure countywide as well as best practices for bike-friendly facilities. 

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to accept the completed plan during their regular May meeting. The plan is a follow-up to the 2016 Connecting Cook County long range transportation plan. Both plans’ creations were led by the county Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) and included public input. 

Community groups last week filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development challenging a move to lease former public housing land to the Chicago Fire. Mayor Brandon Johnson last week promised to appeal a decision reversing the denial of a permit for a metal shredding facility on the Southeast Side.

Alderpersons during Wednesday’s City Council meeting continued rolling out proposed legislation they hope to pass this term. While some proposals that failed to pass last term are now back on the board, alderpersons also introduced new legislation that would add flexibility to aldermanic staffing and require a hearing on pedestrian and traffic safety during the upcoming NASCAR race.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas speaks to the Cook County Finance Committee about her office's studies on the property tax code on Oct. 25, 2022. [Cook County Board of Commissioners Livestream]

A new law would reform the Illinois tax code to close a loophole that the Cook County Treasurer’s Office has demonstrated to have sapped millions from taxing districts and mostly harmed communities of color. 

The overhaul to the tax code included in the legislation would also slash the interest rate for late property tax payments and reform the so-called Scavenger Sale system.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) speaks during the City Council meeting Wednesday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

After lengthy and at times contentious discussion Wednesday, the City Council approved an ordinance allowing the city to use $51 million in surplus from 2021 to help fund services for migrants who are being sent to Chicago from other states like Texas. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presides over a special meeting of the county board of commissioners in December 2022. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

New legislation passed by the General Assembly and awaiting the governor's signature would amend the Illinois Pension Code to make permanent the annual contributions Cook County has made toward its pension obligations and implement reforms to the pension system.

Members of the City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection met Tuesday. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

After a small group of alderpersons last week scuttled a vote on an ordinance (SO2023-1605) that would allow the city to use $51 million in surplus from 2021 to support migrants through June, the City Council is scheduled on Wednesday to take another look at the proposal. 

Alderpersons are also scheduled to vote on the permanent expanded outdoor dining program and a proposal to boost funding for some council committees.

The flag of Cook County flies over the entrance to the county building in Chicago. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Cook County’s minimum wage is set to rise in July, but at a rate below the annual rise in prices. 

The county issued a notice Tuesday that the minimum wage for non-tipped employees working in the county would rise from $13.35 to $13.70 an hour July 1. Tipped employees’ minimum wage will rise from $7.40 to $8 an hour. 

Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Comm. Ken Meyer speaks during a news conference last week. [City of Chicago livestream]

As Chicago’s weather appears to have unofficially hit summer mode, the City Council could approve a permanent expanded outdoor dining proposal introduced last week. 

The City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection is set to meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday to consider the ordinance (O2023-2093) introduced by Mayor Brandon Johnson and various alderpersons during last week’s first meeting with the new mayor presiding. If the measure is approved Tuesday, it is likely to go before the City Council on Wednesday for a final vote. 

Some Chicago alderpersons are hoping the city’s new agreement with JCDecaux for “street furniture,” including shelters at bus stops, will open the door to bring more public bathrooms to Chicago. 

Under the new agreement, which began Jan. 1, revenue the city would receive from JCDecaux, the company that installed bus shelters throughout the city and sells advertising on the shelters, could instead go toward the company building and maintaining public bathrooms in the city, according to Ald. Daniel La Spata (1).