Ald. Daniel La Spata (1), chair of the pedestrian and traffic safety committee, is pictured. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety on Monday approved three measures that are part of a legislative package to reduce fatalities from traffic accidents and address illegal parking. The package’s main ordinance reduces Chicago’s default speed limit.

The proposals are in support of “Vision Zero,” the city’s commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2026.

From left to right on each row: Karen Zaccor, Ellen Rosenfeld, Kimberly Brown, Thomas Day, Carmen Gioiosa and Andrew Davis. [Photos from campaign websites/social media]

A six-way race to represent District 4 on the partially elected Chicago Board of Education features Karen Zaccor, Ellen Rosenfeld, Kimberly Brown, Thomas Day, Carmen Gioiosa and Andrew Davis, but two candidates are far out-fundraising the other four.

The district includes Lincoln Park, Lake View, North Center and the majority of Uptown.

Jason Dónes and Carlos Rivas are running to represent District 3 on the partially elected Chicago Board of Education.

Jason Dónes and Carlos Rivas are running to represent District 3 on the partially elected Chicago Board of Education. District 3 is more than 60 percent Hispanic and includes parts of Humboldt Park, most of Hermosa and Avondale, Logan Square, Belmont Cragin, Irving Park East and Belmont Gardens. 

The Cook County assessor released the latest information about the triennial reassessment of Chicago Thursday, and alderpeople next week will consider a proposal to lower Chicago’s default speed limit. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson takes press questions on Oct. 9, 2024 after a City Council meeting. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The Civic Federation issued a report Wednesday that includes suggestions for how the city can address its projected budget holes without raising property taxes, including a temporary suspension of a supplementary pension contribution, mandatory employee furloughs and the repurposing of outstanding federal pandemic relief funds.

The research organization said the city should pursue non-revenue options first before it considers raising or implementing new taxes and should avoid property tax hikes at all costs. 

The City Council's education committee hosts CPS CEO Pedro Martinez for a subject matter hearing on the district's budget on Oct. 16, 2024. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Education and Child Development heard from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez Wednesday amid weeks of uncertainty about his future leading the school district, as Mayor Brandon Johnson has reportedly tried to push him out, though the mayor has not confirmed that version of events. 

DOWNTOWN — Greyhound will continuing operating out of its Downtown terminal temporarily, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday — just days before the bus line was expected to vacate the facility.

A spokesperson for Flix North America, which owns Greyhound, said in a statement the company is negotiating a “month-to-month” lease to stay at the site with station owner Twenty Lake Holdings, a subsidiary of the Alden Global Capital investment firm.

Greyhound’s lease at the terminal, 630 W. Harrison St., was expected to end on Sunday. A company vice president previously said bus lines would have to vacate the facility by Sept. 20, but they have continued operating there this month.

But with no clear plan for where buses would go instead, the company is staying put — for now.

Left: The site at 1530 W. Touhy Ave. where a neighboring church is going to build a parking lot. Right: Ald. Maria E. Hadden (49th) at a City Council meeting on Oct. 9, 2024. Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago; Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

ROGERS PARK — A Rogers Park church is making good on its longtime plans to build a parking lot next door, despite the local alderwoman denying a zoning change to make it happen.

St. George’s Cathedral, also known as Mar Gewargis Cathedral, received a permit last week to build a parking lot on a now-vacant lot next door at 1530 W. Touhy Ave., city building records show. A single-family home that had been on the lot was demolished by the church this year.

The zoning change needed for the parking lot was initially denied by Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) after neighbors spoke out against it.

However, church leaders found a workaround to continue with their plans, Hadden wrote in a newsletter to constituents.

From left on both rows, Maggie Cullerton Hooper, Ebony DeBerry, Kate Doyle and Bruce Leon are running for District 2 on the Board of Education. [Campaign photos]

Ebony DeBerry, Maggie Cullerton Hooper, Kate Doyle and Bruce Leon are competing to represent District 2 on the partially elected Chicago Board of Education next year. District 2 includes the North Side neighborhoods of Edgewater, West Ridge, Albany Park, Rogers Park, Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Peterson Park and Budlong Woods.

The second district race’s fundraising limits were lifted last week after Leon reported a $150,000 loan to his campaign. In all but two of the school board races, contribution limits have been lifted as a result of the amount of money being raised.

From left, Jennifer Custer and Michelle Pierre. [Campaign photos]

Jennifer Custer and Michelle Pierre are running for the District 1 seat on the Chicago Board of Education in a race that pits the interests of the teachers union against charter school supporters. District 1 covers parts of Edison Park, Norwood Park, Portage Park, O’Hare, Dunning and Mayfair. 

The first district race’s fundraising limits were lifted earlier this month after the state elections board determined more than $100,000 had been spent by independent groups to support Pierre. In all but two of the school board races, contribution limits have been lifted as a result of the amount of money being raised.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle gives her 2024 budget address on Oct. 5, 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle introduced a $9.89 billion budget proposal for 2025 in an address during a special meeting of the board Thursday. 

The proposed budget would be 6.8 percent higher than the $9.26 billion budget approved last year and does not raise taxes, fines or fees. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson takes press questions on Wednesday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Wednesday approved one of two major bond refinancing measures that are aimed at helping get the city’s budget gap under control, with the second one being delayed until the next council meeting at the earliest.

The council also approved a measure to cut the number of items subject to Plan Commission, Community Development Commission review and a measure to allow Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) alternate members to serve in vacant spots on the board.

From left, Alds. Angela Clay, Jeanette Taylor, Maria Hadden, Nicole Lee and Gilbert Villegas speak at a council meeting on Wednesday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Alderpeople canceled a special City Council meeting that was planned for Wednesday to host outgoing and incoming members of the Chicago Board of Education.

Cook County released a report on a survey it took of residents’ environmental policy concerns, and the county treasurer said property tax delinquencies rose in the south suburbs following “record” tax bill spikes earlier this year.

Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a City Council meeting in April 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council will meet on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to consider final approval of two major bond refinancing ordinances recently passed by the finance committee that are key to the city getting its budget shortfall under control.

Alderpeople have also called for two special meetings in the afternoon — one that covers the shakeup at the Chicago Board of Education and another that represents the latest effort to save the city’s recently decommissioned acoustic gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter.