A woman votes at a Chicago polling place. [File photo]

The mayor at this month’s City Council meeting officially introduced an ordinance (O2026-0024036) that would enact and study policies to safeguard access to the ballot box and protect rank-and-file election workers.

CCPSA Comm. Abierre Minor is pictured. [Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability website]

The nominating committee to fill vacancies on the city’s civilian police oversight commission disputed allegations from an outgoing commissioner Thursday who said that interference from the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police caused her not to be placed into a pool of finalists for the mayor to choose from as he considers three replacements.

Mayor Brandon Johnson signs a veto of the ordinance freezing the elimination of the subminimum wage at Let's Eat to Live in West Woodlawn on March 25, 2026. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The mayor issued the third veto of his term on Wednesday by quashing the ordinance freezing the phase-out of the city’s tipped wage, which was passed by the City Council last week. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a press conference on March 18, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The mayor on Tuesday defended his administration’s track record on crime, violence and public safety in the wake of two major homicide cases and following the departure of two senior violence prevention officials.

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) who chairs the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, is pictured at a City Council meeting on March 12, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council’s immigration committee on Wednesday will hold a hearing on the challenges experienced by immigrants looking for housing in the city.

The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights will meet at 10:30 a.m. in council chambers. 

Renderings of the 1901 Project show an elevated pedestrian plaza and park space outside the United Center. [RIOS]

Mayor Brandon Johnson is backing a nearly $55 million tax break for the first phase of the multi-billion-dollar mixed-use project planned for the area surrounding the United Center. 

Comm. George Cardenas (D-1) and political consultant Liz Nicholson prevailed in the Democratic primary for Board of Review last week. [Provided]

One of two incumbents on the Cook County Board of Review prevailed at the ballot box last week, with one commissioner that’s been the subject of multiple scandals ousted by voters.

Renderings of the proposed apartment development at 1415 N. Dayton St. [Chicago Department of Planning and Development]

The Chicago Plan Commission on Thursday approved new housing developments on the Near North Side and in Fulton Market and approved the absorption of two new properties into an existing planned development in Hyde Park.

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26) is pictured during a City Council meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

After being delayed last month, the City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance (O2025-0020004) enabling the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) to formally investigate alleged violations of Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance by police.  

“This is a common-sense measure that will maintain the trust that we have built between law enforcement and the community, especially our immigrant communities,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said of the ordinance at a news conference after the meeting.  

While the item passed via voice vote, it occurred after some discussion among alderpeople and after a failed attempt to send it back to committee.

The City Council meets on Dec. 16, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line] 

The City Council on Wednesday approved the creation of a new local taxing district meant to spur increased tourism and large events, two major mayoral appointments, millions of dollars of city financial assistance for various park, school and housing projects, a measure creating a group to study a citywide proactive apartment inspection policy, changes to the city’s animal cruelty code and a massive legal settlement to the family of a woman killed by suspects fleeing police.

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a press conference at City Hall on Jan. 15, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Wednesday voted to freeze the city’s tipped wage escalator, reversing an ordinance put in place almost three years ago, but Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed to veto it.

Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes and County Board President Toni Preckwinkle won the Democratic nominations Tuesday in their respective primary races. 

Just one of two top incumbents prevailed in competitive Cook County Democratic Party primary elections Tuesday night. Board President Toni Preckwinkle secured a fifth term as county executive, but Assessor Fritz Kaegi failed to secure a third term, falling behind a challenger who had the backing of the county party.

Cook County Comms. Bridget Gainer (D-10) and Frank Aguilar (D-16) both lost their bids for reelection Tuesday against primary challengers. [Provided]

With four open races and the defeat of two incumbents Tuesday, the 17-member Cook County Board of Commissioners will have at least six new members next term, according to unofficial election results from the Cook County Clerk's Office and Chicago Board of Elections. 

Ald. Samantha Nugent (39), president pro tempore of the City Council, is pictured at a council meeting on Nov. 15, 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Wednesday will consider two major mayoral appointments, millions of dollars of city financial assistance for various park, school and housing projects, a measure creating a group to study a citywide proactive apartment inspection policy, changes to the city’s animal cruelty code and a massive legal settlement to the family of a woman killed by suspects fleeing police. 

Alderpeople will also take up a measure to allow one of the city’s police oversight agencies to investigate allegations of Chicago police collaborating with federal immigration authorities, which was deferred last month, and a group of council members will attempt to pass a measure freezing the tipped wage escalator. The council will meet at 10 a.m.

From left, Board of Ethics appointees Esther Nieves and Bob Glaves face the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight on March 16, 2026. [Livestream]

Two appointments to the seven-member Board of Ethics were approved by the City Council Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight Monday but not without a plea from the committee chair for the mayor’s office to address persistent lengthy vacancies on the board.