The city was not able to fully celebrate a milestone of moving thousands of migrants out of police district stations Monday, as just under two dozen new arrivals had been recorded as staying in stations. Meanwhile, the mayor and city’s Family and Support Services department announced the opening of the city’s latest center for individuals leaving prison.

Comm. Alma Anaya (D-7) attends an October 2023 meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The same week the City Council approved a resolution calling for work authorization for millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed its own parallel resolution calling for the same protections for undocumented people.

The county increased the amount of federal dollars it will use to assist small businesses as part of a grant program, and the city won an award for its use of bond transactions for the Chicago Recovery Plan.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and alderpeople supportive of the Welcoming City Ordinance hold a press conference Thursday. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council quashed a measure during a special meeting Thursday that would have asked voters if they’d want to amend Chicago's sanctuary city designation.

The resolution’s sponsor, Ald. Anthony Beale (9), took to the floor following the item’s defeat to chastise the alderpeople who voted against its consideration for silencing the ability of residents to weigh in on the issue.

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

The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations will meet Monday and consider a resolution calling on the federal government to address the misuse of a Puerto Rican tax incentive program. 

The health and human relations committee will meet at 1 p.m. in council chambers. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a new plan to improve public safety through actions taken to invest in underserved neighborhoods and to provide outreach to people living in those areas who are at risk of becoming violence victims. Additionally, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a new paid leave law that affects county employers.

The City Council meets for a regular meeting on Dec. 13, 2023. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council approved the majority of a new contract between the city and its police union Wednesday but declined to approve a portion of the contract that would have allowed officers facing serious disciplinary actions the ability to have their fates determined in private meetings, potentially setting up an eventual court battle.

Ald. Anthony Beale (9) is pictured during a meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday to again consider a measure to add a referendum question to the March 2024 ballot that would change the city’s status as a sanctuary city for immigrants. 

Ald. Bennett Lawson (44), vice chair of the city's zoning committee, presides over a meeting on Tuesday. [Livestream]

The Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved a measure that will allow the city’s restaurants and taprooms located in the industrial parts of the West Loop, for instance, to operate outdoor patios.

The measure will be considered by the City Council on Dec. 13.

Kyle Cooper, bottom right, answers questions from the Committee on Police and Fire Tuesday. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Police and Fire approved the appointment (A2023-0005945) of Kyle Cooper to the Police Board Tuesday but not before several alderpeople grilled him about his views on policing. Alds. Felix Cardona (31) and Greg Mitchell (7) voted against the appointment. 

The police and fire committee meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 4, but the body failed to meet a quorum. Though the committee was scheduled to consider other items last week, such as raising the maximum employment age for police officers and firefighters and the commissioning of a workforce allocation study, the committee did not take those items up.

The City Council is pictured during a meeting in September 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday and consider changes to the city’s recently passed paid leave ordinance, final approval of an overhaul to the hate crimes ordinance, approval of a lease amendment to help the Department of Environment and civilian police oversight board secure office space, and the city’s new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police. 

Additionally, the council will consider a “do not pass” recommendation on an option to have serious police disciplinary cases decided via arbitration and will again consider a $2 million legal settlement agreement over a 2014 police shooting.

Ald. Matt Martin (47), top right, speaks to law department officials during a finance committee meeting Monday. [Livestream] 

The City Council Committee on Finance on Monday recommended the City Council approve the payment of millions of dollars to settle three lawsuits — most of the money recommended to be paid out would settle lawsuits related to police shootings. 

Additionally, the city ethics committee approved new rules regulating registered lobbyists.

The Chicago Police Department emblem is pictured on the public safety headquarters building in this file photo. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council’s police and fire committee will consider a measure raising the retirement age for police officers and firefighters, and the zoning committee will consider changes to allow outdoor patios for certain bars and restaurants in manufacturing zoning districts.

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50) speaks about the Chicago v.s. Hate Ordinance during a public safety committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2023. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Public Safety approved an overhaul of the city’s hate crimes ordinance Friday, a measure minority group advocates called a necessary response to recent trends.

The City Council is pictured during a meeting in September 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance will meet Monday and consider approving millions of dollars paid out to settle lawsuits. The ethics committee will also meet and consider a litany of code changes regarding the registration of lobbyists.