Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a Wednesday news conference on the city’s 2022 budget forecast. 

The city of Chicago is expected to face a $733 million budget gap for 2022, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and budget officials announced on Wednesday.

Chicago Public Health Comm. Allison Arwady and Ald. Maria Hadden (49) during a Wednesday committee meeting.

Some aldermen pushed the city’s public health commissioner for a mask mandate on Wednesday as Chicago continues to see an uptick in COVID-19 cases. 

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi on Wednesday announced his plans to run for reelection in 2022. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday launched “Project Rainbow,” which is expected to help kids who suffered “learning loss” during the pandemic. 

 

Chicago Public Health Comm. Allison Arwady answers questions via Facebook on Tuesday. Arwady was joined by her sister and pediatrician Dr. Abigail Hodges (right) and nephew Isaac.

As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, Chicago Public Health Comm. Allison Arwady is set Wednesday to answer questions from aldermen on the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ald. Sophia King (4) is chair of the City Council Progressive Caucus. Ald. Daniel La Spata (1) speaks during a June news conference unveiling the “Chicago Rescue Plan.” 

Quelling Chicago’s gun violence and putting money toward attacking the issue systemically are at the top of the City Council Progressive Caucus’ priorities for next year’s budget, according to the caucus’ chair. 

Amanda Pyron [left], executive director of the Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence, and Stephanie Love-Patterson, executive director of Connections for Abused Women and their Children, speaking during a July 29 Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting

Leaders of Cook County’s multibillion-dollar court system are scrambling to expand access to domestic violence courtrooms amid mounting pressure from commissioners and complaints by advocacy groups that abused women and their families are being left in the lurch.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36), who chairs the City Council Latino Caucus, outlined the caucus' 2022 budget priorities.

Leaders of the City Council Latino Caucus will push for a majority of the $1.9 billion in federal stimulus dollars to go to residents and businesses instead of using the windfall to pay off the city’s debt, according to caucus leadership. 

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Ald. Jason Ervin (28) cut the ribbon on a new roller rink in West Garfield Park as part of an initiative to fight crime with youth activities and economic development.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago police leaders hosted a ribbon-cutting event on Friday for a new publicly backed roller rink in West Garfield Park, spotlighting a novel strategy they hope to use to wrest control of the highest-crime corridors in the city.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a news conference on Thursday.

A multi-agency approach similar to how the city has addressed the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to help stem community violence, city officials announced on Thursday. 

The Chicago Landmark Commission gave unanimous approval to designating Blues musician Muddy Waters’ home as a Chicago Landmark. Mayor Lori Lightfoot challenges Ald. Gilbert Villegas’ (36) critique that city leadership lacks in Latino representation. 

Muddy Waters’ one-time home at 4339 S. Lake Park Ave. (Maxwell Evans | Block Club Chicago)

The Chicago Landmark Commission on Thursday is primed to approve landmarking Blues legend Muddy Waters’ home in Bronzeville. 

Inspector General Joseph Ferguson speaks at City Hall.

The city’s transportation department has failed to ensure records are accurate and complete in its billing system for commercial driveway permit fees, resulting in an annual revenue loss up to $1.5 million, a follow-up report from the city’s inspector general found. 

Chicago Public Health Comm. Allison Arwady speaks during a Tuesday news conference.

As other major cities are mandating vaccinations for city employees and people dining indoors or using gyms, the city’s public health commissioner said Chicago is not mandating indoor restaurants and gym patrons be vaccinated.

Advisory councils on bicycles and pedestrians haven’t met since the pandemic began. 

It has been more than one year since advisory councils meant to help steer the city’s discussion and decision making on bike and pedestrian issues last met. 

Malcolm Whiteside, the city’s deputy commissioner of forestry, and Cook County Board Comm. Bridget Degnen (D-12) discuss Chicago’s tree canopy [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line] 

Chicago’s new Urban Forestry Advisory Board could be the “answer to everything” for the leader of the city’s forestry bureau as he tries to grow Chicago’s tree canopy, he said.