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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

A report published by Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson found the Department of Streets and Sanitation has yet to implement actions to fix its weed-cutting program. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said an announcement on mandatory vaccinations for city employees is coming “shortly.” And Lightfoot cautioned against a new ward map drawn in a “backroom deal.” 

Aldermen are tasked with redrawing boundaries for the city’s 50 wards.

August marks the City Council’s annual summer break from official business, but aldermen have little time to rest this year. In addition to focusing on work in their wards, council members are gearing up to redraw boundaries of the city’s 50 wards. 

From left: Ald. Maria Hadden (49), Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20) and Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29) speak during the Tuesday public safety committee meeting. 

Questions over the amount of time police officers should wait before entering a home to execute a search warrant, what time of days such warrants should be executed and whether the city should codify search warrant policy were at the heart of discussion among aldermen on Tuesday.  

Ald. Maria Hadden (49) speaks during the February news conference unveiling the proposed Anjanette Young Ordinance.

Aldermen are scheduled on Tuesday to discuss measures designed to codify new search warrant procedures and the rein in the police department’s use of gang databases.

The city of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police have reached a tentative agreement on an eight-year labor contract, officials announced on Monday. And the city is scheduled in August to host a series of three community engagement forums meant to solicit public input on the 2022 budget. 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) and Jazmine Salas speaking during a news conference on Friday. 

Aldermen last week approved a measure creating civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department, but some grassroots leaders say there’s more work to be done to ensure Chicago residents participate in the oversight process.

(From left) Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11), Ald. Ed Burke (14) and Ald. Carrie Austin (34) saw more tepid campaign contributions than many of their colleagues during the second quarter of this year.

Incoming campaign donations ground to a near-halt between April and June for the three members of the Chicago City Council who are under indictment, state campaign finance records show. But the aldermen continue to spend cash from their committees on legal fees, “thanking residents” and business luncheons. 

Ald. Jason Ervin (28) speaks during a news conference celebrating the passage of a civilian oversight ordinance

Aldermen on Wednesday approved a long-awaited framework for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department, satisfying demands of a grassroots coalition while also delivering on one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s major campaign promises. 

From left: Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), Ald. Harry Osterman (48) and Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29) speak during the public safety committee meeting Tuesday.  

The City Council is primed to decide on Wednesday whether Chicago will adopt a mechanism for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department, potentially fulfilling a long-delayed campaign promise of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a years-old call from grassroots activists. 

Aldermen during the June 23 City Council meeting [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

A modified plan to expedite business permits, approval of a $4 billion mega-development on the Near South Side and a years-in-the-making civilian police oversight plan are among dozens of items set for consideration by the City Council on Wednesday during its last meeting before the council’s August recess. 

A compromise proposal for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department is set for a key vote Tuesday. [Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago] 

A compromise ordinance between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a grassroots coalition on civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department could clear a critical hurdle Tuesday, potentially sending the historic ordinance to City Council for approval Wednesday.