Last September, Chicago's City Council enacted the so-called “Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance,” an ill-conceived law that will reduce housing affordability in several northwest side wards and hurt the small and mid-sized housing providers represented by my organization, the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance (NBOA).

The ordinance, which imposes draconian restrictions on the sale of rental property in Logan Square, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, and Avondale just went into effect on March 1.

This ill-conceived ordinance has many harmful provisions, but the most harmful to housing affordability gives tenants of a rental building a “right of first refusal.” This gives the tenants an “opportunity to purchase” the building if they can match the selling price, and imposes a chain of complicated and time-consuming requirements before the transaction can close with the tenants or with another buyer.

As President Trump begins his new administration, his commitment to restoring trust in the Department of Justice (DOJ) offers a vital opportunity to rebuild public confidence in the fairness and integrity of our justice system. His pledge to appoint principled leaders like Pam Bondi and Kash Patel signals a clear resolve to confront systemic issues, hold bad actors accountable, and ensure justice is applied equally to all Americans. This mission is urgent, as the failures of the previous administration have left deep scars on the foundation of our democracy.

The case of Curt Somoza exemplifies the dire consequences of a politicized and unaccountable DOJ. Somoza, a businessman and CIA contractor, created cutting-edge secure communication technologies designed to protect U.S. national security. According to evidence and reports, DOJ personnel mishandled this technology, releasing it to unauthorized parties—including individuals connected to terrorist organizations. This mishandling extended to next-generation communication technologies that were not only more advanced than what the CIA or U.S. government possessed but also critical to future defense strategies.

Last week, the Chicago City Council passed an amendment to the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance. Thanks to the efforts of the Chicago Association of Realtors, this amendment contains changes that make the ordinance somewhat less bad.

This rushed legislation should be more aptly named the Northwest Side Housing Prevention Ordinance (to reflect its actual impact). The sponsors of this bill Carlos Rosa (35th) & Jessie Fuentes (26th) have a long history of simply attacking the housing industry for political points. This law passed with blinding speed and no input from those who actually provide housing.

Most Democratic National Convention (DNC) visitors will likely not see the deep divisions that exist in our city, especially the sacrifice zones that so many Chicagoans live in. There is a long legacy of environmental racism in our city, but that doesn’t mean that has to be the way things always will be. 

I sincerely believe that we have innovative solutions that could serve as a model for other major cities across the country.

For decades, industrial facilities, waste sites, and other sources of pollution have been concentrated in neighborhoods of color, leading to severe health disparities. Residents in areas like the South and West Sides have suffered from higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other pollution-related illnesses compared to their wealthier, predominantly white counterparts.

July 30^th is the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. It is a call to action to address the shortcomings we’ve seen globally in the effort to put an end to this deplorable crime and accelerate change.

This year’s theme, “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” underscores the urgent need for action to end child trafficking, as well as support all survivors of human trafficking, especially our most vulnerable. It also serves as a reminder of the role we all play in addressing this issue head on.

Pilsen is one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods – characterized by a colorful celebration of Latin American and Mexican culture everywhere you look. From the 1,400 businesses that line our streets, the annual Mole De Mayo Festival, and the Buen Provecho Taste of Pilsen, our community has always been a place for people to gather and celebrate their heritage. Yet, hanging over our vibrant community is the growing need to advance commonsense clean air standards.

 

Boasting the most diverse economy in America and the nation’s fifth highest GDP, Illinois relies heavily on our innate infrastructure and logistics advantages to keep us on the right track for continued growth.

One of our greatest strengths is our freight rail network. Illinois has 47 freight railroads that carry almost 500 million tons of goods across our state annually—the equivalent of about 25 million annual truckloads of freight. Any diversion of current rail freight to highways will worsen congestion and road damage while also vastly increasing transportation related emissions and pollution.

Plastic is one of the most common materials used to create many of the products we use and depend on in countless ways. From everyday household items to industrial uses, understanding how this material can and should be properly recycled, and the benefits that come with that, can make a significant impact on protecting our environment.

It’s not every day in Illinois that car companies, environmental organizations, advanced manufacturers, public health advocates and labor unions line up behind the same public policy. Today, that diverse coalition is backing the Powering Up Illinois Act, legislation that would remove the bottlenecks blocking the transition to clean vehicles in our state.  

Good things tend to come in threes and the Chicagoland Apartment Association wants to give credit where credit is due. Mayor Johnson's recent efforts for more vibrant real estate development by streamlining processes and cutting red tape deserves high praise. This an issue that is paramount for housing developers looking to invest in Chicago.