Department of Procurement Services staff speak before the City Council budget committee on Wednesday. [City Council Livestream]

The city’s Department of Procurement Services faced questions from aldermen on the City Council budget committee Wednesday, with a focus on boosting the number of minority groups awarded city contracts. Chief Procurement Officer Aileen Velazquez was joined by staff for the hearing before the Committee on Budget and Government Operations.

CCPSA Executive Director Adam Gross and Commission President Anthony Driver speak before the City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations on Tuesday. [City Council Livestream]

Members of the City Council questioned leaders of the city’s first-of-its-kind civilian police oversight commission Tuesday on their budget, staffing and scope of work during a three-hour hearing before the Committee on Budget and Government Operations.

While the commission’s executive director said he expects the commission’s workforce to grow in the years ahead, he couldn’t give an exact estimate of the future staffing needs and said more would become clear after the fledgling commission operates for a year.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presents her proposal for the 2023 Forest Preserve District of Cook County budget during an address Friday. [Forest Preserve District Board livestream]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a $140.7 million proposed budget for the Cook County Forest Preserve District during a Friday address before the board of commissioners, and though she spoke fondly about the programs undertaken by the district, she urged voters to pass a tax hike at the polls this November to address “chronic fiscal issues.”

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle gives her 2023 budget address during a special board of commissioners meeting on Thursday. [Cook County Board of Commissioners Livestream]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presented her proposed 2023 spending plan in a speech before the county board of commissioners Thursday morning, touting the $8.75 billion budget as a bold investment in addressing economic insecurity and the root causes of violence.

Preckwinkle noted the spending plan has been bolstered by a federal injection of pandemic relief dollars, which will allow the county to launch an array of new programs, including a basic income pilot the board president announced she intends to make permanent.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Democratic candidates speak at a Cook County Democratic Party news conference and voting event in Kenwood in June 2022 [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is set on Thursday to unveil her $8.75 billion proposed budget for the 2023 fiscal year — a plan she said spends millions on equity programs and pandemic relief without raising taxes or eliminating crucial services.

Cook County is reminding residents that applications will open this week for its guaranteed income pilot program. The City of Chicago has won its sixth straight award from a major travel magazine.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is pictured on the city council floor on Monday. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Mayor Lori Lightfoot used her budget address Monday to announce plans to establish an executive office dedicated to overseeing the city’s climate and environmental policies. But the announcement seems to fall short of a promise the mayor made during her first campaign.

Frank Chapman speaks during a news conference on Aug. 30, 2022 [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

Longtime local advocates for police reform recognized Thursday as a “historic” moment as the city’s civilian police oversight commission met for the first time and elected a president and vice president, set its meeting schedule and announced an upcoming special meeting focused on the Chicago Police Department budget.

But some still urged the new commission to ensure it has an adequate budget and proper staffing level as it begins its work.

Cook County Comm. Donna Miller (D-6) speaks about a proposal to reduce property taxes for supermarkets which open in underserved areas during a board meeting Sept. 22, 2022. [Cook County Board of Commissioners Livestream]

A proposed property tax incentive class would attract and retain grocery stores in areas of Cook County that lack sufficient access to healthy food.

The Business and Economic Development Committee could take up the proposed ordinance as soon as its Oct. 19 meeting. If approved by the committee, it would still need the approval of the full Cook County Board of Commissioners. The item was referred to the committee during the Sept. 22 board meeting.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a news conference Aug. 29, 2022. [Erin Hegarty/The Daily Line]

The civilian commission tasked with oversight of the Chicago Police Department will hold its first meeting Thursday.