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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ

Reporter
Mayor Brandon Johnson (center) greets Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) outside at a groundbreaking for a new Starbucks in Clearing.
City Hall
Mayor Johnson's plan to borrow $1.25 billion for development projects gets mixed reception
Some Chicago City Council members urged more oversight of which projects Johnson’s plan would fund, while supporters said it would be a much-needed boon to housing and city development.
By Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ and Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ
 
Chicago homelessness
La Voz Chicago
Votantes decidirán sobre pregunta en la boleta acerca de impuesto en compras de viviendas millonarias
La decisión de la Corte Suprema de Illinois concretiza el referéndum en la boleta electoral, que pregunta si la Ciudad de Chicago debería aumentar un impuesto sobre la venta de propiedades de lujo para recaudar ingresos para enfrentar la falta de vivienda.
By Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ and Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ
 
Chicago homelessness
Elections
Bring Chicago Home votes will be counted after Illinois Supreme Court denies appeal
The Illinois Supreme Court denied an effort to block the ballot question regarding tax rates on property sales.
By Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ and Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ
 
Farzin Parang, executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, stands and speaks at a podium adorned with the Illinois state seal.
Elections
Real estate groups ask Illinois Supreme Court to block ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum
The groups want the court to remove a question from the March 19 primary ballot that asks voters if they approve an increased sales tax on high-end properties.
By Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ and Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ
 
7th district congress primary combo
Elections
U.S. Rep. Danny Davis faces a hard reelection fight as he tackles challenges from four fellow Democrats
Davis’ Democratic challengers say it’s time for the incumbent congressman to step aside. But Davis says he has valuable seniority.
By Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ
 
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, presiding at his first City Council meeting.
Brandon Johnson
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pitches borrowing $1.25B for housing and development
Johnson’s signature plan would rely on letting dozens of the city’s tax increment financing districts expire, using that money to repay the debt.
By Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ and Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ
 
The logo for the 2024 Democratic National Convention is displayed on the scoreboard during the DNC Winter Media Walkthrough at the United Center, Thursday, Jan. 18.
Elections
DNC launches neighborhood ambassadors program to recruit volunteers throughout city
Organizers want 12,000 volunteers and to make sure Chicago’s neighborhoods see economic benefits from the Democratic convention.
By Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ and Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ
 
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has extended the 60-day deadline for migrants to leave shelters to Feb. 1. His administration on Wednesday also defended how it handled complaints of unsanitary conditions at this migrant shelter in Pilsen, seen on Dec. 19, 2023. 
Immigration
Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes the deadline back again to move migrants out of shelters
Johnson pushed the new 60-day deadline for migrants staying in shelters to exit to Feb. 1. He also defended how he addressed unsanitary conditions at a Pilsen shelter last fall.
By Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ and Tessa Weinberg | WBEZ
 
Flanked by family members and attorneys, former Ald. Edward Burke (14th) walks out of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse after being found guilty of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion.
USA vs. Edward M. Burke
Ed Burke ‘had his hand out for money.’ Powerful politician convicted of extortion, bribery in historic verdict
A jury of nine women and three men heard from 38 witnesses over 16 days of testimony as prosecutors made their case that Burke was “a bribe taker” and “an extortionist.”
By Jon Seidel and Mariah Woelfel | WBEZ