Judge Orders Proposal to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Properties Off Ballot; City Appeals
The proposal known as Bring Chicago Home will remain on the ballot, but the results will not be tallied and reported unless the judge’s decision is overturned by a state appeals court.
CPS Board Approves Plan to Remove Resource Officers From Schools
The seven-member board unanimously approved the resolution, which directs CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to implement a new whole school safety policy, which “must make explicit that the use of SROs within District schools will end by the start of the 2024-2025 school year.”
Chicago Closes 4 Shelters as Number of Migrants in City Facilities Drops 17% Since Mid-December
Closing the four shelters will allow the city to avoid paying $19 million to lease the facilities, staff them and provide food and laundry services, officials said.
Rapper and Activist Vic Mensa on His Chicago Roots, Work to Support South Side Neighborhoods
Vic Mensa has taken on many different roles over the years — rapper, organizer, actor and more. Most recently, he partnered with the “Feed the Block, Warm the Block” initiative to bring food and clothing to the city’s unhoused population.
Pritzker’s $52.7B Budget Proposal Funds Migrant Care and Early Childhood Education, Angers Business Community
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday unveiled a $52.7 billion budget that he described as filled with “hard choices.” The plan builds on priorities like funding preschool, supporting Black residents, funding the neediest schools and caring for asylum seekers.
City Council Votes 42-7 to Crack Down on New Dollar Stores in Chicago
The new regulations ban new dollar stores — defined as stores offering an assortment of goods, most advertised at less than $5 — from opening within one mile of another dollar store owned by the same company.
Feb. 20, 2024 - Full Show
Two alderpeople weigh in on canceling the ShotSpotter contract. A preview of Pritzker’s budget address and what it means for Chicago. And sitting down with civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
City Council Members Weigh in on ShotSpotter Contract Extension, CPD Discipline System
Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to push forward with the progressive policing strategies he promised during his campaign to prioritize. He announced the city will be phasing out its contract with ShotSpotter, the controversial gunshot detection technology.
With Federal Progress Slow, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Takes On Police Reform Case by Case
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is responsible for making household names out of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others.
Migrant Spending, Education Funding and a Projected Shortfall Among Issues Facing Gov. J.B. Pritzker Ahead of Budget Address
If Illinois continues spending next fiscal year as it has been this year, the state will face an $891 million deficit. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to spell out exactly how he plans to address that on Wednesday, when he delivers an annual combined state of the state and budget address.
Feb. 19, 2024 - Full Show
FIRSTHAND: Homeless — a WTTW News special. Voters weigh a plan to hike taxes on sales of million-dollar homes to help fight homelessness. And efforts to help people who shelter on the CTA.
With Ballot Decision Looming, Chicago Homeless Advocates Push for Support and Funding
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates more than 68,000 people in Chicago are experiencing homelessness. That higher number includes people who are doubled up, or temporarily living in someone else’s home.
Cook County Funds Purchase of Two Hotels in Effort to Provide Stable Housing, Necessary Supports
The hotels were originally used as temporary solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing advocates said the hotels are turning out to be significantly more effective than a traditional shelter approach.
Program Tries To Reach Homeless ‘Where They’re At’ — On CTA Trains
The program has connected dozens of people to housing or shelter, but officials say it needs more funding and time to make a bigger impact.
Week in Review: Johnson Dismisses Questions Over ShotSpotter Cancelation; Madigan’s Former Right-Hand Man Sentenced
Confusion over the end of the city’s ShotSpotter contract. State and county leaders agree to spend millions more in migrant care — but did Johnson renege on his commitment?