July 17
A “slap in the face” was how City Council member Greg Mitchell (7th Ward) characterized the City’s lack of communication about replacing toxic lead pipes in Chicago’s most impacted neighborhoods. In heated comments during a City Council Committee on Finance meeting, council members criticized the Department of Water Management for poor communication about when and where pipes are being replaced, how those efforts disrupt day-to-day life in their wards, and who will be leading the projects. They also expressed frustration with a lack of consideration for including minority and women-owned businesses in the work. The contentious discussion led to postponing consideration of an amendment to the terms of a federal loan supporting the lead service line removal project. The committee signed off on a deal to supply Joliet with water to offset a projected shortage by 2030. TIF funds for several renovations and developments were approved, including the Congress Theater, the Boulevard Apartments, the Hudson Motor Company building, and the Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The committee also approved $8.5 million in proposed settlements for four cases of police misconduct.
July 18
At its meeting, the City Council Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards approved landmark designation for Greater Tabernacle Cathedral in West Roseland, the former site of the Holy Rosary Parish. The protected structures served residents of the town established in 1882 by the Pullman Company for workers building railroad sleeping cars. From 1985 to 1988, Barack Obama worked as a community organizer from offices in the church’s rectory. A proposed amendment to the Municipal Code for standards defining vintage signs and murals on buildings was approved. The proposed ordinance relaxes restrictions for such murals as long as they aren’t commercial advertisements. A zoning change was approved for 5900 West Irving Park Road to accommodate a new cannabis dispensary that is fifty-one percent owned by a Black woman. Rezoning of a parking lot at 1434-1446 West Fillmore Street was approved for development of a fifty-unit residential building with twenty percent affordable housing. Land owned by the Chicago Blackhawks on the West Side was zoned for an expanded practice facility and use for public activities.
July 20
During its meeting, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a West Loop development of a forty-three-story building with commercial space for a brewery and restaurant and 460 residential units. Twenty percent are to be designated as affordable. The next step in the approval process is a review by the Zoning Committee. The Commission found that, except for women-owned businesses, the Department of Planning and Development (DPS) Zoning Administration is not meeting the goals of then-mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2017 executive order for Minority and Women-Owned Enterprises (MWBE) and local workforce participation. Participation levels since the order was issued stand at 19.5 percent for MBE, 7 percent for WBE, and 24.2 percent for city resident hiring. The Commission members agreed that the fault lies not with commitment from developers, but with the practices of general contractors. Discussion concerned how to resolve that problem.
July 25
At their third meeting, members of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability—Police District Council 25 (Grand Central) announced the launch of a newsletter, or “resource sheet.” The publication will include recently discussed meeting items, contact information for district and ward officials, and other information sources. In response to residents’ requests, the District Council is developing new ways to work more closely with community organizations. This meeting included guest speakers from three organizations aimed at ending violence. District residents were also invited to participate in a survey to help guide the District Council in its activities. The survey will be available for two months. Two new community events were announced: a birdwatching tour and a “know your rights” workshop designed to help individuals better understand police stops, especially when they themselves are stopped. One District Council member said they hope the council will conduct a similar workshop for undocumented individuals.
July 26
Chicago Board of Education president Jianan Shi announced A Special Education Advisory Committee at the board’s meeting. Led by board member Mary Fahey Hughes, the committee is slated to comprise CPS parents and educators, special education advocates, and other stakeholders. Three other initiatives Shi announced are the transition to a twenty-one seat school board; growing CPS programs and investing in college readiness; and supporting the “whole child.” That includes viewing students as more than just test scores, “dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline,” and investing in wraparound services, Shi said. Community members called for an investigation into the Marine Leadership Academy, and the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association requested an investigation into the firings of six Black principals. Changes in board meeting procedures include increasing the number of public speaker slots from twenty to thirty; adding an honorary student member to facilitate student-led roundtables; and increasing public participation opportunities by holding meetings in different city locations. To avoid conflicting with City Council meetings, the regular CPS board meeting will now be on the fourth Thursday of each month.
This information was collected and curated by the Weekly in large part using reporting from City Bureau’s Documenters at documenters.org.