December 3
At its meeting, the Committee on Housing and Real Estate approved a land transfer for Chicago Torture Justice Memorials (CTJM) in Washington Park after extensive public comment. Several survivors of Chicago police violence spoke about their experiences. “I stand here as a person violated, degraded, and humiliated…kicked, punched and spat on,” said one. “I plead for you all to vote ‘yes.’” Advocates said the public memorial will have psychological and educational benefits as well as boost the local economy. After public testimony concluded, Committee Chair Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) reported that sixteen out of eighteen written comments received by the committee supported the land transfer. The transfer honors those victimized under disgraced former Chicago Police Department Commander Jon Burge. The committee also approved multiple land sales, renewed city leases, and a measure to dissolve the Chicago Housing Trust (CHT) as a separate entity, incorporating it into the Department of Housing. Thirteen committee members were present at roll call, two attended remotely, and six were absent.
December 9
At its meeting, the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards approved all but one zoning and development item on its agenda. Ten individuals spoke during the public comment period. Commenters supported zoning amendments that would allow historic preservation in the 35th Ward and the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, which was designed in part to combat environmental burdens in communities of color. One speaker opposed a zoning change to his small commercial garage that would bar automotive business-related work. Another speaker opposed an ordinance affecting his residential building. A third voiced frustration that she hadn’t received sufficient notice about her block being rezoned for “mixed use” to accommodate a new development. She also wanted to know what the potential development would look like. Committee members then considered and approved a substitute ordinance that would expand existing boundaries for additional dwelling units (ADUs). An ADU is a second residential unit located on the lot of a primary residence. It might be detached—a coach house, for example—or in an attic or basement of that residence.
December 10
Back-to-back meetings of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) board heard public comments on Grand Avenue bike lanes, a new bus lane along Ashland Avenue and Wells Street, and the Red Line extension project, which will be completed by 2030. The Finance Audit and Budget (FAB) Committee met first and heard some good news from Chief Financial Officer Tom McKone: public funding from taxes brought in more revenue than expected and total 2025 expenses through October were approximately $78 million less than expected. The FAB Committee reviewed and approved a licensing agreement with Pharmabox to install, operate, and maintain retail vending machines selling over-the-counter pharmacy products, collectible trading cards, and other items at designated stations. Two of those stations would be at 95th Street and Grand Avenue. Then, at the CTA board meeting, a board member addressed concerns about safety and increased ridership by young people. Another speaker discussed station improvements that could assist disabled riders. Acting CTA Board President Nora Leerhsen reported on the success of the CTA’s Holiday Train, noting the hard work that goes into making it a success. She said that routes like the J14 and 60 Blue Island “continue to maintain an average of 15 percent growth in ridership year over year.”
December 15
At their meeting, members of Chicago Police District Council 011—Harrison reviewed district crime statistics. The district includes Humboldt Park, West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, Near West Side, and Austin. Board members highlighted upcoming nominations for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA). One council member encouraged individuals younger than twenty-eight years old to apply. Using data spanning 2001 to 2025, Chair Bryan Ramson, Jr. reported that certain crime statistics have changed minimally over the past fifteen years. He also displayed graphs that compare the number of crime reports to the number of arrests. Except for narcotics violations and motor vehicle theft, most crimes showed fewer arrests than reports. A community member identified motor vehicle theft trends as “the most alarming,” noting that the number of reports didn’t match the number of arrests. Chair Ramson pointed out that motor vehicle crimes are especially difficult for police to solve because suspects either need to be caught in the act or face a very strong case built on substantial circumstantial evidence. On the other hand, Ramson explained, arrests for alleged narcotics crimes generally match one-to-one with crime reports because police only make a report when they make an arrest. The board also heard from two representatives of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative (GPRWC). GPRWC is “a resident-led partnership transforming health, safety, and opportunity across Chicago’s West side,” according to its website, and expects to issue a “quality of life” plan this year.
December 17
During its meeting, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) presented its latest initiatives and accomplishments. Cook County saw the nation’s largest reduction in opioid overdose deaths since the crisis’ 2023 peak, according to the Guardian. “Citywide violence” also decreased thirty-three percent between 2024 and 2025. However, CDPH has seen increases in HIV/AIDS diagnoses for the second year in a row. In 2024, the department recorded 818 new diagnoses for HIV and 296 for AIDS. The department also noted that mental health ranks among the top five reasons Chicagoans are hospitalized. CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo Ige reported that ninety-three percent of reported possible lead poisoning cases in children received case management services from the department. Dr. Ige stated that the city’s lead abatement efforts are succeeding, resulting in a very small number of residences still facing lead reduction challenges. Reductions in budgets and grants for 2026 reduced full-time CDPH employees to 756 from 1,051.
This information was collected and curated by the Weekly in large part using reporting from City Bureau’s Documenters at documenters.org.