The Latest Breaking News from the City Council

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall held Tuesday’s hearing to determine whether Elmhurst University political science professor Constance Mixon should be allowed to testify during ex-Ald. Ed Burke’s trial.

That power came from “scratch my back” Chicago politics. Burke’s clout emanated from the sheer force of his personality, the favors he did for other City Council members and the intimidation he wielded over his colleagues.

The school faces heavy local opposition to its proposal, which was rejected by the city’s Land Use Commission but now is pending before the City Council.

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd), chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Workforce Development, said what’s standing in the way of an agreement is the requirement that employees who don’t take advantage of all of their paid leave days be “paid out” when they leave their jobs.

He entered politics as one of the youngest Chicago City Council members in history and became its most powerful and longest-serving member. Now, he’s fighting to avoid prison.

The ruling would allow Chicago police officers accused of the most serious wrongdoing to bypass the board and take their cases to an arbitrator behind closed doors.

Prosecutors have called the words of ex-Ald. Edward M. Burke “distasteful” but argued they go to the heart of his alleged scheme.

Former Ald. Ed Burke is accused of using his seat on the City Council to steer business to his private law firm amid schemes that involved the Old Post Office, a Burger King at 41st Street and Pulaski Road, and a Binny’s Beverage Depot.

The mayor presented $16.6 billion 2024 city budget to the City Council today. Here’s how he wants to use taxpayer money.

Ald. Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez volunteered to work with Ald. Debra Silverstein on a resolution that provides “a more nuanced understanding” of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mayor Brandon Johnson will stand before the City Council Wednesday to disclose how he plans to plug a $538 million budget shortfall, more than $200 million of it tied to the migrant crisis.