It’s Wednesday and we’re back to mild, 50 degree weather. Warm up again with these stories from WTTW News.
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(DGLimages / iStock)
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The end of the tipped minimum wage in Chicago would be delayed for an additional two years under a compromise measure advanced Tuesday by a key City Council panel.
The City Council’s Workforce Development Committee voted unanimously to send the measure, crafted by rookie Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett (27th Ward), to the full City Council on May 20.
Read the proposal here.
A spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Johnson said he supported the compromise measure even though it would undermine one of his major legislative accomplishments as he prepares to run for a second term as mayor.
The measure set for a final vote next week will “preserves the phaseout and the security it has brought tipped workers while addressing legitimate industry concerns around the immediate impact of global instability on business costs,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
How we got here:
In March, the City Council voted 30-18 to reverse its 2023 vote to phase out the tipped minimum wage. Johnson vetoed that measure, and the City Council failed to override the mayor.
Johnson called that failed override “a victory for working people across Chicago.”
“We are not backing down from our commitments to workers in our city,” Johnson told reporters on April 15. “In recent months, we’ve seen a well-organized, corporate-funded effort to blame rising costs on Black and Brown workers while seeking to take hard fought raises away from the very same workers.”
Before issuing his veto, Johnson dismissed concerns about the cost of ending the tipped minimum wage for Chicago businesses.
“Mayor Johnson remains committed to raising wages for working families as a major component of his affordability agenda, as well as supporting the thousands of Chicago small businesses committed to delivering fair wages and fair prices for their employees and customers,” according to a statement from his office.
Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward), who crafted the plan to phase out the tipped minimum wage by 2028 that passed the City Council in 2023, said she could live with the delay, but remained committed to ending the tipped minimum wage.
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Chicago’s first eaglet in more than 100 years, seen poking out of its nest on the Southeast Side. (Chicago Park District)
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Chicagoans have gone perhaps a little too gaga over a pair of baby bald eagles, the first hatchlings said to have been recorded within city limits in more than 100 years.
The Chicago Park District has erected barriers at the Southeast Side park where the eaglets and their parents are nesting. A popular trail is now closed to protect the family of eagles. Last fall, the Park District similarly had to block access to Montrose Pier to deter throngs from disturbing a visiting snowy owl.
The Park District announced the eaglets’ arrival last week. Birders and district staff had been monitoring a nest over the winter and the first eaglet was spotted April 28. The presence of a second eaglet was confirmed days later.
More context:
The district’s decision to publicize the location of the nest drew criticism online from people who expressed concern the information would lead to harassment of the birds.
Last Friday, a district spokesperson told WTTW News via email the park in question was “not a high traffic area” and that staff had only observed a “handful of birders, nothing outside of the ordinary.”
But the situation changed over the weekend when “an increased number of press and photographers” were seen on site, Irene Tostado, a Park District spokesperson, said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and to minimize disturbance and for the protection of the nesting area, we have temporarily closed access to the woodland path for the foreseeable future,” Tostado said. “We appreciate the cooperation of all our patrons in avoiding the area.”
According to the National Audubon Society, the presence of humans could startle eaglets and cause them to jump out of the nest before they’re capable of flight.
Although bald eagles are no longer listed as an endangered species, the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits human behavior that interferes with eagles’ normal breeding, feeding and sheltering activity.
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(WTTW News)
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Chicago Public Schools is planning to cut staff positions at schools across the city this summer as it seeks to close a budget deficit that tops $730 million.
District officials acknowledged they’re facing a “challenging” budget cycle as they unveiled their initial school-level budgets to principals throughout Chicago on Tuesday.
“Despite these challenges, I believe that the school budgets largely protect resources and supports that have the most direct impact on our students’ daily learning experience,” CPS CEO Macquline King said during a press call Tuesday morning. “As in years past, we will prioritize the resources closest to students and work to find savings in areas of the budget that are more removed from students.”
According to CPS leaders, the district currently faces a budget deficit of $732.5 million, which they said is driven by a lack of state and federal funding, decreasing student enrollment and an increased need to provide for those students with the greatest needs.
Some backstory:
Funding from Springfield has regularly been an issue for CPS, which says it is only getting 73% of what is considered “adequate” under the state’s evidence-based funding formula.
The district didn’t provide specific numbers on its expected number of staffing cuts but said it will cap the number of teacher losses at four for elementary schools and at six for high schools. Class size limits will not change, district officials said.
CPS will also be reducing funding for assistant principals in its smallest schools and is planning to make significant reductions to its citywide expenditures and staffing at its central and network offices.
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More From WTTW News:
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From Capitol News Illinois and UIS Public Affairs Reporting: As households across Illinois brace to lose their federal food assistance this month, grocery stores, especially independent grocers across the state, are preparing for the devastating effects of decreased spending.
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Back in the Day: May 13, 2016 - Chicago Band Twin Peaks Releases ‘Down in Heaven’ LP
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Ten years ago today, the beloved Chicago rock band Twin Peaks released their third album “Down in Heaven.” Named after a television series that the band’s members had not seen at the time, the group formed in 2010 as the rock’n’roll project of Jones College Preparatory and Lane Tech High School students. The teenagers quickly developed a following across the city’s DIY circuit and small venues. This album, their first with multi-instrumentalist Colin Croom, showcased their growth from rowdy punks to mature songwriters. The release got them positive reviews at AllMusic, Pitchfork, Paste and Spin. The group would play festivals like Bonnaroo and Pitchfork Music
Festival as well as a late night TV debut on “Conan.” This week, Twin Peaks are reuniting for the first shows since 2020 for a totally sold-out run of eight consecutive shows at Pilsen’s Thalia Hall.
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Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for May 13-20
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Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Wednesday, May 13:
Robber Robber, Golomb, Starcharm at Schubas. Tickets.
Burlington, Vermont’s most innovative young band headlines a stacked bill in Lakeview.
Thursday, May 14:
Brown Horse, Glass Beagle at Hideout. Tickets.
These U.K. musician meld twangy countrified sounds into anthemic and cathartic rock music.
Thursday, May 14 through Thursday, May 21:
Twin Peaks at Thalia Hall. Sold out.
The beloved Chicago rock band reunites for their first shows since 2020 for a stretch of eight, sold out consecutive nights in Pilsen.
Friday, May 15:
Moontype, Caution, Memory Card at GMan Tavern. Tickets.
Three impressive indie rock bands play a Lakeview bar perfect for a cozy show.
The Hoyle Brothers at Empty Bottle. Free.
Want a matinee show? This honky tonk residency is always on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and always free.
Saturday, May 16:
Sam Prekop & John McEntire, Jungle Boogie at Constellation. Tickets.
Two titans of Chicago experimental music team up for a duo set at a North Center club best suited for that genre.
Soul Asylum, Jason Narducy at SPACE. Tickets.
The veteran rockers attempted an acoustic trio set in Evanston.
Sunday, May 17:
Armlock, Feller at Schubas. Tickets.
Two likeminded acts of intricate indie rock team up in Lakeview.
Tuesday, May 19:
The Deslondes, Sam Gelband, Kiki Cavazos at Hideout. Tickets.
Your favorite country band’s favorite country band.
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Who is your favorite musical artist from Chicago? Tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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