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This Tuesday, keep your week’s momentum going strong with these headlines from WTTW News. |
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(WTTW News) |
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Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $16.6 billion proposed spending plan for 2026, which eliminates a $1.19 billion projected shortfall, failed to advance Monday, signaling it faces a steep climb to win the support of a majority of the Chicago City Council before the end of the year.
The refusal of the City Council’s Finance Committee to advance Johnson’s proposed spending plan is another sign the bulk of the mayor’s proposal to impose $623 million in new taxes on the wealthiest Chicagoans and largest firms faces intense opposition that has shown no sign of waning.
A vote to advance the part of the mayor's budget that generates all of the city’s revenue for 2026 failed on a vote of 10-25, leaving the budget proposal in limbo and all but assuring that the debate over the spending plan will continue into December.
More context:
Much of the debate has centered on Johnson’s proposal to impose a $21 per month per employee tax on large companies to fund violence prevention and youth employment programs.
Johnson has steadfastly campaigned for the so-called head tax, noting that business leaders have told him his highest priority should be public safety. Johnson has said it only makes sense for Chicago’s largest companies to “put more skin in the game” in order to allow the city to “double down” on efforts that are working.
Led by Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), opponents of the mayor insisted on the vote in an effort to publicly demonstrate the mayor’s inability to push through his proposal after more than a month of debate.
Johnson has repeatedly told reporters it was time for members of the City Council who don’t like his spending plan to make the case for their own budget proposal.
“If alders have other ideas, it is time to bring them forward so we can debate them,” Johnson said.
Johnson has not proposed reducing the $2.1 billion proposed budget for the Chicago Police Department in 2026. CPD’s budget accounts for one-third of the city’s $6 billion corporate fund, which the City Council has wide discretion to spend.
Johnson’s budget relies on $157.6 million in TIF surplus to help fill the city’s budget gap. An additional $550 million would flow to Chicago Public Schools, which is also facing its own financial crunch.
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Military personnel in uniform, with the Texas National Guard patch on, are seen at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Elwood, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) |
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Hundreds of Texas National Guard members deployed to Illinois are being sent home, according to a defense official.
The move is said to be part of a broader change to deployments after President Donald Trump began his crackdown in Democratic-led cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
Members of the Texas National Guard have been stationed at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, 55 miles southwest of Chicago, since Oct. 7. They were prevented from deploying into Chicago by a federal judge who ruled Oct. 9 that she found “no credible evidence there is a danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois.” That decision was upheld by a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The federal district courts in Oregon and in Illinois have made it pretty clear that President Trump has vastly overstated any problems that have been taking place in Portland or in Chicago,” said retired Maj. Gen. William Enyart, former adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard told "Chicago Tonight."
The Trump administration appealed that ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could rule as soon as Tuesday on whether to allow the deployment.
“This withdrawal represents an unconditional surrender by the Trump administration,” Johnson said. “But more than that, it represents a massive waste of taxpayer dollars.”
U.S. Northern Command said in a statement Sunday it was “shifting and/or rightsizing” units in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago. Although it said there would be a “constant, enduring, and long-term presence in each city.”
“The people of Chicago and Texas deserve a full accounting on how much taxpayer dollars were actually wasted on this political stunt,” Johnson said. “We promised to fight back against the militarization of our cities, using every tool at our disposal, and we were successful in that effort. As we said from the beginning, the Texas National Guard belongs in Texas.”
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(Courtesy of Chicago Transit Authority) |
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Santa and his elves will soon be back on CTA trains and buses this holiday season.
The beloved holiday tradition will return starting next week and run through late December, the Chicago Transit Authority announced Monday.
CTA holiday trains will run Nov. 28-Dec. 22, with Saturday dates offering an opportunity to take photos with Santa during designated times.
Holiday buses will run Nov. 25-Dec. 20 across 19 bus routes. Click here for the full holiday bus and train schedule.
Metra will also be operating its holiday trains on Dec. 6, 13 and 20, but tickets sold out Monday within minutes of their release.
Some backstory:
The CTA is celebrating its 34th year of the holiday train tradition. The holiday train features six decorated passenger railcars and one open flatcar carrying Santa in his sleigh, along with sparkling lights, Christmas trees and Santa’s reindeer.
Buses have a new design this year. The 60-foot festive fleet features an exterior wrap showcasing the Christkindlmarket, alongside iconic city landmarks. The bus also features a refreshed interior design with a gingerbread house-themed layout, wreaths, bows, candy cane striping and a miniature gingerbread village, according to a news release. |
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Back in the Day: Nov. 18, 1960 - McCormick Place Opens |
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On this day 65 years ago, McCormick Place, Chicago’s lakefront convention center and events space, opened its doors. The building was the longtime dream of Chicago Tribune publisher Col. Robert R. McCormick, who called for a “booming center for commerce, industry, and culture.” The project got into motion three years after McCormick's death in 1955, thanks to $41 million in investments and Mayor Richard J. Daley’s sign-off. While the structure was massive and perfect for large events, its concrete exterior was harsh and divisive. Many thought the building was ugly. By 1967, a fire consumed the building, conveniently allowing for a remodel that opened in 1971. To date, McCormick Place’s 2.6 million square feet of space hosts nearly three million people per year. |
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things in Chicago. This week, it’s Bridgette Adu-Wadier, Minow Fellow for WTTW News and “Chicago Tonight,” on her favorite places for a sweet treat.
Bridgette Adu-Wadier: The holidays are coming up, which means it’s also the time of year for all types of sweet treats. Here are some of my recent favorites throughout the area.
Chocolate Lover Crepe at Sweet Drip
I have to admit this list is going to be biased toward chocolate lovers and I’m starting off strong. This crepe is covered in milk and white chocolates, and topped with berries. Each bite is dripping with chocolate drizzle, enhancing the warm deliciousness of the crepe. I’ve always believed that there is no such thing as too much chocolate. 1658 E. 53rd St.
Lotus Brownie at Qamaria Yemeni Coffee
Who doesn’t love a pastry with their coffee or matcha? But this one is far from a typical brownie. It’s a rich dessert filled with chocolate chunks and topped with frosting and Lotus cookie butter. The toppings elevate the flavor and make you feel like you’re eating a cake. 4728 N. Kedzie Ave.
German Chocolate Cannoli at Lutz Bakery
Cannoli is one of my favorite desserts and I’ve tried many, but I haven’t been able to get over the German chocolate one here. The delicious blend of chocolate and pecans typically found in cakes tastes even better in a crunchy pastry shell. 2458 W. Montrose Ave.
Elvis Last Donut at Dip and Sip Donuts
This fresh cake donut is the perfect way to honor the late rock legend. It’s decadent, with banana cream filling, nutella and peanut butter drizzle. It’s three of my favorite things on one doughnut and an explosion of flavor. I love making the trip out to the suburbs and enjoying the doughnut inside. The shop has that classic doughnut store feel so it all feels like an extra treat. 1825 Waukegan Road, Glenview
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What's your favorite Thanksgiving dessert? Tell us where you can get it in Chicago.
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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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