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It’s Thursday, and you know what that means: one more day until Friday and another WTTW News newsletter with essential Chicago stories. |
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A file photo of a Chicago residential street. (stevegeer / Stock) |
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The Chicago City Council voted 30-18 to create a city-owned nonprofit housing developer — approving the centerpiece of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s effort to reduce Chicago’s massive affordable housing shortfall after weeks of intense debate.
The plan is designed to leverage the city’s financial power to build what the city calls “green social housing,” permanently affordable, mixed-income and environmentally sustainable housing.
Some backstory:
Chicago faces an affordable housing shortfall of more than 119,000 units, and more than half of Chicagoans spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, making them burdened by housing costs.
“We want something better than we have right now,” said Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward), the lead author of the ordinance. “Our system is broken.”
It took three tries for the proposal to create a nonprofit developer, set to be known as the Residential Investment Corp., to win the endorsement of the Housing and Finance committees and convince deeply skeptical alderpeople to support the plan.
Johnson said he had fulfilled promises made during the 2023 campaign for mayor to tackle the city’s affordable housing shortage.
“For the people of Chicago who have longed for transformation, that day is here,” Johnson said. ”Here we are, at the half point of my administration, we were able to take the hopes and aspirations of working people in the city of Chicago to bring this historic ordinance into fruition.”
The final version of the proposal ensured that both the Office of the Inspector General and the Chicago Board of Ethics would have jurisdiction over the new organization. It also encouraged the leaders of the new organization to fund developments that create homes affordable to Chicagoans earning less than 30% of the area median income, which is $35,970 for a family of four, with a wide range of bedrooms. |
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Examples of a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License and the new standard driver’s license for Illinois residents without U.S. citizenship on display during a news conference on July 1, 2024. (WTTW News) |
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As the clock ticked toward a deadline, many Illinois residents rushing to get their hands on a Real ID ran into red tape instead.
Records from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office reveal a surge of frustration over appointment shortages, inconsistent guidance and documentation mishaps as the federally mandated change took effect. The initial target date passed Wednesday, but with the summer travel season set to kick into gear this month, the long lines at DMV facilities have stirred up complaints across the state.
More context:
A Real ID is a driver’s license or state-issued identification that meets security requirements mandated in a 2005 law passed by Congress in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The ID in Illinois has a gold star in the upper right corner to differentiate it from a regular one.
The plan was extended multiple times by the federal government over the years. The current enforcement date is May 7, though there is disagreement about what exactly that means based on responses from the state and federal government.
What we found:
WTTW News obtained communication from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office related to the Real ID process through a public-records request. Records show difficulty for seniors and individuals with a disability, who describe the process as physically painful, emotionally humiliating and logistically complex.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced new or updated facilities in places including Chicago, Aurora and Springfield this year, and his office offered appointments to mitigate wait times because of increased demand. However, the process didn’t make it easy for everybody. Some report long waits and poor service. Many describe getting appointments and identifying the required documents as a difficult process. |
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at an event at the Pullman Community Center on April 17, 2025. (WTTW News) |
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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday accepted an invitation from U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the Republican chairperson of the U.S. House Oversight Committee to testify about the state’s laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants.
Pritzker will appear June 12 alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to a statement from Comer’s office. All three are Democrats, and Walz was the 2024 Democratic nominee for vice president.
Alex Gough, a spokesperson for Pritzker, said in a statement, that Pritzker will “voluntarily appear before Congress on June 12 to discuss his track record on public safety and the implementation of bipartisan state laws.”
His appearance is likely to represent a flashpoint in Illinois’ ongoing battle with the GOP-controlled U.S House and the Trump administration, which is attempting to strip self-proclaimed sanctuary cities of all federal funding. |
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Back in the Day: May 8, 1936 - Jim Thompson, Longest Serving Gov. in Illinois History, Born in Chicago |
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On this day, 89 years ago, Illinois' longest-serving chief executive was born. Former Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson was raised on Chicago's West Side and went to the University of Illinois' Chicago campus and Washington University in St. Louis. Known as "Big Jim" for his towering 6'6" stature, he received his law degree from Northwestern University, starting a law career known for prosecuting public officials and taking on Chicago's Democratic machine. He was first elected governor in 1976 and served four terms before leaving office in 1991. While he was a Republican, he was moderate and reached across the aisle to secure multiple transportation and infrastructure projects. He was key to the expansion of Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center, the construction of the United Center and keeping the White Sox in Chicago with a stadium deal. He died in August 2020 from a heart condition. |
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This Week’s Arts & Culture Events |
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Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city’s must-see cultural events.
Between superheroes and super friends, ballet dancers and a champion bulldog, this week’s picks bring a cast of characters worth getting to know.
“The Legend of Kingdom Come” – Music Box Theatre
You don’t have to be a comic book fan to love the graphic novels of “Kingdom Come” — the visionary take on DC superheroes that redefined the genre in the ‘90s. Chicago-based visual artist Alex Ross was a primary creator and brought dramatic flair to his paintings. His imagery should look mighty impressive on the big screen in this new feature-length documentary. Screening and post-film Q&A at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10.
“Balanchine + Beyond” – Ballet Chicago @ Harris Theater
A showcase of classical and contemporary ballet, including works by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. A ballet company must be authorized to perform his trademarked choreography, and Ballet Chicago makes the grade. Here they present historically significant work set to music by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and William Grant Still. Two performances on Saturday, May 10.
“Gorgeous” – Raven Theatre
A poochy premise for this world premiere — a young woman’s boyfriend dies, and she wants to continue presenting his champion bulldog, Gorgeous, at dog shows. Another woman arrives, questions arise and their leashes get tangled, so to speak. From hot writer Keiko Green, this is a co-production between Raven Theatre and Rivendell Theatre, a theater dedicated to women’s stories. Through June 7. |
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What's your favorite summer festival in 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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