It’s Thursday. Hope your commute wasn’t too icy this morning. Stay on firm ground with these stories from WTTW News.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Oct. 8, 2024. (WTTW News)
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Leaders of Chicago’s business community pushed back Tuesday after Mayor Brandon Johnson accused them of working to defeat a measure to give the Chicago City Council the power to hike real estate transfer taxes to benefit “corporations” and the “ultra rich” at the expense of working people in Chicago.
The renewed tension comes after the mayor endured a bruising battle over the city’s 2025 budget. He is under intense pressure from President Donald Trump, who has promised to strip the city of federal funding unless officials help agents deport undocumented immigrants.
Some backstory: Johnson appeared to open a new battlefront Monday evening at a town hall about the state of Chicago hosted by WTTW and community organization My Block, My Hood, My City. Johnson announced he would try again to convince Chicago voters to give the City Council the power to hike real estate transfer taxes on the sales of properties worth $1 million or more to fight homelessness.
Johnson accused opponents of that measure of capitalizing on the divisions exposed by the migrant crisis, which strained the city’s social safety net, worsened the city’s financial condition and exacerbated tension between Chicago’s Black and Latino communities. “They used the migrant crisis to undermine the interests of working people,” Johnson said.
What others are saying: Farzin Parang, the executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, said he was baffled by the mayor’s remarks. “I don’t know what he’s talking about,” Parang said. “It is not based on facts.”
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House Republican Leader Tony McCombie speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, about the House GOP’s lawsuit against Illinois’ legislative maps. (Bridgette Fox / Capitol News Illinois)
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Illinois Republicans have filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to throw out the legislative district map drawn by Democrats.
Their argument:
Republicans argue the map is an example of “extreme partisan gerrymandering,” which renders it unconstitutional under state law. The map was initially challenged in federal court, but the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that partisan gerrymandering cases like this one should be decided by the states.
Dems respond:
But Democratic lawmakers in Springfield said the lawsuit is just a distraction from President Donald Trump’s actions in Washington, D.C. “House Republicans can’t justify their party leader’s unlawful attempts to slash services working families need to access healthcare, afford rent, and put food on the table, so they are choosing to distract people by re-litigating a matter that courts decided years ago,” the House Democratic Caucus said in a statement.
What happens now:
While there is no guarantee that the Illinois Supreme Court, which is currently dominated by Democrats, will agree to hear the case, Assistant Minority Leader Dan Ugaste (R-St. Charles) said he’s optimistic.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (WTTW News)
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday accepted an invitation from the Republican chairperson of the U.S. House Oversight Committee to testify about the city’s self-proclaimed status as a sanctuary city.
Johnson will appear March 5 alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. All four are Democrats. The appearance is likely to represent a flashpoint in the 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. Johnson has repeatedly said Chicago will remain a welcoming city and Chicago police officers will continue to be prohibited from helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deport undocumented Chicagoans.
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Back in the Day: February 6, 2015 - Noble Horse Theatre Arson
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Built in 1871 around the time of the Great Chicago Fire, Old Town's Noble Horse Theatre was downtown's center for equestrian activity and commerce. It held several stables, served as a riding school, hosted downtown's horse-driven carriage services and boasted a stadium for events and exhibitions. On this day 10 years ago, the place burned down. 13 carriages were set ablaze and after the fire was contained, spray-painted messages that read "Freedom" and "Free Save the Horses" were discovered.
Investigators determined that the inferno was the result of arson. While no one has been caught, the Noble Horse Theatre was boarded up, sold to developers and demolished. While developers planned an apartment complex in 2017, the project has shifted owners, lost funding and has been mired in legal issues. It’s currently an empty lot.
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This Week’s Arts and Culture Events
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Each Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali presents the city’s must-see cultural events.
These three picks spotlight Black History Month, including one absolute must-see that will cost you just a dollar.
“Ellingtonia - A Tribute to Duke” – Kehrein Center for the Arts
Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic honor Duke Ellington, and tickets are $1. This would be a must-see if seats were $50; the bargain makes it truly unmissable. And it’s in the acoustically ideal Kehrein Center in the Austin neighborhood. I’ve got my tickets for the matinee. Saturday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Dee Alexander and Jumaane Taylor” – Harris Theater
The dynamic duo of Chicago jazz vocalist Dee Alexander and tap dancer Jumaane Taylor are backed by a live quartet and six tap dancers. It’s a Valentine’s themed show with Alexander’s “It’s All About Love” and Taylor tapping a tribute to John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.” Friday, Feb. 7
“We Always Bounce Black” – UP Comedy Club
With new sketches and songs, the Second City’s Black excellence revue promises to be more than a comedy show. Beyond improv and laughs, they aim to celebrate Black joy and make the audience part of the show. Feb. 7, 8 and 14
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Chicago Restaurant Week is here until Sunday. What is your favorite memory of trying out a local
restaurant? Tell us where and what you ordered.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:30 PM
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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