It’s Monday. Start the week off by learning more about Chicago with these stories from WTTW News. |
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(WTTW News) |
Private waste haulers were slapped with nearly 200 tickets for illegal, early-morning pickups during the first six months of a new enforcement.
That’s according to records obtained by WTTW News from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, which began coordinating the crackdown through a newly created 311 complaint category in October 2024.
Trash and recycling companies aren’t allowed to make pickups in Chicago between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. For nearly two years, WTTW News has been tracking numerous companies flouting the law and documenting a tsunami of complaints from residents.
In the fall of 2023, alderpeople approved a measure allowing Streets and Sanitation to demand GPS and other electronic tracking data from waste haulers to verify those complaints. It took until October of last year for a 311 code specific to those scofflaws to go into effect.
The company that so far has been slapped with the most tickets is Lake Shore Waste with 48 tickets, followed by Flood Brothers at 34, Republic Services at 32, and Waste Management at 26. While most violations happened in the 6 o’clock hour, the illegal pickups happened all through the wee hours of the morning — with the earliest ticket listing a violation time of midnight.
Map of violations
Records show 185 tickets have been issued so far; they start at $500 and go up to $1,000. While the bulk of the tickets came between October and April, records show one violation each in January and July 2024 and two in August 2024.
“There are many challenges driving a collection vehicle through the City’s streets & alleys, while watching for pedestrians, bicyclists, scooters, along with vehicular traffic, all of which increase after 7 a.m.,” Waste Management told WTTW News in a statement. “WM’s aim is to adhere to the noise ordinance while providing safe and responsible environmental services.”
Lake Shore Waste and Flood Brothers did not respond to requests for comment. |
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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
The Chicago Urban League is sounding the alarm on the widening racial wealth gap in its new report, “The State of Black Chicago.”
It draws from research from the New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, which found that in 2024 the median net worth for Black Chicago-area households was zero dollars — compared to $210,000 for White households.
The Urban League is now calling for a plan of action to help Black communities build wealth. The report recommends additional grants and funding opportunities for small businesses, workforce development and training programs, homeownership assistance and expanded health access, among other things.
Read the full report.
“It’s time to stop talking just about the disparities and focus on solutions,” said Calmetta Coleman, the Chicago Urban League’s chief operating officer. “Really thinking about how to increase homeownership, which is one of the key paths to wealth building, as well as thinking about investments and starting our own businesses and really not leaving that on the individual to do but thinking about how can institutions and organizations collaborate on solutions.”
Coleman said community outreach and education are key to work toward progress on addressing the disparities. The Urban League is working in partnership with Kinexx and Ani Real Estate to expand homeownership access in Black communities. It is also working to promote Kredit Quest, a mobile app that rewards users for expanding their financial knowledge.
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A coyote mom with pup are pictured in a file photo. (twildlife / iStock) |
Graceland Cemetery’s newest residents — a litter of coyote pups — are causing a stir. The historical burial site has long been home to urban coyotes, some of which have just become parents and “are highly territorial at this time,” protecting their newborn pups, cemetery officials stated on social media.
The adult coyotes “have exhibited aggressive behavior to dogs brought in by visitors,” officials said, resulting in a temporary ban on dogs from cemetery grounds. The public should expect further updates when dogs are allowed to return.
For people visiting Graceland, officials said, “Stay on designated paths, do not attempt to approach or photograph the coyotes.” If a coyote is encountered, don’t run — back away slowly and make yourself larger.
Fun fact:
Coyotes have proven highly adaptable to Chicago’s urban environment and there are an estimated 2,000 in Cook County, according to the Urban Coyote Research Project.
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More From WTTW News: |
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Chicago State University hired its first-ever head football coach, Bobby Rome II. He's tasked with building the school’s new Division I football program from the ground up. The university doesn’t have a stadium, equipment or players just yet.
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Back in the Day: June 9, 2010 - The Chicago Blackhawks Win Stanley Cup |
On this day 15 years ago, the Chicago Blackhawks hoisted the Stanley Cup, besting the Philadelphia Flyers in six games and breaking a 49-year NHL championship drought. Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals was a tense one: The Blackhawks led the best-of-seven series 3-2 with the game in Philadelphia. While the Blackhawks led 3-2 in the second period, the Flyers answered with a goal by Scott Hartnell in the third period and forced overtime. After four minutes of overtime, the Blackhawks had the puck in the offensive zone. Patrick Kane received a pass from Brad "Soupy" Campbell and slotted it into the net. The puck got stuck in the netting and for whatever reason, the goal alarm didn't set off. Despite the initial confusion, Kane celebrated a good goal and the Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup since 1961. |
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings |
Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
City Club of Chicago
"Making it in Chicago: Dead Ends and Detours on the Path to Opportunity" is a panel discussion moderated by Crystal Paul, state investigations editor with the Illinois Answers Project. Speakers include Meredith Newman, state investigative reporter with the Illinois Answers Project, Jim Daley, investigations editor at South Side Weekly, and community organizer Cecile Marie De Mello. Tuesday, June 10. Tickets and details here.
Chicago Board of Transit
A regular meeting of the Chicago Transit Board will be held on Wednesday, June 11, at 10 a.m., at the offices of the Chicago Transit Authority, 567 W. Lake St., second floor. The public can participate in person or virtually via livestream here.
WTTW:
Join us for a powerful, youth-led summit designed to amplify the voices of young people and spark real conversations around gun violence prevention. This interactive event is part of the WTTW Firsthand: Peacekeepers impact campaign and brings together youth from across Chicago to lead the way in shaping solutions for safer communities. Thursday, June 12 at 4 p.m. The event is free, but RSVP is required. Details, location and RSVP link here. |
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What's your favorite animal that you can spot in the Chicago area? 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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