It’s Thursday. As we continue to examine the impact of Donald Trump's election, we also take a look at some very local stories. Read on for more news affecting our city and state.
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City Hall is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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It’s budget season in Chicago, which means the city is kicking off a series of meetings this week that will give the Chicago City Council a chance to probe the mayor’s proposals.
Chicago’s top financial officials on Wednesday defended Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to hike property taxes by $300 million and use it to pay down the city’s massive pension debt to skeptical members of the Chicago City Council. If approved, the additional payment to the city’s pension funds would represent the third time Chicago officials have paid more than required.
The background:
Chicago owes $37.2 billion to its four employee pension funds representing police officers, firefighters, municipal employees and laborers, according to the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Chicago’s four pension funds have a combined funded level of 26%, which is significantly worse than other large public pension funds, which have average funding levels of about 70%.
The city faces a $2.85 billion pension bill in 2025, according to city records, in order to comply with a state law that requires two of Chicago’s funds be funded at a 90% level by 2055 and the other two by 2058.
The prospects of passage?
“No one wants the $300 million property tax increase,” said Ald. Monique Scott (24th Ward), demanding new ideas from the mayor’s finance team, who said they had considered all options.
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The Illinois State Capitol is pictured on Oct. 15, 2024. (Nick Blumberg / WTTW News)
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Here is one bright spot for Democrats on Tuesday's election: Illinois Democrats are set to maintain their veto-proof majorities in the state legislature, even with a handful of races that were too close to call.
While many House races were close, there were fewer competitive Senate races, and early numbers show the partisan split staying steady. Democrats hold a two-to-one advantage in Springfield now, holding 40 seats in the Senate to the GOP’s 19 and have an apparent 78 seats in the House to Republicans’ 40. Those numbers give Democrats a cushion, even when needing the supermajority 36 votes in the Senate and 71 House votes to override a veto, take on debt and pass immediate legislation after the General Assembly’s typical end-of-May adjournment.
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Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, 26. (Credit: Chicago Police Department)
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The Chicago Police Department announced charges against Darion McMillian, a 23-year-old from Harvey, in the shooting death of 26-year-old CPD officer Enrique Martinez.
Some backstory:
The shooting occurred at around 8 p.m. Monday in the 800 block of South Ingleside where officers had pulled over a vehicle with three occupants inside.
One of those occupants then opened fire — Snelling said it appeared this was “rapid fire” — and the officer was struck multiple times. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
McMillian faces felony charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder of a police officer, burglary, possession of a machine gun and possession of a gun as a felon.
Before the shooting, McMillian had been charged with a felony for possessing cannabis and for trying to foil a required drug test, said Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti. He was released on electronic monitoring, Ursitti said.
McMillian previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of shooting into a vehicle and to a battery that occurred while he was in jail, according to court records first reported by the Sun Times.
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Arts and Culture Events Recommendations from Marc Vitali
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Each Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the can’t-miss cultural events around the city.
If you need a break from politics like I do, find solace in this sweet version of “This Little Light of Mine” and remember to light a candle in the darkness. Like sunshine, culture has the power to cleanse and clarify. Support one of the shows below and illuminate your heart with art.
“Photographing Frank Lloyd Wright” – Driehaus Museum
This exhibition focuses on the architect’s fascination with photography. Pictures taken by Wright reveal his influences, and photos of his buildings show how images impacted the public. And it’s all set inside an extravagant mansion from the Gilded Age – a place that Wright surely would have hated. Through Jan 5.
“Dog Man: The Musical” – Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building
From the creator of Captain Underpants (I’ve always wanted to begin a sentence with that phrase) here is a kid-friendly musical adventure based on the bestselling series by Dav Pilkey. And it’s adapted by a couple of PBS veterans, so expect humor and heart to go along with heroic hounds. Nov. 8 – Dec. 1.
“The 50th: An Anniversary Exhibition” – The Smart Museum
It’s a celebration of half a century of pioneering artwork from the museum on the campus of the University of Chicago. The emphasis is on exploration and experimentation and includes their Mark Rothko canvas, which has the rep of being superior to the Rothkos at the Art Institute. Through March 22.
“Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now” – Wrightwood 659
Visit this mini-museum in Lincoln Park and see how an old Chicago apartment building was transformed by architect Tadao Ando. Wrightwood 659’s always surprising exhibits this time include work by 28 contemporary artists next to traditional Himalayan art. Opens Friday and runs through Feb. 15.
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula in Concert” – Auditorium Theatre
Halloween is year-round for some of us. Here, 110 musicians and singers from the Chicago Philharmonic and Chamber Choir animate the terrific score by composer Wojciech Kilar for Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film. Also, Anthony Hopkins chews scenery, Gary Oldman bites necks, and Keanu Reeves just sucks (I love the guy, but he’s unintentionally funny in this). Saturday, Nov. 9.
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Back in the Day: November 7, 2009 - 872 Area Code Introduced in Chicago
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When you think of getting a phone call from Chicago, chances are you’re imagining a 312 or a 773 number dialing. Those area codes have become synonymous with the city: I can’t think of anything other than Goose Island’s 312 flagship beer or sing myself the “773-202-LUNA” jingle whenever I encounter those numbers on my Caller ID. But on this day 15 years ago, the city introduced a new area code in 872 to “ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers and competitive services.” It’s an “overlay” code, which means that it serves the same areas that the 312 and 773 area codes do. The changes applied to new numbers created in the area since 2009. You’ll be
shocked by how many 872 numbers are already in your address book.
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Other News From Around Town: |
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The Cubs lost last night. With their playoff hopes fading, the defeat hands the NL Central title to the Milwaukee Brewers.
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What’s the best sandwich in Chicago? Tell us why and where we can find
it.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM| 10:00 PM
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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