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Hope you had a relaxing and warm weekend, Chicago. Start your work week off on the right foot by catching up on the issues facing your city with WTTW News.
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City Hall is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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Mayor Brandon Johnson told members of the Chicago City Council on Sunday that a combination of spending cuts and newly discovered “operational efficiencies” mean a $68.5 million property tax hike is no longer needed to balance the city’s 2025 budget.
Johnson’s decision to drop his plan to hike property taxes came approximately 24 hours before the City Council is set to consider approving a spending plan for 2025, just 16 days before the deadline to avoid an unprecedented shutdown of Chicago government.
The spending plan still calls for a host of other taxes and fees to rise by an additional $165.5 million, including a 2% increase in the tax levied on software licenses, cloud services and other digital goods as well as a 1.25% increase on subscriptions to streaming and cable television services. But the last slice of the original $982.4 million budget gap officials have struggled to bridge since August will be closed with $45 million in “operational efficiencies” across the city’s departments and $23.6 million in cuts that will not require employees to be laid off or services to be cut.
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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming so-called border czar, said during a visit to the city’s Northwest Side last week that it’s time for Chicago to come to the table when it comes to mass deportations or “get the hell out of the way.” Naturally, some Democratic city and state officials are pushing back as Homan says Chicago will be ground zero for mass deportations. Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city officials still say they do not plan to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools leaders say they are taking steps to protect the district’s undocumented students and families. “This is an all-hands-on-deck effort to support children and provide them with a safe and welcoming educational environment,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said Thursday during a Chicago Board of Education meeting. Martinez said the district enacted a “comprehensive response” to protect its students, families and staff when Trump’s first term began in 2017, and CPS officials are planning to do the same before Trump’s inauguration next month.
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
City Council
Chicago alderpeople will take up the budget once again on Monday at 1 p.m. You can stream the meeting live.
Exploring Arts
Marc Vitali of WTTW News, who is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent, is hosting a virtual conversation at noon on Monday with members of the city's arts scene. More information can be found here.
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Back in the Day: December 16, 1959 - Second City Chicago Opens
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What do Alan Arkin, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Tim Robinson, Gilda Radner and Amy Sedaris have in common? Well, beyond the fact that each person listed is very funny, they're all alums of Second City Chicago. On this day 65 years ago — Dec. 16, 1959 — Second City Chicago opened to the public. Formed by three University of Chicago grads in Paul Sills, Howard Alk and Bernard Sahlins, the cabaret theater that specialized in improvisation would become one of the most influential comedy empires in the world and a massive talent incubator, launching the careers of some of the most notable comedians in American history. While its first show took place at 1842 North Wells St., it now stands at 1616 N. Wells St.
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Where is the best place to get away from the Chicago winter? Whether it's a local oasis to warm up or an out-of-town destination, let us know and tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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- The latest from City Hall as the budget is set for another vote.
- Debating the hemp industry in Illinois, which some say needs more regulation.
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5:30 PM|10:00 PM |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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