INSANE: 5 | Vintage Vibes

A woman has spent decades making a local landmark out of rocks. A city inspector now wants it gone

A midwestern woman who filled her front yard with stones, statues and art is facing the possibility of being forced to remove the decorations after 30 years of collecting them

The Independent UK · Nov 28, 2023

Woman's decades-old mosaic of yard rocks and decorative art work may have to go

A midwestern woman who filled her front yard with stones, statues and art is facing the possibility of being forced to remove the decorations after 30 years of collecting them

The Independent UK · Nov 27, 2023

Johnson’s first budget leans on one-time revenue, hopes for federal, state help to avoid tough choices down the road

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget is expected to sail through the Chicago City Council on Wednesday. It’s balanced in part with $786.5 million in one-time revenues. The search for new revenue sources has been punted to a Council subcommittee.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 14, 2023

‘Common sense’ doesn’t explain City Council, so judge to allow Chicago ‘civics lesson’ for Burke jurors

Political science professor Constance Mixon’s testimony about government operations will be crucial to helping jury understand the racketeering case against former City Council member Ed Burke, prosecutors say.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 2, 2023

Vote on second migrant tent camp delayed

The Chicago City Council put off a vote on accepting donated land at 115th and Halsted that would be the site of a migrant tent camp. Also delayed was a vote on whether to put a binding referendum on the March ballot to raise the real estate transfer tax to…

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 1, 2023

Rahm or Ed? Expert quizzed on who had most clout in preview of possible Burke trial testimony

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall held Tuesday’s hearing to determine whether Elmhurst University political science professor Constance Mixon should be allowed to testify during ex-Ald. Ed Burke’s trial.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 31, 2023

How the near absolute power Edward Burke wielded absolutely paved the way for his alleged corruption

That power came from “scratch my back” Chicago politics. Burke’s clout emanated from the sheer force of his personality, the favors he did for other City Council members and the intimidation he wielded over his colleagues.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 31, 2023

Northwestern pledges $100 million for Evanston if it gets OK for Ryan Field concerts

The school faces heavy local opposition to its proposal, which was rejected by the city’s Land Use Commission but now is pending before the City Council.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 30, 2023

Paid leave talks break down as Chicago business groups draw a line in the sand

Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd), chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Workforce Development, said what’s standing in the way of an agreement is the requirement that employees who don’t take advantage of all of their paid leave days be “paid out” when they leave their jobs.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 27, 2023

‘Power and control’ frame Edward Burke’s legacy. A federal jury will soon decide that legacy’s coda.

He entered politics as one of the youngest Chicago City Council members in history and became its most powerful and longest-serving member. Now, he’s fighting to avoid prison.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 27, 2023