Emanuel also said the pension plan he intends to lay out in December will include “options” to soften the blow of a looming $1 billion spike in pension payments.

NAMI Chicago’s executive director, Alexa James: “We are a very sick city,” she says. “We are in an absolute crisis. The people we’re interfacing with today are sicker than we’ve ever seen, and younger.”

Oak Park-River Forest High School teacher and Illinois socialist party leader Anthony Clark has started a “Comrades for Fred Hampton Home” GoFundMe page with a goal of $70,000.

Conyears-Ervin, wife of Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), boldly violated the seldom-enforced rule that only former aldermen are allowed on the City Council floor. Conyears-Ervin bristled at those who suggest she is attempting to ride in on her husband’s political coattails.

Our commentary on this budget address is linked here.

Acknowledging that misconduct by city employees merely confirms the public’s “dim view of government,” Inspector General Joe Ferguson issued a quarterly report on Tuesday filled with more of the same. The transgressions run the gamut — from sexual misconduct, criminal theft, solicitation of bribes and misappropriation of funds to time fraud and disclosure of sensitive law enforcement information by a police communications officer at Chicago’s 911 emergency center. The full report is linked here.