The survivors…denounced a judicial accountability system that they said allows judges to protect their own and will allow Vega to retire without facing consequences for his alleged actions. “It’s his turn to be held accountable to the same thing that everyone else in this world is held accountable to,” said Elizabeth Francy, whose divorce and child custody case was heard by Vega. “Misogyny in his courtroom has been rampant for years, and it’s time that Cook County does not allow it to happen.”

“The amazing thing is that Evans, who is a politician not a neurologist, thinks that Emilio Corripo’s pre-frontal cortex prevented him from distinguishing between right and wrong. Is that a judge talking, a criminal defense attorney, or a politician hustling votes?”

The trustees were all appointed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle with the advice and consent of the Cook County Board. Supt. Janet Rogers, who is at the heart of the alleged hiring scheme, was pardoned by former Gov. Pat Quinn in 2013 after being convicted of felony counts of theft and state benefits fraud nearly a decade earlier. Before that, Secret Service agents raided her home in Harvey 2000 as part of a counterfeiting investigation, though she was never charged.

A referendum and likely litigation would take time and could cost the city millions of dollars. The cost, some aldermen argue, may be worth it to have more of a growing Latino voice heard at City Hall.

“They’re not concerned about gun laws, the legality, the illegality of guns, concealed and carried. They just know that to move around, they need a gun. Or to survive, they need a gun,” (retired Officer Tracy) Quarles said. “Because the gangs are in so many factions now, their movement is limited. Many of these young men can’t even come off of 64th and Eberhart over to King Drive, which is about two blocks.”

“Pennsylvania has a longstanding tax credit scholarship program that gives thousands of lower-income parents the means to choose a private school if the district isn’t meeting their needs…In other words, Philadelphia parents have options that far outstrip families in Chicago. The Chicago Teachers Union holds all the chips, and Chicago parents—specifically low-income parents—have precious few. When there are no options other than the government-run, union-dominated public schools, the school year runs at the whim of the union.”

Jim Dey: “In a search-warrant affidavit, FBI agent Steven Noldin wrote that the taped conversations constitute ‘proof that the action taken by (Ald. Ed) Burke with respect to (the job request) was done for the purpose of private gain benefiting a child of a friend.’ They further reveal how powerful elected officials can wield their authority to win personal favors.”

“If Lightfoot, Brown, the City Council and Chicago’s business leaders need any more motivation, they just need to listen to the plea from (8-year-old Melissa Ortega’s) mother. “How is it possible that a little girl dies in broad daylight?” (Aracelia) Leanos said in a statement. “How is it possible that we can send men to Mars but we can’t fix the gun violence in our city?” Those words should compel the people who govern and lead this city into action.”

“I could imagine something where when respiratory viruses of whatever kind are surging, there’s a recommendation for people with certain underlying conditions to wear masks in certain settings,” Dr. Allison Arwady said. She went on to allude to making other restrictions more flexible in the future, like requiring proof of vaccination for non-essential activities only when surges emerge.

Outside the Thompson Center the carried signs expressing their opposition to mandates, saying those requirements are a violation of freedom and are hurting the economy.