Leaders of the city’s business community and largest charitable foundations said the fundraising goal is roughly double the current spending on violence-prevention programs that serve the city’s most-violent neighborhoods; many use former gang members as outreach workers to recruit people to an intensive program of therapy, counseling and job training. The aim is to scale up those programs so they reach at least half of the estimated 20,000 people in Chicago considered at greatest risk of being shot.

Donors including the Crown and Pritzker family foundations contributed just over 30% of the $200 million that’s required for an initiative to reduce gun violence, representing more than half of the $100 million the business community has pledged.

The governor expressed concern that the resolution does not hold Hamas accountable for their actions and highlighted the omission of acknowledging crimes committed by the group. Governor Pritzker added that he doesn’t believe this resolution will have any impact on foreign policy or the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

“With violent crime continuing to surge and an arrest rate of less than 12%, it is critical the city implement bold initiatives to protect residents impacted by crime.”

Former banks, churches, concert venues and a tavern in Englewood are among landmarks getting funding from the city of Chicago for their preservation.

One X user wrote, “you need to call for a ceasefire(sic) in your own city.” Other commenters wanted to know what resolution the city council passed Wednesday to combat violence in Chicago.

“What Chicago requires is a mayor with political will and a CTU leadership with the vision and desire to explore alternatives to create successful schools. Likewise, it also demands an ever-vigilant parental movement that demands schools improve or allow their tax credits to be used for school choice without caveats. For once tax dollars are provided, bureaucrats and elected officials believe they have the right to regulate.”

Developers did not ask for state money, but instead said they want the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA) to be granted authority to “rearrange existing bonds.” They were also aware of Gov. JB Pritzker’s disdain for using taxpayer funds for sports stadiums. According to someone close to the talks, there have been no discussions about creating new revenue or tax increases to help fund the new stadium.

Blacks in Green was one of 16 groups nationwide selected last year to open a center that would support environmental justice work in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The group received a $10 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for the project. The Biden administration’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center program aims to support community groups looking to expand their ability to apply for and manage grant money.

“This shift not only accommodates the city’s logistical needs as they relate to the influx of Conventiongoers, but it also allows time for students to attend, volunteer, and participate in the civic process of hosting the Convention,” the district said in a statement.

Storefront Safety Council cofounder Robert Reiter said it’s well past time city officials become more proactive in their approach. “It kills the city,” he said. “If the problem persists, businesses lose three times. They lose the first time because they pay for the merchandise and it gets stolen. They then have to pay for the replacement merchandise so they can make a living and they have to pay the insurance at an increased rate because of the theft. How many times can someone get everything stolen from their shop and fix the front door before it’s upside down? The city

Chicago voters disapproved of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handling of every issue, but nearly 70% found fault with his handling of the migrant crisis, a new poll showed. Crime and housing disapproval were not far behind.

The direct office vacancy rate for Chicago’s central business district (CBD) stood at 20.2% in the fourth quarter. That’s up from the rate of 18.6% in the fourth quarter of 2022 and is significantly higher than the 15.6% vacancy rate that the Chicago CBD office market has seen on average during the last five years. The office downsizing trend didn’t slow in the fourth quarter, either. A good example: Mesirow renewed 110,000 square feet at 353 N. Clark St. but gave back about 165,000 square feet.

The Chicago area is home to the largest Palestinian population in the United States. More than 18,000 Palestinians live in Cook County.

“Amid national notice of this mayhem last summer, Mr. Johnson said critics had to live in Chicago before they had the right to criticize. Israel might ask the same of Mr. Johnson.”

A 16-year-old boy died from a gunshot wound to his chest, police said. Another 16-year-old boy is in grave condition with gunshot wounds to his jaw, chest, and arm. The third boy, a 15-year-old, is in good condition with a gunshot wound to his right leg, according to CPD. Mayor Brandon Johnson said later, “The harm and the chaos, and the trauma that’s being caused by individuals who do not value life—the full