“The ultimate goal is to deploy resources on the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime. We have to explore better options that save more lives,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement. “Through this … process, the City of Chicago will be able to aggressively look at equitable alternatives to help first responders acquire the absolute best community safety resources to aid them in reaching and responding to emergency scenes.”

“Our new approach is to define student success more holistically,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said. “Measuring not just academic progress because that is still important, but student well-being and connection to the extent that they’re an empowered decision maker. Whether or not they’re prepared and making sure they’re prepared for post-secondary success.”

“Starting tonight, every gunshot victim left bleeding in the streets of our city will be a worthy sacrifice in the eyes of the mayor for his radical agenda,” Ald. Silvana Tabares continued. “Every single one.”

“With all the needs that still exist in Illinois that could be addressed in a budget, there’s only certain things we can do,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “So we have to say no to some people along the way, as they come to Springfield with their hands out.”

About 46 percent of the teaching staff at Roberto Clemente Community Academy (RCCA), a high school based in Humboldt Park and West Town, had more than 10 absences in 2023, according to CPS data. That means nearly half of Clemente teachers missed the equivalent of at least two weeks of school.

At the core of the group’s mission is the belief that reopening the mental health centers and implementing non-police responses to crises – such as health care professionals and social workers – will improve public safety and relieve strain on city resources.

“In the city’s newest political flare-up, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and leaders of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are engaged in a contentious contract negotiation in which the union has called for a progressive agenda that not only includes pay increases for teachers and school staff but also steps to mitigate climate change, end the gender pay gap for CPS employees, eliminate homelessness for families of CPS students, provide paid parental leave for CPS employees, and aid new immigrant families.”

In Little Village, a gunman stepped out of a black Jeep and shot seven mourners at a prayer vigil in the front yard of a home in the 2500 block of South Spaulding around 10:08 p.m., according to Chicago police. A 31-year-old man died from multiple gunshot wounds.

“That is very intimidating to have officers actually surround people as they give their speeches,” said the Rev. Johnathan Johnson, a pastor at the Holy Bible Missionary Baptist Church in Harvey, who has been a vocal critic of a city ordinance requiring churches to obtain business licenses. “The intimidation tactics of having 10 officers in a room with unarmed citizens is something that is very much so, something that needs to be revisited.”

It would draw from the estimated $100 million in interest fees generated from late property tax payments this year, significantly higher than the $35 million originally budgeted.

The six plaintiffs say they are the descendants of people who lived in Evanston from 1919 to 1969 – the time qualifications for program eligibility – but they still don’t qualify for the $25,000 grants because they aren’t Black. Evanston’s legal team is claiming that the plaintiffs lack standing because they were not “able and ready” to participate in the program in 2021, according to legal filings.

A demonstration targeting a drag queen story hour in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood drew an impromptu counterprotest complete with music, dancing and an overwhelming show of support.

“It’s really scary,” said Alderman Nick Sposato (38th). “It’s totally dysfunctional,” said Alderman Anthony Napolitano (41st). They’re not referring to a prospective Harris-Walz Administration. “It’s just total chaos. Nobody knows what they’re doing,” Napolitano said. “Everything is agenda-based,” which he means the Woke/Left.