“The City of Chicago approved the Obama Center under the requirement the foundation would raise a $470 million backup fund to pay for expenses that slipped under the radar so taxpayers would not have to pony. The fund is part of the 99-year deal to use the 19.3-acre Jackson Park in exchange for a token payment of $10. But so far, that $470 million fund has only been bankrolled to the tune of a mere $1 million.”

Members voted by a margin of 16-32 to reject a last-minute bid by 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez that would have set prarental responsibility guidelines for teens involved in mass gatherings. It also would have imposed fines and required counseling.

Ald. Marty Quinn, who was among the 10 alders who voted against the purchase of the bus station, questioned if the city can afford the cost when it is facing a projected $1.16 billion budget shortfall for 2027.

Candidate Christian Maxwell said there were a few teens and police units outside the Hyde Park Trader Joe’s when she entered the store with her four children Monday evening, but the dynamic quickly changed. “They have on balaclavas or they have on masks like the COVID-19 mask. They’re in full black attire and they have bags as well. So these are not just children who are making some TikToks and having fun,” Maxwell said.

In all, Chicago taxpayers are already on the hook to pay more than $131.2 million to resolve dozens of lawsuits triggered by wrongful convictions in 2026, records show.

The Justice Department has alleged the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the Fair Housing Act because it is “not narrowly tailored to remediating specific, identified instances of past discrimination” and public money is distributed solely on the basis of race.

Cities that boosted their spending the most were, on average, no more or less likely to see measurable progress in reducing homelessness, lowering violent crime rates, tackling income inequality, improving rent affordability, and more. That was the case for the 33 cities led by Democrats and the five cities led by Republicans.

Multiple measures will be in place, including vehicle checkpoints, anti-scale fencing and a temporary flight restriction from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. Street closures near the center are scheduled to be complete by 6 a.m. Wednesday, and pedestrian access in the area will be restricted. Because the ceremony will be held outdoors, planners have also focused on potential risks posed by nearby high-rise buildings.

“The people of Chicago should be able to trust that when federal agents break the law to terrorize our neighborhoods, we will investigate and prosecute the incident to the full extent of our ability. They can’t trust the city if we don’t have a clear process for accountability. This case shows that problem in real time.”