Council & Budget
Aldermanic Coalition Creates Budget Watchdog Groups
The cold war between City Council and Mayor Brandon Johnson entered a new phase this week as 28 aldermen announced the formation of a "Budget Accountability Coalition" with nearly a dozen working groups to monitor budget implementation.
The coalition—led by Ald. Gil Villegas and including progressives like Ronnie Mosley, Andre Vasquez, and Ruth Cruz alongside the moderate majority—will track the most controversial provisions of the $16.6 billion budget they passed over Johnson's objections in December. Sticking points include a $90 million debt sale, new advertisements on city bridges, and the legalization of video gambling in neighborhood bars.
The groups have no official authority, but represent the rebel coalition's first organized effort to scrutinize the administration. Johnson has so far made only half of a promised $260 million advance pension payment, citing cash flow concerns.
Tuesday Agenda: COPA and Parking Scofflaws
City Council meets Tuesday, February 18 at 10 a.m. with two high-profile votes:
COPA Sanctuary Enforcement: The measure expanding civilian oversight of alleged Welcoming City violations appears headed for passage after clearing committee 19-3. COPA Chief Administrator LaKenya White says her office is prepared to investigate 40 complaints filed since June.
Parking Scofflaw Pilot: Ald. Daniel La Spata's citizen parking enforcement ordinance would create a Street Operations Task Force targeting bus lane, bike lane, and crosswalk violations.
Housing
Plan Commission Eyes Five Towers Thursday
The Chicago Plan Commission meets February 19 with an unusually dense agenda:
215 N. Racine (Fulton Market): A 29-story, 347-unit mixed-use building seeking DX-7 zoning—the same classification used for Loop skyscrapers. Includes 70 affordable units under ARO.
1338 W. Lake: A 33-story, 321-unit tower replacing the former Leslie Hindman Auctioneers complex. Would rezone from M2-3 (Light Industry) to DX-10.
3611-3625 N. Halsted (Lake View): A 12-story, 188-unit building in Northalsted seeking C1-5 rezoning.
4432-4458 N. Clarendon (Uptown): Sarah's Circle proposes 54 supportive housing units for single women.
Written feedback is accepted until 10 a.m. Wednesday. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. Thursday in Room 1103 at City Hall.
ADU Countdown: 44 Days
Chicago's citywide ADU ordinance takes effect April 1. A new 3D Building Visualizer from Chicago Cityscape lets homeowners model what's buildable under their specific zoning.
Lead
City Promises to Accelerate Pipe Replacements in 2026
City officials say they plan to accelerate spending on lead service line replacements this year after leaving hundreds of millions in federal and city loans largely untapped.
Since 2023, Chicago has drawn just $70-90 million of an approximately $325 million federal loan for lead replacements. Another $72 million in city-issued debt from June 2024 has seen only $5.4 million spent. All told, about $320 million in available loans remains on the table.
Meanwhile, Chicago tests a tiny fraction of its homes compared to smaller cities. Elgin tests about 1.5% of homes every six months; Chicago tests 0.01%. To match Elgin's ratio, Chicago would need to test 2,800 homes per period instead of its current 100.
The city doesn't anticipate replacing all 400,000+ lead service lines until 2076—three decades past federal deadlines. Free full replacements are available for households earning below 80% of area median income.
Bikes & Transit
Archer Op-Ed: "Not a Fight Between Bikes and Cars"
A Chicago Tribune opinion piece this week offered a nuanced take on the Archer Avenue bike lane controversy, arguing the dispute reflects the gap between city planners and residents more than any fundamental car-versus-bike conflict.
"On Chicago's South and West sides, a bike lane is often viewed as a harbinger of gentrification," writes Yunus Emre Tozal, noting that concrete barriers alone cannot fix the underlying trust deficit.
The Archer project continues amid organized opposition as it nears completion.
Food
Bloom's Final Week Continues
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen continues its final week in Wicker Park. The last day of service is Saturday, February 21—five days away.
The closure caps a difficult year for Chicago's plant-based scene. Chef Rodolfo Cuadros says the team plans to return with a new vegan concept.
Black Restaurant Week: Final Stretch
Chicago Black Restaurant Week runs through February 22, with 39 participating businesses offering fixed-price specials. New additions this year include Strugglebeard Bakery in Hyde Park and Mahari, an African fusion spot on 55th Street.
The 11th-annual event honors Carter G. Woodson's founding of "Negro History Week" in Chicago exactly 100 years ago.
City Council meets Tuesday, February 18 at 10 a.m. Plan Commission meets Thursday, February 19 at 10 a.m. in Room 1103 at City Hall.