Council Recap
COPA Sanctuary Enforcement: Blocked
Four aldermen moved to defer a proposal that would have given COPA authority to investigate alleged violations of the city's Welcoming City Ordinance. Alds. Anthony Beale (9th), Raymond Lopez (15th), Silvana Tabares (23rd), and Anthony Napolitano (41st) blocked the measure, which had advanced from committee 19-3 earlier this month.
The ordinance could return for a vote next month.
Scofflaw Pilot: Defeated 16-31
Ald. Daniel La Spata's citizen enforcement measure for bike lane, bus lane, and crosswalk parking violations was voted down by the full council. The proposal, which had cleared committee nine days earlier, would have created a Street Operations Task Force and dispatch system for 311 complaints.
Opposition centered on concerns from business owners about delivery vehicles that double-park in travel lanes.
Hemp Veto Override: Failed
The council failed to override Mayor Johnson's veto of a ban on certain hemp product sales. Johnson had argued the ban would "force small businesses to close, eliminate jobs, and disproportionately affect shops owned by residents of color."
Plan Commission: Today at 10 a.m.
The Chicago Plan Commission meets this morning in Room 1103 at City Hall with five development projects:
West Loop/Fulton Market:
- 1338 W. Lake: 33-story, 321-unit tower with 64 affordable units
- 215 N. Racine: 29-story, 347-unit tower with 70 affordable units
Lakeview:
- The Phoenix (3611 N. Halsted): 10-story all-electric building with 188 units and geothermal heating
Uptown:
- Sarah's on Sunnyside (4458 N. Clarendon): 7-story, 54-unit supportive housing for women at risk of homelessness
Lead
Aurora Adds Orthophosphate to Drinking Water
Aurora will begin adding dipotassium orthophosphate to its water supply to reduce lead leaching from service lines. The chemical reacts with lead pipes to form a protective coating that seals in the lead.
Chicago and Elgin have also begun using orthophosphate. The decision follows Aurora's recent testing, which found lead levels above the action threshold in more than 10% of sampled homes. Since 2018, Aurora has replaced 2,988 lead service lines.
The federal judge's temporary block on Trump administration cuts to CDC lead prevention grants remains in effect.
Bikes
Archer Avenue: Controversy Continues
The protected bike lanes on Archer Avenue in Brighton Park have become entangled with electoral politics. While construction continues, opposition efforts have been coordinated partly through The Urban Center, a charter school advocacy group.
Tribune letters to the editor published over the weekend show a range of community opinion—from "enthusiastic support" to outright opposition. Supporters note Brighton Park has 90% more traffic crashes than the city average, with 6,000 crashes and 13 fatalities in recent years.
Northwest Side: Public Meeting March 5
CDOT's proposed network of bike lanes and greenways for Jefferson Park and Portage Park comes before residents at the Portage Park Senior Center (4150 N. Long Ave.) on March 5, 6-7 p.m.
Food
Bloom: Two Days Remain
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen closes Saturday, February 21. Chef Rodolfo Cuadros plans to return with a new vegan concept.
Black Restaurant Week: Final Stretch
Chicago Black Restaurant Week continues through Sunday, February 22, with nearly 40 participating businesses. First-time participants include Mahari, an African fusion restaurant in Hyde Park, and Strugglebeard Bakery, known for its vegan cookies.
The 11th-annual event marks 100 years since Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in Chicago.
ADU Countdown: 41 Days
Chicago's citywide ADU ordinance takes effect April 1, 2026.
Plan Commission meets today at 10 a.m. in Room 1103 at City Hall. Black Restaurant Week runs through Sunday.