Nicole Lee

Stories

Chicago City Council redirects parking meter windfall to pension debt

Co-called special meeting; negotiated Stonepeak deal.

Chicago's City Council voted 44-6 on Monday to force Mayor Brandon Johnson to use a $75 million parking-meter payment for an extra pension payment this year. The vote blew a $75 million hole in a 2027 budget already balanced with borrowing and tax increases.

Updated Nov 2

Amtrak's Bridgeport railyard gets federal environmental review after community fight

Rule Changes

Opposing the railyard, calling for more transparency

Amtrak's plan for a 24-hour maintenance railyard beside Rate Field will now go through the federal environmental review neighbors have demanded for months. The Federal Railroad Administration reversed its earlier fast-track approval after Amtrak expanded the project to include repairs to 17 aging viaducts.

Updated Oct 27

Notable Quotes

The earlier you can make credit card payments, the better off you are in the long run.

from Chicago City Council redirects parking meter windfall to pension debt · Updated Nov 2

We should not have had to scream, fight and pound on the doors of power just to get the basic transparency about the environmental effects this plan could have on our residents.

from Amtrak's Bridgeport railyard gets federal environmental review after community fight · Updated Oct 27