Editor’s Note
Welcome to Newswire — your weekly guide to Chicago government, civic action and what action we can take to make our city great, featuring public meeting coverage by City Bureau’s Documenters.
On Monday, protesters with the March on the DNC coalition called for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military support of Israel. (Photo: Grace Del Vecchio/City Bureau)
Quote of the Week
“We will be ready to put on the best face of public transportation for the entire country.”
— Dorval Carter, president of the Chicago Transit Authority, on preparing for the Democratic National Convention, which has included the fast-tracked completion of the Damen Green Line stop.
[Chicago Transit Board, Aug. 14, 2024]
Going the extra mile
After assuring attendees that CTA is prepared to meet transit needs related to the DNC, CTA President Dorval Carter switched gears to discuss the Red Line Extension project. Carter said he rode the bus as a child and had been hearing about plans to extend the Red Line his whole life (the 95th/Dan Ryan terminus opened in 1969). Attendees praised the project, which will add four new stations and extend south to 130th Street, as “transformative.”
Chicago Transit Board by Malik Brewley and Chris Ridgeway
Data points
In anticipation of a “temporary increase in complaints” during the Democratic National Convention, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has launched a special dashboard for DNC-related police misconduct allegations. As of Wednesday morning, the dashboard showed three complaints logged Monday. Witnesses may email photo or video evidence to DNC-COPA@ChicagoCOPA.org. COPA does not have jurisdiction over non-Chicago law enforcement but has stated it will endeavor to direct other complaints to the appropriate oversight entities.
Several public commenters called for justice for Reginald Clay Jr., who was shot by a police officer during a foot chase in April.
Police Board by Allison Leon and Citlali Perez
Panelists and attendees at a special hearing discussed the need for a city office to support neighborhood-based gun violence prevention initiatives. During public comment, several people involved with Giving Others Dreams (G.O.D.), an organization that provides re-entry and support services to women and families impacted by violence and the legal justice system, spoke in favor of gun violence prevention efforts. Former Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson put in an appearance on behalf of ShotSpotter, saying it was “mind boggling” that the city would try to reduce violence without the gunshot detection technology.
Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability by Ahmad Sayles and Ayanna Watkins
Minding the gap
A plan to guide development around the Englewood Nature Trail will be successful if the neighborhood remains affordable and the life expectancy gap between neighbors and wealthier parts of the city decreases, emphasized Anton Seals, executive director of Grow Greater Englewood. A 2019 NYU study that explored life expectancy and racial segregation in major cities put Chicago at the top of the list, with average lifespans varying by up to 30 years. Chicago’s planning commission voted to adopt the plan, along with development proposals for Sunshine Community Development Corporation in Woodlawn and a compost facility linked to Urban Growers Collective in Auburn Gresham.
Chicago Plan Commission by Parker Garlough and Zoe Alden Greenfield
A version of this story was first published in the August 21, 2024 issue of the Newswire, an email newsletter that is your weekly guide to Chicago government, civic action and what we can do to make our city great. You can sign up for the weekly newsletter here.
Have thoughts on what you'd like to see in this feature? Email Editorial Director Ariel Cheung at ariel@citybureau.org.