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Transportation
Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
4:46pm
Mon May 14

With Downtown Shutting Down, Chicago May Not Profit From NATO Summit

Today’s arrests of protesters in downtown Chicago, and the drumbeat of businesses announcing they will close shop at the end of this week, casts further doubt on Chicago's projection that the two-day NATO summit will be a money maker.

“We stand to benefit a little if things go well, but we could get a black eye if they don’t,” says Alan Sanderson, an economist at the University of Chicago. Read more »

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
6:20pm
Tue Apr 24
11 comments

Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust Passes Council Vote Despite Continued Concerns (VIDEO)

Chicago City Council

The Chicago City Council passed 41-7 today Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial “Infrastructure Trust” public-private partnership, arguably Emanuel’s most significant proposal in his one year as mayor.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
3:45pm
Wed Apr 18
3 comments

Emanuel Infrastructure Trust Vote Postponed, But Opponents Not Celebrating

Ald. Edward Burke (14th), chairman of the Chicago City Council Finance Committee, deferred a full City Council vote today on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Infrastructure Trust public-private partnership plan, arguably the most consequential and controversial proposal of Emanuel’s brief time as mayor thus far. Burke delayed the vote amid speculation that Trust opponents might use a parliamentary maneuver to table the measure.

However, the City Council is anticipated to hold a special session next Tuesday, April 24 to vote on the measure, much to the chagrin of ordinance opponent Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd). Read more »

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
2:10pm
Wed Apr 18
3 comments

Chicago Speed Camera Bill Passes Council Vote

The Chicago City Council passed 33-14 today a proposal to install automated speed cameras near schools and parks, with aldermen portraying the once hotly contested measure in the same manner in which Mayor Rahm Emanuel has: A simple way to enhance children’s safety. Read more »

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
5:29pm
Tue Apr 17

Some Unions Cautious About Infrastructure Trust

Chicago Chief Financial Officer Lois Scott testified at a City Council Finance Committee hearing yesterday that Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed Infrastructure Trust “was conceived with the full-throated support of Chicago’s labor leadership.”

That is not entirely true.

Read more »

PI Original
by Matthew Blake
9:37pm
Mon Apr 16
1 comment

Finance Committee Scrutinizes, Then Passes, Emanuel's Infrastructure Trust

Chicago City Council

Chicago aldermen spent five hours raising questions that went unanswered about Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s “Infrastructure Trust” ordinance, particularly whether it would benefit investors on the backs of taxpayers. Nonetheless, the Finance Committee passed the ordinance with a divided 11-7 vote.

Quick Hit
by Matthew Blake
6:08pm
Wed Apr 11
2 comments

Speed Camera Bill Speeds Through Committee Despite Concerns

A city council committee today passed a controversial proposal to install speed enforcement cameras near schools and parks – despite incomplete information on changes to the proposal, especially how the city might use speeding ticket revenue. Read more »