Chicago City Council to take up CPD settlements, Obama Center housing ordinance, firefighters' contract
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago City Council is getting together Thursday morning for a wide-ranging meeting.

The City Council Finance Committee gave unanimous approval to a $90 million settlement for 176 civil rights violation cases linked to former disgraced Chicago Police Sergeant Ronald Watts. The full council is set to review this on Thursday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Watts was convicted and sentenced for shaking down residents in the Ida B. Wells Public Housing Complex.

An attorney, representing over 100 victims in the settlement, stated, “Nothing can undo the harm that Watts caused, but at least everyone will be able to put this behind them.”

A Council Committee also is also taking steps to ensure residents are not priced out of neighborhoods near the Obama Presidential Center.

An amendment to the South Shore Housing Opportunity Ordinance aims to allocate land and funds for affordable housing, ensuring displaced residents have the right to return.

Some spoke out against the proposed amendment that goes before the council Thursday.

“Passing the ordinance without amendment or without allowing the community members to see it, discuss it, and amend it risks undermining the ongoing catalytic investments,” said South Shore resident Lashawn Brown.

“Ultimately we believe that this work and this ordinance is about opportunity,” Dixon Romero of Southside Together & CBA Coalition.

During the meeting, Council members are also anticipated to approve a contract for the Chicago firefighters union, following a four-year standoff with Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2.

The full council is set to consider rezoning for The 78 development, including a new stadium for the Chicago Fire soccer team.

The council is also expected to vote on so called “granny flats.” Those are additional units like coach houses or basement apartments.

Some council members want to allow them in all Chicago neighborhoods. But others say their wards are over populated.

A compromise reached allows council members to opt into the program.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump 'dramatically' changes tune on Ukraine but experts caution Putin is still waiting for action

Trump Shifts Stance on Ukraine Significantly, But Experts Warn Putin Awaits Concrete Steps

President Donald Trump this week shocked the international community when he said…
NYC dad who shook 3-month-old daughter to death learns fate at sentencing

New York Father Sentenced for Shaking His 3-Month-Old Daughter to Death

A man who fatally shook his 3-month-old daughter and abandoned her body…
'Spaceballs' sequel cast announced with original stars, cast photo unveiled

Original Stars Return: ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel Cast Revealed with New Photo

Among those returning is Rick Moranis, who has been out of the…
White House suggests drafting federal worker layoffs amid shutdown threat

White House Considers Federal Worker Layoffs as Government Shutdown Looms

A reduction in force would not only result in laying off employees…
Tropical Storm Humberto forms in the Atlantic as Hurricane Gabrielle takes aim at the Azores

Tropical Storm Humberto Develops in the Atlantic While Hurricane Gabrielle Targets the Azores

Tropical Storm Humberto emerged in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday while Hurricane…
Shooting at Dallas ICE facility: Latest updates on victims, shooting suspect

Dallas ICE Facility Shooting: Updates on Suspect and Victims

The FBI said it was investigating the shooting as “an act of…
Texas man to be executed for 'exorcism' murder of girlfriend's toddler daughter

Texas Man Faces Execution for Killing Girlfriend’s Toddler During Alleged ‘Exorcism’ Session

A Texas man is facing execution on Thursday for murdering his girlfriend’s…
DHS appears to remove video featuring Theo Von after comedian tells them to 'take this down'

DHS Pulls Video Featuring Theo Von Following Comedian’s Request to Remove It

(The Hill) – The Department of Homeland Security seems to have taken…
Dallas ICE shooting injures Mexican national, sparking 'concern’ from Mexico

Shooting Involving Dallas ICE Agent Leaves Mexican National Injured, Raising Concerns in Mexico

The fatal shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility…
Chicago Public Schools custodian Elton Odell, Jr. says teacher assistant attacked him at John M. Smyth School on Near West Side

Elton Odell, Jr., a custodian at Chicago Public Schools, claims he was assaulted by a teacher’s assistant at John M. Smyth School on the Near West Side.

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago school custodian reported being assaulted while on…
Medieval Times horse trainer Mario Contreras embraces roots of Guadalajara, Mexico in Schaumburg, Illinois

Medieval Times Horse Trainer Mario Contreras Celebrates Guadalajara Heritage in Schaumburg, Illinois

If you’ve ever visited Medieval Times in Schaumburg, Illinois, you might recognize…
White House budget office tells agencies to draft mass firing plans ahead of potential shutdown

White House Budget Office Instructs Agencies to Prepare Layoff Plans Amid Possible Shutdown

The White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal…