Chicago Politics and Urbanism Daily
Chicago’s Reform Bills Come Due: Schools, Ethics, Offices, Homes
Friday, May 15, 2026 · 7 min
Chicago’s reform fights are moving from slogans to invoices: CPS faces a $732 million hole with school closings off the table, ethics enforcement is headed to court, and distressed offices and tax-foreclosed homes are testing whether policy can keep up.
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Show notes
Chicago’s reform fights are moving from slogans to invoices: CPS faces a $732 million hole with school closings off the table, ethics enforcement is headed to court, and distressed offices and tax-foreclosed homes are testing whether policy can keep up.
In this episode
- Ald. Gardiner Suing City For $1 Million After Being Cleared Of Ethics Violation — Block Club Chicago
Ald. Gardiner Suing City For $1 Million After Being Cleared Of Ethics Violation Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th) gets emotional as he talks about his being cleared of violating ethics ordinance at a City Council meeting on June 18, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago JEFFERSON PARK — Ald. James Gardiner (45th) is suing the City of Chicago, its Board of Ethics and former Inspector General Deborah…
- Mayor Johnson rules out school closings, mum on possible re-election bid — Chicago Sun-Times
Mayor Johnson rules out school closings, mum on possible re-election bid - Chicago Sun-Times Hedge funds have gutted local news across America. Chicago is fighting back. The Hardest-Working Paper in America | Thursday, May 14, 2026 My Account Manage Account Log out Log In Why are we asking for donations? ### Why are we asking for donations? This site is free thanks to our community of supporters.…
- Chicago Office Tower Trades at Distressed Price as Apartment Conversion Plans Emerge - Propmodo Playbook — Propmodo
Chicago Office Tower Trades at Distressed Price as Apartment Conversion Plans Emerge - Propmodo Playbook Image © Google Street View ### 205 West Wacker Address: 205 W Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL Status: Planned Residential Units: 120 Year Built: 1928 Chicago’s office distress cycle has entered a new phase. The first phase was denial. The second was lenders quietly extending loans and hoping…
- Ruling shows Illinois must address home equity theft — Illinois Policy
Ruling shows Illinois must address home equity theft # Ruling shows Illinois must address home equity theft A federal judge found Cook County liable for damages to taxpayers who lost the equity in their homes because of an unconstitutional state law. A ruling against Cook County highlights Illinois’ status as the only state still unconstitutionally allowing governments to confiscate entire…
- 3 Years In, Mayor Defends Bike Lanes And Talks CTA Safety — But Is Mum On Reelection — Block Club Chicago
3 Years In, Mayor Defends Bike Lanes And Talks CTA Safety — But Is Mum On Reelection Real Chicago stories start in your neighborhood Get a daily digest of stories from all neighborhoods across Chicago. On Sundays, you'll get our reporters’ best of the week, highlighting the people and places that make our neighborhoods home. Sign up Mayor Brandon Johnson poses for a portrait in his ceremonial…