Big congrats to my buddy Joe on this well-deserved promotion. Hardest-working mullet in the biz.

Last yr we examined results of bail reforms across the country. Consensus: modest reduction in jail pops w/o visible impact on crime.
illinoisanswers.org/2023/01/04/end…
Then IL's cash bail law went into effect. You'll never guess what happened next, via Madeline Buckley:
chicagotribune.com/2024/04/29/6-m…

CARTA (Chicago Area Rapid Transit Authority)?

Hello! This week is my last week working as Director of Policy at the Chicago Department of Housing. It's been four and a half years, and I'm incredibly proud of my work here. I'm so grateful to my colleagues for everything that their work has made possible.

A few highlights:

Illinois Answers Reporters Meredith Newman and Alex Nitkin were on City Cast Chicago to discuss their recent series on flooding in Illinois.

You can listen to the episode here: chicago.citycast.fm/podcasts/will-…

We hear this week’s top stories from Brandon Pope TV Alex Nitkin and Sam Charles.
trib.al/fsoJI6G

#Breaking : The Cook County Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a reallocation of $70M in migrant healthcare funding from the county disaster fund to instead help Chicago cover migrant food, shelter and operational costs on a reimbursement basis.

An interesting thought experiment! Except...Chicago has nearly 2,000 *miles* of alleys.
So yeah, doing the whole grid isn't really an option. All the more reason why experts say the City needs comprehensive planning to make the most of limited resources.

As a public service to the transit activists ICYMI Mayor Brandon Johnson just submitted 'Appointment of Ira J. Acree as member of Regional Transportation Authority Board' at City Council.

chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matter…

ICYMI: The state of Illinois put together a task force to plan for the increased risk of flood disasters.
The city of Chicago has no such unified plan, but Alderwoman Hadden is pushing for one.

Illinois law does not allow a mayor of Chicago (or any other city, for that matter) to be recalled — only the governor

We reported last month that Dolton Village Manager Keith Freeman, now under indictment for bankruptcy fraud, stepped down as the agent for Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard's cancer nonprofit. Last year I asked him about it and he told me 'you're barking up the wrong tree.'