Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is once again pushing to eliminate aldermanic privilege after a federal racketeering case ensnarled local and state elected officials.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will push again to eliminate aldermanic prerogative despite overwhelming opposition from the electeds on the Chicago City Council, reports Fran Spielman for the Chicago Sun-Times (Spielman's reportage is based on statements delivered by the mayor on the WBBM-AM Radio program "At Issue").
Mayor Lightfoot cited the racketeering indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan as evidence of the need for reforms of local zoning veto power—the story also involves the former chair of the city's zoning committee, Danny Solis.
"While working undercover, former zoning committee chair-turned-FBI-mole Danny Solis (25th) is accused of trying to use aldermanic prerogative over zoning for corrupt purposes on a land deal in Chinatown," reports Spielman. "The Madigan indictment accuses the former speaker of agreeing to transfer a state-owned parking lot in Chinatown to the city to clear the way for a commercial development in Solis’ ward. In exchange, the developer agreed to hire Madigan’s law firm for its property tax appeals, the indictment alleges."
Mayor Lightfoot is quoted in the article saying that the episode shows how susceptible aldermanic privilege is to corruption.
Aldermanic Obstruction Too Strong for Former Chicago Spire Site Plans
Developers Related Midwest have new plans for the infamously failed development site, but have so far been stymied by demands from the office of Alderman Brendan Reilly.
The Causes of California's Development Malaise
A spate of recent articles has taken a critical look at the regulatory obstacles to a progrssive planning vision in the state of California.
The Argument Against Accessory Dwelling Units
Facing the potential for accessory dwelling units to win swift legalization in Chicago inspires one columnist to push back.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Santa Clara County Dedicates Over $28M to Affordable Housing
The county is funding over 600 new affordable housing units via revenue from a 2016 bond measure.
Why a Failed ‘Smart City’ Is Still Relevant
A Google-backed proposal to turn an underused section of Toronto waterfront into a tech hub holds relevant lessons about privacy and data.
When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing
Kit homes sold in catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward made homeownership affordable for midcentury Americans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions