Matthew Blake

Brett Goldstein, who was instrumental in getting the Chicago Police Department to use data to anticipate where crime will next occur, has started to apply predictive analytics tools toward other aspects of city government.

City Council members voiced concerns on Wednesday with Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed revisions of the 75-year parking meter lease between the city and Chicago Parking Meters LLC.

One week after Jason Collins became the first active player in a major U.S. men’s professional sports league to come out, a City Council committee advanced a resolution stating each male sports league must support gay athletes and enact sanctions against homophobic actions.

Ald. James Capplemen (46th), a resolution co-sponsor who is also one of two openly gay aldermen, called gay men in team sports the “last group” of people that routinely experience overt prejudice due to their sexuality.

A measure creating a two-year pilot program under which people who report fly dumping would be eligible for a $100 reward passed through the City Council Finance Committee Monday.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, who will not seek re-election in 2014, would only say on Wednesday that her future plans are “actively looking at ways that I can continue to serve the state of Illinois and have an increased impact.”

Her remarks came three weeks after the Illinois House voted to eliminate the office of lieutenant governor, a matter that is now before the state Senate.