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Tom Butala

Chicago City Council removes obstacles to putting Obama library on South Side

The Chicago City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to authorize the transfer of Chicago Park District land on the South Side to the city, strengthening Chicago’s bid for the Obama presidential library.

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Chicago buildings commissioner: Important to focus on neighborhoods during current development boom

On Wednesday Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner Felicia Davis touted the recent development surge in Chicago, but she encouraged builders to focus efforts throughout the city’s neighborhoods, not just downtown.

In 2014, Davis’s department issued permits for $7.1 billion worth of construction projects, up from $3.7 billion worth of projects in 2012. The commissioner told the audience at a Wednesday City Club of Chicago event added that her department issued more than 44,000 building permits last year, the most in any year since the Great Recession.

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Challenges remain as Illinois’ first medical marijuana businesses set up shop

The Illinois Medical Marijuana Pilot Program is beginning to take shape, but a number of questions remain for businesses attempting to navigate the uncharted territory of the state’s medical marijuana industry.

Former Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation establishing the program in August 2013, but the state had not issued any licenses for distribution or cultivation centers as of January when he left office. It was only after Gov. Bruce Rauner's inauguration that the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation began awarding licenses to operate those facilities.

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Hadiya Pendleton Park measure advances in council committee

Members of the Chicago City Council Finance Committee on Monday unanimously advanced a measure providing TIF funding for the redevelopment of a South Side park that will renamed in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, the King College Prep sophomore who was gunned down in January 2013.

Q+A with state Sen. Andy Manar

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) has made education reform a top priority since joining the Illinois General Assembly in 2013.

In the 99th General Assembly, Manar has introduced a bill that would drastically overhaul the state’s 19-year-old school-funding formula in an effort to more evenly distribute public school funding between rich and poor districts. Manar introduced similar legislation in 2014. Last year’s measure, which faced strong opposition from Chicago-area Republicans, cleared the Senate in May but failed to advance in the House.

Former RTA Board Chairman John Gates expected to lead Finance Authority Board

Former Regional Transportation Authority Board Chairman John Gates, Jr. is anticipated to be the next chair of the Illinois Finance Authority Board.

The Daily Whale on Wednesday reported on current Chairman Bill Brandt’s announcement that he will resign from the IFA Board. Brandt said he expected Gates to be selected as his successor. After his resignation takes effect on March 30, Brandt plans to focus on his work as CEO of Chicago-based financial services firm Development Specialists, Inc.

Meegan campaign moving forward with lawsuit following release of final results in the 33rd Ward

Tim Meegan, an aldermanic candidate in the 33rd Ward, announced his intentions to fight the Chicago Board of Elections' final proclamation of 33rd Ward Alderman Deb Mell as the outright winner of the Feb. 24 election.

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Zoning Committee advances landmark of old Sears HQ in Lawndale

Members of the Chicago City Council Zoning Committee on Thursday advanced a measure designating the 109-year-old former Sears, Roebuck & Co. campus as a city landmark district.

Jesse White heading to college campuses to discourage fake ID use

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White plans to visit Illinois colleges next month to speak to young people about the consequences of using fake IDs to illegally buy alcohol or patronize bars.

While speaking during a Tuesday City Club of Chicago event, White stressed the importance of raising awareness about the penalties for minors caught with a fake ID. The charges related to fake ID use can include fraud and identity theft, crimes carrying penalties that include community service and up to three years in prison, White explained.

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Finance Authority Board Chairman Brandt to resign

Bill Brandt plans to resign from his position as chairman of the Illinois Finance Authority Board of Directors later this month.

Brandt told the Daily Whale on Tuesday that he is leaving the board to focus on his work with Chicago-based financial advisory firm Development Specialists, Inc. He currently serves as the firm’s president and CEO. Brandt’s resignation was announced during the IFA Board’s Tuesday meeting and takes effect on March 31.

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