Katie Cliff

During a Thursday City Club of Chicago discussion on the current state of Chicago Public Schools, panelists discussed the many challenges facing the cash-strapped school system.

The panel included: Jitu Brown, organizer of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization; Lauren FitzPatrick, education reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times; Sarah Karp, former deputy editor of  Catalyst Chicago; and Wendy Katten, director of Raise Your Hand, a parent-led coalition advocating on behalf of quality public education. 

Members of the Chicago City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to provide funding and a bus to a program that helps make fresh produce available to residents of Chicago’s food deserts. 

During a Chicago City Council Finance Committee meeting on Monday, aldermen approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to borrow $1.1 billion as part of a debt restructuring plan that will allow the city to convert short-term, variable-rate debt to long-term, fixed-rate debt.

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks’ Permit Review Committee on Thursday unanimously approved the installation of six new concession stands in the outfield bleachers at Wrigley Field. 

Recent renovations at the ballpark have expanded both the left and right field bleachers to include new upper decks. During Thursday’s meeting, representatives from the Chicago Cubs explained four of the six new concession stands will be positioned in the new upper bleacher decks under existing signage.