Heather Cherone

Two key initiatives backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson hit roadblocks Wednesday, as his allies on the Chicago City Council moved to delay final votes on both proposals.

Former Ald. Ed Burke paid two law firms, Blegen & Garvey and Breen & Pugh, approximately $769,000 per month after his conviction, according to state records.

Officials expect it will cost an additional $321 million through the end of 2024 to care for the migrants. The Chicago City Council and the Cook County Board of Commissioners have approved plans to contribute $70 million each. State lawmakers are expected to set aside $182 million as part of the state’s budget for the next fiscal year.

The approval represents a major win for Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has touted the proposal as a way to make Chicago a more equitable place to live by “investing in people” and expanding the city’s economic capacity — without raising taxes on Chicago property owners.

A protester faces a line of police officers in Chicago on Saturday, May 30, 2020. (Hugo Balta / WTTW News)

Chicago Police Department Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Nearly two years ago, the Chicago Bears ignored former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Hail Mary pass to keep the team in Chicago, despite her offer to use taxpayer funds to put a dome over Soldier Field while expanding its seating capacity.

Mayor Brandon Johnson enthusiastically endorsed the plans for a new stadium, calling the renderings of the futuristic oval-shaped stadium with a translucent roof “miraculous.”

Chicago police officers surround an SUV driven by Dexter Reed moments before shots are fired on March 21, 2024. (Civilian Office of Police Accountability)

Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon (left) will run in the November general election to replace Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. Chief Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles (right) will server as interim clerk through the end of December. (Provided)