Latest news with #BennettLawson
CBS News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Chicago City Council Zoning Committee backs bid to legalize "granny flats" citywide
The City Council Zoning Committee on Tuesday advanced a proposal to legalize so-called "granny flats" citywide, allowing Chicago homeowners to build basement, attic, garage, and coach house apartments on their property without obtaining special permission from their alderperson. The 13-7 vote came after supporters of the "additional dwelling unit" ordinance agreed to a number of safeguards aimed at preventing a deluge of such apartments from being built in neighborhoods where most existing housing is single-family homes. Chicago has largely banned the construction of additional dwelling units since 1957. In 2020, the City Council approved a pilot program allowing construction of additional dwelling units in five areas of the city, and for the past two years, Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th) has been pushing to allow so-called "granny flats" citywide in an effort to put a dent in the city's shortage of affordable housing. City officials have estimated Chicago has about 120,000 fewer units of affordable housing than it needs, and supporters of the additional dwelling unit ordinance said the measure will help ease that shortage. "The point of this ordinance is to add gentle density into spaces that already exist to help to begin to address our housing crisis," Lawson said. Mayor Brandon Johnson has thrown his support behind the measure, arguing it will help drive down the price of housing in Chicago. "My hope is that the City Council recognizes the need that exists around the city, and that they don't become narrow or sort of blinded by their own sort of specific space and time, and being able to see the larger picture," he said last week. The measure would allow additional dwelling units to be built "by right" in any part of the city, meaning homeowners would not need to get approval of their alderperson, as long as they get the necessary construction permits and the work meets the city's building and fire safety codes. As part of a compromise negotiated by Lawson, the measure would place a number of limits on construction of additional dwelling units: But opponents of the ordinance have said homeowners should not be able to build basement, attic, garage, or coach house apartments without input and permission from their alderperson, even with those limits in place. "To have this done by right, without aldermanic approval, I don't know what alderman in their right mind want to give up that authority. I don't know who would want to do that," Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said. "I'm trying to protect my community, and by doing this by right without aldermanic approval doesn't help me control my community." Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) said the ordinance amounts to "an attack on the working class," predicting that many people in neighborhoods dominated by single-family homes will move out of Chicago as a result. "For someone that represents the Bungalow Belt, I feel like my residents are having this ordinance jammed down their throats, and that's not fair," he said. But Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), who chairs the Zoning Committee, said he has not had any issues with allowing additional dwelling units in his ward, which was part of the pilot program launched in 2021. Burnett said allowing homeowners to generate additional income by renting out apartments in their basements, attics, garages, or coach houses would help low- and middle-income families stay in Chicago amid rising costs from property taxes and inflation. "Some folks have their kids living with them, man, because they can't afford to go anywhere else, and we need to be considerate of that," he said. "We've got to figure out another way to allow people to stay in their neighborhoods." Tuesday's committee meeting became particularly heated when Beale falsely claimed the city's affordable housing crisis is the result of 50,000 migrants arriving in Chicago since 2022. "When are we protecting the people that's already here?" he said. "We are destroying this city systematically." Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th) angrily admonished Beale to "stop scapegoating immigrants who have nothing to do with this ordinance." "I think to mention and to try to scapegoat immigrants is nothing but a distraction of the real issues that are affecting our communities," he said. Sigcho-Lopez and Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) noted Chicago has been struggling for decades to provide sufficient affordable housing for low- and middle-income families. "We had a housing shortage well before migrants arrived to the city of Chicago, and it is because there is so much red tape around development, around adding units, and around bringing affordability to our communities," Fuentes said. "The reality is that there is a lot of red tape that small landlords, in particular, have to jump through just to be able to provide units for our community." The measure could be brought to a final vote by the full City Council on Wednesday.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Wrigley Field's $30M security plan sparks backlash ahead of MLB All-Star Game decision
Wrigley Field's $30M security plan sparks backlash ahead of MLB All-Star Game decision (Image via Getty) Big changes are coming to Wrigley Field, and they might lead to something even bigger for Chicago baseball fans. A proposal is moving forward that could change how fans walk around the ballpark — and maybe help the city win a huge baseball event. But nothing is official yet. Still, many signs are pointing toward one exciting announcement that fans have been waiting decades to hear. Wrigley Field's $30M safety project fuels controversy over MLB All-Star plans and security concerns On Monday, June 17, 2025, the Chicago City Council's Finance Committee gave full support to a plan that will improve safety and space around Wrigley Field. This comprises adding four feet of sidewalk on Addison Street and putting in fresh security bollards. These compact, robust posts guard huge crowds from cars or injuries close to the stadium. — 1realjerryriles (@1realjerryriles) The plan also settles a long-running land issue between the Chicago Cubs and the city. The team will move fencing along Waveland Avenue to make a nearby alleyway wider and easier to use. Chicago Alderman Bennett Lawson of the 44th Ward explained why these changes matter. 'The city saw the need to do our part, and the state, of course, to facilitate that,' he said at a press event in late May. Lawson believes the upgrades will help Chicago bring back a major baseball event that hasn't been held here since 1990 — the MLB All-Star Game. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Flexible Phone Plans for Small Biz Undo MLB All-Star game in 2027, Wrigley Field's chances just got better There are strong hints that these new safety changes are tied to the city's hopes of hosting the 2027 MLB All-Star Game. Although nothing has been made official, the Cubs reportedly are expected to secure the event, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score on June 13, 2025. But Cubs officials on Friday told The Chicago Tribune that no final decision had been reached. Also Read: Red Sox Slammed For Rafael Devers Trade After Zoom Call Turns Ugly Behind Scenes The last All-Star Game at Wrigley Field occurred July 10, 1990. That game ended well after midnight following a long rain delay. Since then, fans have been waiting for the game to return. The full plan will cost about $30 million. The state will pay $12 million, the city will pay up to $10 million, and the Cubs will pay $8 million and cover all future upkeep. If the City Council approves the final plan in the coming weeks, Major League Baseball could make an official announcement by mid-July, just in time for this year's All-Star break.
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
City Council committee backs $32.1 million in security upgrades for Wrigley Field
A key City Council committee advanced a $32.1 million plan to upgrade security at and around Wrigley Field. The package backed by the Finance Committee on Monday would call for "anti-terrorism rated security bollards" to be installed around the ballpark, and for sidewalks on Addison Street to be widened by four feet. The project would receive $10 million in city funding and $12 million in state funding. The Cubs would have to pay at least $8 million, and cover any cost overruns. Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th), whose ward includes Wrigley Field, hopes the security plan will help the Cubs get approval from Major League Baseball to host a future All-Star Game. The plan could face a final vote by the full City Council on Wednesday.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Chicago Cubs aiming to secure 2027 All-Star Game for Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs remain focused on landing Wrigley Field as the host for Major League Baseball's 2027 All-Star Game. Those lobbying efforts have long been part of the $1 billion Wrigleyville project that renovated the ballpark and redeveloped the neighborhood. 'No decision has been made,' a Cubs spokesperson said Thursday after 670 The Score reported the Friendly Confines 'will' get the showcase event in 2027, with a formal announcement expected this summer. Advertisement MLB has not yet scheduled an announcement around the club and city that will host the 2027 All-Star Game, according to a league source. Still, it appears the Cubs are gaining momentum in this pursuit. From MLB's perspective, a primary issue has been the security concerns around staging a massive event in an old ballpark located in a densely packed neighborhood. The Cubs have long been working with City Hall to alleviate those concerns. Bennett Lawson, the alderman of the 44th Ward that includes Wrigley Field, introduced an ordinance this week that would surround the stadium's perimeter with concrete bollards and widen the sidewalks along Addison Street. The $30 million cost of the proposed project would be split among the state, the city and the team, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Wrigley Field previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1947, 1962 and 1990.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Chicago police release person of interest in shooting across from Wrigley Field
Chicago police have released a person of interest they took into custody Thursday following a shooting near Wrigley Field. Police said just before 7 p.m. Thursday, a 26-year-old man was shot in the arm at Sheffield and Waveland avenues, across from the northeast corner of the ballpark and near the famous Murphy's Bleachers bar. Police said a gun was recovered near the scene and a person was taken into custody soon after. However, shortly before 11 a.m. Friday, police said that person of interest had been released from custody without charges being filed. A woman who was sitting outside at Murphy's when the shooting happened told CBS News Chicago she saw a fight break out between two groups of teenagers before they started shooting at each other. She said a man sitting at the restaurant was struck by a stray bullet. "All of a sudden we heard what I thought was fireworks. Fifteen gunshots had gone off in the street," said Allyson Jefferson, who heard the shooting. "I was so horrified I was crying. I actually ended up getting sick in the office because I was so scared. Nothing like that had ever happened to me and hopefully no one has to experience anything like that ever again. It was absolutely horrifying." Video just after the shooting showed police handcuffing a man at the Wilson CTA Red Line station in Uptown. Ald. Bennett Lawson, who represents the 44th Ward, released a statement thanking the police department, reading in part, "The safety of the 44th Ward and all of those who visit is my top priority, and the extensive camera network in the area will ensure we have a clear understanding of what occurred and how to prevent it moving forward." The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox face off at Wrigley Field in the first game of the Crosstown Classic Friday night. Please note: The above video is from an earlier report.
