Here are Lightfoot's End-of-Year Promises on Biggest Problems
While many of us are just trying to get through the rest of 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent the week before the holiday making promises to combat the two most pressing issues facing Chicago: The omicron surge and violent crime. On Monday, she gave a 40-minute speech outlining her public safety plans, spanning everything from suing gangs, cracking down on electronic monitoring, and bringing in more federal help. The next day, the mayor announced the city will require people 5 and older to provide proof of vaccination to dine indoors, work out in gyms, and visit other indoor entertainment venues, starting in the new year. Block Club Chicago’s Kelly Bauer has been following these announcements, and she joins us to break them down.
Guest: Kelly Bauer—Breaking news editor, Block Club Chicago
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Who’s All Running For Mayor? Plus, Live From Printers Row
Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially announced his campaign for a second term in office. He enters alongside more than a dozen challenger...
City Expands Free Narcan. Plus, Best of Open House Chicago
Chicago’s Department of Public Health has worked diligently in recent years to expand access to free Naloxone/Narcan, the opioid overdose...
Could White Sox Really Leave Bridgeport? Plus, Mexican Independence Celebrations
Over the weekend, White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia released stadium renderings that confirmed the team is considering a move to the...
Big Marsh Celebrates 10 Years. The Oprah Winfrey Show Celebrates 40.
As Big Marsh Park prepares to officially celebrate ten years on the South East side, the park has cut the ribbon on new bike features on...
Loop Restaurants Resurging, Chicago’s Climate Resilience, And Meet Us At Lit Fest
A 2026 study has ranked Chicago as the ‘World’s Most Climate Resilient’ major city. After a summer of torrential storms, tornado warnings...
Mayor Johnson Answers Your Toughest Questions
As Mayor Brandon Johnson prepares to make a big announcement about his “political future” on Sunday, Sept. 13, we visited City Hall for a...
Former Loretto Exec Finally In Court. Plus, Does Chicago Have an Alderman Problem?
Former Loretto Hospital COO Anosh Ahmed was finally in federal court this week, where he pleaded not guilty to defrauding the safety-net...
Washington Park Mass Shooting, Ye & North in Chicago, and Printers Row Lit Quiz
Today we are joined by contributors Jill Hopkins and Leigh Giangreco to discuss the tragic mass shooting in Washington Park over the week...
Why Are Chicago Judges Deporting More Kids? Plus, Sox Parking Scam
An immigration judge in Chicago ordered 6 children to be deported. We break down what children are facing in Chicago immigration courtroo...
Your Guide to September 2026 in Chicago
September in Chicago is going to see us outside, come storms or heatwaves. Between Mexican Independence Day celebrations, Fall Theater Se...