Good afternoon, Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s planned $830 million bond to pay for a variety of capital projects is facing pushback from aldermen and others for its backloaded payment schedule and fears about the city’s long term debt load.
The total cost to repay the bond, according to initial estimates, is about $2 billion. But the city would only pay interest for the first 18 years. Principal payments would not start until 2045, a cost that would grow from $27 million to about $129 million by the debt’s due date. That would leave 2050 taxpayers on the line for much of today’s road, bridge and street lighting improvement costs.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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With ongoing slowdown of police discipline in Chicago, department is turning to internal controls
While proceedings in high-profile police misconduct cases slowed to a trickle in 2024, the number of internal disciplinary actions initiated by Chicago Police Department supervisors nearly doubled from 2023, according to a Tribune analysis. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Glenview police officer killed in car crash; other driver charged with reckless homicide
- Bill to lure Chicago Bears to Indiana moves to final reading
End of state grocery tax creates conundrum for suburbs facing revenue shortfall
A discussion at a recent Clarendon Hills Village Board meeting is likely to be echoed in nearby communities and beyond within the next several months. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- Baxter plant damaged by Hurricane Helene returns to regular production levels
- Evanston 4-bedroom home with wraparound porch and darkroom: $1.7M
Chicago Cubs and Justin Turner, the 40-year-old 3rd baseman, are nearing an agreement
After striking out on signing premier free agent Alex Bregman, the Chicago Cubs are close to bringing in 40-year-old third baseman Justin Turner, sources told the Tribune. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Column: Chicago White Sox’s new philosophy on prospects? ‘We’d like to see them perform’ before getting long-term deals.
- Richard ‘Itch’ Jones, who coached the Illinois and SIU baseball teams to more than 1,200 wins, dies at 87
Review: Tributosaurus plays hit songs from the ’70s and it’s a glorious shag-carpet ride
Tributosaurus is a cover band, also known as the lowest, primordial rung on the evolutionary ladder of live music. Except these guys subvert the usual reverence. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- ‘The Wild Mile: A River Reborn’ documentary explores the Chicago River’s floating eco-park
- Photos: 78th British Academy Film Awards
Russia and the US agree to work toward improving ties and ending the Ukraine war in landmark talks
Russia and the U.S. agreed to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after talks that reflected an extraordinary about-face in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
