City of Chicago

Two long-tenured city of Chicago commissioners will be retiring from their positions in the coming months, as Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareño and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Mark Kelly will both be stepping down.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is applauding efforts by President Joe Biden’s administration to help address gun violence in the city, but dismissed calls for the National Guard to be deployed. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern has that story, and much more on the mayor’s comments Monday.

Rescheduled dates have been set for most of last summer’s concerts at Wrigley Field that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After this week’s harsh winter storm dropped as much as 18 inches of snow across Chicago and the suburbs, the focus has shifted to potential flooding and falling ice, with temperatures slated to warm up. In a news release Friday afternoon, the city of Chicago encouraged residents to exercise caution and take several preventative measures ahead of thawing, which is…

The city of Chicago won’t permit bars and restaurants to increase indoor dining capacity even though Illinois health officials are expected to ease restrictions in the city as a result of progress in the fight against COVID-19, city officials announced Friday.

NBC 5 Responds discovered the city of Chicago handed out 21,854 of “No Contractor Placard” violation notices between Jan.1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Some contractors told NBC 5 Responds they were unaware of the placard policy.

As part of its efforts to expand vaccinations, the city of Chicago plans to have at least six mass vaccination sites up and running next week. NBC 5’s Charlie Wojciechowski reports.

“Some bothersome side effects” are possible with the coronavirus vaccine, Chicago health officials said Wednesday as the country braces for the potential authorization and ultimate distribution of a vaccine. But the city’s top doc said the risks of vaccine side effects are “far outweighed.”

According to the U.S. Census, Black-owned businesses have on average fewer employees and smaller sales receipts compared to other businesses, which contributes to the racial wealth gap. That’s why Mayor Lightfoot is asking residents to “shop Black” on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season.  Ashley Tarver, a shopper browsing at The Silver Room in Hyde Park, says she tries...

The City of Chicago recently launched Black Shop Friday to encourage residents to shop at Black-owned business on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season. NBC 5’s LeeAnn Trotter reports.

The city of Chicago issued cease and desist orders to businesses that hosted illegal parties in “egregious” violations of COVID-19 regulations this past weekend, according to the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. While an investigation into more than 150 businesses found a “high level of compliance” with city regulations and state-imposed mitigation measures, two businesses and a…

The city of Chicago says several miles of protected bike lanes were installed along Milwaukee Avenue for safety, but one cafe owner says customers who drive are being driven away. NBC 5’s Kye Martin reports.

After peaceful protests of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd were marred by widespread vandalism and looting, city officials announced they would pay up to $1.2 million to three private security firms to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s mayhem. Over 100 private security guards from Monterrey Security, AGB Investigative Services and Illinois Security Professionals will be dispatched to…

Several streets will be closed throughout Chicago’s Loop and Central Business district this weekend in anticipation of demonstrations. Protesters have taken to the streets in Chicago and cities nationwide in the past two weeks to speak out against the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck....

Thousands took part in an anti-police demonstration Friday night in Chicago and demanded changes when it comes to funding from the Chicago Police Department. NBC 5’s Trina Orlando reports.

Pastors at a pair of Chicago churches are upset after they were issued citations for continuing to hold services in violation of Illinois’ ongoing stay-at-home order. The pastors were issued the citations by Chicago police after they held religious services with more than 10 people in attendance. Pastor Joe Wyrostek of Metro Praise International Church has held services each of…

Pastors at a pair of Chicago churches are upset after they were issued citations for continuing to hold services in violation of Illinois’ ongoing stay-at-home order. NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez has the story.

The city of Chicago will fine churches that violated Illinois’ stay-at-home order by holding services with a higher number of people than allowed under social distancing gudelines, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday. Cristian Ionescu, pastor of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church, one of churches that violated the state’s stay-at-home order, said the church is being harassed by local officials. Joseph...

The city of Chicago will fine churches that violated Illinois’ stay-at-home order by holding services with a higher number of people than allowed under social distancing gudelines, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday. NBC 5’s Patrick Fazio has more on the churches looking to fight that order.

As some churches in Chicago reopen despite the governor’s stay-at-home order, protesters on Sunday said in person services are causing high risk to neighbors. Lexi Sutter reports.