The former president of AT&T Illinois pleaded not guilty Friday to charges alleging he orchestrated a scheme to funnel payments to an associate of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) is the 34th alderperson to back a map drafted for the Rules Committee and the Black Caucus. Both it and a map proposed by the Latino Caucus turn her ward into Chicago’s first with an Asian American majority.
“We’re taking it to the voters and we’re gonna let the voters decide,” said Rules Committee Chair Michelle Harris. “Without 41 people making a decision to move forward, how do we avoid going to referendum? … We’re filing for a referendum because we need 41 votes.”
An adviser to the Latino Caucus called the alliance a "game-changer" that could win support from voters in remap referendum. But Black Caucus Chairman Jason Ervin said the alliance will have zero impact.
The meeting will include three members of the City Council’s Black Caucus, three members of the Latino Caucus and three other members of the City Council. Harris, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s floor leader, is a member of the Black Caucus.