Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise to deliver Chicago from violent crime by making $1 billion worth of “investments in people” bankrolled by $800 million in new or increased taxes that level the playing field between the haves and have-nots.

His supporters will have to settle for a down payment on the spending front. And they’ll need to wait awhile for the tax burden to be shifted to businesses and wealthy Chicagoans.

James Weiss, the son-in-law of former Cook County Democratic boss Joseph Berrios, was sentenced to 5 ½ years in prison Wednesday, bringing an end to a bribery case centered on the shady world of sweepstakes gaming with elements of political corruption, a state senator turned government mole, and even alleged mob ties.

In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger decried Chicago’s long history of public corruption, saying cases like Weiss’ cause people to “roll their eyes” when they meet someone from Chicago.

Metra leaders released a 2024 budget and fare plan Wednesday with significant changes to the railroad’s ticketing and zone system.

The proposal, which won’t be voted on until November, would shrink Metra’s 10 zones to four, end a $100 Super Saver monthly pass and replace the 10-ride pass with a “Day Pass 5-Pack.”

An administrative law judge has judge recommended lowering the rate hike that Peoples Gas had been seeking, but the increase would still mean customers would be facing a record-setting increase in their bills.

Peoples Gas had asked the Illinois Commerce Commission to approve a rate hike of $402 million beginning next January, but an ICC administrative law judge has instead recommended state regulators approve increases totaling $350 million, about 87% of the utility’s original request.