Latest news with #BennettLawson
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Chicago Cubs aiming to secure 2027 All-Star Game for Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs remain focused on landing Wrigley Field as the host for Major League Baseball's 2027 All-Star Game. Those lobbying efforts have long been part of the $1 billion Wrigleyville project that renovated the ballpark and redeveloped the neighborhood. 'No decision has been made,' a Cubs spokesperson said Thursday after 670 The Score reported the Friendly Confines 'will' get the showcase event in 2027, with a formal announcement expected this summer. Advertisement MLB has not yet scheduled an announcement around the club and city that will host the 2027 All-Star Game, according to a league source. Still, it appears the Cubs are gaining momentum in this pursuit. From MLB's perspective, a primary issue has been the security concerns around staging a massive event in an old ballpark located in a densely packed neighborhood. The Cubs have long been working with City Hall to alleviate those concerns. Bennett Lawson, the alderman of the 44th Ward that includes Wrigley Field, introduced an ordinance this week that would surround the stadium's perimeter with concrete bollards and widen the sidewalks along Addison Street. The $30 million cost of the proposed project would be split among the state, the city and the team, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Wrigley Field previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1947, 1962 and 1990.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Chicago police release person of interest in shooting across from Wrigley Field
Chicago police have released a person of interest they took into custody Thursday following a shooting near Wrigley Field. Police said just before 7 p.m. Thursday, a 26-year-old man was shot in the arm at Sheffield and Waveland avenues, across from the northeast corner of the ballpark and near the famous Murphy's Bleachers bar. Police said a gun was recovered near the scene and a person was taken into custody soon after. However, shortly before 11 a.m. Friday, police said that person of interest had been released from custody without charges being filed. A woman who was sitting outside at Murphy's when the shooting happened told CBS News Chicago she saw a fight break out between two groups of teenagers before they started shooting at each other. She said a man sitting at the restaurant was struck by a stray bullet. "All of a sudden we heard what I thought was fireworks. Fifteen gunshots had gone off in the street," said Allyson Jefferson, who heard the shooting. "I was so horrified I was crying. I actually ended up getting sick in the office because I was so scared. Nothing like that had ever happened to me and hopefully no one has to experience anything like that ever again. It was absolutely horrifying." Video just after the shooting showed police handcuffing a man at the Wilson CTA Red Line station in Uptown. Ald. Bennett Lawson, who represents the 44th Ward, released a statement thanking the police department, reading in part, "The safety of the 44th Ward and all of those who visit is my top priority, and the extensive camera network in the area will ensure we have a clear understanding of what occurred and how to prevent it moving forward." The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox face off at Wrigley Field in the first game of the Crosstown Classic Friday night. Please note: The above video is from an earlier report.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man shot near Murphy's Bleachers in Wrigleyville, police say
The Brief A 26-year-old man was shot in the arm outside Murphy's Bleachers in Wrigleyville. The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital and is in good condition. A person of interest is in custody, and a firearm was recovered near the scene. CHICAGO - A 26-year-old man was shot outside Murphy's Bleachers in Wrigleyville on Thursday night, according to Chicago police. What we know The shooting happened around 6:56 p.m. in the 900 block of West Waveland Avenue, just steps from the popular sports bar near Wrigley Field. Police said the man was standing on the sidewalk when someone shot him in the left arm. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he was listed in good condition. A firearm was found near the scene, and police said a person of interest is currently in custody. What we don't know Authorities haven't said what led to the shooting or whether the victim was targeted or randomly hit by gunfire. What they're saying Alderman Bennett Lawson (44th Ward) released the following statement in response to the shooting. "I am incredibly grateful to the Chicago Police Department for their quick response to the shooting in Wrigleyville tonight. I'm in communication with CPD, and am glad to hear the victim is in good condition, there is a person of interest in custody and a firearm has been recovered. The safety of the 44th Ward and all of those who visit is my top priority, and the extensive camera network in the area will ensure we have a clear understanding of what occurred and how to prevent it moving forward." What's next Area Three detectives are continuing their investigation. The Source The information in this article was provided by the Chicago Police Department.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wrigleyville alderman wants more transparency from vacation rentals like Airbnb
Vacation rental companies like Airbnb might soon be required to share more information with the city in a bid to boost transparency as Chicago aldermen again seek to get more control over the industry. Wrigleyville Ald. Bennett Lawson is behind a push to get his City Council colleagues the addresses and management contact information for the rentals that make up a significant portion of the apartments in some neighborhoods. It's information the city needs to address a host of potential problems, like parties in rented homes getting out of control or an influx of short-term units taking up much-needed housing stock, Lawson said after the ordinance advanced in the City Council's License and Consumer Protection Committee Tuesday. 'It became clear that we just need the data,' Lawson, 44th, said. 'We need to add some transparency.' The regularly updated database Lawson wants rental companies to help the city build would also include details like the unit's maximum occupancy, an apparent attempt to help neighbors ward off rowdy parties. The city already receives some information about the units, but not much, he added. Two recent parties in vacation rentals have ended in shootings in the ward, Lawson said. 'I've had some that have gotten way out of hand,' he told aldermen. 'Instead of always trying to figure out on the backside who is this, who rented it, if we know that there are some concerns on the front end, we can work with the platform, we can work with neighbors and address them proactively.' The summer party months are fast approaching in Lawson's ward, which includes the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field and the surrounding packed bars of North Clark Street, plus the Northalsted festivals that bring in thousands of LGBTQ+ people. Many of the revelers rent apartments and make a weekend of it, bringing a frat house vibe to stretches of the North Side that lots of year-round residents don't appreciate. Aldermen have struggled for years to rein in the burgeoning vacation rental industry, installing ordinances to ban the rentals on a precinct-by-precinct basis and complaining that the operators can too easily slip through the cracks of the regulations in place. In addition to local and state hotel taxes, Chicago short-term rental units face targeted fees with revenues earmarked for domestic violence and homelessness services. The city expects the short-term rental taxes to raise over $12.2 million this year. The committee advanced the measure Tuesday unanimously. It could face a final City Council vote next week. There are around 235 short-term rental units scattered throughout Lawson's ward, he said. Building owners can often make more through short-term rents than long-term leases, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Wrigleyville, he added. Added up, those units put a dent in the city's housing stock, he said. 'Potentially there are 1,000's of units that are not available to Chicagoans,' he said. 'Having a little bit more information is going to help us chart through the summer and next steps if we need.' The committee also approved ordinances Tuesday to ban the sale of marijuana-like hemp products in Ald. Felix Cardona's ward, including the Hermosa and Belmont Cragin neighborhoods, as well as to renew an 'emerging business' permit for a delivery company that uses small, rolling robots. Moments later, the Workforce Development Committee advanced an ordinance allowing for work experience deemed equivalent to a college degree to be considered for eligibility in hiring for city jobs. Tribune reporter A.D. Quig contributed.
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Wrigleyville alderman wants more transparency from vacation rentals like Airbnb
Vacation rental companies like Airbnb might soon be required to share more information with the city in a bid to boost transparency as Chicago aldermen again seek to get more control over the industry. Wrigleyville Ald. Bennett Lawson is behind a push to get his City Council colleagues the addresses and management contact information for the rentals that make up a significant portion of the apartments in some neighborhoods. It's information the city needs to address a host of potential problems, like parties in rented homes getting out of control or an influx of short-term units taking up much-needed housing stock, Lawson said after the ordinance advanced in the City Council's License and Consumer Protection Committee Tuesday. 'It became clear that we just need the data,' Lawson, 44th, said. 'We need to add some transparency.' The regularly updated database Lawson wants rental companies to help the city build would also include details like the unit's maximum occupancy, an apparent attempt to help neighbors ward off rowdy parties. The city already receives some information about the units, but not much, he added. Two recent parties in vacation rentals have ended in shootings in the ward, Lawson said. 'I've had some that have gotten way out of hand,' he told aldermen. 'Instead of always trying to figure out on the backside who is this, who rented it, if we know that there are some concerns on the front end, we can work with the platform, we can work with neighbors and address them proactively.' The summer party months are fast approaching in Lawson's ward, which includes the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field and the surrounding packed bars of North Clark Street, plus the Northalsted festivals that bring in thousands of LGBTQ+ people. Many of the revelers rent apartments and make a weekend of it, bringing a frat house vibe to stretches of the North Side that lots of year-round residents don't appreciate. Aldermen have struggled for years to rein in the burgeoning vacation rental industry, installing ordinances to ban the rentals on a precinct-by-precinct basis and complaining that the operators can too easily slip through the cracks of the regulations in place. The committee advanced the measure with unanimous consent. It could face a final City Council vote next week. There are around 235 short-term rental units scattered throughout Lawson's ward, he said. Building owners can often make more through short-term rents than long-term leases, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Wrigleyville, he added. Added up, those units put a dent in the city's housing stock, he said. 'Potentially there are 1,000's of units that are not available to Chicagoans,' he said. 'Having a little bit more information is going to help us chart through the summer and next steps if we need.' The committee also approved ordinances Tuesday to ban the sale of marijuana-like hemp products in Ald. Felix Cardona's ward, including the Hermosa and Belmont Cragin neighborhoods, as well as to renew an 'emerging business' permit for a delivery company that uses small, rolling robots. Moments later, the Workforce Development Committee advanced an ordinance allowing for work experience deemed equivalent to a college degree to be considered for eligibility in hiring for city jobs.
