Mayor Daley's rubber stamp continues to lose members as Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th) has announced she will not seek reelection for her spot on the City Council. Rugai becomes the fourth female alderman to announce she won't be coming back next year, joining Vi Daley (43rd), Helen Shiller (46th) and Mary Ann Smith (48th); Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) could also be leaving if she wins the race for Cook County Board President in November. Rugai said she wasn't worried about any backlash and is confident she'd win another term but felt it was time to step down: “I’ve served the community now for almost 36 years — 20 of those as alderman. I’ve always known when it’s time to make a change." She's putting her support behind Committeeman Matt O’Shea in the upcoming election to replace her. more ›

14th Ward Alderman Ed Burke is renewing his plans to enact an ordinance imposing sterilization of pets. Burke says that the new proposal, which includes some changes from the previous version, has the votes it needs to clear the city council. Unlike the previous version, which would have hit pet owners with a $500 fine, impoundment and forced sterilization, the new version has a $100 a month fine. The new bill also no longer requires veterinarians to report non-sterilized animals, and doesn't require breeders to immunize pets before sale, and then report the name, address and phone number of the buyer. more ›