Lightfoot to renew push to eliminate aldermanic prerogative, new commercial leases, and more

Lightfoot to renew push to eliminate aldermanic prerogative over zoning despite resounding Council opposition: Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday she will use the racketeering indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to renew her push to eliminate aldermanic prerogative over zoning despite resounding City Council opposition that includes her closest allies. Zoning Committee Chairman Tom Tunney (44th) and Education Chairman Michael Scott Jr. (24th) are among Lightfoot’s staunchest council supporters. Both men warned the mayor to back off a vote she is destined to lose. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Real estate software firm VTS inks Fulton Market deal: A real estate software and data company that has bolstered its Chicago headcount during the COVID-19 pandemic is joining the crowd of tech firms opening big offices in the Fulton Market District. VTS, which provides an online platform for commercial landlords to manage leases and tenant information, has leased nearly 36,000 square feet in the office building that opened last year at 320 N. Sangamon St., the company announced. (Crain’s)

Humboldt Park Single-Room Occupancy Building Gets $14 Million Upgrade, Including Kitchens And Bathrooms In Each Unit: Crews are wrapping up a $14 million overhaul of a single-room occupancy building that has been in Humboldt Park for more than 25 years. Humboldt Park Residence at 1152 N. Christiana Ave. was built in 1995 by affordable housing developer LUCHA as a 68-unit single-room occupancy for people who have experienced homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. (Block Club Chicago)

It'Sugar candy store coming to Chicago's Magnificent Mile: After enduring a wave of bad news on North Michigan Avenue, here’s something the boulevard’s boosters will like to hear: Candy retailer It’Sugar is opening a big store on the shopping strip, taking over a space vacated just months ago by the Disney Store. The Florida-based chain is leasing about 11,400 square feet at 717 N. Michigan Ave., said broker Greg Kirsch, executive managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, who represented It’Sugar in the lease. It’s a small step forward for the Magnificent Mile, one of the city’s top tourist destinations, which has been going backward during the COVID-19 pandemic, losing several retailers, including Gap, Macy’s and Uniqlo. (Crain’s)

Former West Ridge Library Could Be Sold To Jewish Developmental Disability Services Group: A Jewish organization that helps people with development disabilities is trying to buy a former library building in West Ridge. Yachad Chicago has made an offer on the former Northtown branch of the Chicago Public Library at 6435 N. California Ave., Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) said. The group has agreed to pay $400,000 for the building with the intention of using it as office and program space. (Block Club Chicago)