Edward Burke

It undid a ban on street sales imposed by a florist alderman 70 years ago.

Burke said a ban on the peddlers had "outlived its usefulness" and he wants to "right this wrong."

Ald. Anthony Beale said patrons routinely bring in "gallons of liquor" to The Factory in the 9th Ward.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf endorsed the ban, as aldermen pondered the "enforcement mechanism."

Aldermen on Wednesday approved a new set of tobacco taxes in addition to raising the age to buy tobacco.

The city redefined tampons and sanitary napkins as "medical necessities," exempted from the sales tax.

A City Council committee Friday advanced a plan to ban smokeless tobacco at sports venues.

The Finance Committee reclassified tampons and sanitary napkins as tax-free "medical appliances."

Aldermen said Chicago needs to "lead the way" against "discriminatory" taxes on female-hygiene products.

The resolution submitted by Ald. Jason Ervin got a hearing before the Finance Committee.

Ald. Edward Burke was confounded by limits on citizenship even as the city can insist on residency.

A move to raise tobacco taxes and put money toward high-school orientation met resistance.

"We cannot have innocent Chicagoans affected by officers shooting blindly," said Ald. George Cardenas.

The year began with Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the first mayoral runoff and only went downhill from there.

The City Council debated a resolution calling for a hearing on the Task Force on Police Accountability.