🏢 Schools for sale in Chicago

20 Closed Chicago Schools for Sale

Twenty former CPS buildings are currently up for bid, with the hope of bringing $8.2 million to the city. Most of the buildings have sat empty since the 2013 mass school closures under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The district currently spends at least $2 million annually to maintain the sites. [Chalkbeat]

• Related: How did closing 50 schools change Chicago? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
  

Mayor Johnson’s First Two Years in Review

Halfway through Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first term, Block Club Chicago’s Rachel Hinton discusses the administration's highs and lows. Tribune sportswriter Julia Poe also joins to talk Chicago Sky: offseason moves, playoff hopes, and union negotiations. All that and more on today’s podcast. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Will Lawmakers Address CTA Budget Gap?

As the transit system’s $771 million fiscal cliff approaches, state Sen. Ram Villivalam teased legislation that may actually pass before the May 31 deadline. Villivalam said the General Assembly’s current proposal centralizes power to “a main authority” and calls for the creation of a CTA police force. [Crain’s]

• Related: What might a centralized transit authority look like? [City Cast Chicago 💻]

This Week’s Must-Listen

Ever wonder why you can’t build a nuclear bomb in Chicago? Not really? Regardless, a new Curious City episode explores the interesting roots behind a seemingly obvious Illinois law. Its origins trace back to widespread protests against nuclear armament during the 1980s. [WBEZ]

Popemania, Chicago school board drama, and changes at City Council … it was a busy week in Chicago news. Were you paying attention?