A mid-summer slower week in the news.  Who knew that some union city workers get paid time-and-a-half for “prepping their vehicles” before beginning the day’s work? Mayor Emanuel says quit those and other expensive practices and maybe we can eliminate furlough days.  But CPS may have to pay $75 million in back fees to compensate the police for the cops in Chicago high  schools. That just happens to be the amount the schools planned to save by skirting teacher raises. So could that contractually-agreed-to money go instead into the City budget? Art Golab (Sun-Times)  says some critics think it’s balancing the city budget on the backs of teachers.

Journalist Charlie Meyerson and We The People Media’s Ethan Michaeli also join the panel for talk about the CHA’s realignment (Critics ask why the CHA continues to tear down low-density developments like Leclaire Courts when there’s such desperate need for housing), along with the future of Taste and other festivals. And lots more.