Alderman says he has the votes to curb honorary street signs

An influential alderman said Wednesday he has the votes to curb the City Council's political addiction to honorary street designations, but only after seven more signs are added to the list, including one honoring Oscar Lopez Rivera.

"As of right now, I do have the votes," Transportation Committee Chairman Anthony Beale (9th) said Wednesday, on the eve of the vote.

Beale said he had "no position" on the honorary street sign for Lopez Rivera proposed by Alderman Roberto Maldonado (26th).

Before his 70-year sentence was commuted in the waning days of the Obama administration, Lopez spent 35 years of his life in federal prisons for his role as a leader in the militant Puerto Rican nationalist group, FALN.

The group claimed responsibility for dozens of bombings across the U.S. during the 1970s, including here in Chicago, although Lopez' supporters argue he was never convicted of personally hurting anyone.

For the full story, click here.