All 19 of the city's Black aldermen voted for an Olympic ordinance at last week's City Council meeting even though some had previously been critical about Chicago's Olympic bid. Some aldermen said it was the $2 billion the city's official Olympic committee–Chicago 2016–secured in insurance that swayed their support while others said it was the oversight authority the City Council would have should Chicago be awarded the Games.

The United States Olympic Committee has dubbed June 23 “Olympic Day” and on Tuesday Chicago and 150 cities are expected to hold events in observance of the Olympics.

WHAT HE DID: Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was in Switzerland this week and told the International Olympic Committee he would sign a contract requiring the city to take full financial responsibility if Chicago is awarded the 2016 Summer Games.

Mayor Richard M. Daley has taken the plunge in trying to lure the 2016 Summer Olympics to Chicago. Now he has to explain to taxpayers in this cash-strapped city why they may be on the hook for millions of dollars if the event flops.

The four cities bidding for the 2016 Olympics took their case directly to the voters on Wednesday, stressing the backing of their government leaders and promising financial security for their multi-billion-dollar projects.

Teachers union officials are criticizing an e-mail from the head of the Chicago Public Schools board encouraging principals to support Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Games.

An Olympics agreement that guarantees minority set asides and hiring preferences should Chicago win the 2016 Games was affirmed Wednesday by the City Council.

Even though a legally binding agreement is already in place to ensure that minorities benefit from the Olympics should Chicago win the 2016 Games, several community groups are still pushing for another benefits agreement.

Emil Jones Jr. thinks the agreement ironed out by Black community groups and the Chicago Olympic committee is a “slap in the face.”