Tuesday. I think this is
Uh, the committee on finance is called to order.
We'll have a roll call to establish quorum.
Vice chair Conway.
Alderman laspada.
Alderman Hall.
Alderman Harris.
Alderman Beal.
Alderman. Lee.
Alderman Ramirez.
Alderman Quinn.
Alderman Lopez.
Alderman Moore.
Alderman. Curtis
Alderman. OSHA
Alderman Rodriguez.
Alderman Bernett.
Alderman. Ervin.
Alderman. Talia Farrell.
Alderman, Cardona.
Alderman waguespack.
Alderman Ramirez. Rosa.
Alderman spaz.
Alderman mitts.
Alderman Vasquez.
Alderman. Reilly
Alderman, kutson Alderman. Martin.
Alderman Silverstein.
Chair dowel is here.
We have a quorum, we have 17.
Alderman. Rodriguez, Sanchez, Alderman Co Lopez Mitchell.
Mosley, vagus, Scott, Taylor, and Hopkins requested to
participate remotely today.
For reasons, stated under the provisions of rule 59, can I
have a motion to allow these Alderman to attend? The
meeting by remote means,
So moved by Alderman, Silverstein all those in favor of the
motion signify by saying I post and the opinion of the
chair of the eyes, have it and the motion carries. I just
want to confirm that we have Alderman. Rodriguez. Sanchez
here, Alderman, CEO Lopez president Alderman, Mitchell.
Alderman Mosley.
Alderman, vagus present Alderman, Scott present, Alderman,
Taylor.
Okay.
At this time, we'll begin the public comment period, the
public comment period is limited to 30 minutes out of
respect for everyone's Time. Each speaker is limited to 3
minutes. We have been notified that there are no callers
that have requested to speak at today's meeting. So, we'll
begin with those who are here with us this morning. Our
first speaker, is Zoe lelay,
Good morning. Good morning.
Um,
like I said, you guys know why I come down here. So I
pretty much have, um, I'm gonna let God take care of this
whenever, uh, the city decides to settle this case, that's
over there. Um,
and the Federal Building, uh,
I'm grateful. Uh but anyway I would like to talk about the
Constitution. The Constitution was written in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1787 by James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, John J, and many
other delegates. The purpose of the US Constitution is to
establish the framework for the federal government, defined
its powers, and protect the rights of individuals. It
serves, as a supreme law of the land and sharing a balance
of power, among the 3 branches of government legislative
executive and judicial while outlining the rights and
freedoms of citizens.
Now, the city of Chicago has violated the Fifth Amendment
um,
my mother came in here last week, and, um, she even still
tried to talk to, um, our disgrace Alderman, uh, David
Moore, David Moore keeps saying that we, um, that he met
with my mother and my godfather and he's a liar. Uh,
Well, not a liar.
He did me with my mother. When my mother was trying to get,
um, the Tif money to start rehabbing, um, what she was
doing, uh, for the Sam Piper lounge, and he was very rude
to her. He told her that she would have to go get a
PowerPoint and it better be the best PowerPoint in all of
this stuff. And then when my mother went and got the
blueprints and had somebody come in there, what the develop
developer
Um, even Our Father who he has passed away, father waskey,
who helped her with her nonprofit. He refused to sit with
her, um, a year and a half later, the building is knocked
down, that's because he promised that building to someone
or the person before. That was Tasha, Thomas, or, I don't
know how it goes. Father Fagor is over there. All I know is
that the 5th Amendment was violated, the 14th amendment was
violated. This is the city, this is the government.
That is our disgrace Alderman over there who this, this is
his last term. I will make sure of that but I would like
someone
to talk to Mary Richardson, Lowry who said that she was
going to speak about, you know, um, or talk to me or I
don't know if she was saying as Jessica, but I do have a
city case. Um and it's been uh I would like it to be
settled. Like it's crazy how you guys are going to settle.
Dexter Reed's case and he shot at the police and shot the
police and we didn't do any of that. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is uh, Tiara Conway.
How you doing today? Good morning.
My name is Tiara Conway.
I am consistently coming here asking for help.
on the behalf of ramen Banks,
There is no way, Mr. Banks should still be detained with
direct evidence that proves his innocence.
Me and Mr. Banks, we were sitting in a park car outside of
my home.
when 4 Chicago police officers approached the car
The approached, the vehicle stating the lights and plate.
Sticker was expired.
if the license plate sticker is expired, why are you
getting me out of my car detaining me
The police tells me, they detaining me to investigate my
name and make sure I have license.
That is unlawful.
you cannot detain anyone to investigate their license if
you're coming to me for a traffic,
Violation.
Why are you getting me or Mr? Banks. Out of a car. Without
any probable. Cause
The police must have.
To articulate, specific facts.
That suspects them of a crime is that foot or someone is
armed and dangerous.
Anything in plain view.
Will get any officer in a car.
But to get someone out of a car.
To investigate their name.
And license doesn't make sense.
These people violate not on my rights. Mr. Banks rights, as
well.
He's been kidnapped from you guys for over 2 years now.
He still is sitting here playing in this circus that you
guys are just rolling him around back and forth.
I'm asking that everyone here. Please look into the case
case number is 22, CR 12136 01.
Everyone here.
and at coupa,
Is aware of this case is No, 1 is no way. He still should
be sitting here.
I'm here again to ask for help.
For this case, please. And thank you.
Thank you, Miss Conway. Want to acknowledge. We've been
joined by Alderman Reilly alderman.
Conway and Alderman laspata and all the mental Sha.
Our next speaker is Brenda Ward.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning. Um, I'm here this morning to speak about um
I'm a city employee.
31 plus years, I am on vacation vacation and I'm here with
City Council.
Um, I received a memo from my management. It didn't say who
But they're trying to, they're not trying to they did.
On my memo is addressed to me, Brenda Ward from management
who is management. There's no signature on this um memo
that they sent out. And by the way I'm a uh ask me Union,
steward for local 654,
Okay. It's just telling us. I'm on a power. Watch a power
watch. Is I work Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4
pm.
Is 8 of us.
8 of us on this shift. We have earned the right to be on
this shift. Once again I've been here 31 plus years with
the city of Chicago. I started right here in City Hall on
the 11th floor. When Jane Byrne was the alderman for
inquiry and information. I started right here and to
receive a letter. While I'm on vacation I don't go back. I
don't return back to work to January 1 but here I have a
letter from my management uh stating uh this um
they're going to bust us up. They're going to delete the
power watch. I'm going to be putting a day off group.
Meaning, I got to work. 6 days off to work 5 weekends
before I can get 2 back-to-back weekends. I didn't sign up
for this. I did my part. I worked weekend.
Um, when I first started with the city of Chicago, we worked
707 7 days a week in room 1109 we only had 4 agents and 3
and 3 supervisors. We worked every single day. I put in my
time, far as working weekends, I put in um, my vacation
request.
They approved my, um, vacation request based on the power,
watch days. Now, since you trying to throw me in a day off
group,
You're telling me so to speak. Um, 1 of my co-workers went
to a manager at 311.
He told her that she cannot change her vacation days. This
was after the fact. This came out, I got this letter,
December 6th.
I got this on December 6th. Okay, I was at work. December
2nd, 3rd, and fourth, nothing was said, okay. So Friday,
thank you, Miss Ward. Your time is expired.
Want to acknowledge uh Alderman. Beale has joined us and
will be counted towards Quorum. Our next speaker is Dr.
Wallace Gator. Bradley.
Morning chairman, good morning.
Row, I want to say to God, be the glory.
I pray that.
This body.
Approve, the proposal.
So that we can move to the next phase of City business. As
far as I'm concerned.
And that is getting Mark Maxon.
Who was?
H police torture victim and a wrongfully convicted.
felon they settled his case, October the 22nd
And it has to get on the finance.
committee, I guess the, uh,
Corporate Council has to make that decision.
I'm just here.
Learning and paying attention to how all this go.
And I want to say thank you.
Our support, whatever y'all got to do.
To get the budget passed.
So, we can move to the next phase.
Thank you. Um,
I want to acknowledge that uh Alderman Hopkins and Taylor
have joined us remotely. We did uh approve them to come in
but now requesting that, uh,
A motion be made to allow Alderman Hall to attend this
meeting remotely. He has requested remote us. Some moved by
Alderman laspada, Alderman, haul. Thank you so much. Okay,
great.
Moving on with our public comment period. Our next speaker
is Adrien Alexander.
Good morning. My name is Adrian, Alexander. I'm the
director of intergovernmental Affairs for asme Council 31.
We represent 3,500 city employees who live in every city
Ward and work in every city Department providing public
services that the people of Chicago need and rely on along
with 10,000 other members who live in the city, our Union
supports this budget as it's about a path forward for 2025
and a starting point for Earnest conversations to ensure
the city has the resources, it needs to remain a world
class.
City for its residents into the future. We are all aware of
the magnitude of the challenge presented by the city
structural deficit and rapidly diminishing sources of
federal funding. The city forecasts, the sizable potential
deficit, during last year's budget process, and the mayor
and his budget team has spoken candidly about the issue
over the past few months.
the revenue package before you today is the product of a
lot of hard work and compromise by many in this room by
staff and others. In comparison to the significant size of
the initial budget hole,
The proposed Revenue increases in this budget are sensible
and spread out. So no group of residents is unfairly
targeted through efficiencies long-term savings and new
revenues including property, taxes it in it, avoids making
severe and harmful cuts to public services, and supports
the city employees who work every day to provide those
Services looking ahead. We must recognize the challenges of
2026 and Beyond Chicago has a structural budget deficit. It
has for decades. The city's taxing Authority is narrow and
the revenue generated is insufficient to keep up with the
rising cost of maintaining the vital public services and
meeting obligations in the days weeks and months ahead. We
Stand ready to work towards solutions to our City's
Perpetual structural deficit. Identifying further areas for
future savings and raising adequate revenues through
sustainable measures today. We urge you to vote Yes and put
Chicago on a path forward for 2025. Thank you.
Thank you. Our last speaker is pasquali Giani.
Thank you, madam chair and members of the council. I'd like
to follow up with, uh, my sister Adrian, Alexander, uh, in
the labor movement, uh, in supporting this budget. Uh, my
name is Pasquale Giani uh, director of government Affairs,
Teamsters Joint Council 25, we represent over 100,000
workers throughout the state of Illinois. Uh the
overwhelming majority of whom work in in Chicago and
vicinity. Uh, we have a great saying with the teamsters we
represent workers from A to Z because we literally have
airline pilots to zookeepers and everybody in between. So
as you can imagine, a number of proposals that were on the
table, uh, we, we started out concerned with, uh, that that
had the tendency to affect some of our members, uh,
starting with the liquor tax, we were happy to see that
come off the table, uh, because of the great number of
members that, uh, we felt could have been affected that
work in the distribution Network for liquor.
Uh following up with that uh we had some concerns with a
parking tax up to 25%. After some lengthy discussions with
the administration uh We've we've reached a deal that we
feel is fair. It will raise the parking tax uh to 23.35% a
marginal amount in exchange for the promise to higher uh an
an additional 20 parking meter enforcement officers uh, as
well as work together. Uh, on some pressing issues facing
our city going forward. Uh, again, uh, this is all, um,
um, with with the most important consideration, that none
of our members, uh, that work for the city of Chicago are
going to be facing Cuts. Uh layoffs Furs and we're very
very proud of that we thank the administration for its its
work, uh, and working with us, uh, on this budget as well
as all of the members of the council who had an open ear,
uh, from myself and others throughout this process. So,
thank you all and have a terrific, uh, holiday
Thank you.
Uh, that ends the public comment period. We have a 1 item
on the amended agenda. This morning item number 1, from the
Department of budget and management a substitute ordinance,
amending Municipal Code titles 349 and 10, which relates to
revenue. Derived from certain taxes fines and fees the 2025
Municipal Code Revenue, ordinance and authorizing. The levy
of real estate taxes for the city of Chicago for fiscal
year 2025
5. Uh there is a substitute ordinance which was prepared and
and sent electronically to everyone. Is there a motion to
accept the substitute so moved by Alderman, Rodriguez, all
those in favor.
Uh, we will take a roll call.
No, we call for a roll call. We're going to take a roll
call, Alderman Mosley. Are you virtually um with us? You're
the only 1 that I don't have. I'm president Madam chair.
Okay,
Alderman Conway.
Alderman, Le spotter.
Alderman Hopkins.
Alderman Hall.
Alderman Mitchell.
Alderman Harris.
Alderman Beal.
Alderman. Lee.
I'll come back to you.
Alderman. Lee.
Alderman Ramirez.
Alderman Quinn.
Alderman Lopez.
Alderman Moore.
Alderman. Curtis
Alderman. OSHA
Alderman, Taylor.
Yes.
Alderman Mosley. I
Alderman Rodriguez.
Alderman Scott.
Alderman sichel Lopez. Yes.
Alderman brunette.
Alderman. Talia Farrell.
Alderman, Cardona.
Alderman waguespack.
Alderman Rodriguez, Sanchez. I
Alderman Ramirez. Rosa.
Alderman. Vagus.
Alderman mitts.
Alderman Spa.
Alderman Vasquez.
Alderman. Reilly
Alderman, Knudsen.
Alderman. Martin.
Alderman Silverstein.
Chairman Dow votes. Yes, Alderman Hopkins.
Alderman Hall.
Alderman Mitchell.
Yet.
It's a yes or no vote.
Alderman.
Alderman Harris.
All.
Okay. Alder Mitchell. I have you as an i
Alderman, Curtis Alderman card.
Scott.
Vagus.
Mitzo Riley. Riley voted no Ken.
21, eyes, 21, and 7, Nays. The Substitute ordinance is uh,
accepted and is before this committee at this time.
Alderman, bill.
Madam chairman, can you tell me what the ordinance was that
we just substituted?
We just substituted an ordinance. Amending, I'm, I read it,
amending Municipal Code titles, 349 and 10. Were you were
you was this a, an amendment to the ordinance? That was
voted down.
I will let the corporation counsel.
Corporation counsel respond to that.
Ready to Kasa Chief assistant Corporation counsel in the
city, slow Department.
Uh, and the man bill, this is not accept to the failed
property tax ordinance. But however, it contains a new
property tax ordinance.
It is a new property, tax lab included in the revenue
ordinance.
Please.
uh I'm just trying to figure out exactly how do we
substitute uh an ordinance that is not a new ordinance and
we're trying to substitute something that
we don't even know where it came from.
the levy that was voted down is
dead. And so what are we substituting? I'm just really
confused on what we are substituting here. That is not a
new Levy that was presented to us.
Um let me try to answer that. Um there is a substitute
Revenue ordinance which is covers a number of different
revenues. And in the substitute Revenue ordinance is also
the property tax levy.
So it, the levy is inside. It is a piece of the substitute
Revenue ordinance, so that's a new Levy.
Yes, it's a new Levy inside the sub, so it's a new Levy.
How are we substituting? A, how do we substitute something
that's new?
And that has to sit for 20 days. How do we substitute that?
I can't answer that legally uh legally that it's possible
Alderman procedurally. There is no defect because you can
include new items in a pending ordinance.
Yeah, I understand you can I understand that? But the levy
was voted down.
So this is a new Levy.
So, how do you substitute something that's brand new?
You can add items to a pending ordinance. That is
procedurally. Okay. Okay. Let me just State for the record
that I totally oppose to this.
Technique that is being used to try to Skirt the Rules and
Regulations uh to try to uh get around the timeline of a
new Levy being submitted that has to by law sit for 20
days. And this is definitely, um, trying to Skirt the
this body should be a, a shame of themselves by trying to
take this action at this particular time. Thank you,
Alderman, Bill, we're we're joined today,
Would just a second. We're joined today by a budget director
and Ned. Guzman CFL, Jill Jaworski and controller, Chase
wrinkle, yes Alderman, uh Lopez point of information.
Yes. Thank you. Chairman and good morning members of the
committee before we begin during our briefings. We were
told that we would have a response from the corporation.
From The Corporation Council with regards to the legality
of the state lovers doing a property tax levy in this
manner, do we have that answer?
From The Corporation Council because I haven't seen it.
and it was requested in writing, so if you could prepare it
for us,
Yeah.
No, sorry. Is that?
Lopez, if you are asking, whether the 20 days ahead, I'm
asking for the in writing response to the question about
the 20-day window that was mentioned in our briefings.
I asked for that to be prepared in writing by The
Corporation Council and I have not received it. Do we have
that? Yes, we have it. Can you share that with us, please.
Before we begin.
Thank you, chairman. Thank you.
In the box, we have uh, members from the Department of Law.
We also have uh members from uh the respective departments
Budget Finance and the controller's office. Um, we're also
represented by uh
people from seedot, the clerk's office in bacp
I'll turn it over to Annette. Guzman.
Good morning, members of city council. Thank you for having
us this morning before you in the uh, Revenue ordinance
Package are a number of uh revenues to support the uh,
20205 budget. Um, as we have discussed over the last
several, uh, weeks, um, and in the briefing that you
received last week, uh, this includes 6, uh, City control
taxes and, um,
10, uh, City controlled fines and fees just to briefly and
high level go through the city control taxes. Um,
Includes an increase of the parking uh rate tax uh from 22%
on, weekdays and weak and 20% on weekends for parking
garages and valets to 23 and a quarter percent.
Uh, extends and expands the congestion surcharge for the
downtown Zone area that is currently in place from 6:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. At a rate of a
dollar, 75 cents, sir charge it expands it to Saturday and
Sunday between the same hours it lowers the search charge
amount to $1.50
it increases the checkout bag tax uh from 7 cents per bag
to 10 cents per bag with 9 cents retained by the city and 1
cents retained by the retailer.
It increases the personal property lease tax from 9% to
11%, it increases the rate of the city's Amusement tax,
that it's applied to streaming services and cable TV from
9% to 10 and a quarter percent.
And it includes the property tax of 68.5 million dollars,
which would be the CPI based property tax had we assume the
CPI increased the last 2 years.
For the city. Uh, controlled fines and fees. There are 2 2
uh, that are administered by the Department of Finance. Uh,
1 is the vehicle violation, amnesty program between the,
uh, period of April 1st, uh uh, 2025 and June 30th of 2025
the city will administer, um, an amnesty program for those
who have incurred, uh, vehicle, uh, violations on or before
December. 31st 2023. Um, if they pay the debt owing to the
city
Any penalties that have incurred or acred on top of that
debt will be waived.
Secondly uh a second um amnesty program is our public way
amnesty program for those who have incurred violations. Uh,
related to commercial driveway, permits and private
benefits signs on or before, uh, December 31st 2023. Uh, if
they repay their debt to the city all penalties, oh owing
will be um waived as well.
the next 5 uh 5 fines and fees are related to the
administration of those fines and fees by the department
um, business Affairs and consumer protection, the first
increases the 2-year license for wholesale food,
establishments from 660, every 2 years to 1,300
The second is the uh, license for public showers and Petty
cab like uh Petty cab. Um
Drivers, uh, from a 2-year license of 5 dollars to $40.
The uh, next is a, uh, increase of the finest for those who
do not comply with the cities, uh, business license
ordinances. The finest will, uh range, uh, um, or increase
to a range of 400 to 5,000, depending upon the extent of
the violation.
The next 1 is the public vehicle fine for those who are not
in compliance or who have found of out of compliance with
the city's public vehicle ordinances, the fine will now
range from 75 to 1 thousand dollars depending upon the
extent of the violation.
And then we're also updating the wilter accessibility fund
to extend the eligibility um of cost to include
administrative costs for administering, the fund, as well
um expanding the description of the types of programs that
are eligible to be funded, by the accessibility fund, to
include a centralized dispatch program for the um for the
uh, pickup and um, restoration of un unoccupied wheelchairs
for those who have experienced a medical emergency.
Uh the next 1 is uh a a new fee and finds administered by
the um Department of Transportation uh for utilidors um
access as well as non-compliance with the city's
ordinances.
The last 3 period to the clerk's office.
Uh, the first is an increase over 2 years of the annual
residential, permit parking fee. Um, the vehicle sticker
from, uh, $25 to $30 in 2025 and from $30 to $5 by 2026,
Um, keeping the senior rate Frozen at $5.
The daily residential permit, parking passes will increase
uh from 8 dollars for a book of 15 to 15 dollars for a book
of 15 passes.
And then finally the will tax transfer reissue fee and Zone
replacement fees will increase from 5 dollars to $20 with
the rate for seniors uh uh being frozen at $5.
And with that, I will turn it back to you.
Uh, thank you.
Any questions from members of the committee, I want to
acknowledge um, Alderman Hatton and Alderman, Manon.
Hoppenworth who have joined us as non-members and Alderman
mitts who is requesting um, to join under rule, 59, can I
get a motion to allow Alderman, mitson Alderman, OSHA so
moves, all those in favor, signify by saying, I opposed in
the opinion of the chair, the eyes, have it Alderman mitts
are you with us?
Okay, any questions from members of the committee?
Is there a motion to recommend approval?
You have a question?
Alderman, B, I want to go on record.
I want to go on record of a, no.
I vote. Yes, I want to go on record as a, no, please. Can
you put yourself on mute? I don't know who that is
Alderman. Bill.
Thank you, madam chairman uh, good morning everybody.
Uh with all these new proposals uh how many cuts and
efficiencies um have been implemented.
so, in addition to over hundred million dollars in cuts,
that was originally within the mayor's budget, we have, um,
added another 90 million dollars of cuts to the proposal.
And where do those cuts come from, uh, 3.1 million was cut
out of 2, FM budget, and another 13. Um, million dollars
was cut out of Finance General. Uh, based on the savings
that we uh accrued from the recent Bond, um, issuance that
was just completed.
and then 74 million, um, from a sweep of arpa funding
okay, so basically uh, we have not dug in to the 5 million
uh,
5 billion in increases from 2020, um, and we're going to
just continue to find and feed the people of the city of
Chicago without any thorough cuts and efficiencies
That they have been asking for, is that correct?
the 5 billion increase that you're talking about is in
Grant special revenue and um the Enterprise funds, the
cities uh corporate fund is only grown by a billion
dollars.
Okay.
So out of all those programs, all those programs are going
to continue to be funded throughout 2025
Which program are you? Are you 5 billion worth of programs
that are that have been that are not in the corporate fund?
Yes. Yeah, those are funded by special Revenue funds, our
Enterprise funds and our grants. And those are dollars that
we receive for a particular purpose. Okay. How much money
has been added? Um, this year to the mayor's budget.
uh, We've added funding for the 1 of and for, um, rapid
rehousing uh, to assist with our, um, uh continued support
of our homeless Services. Uh, we have added funding to our,
uh, youth programming. Um, and
Um, a couple of additional funds within departmental budgets
to support. Um, operations. Okay. And I asked for a dollar
amount.
$50 million, 50 million.
Wow.
And how much is being added to the Department of Housing
budget for homelessness.
Um, I don't have that number off the top of my head but
it's, um, very little from the corporate fund. It's mostly
grants. Okay. And regardless, if it's grants are not a, I
want to know bottom line, how much money is being added to
the corporate. I mean, to the housing
Uh, look at that, we'll get that number for you, okay?
Can I get it before you leave today? Of course. Okay.
So,
50 million being added.
The budget is still bloated.
And we're going to go ahead and accept this. This is not
what the people of City Chicago are asking for.
The people of the city of Chicago are asking for cuts and
efficiencies, not layoffs, because that's the narrative.
They want everybody to believe that we are pushing for
layoffs.
And that people will be affected, um, with that. But
enough bloat fat in this budget to balance it without 300
million without 150 million, without 68 million. There's
enough
if you take away just a 50 million out that the mayor's
added to his budget,
Now, you're down to 16 million.
I'm sorry, 38 million.
That's the problem.
but,
God bless you, God Bless the people of City of Chicago and
just as a point of clarification, the the the increase is
not in the mayor's office at all.
Almond Lopez.
Again, good morning chairman, good morning, members of the
committee, uh, and good morning to all of our departments
here.
um,
what is the change from the 2024 Levy?
To the 2025 proposed Levy.
It's an increase of 68 and a half million, the levy last
year was 1.773.
Uh 55570000000 which is 1.777 billion dollars. It is this
year, it is 1.878 0.159 0000000.
and is there any adjustment being made because of the, uh,
2024 Des deficit to the 2024 Levy.
To help cover the gap.
No, there is not.
so,
the previous Levy that was introduced while we're waiting
for
the information from the Law Department, uh, was
Unanimously rejected at million dollars, correct?
Correct.
and,
Rather than introduced a standalone Levy, we're you chose
to go this route.
Why was that?
I don't understand the question. Can you repeat?
Rather than introduce a standalone ordinance.
For a property tax levy.
The administration chose to do it as a substitute to the
revenue ordinance for next year after the defeat of the
previous Standalone ordinance.
Why was that calculation made?
We presented a substitute ordinance of all of the revenue
that's before city council for for consideration.
and,
to my colleagues point about,
Where we are and what people want.
we've previously shared with
you the mayor and all the members of the city council,
That 63% 63% of Chicagoans pulled support, cutting vacant
positions across the city departments.
55, uh, 51% over half the city.
Supports reducing the departmental budgets by 5%.
Do you think that what you're proposing to fund as
accomplished those goals, that is the true value that are
the True Values of our Chicagoans.
um, Alder I think that um, you know, we have
Equally, um, you know, gone to the city of Chicago
residents and asked them what they'd like to see in this
budget. We've put out a report of that as well. We cut
over, 400 positions over 700 positions. In this budget, we
have, um, cut departmental budgets by at least 3% money.
Uh, many departments were cut by more and so we have both
dug into departmental cuts the board. We have it inclusive
of, uh, vacancy reductions, um, to the point of
Not, uh, uh, impinging upon or infringing, upon service
provision that a lot of of our residents do depend on.
You know.
I feel like we're having.
uh,
a split conversation here and I know that we're going to
get into the budget at 12:00. We're going to get into the
specifics of where the money is going, but I don't
necessarily believe that this Administration has been
honest truthful or collaborative and addressing the
concerns. That many of us in this room have
I think that when we look at what the voters tell us,
you know, to say we're hearing 1 thing and you're hearing
another
1 of us is being truthful.
1 of us is actually connected to reality and I think time
is going to show which 1 of us is correct.
Madam chairman, I cannot support this because this entire
exercise has just been a a push forward.
To give cover to folks, who want to vote. Yes, to give an
excuse to charge taxpayers without telling them what the
true cost of government is. We put forward a request
Says saying to go back to 2020 to see what that looks like.
No answer, no response.
there's many ways that we could have continued to have this
conversation across the board, but a manufactured crisis
was given to us to try to force our hand and and threaten
us with being here through the holidays, to get the job
done. Thank you Alderman. My 10 minutes up, know you don't
have, you don't have 10 minutes, all right? Yes, I do
actually The Rules of Order say, I've got 10 minutes. All
right, you got 50 seconds? Let's go.
I mean, we could go through the rules if you want.
Um,
We are. I will be voting no and I think many of Chicagoans
want to see us to do to do better when it comes to what
we're asking for and how we're spending it. And this is not
not it, and I don't think our our respective constituencies
are going to support their aldermen for just jumping to say
yes when they should be standing up to say, no.
thank you Alderman Lopez Alderman, Reilly
Thank you, madam chair. Um, and good morning to the budget
team. Um, I wanted to follow up on a couple of Ottoman,
Lopez's questions and and 1, I think that a lot of us would
like an answer to Is how many funded vacancies are being
carried over into 2025. So the number of positions total
And the, uh, price tag associated with that carryover, that
should be right at your fingertips.
I think that we've provided you that information, but I'd
like it on the record please. So we'll get you. I'll get
that. I don't have. I'd like it said on the record please,
we're in public hearing. I didn't bring it with me, that's
but we did have we have provided that to you, um, through
the chair, okay. Well then, since you won't answer the
question publicly budget director, um, I'll just State for
the record that it's thousands of positions and it's
millions and millions of dollars.
So, congratulations for cutting a few hundred vacancies,
not nearly good enough. I also wanted to point out that the
50 million dollars in the mayor's pet projects that you
outlined, um, is pretty close to 65%. 70% of the total
property tax that you're going to be foisting on taxpayers.
If this is approved. And I'd like to remind my colleagues
that uh, all of our respective constituents work in the
well, many of them work in the central business district.
Um, the people who work here, do not just reside in the
second 402, 34th and third Wards. Um they reside in all 50.
50. And so when those constituents are hailing an Uber home
from their late night shift, working in the hospitality
industry from downtown. Now on a Saturday or Sunday night,
they'll have their local aliman to thank for taking money
out of their pocket.
That they worked till 3 in the morning to earn just so they
can get home safe because the CTA is too dangerous.
Now uh let's also look at the parking garage fees. Uh we
already have the highest parking garage tax in the entire
nation. Congratulations. Chicago. And now you're about to
make it even bigger.
Wonderful news when you're at the grocery store and you
you're paying for your your bag tax. That's now 10 cents,
you can thank your local ottoman for that 1 too.
Uh and then you know certainly the personal property lease
going up 2 points again. 1 of the highest in the nation. I
think it is the highest in the nation at a time when our
tech industry is starting to consider other locations to do
business.
Couldn't pick better timing for that 128 million dollar tax
folks.
And then we've got the city's Amusement tax. That'll be
applied to streaming and cable television. So those of you
who get that monthly bill,
thank your local alderman.
And then, of course, we've got that property tax started at
300 million. We must have a hundred million dollar property
tax or the city's going to go down down in. Flames up. Just
kidding. 5 days. Later know, we really need a 150 million
dollar property tax.
Oh wait a second, just kidding. We only need a 68.5 million
property tax. What's the answer?
You know, 1 of the earlier folks who testified during
public comment, I think made an excellent point.
And I have a lot of respect for her. It's a for a
representative from asme.
She pointed out, I think rightly. So that the city of
Chicago for decades has been carrying a structural deficit
We have a spending problem in the city of Chicago. We don't
have a revenue problem. We're spending far too much money.
This government is bloated. It's been exposed during these
hearings. The 1 last thing. I'd like to ask Madam chair uh
from the budget office and the mayor's office is the list
of promises made to my colleagues to vote for this budget
and the price tag, associated with the promises, made to
each of my colleagues in exchange for their Vote, for This
irresponsible budget.
So I'd like that through the chair before a council vote on
what I consider to be more of the same. You didn't do the
work. Uh, this budget process has been a sham.
And frankly, the lack of transparency in the lack of
responsiveness from this Administration to basic data
requests from this city council.
And the crap that we were served and, and forced to sort
through ourselves. When this budget office works as much
for the city council as it does for the mayor.
What do we need to budget office for?
Your job is not providing political cover for the mayor of
Chicago. You're supposed to serve all of the people and we
do, we are half the equation. Here we are. The we are the
legislative body here.
And you're asking us to vote.
On a bunch of promises and vague answers and platitudes.
And the people of Chicago are tired of platitudes and
they're dying under a crush of taxes and fees.
So I'm sorry, the people deserve much better, and I really
do hope my colleagues think twice before they vote for this
garbage. Thank you, madam chairman. Thank you, Alderman.
Reilly, um,
Alderman Rodriguez.
Do you renew your motion for approval of item number 1?
Okay. Roll call. I expected that. Hold on.
No, I don't need to you to remind me. Thank you.
Vice chair Conway.
Alderman, Le spotter.
Alderman Hopkins.
Alderman Hall.
Alderman Mitchell.
Alderman Harris.
Alderman Beal.
Alderman. Lee.
Alderman Ramirez.
Alderman Quinn.
Alderman Lopez.
Alderman Moore.
Alderman. Curtis
Alderman. OSHA
Alderman, Taylor.
Yes.
Alderman Mosley.
Alderman Rodriguez.
Alderman Scott.
Alderman, CEO Lopez.
Yes.
Alderman brunette.
Alderman. Talia pharaoh.
Alderman, Cardona.
Alderman waguespack.
Alderman, Rodriguez, Sanchez.
Alderman Ramirez. Rosa.
Alderman. Vagus know.
Alderman mitts.
Alderman Spa.
Alderman Vasquez.
Alderman. Reilly
Alderman. Kuden.
Alderman. Martin.
Alderman Silverstein.
Chair Dal votes. Yes.
Alderman K, Vice chair, Conway.
The ordinance carries 1411.
1412.
In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. And the due
pass recommendation will reported out of the substitute
ordinance at the next city council meeting.
There being no further business of the city.
Before this committee, can I get a motion to adjourn? So,
moved by Alderman, Ervin. All those in favor. Signify by
saying I opposed and the opinion of the chair of the eyes
have it. The committee is hereby, adjourned. Thank you. All
have a great afternoon.