Good morning, buenos. I want to welcome everyone to the July
meeting of the committee.
meeting of the committee on housing or restate of the
Chicago city council. The time is
1119 and the
1119, the meeting is called to order today. We have 23
items on the agenda and we're going to start with a roll
call. I will now start, uh, to establish quorum
call. I will now start, uh, to establish Quorum. Uh, we
start with a vice chair Mitchell. Vice chair, Mitch
start with a vice chair Mitchell. Vice chair Mitchell, know
present, um, all the women. Dow all
present, um, all the women, Dow all the women, Dow present
Alderman Robinson.
Alvin Robinson present um, Alderman Quinn.
Quinn present, almond Moore.
No present, almond Taylor.
Alan Taylor present, uh, all the women Tavares.
Present, all the women Scott.
Alderman, Scott, present all the person.
Alderman, Scott, present all the person Fuentes, not
present, all the member net
Alderman Bernette presente, all the women Rodriguez,
Sanchez.
Not present almond Casada.
Not present almond Casada know present almania present.
present, all the women clay
No present all the women.
no present all the women that happen worth no present and
all the women hadn't
And all the women hadn't, I just saw a woman had in
present. All right, so that give us Quorum. So that makes
10 members present including myself, we have quor
10 members present including myself we have Quorum. We have
a roof 59 requests from all.
have a roof 59 requests from all the person laspada Harris.
Um, Tal
Harris, um, Talya Ferro and meds to participate remotely.
Can I get a motion to allow them to be added to the quorum?
So, move by Alderman, Taylor all those in favor. Say I I
all those opposed and aim in the opinion of the chair, the
eyes.
have it. Um all the person uh
Yeah.
Yeah, well, they're still not on on, on the line but we will
call them as they appear.
will call them as they appear on Zoom. Um, all the persons.
call them as they appear on Zoom. Um, all the persons and
meets have been added to the Core.
Uh, all the uh, yeah, I don't think.
Uh, all the uh, yeah. I don't think he's in the chambers
yet. Um, today we have
Um today we have 8 public speakers who have signed up
Uh, for public comment, each speaker will be given.
Uh, for public comment, each speaker will be given 3
minutes to speak on all items on the agenda. Uh, the first
speaker is Zoe
um, I was talking to him back then here because that's
Um, who's talking on back then here, because that's how to
start getting out of out of office, which will be
happening. Um, but
uh,
Uh, it's 2025, July 9th, 2025.
uh, it's 2025, July 9th, 2025 still having um, set up my
case my case is gonna get
case, my case is gonna get settled regardless. Like I said,
I told y'all 2 years ago, if I had to to um, run myself.
I told y'all 2 years ago if I had to to um run myself I was
going to run and get my case settled because at the end of
the day, that's all the issue.
the day that's all the issue is. The reason why you won't
settle my case is because y'all keep re-zoning stuff.
settle my case is because y'all keep re-zoning stuff to
eminent domain. And like what you're trying to do with
to eminent domain. And like what you're trying to do with
70, 1728, East 79,
70 1728, East 79th Street, with this lady who got, uh,
That through um, the Cook County.
That through um, the Cook County land bank and you guys keep
blaming the Cook County Land Bank.
blaming the Cook County Land Bank on things which you it's
really the Alderman's like Michelle.
really the Alderman's like, Michelle Harris. That's why she
don't show up to work anymore and and she has
don't show up to work anymore and then she has Alvin Ryder
doing her things or like you guys.
doing her things or like you guys are doing getting at. I
don't know.
don't know who told of the worst mayor of all time? Brandon
Johnson that, um,
Brandon Johnson that, um, the vice mayor, um, who should
have been in jail, a long?
have been in jail, a long time ago, Walter brunette to tap
in, as the
in as the, as the CEO of how of of cha
in as the, as the CEO of how of of CHA, uh, because he has
stolen so much, um, uh of of of land.
stolen so much, um, uh, of of, of land cha land, uh, with
the help of his wife with his wife was working for cha. So
I don't understand how y'all think y'all can.
I don't understand how y'all think. Y'all can keep
recycling. These trash Alderman. This corruption in 2025. I
think y'all still going to do this. This is you guys do not
you.
not. You guys are are unethical. You guys.
not. You guys are are unethical. You guys are rude. Um, as
far as the Democrat,
their party to scream affordable, housing, and how you
their party to scream affordable housing, and how you guys
care about economic development, in our communities,
care about economic development in our communities and
y'all just keep passing it to everybody else. But us all,
we have General Contractors, we have construction workers,
we have people that, that, that are licensed. But no, you
guys continue to ignore that and keep screaming to the top
of y'all lungs.
of y'all lungs about Trump and the Republican Party being
racist when y'all are the racists. When y'all.
racist when y'all are the racists when y'all are
prejudiced, when y'all are The Gatekeepers, y'all?
prejudiced, when y'all are The Gatekeepers, y'all are the
ones that are destroying our communities and putting the
same corrupt people. Y'all keep all y'all keep doing is is
is putting people in different.
is putting people in different in different places. How
would y'all ever think Walter?
would y'all ever think Walter Bernett a bank robber? A
corrupt.
corrupt piece of crap can be tapped in as the CEO of 6 of
CHA like what who thought of that.
Like y'all crazy and the AUD.
like y'all crazy and the audacity it, it is really
mind-boggling because y'all really think that people going
to continue this know, y'all are going to be removed.
to continue. This know, y'all are going to be removed 1 by
1 E. Take, I'll take it the stairs.
1 E. Take, I'll take it. The stairs. Y'all going to take
the window or y'all going to prison.
the window or y'all going to prison on my mama. Y'all going
to prison. I promise y'all. Y'all going to prison y'all do
not care about.
not care about Economic Development when it comes to our
community.
Thank you. I also like to recognize
Thank you. I also like, to recognize Alderman, Moore,
Alderman, gisada and other women.
Alderman, gisada and other women Rosana Rodriguez, Sanchez
for the quorum.
Um, and all the women Harris just joined us.
Um and all the women Harris just joined us by Zoom as well.
Um, next we have Mr. George Blakemore.
We did.
With it.
Should be a fun to.
Should be a fundamental right? Especially
Should be a fundamental, right? Especially for the black
man that was enslaved in.
man that was enslaved in America, a fun to Mill, right? I
couldn't believe it that these black
couldn't believe it, that these black almond would add the
cake.
cake for Sanctuary for other people to receive job. Good
contract.
contract, Service housing when you black your constituent
is not getting that. And it's not working this black and
brown.
brown Coalition. If we have these Black Faces in high
places, silent black people out,
Selling them out, man. This man wants. Now, he's leaving
and he's going over to to Cha the federal government have
gotten out.
gotten out of house. They have schemes that that dial and
all I've steamed it up.
all I've steamed it up that some of these apartments.
because 1 million dollars
1 million dollars.
Can buy 3 or 4 or 5?
Can buy 3 or 4, or 5 or 6 houses its evil here?
Can buy 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 houses its evil here. It's
corruption here, it's left.
corruption here, it's necessary here and they all Democrats
now go read.
Democrats. Now go read flip read but my ultimate aim
Democrats. Now, go read flip read but my ultimate aim, the
reason I hate you. So it's it's because how you treat black
people.
people, they all a piece of
people. They all a piece of and I use the term 69. Oh, Mr.
Blackmore, don't talk like that around white folks and
black people. Oh, don't use that language. All of them.
black people, oh, don't use that language. All of them are
bad. The the black ones.
The Asian ones.
The Hispanic.
the all of them, if
The all of them if I miss 1, the Chinese, the most, all of
them.
Is assessed P down here. They all are members of the same
corrupt machine.
And the people have allowed.
And the people have allowed this to exist. Now, how can
this man leave?
man leave here and want his son?
this man leave here and want his son to to take that place?
Not because, um,
Corruption, Fraud and Abuse.
They have no respect for.
They have no respect for you citizens because you don't
demand.
demand respect. You got to teach them how to treat you if
they don't know how teach them.
they don't know how to teach them, how vote them all out.
All of them.
And if you don't, it's something wrong with you me.
And if you don't, it's something wrong with you, me us. And
we black people to allow this
Be selfish, do not.
Be selfish. Do not believe in no religion self love in your
enemy. When you know that person is your enemy. You going
to turn the other cheek. You're a damn fool. You're
foolish. People kill your enemy.
Destroy your enemy and love.
Destroy your enemy and love yourself.
Thank you.
thank you next week have um,
thank you next week, have um, Taiwan Sims
I'm good afternoon committee. Good afternoon.
so, once again, I'm back by and see,
So once again, I'm back Byron cjo Lopez, how you doing?
but I realized that,
but I realized that the last time I spoke with cassado them
over there or
over there, or what's his name, Gilbert? How you doing sir?
Um,
sir? Um, I spoke about socialist, a socialist agenda.
And how that works out in the in the reality of a democracy.
democracy, or how that works out in the reality of America.
democracy, or how that works out in the reality of America,
especially when you got people that govern over you,
especially when you got people that govern over you with a
bias,
Right.
because,
Because here it is in the last what 2 and a half years.
Because here it is in the last. What, 2 and a half years.
Now since 2022 the homeless population,
Now, since 2022, the homeless population here, in Chicago
is balloon 3 times. However, if I can reach out some
numbers, y'all wouldn't believe it because we've been well
funded the homeless initiative here in Chicago, but I stand
in this box once again.
in this box once again asking. What's about, what? Well,
once again, what about?
once again, what about me, what about me by and see Joe?
Lopez?
What's the issue? I just want to know. I honestly do since
2024 and 2024 that was 195 million.
Put towards the homeless.
Put towards the homeless initiative, plus another cap on
that.
I started this coming to you all. Telling you all about.
I started this coming to you all telling you all about my
circumstance. My situation in that year.
circumstance, my situation in that year. 2024, what
happened?
but,
but here in 2025, we still have the same number
Plus 40 million.
Trump, I don't know.
But he said, he said this, um, what, what you call?
but he said, he said this, um, what what you call them, um,
The racist.
The racist white supremacist.
once again, you call what you call it white,
once again you call what you call it white supremacist,
that's a great way to deflect but you are
That's a great way to deflect but you are responsible for
this initiative housing and real estate.
So This falls rightly at your feet.
So This falls rightly at your feet, nobody else can be held
accountable.
and,
and on the reality of it, and the truth of it standing in
this room,
this room right now. What is the issue if you were able to
house? 7,000 individuals who came here? Who were
undocumented?
Utilizing.
Utilizing These funds plus others. What about me?
Tell me.
Since January 2025 7000.
Since January 2025 7,000 individuals plus wait, let's speak
on it.
on it 2024. No 24,000 others reunited.
Reunited.
I'm a 1 man. I'm 1, man. With 2 killed 2 children.
I'm a 1 man. I'm 1, man. With 2 killed 2 children in this
America, I ain't left this America 44 years.
America. I ain't left this America 44 years. I'll be 45
years this year.
Tell me, help me.
Tell me, help me understand it.
If this not bi.
If this not biased or discrimination, tell me what it is.
Helped me to understand the reality of it.
I'm an American.
so, help me
So help me understand why I can't be aided in my country.
and why this gentleman at the helm of it.
It's got.
It's got to be an American, tell me if look at my sland.
It's got to be an American tell me if look at my slandering,
your name. I've been arrested. April 16th. That was a a
meeting a committee that a joint committee on housing.
Y'all guys.
Next week. I, uh,
Next week I uh, Michael J.
Just get us in the road.
Just get us in the road, huh?
This housing.
Crisis that's going on.
It's a crisis because you make it.
It's a crisis because you make it a crisis.
The same way you sitting up there.
The same way you sitting up there talking, excuse me chair.
You can hold your conversation to the back.
You see y'all be.
you see y'all be disrespectful and then when a person come
up here and speak some facts and speak some truth, y'all
throw the hatred towards y'all way to a person weigh
You know what I'm saying? I've been hated on by the police.
I've been.
I've been hating on about almonds.
and because I'm speaking up about these nasty, filthy Roach
beard bugs, rat, infested shelters that they put off people
in and then put
migrants illegals, whatever you want to call them, put them
in a nice hotels.
You know.
Walter Bernette made a comment.
Walter Bernette made a comment over in the other meeting
talking about. I'm the cameraman for Mr. Blake.
talking about. I'm the cameraman for Mr. Blake Moore know,
I'm the cameraman for Michael Young being more real.
I'm the cameraman for Michael Young being more real news.
He can be on camera if he want to.
He can be on camera if he want to though, the people not
going to listen.
just like,
Just like they not listening to Brandon Johnson.
He?
He all over Tik Tok, y'all got them all on.
He all over Tik Tok. Y'all got them all on these play. If
they respond, it's some hat.
they respond, it's some hatred.
I stand up for the truth. I stand up for facts.
You know what I'm saying? And I was here.
You know what I'm saying? And I was here fight for my damn
daughter.
People was attention to keeping us out of housing because I
spoke up for people.
spoke up for people discriminating against my child because
she had seizures,
And y'all up here, talking about you care about the
children. Y'all don't care about the damn children because
my child
my I y'all seen my child.
Y'all.
y'all see me in the public people want me to come out and
speak and things like that. Etc. On YouTube said, I haven't
did it. I can I can criticize. I know things.
That's, I don't even want.
That's, I don't even want to talk about.
and I got the proof to
And I got the proof to back it up. I just put the video out
on Mayor Johnson.
I went to Mayor Johnson first at that, y'all people. I went
to Johnson, I gave him the fly drive with the
discrimination.
Discrimination with had a shelters look. How they was doing
my family.
my family, Etc, I put it in his hands. First
my family, Etc. I put it in his hands first before I spoke
at this mic.
And the door was closed.
And I came to these.
And I came to these Alamos and the doors was closed.
Y'all see me up here and I'm coming up here and I ain't
come up here. There's no anybody
I ain't come up here. Know anybody? I dress professional.
Etc. Person wouldn't even know. I was homeless unless I
tell you.
Suit, look better than yours.
No.
No offense.
nice suit, but they
Nice suit but they know what it is.
We?
We need to stop.
Mistreating.
Mistreating the American citizens.
With this.
With this house and things just trying to make it a pocket,
fun.
Thank you. Next, we have Natasha. Um,
Nicole's.
Michael Natasha from. We saw We Grow garden. Thank you.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning everyone. Um, I am here to talk about item
number, uh, 18 on the agenda.
number, uh, 18 on the agenda today. My name is Natasha
Nichols and I am the founder and the director of the we. So
we grow project, we are located in the 21st ward of the
city, our Alder
Is Alderman, Ronnie Mosley. Uh, we have been
Over the week. So we grow project for the last 10 seasons
and the entire purpose of our Urban Farm organization is to
provide a resource.
provide a resource of food for our community and Sur
surrounding uh, many of, you know, that the 21st
surrounding. Uh, many of, you know, that the 21st Ward no
longer has uh grocery store last year.
longer has uh, grocery store last year or last grocery
store Aldi.
packed up and moved out without letting us know that they
were, they were
were they were leaving. So we are probably 1 of the sole
resources.
resources of fresh produce, and farm fresh eggs.
resources of, fresh produce, and farm, fresh eggs. We
currently have a quarter acre and we are looking to expand
our, um, organization by a full acre. And we
our um, organization by a full acre. And we love what we
do. If we didn't, we wouldn't do it.
do. If we didn't, we wouldn't do it for free. Um, we are
still full fully fully working full-time, working and we
run.
still full fully fully working full-time working and we run
our farm and we work within our community in West Pullman.
What we're really asking is for you all to understand that
everybody in the city.
everybody in the city deserves to eat, they deserve fresh
food. They
food, they deserve green spaces, West.
food, they deserve green spaces, West pulman is lacking
trees, its lack
trees. It's lacking Green Space and on summer days.
trees, it's lacking Green Space. And on summer days, our
neighborhood is easily 7 degrees hot.
neighborhood is easily 7 degrees hotter than the city
center.
as someone who is going through,
As someone who is going through perimenopause right now, not
fun.
fun, not fun at all and it's not fun to be able or to
fun, not fun at all. And it's not fun to be able or to have
to come out of my house. Uh and the Sun is blaz
to come out of my house. Uh, and the Sun is blazing on my
front door and we can burn our ourselves on that.
front door and we can burn our ourselves on that front
door. We are looking to increase the greenery and to bring
down the respiratory illness.
down the respiratory illnesses without within our
community. Because we deserve
because we deserve it.
We deserve it because we are.
We deserve it because we are constituents and we are
citizens of Chicago. Um, and I yield my time.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much and now we're going to recognize Vice
chair Mitchell for the quorum.
um,
and uh,
Oh, and Alderman Lawson as well.
um, next we have shamani
Um, next we have shamani Nichols as well.
Good morning. Um, I am the second half of uh we
Good morning. Um, I am the second half of, uh, we so we
grow representation here today. Uh, everything.
grow representation here today, uh, everything my wife. Uh,
just spoke to spoke about is absolutely true and necessary.
Um, the lots that are, um, uh, up for
the lots that are um uh up for uh debate in the committee
today. Uh again line item, 18 uh have been dilapidated and
overrun for quite some time uh for
overrun for quite some time. Uh, for decades. Uh we have
been living, uh,
living uh, across the street from them for a decade.
from them for a decade. Uh, and uh, we are looking to make
that, uh, uh, productive, uh, use of property,
uh, use of property, um uh, everything that cosine,
everything, my wife.
everything that cosine, everything, my wife just spoke
about with regard,
to um,
To um uh the lack of uh fresh produce.
To um uh the lack of uh, fresh produce. Um, but really the
the other part of our organ.
the other part of our organization is about education. Um,
1 of the things that we do is we put on, uh, classes
Uh, we've been holding them at the library, um, and other
free.
free spaces, uh, online as well. But we'd like to be able
to do it on site. And, uh, right now the current
to do it on site and, uh, right now, the current footprint
that we hold again is just a quarter of a quarter acre.
It's not large enough to a whole handle all of the
it's not large enough to a whole handle, all of the
individuals who have been reaching out to uh to learn more
about what we do to learn from what we do.
about what we do to learn from what we do, uh, and then to
incorporate that in their backyards.
then to incorporate that in their backyards. So, 1 of the
main focuses of organization is to teach people how to grow
their own food, and even know if not everybody
their own food, and even know if not, everybody says they
have a green thumb, uh, but it really
have a green thumb. Uh, but it really is just education.
It's just education, it's just knowing what to do, how to
do and using those mediums to your advantage. And
obviously, we
we the zone that we're in. Um, the our growing season is
season is short, um, because of
the weather, but
the weather but, um, there is there are a lot of, uh,
things that you can grow in your own backyard, uh, in
home. And so, again, part of it,
home. And so again, part of it, obviously is the green of
the neighborhood but another part of it is to expand
the neighborhood. But another part of it is to expand our
educational Outreach. And I you, on my time
Thank you so much.
next, we have Miss Mia, various
Next. We have Miss Mia, various Mia.
very,
all right, um,
All right. Um hello. My name is Mia Barrios and I'm with
people for Community recovery. Um in May the momentous
green social housing ordinance was passed. Thanks to the
tireless individuals.
tireless individuals and Grassroots organizations, the
Department of Housing and the elders, who supported the
creation of, of the residential Investment corporation.
since then renting people of the city,
Since then renting, people of the city have paid rent at
least twice according to a 2012.
least twice according to a 2022 report by WBEZ Chicago 47.6
47.6 of renters are considered rent burden, meaning that
they spend more than 30% of the income on housing costs.
years have passed since 2022, and it's easy to imagine that
number has increased with the increase in cost of housing
utilities.
utilities and groceries. That don't match the minimal
increases in income. It is imperative that the proposed
Board of Directors for the residential Investment
corporation be approved. So implementation of green, social
housing can begin swiftly as
social housing can begin swiftly as a reminder, green
social housing is centered on a permanent affordability.
social housing is centered on a permanent affordability,
environmental sustainability and tenant governance. Every
month we delay means families continue to face
unaffordable. Rent unsafe housing and
unaffordable. Rent, unsafe housing and displacement. It
means that that 2022 statistic increases. It means there's
less Chicagoans able to age in place the proposed board of
directors incl.
Leaders, reflect our communities and bring the skills
expertise.
expertise and values needed to move this program forward
with urgency and Care. Um, please vote. Yes.
with urgency and Care. Um, please vote, Yes, approve. This
board and ensure that green School housing program.
board and ensure that green School housing program can move
forward immediately. Thank you for your time.
forward immediately. Thank you for your time and
opportunity to speak here today.
Thank you. Next, we have uh Jewel
Thank you, next. We have uh, Julia gulia were
hi.
Hi, my name is Julia weiner. I'm with 1 north side and the
green.
green social housing folks. And I'm here to show my support
for green social.
for green social housing, and urge you all to approve of
the board.
the board, uh, nominations as quickly as possible.
I spent 7 years working directly with survivors of sexual
and domestic violence and doing case management. And
and domestic violence and doing case management and housing
work with them. And I have seen hundreds of survivors. Be
unable to leave abusive relationships and unsafe situations
because they're just simply isn't enough, affordable
housing and there are no other options.
I our current system is keeping people.
I our current system is keeping people trapped in unsafe
homes and we really ask the city need to address the
affordable housing crisis. And
affordable housing crisis, and ensure that housing is a
human right safe afford.
human right safe, affordable housing um, is the foundation
to Strong.
foundation to strong and Equitable communities that are
free from gender-based violence.
free from gender-based violence, and our government has a
responsibility to ensure that access to free housing or
affordable housing.
And the green social housing.
And the green social Housing Initiative is really great
opportunity for you all to do that. As soon as
opportunity for you all to do that as soon as possible.
In addition to that work, I've lived in affordable.
In addition to that work, I've lived in affordable housing
buildings. And I've seen increasing rent, push out.
buildings. And I've seen increasing rent, push out my
neighbors from these affordable. Even the so-called
affordable housing units and so it's really important.
affordable housing units. And so it's really important to
have um, our that our communities deserve to stay in their
homes and not be pushed out by rent increases.
year-over-year. It's really important that we elect a
board.
quickly that can Implement a lot of protections for our
neighbors to be able to stay in their homes. Uh the green
social housing project will address this by changing the
paradigm.
Paradigm and creating more permanently affordable housing,
my
My name is have also experienced a lot of, uh, harassment
from management. And so the board will be able to implement
a lot of protections and give some of that.
a lot of protections and give some of that power back to
Residents. And so that's why it's so important that you
pass the board with the original vision for affordability.
and sustainability in particular candidate.
and sustainability in particular, candidate candidate. E
Edith Tovar.
Who's been Central to this ordinance from its Inception?
As well.
As well as Kristen horn whose experience will help navigate
the complex fund.
navigate the complex funding concerns.
Also, for these same reasons.
Also, for these same reasons, it's really important that
you uh, start to discuss regulating.
uh, start to discuss regulating the algorithmic rent in uh
rent fixing.
rent fixing and stop rent rampant, rent increases so that
our communities and neighbors can remain in their housings
as homes. And not as
as homes and not as tools for wealth building. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
The committee also has received 5 written, public comments
that were submitted before.
that were submitted before or deadline uh, within comments
were email and included in your packets. Um, has any member
who have not received their packets.
who have not received the package yet, let me know. So we
can make sure that you got your package.
can make sure that you got your package um, that concludes
your public comment.
your public comment, uh, also like to recognize some of our
interests.
interests for the migma and 1 summer, Chicago that are
joining us today. So, I want to recognize your young
people, you want to, maybe just wave to the mem.
people, you want to, maybe just wave to the members, and
we're really happy to sign. See our youth here. Thank you
for. Thank you for your work this summer for the
for, thank you for your work this summer for the city of
Chicago.
Uh, our first order of business is
uh, our first order of business, is the roof, 45 report
from June 11th, 20,
June 11th, 2025, which was email and handed out to
community members. Can I get a motion to recommend approval
of this report? So move all the other person, Rosana
Rodriguez Sanchez. All those
Rodriguez Sanchez, all those in favor. Say I
All those opposed say name.
all those opposed, say name in the opinion of the chair, the
eyes have it, the roof 45 report has been approved.
Uh, now we'll move on the items before the committee. The 7
items are.
items are all appointments. This include the nominations of
Christine Horne and Don Valar to serve for 2.
Christine Horne and Don Valar to serve for 2-year terms,
uh, William W towns and Edith towbar to serve 3 year terms
and
terms, and with all in Garden Butler, then you have
terms, and with all in Goten Butler, then you've heard and
Juanita Garcia to serve 4-year terms.
Juanita Garcia to serve 4-year terms all as members of the
board of directors at the newly created, residential
Investment corporation.
Investment. Corporation are I see under the green social
housing program,
we have with us today, that Department of Housing
commissioner and chief policy for the mayor's office.
commissioner and chief policy for the mayor's office young
Yoon to speak to these appointments and answer any
questions that committee members have joining us today in
the Box.
the Box are down below and maybe you want to wave so they
can see you.
can see you, um, William W towns and
can see you. Um William W towns is the towbar Daniel Herz
and Juanita Garcia. Christian horn is joining us remotely
and unfortunately,
and unfortunately with all in hat and Butler could not
attend today but have her remarks printed and I will be
also, uh, hand that included in your packets. Uh, we will
allow for a few comments from each appointee.
allow for a few comments from each appointee and start with
commissioner Casa for operating remarks Commission,
commissioner Casa for operating remarks commissioner.
Thank you. Good morning.
Thank you, good morning, committee members. Um, I appreciate
the opportunity.
the opportunity, uh, for us to come back before you this
morning.
morning, um, and to be able to present this late of
morning, um, and to be able to present this slate of
nominees, to the residential investment corpore
nominees, to the residential Investment corporation board.
Um, we are really excited for these folks, to be able to
join us on our journey to Bringing more affordable housing
here to the city of
here, to the city of Chicago. The people before you today
have been,
have been chosen through much deliberative thoughtful.
have been chosen through much deliberative thoughtfulness
and really a balancing of skills.
and really a balancing of skills and making sure that the
city is well represented,
city is well represented among the nominees, you will find
people with extensive real estate experience legal
experience.
experience, folks from labor, folks from Environmental,
experience, folks from labor, folks, from environmental,
um, Justice work, and other.
um, Justice work, and others, we're really uh, pleased to
be able to
able to present these folks before you and are happy to
answer any.
answer any questions.
Thank you. So we start on the, we can start from right to
left with uh, maybe down below our first and then we can go
down.
go down, have a few minutes to introduce yourself and we
are, uh, really excited.
are, uh, really excited about these um, these uh
appointments. So please go.
So please go ahead done, thank you. Uh, chairman Co
chairman Co Lopez and uh, thank you, uh, Vice chair and
Mitchell. And, uh, vice mayor, uh, Bernett in all,
council members here today, you know, good morning or
almost afternoon. Good morning. Uh, I know I'm
almost afternoon. Good morning. Uh, I know, I know a lot
know, a lot of you. I'm Don, Valar secretary treasurer.
the Chicago Federation of Labor. I'm also a former Journal
journalist, a
Civil rights, labor attorney. And I'm
civil rights, labor attorney, and I'm an immigrant
I'm now in my eighth year at the CFL, uh, which is made up
of 300, Local Union.
300 local unions and half a million union members across
Chicago.
Chicago and Cook County prior to joining the CFL.
Chicago and Cook County prior to joining the CFL I was
president of nabet CWA. The broadcast Union in town
representing local broadcast television.
representing local broadcast, television workers and
president of the CWA, unified Council of Illinois, made up
of communication workers of America locals.
of communication workers of America locals across Illinois
and broadcast newspaper Telecom.
and broadcast newspaper Telecom, manufacturing Airlines.
Uh, and before my labor,
and before my labor activism I worked for nearly 25 years
that
at WLS TV channel 7, as a News writer producer,
at WLS TV channel 7 as a News writer producer, covering
local State. National
local State national international news. And in my news
career, I won a local enemy.
career, I won a local enemy Emmy and was part of a ABC
Network National Emmy.
Network. National Emmy in 2008 after participating in my
first.
first contract negotiations with ABC, I
first contract negotiations. With ABC, I began studying at
Loyola Law School, while working full-time.
Loyola Law School, while working full-time, to be a better
advocate for workers. I graduated from Loyola, Law in 2011,
and after passing the bar,
and after passing the bar and in between working in TV and
Helping lead my union. I took on civil rights cases. I
defended free speech.
defended free speech and represented victims of
discrimination in Federal
discrimination in federal court. I'm also an immigrant. I
was born in the Philippines, like many immigrants stories,
my mother and father, longed for a better life and
my mother, and father, longed for a better life and
opportunity for their 4 young children, when they travel to
America.
America during our first few years, a crowd of Department.
apartment building in uptown corner of Eastwood and
Clarendon was our home.
in the late 70s, we moved to a house in
In the late 70s, we moved to a house in Lake View, Ravens
with Addison as a laborer.
with Addison as a labor activist. I look forward to the
work of the residential.
work of the residential Investment corporation, you know,
union members will be building the green social housing and
they'll be maintaining them, and many will also be calling
them home.
them home and housing is also an important workers issue.
them home and housing is also an important workers issue as
a lab, during my news career.
a lab during my news career. You know, I worked on many
stories in Chicago, in the early.
stories in Chicago in the early 90s, they include pushing
back on slum Lords and and calling.
back on slum Lords and and calling and and the need for
affordable affordability. It's amazing that we continue to
deal with that same issue today. You know, I I look forward
to the work ahead. This committee will do
And hope that we can deliver.
and hope that we can deliver on green social housing and
the and the needs were all of our families, our friends,
neighbors, and everyone in the cross.
neighbors, and everyone in the cross, the city of Chicago
that we all love.
I currently live in the 34th ward in the West Loop. I also
lived in the 25th Ward, the 3
46th Ward. So Chicago,
initiative, uh focusing on impact investing.
professionally I've held leadership roles in organizations
including Gorman.
including Gorman and Company. The seventh largest
affordable housing developer in the country. According
affordable housing magazine there I served as a national
Market president for community, revitalization and public
housing.
Leading Redevelopment efforts across the country. I led
impact investment initiatives at benefit Chicago.
A hundred million dollar collaboration between the
MacArthur found.
MacArthur Foundation, Calvin impact capital and the
Chicago.
Community Trust as its founding executive director. I've
also
I've also LED Community investment efforts at the
University of Chicago in the
Chicago in the office of Civic engagement leveraging.
Institutional resources to advance neighborhood.
Revitalization, uh,
neighborhood, revitalization, uh born in Chicago, uh, with
my first home being
being at 8018, South Ada, uh,
my first home being at 8018, South Ada, uh, raised an
Latinx community and educated and predominately White
instit.
institutions. My unique personal Journey has shaped my
perspective.
perspective on the power of diversity, shared experience
and the values of embracing, both our uniqueness and
similarities. Uh, this background informs both my teach
similarities. Uh this background informs both my teaching
and professional work. Fostering the nuanced understandings
of the intersection between identity opportunity.
of the intersection between identity opportunity and
Innovation. Uh, my goal in joining the
Innovation. Uh my goal in joining, the r IC board is to
help ensure that the green social housing program delivers
on its promise uh to create permanently affordable,
environmentally sustainable and tenant.
environmentally sustainable and tenant govern housing
through a fiscally sound and Innovative public.
through a fiscally sound and Innovative public private
model. I believe my experience in structuring public.
private Partnerships, scaling investment vehicles.
And working collaboratively with developers community.
organizations, and government agencies will bring value to
the board. And the residents, we serve my
the board and the residents, we serve my life goal is to
use my research to help cities.
use my research to help cities, anchor institutions, and
nonprofits, develop policies, and
nonprofits, develop policies. And initiatives that, welcome
those who stand outside the door of opportun,
those who stand outside the door of opportunity to the
table of prosperity. I want to thank you again for your
consideration and for your help and Lead.
consideration and for your help and leadership in creating
this new tool to meet the Urgent housing.
this new tool to meet the Urgent. Housing needs, we have in
our city. I'm happy to answer any questions.
our city. I'm happy to answer any questions and look
forward to working with each of you as we path away to
create more sustainable affordable housing in our city.
Thank you.
Thank you so much. Now, we have it.
uh,
Uh, good morning members of Committee of Housing and real
estate. Uh, my name is my preferred pronouns. Are she?
They, I am honored to be here today as a nominee of the
inaugural Board of the residential.
inaugural Board of the residential Investment corporation.
I am honored and humbled to be part of this board to lead
and develop by example, green social housing and the city
of Chicago.
I am a proud.
I am a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a lifelong
resident of the little village.
resident of the little village community. I received both
my bachelor's and masters from the University of Illinois
at Chicago. I am currently the just transition Community
organizer at the little village environmental justice
organization.
Organization for short, my passion to address and Bridge.
environmental, justice affordable housing and the need to
improve.
improve our City's. Public Health are the reasons why I'm
here today.
in my over 10 years of community organizing
in my over 10 years of community, organizing I have
witnessed the inequalities are community space and thus, I
want to reaffirm my commitment. Uh,
want to reaffirm my commitment, uh, to permanent green
social housing. It would be an honor to serve at the IRC,
um,
R, i c and bring housing affordability to the city.
R. I c and bring housing affordability to the city of
Chicago residents. Thank you again chair.
Chicago residents. Thank you again chair, Vice chair and
committee members. Ask for your support from this
confirmation. I am available um to answer any questions as
well. Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Daniel.
uh, good morning, chairman and
Uh, good morning, chairman and members of the committee. My
name is Danielle K hurts. And I'm honored to be here as a
nominee for the board of the residential investment Corp.
corporation.
I currently work, as director.
I currently work as director of housing at impact for
Equity, a law and policy.
Equity. A law and policy Center based in Chicago, where I
work on issues around.
work on issues around public housing, housing, and building
conditions. And
conditions, and fair housing.
previously, I served as director of
Previously I served as director of policy research and
legislative affairs for the Chicago Department.
legislative affairs for the Chicago Department of Housing
from 2019 to 2024 and research director at the center for
tax and budget accountability.
tax and budget accountability where I worked on issues
related to Public Finance.
I was born and raised here in Chicago. Growing up in
Albany.
Park and West Ridge and now live in Edgewater with my wife.
and daughter.
I love this city, and I believe,
I love this city and I believe that it is at its best when
it can offer dignity and opportun,
it can offer dignity and opportunity, including stable
affordable housing to every single person who lives here,
unfortunately, as this body knows.
Unfortunately, as this body knows that is too often. Not
the case
2 years ago, I was able to visit Montgomery County
Maryland.
Maryland, 1 of the pioneers of this model of uh financing
mixed income housing c 1 of their first buildings.
mixed income housing c 1 of their first buildings and speak
with the people.
Who helped make it?
who helped make it a reality since then I've only become
more convinced that this model and the residential
Investment corporation.
Investment corporation offer, a really critical opportunity
to address the issue of housing, availability and housing
affordability in Chicago. I'm incredibly excited to sort of
have the chance to serve on this board and um would
welcome.
any questions on your support? Thank you.
Thank you, Daniel. Um, and then we have oneita Garcia.
good morning, uh, chair and
Good morning, uh, chair and and members of the committee.
Um, my name is Juanita Garcia and I'm a project executive
in the high performance and sustainable construction team
of pepper construction based here in Chicago. I wish to
serve on the residential invest.
serve on the residential Investment corporation, to lend my
sustainable Construction.
my sustainable construction expertise to bring more
environmentally and FIS
environmentally and fiscally sustainable mixed income
housing to Chicago.
I'm a built environment environmentalist with.
I'm a built environment environmentalist with over 15 years
of experience, making the built environment.
of experience, making the built environment, more
sustainable for the health of occupants.
sustainable for the health of occupants communities. And
ecosystems,
with over 40% of global carbon emissions coming from the
With over 40% of global carbon emissions, coming from the
built environment, finding solutions to make buildings
environment.
environmentally and fiscally sustainable buildings are
environmentally and fiscally sustainable buildings. Are are
a priority
Throughout my career. I've worked on the
Throughout my career, I've worked on the design and
construction of building projects throughout Chicago.
construction of building projects throughout Chicago across
several commercial, construction types.
I'm an active member of the Green Building community and
I'm an active member of the Green Building community, and
currently serve on the board of directors of the Illinois
Green Alliance.
Green Alliance a nonprofit bringing together Green
Building.
Building, professional the Green Building professional
Community to to promote green buildings to communities
throughout. Illinois. I'm excited to bring my experience.
throughout Illinois. I'm excited to bring my experience,
making sustainability Solutions feasible,
making sustainability Solutions feasible in commercial
construction to Green social housing. I'm happy to answer
any questions you may have and ask for the committee's
support of my appointment to the board of directors.
Thank you. Uh now we're going to move on uh to the zoom.
Can you hear?
You want to read it first, a state?
You want to read it first a statement?
Well, do you want to? Yeah, maybe we can read the statement
and then we go.
and then we go to um uh to the to the last 1 on the
and then we go to um, uh, to the to the last 1, on the on
Zoom. When I go ahead, John
Sure, thank you, chair.
Sure, thank you. Chairman
Good morning. My name is Jeong.
good morning. My name is Jeong Eun. I'm the chief of
policy. Um, I'm gonna read the statement on behalf of
Gwendolyn hat and Butler. You'll see her. Uh beautiful head
shot up on the screen.
shot up on the screen um in her absence because she has
unfortunately unable to be with us today.
Butler ended.
considered by the council committee on housing and real
estate for an appointment to the board of directors of the
residential Investment corporation. I'm the
residential Investment corporation, I'm the founder and
managing partner of the business investment and financial
consulting firm Hatton, Albert.
consulting firm Hatton, Albert strategic, advisors LLC, and
on the board,
on the board of directors, of Goldman Sachs, real estate
income trust Mutual of America Financial Group.
income trust Mutual of America Financial Group Goldman
Sachs real estate Finance trust and
Sachs real estate, Finance, trust and Ferguson partners.
I was appointed to the,
I was appointed to the Chicago Community Development
Commission in.
Commission in 2015 and have served as the chair of the
Chicago Community Development commission since 2021.
A retired in 2021 as president.
A retired in 2021 as president and chief investment officer
of Capri investment.
of Capri Investment Group, a Chicago based real estate
development. And
development and direct investment firm that since its
founding in 199.
founding in 1992 has completed more than 14 billion.
dollars in commercial real estate Investments.
dollars in commercial real estate Investments primarily in
market rate and Workforce multi family housing, a capri
Affiliated entity is the co-developer of the Thompson
Center for Google.
I received a ba in economics from the University of
Michigan and an MBA and finance from Northwest.
Michigan and an MBA and finance from Northwestern
University, I'm a resident of downtown Chicago.
I'm a senior business leader with an
I'm a senior business leader, with an outstanding track
record in delivering strong results. Over the
record in delivering strong results, over the course of my
40 plus years in the financial services investment and real
estate Industries. I'm looking forward to using my
extensive Capital markets, real estate investment and real
estate development experience.
estate development experience, to help the Ric board and
staff meet the residential housing objectives of the Ric.
staff meet the residential housing. Objectives of the Ric I
asked for the committee support of my appointment. Thank
you.
you for your consideration.
Thank you. Thank you, young. And now, uh, can you hear? Can
you hear us Christ?
you hear us? Christine, I can. Can you all hear me? Yep. We
can hear.
can hear you just fine. Go ahead, wonderful. Well, it's an
honor to welcome us into the afternoon. Good afternoon
everybody. Uh, it's an honor to speak before the committee
on housing and real estate.
on housing and real estate and to have your consideration
in appointing me to the board of the residential Investment
corporation. My name is Kristen horn.
corporation. My name is Kristen horn, I'm a resident of the
Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago. My kids attend our
neighborhood, Chicago public school. And I'm committed to
ensuring that all Chicago residents.
ensuring that all Chicago residents, have the opportunity
to live in the neighborhood of their choice. And that
stable affordable amenity Rich housing
stable affordable, amenity Rich housing should be
accessible to all
I've worked for,
I've worked for nonprofit housing organizations in Chicago
for 20 years. So, serving neighborhoods for Rossland to
Rogers Park. Austin to Logan Square. I'm currently the
executive.
executive director of the here to stay Community Land.
Trust a women.
Trust a women-led mission-driven developer working to
create path.
create Pathways to long-term neighborhood ability.
Through affordable home ownership.
I started as here to staywise first employee and by the end
of this year, we will have created nearly 50 permanently
affordable homes.
affordable homes in Just 2 years. I understand what it
takes to start a nonprofit.
takes to start a nonprofit Housing Development organization
and ramp up quickly, it's only possible.
and ramp up quickly. It's only possible with the support of
you all our elected officials.
you. All our elected officials and the resources provided
by the city and its partners.
Prior to here to stay. I spent 7 years at cm
Prior to here to stay. I spent 7 years at CHC, the city's
largest developer of naturally occurring.
largest developer, of naturally occurring, affordable
housing, helping grow their portfolio of 800 rental units
using no public subsidy.
I've analyzed and underwritten deals that have created
homes for hundreds of Chicago's Working Families and
neighborhoods across the city.
Green social housing provides another innovative.
Green social housing provides another Innovative model at a
time when the lack of federal funding threatens.
time when the lack of federal funding threatens to gut
affordable housing development of the country. The Ric
comes at a crucial time when we're in a house.
comes at a crucial time when we're in a housing price and
can't afford not to take bold action,
I look forward to partnering with you all to make.
I look forward to partnering with you all to make this a
successful program that other cities have cross the
country.
country will look to as a model. And most importantly, I
look forward to assisting in the creation of stable health.
healthy permanently affordable housing for our fellow
Chicago.
Chicagoans. It's truly an honor to speak before you today.
I thank you very much for your time and consideration and
I'm happy to answer any questions. You may have
Thank you.
Thank you, Christine. Um, are there any questions for the
commissioner of the policy director or any of the
appointment appointments today?
Are there any other woman?
Are there any other woman tailor?
Go ahead.
Thank you chair. Um,
Thank you, chair. Um, this question is to all the members
um,
we know, they're
we know that we're in a climate where we won't be receiving
a lot of,
a lot of federal funding, how would you all?
a lot of federal funding, how would you all leverage your
relationships to make sure that we could actually help
build more affordable? Housing?
so, can everybody and everybody that you would like
everybody to take a time to do it to respond so we can
start. Maybe you want to or in any order. Anybody wants to
take at it.
Daniel.
Sure. Um, thank you, uh, all the person, you know, 1 of the
things that I have been excited about um to
things that I have been excited about um, to participate
and and just to see this model thrive in Chicago is
and and just to see this model thrive in Chicago, is that
it does not rely on federal funding.
does not rely on federal funding in the same way that most
other housing does. So,
most other housing does. So, you know, obviously in, in my
capacity at impact for equity,
capacity at impact for Equity, we're already advocating to
try to protect as many resources.
try to protect as many resources as possible from the
federal government. But this is 1 program that I'm excited
that even if there are on you know cuts um this should not
be directly affected.
not be directly affected in the way that other programs
would be.
The state also strug.
The state also struggle to close this budget as well. And
so my question to you all is knowing that we won't have
some of that saying.
full of money that we've had in other times, you all have
Rel
relationships, you all know other people, how would you
use?
that to make sure we can build more affordable? Housing
um, thank you for the
Um, thank you for the question. Uh again this is uh, will
towns. Um I I think part part of it is the relationship.
towns. Um, I I think part part of it is the relationships
that we have as you sort of say that. It's so my, you know,
partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and the Chicago
Community Trust
the Chicago Community Trust and others. Uh, there's a
number of lenders PNC Banks, and other
lenders, PNC Banks, and others that I have have
relationships and work with that, are all trying to
relationships and work with that are all trying to figure
out how we can continue to do the necessary work to provide
affordable housing, uh, although it's not a guarantee that
they'll, you know, be able to put money in.
they'll, you know, be able to put money in but it's how do
we kind of come together collaboratively?
we kind of come together collaboratively to ensure that we
can continue to produce the units? We need, uh, in this
crucial time? I think any the research will say we're short
sum 200,000 plus units. Uh, and no 1. Institution is going
to be able to fill that Gap.
going to be able to fill that Gap, particularly with
government, uh, Cuts as you sort of indicated. But I would
believe working collaboratively with these individuals.
believe working collaboratively with these individuals, uh,
particularly the individuals. I know. Uh, we're all trying
to solve that. And I think collectively, um, we'll be able
to put some money into the pot to ensure we can at least
get as as many units as possible.
um,
Um, yes, hello. Um, this is Edith Tovar. Um I am
Um, yes, hello. Um this is Edith Tovar. Um I am currently um
honored to also be part of the
um, honored to also be part of the strength to solidarity
cohort, which is
cohort which is part of the mural Arts Institute. Um, it's
a program.
a program based on in Philadelphia. And so, um, in you
know, addressing your question Alderman, Taylor,
Taylor, um, we have, um,
In, you know, connecting with our other stakeholders.
right? And other other networks um I have been
right? And other other networks um, I have been in
communication and building. Um,
communication and building um, with 2, um, Community
organizations, 1 located in Camden, New Jersey and the
other
1 in Baltimore, Maryland. Um and so I just want to
highlight um the softball Baltimore Community Land.
Trust, um, organization, I think, um, there's just been
Trust, um, organization. I think, um, there's just been a
beautiful, um, collaboration. Um, they've just also
established passive housing, um, in Baltimore. And so I
see, um, these opportunities and being part of that board
and connecting our cities right as an opportunity to
really, um,
really um, look at other Investments within um, the
developments that we're pushing for.
Thank you.
Um, and building on on what the other. Um,
My colleagues have said as well. Um,
My colleagues have said as well um understanding too that.
Um there are those opportunities from that I can.
Um there are those opportunities from that I can bring to
you as well as to start thinking to you in the long term.
operations of, of the building as well. And how much those
operations of, of the building as well, and how much those
sustainability measures can can help.
much those sustainability measures can can help also
throughout and
That return on investment.
that return on investment and understanding like the
operations of those buildings and also the opportun
operations of those buildings. And also the opportunities
for those residents as well when we're thinking about.
for those residents as well when we're thinking about, um,
uh, long-term
Um, operations of those buildings and reducing.
Um operations of those buildings and reducing energy and
reducing um cost.
reducing um costs monthly for utilities.
I think there's opportunities, right?
I think there's opportunities right now and actually, I
mean, the AFL CIO.
mean, the AFL CIO housing investment, trusts, they're doing
a lot of projects and all around.
a lot of projects and all around Chicago in the city of
suburbs. So I mean, there's opportunity
suburbs. So I mean, there's opportunities there. I think
that we could we could probably uh, turn to down the road
uh, to, to fill the gaps.
How will you all?
How will you all coordinate with cha and the Cook County
Land Bank?
What does that look like?
I, I
I I can take that question. Um, alderwoman, thank you.
I, I can take that question. Um, alderwoman, thank you. Um,
we have started conversations with cha in particular, um,
to talk about like,
talk about like what are the possibilities and working
together? They obviously, um, have the opportunity to use,
what is known as or was known as Faircloth to rad, which
are now their restore rebuild vouchers. Um, and there's
also a lot of CHA land. And so we do want to continue
also a lot of CHA land and so we do want to continue to
work with them to explore opportunities. We've presented to
them, they are excited about those possibilities. Um, in
addition, we
addition we did reach out to the uh, Cook County, Land
Bank, Authority,
Authority, um, and have been um, looking to be able to
brief the Moto further so we can
the Moto further. So we can also have some of these
conversations with them. Again, the idea being that any
place where we can
And I'm getting land.
and I'm getting land and are able to, uh, do that in a way,
that offsets our costs will help us move. Um, our mission
forward.
Commissioners.
How do you work with the Assessor?
Um, there's some work.
um, there's some work that the city actually, we did to
access so there's some convers
access. So there's some conversations that are going on
about houses, that
about houses that were not put on the tax roll, which is
why some of the folks that were assessed. The taxes are so
high.
high and we got people here who come here all the time.
Talking about,
talking about how housing and a lot of them, sometimes they
lose their housing.
lease their housing because the taxes are too expensive.
And so how
so how are you all looking at? Knowing that of course,
an election year and I'm not going to ask you a political
question but how are you working with whoever gets that
seat to say making sure?
gets that seat to say, making sure that all houses going to
tax roll so that we can kind of give some relief to the
families who live?
families who live in our community?
Yeah. Um, work.
Yeah. Um, work with the assessor's office. Um, I would be
outside of a green social housing obviously, but just for
the Department.
the Department in general, um, we have been talking to them
about like,
about, like, what their assessments are, like what they're
looking at and what, you know, the expectation.
looking at. And what, you know, the expectation might be
moving forward. I think we're finding we're looking for.
ways, um, to sort of deepen that relationship because to
your point, I think,
your point, I think that there are, um, some ways in which
the system work.
the system work that haven't been working for everyone. Um,
and so,
and so we're trying to explore, you know, what are the
possibilities? What are the things?
possibilities? What are the things that we can participate
in?
Not related to.
Not related to the task force. Um, can you talk a little bit
about and you don't really got to go in the weeds. How does
green social housing look on?
green social housing? Look on the south and west side?
Yeah, I think that
yeah, I think that 1 of the things that we heard from
developers, um, when we pitched this idea to them, is that
part of it, is that there are
folks who are looking for higher returns are willing to
work in. However,
work in. However um what we can do through green social.
housing and with the help and advice of this board will be
to say,
to take, because we're not looking for the same kind of
return on our investment. Like, our return on the
investment is getting the units, not necessarily looking
for a 20%.
for a 20% return on the money that we're putting into this.
And so, I think we're really, uh, excited to work with the
board to explore more possibilities.
side that way.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you chair. Thank you. Taylor. We have all
the women de followed by Alderman Bernett,
the women de followed by Alderman Bernett. I want also
recognize Alvin Basquez and Aaliyah far as no members, um,
ultimately, fero on, Zoom, go ahead. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman commissioner, I appreciate your answer to uh all
the woman tailor about uh, getting
More green social housing on the South and West sides. But,
um,
when we were considering this ordinance, uh, you spoke of
When we were considering this ordinance uh you spoke of the
fact that it would take approximately 10 years to get into
some of these communities.
On the south and west side. So my question to Daniel and
will who uh are people steeped in, uh,
The housing arena is, if you know, how do we reduce that
time period.
Again, will towns? Um, I think this is really part of the
work of the board coming together. Uh and really in our
first meeting setting, the Strategic plan to ensure that we
fully explore how we can uh, through Partnerships and
fully explore how we can, uh, through Partnerships and
others. Ensure that this uh program uh, helps our entire
others ensure that this, uh, program, uh, helps our entire
city, uh, across the board. Uh, I'm really putting the
pressure on us and our ex official members to really sort
of explore. And look how we can ensure that we can.
Can not only reduce those times, but actually come up with
some meaningful impact, uh, in our South and West sides,
Uh, as a person who's a potential board member here. Um, I
did not join uh, this committee uh, with the intent of
excluding parts of our city particular, South and West
sides. And so it's a personal mission for me to ensure that
that we explore every opportunity, be more creative and
Innovative in spaces. Where traditionally. It may not look
like it works, uh, but rents are relatively High
everywhere. Unfortunately, and therefore there's
opportunity, I believe,
throughout our city. And so my my main goal would be for us
to uh you know get confirmed get around.
know, get confirmed, get around a table and really start to
think about uh where some opportunities are.
really start to think about uh, where some opportunities
are where their projects that we can uh, invest.
are where their projects that we can, uh, invest in to
create. You know, what we'd say is our sort of deal.
create. You know, what we'd say is our sort of deal box and
what those opportunities look like and where we can.
find find them throughout the city.
Yeah, thank you. Um, for the record Daniel.
Yeah, thank you. Um, for the record Daniel here. It's um,
yeah, I I agree with all of that.
yeah, I I agree with all of that and I, you know, I think 1
of the interesting things about this model is there's just
a lot of different. Um there's a lot of different buttons
to push.
to push and levers to pull within the the box of the
financing. There's how much the RAC is investing.
financing. There's how much the RAC is investing for its
portion. And and when it plans to revolve that
portion and and when it plans to revolve that money out and
how it structures that there's
and how it structures that there's partnering with um
impact investors or sort of patient,
impact investors or sort of patient Capital as you know
sort of mezzanine, you know financing um that we've
already you know, I think some folks have have
already, you know, I think some folks have have have have
have talked about
um, and
um and and then there's, you know, um, there's
Um and and then there's, you know, um there's new
construction versus acquisition. There's partnering with
organizations like the cha or the trust fund or other
places.
places that can provide, um,
Uh, you know, rental subsidy that can help make the deals.
uh, work. So I I, I totally agree with my colleague, you
know, I think this is just a, there's a lot of, um,
opportunities to try to make something work and find.
opportunities to try to make something work and find ways
to to make sure that it works. And that we're delivering
this
You know, this benefit across as many.
You know, this benefit across as many neighborhoods as
possible.
Thank you for that. Um, commissioner to follow up on what
we just heard.
we just heard from Daniel and will uh will mentioned
we just heard from Daniel and will, uh, will mentioned a
strategic plan? Is that a plan? That would be
strategic plan? Is that a plan that would be presented to
the city council?
um, I think Will's reference was generally about like the
work that the board will be doing to set the Strategic
direction of the Ric, all of that will conform with. Um
direction of the Ric, all of that will conform with um any
of the reporting requirements and all of the things that we
are um under obligation to do.
we are um, under obligation to do via ordinance. And
obviously, we would want to um, communicate that as much as
possible back to city council. Would you be?
possible back to city council. Would you be willing to come
before the housing committee to present?
What that plan might look like.
What that plan might look like? Uh yes, I don't want to
overpromise that.
overpromise that, that will happen overnight because I
think that there is some work that has to be done.
think that there is some work that has to be done by the
board. Um, but I think
Um but I think today is the first step and I think as the
board continues to move forward and set a vision, we would
be more than happy to provide an update on that, okay?
Okay. Um, the other thing that we heard, uh,
the other thing that we heard uh, during the creation of
this ordinance, was that
creation of this ordinance was that you expect to break
ground in 202.
ground in 2026. Do you think that that is a reasonable
um,
Expect.
expectation. It is um, a
Expectation. It is um, a uh, tough task but that is
Expectation. It is um, a uh, tough task. But that is part
of what we are asking the board to work with us on which is
to break ground. Um, next year because we know again that
we are in a crisis and um, there are shortages across the
city of affordability and housing in general and we really
want to work towards that, okay? And I guess this
want to work towards that. Okay? And I guess this is a
question for each of the, um,
question for each of the um potential.
uh, Board of
Uh, Board of director members um are any of you rent?
Uh, Board of director members um, are any of you renters?
I am.
Okay. Um, are any of you veterans?
Are any of you?
Are any of you um, members of the dis dis?
Are any of you um, members of the dis disabilities
community?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman
Thank you. All the women that I'll, I'll remember Bernette
followed by.
followed by Alderman Vasquez.
He's on.
He's on the phone so we're going to go first. Well, the
basis and then we come back to Bernette
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much Jeremy. Um uh I appreciate the work
being done. We all know how long it took to get to this
point and so I want to thank all of you. Um, I just have a
couple of questions. I know this is artic.
couple of questions. I know this is articulated a number of
times here as well as when we were looking at passes
related to
A different parts of town where your market rate is already
affordable. And there are complications as to
Really building the kind of housing. That might be
necessary there. Um, but wanted to kind of get and I know
we've talked about this before kind of the role of what
acquisition might be uh in instead of a sub.
acquisition might be uh in instead of a subsidy. If there's
different tools you could use based on what's possible
legislatively. Yeah. Um,
possible legislatively. Yeah. Um, thank you Alderman and I
think, um, the word to use is exactly right right? That gsh
green social
gsh green. Social housing is just 1 of the tools in the
tool box, you know. So certainly
tool box, you know? So certainly there are going to be some
areas that are still going to be. Um,
areas that are still going to be um uh areas where we can
use litac and traditional um tax credit process in order to
build out affordability and yes, there will be some areas.
areas in which acquisition might work better. Um, because
if there is, um, you know what we call, like low-hanging
fruit, right? You know, where there's a building that is in
decent shape, that doesn't
decent shape. That doesn't need a ton of money into it. But
for whatever reason, the owner is looking,
for whatever reason, the owner is looking to sell that
might be an opportunity for us to help.
might be an opportunity for us to help um, step in and
preserve affordability. Um, so I think again, those are the
kinds of things that we'll be looking at with the board.
to really determine as we look, um,
To really determine as we look um, in a project by project
basis. As does this work?
basis, as does this work, and again, does this work, um,
across the city, does this?
across the city, does this work? Um, for the goal of that
project itself,
project itself. Yep, thank you for that. Uh, next question
I have is really is more for the members, or the proposed
members.
members of technical term. Um,
so, I think
We're a number of members of City.
We're a number of members of city, council, have concerns
sometimes isn't nessus.
sometimes isn't necessarily the intent of what seeking to
be accomplished. Right? People want more affordable housing
when I figure it out.
when I figure it out but sometimes the challenge is
And knowing who the decision maker is.
And knowing who the decision maker is and how the decision
is being made that.
is being made that in the absence of a transparency or
accessibility.
accessibility to what a rubrics, how is the body
determining, what it would make decisions on?
determining, what it would make decisions on in the absence
of that, it leaves people sometimes to
of that it leaves people sometimes to more cynical devices
and feeling like, oh somebody got hooked up because of a
relationship rather than a process. So my question I guess
to each of the proposed members is
thinking about transpar,
thinking about transparency and accountability in the
process.
process, what would be kind of your goal or Vision uh and
how is that centered in the work that the body will?
how is that centered in the work that the body will be
doing?
And that's open whoever.
And that's open whoever would like to share.
I guess so.
Uh, will towns once again?
Uh, will towns once again. Um, and this is kind of
Uh will towns once again. Um and this is kind of uh the
statement related to the statement that said earlier about
what is sort of the deal.
what is sort of the deal box. Um, what is it? How can we
sort of inform? Uh, not only ourselves but the public so
that they bring quality projects to us. Um, there's nothing
worse than the public Assam.
worse than the public. Assuming we've got some amount of
money and you've got to review.
money and you've got to review a 100 projects that don't
make any sense. So we want to be able to inform the public
on. These are the kinds of trans.
on. These are the kinds of transactions, we're looking for,
we're looking for this percentage of affordable.
we're looking for this percentage of affordable housing.
We're looking for these, you know, potential kind of units
or things that make sense for the market.
So that they can be some.
so that there can be some self filtering and then hopefully
then some clear understanding of why perhaps we went left
instead of right or right instead of left. Um there was
still always be discussion, you know just just
still always be discussion, you know, just just and all
because all our communities are needy and it's hard to
make.
choices but we want to eliminate as much of the um,
choices but we want to eliminate as much of the um
suspicion as possible by having clear.
suspicion as possible by having clear rfqs or rfps uh
clear.
clear goals on what we're looking for. Uh um
clear goals on what we're looking for uh um, rents and
things that that MIT that meet what we need. Uh, and then
these things still have to financially make sense.
these things still have to financially make sense, even
with the work that we're doing. And so the performers have
perform and meet a certain debt coverage ratio and other
things like that. And so I I would uh think that we would
try to
Promote that as much as possible.
Promote that as much as possible so that we get quality
deals coming into.
deals coming into opportunities coming in, uh, acquisition
or otherwise. Uh, so we can make good decisions going
forward, sure.
Um, thank you Alderman, uh, Daniel hers. I I would endorse
or agree with all of that. Um, and just say I think that,
you know, some of the structure um, that the council gave
the ordinance.
the ordinance and or gave the ra via the ordinance. Um, I
think really helps with that, in terms of, you know,
required.
required reporting out, um, ethics and other,
required reporting out um ethics another sort of conflict
of interest policies. Um, and I think, you know, I and I'm
I'm, I'm
I'm I'm sure everyone else on the board, you know, takes
those sort of public responds.
those sort of public responsibilities really seriously and
those are things that, you know, we would absolutely want
to leverage to answer proactively questions that this body
has questions that.
has questions that, you know, the Chicagoans in general
have about why the RAC is doing what it's doing. So I
think, you know that that's definitely a commitment. Yeah,
I think share
I think sure I appreciate that. I think um,
um, and I
um and I appreciate both points that some of it is what we
want to see as council members but some of its
want to see as council members but some of it's just what
the public needs to see to have any confidence.
the public needs to see to have any confidence in what the
process is. And I think that would help people identify
like, oh, to to the point made, there was a 100 proposals
submitted. Here's why 1 beat the other 1 and knowing what
those kind of metrics.
those kind of metrics are, I think, is extremely helpful,
uh, both.
both in building confidence and informing future folks, who
make proposals.
make proposals, I think the other
Opportunity for transparency, is the health of the revolving
Loan Fund.
Loan Fund as things continue to move forward, right? So,
The model seems well, there's a lot of models.
The model seems well there's a lot of models that have
worked but for us to even have reporting on that or make
public.
public, like, here's how it's looking. It's actually
self-funding. It's growing. It's doing well. What I think
also be another level.
also be another level of transparency that I think would
help serve uh the body get more accomplished.
so,
So if how do you all feel about that level of transparency?
related to the revolving Loan Fund?
this is,
This is 20 to Garcia. Um, we are
This is 20 to Garcia. Um we are as part of that uh we'll be
doing quarterly reporting.
um, so that that will be a mechanism for
Um, so that that will be a mechanism for, you know, that
transparency and sharing that information.
transparency and sharing that information what. Perfect,
thank you for that. Um,
These are all may feel like pilot programs.
These are all may feel like pilot programs are smaller
missions, but they changed so many lives when they are.
accomplishing things. And so want to thank you all.
accomplishing things and so want to thank you all uh young.
I see your word. Thank you for all the work. It was
definitely some work. Uh, and thank you as well.
Commissioner and thank you chair.
commissioner and thank you chairman.
Thank you Alderman. Uh, Alderman Bernette Follow by
Alderman bees.
Thank you very much. Um, so first of all, I want to thank
everyone. Um,
who's uh,
Who's uh, coming on to this board, really appreciate that.
You all.
are doing your civic duty, and you're going to help the
Are doing your civic duty and you're going to help the city
of Chicago and our citizens.
as you as, as funny, when you
When you?
When you come to these things, I've been knowing some of
you guys for a long time.
guys for a long time. I didn't know you guys was that
smart, man. My God.
smart, man. My God, you guys do a lot of stuff you know.
Uh but uh,
you learn so much about people when they uh present to
these things but I appreciate you all.
to these things but I appreciate you all's experience. Um,
you know, towns I've been knowing you probably my whole
career
uh, you've been in the trenches, uh, helping and um, and
Don, uh, appreciate everything you do with the union. And,
and of course, uh, Daniel, we appreciate everything you
did.
working with us on, uh, the ah, ah, ah, ah, arose and
social in the
social, in the, um, sro's and all of the other things that
you work with.
you worked with us on, uh, for affordable housing.
you worked with us on, uh, for affordable housing, uh, with
the city. Um, and appreciate um, pepper construction being
the city. Um, and appreciate um, pepper construction, being
at the table and the Environmental.
at the table and the environmental, uh, young lady being at
the table. Also, because I know
the table also because I know Green, social housing is
about the Environmental
about the environmental. Um, it's also about environmental.
about the environmental. Um it's also about environmental 1
of the 1 of my uh
Concerns or maybe.
Concerns or maybe challenges. I may want to put before you
in particular uh pepper and and and Don.
in particular uh pepper and and and Don I shouldn't say
pepper Edith. And Don is uh, you know, the cost of
construction.
Right. Uh, and some of that cost is due to
Right, uh, and some of that cost is due to Union Labor.
and,
And just just is there a way?
And just just, is there a way to work with the unions?
And just just is there a way to work with the unions uh to
just a thought work with?
just a thought work? With the unions to try and see if
there can be some type of contribution for the underwriting
in order to make some of these things. A lot.
in order to make some of these things. A lot um more
affordable, right? Um you know that's some of the
challenges that we get with affordable housing. Uh
You know, all over the all over the state right now. The
cost that it cost to build.
cost that it cost to build, uh, units and, uh,
cost that it cost to build, uh, units. And, uh, and if, if,
if, if we all can pitch in on it,
if, if we all can pitch in on it and this is a, this is
always my thought.
my thought is, if
If we.
Will my exper?
will, my experience is is that when I put
will my experience is is that when I put affordable housing
up in my ward in certain communities,
then it attracts other.
then it attracts other development to those communities,
right? Uh, it started tracking more houses to be built.
right? Uh, it started tracking more houses to be built,
then it started tracking more commercial.
then it started tracking more commercial, um, buildings to
be built. Uh, and and, and a lot of people, look at my
award and don't know that most of the things that started
in my ward.
in my ward was affordable housing. All right? And, uh,
and their Prime.
and their Prime the community and
so,
so you know, my thought is always, if we
so, you know, my thought is always if we can help to get
more affordable units built around the city, it can help
bring more development.
more development to those areas and those developments can
help.
help bring more more labor.
help bring more more labor and and construction union jobs.
help bring more more labor and and construction union jobs
to those areas too. But we have to put
to those areas too but we have to put something in, you
know, and we have to figure out how to how to get something
in to be able to get more.
in to be able to get more out right. And just a thought.
in to be able to get more out, right. And just a thought
it, you know, if if, if maybe there could be a
conversation.
with the union union, unions to try.
with the union union, unions to try to see if there's a way
to help Prime this pump.
help Prime this pump to get more development and
communities.
communities, where there isn't development would be
helpful.
In.
and I would say and I and I look at it, you know, like I had
several buildings uh in my ward High.
several buildings uh in my ward high-rise buildings that
was built with.
was built with with Union Pension funds, right?
was built with with Union, Pension funds, right? And those
Union Pension funds were used at a time when developers
couldn't get money, right?
developers couldn't get money, right? And because the
unions put money in it.
It kept development going.
it kept development going in those areas, not only did it
help that building get built, but it attracted other
buildings to get billed.
buildings to get build because Banks looked at the fact
that things are selling over in that area and so on and so
forth. So I just want to put that out there.
forth. So I just want to put that out there uh uh because
you know everything,
you know, everything is getting expensive uh construct.
materials construction costs. So
materials construction costs, so on and so forth. And um
just I mean if you if if if we can try and work
just I mean, if you if if if we can try and work something
like that out and I know you the numbers.
guy, uh, uh, Don and I know both of y'all.
numbers guy, uh, uh, Don and I know both of y'all numbers
guys. But I know you the union numbers guy.
numbers guy. Um, if if we can try to figure a way to um,
motivate that kind of thinking,
uh, I think it'll be helpful, not only to folks who need the
affordable housing, you all to get the housing of more.
affordable and be able to have more money to move around.
affordable and be able to have more money to move around,
but it will also help the unions.
but it will also help the unions to be able to get more
jobs because other things will come to.
jobs because other things will come to those communities,
that will help them to be able to keep working. So, just
wanted to mention that
Go ahead. Uh, thank you. Vice mayor B.
Go ahead. Uh, thank you. Vice mayor Bernett. Absolutely, I
think uh like I've mentioned earlier,
think uh like I've mentioned earlier the AFL CIO and
housing investment trusts they invest.
housing investment trusts. They invest in a lot of projects
around the city and creating that virtuous cycle, right.
That you're you're sort of relayed, you know, uh, invest.
That you're you're sort of relayed, you know uh invest jobs
and then more opportun.
jobs and then more opportunities come in the process. So
yeah. Uh, absolutely. I
yeah. Uh, absolutely, I think there's always collaboration.
There's room for collaboration.
room for collaboration. There's room for discussions to try
to keep that virtu.
to keep that virtuous cycle moving and uh for everybody
thank you.
Thank you. I'll uh, be followed by Vice chair Mitchell.
Chairman.
thank you chairman, uh, commissioner
Thank you. Chairman. Uh, commissioner. Um, how many people
applied for this, uh,
applied for this? Uh, they for this appointment?
Um, we didn't do.
Um, we didn't do an application process per se. What we did
is that we worked with our Coalition partners and other
folks um who
folks, um, who had some references for us in terms of
folks. Um, who had some references for us in terms of how
we wanted, um, in terms of like folks that might be good,
fits for this. Um, some of these folks are some folks that
we have known for some time and part of what we also had to
weigh was making sure that we weren't putting um folks.
the board, who would lock themselves out of the opportunity
to work.
to work with the board, um, due to ethics conflicts and
rules. And so, part of what we established very strongly
within the ordinance is um not having any conflict of
interest. And so, folks being able to not being able to
benefit from working with the Ric, if they were also on the
board and
board. And so that also really limited the pool because I
think there's a lot of folks who are really interested in
working with us but that, um, ultimately would have locked
themselves out
so then,
So then you didn't have an open application process. Um,
again, we worked with our Coalition partners and others in.
order to can, can you tell me who are some of those
Coalition Partners? I'm just curious. Um, so um, some of
them are here, right? The um, Illinois.
them are here, right? The um Illinois. Um Green New Deal
coalition was 1 of the uh 1 of the very strong supporters
of this.
of this um and they helped um nominate a couple of the
folks that were here that are here on the board. Okay. So
that's 1 organization who
that's 1 organization. Who, who else? So the green New Deal
coalition is made up of quite a few folks. So we consider
them to be um, several organizations. But ultimately like
the Coalition, um, helped us identify both Edith and
Kristen horn. Um, and then we worked, um, independent
Kristen horn. Um, and then we worked um, independently to
identify, sorry, I'm looking at
The folks here. Um, we worked, um, also to identify um our
labor nominee um who is Don. Um, we also got
labor nominee. Um who is Don. Um, we also got that um a
nomination from our labor partners.
nomination from our labor Partners. Um, and then for the
other folks who were folks that we had come in contact with
as we were doing the process of uh getting the green,
social housing ordinance, up and running um,
social housing ordinance, up and running. Um, the
conversations that we had with folks. And these were some
of the folks that
the folks that wrote To The Top, thank you. And then uh, as
it relates to um, why is
The labor representative.
the labor Representative term only 2 years because that was
a that was
a, that was really an issue that the members spoke about
having.
having representation from labor. And why would that person
get the minimum amount of tenure? Uh, and
get the minimum amount of tenure, uh, and not have the
maximum amount.
So to be clear.
So to be clear, um, and we've spoken with the board members
on that, our hope is that all of the
on that our hope is that all of these people will be
renewed, part of it is that we had to start with the
staggered terms. Um, and so there are some at 4 years some
at uh, 3 years and some at 2 years. Um, the
at, uh, 3 years and some at 2 years. Um, the labor nominee
is not the only 1 at 2 years. Um, no, no, I understand it,
but I'm saying is
From the members.
From the members, we know that the bill was very uh,
needed.
to get support and 1 of the issues that really brought a
lot of people.
brought a lot of people along, was the labor component and
so why would
so, why would that not be weighted a little bit more. Given
the fact that that was an issue that was brought up.
the fact that that was an issue that was brought up
specifically from members who wanted to see that there
because they were concern.
because they were concerned about, uh, making sure that the
labor was at the table. So,
it's um,
It's um, so the Labour seat will continue to be a Labour
seat, right? Like that.
seat, right? Like that, that's 1 of the things that's
there, right? And so that will not go away.
there, right? And so that will not go away, no matter the
terms. Um, again, we just had to sort of weigh. The
Staggering of all of the folks, um, and um, we really felt,
um, good,
um, good about, um, you know, the person that we've chosen
for labor, and,
for labor and being able to sort of, um, hopefully continue
to get them renewed through this body. Gotcha? Okay.
um,
Um, I guess maybe some of the board. Me, some of the
appointees um can weigh in on this so
uh, chairman Vasquez, chairwoman head and myself had
introduced a social housing ordinance, that was more
focused on the acquisition portion. As a result of the
discussions with the administration we were able to
discussions with the administration and we were able to
combine both new construction and and acquisition. However,
I know that there's been more Focus
Strike.
Strike that there's been more. Um,
more of uh uh yeah, yeah, more of a focus on
more of uh uh yeah yeah more of a focus on new construction
uh and I think the reason why we had
construction. Uh and I think the reason why we had proposed
the acquisition portion is because we wanted to get heads.
get heads and beds quicker and nothing more green than
reusing.
reusing Recycling and existing structure in order to do
that.
that, uh, hence, you know, the the name of the green social
housing, which hasn't which has an environmental component
that's being Focus.
that's being focused on. So, just curious as to, um, how do
you envision the acquisition portion playing a role, uh, in
this, um,
this um, in this whole uh, scheme right here.
Yeah, I can work. Um thank you for the question.
Yeah, I can work. Um, thank you for the question. Uh,
Alderman. Um again for the record Daniel. Kertz.
Alderman. Um, again for the record Daniel kertz. Um, you
know, I think there's absolutely a lot of exciting
possibilities around acquisition and in fact, I think,
possibilities around acquisition and in fact, I think we're
starting to see, um, you know, Chattanooga
we're starting to see, um, you know, Chattanooga is
actually 1 of the places that has more recently adopted.
this model and they're looking at doing some acquisition.
Um,
um, deals as as some of their early projects. Um,
you know, the the revolving fund is structured to be part
of a part of, you know, construction term but there's
absolutely ways of structuring these deals that can can
make acquisition work. And as you said, you know, there's
environmental angle to it. I think there's a just sort of
strengthening community
strengthening Community preservation angle to it, um, you
know,
know especially with lots of um
you know, previous
You know, previously subsidized, uh, deals uh reaching
expirations?
expirations, that's a potential pipeline. Um,
expirations, that's a potential pipeline. Um so yeah, I
think there's absolutely some some exciting opportunities
there.
Any other members?
Uh, we'll we'll towns again. Um, you know, I I think what's
interesting is we we haven't met yet because we haven't
been appointed so we haven't had
been appointed. So we haven't had any real discussion on
sort of how to utilize this. We have the framework,
obviously, that's been put together. Um, and, you know, new
construction and acquisition and Rehab.
construction and acquisition and rehab is a part of that
and you get unit ranges 75 to 200. Uh, but we recognize
that in some of our communities new construction is not
Possible.
Possible, right, it's just existing buildings. Um, there.
Uh,
and so I think utilizing uh that uh rehab component will be
critically important particularly if we're trying.
critically important particularly if we're trying to ensure
we get this housing spread evenly.
we get this housing spread evenly across not evenly, but
across all our neighborhoods and communities.
but across all our neighborhoods and communities. Uh, and
so this is something I think as a committee we'll have to
come together and really sort of evaluate, um, How We Do.
come together and really sort of evaluate, um, how we do it
but it's definitely a tool. We'll have to use. Uh and again
we'll have to see how the financing and things get
structured to ensure.
structured to ensure uh where those opportunities go in. I
I'm going in open, uh, we need to just do whatever works.
works. Uh, and so if a rehab works and it meets our
criteria, fantastic, if it's a new construction, great. Uh,
but I think we have to be open.
but I think we have to be open to all possibilities. Um, to
ensure we can, uh,
ensure we can uh meet many of our communities that need the
help
Dr. Towns, thank you for that response. That's the response
I was looking for.
I was looking for because I think that I know that there's
been and if it's everyone wants to cut a ribbon on
something and I think there's nothing wrong with cutting a
ribbon on a, on a rehab building. I know it's not.
ribbon on a, on a rehab building. I know it's not sexy, but
at the end of the day, it does what it
at the end of the day it does what it, what we're trying to
do, which is get, heads and beds.
do, which is get heads and beds, uh, and at affordable at
affordable price.
Um, so I've I've uh again I'm I'm a huge proponent.
Um, so I've I've, uh, again, I'm I'm a huge proponent of the
social housing, uh, model. I think that other cities and
states have done it. I think we can do it here. I'm very
supportive of of this, but I just want to make sure that
we're getting it right as relates to the board. And that's
why I had asked for the the nominees because I want to make
sure we get the super the most.
make sure we get the super the most talented folks
possible, uh, to sit on this,
possible, uh, to sit on this board. And I think that you've
put forward some, some good nom
put forward some some good nominees uh, would love to have
heard from, uh,
heard from uh, Miss uh, Butler as well to hear what
She?
She okay, she can vouch for her. Okay. Thank you. Thank
you. Uh, chair.
you, uh, chair. Uh, again we this is this is a huge
opportunity for, for the city and looking forward to seeing
it actually come to fruition. Thank you. Thank you
chairman. Thank you alderman.
chairman. Thank you Alderman. Um, any additional questions?
Otherwise.
Otherwise, um, can I get a a motion to recommend app?
Otherwise um, can I get a a motion to recommend approval of
appointment 2025.00?
appointment 2025 that's zero? So move there's like 7
appointments confirming.
appointments, confirming the appointments or director horn.
Um, we are
Um we are towns Tovar had in Butler herds and
um, we are towns Tovar had in Butler, herds and Garcia
Alderman. Um, Quezada moves all those in favor say I
all those opposed in a
all those opposing a and the opinion of the chair, the eyes
have it, the do pass recommendation of this ordinance will
be reported out the next city council meeting on.
be reported out, the next city council meeting on July 16th
2025, congratulations to the appointees.
2025. Congratulations to the appointees, commissioner and
the director.
the director of policy, uh, looking forward to working
together, uh, to bring more housing, badly needed, uh,
green structure housing in the city.
green structure housing in the city of Chicago. Today is a
good day and thank you so much, looking forward to it.
Thank you, chair.
Thank you chairman. Thank you everybody.
now, in the next item, um, from
Now, in the next item, um, from 2fm is item 8. Um, um,
Now in the next item um from 2fm is item 8. Um um ordinance
2025.001 18171,
ordinance 2025.001 18171, Second Amendment to right of
Entry. Use agreement with link.
agreement with Linkin Park uh so logical Society to
agreement with Linkin Park. Uh so logical Society to
continuous research opportunities at Lewes Garden at 2020
East Monroe Street, we renewed access.
East Monroe Street. We renewed access to the property in
the 42 word. Uh Merit soul.
the 42nd world. Uh, Merit Solace from the Department of
Fleet and facility management is here to testify.
Fleet and facility management is here to testify on behalf
of this ordinance. Thank you, thank you, Mary.
Thank you, chairman.
Good afternoon members of the committee.
Good afternoon members of the committee, uh, for the
record. My name is Meritt Solis on behalf.
record. My name is Meritt Solis on behalf of the Department
of Fleet and facility management.
The department is requesting authorization to.
The department is requesting authorization to extend, the
current right of Entry agreement with the Lincoln.
current right of Entry agreement with the Lincoln Park Zoo
illogical Society for the use of space.
illogical Society for the use of space at the city-owned
property located at
property, located at 220 East Monroe, commonly known as
property located at 220 East Monroe. Commonly known as
Larry garden with uh, within Millennium Park,
The property is located.
The property is located in the 42nd Ward and Alderman.
Reilly is in full support.
The purpose of the
the purpose of the term extension is to allow Linkin Park
Zoo's, Urban
Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute.
To continue.
To continue conducting, its research activities of
terrestrial, mammals.
Assistant director of the urban wildlife.
Assistant director of the urban Wildlife Institute Liza
lair.
Lair, uh, joins us here today along with uh, senior
Lair, uh, joins us here today along with uh senior director
Eliza Burman Cutler um to provide any additional details
and answer any questions that the committee may have.
Specific to the research.
for background, the city entered into a right of Entry
agreement with the, um, the Linkin Park Zoo's Urban
Wildlife Institute. On January 1, 2024.
Uh, granting access to the property to install.
uh, granting access to the property to install and maintain
monitoring equipment, such as um, trail cameras for the
purpose of conducting
for the purpose of conducting research activities,
The goal.
the goal of the uh, research is to understand how Wildlife
live in cities to ultimately inform Urban
live in cities to ultimately inform urban planning and
design that promotes wildlife and human coexistence.
The study monitors over 100 locations.
The study monitors over 100 locations, around Chicago area
including City Park.
including city parks, golf courses forest preserves and
cemet.
cemeteries.
The term of the proposed extens.
The term of the proposed extension calls for an additional
3 years. Making the
3 years making the right of Entry valid through June, 30,
20.
2028.
And that concludes my present.
And that concludes my presentation and we'll be happy to
take any questions. Any question.
Is do we lease them this line?
is do we lease them this line or we're allowing them to use
a fruit know, it's just a, a grant to uh, allow them.
a fruit know, it's just a a grant to uh, allow them access
to the property. You said a grant no granting them access
to.
to the property. Yeah. So it's not least
But they use it correct, right? So they
But they use it correct, right. So they, they use it in the
sense that they have, uh, installed, um, monitoring
cameras.
around the garden to track their
Around the garden to track their research.
And they allowed to use the land for free.
That's correct.
How long have they?
How long have they use this? This thing conception of the
zoo or know this, uh, research began January 1st.
zoo or know this? Uh, research began January 1st 2024, and
they're requesting a 3.
they're requesting a 3 year, extension through June 30th.
Uh,
uh, 2028
Is there not conversation around for them to buy it?
Is there not conversation around for them to buy it from the
city?
No, there isn't this. So this is within Millennium Park.
It's a, it's a garden. It's Larry Garden within millenn.
It's a, it's a garden. It's Larry Garden within Millennium
Park.
And there's no conversation about them.
And there's no conversation about them buying it.
Purchasing the land know.
Why wouldn't we?
I can get back.
I can get back to you with that question. However I mean
this is part of the city's Millennium Park uh Garden.
I don't, um, I wouldn't anticipate that the city would
give the property up for research study. Um, it's not, you
know, there it's not impeding um, visitors. The the trail
cameras are are up on. Um
cameras are are up on um trees, I believe, and Alyssa. Uh,
please step in if if
please step in if, if you'd like, Alder woman. Yeah, I'm
happy to answer the questions, so
I'm happy to answer the question. So, um, our our cameras
for the record. Can you introduce yourself? So the for the
record and
the record and for the committee members Alissa, Burman
Cutler, senior director of government Affairs at Lincoln
Park Zoo. So, um, we just
Park Zoo. So um, we just have these research cameras and
uh, for the city regul,
uh for the city regulations, we do need to um have
official.
official access in order to use them. But everyone is using
the guard. And just as you would normally see the zoo has
no interest in taking over Lori Garden. Um, our interest is
just in being able to, um, Monitor and use that
information.
just in being able to um, Monitor and use that information
to be able to share with the whole city, um, research
around what Wildlife are also in the
Garden. So our
Garden. So, our actual use is these, these small cameras
that are
are on trees and poles. And then our ability for, um,
scientists,
scientists like Liza here to be able to come in and monitor
and, um,
and um, and maintain those cameras.
Thank you. Thank you. That answer my question.
Thank you.
Thank you, any additional questions?
Otherwise.
Otherwise, it's going to have a motion to move. So, move by
alderman, cassada
Alderman, cassada all those in favor. Say, I all those
opposed
opposing name in the opinion of the chair, the eyes have
it, the do pass recommendation of these
it, the do pass, recommendation of these orders will be of
will be reported out at the next city council meeting on
July 16th 2025. Thank you. Thank you, Meritt item number
July 16th 2025. Thank you. Thank you, Meritt item. Number 9
will be held in committee at the request of the local.
will be held in committee at the request of the local older
persons. We have a substitute for item 10.
persons. We have a substitute for item 10 which corrects,
minor drafting errors, a copy of the substitute have was
emailed yesterday and is part of your package. Can I get a
motion to accept the substitute?
all those in favor, say,
All those in favor. Say I, I all those opposed, the name
and the opinion of the
the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it, the substitute
is before us item.
substitute is before us item. 10 is a substitute ordinance
2025.00.
202500000018222 First Amendment.
202500000018222, first amendment of City, lots for Working
Families uh program.
Families, uh, program for the sale of city-owned B, vacant
land to develop.
land to Developers for construction of affordable, single
family, homes or 2 flat buildings, including changes to the
lot size.
lot size, lot value, thresholds, City, hiring requirements.
lot size, lot, value, thresholds, City, hiring requirements
and other participatory or qualifying amendments. Brian
O'Donnell from the Department of Housing is present to
testify on these orders.
Thank you, Brian.
Good afternoon. Chairman Lopez um, committee.
Good afternoon, chairman Lopez um, committee members for
the record. My name is Brian odono represent.
the record. My name is Brian odono representing the home
ownership Bureau in the Department of Housing.
I am here to discuss programmatic.
I am here to discuss programmatic changes to the city. Lots
for Working Families program.
For the sake of ease and time. I will hear
for the sake of ease and time I will here after refer to
the program, either as City, Lots or the program,
the program ordinance was approved by a city.
The program, ordinance was approved by City Council on
November 2017.
up to that point the city, and
Up to that point the city and Doh had no demand for single
family development program.
family, development program after the great real estate
crash that began in the mid-2000s
and which lasted
And which lasted here until the early 2010s.
Prior to the crash to city. Had 2, single family devel.
development programs, new homes for Chicago and City, lots
for City living.
to propose changes, do not change the
To propose changes, do not change the core of the program
which is the sale of lots for 1.
which is the sale of lots for 1 dollar and some permit fee,
reductions or waivers.
The city does not provide any.
The city does not provide any direct financial assistance
to Developers.
The city owns approximately.
The city owns approximately 10,000 vacant parcels.
Over.
Over 96% of them are in just 17 w.
Over 96% of them are in, just 17 Wards mainly on the west
and south sides.
Under current program.
Under current program, guidelines and practice. We have
generally focused on lots that have RS and RT zoning.
generally focused on lots that have RS and RT zoning areas
where residential development is not as dense.
as this the city Lots, currently only
As this the city Lots, currently only allow single family
and 2 flat development.
1 proposed change is to expand.
1 proposed change is to expand allowed housing types to
include 3 unit and 4 unit owner occupied homes.
All the the presentation should be part of the packages.
all the, when the printer version,
All the, when the printer version. Um maybe we can get a
yeah we can.
we can get it through the chair. We'll make sure you get
it. Thank you chairwoman.
Additionally.
Additionally, while the program currently allows to
development of condom.
development of Condominiums, only in Woodland,
the proposed amendment would make Condominiums and allowed
housing types City.
housing types Citywide.
also, we
Also, we would allow co-ops in cases where there is a
development.
development entity well-versed in the development of same.
And we're at the local, Alder is supportive of that. Type of
And we're at the local, Alder is supportive of that, type of
housing.
Another change.
Another change proposed this due to Chai black Builder.
Land sale process is to do away with both the maximum and
minimum number of homes that can be built.
Formerly developers could select.
Formerly. Developers could select from any available, lots
and often left large.
and often left large gaps. Between Lots, they wish to
purchase
theoh is currently listing clusters of lots for sale with
aldermanic approval.
And sometimes clusters that make sense would be less.
and sometimes clusters that make sense would be less than 8
lats, other times far more than 20 lads.
The 17.
The 17 Wards shown on the earlier. Slide have from 90 to
The 17 Wards shown on the earlier, slide have from 90 to
1,200 vacant Lots.
Other words.
Other words have much smaller numbers, some even just a
handful.
the third proposed change would be to raise a maximum
household by your income from, 140%
household by your income from 140% Ami to 150%. Am
household by your income from 140% Ami to 150% Ami.
This would expand the pool of buyers without affecting the
maximum sale price.
This change would also make it more likely.
This change would also make it more likely to find buyers
for any 3 to 4 unit homes.
for any 3 to 4 unit homes that are built. Should these
proposed changes be approved.
As we all know money loses value over.
As we all know money loses value over time to do inflation.
To.
to account for this, the inflation adjustments, shown on
the screen reflect how the value of the dollar has changed.
screen reflect how the value of the dollar has changed
since 2017.
under the program, lots are sold for a dollar but when
Under the program, lots are sold for a dollar but when a
lad is valued considerably higher.
lad is valued considerably higher that triggers various
requirements,
uh, including
Uh, including a longer home buyer mortgage for the land
value.
value, MBE wbe requirements.
and for adjustment every year or 2 would keep these
And for adjustment every year or 2 would keep these
triggers constant in real value over time.
is there a proposal of
Is there a proposal of foot to dissolve the Chicago Housing
Trust? Do would like to allow other avenues to retain
long-term.
long-term affordability.
Including the 3 options.
Including the 3 options, presented on the right side of
this slide.
none of them are mandatory and if
None of them are mandatory and if history is a guide, we
would expect spearing use of them.
The final proposed.
The final proposed change to the program would be.
When a business.
When a business or policy case can be made for more market
rate housing.
To allow a 50/50 split between.
To allow a 50/50 split between affordable and market rate
homes in the development.
Currently, the mandatory split is at least 75% affordable
to 25%.
to 25% market rate.
as stated at the outset, the city provides no direct
financial assistance to a developer to construct homes
under the program
Given the average total development.
Given the average total development costs, we have recently
seen, which is about 34.
seen, which is about 345,000, a unit
Under.
Under current guidelines developer. Would generally see a
about a 19% proformer return.
Lenders, however, like to see a 25.
Lenders, however, like to see a 25% preform, a return.
allowing if it the 50 affordable Market,
Allowing if it the 50 affordable Market split would allow
more developers to reach.
more developers to reach this target.
Keeping in mind that different Developers.
Keeping in mind that different developers have uh,
different development costs.
the department also, believes that
the department also believes that allowing for more market
rate homes will lead to more homes being built under the
program.
which in the end might
Which in the end might result in more affordable units
being developed.
This concludes my presentation.
This concludes my presentation, I think you for your
consideration.
are there any questions by committee members, all the women
Taylor
this thing that it says,
Allows the county.
Allows the county land trust, do discretion to participate.
Allows the county land trust, do discretion to participate
at developers and partners.
with developers, in addition to
With developers in addition to CHT and cclt. How do you
all?
work with the county land bank right now and the trust.
work with the county land bank right now in the trust, we
don't work with the land bank because we have enough vacant
land.
land, um, to dispose of
We we we're trying to dispose of our vacant land.
That's a problem and we need to have a conversation.
That's a problem. And we need to have a conversation about
it because when the land bank sales,
it because when the land bank sales that land, they don't
take it to consideration. What's already developed in that
and that Ward and they build a bunch of stuff that doesn't
look like anything that's currently.
look like anything that's currently on the Block and they
don't, they're not required.
don't, they're not required to have any conversation with
us. And so I want to see in this, I want to see somewhere
if it's not here somewhere, where it talks about them
coordin.
coordinating with the local aldermen and the folks who live
in the community,
in the community to say what that housing looks like and
the cost.
Can you go to 2 more?
Can you go to 2 more slides over you? There's something
where you get what do y'all get these numbers from?
which I
Which I don't think is 33.
What's that you 3?
What's that you 33?
It says.
It says, average housing sales 47.
It says, average housing sales, 475,000, what? What are
those those numbers come from
so, the
So the the uh, sale price.
The do Max price is is the same. The
the do Max price is is the same, the market price was just
doing a a survey of
uh,
Uh, recent sales.
And very neighborhoods.
And very neighborhoods in the city.
But the development costs.
But the development costs are costs that we have seen from
our developers.
our developers in the program.
Where are the checks and balances around that?
And for development costs.
and for development costs, when we have a maximum price
that they can't
sell.
sell at that price and make money then that they won't.
Sell at that price and make money then that they won't,
they won't build.
But there's also no punishment for people who say they can
do this.
do this and don't do it. Where is that protection in this
city? Because let me say this
What bother?
What bothers me is? We put legislation in place, so right
now in my ward we gave a developed this money and this
land.
and he made promises that he can't keep we have the right
of first refusal per the wood line CBA he does not want.
of first refusal per the wood line CBA. He does not want to
honor that and there's nothing in there that says if he
honor that and there's nothing in there. That says if he
doesn't honor it he doesn't get to develop again. And so.
Wise city. Lots.
Wise city. Lots were working families has gotten down a
lot.
of lots in our war because I want to say myself and 16 have
the most and I started off with 4,000 so it's good to see
down but I also have people who sit on the land, they don't
do anything with that. They sit on
do anything with that, they sit on it, for 5 years and so I
want us to have a conversation about
I want us to have a conversation about things because to me
this, this, this
this this this helps the developer. This doesn't help my
community. Nobody.
community. Nobody in my community could afford a house
that's or there's
that's. Or there's a small percentage of people that can
afford a house, that's 47.
afford a house. That's 475,000 include me.
and so who,
And so, who is this housing for again, that would be the
market price.
market price, the affordable price is about 3888.
market price. The affordable price is about 3888 right now.
but we don't,
But we don't except for the exception we made for the
United Power.
United Power ordinance. We don't typically convey Lots.
United Power ordinance. We don't typically convey lots and
mass uh they have to come in.
mass uh they have to come in typically with the sales
contract and and the commitment to finance before we will
convey a lot.
convey a lot and even then we do we have a Recon.
convey a lot and even then we do we have a reconveyance
deed where if they don't perform within a certain period of
time.
time, we'll take the
That's back.
I would like to sit with you all. I have some more
conversations about this because this looks different in
every Ward and I feel like this,
every Ward and I feel like this this is, is it doesn't give
the the advantage to people who are my community already.
the the advantage to people who are my community already
developed. Yeah, this may look great for somebody who lives
in.
in Canada, this might looks great for somebody who lives in
New York.
New York, this doesn't look great for somebody who actually
wants to develop.
wants to develop small developers and people who want to
develop in my community. Thank you cheer.
Thank you. And definitely we, we can have the conversation.
I agree with you.
conversation. I agree with you and in the terms of those
developers that are under in their commitments, they got to
be a way to hold them accountable.
hold them accountable. So we'll happy to take that
conversation. Um,
that conversation. Um, other women, Dow, yes, thank you,
Mr. Chairman
Chairman, uh, Brian
Once we passed, this is this.
How many projects do we have in the pipeline?
And if they have not passed Council yet,
uh,
2 spring.
2 spring to mind immediately. I think there's a few more we
We haven't really begun. Uh,
Due to the shrink.
due to the shrinking of our little, uh, section of the
Due to the shrinking of our little, uh, section of the home
ownership Bureau. Um,
Between getting things ready for Council and trying to get.
Between getting things ready for counsel and trying to get
things closed that have already passed Council. We we
haven't really looked at the
applications. We got in the last chai blackground. So is
this.
this, are you with the passage of this creating a new
pipeline?
Or are you going to apply?
Or are you going to apply these new standards?
Or are you going to apply these new standards to things
that are already in the hopper?
that are already in the hopper know? Uh uh, I would have
liked that just to make the program the same for everybody
but the Law Department said no. So,
but the Law Department said no. So this is a new pipeline.
Yes, this will be a new pipeline.
Yes, this will be a new pipeline, although we do have an
application. Um,
That we hope to have introduced.
This month, that would have.
this month, that would have condos in Grand Boulevard, uh,
with the expect because we talked to the developers in a
new. Uh we were going to propose this they also know
there's no guarantee it's going to pass but uh with
there's no guarantee it's going to pass. But uh with with
that in mind they uh we had a proposal for various condo
buildings in Grant Boulevard.
buildings in Grant Boulevard but not not in your War. I was
going to say because
I was going to say because Grand Boulevard is my ward and
so I'd like to know who these people are. I mean I I um,
Don't have a problem with this ordinance. I just wanted to
know if it was a new pipeline or you're going to go back
and apply these to existing things, thank you.
Thank you, any additional questions?
Otherwise can I get a motion to move?
So move to pass by Alderman, de all those in favor. Say I
So move to pass by Alderman, de all those in favor. Say, I
all those opposed, the name in the opinion of the chair.
the eyes have it, the do pass recommendation of. This
ordinance will be reported.
ordinance will be reported out of the next city council
meeting on July 16th.
meeting on July 16th 2025. Thank you very much. Thank you
Brian.
Brian the next 3 items are from the Chicago Department of
Transportation.
Transportation item 11 is ordinance. 2025.000
Transportation item 11 is ordinance. 2025.001, 182020 220
acceptance.
acceptance of negotiated permanent easement from Union
Pacific.
Pacific Railroad to facilitate the Illinois Commerce
Commission.
Commission project for installation of pedestrian.
Commission project. For installation of pedestrian, safety
facilities are at North Nagle Avenue Highway railroad grade
cross.
grade crossing in the 45th word. Matt Crocker from the from
cidat is here to uh present on this item.
Good morning Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
Good morning Mr. Chairman and members of the committee my
name is Matt Crocker. I am a civil engineer.
name is Matt Crocker. I am a civil engineer in section
chief for neighborhood. Improvements with the Chicago
Department of trans.
Department of Transportation.
I appear before you in.
I appear before you in support of our proposal to accept a
permanent easement.
permanent easement from Union Pacific Railroad that will
facilitate Ada and safety improvements at the railroad
crossing adjacent.
Crossing adjacent to North Nagle Avenue in North Avondale
Avenue.
This project is located in the 45th. Ward.
This project is located in the 45th. Ward and Alderman
Gardner is in support of this ordinance.
these improvements, which the city has been directed by the
These improvements, which the city has been directed by the
Illinois, Commerce Commission to complete will help.
pedestrians and vehicles more safely Traverse this
Crossing.
The project.
the project is located at North Nagle Avenue and North
Avondale Avenue in the 45th Ward. As you can see here,
C dot is working in tanned.
C dot is working in tandem with the Union, Pacific with
each agency responsible for
each agency, responsible for the repairs shown on this
list.
C dot is.
C dot is been a current, a term contract, uh, for
neighborhood. Improvements in 2026 with 30%, minority
business Enterprise, 10% Women, Business owned Enterprise
and 1% veterans.
and 1% veterans business Enterprise requirements,
um, this
Um, this project will be included um, in that contract.
Parts of the design improvements are.
parts of the design improvements are located outside of the
public right away, uh, which you can see,
public right away, uh, which you can see in red.
Necessitating a permanent easement to.
Necessitating a permanent easement to complete the project.
These plans.
These plans show our concrete and asphalt improvements.
And these plans show our pavement marking uh that.
And these plans show our pavement marking uh that will be
completed after the asphalt and concrete improvements.
your photo showing the existing conditions of the Crossing,
this work is entirely funded by the ICC.
this work is entirely funded by the ICC at a cost of
approximately 133,000.
approximately 133,000 for for uh C Dot's portion of the
project. Um our repairs for sidewalk and Street repairs.
this concludes my presentation, uh,
This concludes my presentation, uh, happy to answer any
questions.
Thank you. Are there any any questions?
On this item. Um, How can I
On this item. Um, how can I have a motion to move some
movement Casada, all those in favor. Say I all those
opposing a, in the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it,
they do pass recommendation.
they do pass recommendation of these ordinance will be
reported out of the next city council meeting on.
reported out of the next city council meeting on July 16th,
2025 item. 12 is ordinance.
2025 item, 12 is ordinance. 2025 0000181 90 trans
2025 item, 12 is ordinance. 2025 0000181. 90 transfer a
certain uh Remnant properties to be within preview of
commissioner transportation to negotiate.
commissioner transportation to negotiate transfer, and
include by economic settlement. Those remnants of original
acquisition parcels,
acquisition Parcels determined to be an economical and not
needed.
needed for Burley. Avenue Road improvements in the 10th
world.
word Solomon, could they ra from the depart from? See that.
is present to testify on this ordinance.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee,
my name is
name is Sullivan Kudos. Spelled for the record.
name is Sullivan Kudos. Spelled for the record s o l i m a
n k h,
n k. H u d e. I r a i am a section chief of
n k. H u d e i r a i am a section chief of major project
with the Chicago Department of Transportation.
with the Chicago Department of Transportation CEDA.
I appear before you in.
I appear before you in support of our proposal to transfer
remnant.
Remnant properties from original acquisition, parcels.
Remnant properties from original acquisition Parcels that
are determined to be an economical.
are determined to be an economical and not needed for the
Burley Avenue.
Burley Avenue, uh, roadway Improvement project.
The.
The project is in the 10th Ward Alderman, Chico.
The project is in the 10th, Ward Alderman, Chico is in
support of the ordinance.
Uh, this slide shows the location of
uh, this slide shows the location of the project, it's the
uh, the Burley Avenue is shown in red and blue color. Uh,
it's from 106 Street, uh, on the North to 126 Street.
it's from 106 Street, uh, on the North to 126 Street 126th
place on the south
uh,
Uh, we we need to acquire properties. Uh,
Uh, we we need to acquire properties, uh, along, uh, this
Corridor. And they were a separate.
Corridor. And they were a separate ordinance that was
passed last year, authorizing.
passed last year authorizing us to acquire properties.
uh, I'm appearing today before you to, uh,
uh, I'm appearing today before you to uh have the authority
to grant us the authority to transfer uh not needed uh
parses left.
needed, uh, parses left over parses or Remnant properties.
Uh, that's not needed for the project at the end of
construction.
and we have,
And we have 1 case so far that's shown on the slide.
And we have 1 case so far that's shown on the slide the uh
the dark blue, uh colors.
the dark blue, uh colors shown 2 of those Remnant
properties. That's not needed uh by Burley. You can see
that.
that Burley Avenue, it's going to be constructed along
this.
uh scurve and those 2 um uh dark blue color.
uh scurve and those 2 um uh dark blue color, Remnant
properties are not needed. So we would like to transfer it
to the adjacent uh, owner.
to the adjacent, uh, owner, because we are also acquiring
parts of the adjacent.
parts of the adjacent owner land.
uh, this conclude my
Uh, this conclude my presentation, I will be happy to
answer any questions. Are there any questions? But
committee members
Almond.
Almond Taylor and followed by Allman kisara.
You.
Can you go back to the other?
It's going.
It's going to be what I'm
Sure, thank you alen. Uh,
Sure, thank you alen. Uh so this is uh barely Avenue is
Sure, thank you alen. Uh, so this is, uh, barely Avenue. Is
that the new Burley Avenue that's going to be?
that the new Burley Avenue that's going to be constructed?
It's shown in S curve.
Okay. The the so the the green uh the green uh parcel.
Okay. The the so the the green, uh the green uh parcel and
the pink parcel, both of those are propert.
the pink parcel, both of those are properties that we need
to acquire from the from this business.
to acquire from the from this business from this uh parcel
which I'm sorry in the
is the the pink and the green that we are acquiring from
the adjacent owner.
the adjacent owner, there is a building on the pink that we
will have to acquire demolish. So we are impacting the
operation of this business. That shown
operation of this business that shown in green and, and,
and pink. Uh,
pink. Uh, the the parcels on the left hand side
pink. Uh the the parcels on the left hand side which is
shown on dark blue. Those are Parc.
shown on dark blue, those are parcel that we will need to
acquire but at the end of the project,
acquire but at the end of the project they're not needed.
They are Remnant or what we refer.
They are Remnant or what we refer to as leftover parcels.
uh, the owner of, uh, the purple and the
Uh, the owner of uh, the purple and the green. Uh, parcel
is interested in those.
interested in those uh, dark blue. Uh
interested in those uh, dark blue, uh, Parcels that we will
need to have the authority to transfer to him. The transfer
will be via, uh, nighat.
transfer will be via, uh, negotiation, uh, as part of
acquiring part.
acquiring part of his land and conveying those remnant.
parcel that we don't need for the project to the adjacent
owner.
so that there's you said there's a homeowner on the green,
there is a business that they
There is a business that they have built a business. Yes.
Is it a closed business? Uh, know it's an operational
business that they have a building that is not shown on the
picture, but the building is a small building is on the uh,
on the
uh, on the on this pink color area so that
on the on this pink color area. So that building will have
to be demolished. We will demolish it. Our
have to be demolished. We will demolish it. Our contractor.
So we are impacting the
we are impacting the business operation. I was just going
to ask that. So how what is? So we're impacting the
business. What are we doing? So
so accommodate.
So, accommodate that business that we're impacting.
Absolutely. So, uh, after we acquire those, uh, the, the
area,
area that's shown in green and in pink color, we demolish,
the building. Then the is up to the business.
the building. Then the is up to the business owner to
rebuild his his building somewhere else.
rebuild his, his building somewhere else on the remaining
part of his parcel, but he also,
part of his parcel. But he also needs those 2 Parcels that
shown in in dark blue color.
shown in in dark blue color to continue his operation
because we are impacting his, his lot size. We are taking
almost 1, third of his last size, and the point is those 2
Uh, dark green par.
Uh, dark green. Parcels are not needed by the project at
the end of construction. If no interest in it, if there is
no,
no adjacent building into, they will just remain as a
Remnant parcel or sometimes. As I mentioned, we refer to
them as leftover parcel. They will just be vacant land.
That's any used. So it's a win.
That's any used. So it's a win-win for everybody.
He's able to continue.
He's able to continue operating his business. We are
transferring to this business owner.
transferring to this business owner land. That is not
needed by the project. And it will be
needed by the project, and it will be the, the process of,
uh, uh, conveying it, it will be through appraisal and
Appraisal review, and then,
Appraisal review, and then it has a value, it will be part
of the negotiation that we will do as part of this project.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
chairman, uh,
Chairman uh yes. What kind of business uh, does this person
operate?
person operate? Uh, I think the business is called Diamond.
It's a construction business that they do seing pavement.
It's a construction business that they do. Seing pavement
seing, it's an industrial business. Got it.
seing, it's an industrial business, got it and so, um, in
this southwest blue,
this southwest blue portion are those Parcels to the left
of that?
the left of that dark blue area, uh, residential parcels.
the left of that dark blue area? Uh, residential Parcels,
are they currently occupied? Uh, there are there's an ally
that separates.
separates uh the separate the residential, and some of
those are vacant land.
those are vacant lands. Okay, so just directly east of that
is
that is, uh, is yes. It's residential got it. So, what is
the, the, the difference in? Uh,
the the the difference in uh, school? This is just out of
curiosity and square footage of the land that we are.
proposing to
Proposing to possibly negotiate and the amount of land.
proposing to possibly negotiate, and the amount of land that
was impacted um, of for the
was impacted, um, of for the property owner. Sure. I I
don't have the numbers, it's being worked out because we
want to make sure we give him, uh, part of the land that we
don't need.
don't need where if, if the city wants to pass new
utilities.
utilities or any accessibility, so it's still
utilities or any accessibility. So it's still in, in, in
design phase, we are not final.
design phase. We are not finalized it. But I could tell you
Alderman that from the picture. It does show that the land
that we will transfer.
that we will transfer is larger than the land that we will
take from the owner.
take from the owner precisely. And that I guess, is a
Intrigue of mine because I'm wondering if we are.
Intrigue of mine because I'm wondering if we are giving up
more than we're actually taking and is that a a better use
of the city to perhaps? Develop the land for different
purposes, especially that Southwest side.
purposes especially that Southwest side of if that's
Residential Properties to the south of it? You know, what?
What's the zoning there? Could that possibly?
What's the zoning there? Could that possibly be used for
different Housing Development? Um, you know, it that is
this a fair trade-off.
this a fair trade-off essentially is the city losing out on
valuable land that we could be developing. Um,
valuable land that we could be developing, um, rather than
just giving it to a business owner, who's going to be?
just giving it to a business owner, who's going to be doing
construction work? Sure, that an appropriate kind of
transfer of property. Thank you.
transfer of property. Thank you, uh, further south of this,
uh, property the, the south east property. There are also
businesses there, some kind of trucking business or so. I
see some cars parked in the park park here, maybe there's
Some mechanics. So it's not fully.
Some mechanics. So it's not fully residential, the whole
area is more.
area is more toward Industrial Area. Got it.
is more toward Industrial Area, got it. So this area um was
there any kind of
um, was there any kind of, um,
Kind of a development.
Kind of a development analysis. Uh done uh, before we
Kind of a development analysis, uh, done, uh, before we
entered this negotiation. Um,
this negotiation um in terms of like what's the current
zoning of the area.
current zoning of the area? You know, is there is there
kind of like a zoning analysis?
kind of like a zoning analysis that has been done. Sure
that the zoning will remain the same its industrial. Uh,
Uh. All of that is industrial. Yes, yes. And if again,
we don't give this owner those not give transfer to the
owner. Those
those land, it severely impacting, his his business.
severely. Okay.
Thank you. Thank you.
Al.
It's just a quick question. You come before us from time to
time. I know the last time you were here.
time. I know the last time you were here, it seems like you
work in this uh, Southeast Squad.
work in this uh, Southeast quadrant area is the Ford motor.
plant near here.
Yeah, thank you alderman.
Yeah, thank you Alderman, Alderman. You have a good memory,
I have to say that.
I have to say that Ford is further south. And
I have to say that Ford is further south and east of this
1, okay.
Thank you.
Thank you Elder any additional questions.
Otherwise can I get a motion to pass?
Motion for more.
Motion for more Monique Scott, all those in favor. Say, I
all those opposed and a in the opinion of the chair, the
eyes have it, they do pass recommendation of
ordinance will be reported out in the next city council
meeting on July.
meeting on July 16th 2025. We have a substitute for item
13, which corrects a minor drafting error,
which corrects a minor drafting error, a copy of the subset
that was email and part of your pack.
that was email and part of your packets, as well. Can I get
a motion to accept the substitute?
So moved by Alan Scott all those in favor. Say I
So moved by Alan Scott, all those in favor. Say I I all
those opposed and name the opinion of the chair, the eyes
have it, the substitute is before us uh, item.
have it. The substitute is before us uh item 13 is the
substitute 2025.00.
substitute 202500000018194 transfer a certain Remnant
properties.
properties to be with within the preview of commission.
properties to be with within the preview of commissioner or
transportation to negotiate transfer and include by
economic settlement. Those remnants of original
acquisition, Parcels determine to be uneconomical and not
needed.
needed for Archer Avenue and the belt Railway Railway.
company of Chicago great separation project in.
company of Chicago. Great separation project in the 23rd
word, uh, Solomon good day again from Cedar,
word, uh, Solomon good day again, from C that is here to
present on this item,
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee again.
I'm so from C dot appear before you in support of our
proposal to transfer Remnant properties.
proposal to transfer Remnant properties from original
acquisition, Parcels that
acquisition Parcels that are determined to be an
economical. And
and not needed for the Archer Avenue build.
and not needed for the Archer Avenue, build Railway company
of Chicago, great separation project.
Uh, the project is in the 23rd.
uh, the project is in the 23rd Ward and Alderman Tabares is
in
is in support of this ordinance.
uh, some highlights about the project, the project is,
Uh, some highlights about the project, the project is along
Archer Avenue from km.
Archer Avenue from Colmar uh to Knox as shown in the
picture in the 23rd.
picture in the 23rd award.
Uh,
uh, the the the ordinance, The Proposal is
Uh, the the, the ordinance, The Proposal is similar to the
previous 1 to transfer. Um, not needed the remnant parcels.
at the end of construction.
and uh, 1 this, this slide shows all the parcels that we
need we are in the process of acquiring as part of
need. We are in the process of acquiring as part of this
project. Uh and we have 1 case.
project. Uh and we have 1 case uh of this. Remnant Parcels
specifically parcel number 2 as shown on the bottom left.
hand side. Uh, part of, it will become
hand side, uh, part of it will become a Remnant parcel. We
will not need at the end of construction.
will not need at the end of construction and similar case
to the previous 1, the owner of parcel 3, we are impacting
his entrance along Archer Avenue. We are also taking
of his land losing part.
Working spaces. So to, to accommodate that part of the
parcels 2, which is Remnant parcel.
parcels 2, which is Remnant parcel will be transferred to
the owner of par.
the owner of parcel 3, through negotiation and Appraisal
the owner of parcel 3 through negotiation and appraisals.
That concludes my presentation. I will be happy.
That concludes my presentation. I will be happy to answer
any questions.
Are there any questions?
Are there any questions the committee members on the item?
Otherwise.
Otherwise can I get a motion to move?
So move.
So Alderman, Alder woman Rosa Rodriguez, Sanchez, all those
in favor.
those in favor. Say I all those opposing a in the opinion
of the chair, the eyes have it, they do pass recommendation
of. These ordinance will be reported.
of these ordinance will be reported out at the next city
council meeting on July 16th 20.
council meeting on July 16th 2025 remaining items on the
agenda. Will be from the Department of Planning and
Development on a slight.
Development on a slightly out of order. We will call the
second item on the 22nd World. Item 719 is the ordinance
2025.00 0001822.
2025.000 18227 negotiated sale of vacant city owned
property at 5227 to 5229.
property at 5227 to 5229 South ciser Avenue to 5211 CIS.
Chicago LLC, under the chat block Builder platform,
Chicago, LLC under the chat block Builder platform for
development as Paisans Pizzeria
development as Paisan Pizzeria in the 23rd World. Nolan
zarov from the Department.
zarov, from the Department of planning and development is
here to testify on these orders. Thank you Noah. Thank you.
Good afternoon. Chair mem.
Good afternoon, chair members of the committee. Uh again
for the record, my name is Nolan Tsar.
for the record, my name is Nolan zarov with the Department
of planning and development.
The item before you is a shy block, Builder Market.
The item before you is a shy block, Builder market rate land
sale for city-owned property, located at 52.
sale for city-owned property located at 5227 and 5229,
South Cicero Avenue.
This land.
this land sale consists of 2 Parcels in the 23rd, ward in
the Garfield Ridge Community area. The parcels are
currently zoned B.
currently zoned b31, and the applicant proposes to
Redevelopment redevelop them under current zoning
alderwoman to
alderwoman, tabaris is supportive and has provided a letter
of support.
Here is an overview of the project, the applicant.
Here is an overview of the project, the applicant, 52111
Cicero, Chicago, LLC.
Cicero, Chicago, LLC, which is to purchase the 2. City
owned Parcels at market value.
Parcels at market value, in order to assemble land to build
a new Pyon Pizza.
a new Pi on pizzeria restaurant. The total project cost is
around 4.5.
around 4.5 million and the city-owned lots are being
acquired at Market.
acquired at market, value of 142,000, the
acquired at market, value of 142,000. The applicant is not
seeking any city financial assistance.
Sources and uses for the project are outlined.
Sources and uses for the project are outlined here. The
applicant will be using a mix of equity and Loans to
finance the project.
And here, you can see an overview of the project site with
the city owned partials identified in red and the
additional parcels.
additional Parcels. The applicant will be assembling in
blue, the total Site Area for the
blue. The total Site Area for the project is just over
34,000 square feet.
Benefits of the project include the reactivation of
previously.
previously, vacant land, the creation of 40 construction
jobs and
jobs, and 10 to 15 permanent jobs, and a new dining option
for the Garfield.
for the Garfield Ridge Community.
here, you can see the
Here you can see the site plan for the project. The
city-owned property is identified.
city-owned property is identified again in red.
And here is a sample rendering of what the project will
look like.
And here is another render.
And here is another render looking to the southeast, um,
the applicant and their attorney are in the are in
attendance. Um, and at this time, we'd be happy to answer
any questions you may have.
Is there any questions by committee members? I'll do.
I just want to add that. I am.
I just want to add that I am in support of this project. Um
I want to thank you chairman.
Um, I want to thank you chairman um, seicho Lopez for
putting this.
putting this forward. Um, Nolan we worked with you and with
the applicant on on this project, um,
the applicant on, on this project, um, very supportive we
sought Community input, the
supportive, we sought Community input, the Archer Heights
neighborhood civic association as well as the Midway
Chamber of Commerce are in support of this project. And um
we have been working on this for almost 2 years.
we have been working on this for almost 2 years um with our
office. But this will be the second location in the 23rd
Award of a Python's Pizzeria. Um the first 1 is very
successful in our award and this will be a great addition
to this Corridor. The Cicero Corridor which is a gateway to
Midway Airport.
Um, so very excited about this project. And um, looking
forward to seeing this
to seeing this build. So thank you to Department. Thank
you, Nolan to your team.
you, Nolan to your team and um I asked for a favorable um I
vote from my colleagues. Thank you.
so we have a motion to move all
So we have a motion to move all to move by Alderman, Moore,
all those in favor. Say I all those opposed, the name and
the opinion of the chair, the
the opinion of the chair. The eyes have it, the do pass
recommendation of, this ordinance will be reported out.
recommendation of this ordinance will be reported out at
the next council meeting on July.
the next council meeting on July 16th 2025. Thank you.
Thank you so much n.
thank you so much Nolan. Going back to the regular order of
the agenda that we have a substitute for item 14, which
corrects, an Omission from.
corrects, an Omission from the foreign exhibit, a and a
missing.
missing page from the Eds. A copy of the substitute has
been emailed yesterday. And as is also part of your
package,
today, can I get a motion to accept the substitute?
today. Can I get a motion to accept the substitute so move?
All the women Rosen Rodriguez. Sanchez.
All the women Rosen, Rodriguez Sanchez, all those in favor.
Say I I all those opposed.
Say I I all those opposed and a in the opinion of the
chair, the eyes have it. The substitute is
chair. The eyes have it. The substitute is in front of us
item, 14 is the substitute.
item. 14 is the substitute, uh, 202500000018250 sale of,
uh, vacant city on properties at 3635 D 3637.
uh, vacant city on properties at 3635 D. 3637 was Douglass,
Boulevard 150185.
Boulevard, 1501859 and 199.
00 saw the Springfield Avenue 15.
00 saw the Springfield Avenue, 1524 and 1613.
00. Saw the Springfield Avenue, 1524 and 1613 South Avers
Avenue and 1402 South independ.
Avenue, and 1402 South Independence Boulevard 2 and
Redevelopment agreement with Miss.
Redevelopment agreement with missing middle, Chicago LLC
under check, block Builder platform,
under check, block Builder platform for construction of 8
residential buildings.
residential buildings in the 24th word, Brian. Hacker from
the Department of plann,
the Department of planning and development is present to
testify on this ordinance. Thank you, Brian. Thank you,
chairman and good afternoon on the members of the
committee. My name is Brian hacker. I'm a planer with the
Department of Planning and Development to, I'll be
presenting this item today.
so, uh, as the chairman mentioned, uh, this is the, uh,
sale and RDA for uh, 1 of the Clusters.
sale. And RDA for uh 1 of the Clusters from the missing
middle initiative in the North.
middle initiative in the North landale Community.
Uh, this is in the 24th Ward and we will be uh selling this
land.
land to uh the developer of the altuzar group.
Uh, to provide some background on the missing middle.
initiative. Uh, this is a, you know, more recent program,
uh, with the city, uh, led by dpd.
uh, with the city, uh, led by dpd to offer, a vacant
city-owned Parcels for redevelopment as infill housing. Uh,
and communities on the west and south sides. So, uh, you
know, predominantly housing products like 2, 3 and 4 Flats,
excuse me,
and uh,
it uh, involves Financial
It, uh, involves financial assistance in the way of, uh,
land writedowns. Uh,
writedowns uh at 1 dollar per parcel, and then up to
land writedowns, uh, at 1 dollar per parcel. And then up to
150,000 dollars, uh, per unit subsidy from
150,000 dollars, uh, per unit, subsidy from the housing and
economic development Bond,
economic development Bond. Uh, so this is, uh, anticipated
to add hundreds of housing units in, uh, mainly in
communities where they're currently isn't a strong
residential Market to encourage, private development of
vacant city-owned.
vacant city-owned Parcels. We're trying to, you know, bring
housing back.
housing back to uh, the many uh, vacant Parcels that we
housing back to, uh, the many, uh, vacant Parcels that we
own in, uh, you know, communities across the west and south
sides and, uh, you know, generate property.
sides and, uh, you know, generate property tax. And, uh,
bring more stability to these, uh, communities.
And these, uh, housing opportunities are intended to be.
And these uh, housing opportunities are intended to be for
homeownership, uh, with the idea.
homeownership uh with the idea of encouraging uh Community
wealth building.
wealth building and uh repopulating disinvested
communities.
So back in October.
so, back in October of, uh, 2024 via the
So, back in October of, uh, 2024 via the shy block Builder,
uh, city-owned land sale.
Builder, uh, city-owned land sale portal. We marketed 6
clusters of City,
city-owned properties, which you can see identified in the
map here. These were all around the uh, 16th Street area.
map here. These were all around the, uh, 16th Street area
in the North Londale community area.
in the North Londale community area, uh, each of these
clusters, uh, consisted of 5 to 8 City.
clusters, uh, consisted of 5 to 8 City owned parcels. And,
uh,
We received a number of applications, uh, but ended up.
we received a number of applications, uh but ended up
selecting um Developers for only 5 out of these uh 6
clusters.
clusters here. So, um, a couple of these have already come
to a city council for approval and, uh, are moving towards
closing and this will be
closing. And this will be the third that we're, uh,
bringing for, uh, approval to this committee.
this shows the parcels that
This shows the parcels that are in the acquisition, uh, in
this item. So as previously mentioned, by the chairman,
it's 8 City owned Parcels, uh, these
it's 8 City owned Parcels. Uh, these are, you know, more or
less consistent with your typical.
less consistent with your typical residential sized, uh,
parcel. And our, you know, spread from Douglas Boulevard,
down to 19th Street. Uh, you know, uh, near uh, Plasky
Springfield area.
The development proposal.
the development proposal by the altuzar group is for
The development proposal, by the altuzar group is for 26
total uh units of housing on 8.
total uh units of housing on 8 Parcels. It'll consist of 2
4 flats and 63 Flats. Uh the plans that you can see on the
uh slide here are for the 3. It has a total project cost of
4,8.
4,839,411.
4,839,411 uh with a per unit uh development cost of uh just
over 186,000 uh the
over 186,000. Uh the construction timeline for this project
is anticipated to take roughly a year so we would hope that
these
Would be complet.
Would be completed by summer 2026.
Uh, and for an overview.
Uh, and for an overview of the budget. Uh, as I mentioned,
it's just over 4.8 million uh,
it's just over 4.8 million, uh, on a specifically, call
attention to the 3.9.
attention to the 3.9 million uh, in funding from the
housing.
and economic development bond that will go into this.
this uh project and that is consistent with the um,
Maximum.
Maximum 150,000 per unit costs. So, uh,
Maximum 150,000 per unit costs. So uh, Developers
it, it isn't just a set amount that we're offering, but
they have requested, the maximum of that 150,000 per unit
Subs,
subsidy. So that's how we're getting into that 3.9 million.
million. Uh, number
that uh, brings me to the
That uh brings me to the end of our presentation. If
there's any questions.
there's any questions, thank you, Brian, any questions by
committee members or other?
committee members or the ad if you want to?
Add.
Add any any comments?
Thank you, chairman just asking.
thank you chairman just asking, um,
My colleagues for their favorable.
My colleagues for their favorable considerable. Um, yes.
My colleagues for their favorable. Considerable. Um, yes. On
this, uh, this is, uh, something that's
kind of,
kind of near and dear to me because um, again I always
Kind of near and dear to me because um, again I always say
this, we have 3,000 vacant Lots. So this
say this, we have 3,000 vacant Lots. So this doesn't even
put a a damper into what we can do for housing, so, um, but
a little bit, goes a long way and so,
a little bit, goes a long way. And so, and the beauty of
this is that the owner has to be owner occupied for 5
years. So,
years. So it's going to bring some, um,
Generational.
Generational wealth for the for the community. So it
doesn't, it doesn't, uh, it, it allows the community to buy
back into the community.
so,
Thanks a lot. Thank you. Thank you, expand.
Thanks a lot. Thank you. Thank you, expand on that. A
little bit too. It's since these are
bit too. It's since these are multi-unit buildings, we're
requiring that. Uh,
requiring that uh 1 of at least 1 of the units. Be owner
occup.
occupied. So just in case there's any confusion around that
Thank you for the clarification. So I got a A Move
Thank you for the clarification. So I got a a move, some
mobile de man, cassada all those in favor. Say I I oh,
mobile de man, cassada all those in favor. Say I I oh what,
sorry, 1 more before we move. I'll do them D, sorry.
what, sorry, 1 more before we move. I'll do them D. Sorry,
I'll do them all.
I know you said,
I know you said multi-units. So but 1 of those pitches look
like a 2 flat. Is that a? It's a 3. What the plans that I
showed are 3 flat there's a
showed are 3 flat, there's a garden unit so it's the
purchase price.
So they haven't been marketed yet.
so they haven't been marketed yet and uh,
We're.
we're capping the um, sale price at a number that is
consistent with, um, the buying power
consistent with um, the buying power of a, uh, household
earning 140.
earning 140% of the area median income.
so,
I'll spare you all the, you know. Well that would be what
just give me the bottom line number. Sorry, I I think for
um,
The maximum.
the maximum for a unit that is, uh,
The maximum for a unit that is uh 3. Bedrooms is a little
over.
over 400,000 and that keep in mind that's the maximum.
over 400,000 and that keep in mind, that's the maximum. If
it's a 2-bedroom unit it's around like 3.
it's a 2-bedroom unit it's around like 380 and uh so if
you've got a say like you have a 2 flat building that has
you've got a say like, you have a 2 flat building that has
1 3, bedroom unit and then like 1
1 3, bedroom unit, and then like 1 2-bedroom unit, you
would take those maximum numbers and just add them
together. And that's the maximum number that they can sell
that building for. I think that, uh, with the developers
that we're working with so far,
we're working with so far that they're going to be coming
in under those Max
in under those maximums. But again,
Uh, we don't have a shovel.
uh, we don't have a shovel in the ground for any of these
projects and it, uh, we haven't even closed on the other 2.
that have come to city council for approval. So,
We don't know for sure what the sale prices are going to be.
And would you say that the Mis this is a
and would you say that the Mis, this is a missing the
missing middle program, right? Yes. Is is similar to the
uh, what is the city? So you lots, we're working.
uh, what is the city? So you lots? We're working families
project.
Yes. Uh, it's very similar, uh, City. Lots does not have
the 150k per unit subsidy from the econ housing and
economic development Bond. Uh, but we are offering the land
right down. There's some differences in the details, these
projects do require a prevailing wage and MBE wbe where in
uh, some instance uh instances City.
uh some instance uh instances City. Lots does does not.
Okay, and is this an application process? Yes. So we, uh,
put out, uh, you know, requests for applications through.
the shy block, Builder portal, okay? So it's
the shy block, Builder portal. Okay. So it's too sharp
block Builder. Okay. Yeah. So that's the
block, Builder. Okay. Yeah. So that's the umbrella that,
you know, that handles the market rate sales, the side yard
sales and you know, every type of land sale that we do. So
this is 1 option. That's under
So, this is 1 option, that's under shy block, Builder and
we release, uh, we did another missing middle release in
uh, April.
uh, April of this year. And, uh, you know, the other
planning teams are in the process of selecting Developers
for um, those
Those projects as well. But uh you know we post these
Those projects as well. But uh, you know we post these
clusters of city-owned parcels and like, I mentioned it
went between like 5 to 8 Parcels per clust.
between like 5 to 8 Parcels per cluster and the applicant
has to apply for all of those Parcels. You can't just say,
I'm
just say I'm going to, I'm going to uh, separate these out.
and do 4. It's like if its 8, you have to apply for the 8.
Thank you.
I also want to recognize.
Or the, uh, for the meeting. And so I have a move by Allman
cassada all those in favor. Say, I all those opposed, the
name in the opinion of the chair, the eyes.
name in the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it, they do
pass recommendation of these. Orders will be reported out.
on the next city council meeting on July 16th 2025.
you, Brian. Uh, the next item is item. 15th ordinance
20250000001825.
202500000018254, sale of C of vacancy on propert.
202500000018254, sale of C of vacancy on property at 5831
West Chicago Avenue.
West Chicago, Avenue 5835 West, Chicago, Avenue to the
Mingo.
Mingo Pro, uh, group Corp, subject to State Side. REM
remediation program in the 29th World Alejandro.
remediation program in the 29th World Alejandro from the
Department of planning and development is present to test.
testify of this ordinance, and I'll demand Talya Ferro will
follow um to speak. Also on this item
Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Um, for the record again, my
name is Alejandra Albert.
name is Alejandra Alvarez. Uh, good afternoon everyone. I'm
here to
I'm here to present a pre, uh, shy blow.
I'm here to present a pre uh, shylo Builder market rate,
uh, Lancel.
uh, Lancel at 5831. And
uh, Lancel at 5831 and 5835 West, Chicago Avenue.
This is going to be a 3-story, mix use building.
This is going to be a 3-story mixes building this uh 2
parcels.
Parcels. The parcel 1 is 40 ft from by 120 ft. Uh,
Parcels. The parcel 1 is 40 ft from by 120 ft. Uh length
and parcel 2 is 3031 ft by 120.
that gives us a total of
That gives us a total of 71 ft from by 120.
That gives us a total of 71 ft from by 120 ft, a total
square feet of 8.
square feet of 8,520.
Uh, it's in the war.
Uh, it's in the war of uh, Talya Ferro 29.
and,
And we have a letter of support, he's in support of this
project.
project, uh, it's in the Housing Community area.
Uh, the Austin uh, commercial TIF district, uh, west region
is handling.
is handling this project. The developer is uh domingue
group, Corp, uh, consultant architects.
Corp, uh consultant Architects, me Magik, boyarsky, and the
attorney Perry hace.
Moving on.
Moving on, uh, this is a site map. Uh,
Moving on, uh, this is a site map uh context of the
location of the parcels.
uh, from
Uh, from in, uh, West Chicago Avenue.
To.
To the north.
uh, the details of the project are, um,
Uh, it's a new construction of 3.
Uh, it's a new construction of 3 story, mixed use building
commercial at ground level.
commercial at ground level a residential units above, and
surface parking spaces. The current zoning, and newning
change is a V3.
change is a V3 -2. The market value of the land is at
57,000.
57,883 dated on back on.
57,883 dated on back on December. Uh, the 9th of 2023, the
pushes price uh is 50.
pushes price uh is 50 is the same uh 57,000.
pushes price, uh is 50 is the same uh 57,883. This is a
category.
category e.
Uh, parcel.
Uh, that needed to go through uh, phase.
Uh, that needed to go through uh Phase 1 and Phase 2
environmental assessment.
To remedy the land.
Uh,
the sorry mediation program.
The sorry mediation program. Uh, it's it's it was enrolled
in the Cyber medium program.
in the Cyber medium program and
Uh, based on all that.
uh, based on all that, uh, no further remediation, um,
Uh, based on all that uh, no further remediation. Um, we
have we got the letter of for the remediation. Um,
so, the remediation allowance was, uh, 50
8,000.
8.
83.80.
That give us a net.
that give us a net revenue of the
uh, city city, net revenue of
Uh, city city, net revenue of 379.20.
uh,
moving on, uh,
this is a site plan of the project.
This is a site plan of the project. Um again uh a unit.
This is a site plan of the project. Um again uh a unit 1
bedroom.
uh, each
Uh, each unit is 1,000, uh, 15.
Uh, each unit is 1,000 uh, 15050.
Square feet. Uh, ground ground floor, commercial is 49.
Square feet uh ground ground floor. Commercial is 4,992
square. Ft in the back.
square. Ft in the back, uh, 8 parking spaces. Uh the
proposed.
proposed height of the building is 42 feet, 2 inches.
proposed height of the building is 42 ft to inches.
Uh, the lot area 8.
uh the lot area, 8,520 square feet, the f r
Uh the lot area 8,520 square feet. The f r is 2.2.
And these are the floor plans.
And these are the floor plans uh on my right.
And these are the floor plans uh on my right is a ground
level.
On my left.
On my left is a second and third floor residential.
On my left is a second and third floor, residential units.
Some elevations here.
Okay.
Okay, that project cost the budget is
Okay. That project cost the budget is, um,
The it's, it's 1.
the it's it's 1 million dollars and 1 million uh,
the it's it's 1 million dollars and 1 million uh 1977
uh,
they have an equity of 2 million for the project.
they have an equity of 2 million for the project and is
intended to start construction.
intended to start construction UH, 60 days after closing.
Uh, with a completion date more or less of a year.
and this is the final, uh, image uh, that concludes today's
presentation. That's going to how it's going to look.
potentially.
Um, thanks.
Um thanks. Do you have any questions, please? Uh, let me
know.
Thank you. Um, I don't know if you can hear us but if you
want to add anything on this item,
Thank you. Uh, thank you, chairman and members of the
members of the committee, uh, this
members of the committee. Uh this development is is 1
that's been in the work for for many years um community.
That's been in the work for for many years. Um, Community
stakeholders in the 29th Ward and and also those
stakeholders in the 29th. Ward, and, and also, those
representing the, uh, 37.
representing the, uh, 37 board.
um, have come together over the
Um, have come together over the last 8 to 10 years and
created.
created a very vibrant uh business residential and
Entertainment District. Um that is
Entertainment District. Um, that is um, been given the
landmark title of the Soul City Corridor. Um, and this is
of the ongoing projects, um, that are
Of the ongoing projects, um, that are that are aligning
that particular District. Then,
particular District. Then the in the 37th and 29th. Ward.
Ugh, I'm very
Ward. Ugh. I'm very proud with the community is going to
do. And I'm very proud of the Mingo group, for bringing
this
do. And I'm very proud of the Mingo group for bringing this
project, um, to the 29th. Ward, um, again, it will, it will
serve um, residents in the ward.
serve, um, residents in the ward, um, with residential um,
opportunity.
As well as.
As well as entertainment opportunities. So, um, chairman I
thank you for the opportunity and bringing this to your
committee.
committee and I asked, um, for the favorable consideration,
committee, and I asked um, for the favorable consideration,
um, of your Committee in the passage of this item.
um of your Committee in the passage of this item and um
again thank you to the Mingo group.
Thank you. Um, thank you. Are there?
Thank you. Um, thank you. Are there any questions by
committee members?
Move to pass by Alder mandawa all those in favor. Say I
Move to pass by Alder mandawa, all those in favor. Say, I
all those opposing a in the beginning of the chair, the
eyes have it, the do pass recommendation of, these items
will be reported out at the next city council meeting on
July 16th 2025.
July 16th, 2025 item 16 is ordinance 2025000000
July 16th, 2025 item, 16 is ordinance, 202500000018251,
sale of city-owned property at 2426 West, Madison Street to
LJ
of city-owned, property at 2426 West Madison Street to ljs
2020, Ltd in the
ljs 2020, Ltd in the 27, word Meg, gossamer, in front of
the Primal planning and development is here to testify on
this ordinance. Thank you, m.
Uh, good afternoon, Meg, Gustav.
Uh, good afternoon Meg, gustavsson for the record
department of Planning and Development. Um, I also have a
pretty shy block, Builder sale. This has been in the works
for many years. Um, the address is 2426 West Madison,
Avenue. It is for a proposed open space.
Uh, it is a typical City.
uh, it is a typical City Lot 25 by 125 about
Uh, it is a typical City Lot, 25 by 125 about 3,100 square
feet and this is an alderman Betts.
feet. And this is an alderman Betts Ward. Um we have a
support letter on file.
support letter on file from him, um 10% of Market.
support letter on file from him. Um, 10% of market value
for this open space would be about.
for this open space would be about 9600.
um, the applicant, um, owns the building
Um, the applicant um, owns the building um, adjacent to the
site.
the site. Um, his uh, company name is l.
J.
S 2021, LTD.
S 2021 LTD um and it is currently zoned. B32
S 2021 LTD. Um and it is currently zoned b32. Um and he's
not proposing, any zoning changes.
Um, here's a site.
photo, uh, the building on the left is the
Photo. Uh, the building on the left is the applicant's
building.
um, he proposes
Um, he proposes to fence it and Landscape it. Um, and
Um, he proposes to fence it and Landscape it, um, and his
total project costs are approximately 24,000.
um, I can take any questions regarding
Um, I can take any questions regarding this, uh, land sale.
now. Thank you.
Thank you make. Are there any questions make?
members?
Otherwise can I get a motion to approve by Alder?
Otherwise can I get a motion to approve by Alderman, Moore?
All all those in favor say I
All, all those opposed any in the opinion of the chair.
All all those opposed any in the opinion of the chair. The
eyes have it, they do pass recommendation of. This item
will be reported out at the next city council meeting on
July. 1625 1817 is
July 1625. 1817 is ordinance 2025.001 18245 sale of vacant
city on property at 3116 West 5th Avenue to asali Naima
lock under chai block, Builder platform.
Lock under chai block Builder platform for creation of a
side yard in the 28th word.
side yard in the 28th word may get some from the Department
of planning is also here for this item. Great. Thanks again
uh megson.
again, uh megson Department of planning. Um this is another
another open space land sale. This 1's through the shy
block,
block Builder platform, the address is 31,
block Builder platform, the address is 3116, West, 5th
Avenue,
um, it's approximately 1,600 square feet and it is in a
regular lot that's not buildable. Um, we
regular lot that's not buildable. Um we are proposing, a
land sale for an open space as um part of the applicant's
um, building the market Val. 10% of market value is about
9, uh, 1900. No.
uh, 1900. No 1100.
Um, here is uh, some site context.
Um, here is, uh, some site context, it's in outlined in
red.
Um,
Miss lock actually.
Miss lock. Actually she owns the building next door and
rent.
It. Uh, you can see here in the photo. This is what this is
what the building looks like, and this would be directly.
adjacent to her property. Um, the applicant plans to fence
it, um, and Landscape it, her budget is approximately
approximately 6,000 for the project.
And that concludes my presentation. Thank you. Thank you
Megan. If there any move to pass while doing now all those
in favor, say I all of the chair
in favor? Say I all of the chair that I have it, the dupas
recommendation of these orders will be reported out on the
next city council meeting on July 1 6.
the next city. Council meeting on July 16th, 2025 item 18
is Orden.
is ordinance 202500000018235.
is ordinance 202500000018235 sale of city property at 649
653.
653 6565701.
653 656570170977217
653 6565701709777.
1195.
11953 South Emerald Avenue to neighbor space.
11953 South Emerald Avenue to neighbor Space. By quit claim.
Deeds in partnership with the we
deeds in partnership with the we saw we saw we grow under
chag block Builder platform,
chag block, Builder, platform to build. All Urban
agriculture District.
agriculture District in the partnership with the Morton
Arbor to construct.
Arbor to construct an orady and Zen Garden in the 21st
Ward.
Ward May gossip. Some from the Department of planning is
also here on behalf of this ordinance,
also here on behalf of this ordinance. Thank you very much,
me Gustafson Department of planning.
me Gustafson Department of Planning and Development. Uh,
this is an exciting project.
this is an exciting project it's called we so we grow. Um,
this was
This was um, listed for sale via shy block Builder. Um,
this is under our Urban agriculture category.
this is under our Urban agriculture category under that
category each pin.
category each pin um can be sold for $1. Um the
category each pin um can be sold for $1. Um, the property
must remain, Urban agriculture for 10.
must remain Urban agriculture for 10 years, um, and it is,
um, monitored and um, helped out by uh 3 different
departments Department of planning.
departments Department of planning bacp and the mayor's
office.
um, this is a proposed Urban
Um, this is a proposed Urban a district at 120th in Union.
Um, this is, we are requesting the disposition of 11 pins.
Um, this is we are requesting the disposition of 11 pins to
neighbor space. A nonprofit Land Trust.
to neighbor space. A nonprofit Land Trust. Um, it's
approximately 1.07 Acres.
approximately 1.07 acres of land. Um, this is an alderman
Mosley's w.
Mosley's ward in the West Pullman community area,
Here's an aerial showing its proximity to the major Taylor
Trail.
Trail, um, which we think will be a great.
Trail, um, which we think will be a great stop off point
and amenity for the trail.
and amenity for the trail, it's currently zoned rt4. Um,
the land, the market,
the land, the market value of all 11 Parcels is
approximately 150,000 dollars under the urban. A
approximately 150,000 dollars under the urban a um,
category of shy black Builder. These would be sold for $1
per pin and there are 11 pins, uh, recently the major
per pin and there are 11 pins. Uh, recently the major
tailor, uh, Trail land. Um,
Land use framework plan.
land use framework plan, um, was created and you can see
the green area on the map is the urban a district which is
the green area on the map is the urban a district, which
is, um, what we're talking about here for this land.
is, um, what we're talking about here for this land
disposition.
um, I also have
Um, I also have we so we grow here, um, and neighbors
space. If
space, if there are detailed questions about the project,
um,
Here are the proposed site plans.
Here are the proposed site plans and programming for the 5
sites. There's 11 pins and 5 sites. Um 1.
sites. There's 11 pins and 5 sites. Um, 1 is a zen garden
which is a Json to the trail.
The site 2 is it where?
The site 2 is it where we? So we grow has been gardening
for, um, since
for um, since 2016.
um, number 3 is an orchard uh, that would
Um, number 3 is an orchard. Uh, that would be um managed and
designed with in collaboration with the Morton Arboretum.
Um, number 4 is an outdoor.
Um, number 4 is an outdoor demonstration classroom.
And the fifth site is.
And the fifth site is another Urban a production site like
site 2.
Um, we will be phasing this project.
Um, we will be phasing this project in and the first phase
um, is about 2.
um is about 2,300,000 dollars.
Um,
um, I think I got to everything just a little background on
neighbor space. For those of you who don't know, um, they
provide permanent protection. Um it is in their
provide permanent protection. Um, it is in their inventory
and perpetuity once they own the
And perpetuity once, they own the land, they provide, um,
Liability insurance and Technical.
Liability insurance and technical assistance to gardeners.
Um, and
yes.
Yes, that's their main. That's neighbor space. Thank you.
Um, I also have, like I said, I have we so we grow here.
Um, I also have, like I said, I have we. So we grow here to
answer any questions about the garden itself and, um,
Alderman Mosley is in support,
I'll go back to the site plan. Thank you. Al
I'll go back to the site plan. Thank you Alderman, Dow, and
then Alderman Mosley.
Do you know how many?
Do you know how many Parcels of land neighbor space?
Do you know how many Parcels of land neighbor, space has
control of in the city of Chicago? I do, I can get you an
exact number, but I think they have about 140 Gardens
across the city, okay? Robin, is that correct about 140?
I don't know, and usually they're about 1 pin each this.
I don't know. And usually they're about 1 pin each. This is,
this is 1 of our bigger ones, all right? And then my other
question is, I saw on the the presentation that we saw, we
saw we grow has been around for 9.
saw we grow has been around for 9 years. Why are they not
on the deed?
That is a great question. We've been working with them
almost this entire time to try to formalize this.
almost this entire time to try to formalize this garden and
it is no fault of the gardeners. Um, we have to do some
environmental remediation here.
So,
Once we transfer the land.
Once we transfer the land, some of that has been in the
works. Now we've done a phase 1. On some of these sites
we're working on the phase 2 and starting remediation with
um, 2 FM on the 4 on number 4 right now.
um, but it's a slow process and that but we are we have
been working on it for quite some time, so we're
been working on it for quite some time. So we're passing on
the land, we're doing the land,
on the land. We're doing the land sale for a dollar before
we've done the remediation.
we've done the remediation, we are this
Is to get authority to transfer it. We're trying to still
figure out when we actually closed with neighbor space and
how we pay for the remediation and the the timing on that.
So we might be, we're partnering with 2 FM now to clean up.
at least 1 of these 5 sights but
at least 1 of these 5 sights. But there is some benefit to
neighbor space doing their own.
neighbor space doing their own environmental. So if we
close on some of those, they can do their own environmental
or that we
this is authority to to transfer the land, but
This is authority to to transfer the land, but to FM will
not let us close until we have an NF.
not let us close until we have an NFR. So I would like
not let us close until we have an NFR, so I would like
neighbors. Well, first, I would want to ask we so we grow
whether or not they want to be
part. I mean it says partnership.
Part. I mean it says partnership. So if we're a partner we
gonna be a partner on everything.
from the land to
From the land to the farm or garden. So I, I would want to
know from, we sell, we grow
know from we sell we grow if it's with well, first, I
should ask the alderman, how he feels about that. And then
I would like to know if we. So we grow wants to be part of
the deed. And then I like to know if
the deed. And then I like to know, if neighbor space would
be willing to entertain that.
and then we need to get that done because
this is about community.
ownership and partnership and
Not just to have some.
not just to have some Outside Agency come in and
Not just to have some Outside Agency come in and own the
land. Um great question we have
land. Um, great question we have Natasha here from W so we
grow because we've discussed a lot of these things.
we grow because we've discussed a lot of these things, but
I'll let them talk. And if and I know that you already int
introduced yourself earlier, but for the record if you want
to, um,
want to, um, just introduce yourself again, Natasha
Nichols, the founder, and the executive.
Nichols, the founder and the executive director of the we.
So we grow project.
Sh.
Shamari Nichols, uh, her partner,
Deputy director, I'm sorry. Uh, alderman
Deputy director, I'm sorry. Uh Alderman your last name so I
know who I'm addressing know that.
know who I'm addressing, no doubt, um, Alderman, Dowell.
This is actually something that we've been talking about.
This is actually something that we've been talking about
for. It seems the last
for. It seems The Last 5 Years. Now 2018, we started, um,
before our aldermen
started, um, before our aldermen came to us, uh, under
under, when we were 34,
under, when we were 34th Ward, um, we've been discussing
wanting to be on the deed with neighbor space as well. And
it's something that we are both both organizations.
it's something that we are both both organizations are
talking through uh, because there's always legally.
talking through, uh, because there's always legally that
has to happen in order. But, um, I'm sure that Robin will
let you know that,
let you know that it's, it's been something that I've
brought to the Forefront of every conversation.
brought to the Forefront of every conversation that we've
had.
Hi. Yeah, I'm Robin Klein from neighbor space. And, um, I
yes I would like to, uh, also
I would like to uh, also say that uh, we so we grow
approached neighbor space.
approached neighbor space, um, 5 years ago, uh, to help.
support, uh, the garden that they were working on and
support, uh, the garden that they were working on, and the
additional space around, um, just like Meg said the uh,
there's a, there's a pretty significant amount of work and
Remediation that has to happen.
Remediation that has to happen in neighbor spaces in the
position to fund, raise that money.
position to fund raise that money as a nonprofit ourselves.
Um, and again, neighbor space is in a position to support
the work.
the work that we so we grow as doing with insurance.
the work that we so we grow as doing with insurance with
water, uh, with paying
Water. So there's a lot of benefits from doing this
partnership together.
you're not answering my question though, about your
interest in uh, you know, being a partner. When it comes to
the deed.
You mean, adding?
You mean adding adding name, neighbor spaces? Uh,
You mean adding adding name, neighbor spaces. Uh mission is
to be a land. Trust that holds land.
to be a land. Trust that holds land in perpetuity for the
communities. So it
the communities. So it is not within our mission or our
board to put specific names. Uh,
board to put specific names uh as part of the deed. So the
answer is no, thank you.
answer is no. Thank you may. Yeah.
Thank you.
Thank you Alderman, Moore.
Thank you. Uh, chairman Dow. Um,
For that. Um, question and observation. Um, my thing was
going to be about the, um,
The.
the the cleanup on the land because I don't, if you
The the cleanup on the land because I don't if you start
this president with 1, you guys going to have to do it for
everybody.
And I don't want to be.
and I don't want to be turned down and that's happened
before when we tried to get land to, um, people.
before when we tried to get land to, um, people who are in
our community residents and they're saying, well, we
haven't done the environmental on it, we can't do it.
haven't done the environmental on it. We can't do it yet.
Once you do this.
Because I'm not, I don't.
Because I'm not, I don't want to block my brother, but once
you do this, it opens.
you do this, it opens the door for everybody and I never
want to hear. I have to do remediation first.
We?
We have, we're going to have to make to recognize that
you're opening up that door. I want everybody to note that
today.
today when that happens, you open that door and I never
want to hear it again.
Um, I can I can speak to that in a couple different ways.
Um, CRP funds will be used for the cleanup of this that
have have been already set aside. So, um,
have been already set aside. So um, I believe you want to
talk to 2 FM
to talk to 2 FM about what are going forward? How we
to talk to 2 FM about what are going forward, how we sell
more land and what the requirements are.
more land and what the requirements are for cleanup. We are
currently negotiating. Um,
a path forward with that because I know it's a big
A path forward with that because I know it's a big sticking
point and I absolutely agree with you, 100%. Um, we need
more funds to do cleanup.
more funds to do. Cleanup is really also the bottom line.
Um,
um, so this would be transferred after the
Um, so this would be transferred after the cleanup. I think
I may have misspoke earlier.
We're here to get authority to transfer the land, and we're
going to be working together on the cleanup with private
funds and City.
funds and City funds. And those funds will be CRP. I get
all that part again. I'm going to 1 Authority.
all that part. Again, I'm going to 1 Authority for that
neighbor to get it and then you could still do the cleanup
all I'm saying.
All I'm saying is our residents cannot suffer and have to
move on.
move on because as long as they, we know that they're
getting,
getting it in and and it's in, you know, we've approved it.
Yeah, we the
City or somebody have to work out the cleanup, you know, and
that's what it is, but
that's what it is. But if we're saying, we don't have to do
the cleanup first before we authorize the use, once we open
that door, it's
we open that door, it's open. That's all I'm saying.
Thank you Elder. 1, more Elder 1, mostly
Thank you so much, chair. And thank you to my colleagues.
For all the robust conversation, uh, would love to, again,
still figure out how, uh, we. So we grow can have a
interest, uh, in this land. Uh, as they've been tolling it
and cultivating it for quite some time.
and cultivating it for quite some time, uh, and thankful to
even the partnership.
even the partnership with neighbor space. Um, when you hear
about,
about cleanups, we've been very intentional about making
sure.
sure that we have not just a plan of how to clean up.
sure that we have not just a plan of how to clean up, but
also that we've allocated funding for the cleanup. So yes,
we've done a phase 1 and a phase 2, uh, and have gotten
those costs.
those costs and assigned, uh, dollars to make sure that we
are able to carry out the cleanup that's needed. Uh, for
this project, uh, this transform,
this project, uh, this transformative project that's right,
at a great point of major.
At a great point of Major Taylor Trail, um, just to the,
uh, west of emerald actually is a point of
trail at 1119 Street. Um, bringing more and more
destinations
Do the 21st Ward. Ugh. This also
Do the 21st Ward. Ugh, this also has very close proximity to
1 of our senior.
1 of our senior buildings and they share excitement about
helping to cultivate uh, and be a part of the process.
helping to cultivate uh and be a part of the process here,
neighbors for years have uh uh grown an affinity to the
site so much so that they used to just come directly on the
land and so forth. Um and I really
land and so forth. Um, and I really have to give a huge
shout out to the Nichols family. Uh, who ironically live
right across the street.
right across the street, uh, who saw just outside their
Windows of what this could be. Um, and didn't just think
about themselves without about the entire community.
about themselves without about the entire Community. This
Garden has really galvanized that entire block, uh, which
another shout out is due to Habit.
another shout out is due to Habitat for Humanity, uh, that
build their, uh, build a lot of homes here. This was 1 of
their first projects.
their first projects in the west Poorman community area. So
would ask for a favorable consideration for my colleagues
in supporting this area of producing
Corridor. Uh, we just recently the
Corridor. Uh, we just recently, the mayor has been out
here. The first lady has been out here.
here. The first lady has been out here, uh, lieutenant
governor Stratton has been out here and many others are all
excited about, we, so we grow and, uh, if you are ever on
the far south side,
the far south side and looking for some great eggs, uh,
and other produce you can surely stop by we. So,
and other produce you can surely stop by we. So we grow.
Uh, so thank you again to, uh, dpd
Uh, so thank you again to uh dpd and Med. Thank you to
neighbor space. And
neighbor space and a huge, huge. Big shout out to the
Nichols family. Uh,
21st War. It's uh, wians, that are helping us thrive.
21st War. It's uh, wians that are helping us Thrive and be
better together. Thanks.
Thank you, alderman.
Thank you Alderman, Mosley. And I have a motion to move on
this item. So mobile the person or those in favor. Say
this item, so mobile the person or those in favor. Say I
all those opposed say name in the opinion of the chair, the
eyes.
those opposed say name in the opinion of the chair, the
eyes have it, they do pass recommendation of these items
that will be reported out.
will be reported out at the next city council meeting on
July 16th, 2, 5, 5.
July 16th. 2520 is ordinance 202.
July 16th. 2520 is ordinance. 2025.001 18247 cello vac
on property at 2019 West Washington Boulevard to Franklin
Holdings. LLC 27.
Holdings. LLC 27 series under chai block, Builder platform
for construction of Residential Building in the 27th World
ra
Rael Vega from the Department of planning, and development
is going to testify on.
is going to testify on this ordinance. Thank you. Good
afternoon Ral Vega for
afternoon, Ral Vega for for the record. I'm here.
Requesting approval of the vacant city land at, um, 2019.
West Washington.
It's part of the October.
It's part of the October 2024, round of shy.
It's part of the October 2024 round of shy block Builder.
So it's located in the 27th Ward, um, in the near west
side.
Community, um, in the central
Community, um, in the Central West of District, there's no
Tiff ask um, of this project.
Tiff ask, um, of this project in the west planning region.
The.
The the land is valued at 146.
The the land is valued at 146,250 and its category B.
meaning that it requires no additional EnV.
Meaning that it requires no additional environmental
testing.
Oh, I'm sorry. The the size of the land is 30 feet by
Oh I'm sorry. The the size of the land is 30 feet by 124
feet and with an approximate um area of 37.
feet and with an approximate um area of 3,750 square feet
and the applicant is Anthony ganka of Franklin Holdings.
So the applicant proposes to construct the 4 Story 3 unit,
residential building with a roof deck and a 3,
residential building with a roof deck and a 3-car garage
with also with a roof deck,
And they have a total project cost of 2.1.
And they have a total project cost of 2.1 million.
There is no zoning.
There is no zoning change as part of this project. It's
currently zoned rm4.5.
Here's another view.
Here's another view for context. It's within 2 blocks.
Here's another view for context. It's within 2 blocks of
the new Damon. Stop on the green line.
here's,
Here's the street view of the property. The applicant
currently.
owns and has developed the
the existing adjacent site.
here is
Here is a proposed site plan. We can see the blueprint.
Here is a proposed site plan. We can see the blueprint, the
building footprint of the garage in the building.
here are the
Here are the proposed.
Floor plans.
This is a, the first unit. Uh, we can see the communal.
are on the first floor with the bedrooms in the basement
level.
Unit 2 and unit 3 floor plans.
they're quite similar, except
they're quite similar except uh unit 3 will have um the
additional family room on the fourth story in.
the private roof deck access
Here are the alev.
Here are the elevations and this is an example as well.
Here are the elevations and this is an example as well of
the proposed.
Facebook.
This is the proposed budget.
the applicant has, uh, 6
The applicant has uh, 612,000 in equity.
and proposes to,
And proposes to finance the rest.
Are there?
Are there any other questions?
Any questions?
any questions but committee members,
That's going to get a motion to move.
that's going to get a motion to move, but all those in
favor, say I all
favor say I all those opposed and a in the opinion of the
chair, the eyes have it, the do pass.
the eyes have it, the do pass recommendation of, this item
will be reported out of the next city council.
will be reported out of the next city council meeting on
July 16202. Thank you.
July. 16202. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I in 21st is
July. 16202. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. I in 21st, is
I ordinance 2025000018247?
I ordinance? 202500008247249 sorry, sell of City.
I ordinance? 202500008247249, sorry, sell of City vacant
property at 14.
property at 1400 to 1408 East 67. Place to J.
property at 1400 to 1408 East 67, place to JD housing, LLC
under chai block, Builder platform,
under chai block Builder platform for construction of 3
residential buildings in the field.
residential buildings. In the fifth word, tombolino, from
the Department of planning and development is here to
present on these ordinance.
Uh, good afternoon. Uh, my name is Tom Bolino from uh,
Department of Planning and Development here.
Department of Planning and Development here, uh, requesting
approval for the sale of vacant city land at 1400 East 65th
Place. Um,
65th Place, um, listed in shy block, Builders October 2024
round, um,
We?
We have, uh, is is located in the Fifth? Ward, we have
support.
support from Alderman yansi. Um, located in the
support from Alderman yansi, um, located in the Woodlong
community area in the Southeast planning region. Um, there
is no Tiff asking this project.
is no Tiff asking this project, um, the market price,
uh, is 265489 and the applicant JD housing is offering
265500 and the total develop.
265500 and the total development costs is 795,000. So
265500. And the total development costs is 795,000. So um,
you can see the site there, it's actually 2.
you can see the site there, it's actually 2 Parcels um,
that are adjacent to each other. Both
are adjacent to each other. Both are vacant um,
The.
The approximate dimensions are uh, 80.
The approximate dimensions are uh 80.4 feet by 125, ft by
104.1 feet. Um and then that other end is sort of oblong.
Um,
uh,
Yeah, you can see there.
Yeah, you can see there the the parcels are adjacent to
each other and there are 2 par.
each other and there are 2 Parcels but they are proposing
to build 3.
Uh, residential buildings there. You can see the street
view here.
view here that it is vacant and um, the
view here that it is vacant and um the site context um,
that a lot of this.
lot of this block is vacant but it actually is in a
relatively
built up area, uh, near
Built up area, uh, near a lot of residential and uh, school
and Railroad.
and railroad tracks Metro tracks there.
um, the
Um the zoning um is rm5 and they are not requesting. A
zoning change.
uh, here's the
Uh here's the sources and uses detailed budget if uh you
have any questions regard.
have any questions regarding that. And here's the site
plan. You can see there are 3 residential buildings there.
Um,
Um each 1 contain 3
units.
units and each unit containing 3 bedrooms. So
Units and each unit containing 3 bedrooms. So to answer
your question in advance, the answer is 3.
your question in advance, the answer is 3 to whatever your
question is. Um,
question is, um, and they each contain 3 parking spaces,
um,
you can see 2 of them are going to be garages and 1 of
them.
is just going to be surface parking.
is just going to be surface parking access by the alley
because of that that uh diagonal shape. Their
um, and
Um, and there are the floor plans for each of the
buildings.
Um, and the west and south elevations that.
Um and the west and south elevations that South elevation
on the right. Is the 1, that'll be facing the street.
And the East and North elevations there. I'm happy to
answer any questions and if you have any questions that I
can't answer, um we have a representative from JD housing
here in attendance.
Thank you. Are there any questions?
Thank you. Are there any questions about committee members
know? So, mobile, aluminum, Dow.
know? So, mobile aluminum dowel all those in favor? Say, I
all those opposed and a depending
all those opposed and name and depending on the chair the
eyes have it, the do pass recommendation of this item.
eyes have it. The do pass recommendation of, this item will
be reported out of the next city council meeting on July 1
6.
1625. Um, the last item on the regular agenda is, um,
Uh, item.
Uh, item 22, Ordnance 2025.001 18.
uh, item 22, Ordnance 2025.001, 18248 sale of vacancy on
properties at 4336 and 4338 South for
properties at 4336 and 4338, South forrestville Avenue to
Jacob that Builder Inc.
Jacob that Builder Inc on the chi block Builder platform
for construction of Residential Building. In the third
word, tombolino, from the Department of planning, and
development is present to testify on this ordinance. Thank
you.
is present to testify on this, ordinance. Thank you. Um,
good afternoon again, my name is Tom Bolino from dpd.
good afternoon again, my name is Tom Bolino from dpd here,
requesting approval, for the sale of 4336.
requesting approval for the sale of 4336, to 38 South
forrestville listed in shy block, Builders April, 2024
around
Um, we have a letter of support. Um,
Uh, from alderwoman, Dowell.
Uh from alderwoman Dowell. Uh, dated April 22nd? Um
It's in the Grand Boulevard, community area in the
Southeast region. Uh, this is also 2. Lots. Um, the
region. Uh, this is also 2 Lots. Um, the market value price
is $, 1, 2, 6, 5,
value price is $126,541 and that is what the applicant is
offering. Uh,
that applicant being Joseph doe of Jacob to build.
that applicant being Joseph doe of Jacob to Builder
Incorporated and the total development cost is 795,000. Uh,
you can see the site contacts there. This is actually in a
very built.
actually in a very built up area. There's not much vacancy
in this neighborhood of
Uh, Bronzeville. Um, and you can
Uh Bronzeville. Um, and you can see the street view there.
Uh, the zoning.
Uh, the zoning is rt4 and the applicant is not.
Uh, the zoning is rt4 and the applicant is not requesting a
zoning change. The lot dimensions are 38 feet by 125 ft.
zoning change. The lot dimensions are 38 feet by 125 ft and
uh the architect is Hannah architects.
uh the architect is Hannah Architects. Um,
yeah, I think I
Yeah, I think I went through that already. Um, oh yeah,
it's going to be a masonry building containing 4 3-bedroom.
and 2 and a half bath units and a garage with 4 parking.
spaces.
Um, you've got the detailed budget.
Um, you've got the detailed budget there. If we have any
questions we've got the floor plan.
questions, we've got the floor plan. Um you can see the the
Building is divided front to back, so.
Building is divided front to back. So each unit will be a
dup a multi-level.
dup a multi-level duplex um 1.
dup a multi-level duplex um 1 the 2 of them in the front
and 2 of them in the back and there will be 4 uh a 4 car
Masonry.
masonry garage adjacent to the alley.
and you can see the elevations there, those are the west
and East elevations, the East Elevation is the 1 that'll be
facing the
be facing the street.
and the, uh,
And the uh, North and South elevations. And I've got
detailed floor plans as well. If anybody has any questions
regarding those. Um, so happy to answer any questions from.
regarding those. Um, so happy to answer any questions from
the committee. If you have any, thank you, Tom are any
any questions or I'll do more if you want to add anything
on this?
on this item?
my community, uh, committee members
My community uh, committee members to support this effort,
uh, which fills out.
uh, which fills out a pretty built-up block. Um,
For housing. Thank you. Thank you.
for housing. Thank you. Thank you. Chairwoman to have a
motion by Alderman. Al
motion by Alderman cassetta, all those in favor. Say I
I do pass recommendation of. This ordinance will be
reported out of the next city council meeting on July.
out of the next city council meeting on July 1625. We will
take a short recess
We will take a short recess, we're gonna have the the
hearing, um, requested
requested about all the women Ros Sanchez shortly after. So
shortly after. So we're just gonna, uh, get our panel ready
and we'll have a quick rest recess until then.
You can do.
You can do is.
you can do is take out the
it's on the left side.
That.
good afternoon, will will um,
good afternoon will will, um, resume um, the agenda for
Good afternoon will will um, resume um the agenda for the
housing and real estate committee. Uh, today we're holding
a subject matter hearing,
a subject matter, hearing related to the resolution
submitted by chairwoman.
submitted by chairwoman Rodriguez. Sanchez item, 23 or
agenda is a resolution. 2024 does 0012413 call for hearings
on the impact of the algorithm price fixing
hearings on the impact of the algorithm price. Fixing on
how
Housing, ability and affordability. No vote will be taken
chairwoman rodrig.
Chairwoman Rodriguez, Sanchez is here to speak to the
resolution.
resolution and um, as well as invite. And we
resolution and um, as well as invite and we have invited
guests to give a presentation on this matter. Uh, each
speaker will be giving a few minutes and then we'll turn it
over to committee members for Q&A. An invite was in
extended to real, uh, real page to attend, but they could
not attend today, uh, with us we also have for the subject
matter here in state, senator graciella
matter here in state. Senator graciella Guzman, who is
going joining, who is joining us via Zoom?
going joining? Who is joining us via Zoom Mia from the
local from local.
local from local progress. Uh Ashley Bishi Bish.
local from local progress. Uh, Ashley Bishi bishel and
Leah, levenger. Both from the Shriver.
levenger. Both from the Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Um,
and uh, we
and, uh, we are very grateful for the leadership of chair.
chairwoman Rodriguez Sanchez to bring this item, uh, on a,
on a need to regulate as a federal investigation.
on a need to regulate as a federal investigation has shown
the issues with this item. Um, but
Come. Oh, there you go.
There.
There you go. Um, so yeah. So the chair chairwoman
There you go. Um so yeah. So the chair chairwoman Rodriguez
Sanchez. The floor is yours.
Uh, thank you.
Uh, thank you, uh, chair, good afternoon members.
uh thank you uh chair good afternoon members of this
committee and guest speakers I want to
committee and guest speakers. I want to thank Sheriff,
Biden sexual Lopez for the opportunity to bring this
subject.
subject matter Hearing in front of the committee to discuss
real.
real uh, to discuss rental price algorithm.
real uh to discuss rental price, algorithm software. I
believe we owe this conversation to the renters of Chicago
whose livelihoods and stability are being profoundly
impacted by the use of rent setting.
impacted by the use of rent setting algorithm softwares
like those offered by real page.
At its core real.
at its core Real Page, rent setting, algorithm and Vac
At its core Real Page, rent setting algorithm and vacancy
analysis services like its yield.
analysis services like its yield star software which are
provided through a subscription.
provided through a subscription service.
Our problematic.
Because they facilitate, what is effectively?
Because they facilitate what is effectively price fixing
pollution across the rental.
pollution across the rental market.
This software is collect vast.
This software is collect vast amount of sensitive
non-public data from landlords including current rents vac
vacancy, rents lease expiration dates, and
vacancy, rents lease expiration, dates and even future,
availability,
They then.
They then use this aggregated data combined with artific.
They then use this aggregated data combined with artificial
intelligence to recommend optimal rent prices.
intelligence to recommend optimal rent, prices to its
clients who are often competing land.
to its clients who are often competing landlords in the
same Market.
This system by.
This system, by its very design undermines. The fundamental
principles of a competitive market instead of landlords,
competing to offer the best prices to attract.
competing to offer the best prices to attract tenants,
they're essentially coordinating their pricing.
essentially coordinating their pricing strategies through a
shared technological platform. Real Page itself has
reportedly boasted that its software helps landlords
outperform the market and elim,
outperform the market and eliminate concessions, like lower
rent.
lower rent, or free months of friend to attract tenants.
lower rent, or free months of friend to attract tenants,
this isn't competition. It's a mechanism.
this isn't competition. It's a mechanism for Price
manipulation. We will hear from speakers today about how
the impact on rent.
the impact on renters is dire and widespread this ALG.
algorithmic price fixing leads to the following outcomes.
First artificial.
First artificially inflated rents by encouraging landlord.
to raise rents in lock, step. The software drives.
to raise rents in lock step. The software drives off prices
beyond what a truly competitive market.
beyond, what a truly competitive market would bear. This
means Chicagoans are paying more for housing than they
should stretching.
should stretching already tight budgets and making it
harder to afford.
harder to afford other necessities.
Reduce housing.
Reduce housing affordability in a city already grappling.
with an affordable housing crisis, the real page, Al
algorithm exacerbates. The problem it pushes
algorithm exacerbates, the problem it pushes rents higher
making it increasingly difficult for
making, it increasingly difficult for low and
middle-income. Renters and families to find sustainable
housing, contributing to displacement, and
contributing to displacement and homelessness,
Lack of bargaining power. Renters are stripped of their
ability to negotiate.
ability to negotiate or find better deals when multiple
properties.
properties in an area, are all used in the same algorithm,
properties in an area, are all used in the same algorithm.
There's little incentive for landlords to offer competitive
pricing or concessions.
Increase profits for landlords and adventurers.
Increase profits for landlords and adventurers expense
while landlords using the software, see in
while landlords, using the software see increased profits,
it comes directly at the expense of the renters who are
left with fewer choices and higher Financial burdens
several cities across the US have already recognized the
harm caused by these algorithms and have taken steps to ban
or Reg.
or regulate their use. Those cities include San Francisco.
or regulate their use. Those cities include San Francisco,
Philadelphia Minneapolis Berkeley Jersey.
Philadelphia Minneapolis Berkeley Jersey City um and
Providence and there are other cities that are already
working on further regulating these softwares like, uh,
Seattle and Portland.
Seattle and Portland, these cities, understand that
preserving affordability and fair market practices is
crucial for the well-being of the residents. We will learn
more from Mia Lov from local progress about the work.
more from Mia, Lov from local progress, about the work that
organization has done to support this efforts and offer.
organization has done to support this efforts and offer
lessons learned from this work.
Furthermore.
furthermore, the seriousness of this issue is underscore by
the federal lawsuit filed against Real Page Inc. By the US
Department of Justice and a Consortium of States Attorneys
General across,
General, across 8 States,
she's my suffer. Yeah, thank you.
Furthermore, the
furthermore, the serious uh, of this issue is underscored
by the
the federal lawsuit. This civil antitrust lawsuit
the federal lawsuit. This civil antitrust, lawsuit alleges
That real page algorithm Al.
That real page algorithm algorithm makes pricing system.
Has facilitated widespread price fixing.
Has facilitated widespread price fixing among landlords
violating Federal anti.
violating Federal antitrust laws. Specially the Sherman
Act.
The doj is complaints, assert that
The doj is complaints. Assert that real page software
enable landlords to share confidential, competitively
sensitive information and then align the rents effectively
acting as a cartel as as a cart.
acting as a cartel. As as a cartel they alleged that this
deprives Renters of the benefits of competition and harms
millions of Americans, the lawsuit even includes
millions of Americans. The lawsuit even includes 6 mayor,
landlords, who allegedly participated,
landlords, who allegedly participated in this algorithmic,
price pricing schemes,
price pricing schemes. This Federal action validates the
concerns raised by renters and Advocates Nationwide that.
real Pages, practices are anti-competitive and
real Pages. Practices are anti-competitive and illegal. We
have Senator Gosman with us today as well to help us
understand the role of the Illinois, Attorney General.
As well as work being done.
as well as work being done at the State under her leadership
to understand the
leadership to understand the impacts of these softwares in
our state. Lastly, I'm, I am grateful to have Leah, Lev
levenger with us today from the sheriff Center on Poverty
Law.
with us today from the sheriff Center on Poverty, Law who
will help explain some additional contacts around the
will help explain some additional contacts, around the doj
lawsuits and impact on housing affordability.
lawsuits and impact on housing affordability here in
Chicago.
before I wrap up, I would like
Before I wrap up, I would like to call attention to the
first few slides of our present.
first few slides of our presentation.
The purpose of today's hearing is to begin.
The purpose of today's hearing is to begin this
conversation to gather information and key thoughts.
conversation to gather information, and key, thoughts, and
concerns of my colleagues here today. I look forward to
continuing to work on solutions to this issue with my
colleagues. The next slide provides.
colleagues. The next slide provides examples of real page
public data portal.
public data portal which can be accessed through the
website. You will notice the disclaimer that data provided
cannot be guaranteed to be accurate. However, considering
this data informs active sub,
this data informs active subscriptions to the software, we
can assume is fairly accur.
can assume is fairly accurate and that these disclaimers
are a result of the company's intense scrutiny. Next, we
sadly cannot show a map of the properties in Chicago since
that data has been removed. Prior to today's hear,
that data has been removed. Prior to today's hearing,
However, with a download.
However, with the download data from the Real Page last
month.
month and have an example of a quick analysis of this data
which future speakers will discuss more.
you can see that as of last month, nearly
You can see that as of last month. Nearly 90,000 rental
units in Chicago are impacted.
units in, Chicago are impacted by this software. This data
is available to committee members and we are happy to share
it.
Lastly.
Lastly, as an example of how this software Works to manage,
manage, leases committee members have in their packets, a
leases committee members have in their packets, a printout
of a lease renewal letter.
of a lease renewal letter A constituent received from Real
Page directly,
this software is active and is
This software is active and is readily impacting people in
our communities. I'm hopeful that in having this
conversation. We can motivate this Council and the mayor's
office to consider strong.
office to consider strong measures to prohibit the use of
social algorithmic. Press pricing software in our city
joining.
Joining other Progressive municipalities in, protecting our
residents.
residents from this exploitative practices. Thank you chair
for
chair for the time to speak on this matter. And I would
like to ask that Mia loss of get us started today with her
present.
presentation.
Thank you.
Zario coming through, okay.
Zario coming through. Okay? Hi everyone. My name is Mia
Joseph. I'm with local progress.
Joseph. I'm with local progress, I'm the housing program
coordinator, um, local progress.
coordinator. Um, local progress is a National Organization
of local elected officials committing to advancing economic
and racial Justice.
economic and racial Justice at the local level.
Um, so my work is all around.
Um, so my work is all around the housing policy for our
members. I think I have the slide Advance if okay.
Um, I have worked with.
Um, I have worked with a bunch of different. Our me, a
bunch of different members in various Juris.
bunch of different members in various jurisdictions across
the country specifically on regulating Al
the country specifically on regulating algorithmic rental,
price fixing. Um, a lot of our members are worried about.
affordability in their cities and price fixing by use of
algorithm is a big, big topic. So that's what I'm here to
kind of talk about today and talk about where we've seen
the problem pop up.
the problem pop up elsewhere.
So,
so, um, just to get started and
So um just to get started and uh thank you for the
background. That was really helpful to start us off, but
background, that was really helpful to start us off, but
want to be really clear about what we're talking about
here. Today, we're talking about price
here. Today we're talking about price fixing and collusion.
Um, I will kind of go over everything that's on the slide
but I think we all know that. Um, anti-competitive
agreements.
anti-competitive agreements, IE price, fixing is illegal,
it has been illegal at the
has been illegal at the federal level. It's been illegal at
the state level. It is not allowed in the US. Um,
the state level. It is not allowed in the US, um, and this
has been proved many times. So what we're talking about
here at the core of this issue is price fixing, um, the,
the coordin
coordinated decision to to raise races raise.
coordinated decision to to raise races raise prices
together.
so, um, to get into the software itself, we're talking
about,
about Real Page specifically but these softwares exist.
about Real Page specifically, but these softwares exist for
various, um, various companies sell similar.
various um, various companies sell similar software. So
this software is a hub and spoke model.
software is a hub and spoke model. You can see over there
on the right. Um the middle is Real Page.
there on the right. Um, the middle is real page, which is
the Hub and then the spokes are property owned.
the Hub and then the spokes are Property Owners or managers
who are providing data. So what happens is the service
provider
A real page will collect. Um,
A real page will collect, um, both publicly available data,
but also private competitive data.
but also private competitive data from landlords and
Property Owners. Um, this is everything from current rents
square footage.
square footage, vacancy levels, all vary private
competitive data, that wouldn't otherwise be available. Um,
and then landlords provide that data to real page, which
then puts it into a algorithmic model that
then puts it into a algorithmic model, that trains the
software and that, um, that data informs
software and that um, that data informs the algorithm that
then spits out recommended rent prices.
then spits out recommended rent, prices, recommended
occupancy levels and certain lease terms. So, this data is
sensitive data that's being sent out to competitors within
a local market. Um, and
a local market. Um and the specific software is
recommending a rent. The intention is to recommend rent and
occupancy levels that maximize not just the landlord's
Revenue, but also re
Revenue, but also Revenue across all of real Pages clients
in the market.
Um, so
Oh, also to note, Real Page, deploys, tactics like Auto.
Oh also to note Real Page deploys tactics like Auto accept
and also tracks landlord price compliance. So how many
times a landlord accepts a suggested rent?
times a landlord accepts a suggested rent and it also
trains landlords to limit discounts and concessions. So
pretty much every step of this process and use of the
software.
software is intended to um set Rent collectively and it
it's anti-competitive and anti-competitive.
it's anti-competitive and anti-competitive price fixing.
um, Real Page itself has come
Um, Real Page itself has come out publicly and said openly
that their software.
that their software is intended. Exactly to do such that to
do this to raise.
do this to raise rents. Um, referring to its products. It
has quote said it is driving every possible opportunity to
increase price. So this is a very explicit and intentional
price increase on the backs of working-class renters
so I'm sure you all can understand why this is a problem,
but let's just get into it a little bit. Um, algorithmic
rental, price, fixing software raises rents across the
market. Not only does it, raise the rents of the clients
that use the software, but any building that isn't using
the software will, as a result have lower rents and thus
will increase demand for those units, which then will
increase the price.
increase the price as well. Also to note, real preach
software is used pretty widely across the city. And so not
only does that impact, you know, the market as a whole. But
every, every landlord who's using the software is going to
have increased rents
Also, this practice is using data that wouldn't otherwise
be available.
available, it's sharing private competitive data with
competitors.
competitors which is in direct violation of antitrust laws.
So the use of this data to then suggest prices.
So the use of this data to then suggest prices that would
far surpass what the market would normally support.
far surpass what the market would normally support is the
core of what the issue is here.
And then I mentioned earlier that um Real Page will
recommend occup.
recommend occupancy rates. So it says suggest how many
units, uh, a land.
units, uh, a landlord should keep open or vacant. Um, and
so that concept of keeping units offline specifically,
so that concept of keeping units offline, specifically to
seek higher rents is just exacerbating the current ISS
seek higher rents is just exacerbating the current issue of
um the housing crisis and availability. It's it's
falsifying scarcity.
so, at the end of the day, this is a bad business practice
where um, you know, companies are guiding landlords to
lower.
lower occupancy rates and leave them empty. During a time
where we're in need of more housing units, and people are
on the street looking for housing.
Okay, so
Okay. So as I mentioned before, I've um, my team.
Okay. So as I mentioned before, I've um my team and I have
done this work in a bunch of different jurisdictions across
the country.
across the country, um, the ordinances
across the country. Um, the ordinances many different
cities have banned this practice and the Orden.
cities have banned this practice and the ordinances intend
to tackle 2 main wrongs with what the software.
to tackle 2 main wrongs with what the software does. The
first thing is that the software allows the sharing of
private data, that wouldn't otherwise be available.
private data, that wouldn't otherwise be available to
competitors. So ordinances passed elsewhere.
competitors. So, ordinances passed elsewhere have
explicitly banned that, that sharing component.
explicitly banned that that sharing component, the ability
to share private data the second
to share private data. The second thing that is important
about this practice is the um coordinated rent setting,
right? So we're this software allows for, um, landlords to
fix prices in concert with 1. Another and so both part.
these, this both part of this um,
these, this both part of this um these ordinances tackle
both part of this issue. Um and it's important that um,
when we talk about regulating the practice and how we push
back on this
this, um, software algorithm both parts of the
This, um, software algorithm. Both parts of the equation are
talked about.
I also.
I also included a little bit of context there, just, um,
alongside many jurisdictions across the US passing these.
Um,
um, these bands. There's been action at the federal level
with the
the Department of Justice complaint and multiple attorney.
attorney generals in different states, um, filing a law,
attorney generals in different states, um, filing a lawsuit
against both Real Page and 6 corporate land.
against both Real Page and 6, corporate landlords, that use
the software
So I'll wrap up by just saying, here's our beautiful.
So I'll wrap up by just saying, here's our beautiful map of
all the localities that have banned algorithmic rental.
all the localities that have banned, algorithmic, rental,
price, fixing. Um, I include this to say that.
price, fixing. Um, I include this to say that this is, you
know, actively happening. It's a larger movement. I think
we all know the AI is here and it's being used.
we all know the AI is here and it's being used in many
different Industries, not often. Um,
different Industries, not often, um, to further the
interests of the public good. So it's going to be here. Um,
it's going to be used for for corporate profit if it's not
regulated, and I think it's important to know that this is
a larger.
a larger movement that that needs addressing
I think.
I think I'll be here for questions, but I think I will pass
to the next speaker.
Well sin.
Senator Senator. Um, Guzman, can you hear us?
Hi. Good afternoon. Um, thank you
Hi. Good afternoon. Um thank you so much chair um and it's
a pleasure to be able to address you all um as a committee
this afternoon. Um you know I think Mia laid a really uh
incredible framework for How Deeply concerning.
incredible framework for How Deeply concerning um the trend
that we're discussing today is in terms of
trend that we're discussing today is in terms of the rising
use of AI algorithms
And pricing software by landlords to set an effectively.
fixed rents. Um, these systems, as you've heard Le
fixed rents. Um, these systems, as you've heard leverage
non-public data, unleash terms occupancy rates.
non-public data, unleash terms occupancy, rates, pricing
Trends, um to enable landlords to inflate rents in a
coordinated way without um direct coll.
coordinated way without um direct collusion. Um these tools
um, have been something that we
um have been something that we have been discussing um in
the state of Illinois across various committees and part.
Um some of our lean in around
Um, some of our lean in around just understanding how Ace
AI systems play out. Um,
Ace AI systems play out, um, in all spaces. Um, and we've
also been
been observing them um, from a preemptive conversation to
understand.
conversation to understand the ways in which they might be,
potentially be able to use to be discriminative, um, in the
housing space. Um, and to that end, um, just wanted to take
a moment to update folks on the work, and the progress that
is being considered.
is being considered by A legislature, in a coordinated way.
Um, so this past cycle, I introduced Senate, Bill 199.
Um so this past cycle, I introduced Senate Bill 1996 um the
preventing algorithmic re fixing in the rental housing
market app. Um, this bill would ban landlords or their
agents
Who.
Who subscribing to or using services that enable
coordination?
coordination of rent employees to fixing the algorithm
algorithms.
and enforcing it under the Consumer Fraud and deceptive.
business Practices Act. Um, I also, um, working in tandem
with a house representative. Um,
with a house representative, um representative Lillian
Humes, who spearheaded h
who spearheaded hb1 1427 the prohibition of algor.
algorithmics. Um and rent back which bands landlords from
from using algorithmic tools trained on non-public
competitor.
competitor data to set, or renew the event.
Page reporting. 27 also strengthens tenants rights by
amending Illinois's Consumer Protection Law.
Um,
Um meanwhile in the state landscape, um our Illinois
attorney.
Attorney General comma wool has joined a multi-state law.
lawsuit against major, landlords, and real page, alleging,
unlawful antitrust Behavior tied to algorithmic
unlawful antitrust Behavior. Tied to algorithmic rent,
setting and is publicly committed to challenging these
practices under State consumer protection laws,
practices under State consumer protection laws. Um, as a
result, both the efforts of Representative human,
result, both the efforts of Representative human Menace and
I are presently on. Hold pending legis um, this.
and I are presently on, hold pending legislation, and we
aim to continue to monitor these matters.
aim to continue to monitor these matters and potentially
pursue continued State action.
pursue continued State action, pending changes, um, not
just in terms of this lawsuit,
just in terms of this lawsuit but also, uh, Federal changes
that might, uh, curtail our state's ability to engage in
the AI space. Um, that being said, at a moment where there
is UNC
is uncertainty about what states will be allowed to do
given Federal, um, uh, guidance in the AI space Municipal
leadership is essential and moving these kinds of
Protections in our communities forward. Um, while we're
waiting, um, multiple decisions renters will potentially
have to suffer from
inflated rents. Um, that being said, I have pla the efforts
of alderwoman Rodriguez Sanchez and leading this important
conversation.
conversation at the city level. Um so that we can continue
to move together.
to move together to protect. Um we must end with tenants,
we need clear rules that ban the use of non-public.
we need clear rules that ban the use of non-public data,
algorithms algorithms, I'm sorry for data set.
algorithms algorithms, I'm sorry for data setting and
prevent AI driven housing discrimination. It's time to
ensure fairness and transparency.
Major event property hearing and bias. Um, is present in our
housing markets
our housing markets. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator. Um, we have now Leah, Leah from
Thank you Senator. Um we have now Leah Leah from um the
shriber Center. Thank you. Liam.
Good afternoon. Good afternoon council members.
Good afternoon, good afternoon council members. Um, my name
is Leia. Lavender, I'm a Staff attorney.
is Leia. Lavender, I'm a Staff attorney in the housing
Justice unit at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law.
And in my testimony, I've been asked to bring to your
attention, the specific impact on Chicago.
attention, the specific impact on Chicago, renters, and
Chicago rental markets, that is
Chicago, rental markets, that is emerging from the
increasingly widespread adoption of algorithmic rent. Price
fixing software.
um,
As other.
As other speakers have noted, the United States Department
of Justice.
of Justice or doj during the Biden Administration began.
criminally prosecute, apartment building owners.
criminally prosecute, apartment, building owners and
operators for their use of algorithmic rent. Price fixing
software under violations of federal antitrust law.
as part of the do,
as part of the doj's investigation leading to its
litigation, its specifically looked at the impacts on
Chicago of.
Chicago of rent, price, fixing software.
The doj's in.
The doj's investigation covers a period of 7 years Spann.
from 2016 before the widespread adoption of price fixing
software and the Chicago Market through 20.
software and the Chicago Market through 2023 shortly.
Before the doj filed, its antitrust comp.
Before the doj filed, its antitrust complaint.
Doj.
Doj's core conclusion about the Chicago Market. Was that
rent price?
rent price fixing software is having a defining impact on
Chicago, renters and Chicago, rental markets.
Pacifically doj's finding from it.
Pacifically doj's finding from its Chicago investigation.
Was that property owners and managers
was that property owners and managers who used this price
coordination software to sent rents non-competitive control
approximately 53% of all multi family,
control, approximately 53% of all multi, family rental
units in the Chicago. Submarket,
Doj's complaint incl.
Doj's complaint included a map of properties and the
Chicago area.
Chicago area using 1 particular version.
Of this.
of this price fixing software produced by the
Of this price fixing software produced by the AI software
company called real page.
Of the total 53% of the Chicago rental.
of the total 53% of the Chicago rental market, where prices
are being coordinated using some version of algorithmic.
Rent fixing software.
This company.
This company real page controls, approximately 34% of
Chicago.
Chicago's multi family, rental units. Um, and I've included
here the data or map mined by doj from real real Pages
website. So, as you'll notice, looking at the map, this is
not an issue that only affects isolated neighborhoods in
the loop or on Chicago's north side or on.
Chicago, South
Chicago southside while there is some concentration of
properties.
properties along the Chicago's Lakefront.
The use of.
The use of this price fixing software extends from the far
tip.
tip of the north side, to portions of the far south side
and
there appears to be quite significant adoption of
And there appears to be quite significant adoption of the
software into the Northwest and west partic.
software, into the Northwest and West, particularly
concentrated along many of Chicago's.
concentrated along many of Chicago's Transit corridors
The.
The doj's conclusion, and their complaint from their
investigation.
investigation, was that the widespread adoption of
anti-competitive?
anti-competitive price? Coordination software has caused
rent to increase?
rent to increase explosively in Chicago in recent years.
Doj's findings were that Chicago. Renters are paying.
year-over-year increases of 5 to 19%.
year-over-year increases of 5 to 19% more than the market.
Otherwise would bear.
Otherwise would bear without this software.
um, so this particular rent setting software company has
significantly reduced its data transparency since doj
filed, its litigation, um, as alderwoman Rodriguez Sant,
mentioned, it's no longer publishing a map of its clientele
or subject properties. As you can see here from a screen,
screenshot of its website taken this morning. However, it
is still possible to mine a significant amount of data from
a back-end web page.
and,
and when 1 does that, and then filters that,
And when 1 does that, and then filters that data for
properties inside the Chicago city limits.
You find real page publishing.
You find real page publishing at least 334 properties
across.
across the Chicago uh across 33.
across the Chicago uh, across 33. Chicago, zip codes that
appear to be using its proprietary software and non-public
data to set Rent prices.
data to set Rent prices in coordination with other
apartment owner operators.
Again, these players would normally be competitors, rather.
than collaborators in a normal functional free market.
than collaborators in a normal, functional free Market
operating in accordance with both Federal and Illinois Law.
According to Real Page data. Its owner clientele control,
at least 89.
least 89,073 apartments inside the Chicago city limits.
4 perspective. That means
4 perspective, that means that just the real page version
of this.
of this price. Setting software is defining somewhere
between 12 and 13% of the total estimated rental.
between 12 and 13% of the total. Estimated rental housing
stock across the entire city.
And Rec.
and recall that this company, this 1 Company Real Page is
And recall that this company, this 1 Company. Real Page is
just 1 of several rent setting software companies operating
Operating in the Chicago markets,
because,
Because Real Page clients, as we saw are concentrated
somewhat.
somewhat and specific neighborhoods, the market defining
effect of this price. Coordination is likely quite
significant in certain regions and the spillover effects to
adjacent.
adjacent neighborhoods are comparable markets. It's likely
also significant
um,
Real Pages. Software companies owner clients when you
analyze the data report, an average year-over-year rent
increase of 5.6%
With.
with the largest reported year-over-year rent, increase
being 31.5% at a property in.
being 31.5% at a property in Edgewater and the smallest
reported year-over-year changes.
reported year-over-year changes being a properties and Hyde
Park and Southshore.
To get granular on the data for a moment.
To get granular on the data for a moment, roughly 1 in 10
of real page clients.
of real page clients report year-over-year rent increases
of greater than 15%.
Roughly 2.
Roughly 2 and 10 report year-over-year increases greater
than 10.
than 10%.
And roughly 5 and 10 report.
And roughly 5 and 10 report year-over-year increases
greater than 5%.
So for Renters, of modest means for rent.
So for Renters of modest means for renters raising kids and
simultaneously paying for
and simultaneously paying for daycare. While paying for
rent, this pace of increase
rent. This pace of increase is impossible.
most renters would
Most renters would not survive 1 year of this kind of hike.
They definitely won't survive to
and so, the price of these kinds of practices means,
constant turn to your communities.
constant turn to your communities which also means constant
turn to your voter bases.
constant turn to your voter bases, constant turn to your
schools, constant turn to everything.
schools constant, turn to everything affecting life in your
neighborhoods.
um, these are
Um, these are Trends, we're all well aware of real page
itself. Noted in a report in 2024 that the, the Chicago had
the largest rent increase among the top 50 apartment
markets Nationwide.
More recently a 2025 Zillow.
More recently, a 2025 Zillow, Economics Report found that
Chicago was tied for.
Chicago was tied for quote first place in terms of fastest
rising rents.
rising rents in the nation, uh, dubious honor. Of course,
rising rents in the nation, uh, dubious honor, of course.
Um, and as I wrap up my testimony, I want to briefly
return.
to the
To the Department of Justice data point that property
owners.
owners using this kind of price coordination software
control.
control approximately 53% of the rental units.
control, approximately 53% of the rental units in the
Chicago, submarket
and I just want to pause on the statist.
and I just want to pause on this statistic for a moment and
have us all recall together that as a legal matter Federal
antitrust law.
antitrust laws prohibit conduct by a single firm.
antitrust laws prohibit conduct by a single firm or firms
acting in coordination that unreasonably, restrains trade
and competition.
and competition by creating or maintaining Monopoly power.
The.
the Federal Trade Commission, 1 of the agencies responsible
for enforcing,
for enforcing Federal antitrust, law defines a monopoly as
a firm with significant and durable Market power.
When courts evaluate the evidence of ant.
When courts evaluate the evidence of antitrust violations,
many have found that 50.
many have found that 50% market share of a firm or group of
firms acting in concerted fashion.
firms acting in concerted fashion constitutes monopolistic
power over our market and violates basic, American legal
standards of what a functional free market is.
So, the point that
so, the point that I'm making here is that according to the
Department of Justice's,
Department of Justice's analysis in its beginning of a
criminal prosecution,
criminal prosecution of these practices, we are there in
Chicago.
We are approaching a concentration.
We are approaching a concentration of ownership and control
in the rental market.
in the rental market that through this evolving
non-competitive price coordination, soft.
non-competitive price coordination software would be
defined by many courts as monopolistic coordination across
the mental Market.
Um,
with the widespread.
With the widespread adoption of coordinated,
anti-competitive.
Anti-competitive price setting. Sorry while the P, the
widespread adoption of coordinated anti-competitive price
setting software is certain not the only Factor driving the
pace of rent increases in Chicago.
pace of rent increases in Chicago it is 1 significant
factor and 1 we can do something about
Um obviously we all know people.
um obviously we all know people affected by this with
roughly 506%,
roughly 506% of all Chicago households being renters,
these profound changes in the rental market are widely and
deeply.
deeply felt by an incredibly broad cross-section.
deeply felt by an incredibly broad cross-section of the
constituencies in all 50 wards.
so, council members, obviously depending
so council members obviously depending on who you represent
in this starkly unequal City, the meaning of these
practices will be different
For some families, a rent increase means immedi.
for some families. A rent increase means immediate economic
Devastation the actual loss of housing upheaval to their
children's education and friend and
children's, education and friend and social network,
displacement away from long-standing community.
displacement away from long-standing Community ties and
supports
For other families are running increase.
For other families are running, increase, May merely mean
fewer meals out at a local.
fewer meals out at a local community restaurant or less
disposable income to support a neighborhood business.
disposable income to support a neighborhood business but we
all know the rent eats first.
all know the rent eats first and as we consider the way
that we're all interconnected, even in the neighborhoods
where renters themselves may not be econom.
where renters themselves may not be economically.
Devastated by coordinated price increases
Devastated by coordinated price, increases the local
businesses that rely on them.
make considerably be affected, um, as a
Make considerably be affected. Um, as a very final note,
it's important to recognize that these practices do not
only hurt renters or the businesses that rely on rental.
clientele, they also harm all of the mom.
clientele. They also harm all of the mom and pops out there
who are trying to become small apartment.
who are trying to become small apartment, owners and
operators themselves.
if you understand,
if you understand multi, family Finance, then you
understand that the sales price of a multi family,
understand that the sales price of a, multi family property
is entirely driven and defined by anticipated rental
income. So when rents go up steeply and swiftly, it means
the price to buy.
the price to buy and apartment. Building also goes up
steeply and swiftly.
steeply and swiftly and the kind of cash on hand that
becomes necessary to acquire even
becomes necessary to acquire, even small, rental buildings,
becomes Out Of Reach even
becomes Out Of Reach, even for most of the middle class.
Who cannot compete with the private Equity firms and the
multinational real estate.
multinational real estate investment trusts,
Price fixing and turn. Thus.
Price fixing and turn thus leads to further consolidation
of property ownership.
of property ownership among fewer and fewer entities. And
certainly few.
certainly fewer and fewer real people.
The tra.
The trajectory is towards further wealth and asset
inequality in our Reg.
inequality in our region and our region already has far too
much of that.
so even if you're not a champion of renters rights, even if
you're not an advocate for poor and working-class people,
or those who,
or those who can least survive, the way, the Chicago rental
market is changing. Even
market is changing even then this issue still matters to
you, um, because the emergence of these price fixing
practices.
Matter to human constituencies that matter to you.
matter to human constituencies that matter to you whether
they are working-class, renters, middle-class, renters, or
even middle-class owners trying to acquire an apartment
building,
building these practices cause harm to Everyday People of
all.
all walks of life. Thank you.
Thank you. Um, appreciate all the all the information. And
now we're going to open it up for uh,
now, we're going to open it up for, uh, any questions my
committee members? Um, we have Alderman Vasquez
Sure. Thank you, chairman. Uh, thank you very much. Uh,
Sure. Thank you, chairman. Uh, thank you very much. Uh
alderwoman uh Rodriguez Sanchez for raising this
alderwoman uh, Rodriguez Sanchez for raising this issue up
uh, as well as speakers I haven't seen
uh, as well as speakers. I haven't seen Leah since I think
last time so good. See you here. Um.
uh,
It's clear to us kind of the challenge.
It's clear to us kind of the challenge in what's being
presented here and how it gains.
presented here and how it gains the market. I think what
I'm trying to get a better understanding of is,
How it gets in for.
How it gets enforced if you're Banning it, how to track it,
right? Because it seems to me.
That that might be its own.
That that might be its own challenge. So curious to what
other cities do in that regard.
I'm happy to.
I'm happy to, I'm happy to speak to that a little bit.
Yeah, whoever sorry. Yeah. Um, so I can say that
enforcement is a big question. A lot of cities
enforcement is a big question, a lot of cities pretty much
every city that's possible and has private right of action.
So
so tenant reporting to the city and then the city.
so tenant reporting to the city and then the city directly,
so the tenant directly suing, um, for
So, the tenant directly suing, um, for violation, another
big 1 has been tying it to rental registry. So as landlords
have to like annually, register their apartment units, they
have to legally binding.
have to legally binding sign that they aren't going to use
the software. I will say.
the software. I will say the issue as a whole, the doj
complaint.
complaint and the entire problem coming to light came from
tenants who are experiencing the prices rise reporting it
and kind of like coming together and organizing around
that. So keeping something in the enforcement of allowing
tenants to directly report is important. There have been a
lot of situations where we found that tenants, don't know.
that they're building, is being price fixed or like, their
landlord is using it. So I think the tying it to the rental
Reg,
registry annually or some kind of legal binding.
registry annually or some kind of legal binding, you know,
certification has been effective.
Minneapolis who passed their band in March, but it'll be in
effect next
effect. Next year in March has required, um, their
effect. Next year in March has required. Um, their plan is
to do like a education process.
to do like a education process education, campaign over the
next year. And then require landlord.
next year and then require landlords to self-report. So
they have a year to get off the software. And then they're
required to basically say we're not using the software
anymore, okay? Um, I, I appreciate that. I know, uh,
chairman sio Lopez as well as other
sio Lopez as well as others have talked about like a rental
registry or land or license as a mechanisms to how to have
General accountability. Um,
is there anything that would just
Is there anything that would just allow you to?
Just ban the business.
just ban the business or the AI itself having to register
in a way that might allow any control or anybody looking at
it from that way. Because I, I think kind of to your
answer. There's
answer, there's not a lot of tenants who might correlate
and think.
and think that something like that. That's happening to
even report out.
yeah, I mean a lot of the ordinances I think almost
Yeah, I mean a lot of the ordinances I think almost all of
them. Yeah, all of them ban the
them. Yeah all of them, ban the practice rather than the
real page itself. Because 1 of the biggest concerns is
real page itself because 1 of the biggest concerns is if
you just ban Real Page, a local copycat could pop up. Yeah.
And as Leo was mentioning, there's also a lot of other
softwares that are sold. So Banning Real Page would only
deal with part of the problem. Um,
but I think this is
But I think this is kind of like larger question of how
local governments are regulating AI.
local governments are regulating Ai and specifically, how
the use of AI and the private Market.
the use of AI and the private Market is regulated. So I
think to some degree, it's a little Uncharted because it's
AI is here, but it hasn't been regulated.
AI is here but it hasn't been regulated very much but I
think as more and more cities pass its kind of the
think as more and more cities pass, its kind of the message
of, you know, local government can stand up for the
of, you know, local, government can stand up for the folks
who need it. The communities who actually are being
impacted and this is 1 way to do so by regulating the use
of AI,
of AI in private markets. Yeah, because I think it feels a
little bit any
little bit nebulous because it is so kind of cutting edge
for everybody to have their heads around. I started
thinking about the other way, you have ai game it the other
way, right? Because AI I would imagine would be able to
look at increases where they're located to kind of work
backwards.
backwards and identify. If somebody's using it in a way
that might allow us.
that might allow us to track and investigate that way. Just
wasn't sure if anybody.
wasn't sure if anybody's like explored that.
Not.
Not not that I know of but that sounds like a smart idea.
Yeah, sometimes you got to G.
Yeah sometimes you got to jiujitsu this stuff. So yeah I um
it's something.
um it's something to think about when we talk about for
example, our um,
uh, DTI which is
Uh, DTI which is our department here. That does Tech and
Innovation that maybe it is something explored to see if
there's any trends that can be correlated to.
there's any trends that can be correlated to work backwards
that might identify, hey, these properties in this area
seem to all not be moving or they're moving at the same
rate, why is that? Unless they're
rate. Why is that unless they're communicating in some
fashion it might be a way to help kind of investigate. So
um, yeah, thank you for this work. I mean, whatever we've
got to support the past like
got to support the past. Like, add my name happy to do it
and uh thank you. Thank.
and uh thank you, thank you very much Auto, you guys.
Sanchez for introducing it and chairman for bringing it up,
as well as you offer, um, testifying and our state center
as well. So thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
Followed by chairwoman.
Ladies Sanchez.
Ladies, Sanchez and thank you, Mr. Chairman, first, I want
to, uh, say that I appreciate the presentation. This is not
something that I had been exposed to.
something that I had been exposed to before today. Um, I
want to thank, uh,
Alderman Rodriguez.
Alderman Rodriguez, Sanchez for bringing forth the
resolution.
um, however, when I think about
uh,
you know.
you know, a major topic like this.
I don't.
I don't want the deck stacked.
I want to hear.
I want to hear both sides of the argument.
so,
So for me, I would be interested in hearing from.
So for me, I would be interested in hearing from a user.
Of real.
of real page or 1 of these systems, I not
Of real page or 1 of these systems. I noticed in the list
of the, um,
um, apartment buildings that you had there were a couple
Um apartment buildings that you had. There were a couple
that my war and 1 of which I know who the owner is and I
that my war and 1 of which I know who the owner is. And I
definitely plan to have a conversation with him about this,
but um, it would be interested.
but um, it would be interested to know to have that person
here or somebody like that, that we could question.
get some information from um or
get some information from um, or someone representing real
page or some other kind of entity that um, is that. So I
just wanted to say that
My other.
my other question, uh, or my other comment is
5.6% of.
5.6% of an increase in rent.
Seems.
um,
normal.
to me, uh, given the uh, you know, increase in utilities
To me uh, given the uh, you know, increase in utilities and
um taxes.
and um, taxes and maintenance. Um,
What's standard?
assuming this, um,
Algorithmic method.
Algorithmic method was not in existence what would be a
standard?
standard rent increase in the real estate market.
standard rent increase in the real estate market for rent.
Nothing pre. Pandemic, National averages.
Nothing pre pandemic. National averages were more along the
lines of 2% increases per year.
I think what's challenging is that what monop
I think what's challenging is that? What monopolies do is
they change the standard, right? They change the Bas.
they change the standard, right? They change the Baseline
and so something can become normal that would not have
otherwise been normal, but
otherwise, been normal, but for the concentration of
ownership and control. So when you looked at
ownership and control. So, when you looked at that, did you
also compare that to um,
landlords that
Landlords that don't have this system in place.
I did not have the time to.
I did not have the time to do that analysis, myself, but
the department of Justice's complaint alleges increases 5
to 19% higher than what the market otherwise. Would
to 19% higher than what the market otherwise would bear. So
doj's analysis was
doj's analysis. Was that specifically the impact of this
algorith?
this algorithmic? Software was escalating rent prices.
faster than the,
Faster than the market acting in an uncoordinated
competitive fashion.
competitive fashion would have been escalating prices.
okay, well,
Okay, well it's a it's a good question. Of course I look.
forward to learning more about this and as I said I would
like to hear the other side of the argument. Thank you.
Thank you, chairwoman alderwoman.
Thank you, chairwoman woman. Yeah to um,
Thank you chairwoman woman. Yeah to um, your point to her
woman. Uh, we did talk to a real page. They said that they
wouldn't be ready to um,
wouldn't be ready to um be able to testify in this hearing
but that they're
hearing, but that they're open to coming to city council.
and talking to us. So I would be very interested in a
to us. So I would be very interested in a part 2 of this
and um, making sure
and um making sure that we can get more people this summer
and it is a little hard to get everybody here. But um, I
think that this is a very important issue that we should be
talking about and I agree that we should definitely listen
to others.
definitely listen to others. It it is hard to get uh,
definitely listen to others. It, it is hard to get, uh, a
date with the committee on housing because it's so busy
always. So we saw the opportunity to have the the hearing
to
Today. And we decided to take it.
Today. And we decided to take it uh, just because of the
urgency of it and to that end. I also wanted to share that
we have been working with the city and with the mayor's
office to try to get to um a piece of legislation that can
can help us plan or regulate and, um,
can help us plan, or regulate and, um, othermen um,
Vasquez, uh, question was at the core of the
Sort of roadblocks that we are.
Sort of roadblocks that we are seeing. Because Banning or
regulating requires. Um,
regulating requires, um, being able to enforce and that is
a tricky thing to do, but we are still working on it and we
are hopeful that we will be able to come up with um, with a
way uh, to regulate uh, or ban, but not before having more
conversations as you as you brought up.
conversations as you, as you brought up, uh, chairman
dowel, not just with the
not just with the uh, companies. But with the
dowel, not just with the, uh, companies. But with the
users, the okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Um, alderman.
um, alderman cassada
Thank you. Um, I guess I I really don't have any questions
at this time, but more of just I think it's important to
help contextualize the the nature of
help contextualize the, the nature of the housing.
Affordability crisis. That
affordability crisis that we're in. Um and I think it's
really important that we all collectively realize that you
know, there isn't 1 Silver Bullet to solving this problem.
know, there isn't 1 Silver Bullet to solving this problem
but there are many problems to be solved clearly, right?
but there are many problems to be solved. Clearly, right?
Um, I think an unregulated, uh,
Dental Market.
Dental Market, um, where rent prices can be
Al Market, um, where rent prices can be arbitrarily raised
and not be tied to inflation.
and not be tied to inflation or property taxes. Um, is a
really clear example, as to why we need
really clear example as to why we need to continue the
conversation about uh, ending the Statewide ban on rent
control, uh,
control uh in Illinois why we need to talk about the need
for some form of Regulation, uh, because it is clear and
and it's self-evident that the, uh, free market will do.
whatever it can to make as much money as possible.
whatever it can, to make as much money as possible. And not
actually tie it to some of the
actually tie it to, some of the needs that we sometimes
hear or the, the, the, uh, the wolf crying that, we hear
about the costs, and
about the costs and, uh, property taxes. And we, we do need
to fight, um, to have
fight um, to have property tax reform in Chicago.
fight um to have property tax reform in Chicago, in Cook
County in the state of Illinois. We need to make sure that
commercial property owners are paying their fair share of
taxes and not just getting uh, unjustified appeals to their
property.
their property taxes, which then is Shifting the burden.
their property taxes, which then is Shifting the burden on,
uh, you know, our
Our residential homes.
but then,
But then, uh, when when large Property Owners, or when
enough Property Owners, uh, work together with corpore,
enough Property Owners uh, work together with corporations
like this like real page and start arbitrarily
arbitrarily raising, uh, rent prices in our communities.
That is driving displacement, that is
displacement, that is increasing the affordability crisis.
Um,
Um and so I think it's just really important that we
understand that this is a a part of the, of the puzzle
around, how we tackle uh the the the crisis of housing
affordability.
of housing affordability in the city of Chicago and across
our our nation. So again, it it's a, it's a myriad of
things we need to build.
things we need to build more affordable. Housing, we need
to build more housing. We need to tackle property taxes. We
also need to tackle an unregulated.
also need to tackle an unregulated Market that this is
siphoning.
siphoning, uh, you know, wealth, uh, and and uh and and
siphoning, uh, you know, wealth, uh, and and uh, and and
displacing our community members. So there's a lot to this
and I'm really thankful to the Alder woman, uh, for
bringing this conversation.
bringing this conversation forward, uh, to uh, this
committee. Thank you very much.
committee. Thank you very much, thank you. Almond Casada, I
think that you have a Leo.
or comments, or
Or comments or questions.
Appreciate your points.
Appreciate your points very much and just to piggy back
them.
them, the interconnectedness between these things is worth
talking about because most of the subsidized housing
programs provide to the OWN
programs provide to the owners a market mimicking rent
As.
As Market rents, go up our public.
as Market rents go up our public tax dollars, stretch
far less.
Far less far. Um, and so under, for example, the ca's
housing Choice, voucher program, the ca will pay
housing Choice voucher program. The ca will pay an owner,
whatever the market will bear as Market.
whatever the market will bear as markets. Go up. That's
fewer vouchers and circulation. It's the same thing for the
Project based, voucher program and the Project based
Section, 8 program,
8 program. And so um, just adding to your point that um
there is no 1 silver
there is no 1, Silver Bullet and multiple Solutions are
needed. But the
needed, but the fact that market rents are escalating so
steeply, and in unlawful ways even under current
steeply, and in unlawful ways, even under current law means
that every intervention we take to build more affordable.
Housing is being undermined, right? That we're digging a
deeper hole.
deeper hole faster than we can build, um, and we're losing
in that.
Battle towards affordability. Um,
battle towards affordability, um, because of the way the
market is
Compromising how far public funds can.
compromising how far public funds can reach
And how many people they can help?
so, just to kind of feed off of that chairman, um, you
know,
it's really funny because anytime we bring up this uh,
conversation around accountability. We are charged with
uh, conversation around accountability, we are charged with
you're standing against the free market. You are
standing in the way of making things actually affordable.
but at the same time when we don't do anything,
But at the same time, when we don't do anything, what do
they do? They break the law, they monopolize. The
they do? They break the law, they monopolize the market, so
it what is it going to be?
so it what is it going to be? We do nothing and they play
fair.
Or.
Or actually not play fair, or we actually do something and
bring account.
bring accountability to the discussion of 1 of the most
fun.
fundamental things around human life.
fundamental things around human life and that is housing
and shelter. So thank you very much.
Thank you Mia, or anybody else?
Thank you Mia or anybody else or any? Yeah I just want to
add 1 Thing. This is come up in a couple other cities um
talking about like how landlords set Rent prices and the
use of algorithms to do so.
use of algorithms to do. So, um, just want to be clear and
I think this is kind of been touched on but
I think this is kind of been touched on, but the use of
algorithm to decide a rent is not exactly the issue. It is
more. The use of the algorithm.
more. The use of the algorithm that takes in private
competitive data and then suggest.
competitive data and then suggest rents, that's the issue.
So as you all talk about coordination,
So, as you all talk about coordination or or regulating
this rather and especially talking about the
rather and especially talking about the impact on
subsidized housing and housing Choice, fut,
subsidized housing and housing Choice, vouchers and how
this raises rents and, and, you know, really
this raises rents and and you know really limits access to
opportunity for a lot of different um, individuals.
opportunity for a lot of different. Um individuals it's
about the way that the algorithm facilitates collusion
rather than the use of algorithms to set rents because the
normal process of setting your
normal process of setting rents or deciding how much to
charge is a combo of what's, you know, the market going to
support. And what publicly available data, we have
support and what publicly available data we have and and
what they think they the landlords and they can charge
what they think they, the landlords and they can charge.
But this is about the recommendation part.
Um, which I think you all understand. I just want to name
that because that's the the, the part that becomes
antitrust and anti-competitive and that's what we're
worried about. So, I apprec
So I appreciate the conversation a lot.
Thank you. And um, I unless you have like any Clos
remarks, all the women and then I'll I'll close. Yeah I'm
very grateful for the time to discuss this very grateful to
all our speakers uh who came grateful to my staff. Um
Veronica and Jonathan who work really hard to put this
hearing together. Um,
hearing together um and I am looking forward to continue
talking about this.
talking about this and actually taking action, this was
first step, uh, for people to become aware that this is
happening, um, for us to
happening. Um, for us to make sure that we're paying
attention, I know that there is so much happening at all
times and we are
times, and we are tasked with solving so many problems.
And, and
and sometimes we don't even know that that the problems
are, you know, bigger than than we even. Um, can imagine
are, you know, bigger than than we even, um, can imagine.
So I, I am excited to continue.
So I I am excited to continue working on this with you
chair. Um, and with my colleagues, um, to make sure that we
can um,
Protect people from.
Protect people from this uh, very predatory practices.
Protect people from this uh very predatory practices. Thank
you.
Thank you. Uh, otherwise
Thank you. Uh otherwise Rodrigo Sanchez. I want to thank
the panelists. Also Senator Senator uh graciella
the panelists. Also, Senator Senator, uh, graciella Guzman
as well for joining us. Um, this
well for joining us. Um this is an important um effort I
want to commend uh, especially the leadership of all the
women.
women rosan, Rodrigo Sanchez and her team for bringing
women rosan. Rodrigo Sanchez and her team for bringing this
important item. Affordability is a a
important item. Affordability is a, a huge issue across
across our city.
across our city across our country. Uh, we see how raising
rents and raising property taxes, continue to displace.
rents and raising property taxes, continue to displace the
most vulnerable communities in our city. Um, I think that
the, the step on the task of the committee is to take
indeed indeed action. And I'm glad to see uh Senator Guzman
joining.
Guzman joining or hearings there has to be more
collaboration.
collaboration, a state and city, uh, to tackle these issues
collaboration, a state and city uh, to tackle these issues
uh, collusion price. Fixing is
issues, uh, collusion price. Fixing is, uh, is illegal. It
is something that must be addressed, and unfortunately have
what we seen in the response uh of
Some of, of this.
Some of of these corporations is actually suing back. And
and actually uh, deflect accountability as
and actually, uh, deflect accountability as Alderman
cassada were, were mentioned. Uh, we, we are
cassada were, were mentioned. Uh, we we are tasks in this
committee to find Solutions, uh, and I'm, I'm going to try
to summarize what I heard from many.
to summarize what I heard from many committee members, uh,
I as we are doing, you know, we had today, uh, 20, uh, 23
items.
items in in
Agenda, to increase the supply.
agenda to increase the supply of housing to create more
affordable housing, uh, to renovate units. Uh, the reality
is also that there's not only about the supply of housing.
There are predatory practices. There are other issues
happening.
happening and there's corporate greed in all of this as
well. That is really harming the most vulnerable and the
task of government.
task of government is not to terrorize uh, constituencies
not to uh, to spread hate. But rather is
not to uh to spread hate. But rather is to create
solutions, to have a stability and a stability for both
homeowners and tenants alike as as Alderman cassada
mentioned at
mentioned. I think the task I think is to talk to the state
on how we can lift unconstitutional bands that are just
making more and more uh, issues so that we can
making more and more uh issues so that we can not offer uh
even subsidies to a small.
Uh, even subsidies to a small home owners who keep their
rents affordable who want to collaborate. And as a result,
that with a thing that we have seen is
that with a thing that we have seen, is more monopolies
more speculation and
more speculation. And the result is tragic, we have in the
city of Chicago.
city of Chicago, 60,000.
Units that are empty, em.
Units that are empty empty. As we have a huge issue of
affordability.
affordability and many people on house that has raising
over.
over 70,000. I think that we can all agree that what we
have.
have right now is not working and addressing corporate
greed. Speculation collusion and price fixing is
greed, speculation, collusion and price. Fixing is also a
task of the city and the state. I'm super grateful for
Senator Goodman for joining us. We got to make it more, uh,
more of these um, more of
more of these, um, more of these efforts. I'm glad I see,
uh, also, uh, John Arena here
who is a former Alderman also helping on the
Who is a former Alderman also helping on the, on the estate,
uh, Springfield agenda. I do think that there's a lot that
we heard today also,
we heard today also on property taxes, you know, the
collaboration with the county with the Chicago Housing
Authority, um, as well,
Authority, um, as well as, um, the Cook County land bank
with the county,
with the county. So, there's a lot of work to do and I'm
grateful for the partnership of all of us today. I think
it's a good day when we start.
it's a good day when we start talking about these issues
and finding Solutions. Uh, so without further Ado and and
with that,
with that being our last item, can I get a motion to
adjourn? So, move Alderman cassada, uh, and this meeting is
officially over. Looking forward to continue working.
together on this item.
To track backwards.