Don't a whole don't up holding,
but what can sausage going?
No, it's what's going on
here.
I read. Why is that?
Why is it that happen? Alright.
Where is that given, Mr? Are you crazy?
Everybody? You afraid
they have
a whole
dog?
Hey, hey,
don't scared water.
Don't have trap. Don't,
don't be left
out the nail.
Y'all have a whole month and
look at it.
I saw some, I saw some notice.
Sorry,
Gerald, He's not speaking.
He's available for questions.
The only person who's formally giving testimony on our
team is the commissioners. Okay. So
Why did she tell me?
Not commissioner?
Anyways,
On our team, the only person who's new testing.
So What is Gerald? Gerald was gonna be available
for questions, not commissioners.
Both commissioners, Gerald and me.
If necessary, we'll be able. Questions. Gerald
D Sorry.
Nice.
Sure. Katie. Who's standing? Okay.
Katie from my chief of staff. Okay, thank you.
So Brandon, Katie. Who spells it with a J? No, Katie.
The other one's. Yes. I, I talk to her.
It's like thank, um,
And Was a Katie Health.
Catherine O no another.
So, you know, o ole some that I can't pronounce,
like, you know.
No, I'm gonna screw all out. Thanks. All of us
Saying Valleys wants maybe public comment.
So I think you get an email from Lamar Brown.
Justified many this. Yeah, we sent, uh,
This morning
I
One.
Did you see it? I did not. I don't recall ing it either.
Okay. Um, I didn't see it, but um,
and then maybe just during the item we can know if
that there's representatives there.
Okay, that works. Follow up with me.
I can make sure if you send that to me, Lamar, I can send it
to your personal so that you have title.
Oh, perfect. That would be Great. Gmail
Do That's
two, right?
I appreciate, um, I believe so.
Wherewithal, we have form
here the moment.
No,
Good afternoon everyone.
The committee on Licensed
and Consumer Protection will now come to order.
We will begin with a roll call to establish quorum
Vice chair Chico.
WO Coleman. I think she's on virtual. Alderman Moore.
Alderman OSHA. Here.
Alderwoman Scott Alderman Cardona
Alderman Wax spec Present Alderman Conway's on
Virtual Alder Rule 59.
Alderman Viegas. Alderwoman mi
Present Alder.
I gotcha. Um, alderman Spto,
alderman Napolitano, alderman Riley.
Here. Alderman Lawson, Bradman Alderman Gardner
Alder and Clay Alderman
Martin Alder.
Chairman Silverstein is present.
You have 12. 12.
There are 12 members present and we have a quorum.
Um, we have some older people on virtually today.
Al Woman Coleman, clay Napolitano and Conway.
Um, vice Chair Chico makes a motion to include them
as part of Conway.
Uh, quorum. All in favor?
Uh, Alderwoman Coleman, are you there?
Alderwoman Coleman Alderwoman Clay Present,
alderman Napolitano Present,
Madam Chair, Alderman Conway present
you will be included as part of the quorum.
At this time, we will begin the public comment period.
The period is limited to 30 minutes.
Out of respect to everyone's time.
Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
There is nobody signed up virtually.
So we're gonna start, um, with our in-person.
Uh, the first speaker is Kimmy Jordan from Unite Here.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Good afternoon, chair Silverstein and committee members.
My name is Kimmy Jordan.
I work at Valley Chicago Casino in environmental services.
I'm a life lifelong Chicagoan, living in the 16th ward.
I am also a member of Unite Here, local one,
Chicago's Hospitality Union.
Thank you for the opportunity to, to address this committee.
I am here, here on behalf of my union to urge you
to vote no on the ordinance
to legalize video gaming terminals in Chicago.
However, before I say more about that, I want to share some
of my story, which is in many ways the story
of many people in the city.
For 20 plus years, I worked at the Hotel, cast Hotel
as a housekeeping supervisor, like thousands of Chicagoans.
I was laid off in March
of 2020 when the pandemic hit COVID shut,
shuttered hospitality for a year, then 18 months,
then two years and more.
I could not have imagined what it had, what it take
for hospitality industry to reopen Once again.
We saw a glimmer of hope when Governor Preska signed the
casino bill in July of 2020.
The promise of good gaming hospitality jobs felt like,
I'm sorry, lemme sec.
Felt like a hopeful sign for a warm sun,
sun breaking through the dark days.
Hospitality has taken such a hit in our city.
Many of us were laid off for more than two years,
but we did not give up on hospitality unite here.
Members slowly returned to their good union jobs as hotels
and other properties reopened.
People were recalled from layoff.
Some of you will remember supporting the Right
to Return ordinance, which was signed
by Mayor Life Foot on June 25th, 2021.
This ordinance preserved the right to return work
for many hotel workers who had been laid off
through no fault of their own.
In 2022, the Chicago Casino Bidders Surface.
I went to information meetings
and listened to the bidders at town hall meetings.
I watched hours of city council meetings on Zoom while many
of you put bies on the spot and questioned them vigorously.
I was grateful that so many
of you cared about ensuring good jobs for Chicagoans
and felt, and I felt confident
that we were aligned in our interests.
Was proud to, uh, I was proud to, uh,
the casino ordinance passed.
I felt confident that Valleys will hold
and be held to good creating good jobs.
I was hired at Valley's in September of 2023.
I need to tell you, we have collectively,
collectively made these good jobs.
Thanks to all of you who were here
who supported the Chicago Casino.
Two years later, our Unite here members at Valley's have
union benefits, union, healthcare pension, legal service,
apprenticeship, training, excellent wages,
all union in all union contract.
We have made these very good jobs and it's a great and it,
and that is a great post pandemic filling.
When I heard Chicago was considering legalizing
video gaming terminals beyond the Chicago casinos
and airports, my heart sank.
We have good jobs at the casino.
Good Union jobs, approximately 120 people.
Okay, Ready?
Vice Chair Chico, members of the committee.
My name is Elizabeth Seaver
and I'm the Vice President of Government
Relations at Bally's Corporation.
Here to present testimony
and opposition to the ordinance
that would legalize VG Ts in Chicago.
VG ts will result in a loss of significant new revenue
for the city and will create substantial job losses as well
as public safety challenges
that demand the committee's careful consideration.
Legalizing VG Ts in Chicago will result in a total
revenue reduction for the city.
The introduction of new forms in gaming in Chicago would
necessitate a renegotiation of critical elements
of the existing host community agreement
between bies in the city civically.
This will at the least jeopardize the $4 million yearly
payment currently owed by Bally's.
Since VG T'S first became operational in 2012,
Illinois casinos have suffered a 37%
reduction in gaming revenues.
A 37% reduction in gaming revenue also results in reductions
in other sources of revenue from casinos, including
but not limited to, and missions taxes and payroll taxes.
We estimate that the legalization
of BGTs in Chicago could result in a yearly total tax loss
of $260 million from Ballet Chicago Casino of that, the city
of Chicago stands to lose roughly $70 million in tax revenue
yearly, not including the $4 million payment from the HCA.
The city of Chicago will only gain 5.15%
of the revenues from BGTs in contrast
to the 22.3% from casino gaming.
Gaming in a casino is a better deal
for Chicago than scattered gaming.
Throughout thousands of bars
and restaurants, Bally's has committed to creating
and maintaining 3000 jobs at its permanent casino site.
However, the expansion
of VG Ts would pose a direct threat to this commitment.
Like all casinos b staffs our casinos to demand, meaning
that a reduction in visitation directly leads
to reduction in staffing based on a 37% revenue reduction
as seen in other casinos.
With the legalization of EG Ts,
we project a staggering reduction of 750 to 1050 positions.
These losses would disproportionately impact organized
labor, meaning the jobs loss would be good paying jobs
with benefits that will no longer be
available to your constituents.
If approximately 3000 BGT licenses were authorized in
Chicago, the demand
for related public safety resources
would increase substantially.
While Bally's temporary casino has hosted more than
2 million visitors since opening,
there's not been any increase in crime in the surrounding
neighborhoods due to the high level
of security presence at a single location.
But with VG ts,
which lack the same strong embedded security measures
that casinos provide, you'll inevitably see a credible risk
of heightened criminal activity associated with the movement
of cash from thousands of small locations within wards.
This will necessitate more extensive police patrols
and already straining limited law enforcement capabilities.
Importantly, despite all these dynamics
and there's significant implications
for your individual communities,
this ordinance would not allow s to have input into
where BGTs are located in your ward.
The expansion of video gaming throughout also elevates the
risk of problem gambling within Chicago's neighborhoods.
Of particular concern is the insufficiency
of responsible gaming messaging and interventions.
Coupled with a lack of robust regulatory oversight
to prevent underage gaming,
these conditions could foster increased social harms
and disrupt the fabric of Chicago's neighborhoods.
Thank you.
Next speaker is Carl Gutierrez
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Um, good morning, uh, chair Silverstein, vice Chair Chico,
who was just here a moment ago and members of the committee.
My name is Carl Gutierrez.
I'm speaking on behalf of the
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Um, I want to begin by once again thanking both the chair
and, um, alderman Beal for their engagement with the Chamber
and their efforts to serve our city.
Nonetheless, I'm here today to reiterate again
for the record, for the committee, uh,
the Chamber's fundamental concern with the ordinance
that is at its core calling on all of us here to try
to tackle this the right way.
That means doing it the right way when it comes to revenue,
the right way when it comes to safety to workforce,
and doing it in the way that sends the right message about
what it means to do business with the city of Chicago.
As I said, during last month's, uh, hearing,
while this ordinance is focused on one company,
the message it sends will be heard by every company.
That is, if you enter an agreement with the city of Chicago,
that agreement may not be fully honored
that Chicago is not exactly a
reliable business, uh, partner.
Our message instead should be that one, uh,
where Chicago is the best place in the world to do business,
and that there's no better city in
the world to do business with.
And that message is rooted in our
credibility of keeping our word.
That's why our ask for the committee
and the council is that whatever problems we hope to address
with this ordinance, we do it the right way.
On this point, I want to take a quick moment to acknowledge
and thank Elizabeth from Bally's, um, for being here
and putting the time this, you know, throughout this week
and I'm sure more weeks to come, um, as well as members
of various city agencies who are here today.
I hope that message gets across.
I'll close by saying that whatever way
that the Chamber can support this process, we're here
to be a partner, um, with the council, with this committee,
with the administration and others to do whatever we can,
uh, to move the ball forward and help our city succeed.
We are all in this together.
And before, uh, we take any action on this ordinance,
we just ask, let's get this
right and do it in the right way.
Thank you.
The next speaker is Pat Doer from the Hospitality Business
Association of Chicago.
I,
My Apolo, can you hear that?
Micro uh, ladies
and gentlemen of the committee, my name is Pat Doer from the
Hospitality Business Association of Chicago.
It's a pleasure to be here again.
This is the fifth time I've testified to a city council
or Illinois House Committee in the past six months about VGT
and I don't actually welcome the opportunity
to rehash those facts.
So today I won't.
But we're happy to provide the data again offline.
Instead, I'm gonna begin by thanking sponsor Beal
for including taverns in this substitute draft.
I haven't seen it 'cause it hasn't been posted on the
Clerk's website, but I take him at his word.
They're included and I appreciate the inclusion
of those over 700 locally owned bars
and taverns in potential VJT participation.
I also note that the good woman from Unite here pointed out
how hard the pandemic was on bars and restaurants,
or sorry, on hotel workers and hotels.
I wholeheartedly agree.
My members with bars
and restaurants shut down for the better part of two years,
also suffered horribly for those two years
and are still climbing out to the point our employment
and our number of, uh, bars
and restaurants still hasn't recovered to 2019 numbers.
VGT would help that, especially in your border wars
where your businesses have to compete
with VGT enabled locations right over the border
with lower wages mandated and lower tax rates.
But after all those facts we've been over
before, I'm gonna begin with a joke.
What is the difference between a Chicago City Council
committee hearing today and Bally's quarterly earning calls?
This actually happened with somebody from Bally's Air.
Your casino partner has canceled
their last three earnings calls
with a publicly traded company and they aren't doing well.
The gaming board published their data from
August 4th in attendance.
Third highest gaming revenue, way behind Rivers,
350% more revenue on rivers.
This is money at that casino.
We are depending on to make this city successful
by funding our pensions.
And they are here with an outstanding,
truly government affairs coalition trying to stop VGT
because they can't take the competitive threat.
This shouldn't be a hearing on VGT.
This should be a hearing on Valleys
and getting a performance improvement plan in place
to get a more successful casino partner.
Funding our pensions for first responders.
You know what they're doing? $5 beers, $5 snacks, late night
advertising on the CTA.
You know, the first thing I do when one
of my members advertise as cheap snacks downtown, I go
and look and see if they're being sued
by their landlord and their vendors.
'cause they're going under. Your casino is underperforming.
I urge you to promote VGT to the full council today
to force a discussion about the casino doing better.
Fourth in attendance for a year. We had record attendance.
Move VGT to council today. Let's talk about the casino next.
Thank you. The next speaker is George Blakemore.
Well will will you at this community meeting
that will ha uh, with ballet and you lined up to speak.
Yes. What did you speak about?
I spoke about, uh, these showers of blessing
that was supposed to be coming from the casino.
Uh, they end up golden showers.
Ooh, what is the golden shower?
Shake your head all you want, but I'm with Thie.
All these sin taxes.
All these sin taxes, gambling. Next.
Why not prostitution, uhhuh.
Why not rock cocaine? Sell it.
You, you, you're selling drugs now. All these send taxes.
So, uh, I am, uh, uh, it's poor performance with the, with
with that ballot casino.
And, and, and it's a piece of SHI, uh, with this coming in
with these little gambling machines.
So you caught between a, a rock and a hard place.
That's why it's very important for a man of Mr.
Blakemore caliber to come to these meetings.
Where's the money? George Blakemore. It's in streets.
What do you mean? Mayor Daley sold the streets out.
These same old aunt mama misfit alman,
the democratic machine sold the streets out.
Go that ticket money.
It's money for your watch
these people here
and the reason why it goes on and on.
You don't have the average citizens here.
They're not informed.
They're not engaged, they're not educated.
I know all about this zoning.
Uh, uh, uh, uh, this committee, licensed committee,
but who used to have that?
And I can go back 20 or 30 years
and I can connect these dots.
Black people. What did you say after at that?
When the showers come down, what kind showers? Mr.
Bmore, you sold bugger golden showers.
Somebody is p*****g on us.
Watch them both Valley
and this mess coming in with these slot machines in the back
of these restaurants.
That's why it's very, very important for a man
of Mr. George baseball caliber to come here.
I was sent by the most high. By the most high.
Oh yes. And I'm leaving there. You can look good.
You can smell good. You can dress good, you can act good.
You can talk well and be a piece of SHI
and you can put through the other.
Tell that to your mama.
Thank you to all the speakers today.
We will now get started on today's agenda.
We have 23 items on the agenda today.
The first item is the approval of Rule 45 reports
for September 20th, 2025,
which were sent out to the committee.
Uh, vice Chair Chico moves to approve the rule. 45 reports.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
And the opinion of the chairs, the ayes have it.
The reports are approved.
Item number two is
A 2 0 2 5 0 9 8 9 1
a communication reappointed Laura Perry as a member
of the License Appeals Commissioner.
The chair recognizes Laura Perry.
Uh, good afternoon. Thank you.
Chair Silverstein, members of the Committee on License
and Consumer Protection.
Uh, my name is Laura Perry and I come
before the committee today seeking confirmation
for reappointment to the license appeal commission.
Um, we call it LAC for short. I enjoy what I do.
I'm knowledgeable about and I respect what I do
and I like to keep doing it.
Brief explanation of the LAC.
As you all know, the commission is required by state law
for any municipality with over a half million inhabitants.
It's made up of one city commissioner
and two state commissioners.
We hear appeals of decisions made
by the local liquor control commissioner.
Liquor license holders are entitled
to appeal fine suspensions
and revocations by having LAC review.
The underlying hearing and decision
and then the oral arguments made to LAC.
Applicant's for new renewal liquor licenses may appeal
denials of those applications by presenting evidence
and argument to LAC for its review,
license appeal commission may only affirm
or reverse decisions made
by the local liquor control commissioner.
It cannot modify decisions.
Our decisions are very detailed in explanation and analysis.
This year we commemorate 90 consecutive years
as a city agency
and we created a timeline where of
where the commission has been housed over the years.
That's available on our website if you're interested.
A little bit about me personally, I am a Chicago native.
Our children are fourth generation CPS graduates.
I recently discovered my ancestors lived in Chicago at least
as early as 1863.
And one of them jumped into the Chicago River to, uh,
help rescue people off the capsize Eastland.
I love the arts. I performed on stage in film
as a member of the screen actors.
Gu I was appointed to LAC in late 2020.
I have over 30 years of experience as an attorney all
of those years working, uh, in a mix of administrative law,
agency law and private practice.
I worked through law school,
received my degree from Chicago Kent College of Law
with a certificate of international law.
And in private practice I started as a solo practitioner
and then joined Cova and Associates practicing business law.
A little class action with my husband
and another very dear friend of mine from law school.
Before law, I worked as an editor
for the nation's oldest continuous sports monthly
and later as a marketing professional
with the American Bar Association.
I believe strongly in the importance of good governance,
fairness, impartiality
and integrity in the system are paramount to how I lead.
And I hope that I have the opportunity to continue serving
my beloved city as the license appeal Commissioner,
thank you for your time and attention
and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you so much. Are there any
questions from the commissioners?
Alderman, osha? You're
Welcome.
Do you need a microphone? Thank you.
You gotta get here twice.
Just wanted to thank you for your service,
Your continued work.
Thank you very much. Alderman
Alderman Hopkins.
Uh, thank you Madam Chair.
A courtesy for non committee member.
Um, I just wanna say that, uh,
my office has had some matters
before the commission on which Ms. Perry served.
Um, we have found her to be a professional, reasonable,
fair-minded, and judicious in her decision making.
Uh, it's been a pleasure working with her
and, uh, I would strongly urge
support for this reappointment. Thank you.
Thank you Alderman. Alderman Gardner.
Thank you. Uh, excuse me, I'm a little hoarse.
I just wanted to thank you Ms. Perry.
Um, as a member of our community, thank you
for all the work you do for our city. Thank you.
Thank you Alderman. Anyone else?
Can I get a motion to Alderman Lawson? Moves to pass. Pass.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
And the opinion of the chairs, the ayes have it.
The motion is passed. Congratulations. Thank you so much.
Have a good day everyone.
Moving on to item number three,
which is R 2 0 2 5 dash
0 0 1 7 0 9 1.
A resolution calling on the National Restaurant Association
to expand Angel Shot training for alcohol sellers.
Um, we're gonna, um, have Alderman Hopkins speak on this,
but we also have Steven Sin Hannah,
Clint, Jack Zini.
I hope I'm doing that right. And Sam Toya is remote.
If you would, if those of you would come up
to the front in case anyone has any questions.
And I'm gonna pass it over to Alderman Hopkins.
We're,
Thank you. Uh,
thank you Madam Chair.
I appreciate the opportunity to, uh,
present this resolution in support of a,
a very important issue, uh, that has been, um, looked at
by both the Illinois Restaurant Association
and the National Restaurant Association.
Hopefully, Mr. Toya will be able to log in, uh,
and talk about their, uh,
their association support going forward for this.
Uh, the matter first came to my attention, um,
in a real world scenario that happened, uh,
in my ward at one of the facilities managed by, uh,
lodge Management Group.
And they'll, uh, they'll describe it in more detail.
Um, but basically this would be inspired by
a practice that the Illinois Lodging Association has adopted
a number of years ago when it came to their attention
that some, um, some of the, her, uh, the hotels
were being used for, um, human trafficking
and sex crimes were being committed in
some of the properties.
And staff was unaware of what the warning signs were to look
for, to potentially alert the authorities when these
scenarios were unfolding.
Uh, so careful thought was given into the type of training
that could be offered to hotel staff to look
for certain red flags.
And if they observed those red flags,
to report them immediately to turn it over
to the proper authorities.
We're not trying to turn service personnel into law
enforcement, but as the saying goes,
if you see something, say something.
We all know that phrase now.
Uh, but the question is, what exactly is something?
Uh, people need a little more guidance.
They need a little more training
and directive on what it is exactly to look for so
that we're reporting potential scenarios
that actually might need a law enforcement response.
It's working quite well in the hotel industry right now.
Uh, and a number of, uh, investigations have been, uh,
initiated by this and arrests have been made.
Sex trafficking rings have been broken up.
And it all started
because a, a astute front desk clerk noticed something
that seemed amiss and responded appropriately.
So it was in that spirit that the concept of the angel shot,
uh, was conceived.
And we had a real life scenario
that actually happened recently, uh, at one
of lodge management's properties that, uh,
I will allow their, uh, their general manager, Steven sin,
uh, to prevent present his team and discuss the scenario.
Steven, thank you. Yeah,
Thank you Alderman Committee.
Um, we were very excited to get behind this program
and we have incorporated the angel shot into our training.
Um, at first we thought it could be a, a, um,
a goodwill gesture, but,
but who knew that it would actually, um,
potentially save somebody?
So I brought with us, uh, our human resource manager,
Hannah Clint, and she will talk to you about our training
and how we, um, onboard, you know, our employees,
which is about 400 or so.
And then we have Jack Zini, who is an actual
bartender at Lodge Tavern who can show you his engagement
and how the, um, event unfolded.
So, um, if you allow Hannah to speak
of our training. Thank you.
Hello. Thank you. Um, so during our onboarding process,
all of our employees go
through Bassett food handler training,
sexual harassment prevention training, bystander training,
along with Angel Shot training.
This entails that it's a four step training, um, basically
teaching all of the staff what
to do if a customer does come up and request an angel shot.
Um, so step one is acknowledge request, call me calmly.
Step two, inform a manager or any security personnel.
Take action safely with the offender
and then also check in with the guest.
Um, so our main priority is to make sure that the guest
who is feeling uncomfortable, um, gets out of the venue, um,
in the safest way possible.
Um, either through, um, allowing them to use a back exit,
which we will escort them, um, if they need a ride,
police assistance, things like that.
Um, we also have the Angel Shot poster, um, in all
of our women's restrooms.
Um, so all of our customers are aware
that we are trained on this.
Thank you. Um,
and so the event that unfolded, it was, oh, sorry.
Uh, Jack Zini.
Um, so the event that unfolded, it was just a regular day,
um, and two people are sitting at the bar
and the woman orders an angel shot.
Um, to basically tell her that I understand, I was like,
let me go get the ingredients.
I went to the walkie-talkie, I radioed over
to the security guy.
He came over and he just asked the guy to leave.
It was all handled relatively well.
No one got out of hand or anything,
or like nothing transpired from it.
Um, yeah. Thank you.
Uh, Madam Chair. We also have, uh,
Sam Toya from the Illinois Restaurant Association.
I believe he is in the zoom waiting room.
If he could be, uh, admitted
and, uh, unmuted so he could testify.
We're working on that. Okay. Thank you.
Do we have somebody from IGA here
that's working on letting them in? He's on,
I think I'm in. Yeah, there.
Okay, go ahead Sam. Thank you.
Alright, good afternoon,
chair Silverstein and members of the committee.
My name is Sam Toya and I'm the president
and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
I'm here today to testify in favor,
alderman Hopkins resolution.
This resolution calls upon the National Restaurant
Association to incorporate Angel Shot
training into the mandatory Bassett training
for beverage alcohol sellers.
An angel shot is a method by which a customer can signal
to a hospitality employee
that they are in need of assistance.
When a person patron orders an angel shot,
they are covertly signaling to the server
or bartender, they feel unsafe or threatened.
The employee can then notify a manager
and determine the best method of assistance, whether
that be escorting the patron to the car, calling a cab,
helping them get a ride share, removing an unruly customer,
or calling the police.
This could be a lifesaving action
if the hospitality can assist any, any way.
Uh, we're indeed want to do that through training.
I will wholeheartedly support this, uh, resolution.
Thank you. Are there any questions from committee members?
Okay, then, um, we are gonna get a motion
to pass Alder remits moves to pass.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed the opinion of the chairs?
The ayes have it. The motion is passed.
Thank you very much, alderman Hopkins
for bringing this to our committee.
Thank you Madam Chair and members. Thank you.
I also want to recognize Alderman Card
and Alderman Riley who are here, uh,
will be included in quorum.
The last Item number four on the agenda
is a substitute ordinance, SO
2 0 2 5 0 0 1 8 8 2,
an amendment of municipal code title four
by adding new chapter four dash 1 55 regarding licensing
and regulation of video gaming terminals.
This item was voted on at the September 16th, 2025,
license committee meeting.
The sponsor of this or of this ordinance has asked
to reconsider this ordinance
before reporting it to city council.
Can I get a motion to reconsider?
Okay. I think we're first gonna recognize Alden Beal. Okay,
Madam Chairman.
Thank you Madam Chairman and members of the committee.
Um, uh, Madam Chairman,
after having thorough conversations with my colleagues
and also with the some members, uh, from the state, um,
there's a huge appetite to try to work this issue out.
Um, and working with my colleagues
and listening to my colleagues, uh,
I think it's very important that we understand
that we're missing out on almost a hundred million dollars
of revenue, um, that we could be getting from, um,
passing BGTs.
'cause right now we have over 3000
illegal machines in the city of Chicago
that we're not getting anything from period, not a dime,
but we're allowing all these machines to operate illegally.
And our great city is not doing anything to shut 'em down.
So we're allowing them to operate, make money
at the same time.
We're not getting any benefit from it whatsoever.
So, but now we want to put something forward that's legal
where we can get almost a hundred million dollars from.
And we have a huge problem that we can't implement this.
So if we can't implement it,
evidently we can't shut down the illegal machines
in the city as well.
So we can't have it both ways.
And so we know we have a lease, a 1.3
to $1.5 billion deficit,
and we're trying to move forward with trying
to have a balanced budget.
And if we turn a blind eye
to almost a hundred million dollars,
but then we want to turn around and raise taxes, fines,
and fees on the backs of the people, then that's a choice
that this body would have to make.
Um, and so I think it's very important
that we continue down this road.
Um, and because this is already passed out of committee,
it is still in committee
and can be reported out at any time
that the chairman sees fit.
And so I think it's in order to continue
to have the conversation
and maximize the most resources for our city and the state,
because the state's lion share
of this is about 800 hundred million according
to the gaming, uh, board's own numbers.
Um, you know, so we need to be trying to figure out
how we can get, get a better share of that.
And so I'm gonna continue to have dialogue, um, you know,
with the state in order to get something that's amenable
to not only the city of Chicago,
but the state of Illinois in order to get something
that's amenable to everybody.
So at this point, Madam Chairman, I think we should just,
you know, hold this where it is
and it can be reported out at any time.
Uh, but at the same time, I am committed to adding bars
because there is, there's a pending a amendment in this
committee to add bars and taverns.
Um, and so I think once we get this agreement,
we can amend this on the floor at any given time
to add the bars, uh,
and taverns in order to, um, get some
of my colleagues comfortable
because I did hear last month about three
or four of my colleagues on this committee,
one bars and taverns.
Uh, so we added that.
Uh, but I think we can amend
that on the floor at a later date.
But I just want to, uh, pause this right now,
keep it in committee, uh,
and then I will work with you Madam Chairman,
'cause you've been extremely, extremely, uh,
cooperative with me on this.
And I appreciate your leadership on this issue.
Uh, but let's just leave it right where it is
and we can report this out at any, at any time on the floor,
uh, at a city council meeting.
So until then, uh, let's just, um,
pause this and leave it right where it is.
Madam Chairman,
Item number four on the agenda is now held.
Okay, we're gonna have to take a vote to reconsider.
She says I have to. So, so the point is that
what, but if you would like to,
Sorry for the confusion, uh, we are going to continue.
Item number 5 0 2 0 2 5 dash
0 1 9 3 0 8 will also be held.
You guys don't wanna stay for the rest?
I'm not insulted. Don't worry,
Please. No,
no.
Okay. So we held item number five.
We're also gonna be holding item six and seven.
Um, they are both in the first ward,
oh 2 0 2 5 0 2 0 0 0 3,
and oh
2 0 2 5 0 2 0 0 0 1.
Uh, both of those will be held.
Item number eight.
Do we have someone, do we have Katie here? Okay.
Oh 2 2 5 9 3 7 5.
And ordinance subsection four dash six two
to allow the issuance
of additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion
of Cottage Grove Avenue Chair recognizes
Katie Ostrowski.
Did I say that right? Yeah. From the fourth Ward.
Um, good morning or good afternoon.
Uh, chairwoman Silverstein,
vice Ko and members of the committee.
Um, as mentioned, I'm Katie Ostrowski.
I'm from, um, fourth Ward,
alderman Lamont Robinson's office.
Um, we, I'm
before you today just to, um, ask
for your support in lifting a moratorium, um, for
new liquor licenses on a stretch of Cottage Grove Avenue
between 43rd and 47th Street, or, uh, 47th Streets.
Um, we have a, uh, local business owner who would like
to expand and open a new location within that corridor.
Um, so we're just hoping to be able to help him do so.
Um, and I am, uh, happy to answer any questions.
Any questions from committeeman Cardona moves to pass.
Thank you. Thank you.
Item 9 0 2 0 2 5 dash 9 6 6 6.
An ordinance to amend the municipal code
of Chicago lifting subsection four dash
6 0 2 3 2
to allow the issuance
of additional goods licenses on a portion of 87th Street.
Is someone from Alder Woman Harris's office here.
Can we get her maybe from finance
in that we have someone
for Ruben?
Ruben, you're here. So we're gonna just move
to number 10 right now,
and we'll come back to 9 0 2 0 2 5 dash
1 9 9 3 6 a substitute ordinance subsection four dash six
three to allow the issuance
of additional package good licenses on a portion
of 18th Street.
Um, we have Ruben, could you introduce yourself?
You're from the 25th Ward.
Hi, Reuben Franco here
with the policy team at the 25th Ward on behalf
of Alderman CCO Lopez. Oh, wait,
I'm gonna stop you for a second.
Um, I believe we have a substitute. Yes. Is that correct?
Um, so we first have to accept the substitute, um,
alderman Riley moves to accept the substitute.
All in favor? Any opposed?
Um, the substitute is accepted. Continue, please.
Thank you. Um, just asking
for favorable consideration of this ordinance.
After our community process, chief
of staff held a meeting at the ward, uh, looking to open up
for, um, uh, business to provide
packaged goods on their site.
Any questions from the committee? Um,
alderman O'Reilly moves to pass.
All in favor, say aye.
Any opposed in the opinion of the chair? The ayes have it.
The motion is passed.
Thank you all. Yes, absolutely.
You are. We're gonna move to number 19 quickly,
and then we're gonna come back to All Woman Harris.
Um, 19 is oh 2 0 2 5 dash
0 0 1 9 9 73.
An ordinance lifting subsection four dash 6 0 22
0.4 89 to allow the issuance
of additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion of Rush.
And Oak Street Chair recognizes Alderman Riley.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh,
I'd appreciate the committee's favorable
consideration of this ordinance.
It's just to allow, um, for incidental sale of alcohol
with a retail business on the Rush Street Corridor.
Um, be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Any questions? Alderman Martin moves to pass.
Um, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Any opinion of thes? The ayes have it.
The motion has passed. We're now gonna go back
to item number nine, which is Alder Woman Harris.
I'm gonna, we're gonna go back
to oh 2 0 2 5 dash 0 0 1 9 6 6 6.
An ordinance to amend the municipal Code
of Chicago lifting subsection four dash six
to allow the issuance of additional package goods licenses
on a portion of 87th Street Chair
recognizes Alderwoman Harris.
Thank you. Um, could you just gimme the parameters?
I wanna make sure I'm in a, it's in the 1200, 1100
or the 1200 block will be 87th Street.
Is that it? Carl?
Hold on one second.
Woodlawn, Dorchester to Woodlawn.
Yes, I, I am, uh, in support of that.
Any questions from the committee? All in favor say aye.
Oh. All. No wax back. Moves to pass. All in favor, say aye.
Any opposed the opinion of the chairs? The ayes have it.
The motion is passed.
Okay. We are going to move to all, um, item number 12,
which is oh 2 0 2 5 dash 1 9 9 3 4.
An ordinance lifting subsection four dash six
to allow the issuance of additional alcoholic liquor
licenses and a portion of Chicago Avenue the 29th Ward.
The chair recognizes Alderman Kelly Farro.
Thank you Madam Chair and, uh, members of the committee.
I am supportive of this and ask
for your favorable consideration. Thank you.
Any questions from committee Alderman
Cardona moves to pass.
All in favor, say aye. Any opposed?
And the opinion of the chairs. The ayes have it.
The motion is passed.
We are now moving to number 13.
Item 13 0 2 0 2 5 1 8 8 61.
An ordinance lifting subsection four dash six
to allow the issuance of additional package goods licenses
on a portion of Diversity Avenue.
And Alderman Cardona's Ward chair
recognizes Alderman Cardona.
Thank you Chairwoman.
Uh, and committee I support this ordinance change, uh,
along diversity avenue to give, uh, uh,
businesses the opportunity to sell packaged goods.
And this will refer to the, um, stores, the, uh,
grocery stores along Diversity Avenue.
Um, looking for your support.
Any questions from committee alderman? OSHA moves to pass.
All in favor, say aye. Any opposed?
And the opinion of the chairs. The ayes have it.
The motion is passed.
He here. He's Oh, okay.
Uh, item number 14 is oh 2 0 2 5 dash
1 9 5 8 9.
An ordinance to a amend the Municipal Code
of Chicago lifting subsection four dash
6 3 5 8
to allow the issuance of additional alcoholic liquor license
on a portion of Elizabeth Street.
The chair recognizes Alderman Burnett.
Good afternoon Committee, committee woman.
Um, I appreciate you all.
I'm in support of this, uh,
liquor license adjustment for, uh,
as proposed on Elizabeth Street on portions fourth,
their use.
Well done. Um, this was originally introduced by Alderman
Conway, um,
before you took your position, so now you're taking it over.
And we appreciate you being here
and we appreciate your support.
Uh, vice Chair Chico, uh, makes a motion to pass.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed the opinion of the chair?
The ayes have it. And the motion is passed.
Do we have someone from
Okay, we are now going to do item 15, 16,
and 17, uh, together.
They're all in the 35th Ward.
Um, item number 15 is oh 2 0 2 5 dash
0 0 1 9 9 3 9 a substitute ordinance lifting
subsection four dash
6 2 3 3 2 0 7
on Belmont Avenue.
We also have item 16,
which is oh 2 0 2 5 dash 0 0 1 9 9 42.
A substitute ordinance lifting four dash
6 0 2 3 3
on Armitage Avenue.
And item 17,
which is oh 2 0 2 5 0 1 9 9 4 3.
A substitute ordinance lifting subsection four dash
6 2 3 parentheses
35.102 on Elston Avenue.
This is an Alderman ADAS ward.
We are here and we recognize, uh, oh,
we do have some sub substitute ordinances.
Are they all, all three of them are substitutes.
Um, so Alderman Wax spec moves
to recognize the substitute ordinance.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
The opinion of the chairs? The ayes have at the substitute
ordinances are before us and the chair recognizes Chaz.
Um, could you introduce yourself please?
Uh, yes ma'am. Good afternoon.
Chairwoman Silverstein
and members of the, uh,
committee on Licensed and Consumer Protection.
For the record, my name is Charles Sage.
I'm Director of Policy for 35th Ward Alderman Anthony Kesada
here today to testify in support of these three ordinances.
Um, in each of these cases, uh, the businesses reach out
to our, our office to request, um, that we lift, um,
the liquor moratoriums, uh, in line with our wards process
for evaluating these requests.
Each of these businesses attended their local CAPS meeting,
um, to explain to neighbors, uh, why the purpose
for requesting the moratorium, uh,
explain about their business.
Um, in each of the three cases, um,
our ward office did not receive any, uh, concerns
or, uh, you know, no issues were raised from, uh,
residents following, uh,
their attendance at the local CAPS meeting.
Uh, therefore I respectfully request your favorable
consideration of these three ordinances.
And I also wanna just thank, uh, Carl for working
with me on the, uh, substitute ordinances.
Alderman, do you have anything else you wanna say? Okay.
Um, any questions from committee?
Alderman Lawson moves to pass. All in favor say aye.
Any opposed? And the opinion of the chairs, the ayes have it
and the motion is passed.
Thank you Chairman and thank you committee members.
Thank you. Now we're gonna go back to
item number 11,
which is oh 2 0 2 5 9 6 6 2.
An ordinance lifting subsection four dash
6 0 2 26 0.3
to allow the issuance
of additional alcoholic liquor licenses on a portion
of Armitage Avenue.
Um, the chair recognizes Marie Snyder from
Alderman Fuentes office.
Hi, Marie Snyder, legislative Vari here on behalf
of Al Fuentes, who supports amended municipal code section
four dash six zero dash 0 2 2
to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on a portion
of West Armitage Avenue from Kedzie
Avenue to Spalding Avenue.
The property owners who requested this amendment presented
their revision for a cafe and community house at the 26th
Ward Community meeting on July 30th, 2025
and two dozen comm with about two dozen
community members in attendance.
Community feedback we received both in person
and online were overwhelmingly positive.
Fuentes asked for your favorable vote vote
in support of this ordinance.
Any questions from committee Alderman
O'Shea moves to pass.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
And the opinion of the chairs.
The ayes have it and the motion has passed. Thank you.
18. We're moving along to 18,
which is oh 2 0 2 5 1 9 9 4 5.
Ordinance subsection four dash 6 0 2 3
point 29 to allow the issuance
of additional packaged good licenses on a portion
of Nagel Avenue.
Um, we have Alderman Politano here
virtually. Are you there Alderman?
I'm here. Madam Chair. Um, uh, please
Go ahead. I would just like,
yep. Thank you very much Madam Chair.
I'm just like, uh, uh, committee's federal,
uh, support on this.
This is a longstanding, uh, establishment in the 41st Ward
and has just changed, uh, ownership.
So we're looking to have this, uh, um, push through
and help them, uh, our new owners
and help them thrive. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Any questions? Vice Chair Chico moves to pass.
All in favor, say aye.
Any opposed in the opinion of the cheers?
The ayes have at the motion is passed.
Okay, now we are moving on
to item number
20 0 2 2 5 9 3 7 1.
In ordinance subsection four dash 6 0 2 2
to allow the issuance
of additional alcoholic liquor licenses on a portion
of Sheffield Avenue in Alderman Lawson's Ward,
the chair recognizes Alderman Lawson.
Thank you Madam Chair. Uh, this is to allow
for the transfer of an existing business.
Uh, it's a small bed and breakfast.
It's actually right across the street from my office just
north of, uh, Belmont on Sheffield.
Uh, the business has been there probably, uh, 15 years now
with no incidents.
Um, they also have a small basement speakeasy,
which is a fun space for an event as well.
So I'll put a plug in there. So I ask my colleagues
favorable, uh, consideration.
Any questions? Alderman Martin moves
to pass All in favors, say aye.
Any opposed in the opinion of the cheers? The ayes have it.
The motion is passed. And
the last three items on the agenda are all in the 49th ward.
Item 21, 22 and 23.
Item 21 is oh
2 0 2 5 0 1 9 8 8 9 22
is oh
2 0 2 5 0 1 9 8 9 2 2
ordinances to disallow additional package goods licenses on
a portion of Clark Street.
Item 23 is oh 2 0 2 5 dash
0 1 9 9 0 2.
Lifting subsection four dash
6 3 9
0.330 on Clark Street.
We have Alderwoman Hadden on virtually. Are you there?
Alderman? Hadden?
Yes. Chairwoman. I am present. Thank you.
Um, uh, thank you committee members.
I would appreciate your favorable consideration.
These are all just standard changes, um,
to our liquor moratorium zones, um, uh,
to support changes in ownership
and then to, um, reinstate moratoriums
after changes of leadership.
So would appreciate the committee's, uh,
favorable support of these items.
Thank you.
Are there any questions? Al and Scott moves to pass.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
And the opinion of the chairs of the ayes have it.
The motion is passed.
This concludes the agenda of the committee on license.
The past matters will be reported as re as a recommendation
to pass at the next city council on October 16th, 2025.
There being no further business before the committee.
Alderman Lawson makes a motion to adjourn.
Um, hearing No objection. So order the meeting is adjourned.