City of Chicago City Council.
Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023 to 2027
pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council.
Rules of Order and Procedure,
the sergeant at Arms sets forth the following rules
of conduct, conduct for members of the public.
These rules shall be in effect at all times
that a viewing gallery
or room is open For a meeting of the city council
or any of its committees, all individuals
and their belongings are subject to search at entry
or upon request.
Individuals must remain seated at all times except
one when entering or exiting the gallery.
Two, when providing public comment during the portion
of a meeting set aside for that purpose.
Or three when asked to rise
and be acknowledged by a member of the city council.
Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive,
or defamatory behavior
or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair
or the sergeant at arms, may lead to a breach of the peace
or disrupt the orderly conduct
of the meeting is not permitted, disruptive, or distracting.
Actions such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms,
throwing any booing, shouting
or other loud utterances are not permitted when in the
judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms.
Such actions are disrupting
or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Any item that poses a potential safety hazards as determined
by the sergeant at arms is prohibited in the gallery.
Such items include, but are not limited to one.
Any pointed objects including knives of any kind, two
banners, flyers, or other forms of signage.
Three. Food and beverages including in glass
or metal canisters.
Four backpacks, large bags and sealed packages.
Clear bags not tinted in color that do not exceed 12 inches
by six inches by 12 are permitted and subject to search.
And five.
Good morning and welcome to the Committee on the Budget
of Government Operations.
We call this meeting order.
We'll have a roll called Established Quorum. Vice Chair Lee.
Thank you ma'am.
Al Las Spotter,
Al Altman Robinson.
Alman. Yancy Altman. Mitchell. Didn't I see Mitchell.
Mitchell. Go. Mitchell. Auman, Harris Altman.
Bill Altman Ramirez. Alman Quinn. Alman Lopez.
Alman Moore. Alderman O'Shea. Alman Mosley.
Alderman Rodriguez. Altman. Scott Altman. Cche Lopez.
Altman. Burnett. Alia. Farrell. Altman. Cardona.
Altman. Rodriguez Sanchez. Rodriguez Sanchez.
I Guy Conway Altman.
Conway Alderman Ada Derman.
Viegas Auman. MIT Alt Spto.
Alman Nugent. Alderman Vazquez.
Alderman Napolitano Alderman Riley Alderman Knutson
Alman Martin Au Manhattan and Alderman Silverstein.
Alright, we have 18 members present and we have a quorum.
Alders, uh, Yancy Harris Scott Mitt Napolitano Manhattan
Request, uh, virtual participation via Rule 59.
Is there a motion? So move Alderman Mosley.
All in favor signify by saying aye.
Any nos, any opinion of the chairs? The ayes have it.
And Al de Yancy, Scott Mitts, Napolitano
and Hatton, uh, will be added for participation.
Let's verify. Alderman Yy, are you here?
I am, yes, chairman. Thank you.
Thank you, sir. Alderman Harris. I'm here.
Thank you, ma'am. Altem Scott. I'm here. Thank you, ma'am.
Altman mi here. Thank you ma'am.
Alderman Politano,
come back to an Alderman Hatton.
All right, we'll come back to uh, them. All right.
Um, time is now for public comment.
Uh, each speaker, we'll have three minutes.
We'll begin with Mr. George Blakemore.
Recognize Alderman Conway. Purposes of quorum.
Thank you. Uh, chairman Irving
and I, I could see some improvement, young man.
The, the one Chico, whatever.
What's this man's name right there, Rodriguez?
Mr. Rodriguez? Sir, have a seat.
Mr. Rodriguez. Don't be arrogant. Sit down.
A public trouble. Wasn't going to speak Now.
And I think, uh, part of the problem when bur when Burke
and was over financed, we would go through here
and we would sit up here and,
and when you, when they was outta order, he would hit.
I never hear you, sir. Mr. Irving.
I never hear you hit on that in order.
I want all to hear chastising.
These altar of Obert would do that.
Now, Obert would do that when they got out outta hand
and started carrying on kissing and greeting
and meeting Uhuh.
Bert, we here outta order.
I'm not supposed to check them.
You are supposed to check them. You are the chairman.
You know how to check me.
You know how to check us, but you supposed to check them.
And I want to thank you all for, for, for being on time.
You were about 10 minutes a late, you, you 30 minutes
or hour late.
So it is some improvement here.
So, but, but I, I, I can see some growth here.
And you're not as arrogant as you used to be.
So, uh, you all are, begin to listen to us.
It's very important to be a public servant.
You serve the public. It's honorable.
I got to start calling you honorable Jason, early.
But you are honorable, man. Honorable.
We have to, the old ones have to encourage you to do better.
Maybe my technique is wrong.
Uh, having confrontation with you, maybe that's not the way
to handle you because some of you are out of control.
Yesterday I was wondering why Melissa wasn't here with, uh,
dealing with the treasure.
The money was invested.
I expect you tell her in the future when they have these
meetings, she's supposed to be here, husband and wife.
Maybe that's not a good match.
Maybe that's, that's, that's nepotism.
Maybe that's not a good match.
Too much in the fa her family affair.
Maybe that's not good government. Maybe it's not.
So my minutes will be up.
And thank you again
for being back 10 minutes late when you usually
30 minutes and an hour.
Thank you Mr. Blakemore, for your comment.
And I'll ask you. Thank you for your compliment.
Thank you, sir. Uh, Mr.
Uh, uh, next we'll have, uh, thank you Mr. Blakemore.
Next we'll have Zoe Lee, our last and final speaker
Before I, um, came here, I saw
someone posting about, uh,
the second congressional district seat.
And I don't know why Jesse Jackson Jr.
Think he's gonna get that back. 'cause that's crazy.
He was incompetent. Just like y'all are incompetent.
So that's a no.
So we got, uh, the Republican candidate,
Michael noac, Mike Noac.
Um, his website is on our, um, our website,
Chicago Flips red website or flips red.com.
And uh, you can see, uh, all the grades that we,
we have given, uh, so far the candidates.
So we put our endorsements out there.
Now, since we are in midterm season,
and this is, uh, my first midterm, um,
you guys are gonna have to, to talk to us.
Like y'all cannot turn away
or try to ignore Chicago flips red.
Like y'all can't. The country knows who we are.
So if you guys want to do this bipartisan,
or some of y'all want
to keep y'all seats 'cause there's a few in here.
2027 is coming up. The mayor see this coming up.
But to ignore me or my group
or think that you guys are gonna continue to try to ban us,
it only makes you guys look less
like y'all are good people.
'cause y'all aren't we, everybody knows
that you aren't good people, but to really the midterms
to come up and you guys still ignore us,
like y'all are not gonna be the only monopoly.
'cause that's what it is. The, the, the city
of Chicago has a democratic monopoly, right?
So because you guys will never go against each other,
even though you guys think you're going against each other.
Like when I'm seeing some
of these stupid commercials going against Trump
when it comes to who gave who money,
but he was a Democrat at the time, so he gave both
of y'all money, but y'all are going against him,
which makes no sense 'cause it's a game.
It's a game. You got to educate our voters,
our Chicago flip red voters on how you guys have voted all
through my time being down here
that I built Chicago flips red.
How much money you guys spent on the illegal aliens.
You know, how much gang prevention money you guys stole,
how many epi, how much epidemiology money you guys
stole, TIFF money you stole.
You know how much money you've laundered into
these churches like Trinity so far.
I see $21 million given to their childcare.
So, I mean,
Thank you for your comments.
Uh, also like to recognize Alderwoman Ramirez
for the purposes of quorum.
Miss anyone, okay.
C Committee will now approve the rule monthly Rule 45 report
for January, 2026,
which was transmitted electronically to all members.
Can we get a motion to accept that?
So moved by Vice Chair Lee.
All in favor six and five by saying aye.
Any opposed any opinion that chairs ayes have it?
And I, we will keep that on file.
Committee will now consider item number one of our agenda,
which is a communication recommending the adoption
of the annual appropriation ordinance year 2026 amendment
within fund nine to five.
Uh, we have, uh, Chloe, uh, from the department of, uh,
budget to, uh, address us and answer any questions.
You may proceed with the presentation.
Good morning. Um, here
to represent the Mayor's annual appropriation ordinance
for year 2026 Amendment within Fund 9 2 5 for the Department
of Family Support Services
and the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Total appropriation request is for $1,690,000.
The first request is for the Department of Family
and Support Services DFSS,
which has been awarded Federal pass
through grant funds in the amount of $15,000
by the Illinois Department of Aging
for the a PS Pathway Internship Program.
Second is for DFSS
for additional state grant funds in the amount of one thou,
uh, $185,000 by the Illinois Department of Human Services
for the IDHS Emergency and Transitional Housing Program.
Last but not least is the Department of Transportation,
which has been awarded federal grant funds in the amount
of $1,490,000 by the United States Department
of Transportation for the Strengthening Mobility
and Revolutionizing Transportation Smart Program.
Um, and that is all. Thank you.
That was quick. Alright, very well. Any questions?
Alderman Lopez? Hold on.
Before you do that, let me recognize Alder mentality
of Pharaoh for the, uh, purposes of quorum.
Go ahead. Altman Lopez.
Thank you chairman and
good morning members of the committee.
I was actually gonna recre, uh, recognize
chairman tele farro snazzy sweatshirt over there too,
representing on brand today.
Looking good.
What, what brand is that? The tele Farro brand.
Oh, you, you team Tele Farro now. Okay, I got you.
Okay, go ahead. I
Thank you Chairman.
Um, with regards to
the $185,000, uh, DFSS
Emergency and Traditional Housing grant,
is there anyone here from the
department to speak on this item?
Judge, identify yourself for the record, please.
Hello, uh, pre the Obama Director of Grants at DFSS.
Um, so regarding the 185,000, this is for eight shelters,
um, specifically for renovations
and purchases through the Emergency
Transitional Housing grant.
Um, which is a, an a legacy grant
that we receive each year from the Illinois
Department of Human Services.
Each year the state provides additional funds
for renovation and purchases.
DFSS holds an additional application process with
for existing delegates.
Um, and current delegates can apply for up to 25,000,
um, for any renovations in their facilities, um, uh,
to ensure compliance with the grant.
And currently eight shelters are receiving, um, uh,
funding for purchases as well as renovations
to maintain compliance.
Thank you, chairman. Uh, so all of these are just
for up to 20 'cause this does not equal 200,000.
So if all of these were getting 25,000,
it would be a $200,000 edition.
Do we have a breakdown of who's getting what and for what
and if not, can it be provided through the chair?
Yes. Uh, we could provide, uh,
pre the environment Director of Grants, A-D-F-S-S, um, yes,
we could provide breakdown of, um, renovation purchases
for each of these shelters.
Thank you. And
as we look at the original appropriated amount
of $55 million, was this the original grant?
Was that the original grant total from the Department
of the Illinois Department of Human Services?
Yes. Uh, the 55 million is the original appropriate
Amount. And that 55 million
basically is for
the emergency shelter,
or is that for the entirety
of supporting the One Shelter initiative,
which is the city's new homeless program?
Uh, so a portion of that 55 million is used
to support the one shelter system.
How much is used for the one, the OSI,
Uh, that exact amount I could provide
through the chair as well as the breakdown.
Thank you. If you could provide that
through the chair, I would appreciate that.
Um, because what concerns me is something that we've seen
as the migrant mission was reclassified
by this administration as the homeless mission.
There were a number of former migrant shelters that were
overnight transformed into homeless shelters,
most notably the location on I believe, 25th
and Halstead, where the young child died of sepsis.
Um, seeing
that we're only doing minor repairs.
Do we have a list of one, the locations that we are consi
that are considered our shelters in the system as well
as the outstanding or cur the current and
or outstanding list of repairs for those associated,
for the associated with those shelters
or through the chair? I'll make that easy. Yeah,
We'll provide that through the chair.
A breakdown of all the she shelters in the, in OSI.
And then lastly, when I met with Commissioner Green,
who was gracious enough to join us in the 15th Ward, um,
how do we keep track of the populations
that are using our services?
How do we see if these are our new neighbors
or our old neighbors?
Um, because I know one of the conversations chairman
that I've had even with then Commissioner Kazi, was that
our indigenous homeless population
oftentimes we're being squeezed out of services to make way
for our, our new population.
Are we tracking any of that?
And are we able to answer
and ensure that we don't have individuals, uh,
who are not being helped?
Because it is very frustrating, even as I go home today
to see a shelter on one side of the street
and then tents on the other.
So if you could not only through the chair answer that,
but if you could top level, how do we,
how are we addressing that?
Uh, yes. So we, um,
we do track the current demographics across all
of our community areas and to ensure that, um, those
who are experiencing h homelessness
or an at risk of homelessness are receiving the care needed
as well as, um, um, shelter.
Um, however, the breakdown of those in shelter,
we can provide that through the chair.
Thank you. And, and then, I'm sorry, one last item,
and not necessarily on this particular,
but just a question for the department
with, with respect to Chicago Public Schools
and our students who are unhoused, one
of my schools reported a third
of its students in high school are homeless.
Can you share with us, uh, a list of what resources
or coordinated efforts we are doing, either as a city
or as in partnership with the public school system
to address
and service those individuals through the chair, please?
Yes. We, we'll provide that for through the chair
for any resources for high school students.
Awesome. Thank you, chairman.
Thank you. Uh, alderman Lopez also wanna recognize, uh,
alderman, uh, Mitchell for the purposes of quorum
as well as non-member Lawson who has joined us.
I got, uh, Altman Vasquez.
Uh, I see that you have raised your hand.
Uh, is there a motion to accept, uh, Altman Vasquez's,
uh, participation virtually?
So move Alderman Rodriguez.
All in favor signify by saying aye.
Any opposed, any opinion says ayes have it.
And Alderman Vasquez, you are here.
Uh, autumn Vasquez, go ahead.
Thank you very much, chairman. Uh, I appreciate that.
I think I just wanted to follow up based on the comments
by my colleague that I think
in thinking about the different populations that are
utilizing the services,
there's a reason why the city wouldn't track the difference
between the different groups,
especially in the current moment.
So just want to add that for context
and I do appreciate the work being done.
That's all. Thank you.
Thank you Altman Vasquez.
We also wanna recognize Altman Ccho Lopez
for the purposes of quorum.
Any other questions on the, uh,
item number one, move Do pass.
Uh, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Any opinion chairs? Ayes having this matter will be reported
out at our next city council meeting.
I'm gonna jump over number two, as the clerk gets settled.
Uh, we're gonna item items three through seven, uh,
which are transfer fund ordinances.
We have substitutes that are proposed for, uh, for
of the five transfers, world 38
and the three for the Committee on Police
and Fire, which were distributed to all members.
We have a motion to accept the substitute more ordinances.
So move Altman Rodriguez.
All in favor signify by saying Aye.
Any opposed the substitutes? And now four.
So we wanna take a motion on items three through seven, uh,
together, uh, any questions?
So moved. So moved by Chairman Dowell.
All in favor signify by saying aye.
Any opposed any opinion
that chair's ayes have it in these items?
Three through seven will be reported out at our next
regular city council meeting.
Going back to item number two, which is an ordinance, uh,
authored by Alderman Viegas to establish a pilot program
for, for will tax license renewals for qualified veterans.
Alderman Viegas, the floor is yours.
Uh, thank you. Um, Mr.
Chairman and thank you members of the budget committee.
Uh, this is an ordinance to put forward a budget, I'm sorry,
a, uh, pilot program, uh, for wheel tax license renewal
for qualified veterans.
Uh, and I'll allow the, uh, clerk's office to expound,
expound a little bit more, uh, on what
that pilot program looks like.
Um, but a question was posed by the budget committee
as it relates to what the fiscal impact would be,
and I think that's a fair question.
Uh, last year the, uh, clerk's office had put forward, uh,
868 8,655 vehicle stickers,
uh, for no fee, uh, license type those folks
that would qualify for a fiscal impact of $860,000, uh,
for the, uh, for the budget.
So I wanted to make sure I put that on the record.
Uh, and I'll allow the clerk clerk's office to,
Could you repeat that amount?
$860,000.
Okay. I thought you said 360. I look. Eight 60. Okay.
Eight 60, yes.
So the fees, I guess,
theoretically would've generated eight 60
had, had that not been in place?
That's correct. Okay. Very well, Mr. Clerk.
Uh, good morning. Uh, my name is Riley Boland.
I am the, uh, deputy Director
and Chief of Operations for the City Clerk's Office.
Um, yes, that is correct.
Uh, last year we did, uh, bring in a little over 8,600, uh,
veterans into compliance, and that was, the impact was
around 800,000.
Uh, and that is, uh, due to the fact that, uh, I believe,
uh, 45% of the, uh, folks
that came into compliance,
though they were also seniors as well.
So they wouldn't have been a full impact of the typical, uh,
wheel tax to begin with.
You would have the senior rate for both the passenger,
large passenger and small truck there, so as well.
But, uh, to, uh, the chairman's, uh, point
for the pilot program, um, we are, look, we are, uh, going
to work with, uh, his, his team
and, uh, develop out a pilot program that is not going
to be any cost to, uh, build out.
We're looking to, uh, have some type of either email
or e formm that we can have, uh, the veterans
who are currently, uh, in a, uh, active status
with the design,
the veteran designation on their vehicle sticker
to renew their stickers without having
to come into, uh, city Hall.
Again, we understand that this has always been an issue.
Um, our, you know, our stance has always been to make sure
that we, uh, try to mitigate the, uh,
fraud that is out there.
So, you know, folks have been coming in to
es essentially verify that, you know, they're still in, uh,
standing, the vehicle is still o you know, owned
and registered to them with the proper, uh, uh, designation.
So now we will, uh, try to be working with those who, uh,
are, you know, coming in, you know,
coming back in for renewal.
We'll at least try to alleviate that burden of coming in.
We will be able to at least, um, you know,
have a program in place for those who are renewing.
Um, and then anyone who would be, uh, attempting
to come into compliance
and, uh, with the new, uh, with a new veteran sticker,
they would have to, you know, come in that one time
and then be able to, uh, provide the documentation.
Then moving forward, we would be doing the same thing again.
We would also be, we are also working
to develop our new OTC, which would be, uh, uh,
an opportunity for us to even further enhance and modernize
and essentially just make all, uh, renewal stickers, uh,
better in general.
So, happy to answer any questions.
Thank you. Uh, any questions? Albert Conway.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, uh, Mr. Boland.
I, you know, I'm a, uh, uh, veteran
and actively drilling reservist myself, uh, had the pleasure
of being on duty this weekend at the Pentagon playing the,
playing my role as Lieutenant Commander Bill Conway.
Um, but, uh, I, uh, my question for you is,
it sounds like you're making efforts so
that veterans don't have to come in
and keep showing their status if it's on their driver's
license or, or something like that.
Um, which I appreciate.
My grandma doesn't have to come in
and show she's a senior every year.
So, uh, you know, I I, I certainly
don't want any fraud issues as well.
My, my question for you
or Chairman Viegas is I notice in section
C two in the second line, we have
shall continue to provide proof of veteran status.
Uh, and I didn't know if that language should be in there,
if we're actively trying to get rid of
that in that necessity.
So from my understanding, what we would be doing
for these, uh, renewals is they would be submitting
documents to still certify that, you know, they have their,
uh, unexpired driver's license unexpired, uh, you know, a,
you know, a non expiring vehicle registration.
But they would be submitting a that to us via a,
a specific email and
or e formm that we have, you know, designate,
which we would be putting on all of the renewal notices.
So whenever, when, when folks are going
to be getting their renewal notice, whether that's,
you know, snail mail
or through email, we would be providing that information on
that document mm-hmm.
So that they wouldn't have to, uh, you know,
burden themselves on coming in.
Now, if they choose to come in, that is, you know,
that's totally up to them,
but we are, we are well aware that,
you know, that is a burden.
So we are doing our best to, uh, make it easier
for those who have served our country.
I think the point that he's raising is
why is it necessary?
Is, is it a status that can be removed?
Or it's like if you're 65, you're a senior, you don't like,
go back in time, is the veteran status a status
that you can lose or there be some changes to it
that would preclude one from no longer being a veteran
that would require them to continue to show their status?
No, I mean, it's, it's really more the, the making sure
that the, the vehicle registration and the ID is current.
Right? Um, you know, there are some individuals
who will pass their, uh, you know, their vehicles down, uh,
through inheritance
or, you know, folks aren't able to drive anymore.
Um, it's just really, uh, a, a way
of continuing to check it.
We still do that for the seniors, right?
The seniors have a, um, a, an expiring driver's license, and
whenever that senior's expiring driver's license is up,
we still have them re-certify.
This is gonna be similar to that.
It's just making sure that they're providing that, you know,
to us, you know, in a,
in an electronic forum rather than having to come.
When you say recertify for a senior, what are they like?
It's providing that they still have, you know, one,
they're still with us, but also two, that the, the, uh, uh,
the license is current.
Uh, and for that, I mean, like the, uh, the, the state id,
the state ID can actually be, uh, unex, uh,
a non expiring Okay.
With the 9 9 9, uh, expiration.
So when individuals have that, we do require them
to come in person because it's one of those things
where we just are recertifying that they're here with us
and, um, to, again, to mitigate the, the fraud.
Well, let me ask, let me ask this.
Um, do you think that the language in C one then
is flexible enough to allow for, um,
you all improving the program?
I mean, it seems, it seems crazy on some level that if
I provide my DD two 14 in one year,
that I gotta provide my DD two 14 again,
assuming I scanned it in the online form,
We, we wouldn't be asking for the DD two 14.
We're just asking for the vehicle registration and,
and the, uh, Illinois driver's license.
Okay. We, we would never ask for the DD two 14. We're, we're
Not. You can have it, it's pretty impressive.
I gotta tell you after. Yeah, no, I,
But I understand that I, we, we would, um,
that's a whole nother form that
we'd have to train individuals.
How, so we, we go based off of the, uh, secretary
of State essentially doing the certification for us,
and then we utilize their, uh, their certification process
to essentially run our, our parameters.
That's great. I, I was gonna ask,
that was my next question was
be about the Secretary of State.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And I want to certainly thank, uh, alderman Viegas
for his leadership of the, of the Veterans Caucus
with myself and a couple us, uh, Marine Corps veterans.
It's exciting that the whole Veteran Caucus is part
of the Department of the Navy, um, which, uh,
one day I'll retire that joke, but not today.
Um, so anyway, and, and certainly Mr.
Bullen want to thank you for making it, uh,
a little easier for veterans.
And, and also as a bit of a comment on, uh, the cost
to the taxpayers.
I know the, the number of $860,000 was thrown around,
but it sounds like to the clerk's office credit, they
did a lot of work to make sure that people
who probably would not have gotten into
compliance got into compliance.
So to some extent that 860,000 assumes
that everybody would've gotten into compliance when almost
certainly that was not the case.
And so I wanna just thank you for your efforts, uh, on that
and how this incentive is helping veterans.
Thank you. Uh, alderman Conway.
I wanna recognize Alderman Lata for the purposes of quorum.
Any other questions? Vie close.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um,
and I wanna thank the city clerks, uh, office as well
for bringing this forward.
Um, looking for a favorable consideration here, uh,
not just in the committee, but also
on the city council next week. So thank you.
Thank you. Uh, is there a motion?
So move au and vie all in favor signal of our saying aye.
Any opposed? Any opinion that says ayes have it.
And this matter will be reported out at our next city
council meeting on next Wednesday.
Um, did we get everybody, uh,
there's no further business
before The committee is a motion to motion to adjourn?
Move to adjourn by Alderman Rodriguez in efficient time.
All in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed?
Appearing the chairs. The ayes have it
and the meeting is adjourned.