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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
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or other loud utterances are not permitted when, in the judgment of the
meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms, such actions are
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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
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Two, banners, flyers, or other forms of signage.
Three, food and beverages, including in glass or
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that do not exceed 12 inches by 12
are permitted and subject to search.
And five, firearms, ammunition, fireworks,
laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper
spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small
handheld recording devices-
Good morning, everyone. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning.
Welcome to City Council.
City Council will start shortly. Can I please have everyone start taking
their seats?
Good morning, everyone. Good morning.
Can I please have everyone start taking their seats, please?
Thank you.
Rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the
meeting by the sergeant at arms.
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 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 item, whistling, booing, shouting,
or other loud utterances are not permitted when, in the judgment of the
meeting-
Good morning. Welcome to City Council.
City Council will start shortly. Can I please have everyone
start taking their seats?
Good morning, everyone. Good morning.
City Council will start shortly. Can I please have everyone start taking their
seats?
If you do not find a seat down here, you will have to go upstairs to the third
floor, okay?
Thank you.
Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12
inches
by 12 are permitted and subject to search.
And five, firearms, ammunition, fireworks,
laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper
spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small
handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode,
can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a
manner that does not interfere with the ability of other
individuals to view or hear the proceedings.
Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules
will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by
the sergeant at arms.
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 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 item, whistling, 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, firearms, ammunition, fireworks,
laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace, pepper
spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small
handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode,
can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a
manner that does not interfere with the ability of other
individuals to view or hear the proceedings.
Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules
will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by
the sergeant at arms.
City of Chicago, City Council Rules of Conduct for Public
Meetings.
Good morning.
Can I have your attention, please?
Silence.
The city council meeting will begin momentarily.
At this time, please silence your listening devices and
have a seat. If you can't find a seat down here, the third floor is
open. We appreciate your cooperation. Thank you.
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 item, whistling, 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, firearms, ammunition, fireworks,
laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace, pepper
spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small
handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode,
can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a
manner that does not interfere with the ability of other
individuals to view or hear the proceedings.
Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules
will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by
the sergeant at arms.
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 for members of the public.
These rules shall be in effect.
Something popped up on the bottom.
It says, "Software is updating still."
The council will come to order.
Madam Clerk, please take a quorum roll call.
Are we open? It's opening.
Is it open?
The quorum is now open. The quorum is now open. Please, your e-device.
The quorum is now open.
If you need help, please raise your hand. We will come by to help you.
If your iPad is
not connecting to the network, that is
okay.
I
will
take a voice vote while we make sure the network is connecting to your
devices.
Alderman Lapada.
Lapada is present. Alderman Robinson.
Not present in chambers. Alderman Hall.
Hall, not present in chambers. Alderman Mitchell.
Not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Lee.
Lee is present.
Alderwoman Ramirez. Ramirez is present.
Alderwoman Harris is present.
Oh, did I skip you? I'm sorry.
Alderman Quinn. Quinn is present.
Alderwoman Gutierrez.
Gutierrez is present. Alderman Lopez.
Lopez is present. Alderwoman Coleman.
Coleman is present.
Alderman Moore.
Moore is present.
Alderman Curtis.
Curtis is present.
Alderwoman Taylor. Not present in chambers.
Alderman Mosley.
Not present in chambers.
Alderman Rodriguez. Rodriguez is present.
Alderwoman Tabaras. Tabaras is present.
Alderman Chico Lopez. Chico Lopez is
present.
Alderman Taliaferro. Taliaferro is present.
Alderman Waguespack.
Waguespack is present.
Alderman Sposato.
Sposato is present.
Alderman Vasquez.
Vasquez is present.
Alderman Napolitano.
Napolitano is present. Alderman Riley.
Riley is present. Alderwoman Clay.
Not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Anna Hoppenworth.
Anna Hoppenworth is present. Anyone I missed or just walk in?
Oh, Alderman Mitchell is present.
Anyone else I missed, just walk in?
Quinn and Mitchell are present.
Okay. Anyone else? All right. Quorum now closed.
45.
There are 45 members present. We do have a quorum.
Alderman Mosley has requested to participate in today's
meeting remotely for reasons stated in Rule
59. Madam Clerk, can you confirm Alderman Mosley's presence online?
Alderman Mosley, are you there?
Alderman Mosley?
Very well. He has not confirmed,
but we obviously still have a quorum.
Let's rise for the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
If you could please remain standing for our invocation,
which will be delivered today by Juan Carlos
Galin from the New Life Community Church of Albany Park.
Let's pray together. Heavenly Father,
thank you for the gift of this day and for the great city of Chicago,
a city made by strong people, strong neighborhoods, and their
diversity. Today, we pray for unity across our city,
that we came from different cultures, backgrounds, communities, and experiences
remind us that we are neighbors and we share a
responsibility to care for one another.
We pray for our mayor, our city clerk, the members of the city
council, and all who serve our city.
Grant them wisdom in every decision, humility in leadership,
courage to do what's right, and compassion for the people that they
have been entrusted to serve.
May the decisions made in this chamber make our community stronger,
protect our people, create opportunities for our families and
businesses, bring hope to every neighborhood,
protect our families, our first responders, and all who call Chicago
home. In moments of disagreement, give us respect.
In moments of difficulty, give us wisdom.
May your peace, protection, and blessing rest upon the people of Chicago.
And may we always remember that leadership is about serving
others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Amen. Thank you. You may be seated.
Keep it on. Public comments. The council will now begin the public comment period,
which is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes.
Each
speaker is limited
to three minutes. Speakers
cannot yield or transfer their time to another speaker.
Any written comments that have been submitted
will be posted and
made available for aldermanic review.
The first speaker this morning is Jimmy Rothschild.
Got to move the mic down. Good morning, everyone.
My name is Jimmy Rothschild.
Morning.
I'm a staff member at the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
Happy New Year to everyone here.
I am also a resident of Albany Park in the 33rd Ward,
a parent of a nearly three-year-old, and a future
CPS parent.
I'm here today to talk about a couple of things.
One is the crisis of affordability in this city.
My neighbors in Albany Park and the members of JCUA, who
I work with,
are primarily renters, are working-class people,
and they're struggling. And part of the reason they're struggling is that
the federal government has cut a ton of funding for
services, and some of the
crisis is because that we, as a city, are not investing enough
in our neighbors and our neighborhoods.
Pretty soon, you all will start the budget process, and you will have the
opportunity to really invest in our neighborhoods.
And in order to do that, you will need to ask the
wealthiest people in the city and corporations that are
exploiting our neighbors to pay
what they owe in order for our families to
thrive. I have the immense privilege of living in Albany Park, where we have
good schools and good libraries for my daughter,
and I want children all over the city of Chicago to have
those same opportunities. But that's going to require
asking the biggest corporations to pay their fair share.
It's going to require us to look at some of these vacancies in
CPD and take some of that money and invest in mental health.
My wife is a social worker. I see every day the mental health crisis in these
cities. We need to invest in real mental health.
We need to invest in our schools, our libraries, our parks,
and childcare, so that our families can thrive,
that our families can stay in our neighborhoods, that we can have safe
neighborhoods where people can thrive.
In my last minute, I also want to say that before you today, there are two
ordinances on tenants' rights. Most of my neighbors in the 33rd
Ward, and most of my members at JCUA are renters.
They are feeling the pain. They are feeling the precarity of being the renters.
You all have the opportunity to make the biggest changes to the rental
landlord-tenant ordinance in 40 years with the Protecting Renters
Ordinance. The PRO will expand tenants'
rights, protect them from abuse by landlords who are unscrupulous,
and allow people to stay in their homes.
The other ordinance before you rolls back tenants' rights, makes it
easier for landlords to lock out their tenants, makes it easier
for landlords to shut off utilities. We can't have that.
We need to be protecting tenants in this moment, so pass the PRO.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker this morning is Jacqueline Stevens.
Hello, dear esteemed Chicago City Council, Mayor Brandon, and
all distinguished meeting attendees.
My name is Jacqueline Stevens, and my role at Chicago State University is Program
Coordinator for NSF Quantum Sensing and Biophysics
and Bioengineering. Chicago State is in the Chatham neighborhood,
where Alderwoman Harris represents.
I am also a Chicago State alumni with a bachelor's degree in chemistry,
2014.
I have two messages to share with you today.
How IQMP impacts student career success and staying in
Chicago. At CSU, we are all in on Quantum and our
support network, which includes
the IQMP, allows growth opportunities within CSU and
the surrounding community. And what excites me most about Quantum at
Chicago State University is the innovative programs and training opportunities
available in quantum science, and this is a tremendous
draw for students to remain in the city of Chicago.
Chicago State University is the first public university in Illinois to
earn state authorization for a quantum certificate.
CSU also offers a semiconductor certificate.
These workforce credential programs align with opportunities at the
IQMP.
The IQMP partners with CSU on developing paid internships,
K through 12 outreach, high school teacher training, as well
as mentorship to faculty and workforce leaders.
Our Provost, Feast Price, is on the board of the IQMP, and we have a
CSU faculty member who serves on the National Quantum Algorithm Center
at the IQMP.
The CSU Quantum Education Science and Technology Center,
formerly known as QuEST, received accreditation from the Illinois Board
of Higher Education in March 2026, and this is the
first accredited quantum center at a public university here in Illinois.
The center engages students, the community, and lays foundational new
knowledge in quantum driven by the research of nationally recognized and
accomplished faculty. Quantum involves students and faculty across
all majors,
businesses,
pharmacy, education, as well as life and physical sciences.
CSU lay quantum foundations for sure.
Message two, a call to action. Call to action A, the future
of quantum isn't just happening in elite labs.
It's happening on the South Side at Chicago State University through programs that
train local students for real-world jobs.
Call to action B, the IQMP isn't just a physical park.
It's a neighborhood workforce initiative that will touch countless lives.
And call to action C, at CSU, we need this level of innovation on the
South Side, and we should be centered at the beneficiaries of this
21st-century jobs. I will lead with
last two things. Students gain real-world experience that leads to careers at
Chicago State University, and quantum technologies will shape the
future. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker this morning is Anne F. Caruso.
Good morning. My name is Anne Caruso.
I am a resident of the Bridgeport community.
I am here to represent our community on behalf of what Amtrak is
trying to do to our community. I represent the Armour,
Bridgeport, Chinatown, and Bronzeville community.
They are trying to relocate an industrial maintenance
facility dead center in Bridgeport community.
If this isn't just a land swap because
ISBIA is donating or
investing to Canal Edge is contributing $125
million to this project. Why would we need a private
investor if the Federal Railroad Association Administration has
granted this move
for this facility? He's doing this so that he can relocate the
White Sox to Roosevelt Road. If the federal government is
here to represent the people from the US Constitution, it's for the
people, by the people. We're here requesting that they
do a full environmental study because they're
getting categorical exemption and exclusion.
There's no reason for this. We've had two meetings with them.
The first meeting was a complete failure.
The second meeting was somewhat more informative,
but they keep extending the project line.
First, it was 23rd Street to 35th Street, then it's 33rd to
39th. We don't have a clear picture of what is going on here because on a
daily basis, they change it. They don't realize
we're asking for the Railroad Administration to come to our area,
to put a footprint on the ground, to walk the walk, go from
Roosevelt Road into Bridgeport through Chinatown.
They're trying to change the fabric of our neighborhood.
We are here because we care about our neighborhood.
I'm a 73-year-old woman that has lived within a mile radius of my
location for 73 years. I care about my community.
Our residents care about our community, and I hope that every member in this
quorum or whatever, that you are here for us.
Mayor Johnson, I hope that you're here for us.
I hope that everyone that is listening is here for us.
We need help to get the Federal Railroad Association
Administration here to look at what we're dealing with.
They are here to fabricate documents, sending false
presentations, AI-generated PowerPoint
presentations. We need your help.
I appreciate everybody here to look into this to help us
stop this from happening because it cannot go into a
residential area, and
it's parallel to Armour Square Park, which is a landmark status park that
I have sat on the advisory council for 20 years.
So it's unacceptable what they're trying to do, and I think it more falls on
Justin Ishbia and the Federal Railroad taking money from him.
I appreciate having this opportunity to speak to you today. Thank you.
Thank you for your comments. Our next speaker is Jinyang Li.
Good morning. I'm Jinyang Li, a faculty member in
physics at Chicago State University.
Alderwoman
Michelle Harris. I'm here to support the project of
Illinois Quantum and Microelectronic Park.
Some community members worry that this park is just another
big and noisy data
server for AI training and that consumes a lot of water and
electricity, but I want to clear this up.
This park is a research center for quantum technology.
Although AI and quantum are both frontier technologies, they are fundamentally
different, and this park is a sustainable, zero emission,
environmental friendly
research center for quantum technology.
At our university, we work with local students every day,
and we
offer a quantum minor program and a quantum certificate program,
and we train many students in the field of quantum technology, and
this park will offer valuable opportunities for these
students and this-
And
this research and job
opportunities in quantum technology may not be accessible
to them without this park. And also, I want to
mention that the jobs created by this park
is not limited to quantum researchers and quantum engineers.
Most of the jobs created by this park
involve daily operations,
maintenance, and facility management.
Therefore, this park
benefits the whole community instead of just the elite.
So as a CSU member,
we support this project of
Illinois Quantum and the Microelectronic Park. Thanks.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Donna Bellavia.
Good morning. My name is Donna Bellavia.
I'm a resident of Bridgeport. I'm here because
Amtrak is proposing...
My phone, I'm sorry.
Because Amtrak is proposing to relocate a 24-hour maintenance
operation from its current site near the South Loop to the
Canal Street Yard, immediately adjacent to Bridgeport, Armour
Square, Chinatown, and South Side communities.
Residents learned about this proposal only recently, even through
decisions and negotiations surrounding this
have been underway for much longer.
This is not simply a question of whether Chicago needs rail
infrastructure. It is a question of where heavy industrial
infrastructure belongs.
The proposed site is surrounded by thousands of residents.
Homes are extremely close to the rail yard.
Residents are concerned about round-the-clock noise, diesel emission,
lighting, truck traffic, hazardous material storage,
emergency response, and the cumulative environmental
impact of placing a major industrial operation in a densely
populated neighborhood.
More than 1,000 people came to Amtrak's September 17 community
meeting because people are deeply concerned about what this proposal could
mean for their neighborhood. We are asking the City Council and Mayor
Johnson to get involved now before this becomes a done deal.
We are asking the city to insist on a transparent
environmental and public review, determine what city approval
or land use actions may be required, and use every authority available
to prevent this facility from becoming placed next to thousands of
Chicago residents. Most importantly, we are asking our elected
officials to publicly answer one very simple question: Why
should a 24-hour industrial maintenance operation be moved
out of a largely non-industrial area and placed next to people's
homes? Amtrak can modernize its
operation. It can create union jobs, but it can do this through an
appropriate industrial location.
We are asking you to stand with the residents of Bridgeport, Armour Square,
Chinatown, and the surrounding South Side, and tell Amtrak,
find another site. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Marty Cerny.
Hello. My name's Marty Cerny.
I'm here to discuss the ordinance, in particular
PRO,
the concept of PRO.
Some of you may remember me from Housing Plus as an advocate.
I was also the first to bring the ADU
conversation to City Hall in 2005.
I facilitated about 200 ADUs while lobbying
for smart
policy around it,
which would include greatly encouraging the
participation of the housing provider community.
Of course,
the ordinance that was eventually created here
fell far short of the opportunity.
Now we're here about another one,
what I consider as an ill-conceived
ordinance.
It feels as though it was inspired a bit by
Trump.
I don't understand how
an increase in operating costs
cannot-- Well, I don't understand why increasing housing
costs would not be passed down to the renters.
So I think this ordinance needs to be
rewritten
and take into account the need for the housing
provider community to continue to keep the rents as low as they got.
What struck me in 2005 and was still here today
is
how
disengaged
City Council seems to be with the housing provider community
and vice versa. And I wholeheartedly recommend that you try
to bridge the gap,
and take advantage of the resource that's there and I
think ready to help.
So
I give you my last minute for
questions and answers.
Thank you very much.
Our next speaker is Mariah Mehta.
Hello. Good morning, city council members.
My name is Mariah, and I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, a constituent of the Third Ward,
and I work at the Chicago Environmental Justice Network.
I urge alders to vote yes for the Cumulative Impacts Ordinance when the time comes,
and to pass policies that protect our health and environment.
I challenge alders to be clear on what policies you are proposing and voting on
that comply with Section 2 of Article 11 of the Illinois Constitution,
that guarantees that each person has a right to a healthful environment,
reinforcing the state's commitment to environmental protection and public
health. Environmental impacts are not a theoretical threat, we are
actively experiencing the impacts as exemplified in the increased
rainfall, flooding, heat waves, and hazardous air quality.
As we speak, we are dealing with sims in Pilsen, Amtrak changes in Chinatown
Bridgeport, and Matt Asphalt's fee SOP application in McKinley
Park. These are three specific examples in which the Cumulative Impacts
Ordinance would require a more robust and holistic understanding of air
quality, traffic, and health impacts within a one-mile radius of the
proposed facility. Having this understanding from the very beginning
would ensure alders and community can have meaningful participation,
and support interdepartmental coordination that would prevent city and
developers from scrambling to meet the needs of community for
transparent and effective development.
I am also here to support the data center moratorium to ensure that
city departments can develop the
necessary processes to best protect Chicagoans.
As a city, we need to protect our drinking water and ensure that there is a plan to
understand how much water a data center will utilize, and that the best practices
are used regardless of it being a closed loop system.
Because we know that a data center running only on generators will still
impact water use, because unless energy obtained is clean energy,
it will still come from fossil fuels, which requires water for their process.
We need to ensure that generators and the cost of power required is not transferred
to local residents. There needs to be a review of noise and
frequency impacts, which has led to some of the most frequent amount of 311 calls
in the city of Chicago. There needs to be infrastructure investment
closure plans to prevent vacant and abandoned buildings that would require
remediation. Just to put things in perspective, a data
center size is measured by their energy consumption, which is megawatts.
The typical household uses one kilowatt of energy.
The largest operating data center in Illinois is Northlake, Chicago, as of
March 2026. The facility is located in Cook County and
has a capacity of 158 megawatts. One
megawatt is equivalent to 1,000 homes. This simply is not sustainable.
Chicago communities can no longer take the brunt of pollution without due
diligence in considering the health and environment of your constituents who
live near and around industrial facilities.
So I'm asking you all to not be passive, and to take action to
ensure
that the city is an example of how we can protect our environment and our
neighbors. We cannot bear the brunt of more environmental harm. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Christina Arroyo.
Good morning to all. My name is Christina Arroyo.
I'm a resident of the 35th Ward, a bartender at the Sox Park, and a
proud member of the Unite Here Local 1.
My family has deep roots in the 35th Ward.
I have owned a house in my neighborhood for over a decade, and I love the city.
I have made a career out of working in the hospitality industry.
I love the work that I do and the world-class experience I can provide the
countless tourist families and hardworking Chicagoans that come through our
doors every day at Sox Park.
I have seen the difference that having access to quality jobs and benefits
creates for people like me. As a single mother, I've navigated working
multiple jobs and making sacrifices for my family to make sure that my
kids would have everything they need to be successful.
This is why I'm urging this body to vote no on the TIF funds for the Foundry
Park without a path to good jobs. I am a
homeowner in the neighborhood, and I am tired of seeing my property taxes go up.
Investment in the neighborhood isn't the same as investment in community residents.
I would love for the Foundry Park development to bring an extension to the 606
Trail, where I walk often. But until there is a path to quality jobs
for the community, I cannot stand by and watch this committee
support big businesses at the expense of working people.
Thank you for your time, and please vote for no TIF at Foundry Park.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Jonah Karsh.
Good morning, Mr. Mayor, members of City Council. My name is Jonah Karsh.
I'm a community organizer, a staff member with the Metropolitan Tenants
Organization. We are Chicago's largest citywide tenants rights
organization, and operate a hotline that takes at least 40
to 50 calls, up to 400 calls from every single ward that is
represented on this city council, and we're proud to do so.
And it is that experience that has pushed us to figure out what are the
issues that tenants in Chicago are facing, and what solutions can we
propose. And that solution, in our view, is coming through the
Protecting Renters Ordinance. And I want to make clear, this has turned into
a mayor versus city council thing.
We're thankful for the mayor's support. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
But this is not a proposal that he designed.
This is a proposal that the community of tenant advocates who
are on the ground seeing what the issues are in our city designed.
And so let's depoliticize the fight, and
let's make this about how we can come together and protect renters in our city, and
I look forward to the city council deliberating on that.
I want to say a few more things about PRO.
We have heard a talking point from our friends in the real estate industry
that PRO is going to hurt- ... housing supply.
And I want to say loud and clear that I believe that we need to build more
housing. I believe that building more housing will drive down costs.
I think that is a valiant thing. We also need to protect the people who live in
that housing from abusive property owners.
And PRO and building more housing are not inconsistent with
each other. And if you don't believe me about that, you should believe some of the
largest advocates for building more housing in our city
and in the state of Illinois. Strong Towns Chicago and Abundant Housing
Illinois have both endorsed PRO or the PRO framework.
PRO is good government. Former city clerk, David Orr, or
county clerk rather, and alderman, who was the architect of the original
residential landlord-tenant ordinance, has endorsed the Protecting Renters
Ordinance. And let's talk about the differences briefly between
PRO and the FAIR Ordinance. For one thing, PRO does not
roll back any tenants' rights. I echo what my friend Jimmy said about the
concerning ways in which FAIR does that.
We thought that a lot of those were going to come out of the most recent draft.
They didn't. That needs to be fixed.
Another thing is how is the rental registry funded?
I'm happy to see that there seems to be agreement on our city council that we
should have a rental registry. I think in a budget crisis, we shouldn't fund
that out of the corporate fund. I think the modest $5 a
month top user fees for landlords to
register for the rental registry are not going to make a dent on rent and are going
to allow us to be fiscally stable in funding this.
Alderman Villegas's ordinance has proposed to fund the rental registry through
foreclosure registry fees. We did a deeper dive.
The foreclosure registry that he is proposing to fund it from does not exist.
It was repealed from the city code several years ago.
The registry
also funds enforcement of the residential landlord-tenant ordinance.
Right now, the city does not enforce its ordinance, and we need to do-
Thank you very much for your comments. However, your time has expired.
Our next speaker this morning is Carlo Gutierrez.
Good morning. Still morning. Good morning, city council members and Mayor Johnson.
My name is Carlo Gutierrez with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
I'm here to speak on behalf of both the chamber and a broad coalition of
stakeholders, associations of large, small sizes, representing
thousands of employers and hundreds of thousands of employees across Chicago
to respectfully voice our strong opposition to the proposed heat illness prevention
and outdoor places ordinance before the council
today.
Whatever intention behind it, our members currently safely follow heat protection
practices both following in current statute as well
as tailored to the specific uniqueness of each industry
as used. Mandating a one-size-fits-all solution is unfeasible
and would significantly disrupt safe operations for businesses of all sizes and
create competitive disadvantages that ultimately discourage legitimate businesses
from operating in Chicago, and all without the basis of public need
or clear evidence or basis of improved outcomes.
These issues are wide-ranging, and they include rigid and arbitrary work stoppages,
excessive supervisory duties, no guards against abuse, unclear language,
disproportionate fees and punishments, costly and damaging risk,
inconsistent arbitrary carve-outs, as well as unreasonable and arbitrary standards.
I would like to point out, too, that the importance of this and how it regressively
and disproportionately impacts small businesses who are simply unable to meet the
regulatory, administrative, and otherwise requirements that is detailed in this
ordinance.
There is a difference that we hear, that I personally hear from our wide-ranging
members. Large, small, they have strong opinions on this.
They are negative, except there's a difference, and that difference comes in with
large members. It will be disruptive to operations. It'll be very difficult.
It'll be unreasonable, et cetera.
But for smaller members, it becomes existential in that they will not be able to
operate in the city of Chicago. They will not be able to stay open for more than a
week. Touring company, a small business that lead tours across our river
and our lake simply will not be able to operate. This is what they say.
This is what they tell me, and there is a difference. That difference is important.
The other thing that I wanted to identify is the needless and damaging impacts to
Chicago's businesses and residents, as well as the unfunded mandate that this
represents to Chicago taxpayers.
As currently written, it imposes significant new oversight and enforcement and
administrative requirements on city agencies and sister agencies, yet
without any dedicated funding to support the mandates needlessly added to further
strain a city budget that is already under and facing significant shortfalls.
It's for these reasons and more that we strongly, respectfully, but passionately
urge you to reject this ordinance, oppose the ordinance, and instead work with all
stakeholders to create legislation that truly strengthens our workforce
while also expanding our economic vitality of our city.
We thank you all, and again, urge you to oppose this ordinance. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Your Honor, there are no further speakers who have timely signed up for the public
comment period.
Very well. Thank you. This concludes our public comments.
Can we
confirm and see if Alderman Mosley has appeared online?
Present, Chair.
Alderman Mosley?
Present, Madam Clerk.
Can I get a motion to approve the remote participation
and have the
clerk add
Alderman Mosley to the roll call?
Okay. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed say nay.
In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Please add Alderman Mosley to the quorum roll call.
Before we get to our resolutions, I would ask that this
body, as well as the entire chamber,
take a moment of silence to honor the life and
legacy of Riley O'Neill,
a public servant
whose life was tragically taken earlier this summer.
Please join me
in a moment of silence
Thank you very much.
Before we move to suspend the rules
to take up our resolutions, there are a few alders, four I believe,
that have acknowledgments.
Our first is Alder Hatton, who would like to acknowledge Ms.
Anjanette Young and students who are joining her from
UIC's School of Social Work. The chair
recognizes Alderwoman Hatton.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Behind me, we've got this fantastic class from the Jane Addams School of
Social Work.
Be on your best behavior, everyone.
And by that, I mean your most professional, parliamentary,
power of the people, representative work.
They are here as part of their class assignment,
attending a public meeting of their elected representatives.
They are learning how government works as they prepare themselves to be
a vital workforce for supporting our community.
They're led by Ms. Anjanette Young, who many of you may
remember, hey Anjanette,
a social worker, a professional, and someone who herself over these last
several years has become very well-versed, though
maybe from
not a great place, in how government works.
I want to give a
commendation to our students. Thank you for the work that you're doing.
Thank you for the path that you've chosen.
And maybe we'll see some of you on this side of
the aisle at some point in the future.
As long as you're able to stay, I hope you're able to catch and talk to some of my
colleagues as well. So Ms. Young and to the class, thank you,
thank you, thank you for being here. And Mr.
President,
if I may,
I also want to recognize Ms. Mary Morton.
There we are. There she is.
Ms. Mary Morton of Morton Group, celebrating 25 years.
You guys are going to see that in your agreed calendar.
25 years of Black, queer-led, nonprofit
consulting from a multiracial
team of experts. We're so excited to have her and her
organization representing Chicago.
Ms. Morton, congratulations on 25 years of the Morton Group. Congrats.
Thank you, Alderwoman Hatton, for bringing this recognition
to this body today. Next, we have Alderman Conway,
who would like to honor Donna Weems, recently
retired as regional director of the Renaissance Court
Senior Center through DFSS. Chair recognizes
Alderman Conway.
Donna, you and your family can stand up. I know you're over there. A little shy.
There we go.
Thank you.
Mr. President, I'm proud to stand today to celebrate Donna Weems, who
recently retired from the Department of Family and Support Services after
a career spanning four decades of service to
our city. Her career has impacted thousands of
Chicagoans. As a few brief highlights, she started working for the
city in the 1980s before becoming a mobile
interventionist in 1985 for the Chicago Intervention Network,
which was a pioneering anti-gang initiative.
She was also one of the very first women truck drivers for the Water
Department, where she fought for wage parity and fair overtime
practices. She also worked for the Department of Public Health on
programs related to food safety, STI prevention, and infant
health.
And how I got to know her, in 2021, she returned to city service
and became the regional director of the Renaissance Court
Senior Center when the city reopened this popular senior center
that's in the 34th Ward at the Cultural Center.
And under Donna's leadership, Renaissance
Court has grown to be a community where seniors from
across the entire city can gather, create, learn, and
celebrate each other. And today, this senior center welcomes over
1,500 seniors each and every month.
Thank you to her work. So Donna, it has been an
honor to be your friend. It has been an honor to work with you.
And on behalf of our entire city, really, thank you for your service
to our city and everyone here. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you, Alderman Conway.
Congratulations, Ms. Weems.
Next, Alderman Robinson would like to acknowledge
the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter
Empowerment Law.
The chair recognizes
Alderman Robinson.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Colleagues, today I'm proud to recognize the passage of the
Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.
Young Voter Empowerment Law,
Public Act
104-0549,
and the many people who came together to make this important
legislation a reality.
Beginning with the 2026/2027
school year Illinois school districts serving grades
9 through 12 will be required to provide eligible
graduating students with the opportunity to register to
vote.
That may seem like a simple step,
but access matters. For generations,
Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. has reminded us that
democracy is not something that happens somewhere.
It belongs to someone.
It belongs to all of us.
Democracy is something that each generation has a responsibility
to carry forward. Again, that belongs to
all of us. And here in Chicago, we know that legacy
especially well.
Reverend Jackson's work through Rainbow PUSH helped put Chicago at
the center of the national conversation about voting rights,
economic justice, civil rights, and political
participation.
Naming this law in his honor connects the
next generation of Illinois voters to that history.
I want to recognize two of my former colleagues, Senator
Robert Peters, who sponsored SB
1786
and set this legislation in motion,
Representative Kim Duleclay, who sponsored and passed
HB
4339 through both chambers.
Community organizers, advocates such as the League of Women
Voters and Chicago Votes,
as well as legislators, educators, and students who
helped move this forward.
I also want to acknowledge Commissioner
Terra Stamps, who is with us today.
Championing this effort and helping bring together people necessarily to
turn an idea into law. Terra,
thank you. Most importantly, the young people.
When
a young person graduates from high school,
we should be preparing them not only for college, Mr.
Mayor, a career, or the workforce, but
also for citizenship and participation in the community
they are inheriting.
A voter registration card does not tell a young person who to vote for.
It gives them the opportunity to make a decision for themselves.
That is what civic empowerment is all about.
So on behalf of the 4th Ward, I am proud to
recognize the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.
Young Voter Empowerment Law, Rainbow PUSH
Coalition, Commissioner Stamps, our state legislators, our
educators, our community partners, and most importantly, the
young people who will carry this forward.
Let us continue to build a Chicago and Illinois where young
people
know
that their voice matters and their
participation matters. I also want to thank the folks that are
standing with us today who also need to be
recognized for their
important work to pass this great legislation. Mr.
Mayor, thank you very much.
Thank you, Alderman Robinson. Thank you.
Chair recognizes Alderman Riley.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to also
tag along with Alderman Robinson.
I introduced
a resolution today calling for informational hearings to allow us to
discuss Reverend Jackson's new law in committee and to educate
members of the public about it. So I encourage my colleagues
to join as co-sponsors, and hopefully we'll have that hearing scheduled soon.
Thank you-
Thank you, Mr. President
... Alderman Riley.
Thank you again, Commissioner Stamps, for your presence.
The chair recognizes Alderman Moore.
Thank you so much, Mr. President. And I just wanted to
make sure I
stood and supported this ordinance and say something about
one of the young ladies that's here, Latina Brady Pettis, who's standing right here
with GOTV,
Get Out The Vote, for our teens, have been on the ground, done great work at the
state and around this
state and city to get the teen vote out.
And then combining with this Reverend Jesse Jackson ordinance, it's just a
great thing. So I just wanted to commend Latina Brady Pettis for sticking through
this because this is not easy work.
A lot of
our young people are disenfranchised, but when you're on the front lines at those
schools doing the work, getting these teens involved, it benefits our
democracy. So thank you so much, Mr. President.
Thank you. Thank you, Alderman. Again, thank you, Alderman, for bringing
this important piece of legislation to this body.
And I know Cook County Commissioner Stamps has had to move
on, but I would just ask a leave from this body to recognize
two other individuals that are here, Bishop Dr.
Byron Brazier and the former alderman of the 1st Ward, former
congressman Bobby Rush, are both here.
Please give them a nice, warm round of applause.
And if I can just take executive privilege, I do believe that Alderman Rush
did vote for RTLO 40 years ago.
Our final recognition or acknowledgement
Will be a memorialization of
Reverend David Coleman by his daughter, Alderwoman
Stephanie Coleman. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Stephanie Coleman.
Thank you, Mr. President. To my colleagues, I
stand before you today to honor and remember a
pillar of not only the Englewood community, my family,
my beloved father and best friend, Pastor David Coleman Sr.
He dedicated his
life to selfless service, faith, and uplifting those around him.
On a deeper and personal level, being his daughter was one of the
greatest honors of my life. To have had a father
who christened me, baptized me, and prepared me to
face the world is a gift I will forever cherish.
My father's love to sing, and any Baptist
pastor has a theme song. As a matter of fact, he sounded just like Reverend Clay
Evans, and his theme song was "I Have Decided to Follow
Jesus." That song wasn't just a hymn to
him, but it was the blueprint for his life and
service to God's people. In times of political
turmoil,
shifting opinions, and community challenges, he reminded
us that serving God and serving the people requires
unwavering conviction. His message was very simple:
keep moving forward, stay true to your purpose, because
there is no turning back.
My grace comes from Bishop Coleman, but my grit comes just
from my daddy. When people throw shots, show
disrespect right here in this body and outside of this body,
sometimes we forget that behind the titles we are men and
women on this council that are real human beings with real
families.
So let me be clear,
they can play with their kids and play with their followers, but play
with me not.
Because the foundation that my father built is unshakable,
unmovable, always abiding in the work of the
Lord, for I know that our labor right here is not in
vain. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the leaders of the
city who showed up. To Clerk Valencia, the best corp counsel in the world,
Mary Richardson Lowry. Chairs Pat Dowd, Mitchell
Harris, Jason Ervin, Melissa Conyers Ervin, Alderman Lamont
Robinson, Chico Lee, Monique Scott, Ronnie
Mosley, Yancey, and Curtis. To Englewood United,
Alderwoman Jeanette Beatrice Taylor, Alderman Raymond Lopez.
A special thank you to Alderman David Moore, who visited my father in the
hospital. That is at a personal act of love that I will
never ever forget. I am also grateful to Commissioners
Cole Stallard, Marlene Hopkins, Sierra Boatwright, Charler
Roberts, Sam Alexander, and Chris Hodges in his work capacity,
but also as a brother. Black Men United, the women of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Theta Omega Chapter, thank you.
My father's legacy of faith, courage, and community
service continues to inspire me and my community,
and I hope that it inspires all within the work of the great city of
Chicago. God bless you, and thank you all.
Thank you.
This concludes all of our acknowledgments at this time.
We do have three resolutions today celebrating Latine Heritage
Month, recognizing the outstanding work of rapid response teams
across the city, and of course, honoring
an incredible human being, an historic figure,
the first Black woman to serve in this capacity as corp counsel, Mary Richardson
Lowry,
on her re-re-retirement.
In the interest of time, respecting people's time, we will forego
reading the resolutions and go straight to remarks from
City Council.
Our first resolution will be celebrating Latine Heritage Month.
But before that, Alderman Mitchell, can I get a motion
to suspend the rules to take up these resolutions?
Good morning, Mr. President. I move suspension of rules to acknowledge these
resolutions.
All those in favor of the suspending of the rules signify by saying "aye."
Any opposed say "nay." In opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
I want to first, before
our alders prepare to speak to this resolution
of honoring
Latine Heritage Month, want to thank all of the individuals who have
joined us in the box this morning.
Melissa Dupree,
Jennifer
Aguila,
Kenneth
Balcarcel,
Melena Hakim,
Ramon Villareal,
Alejandra
Palacios Nina Cedeno,
Cecilia Mendoza,
Enrique
Espinoza,
Dolce
Guarduna,
Berlinda
Arrega,
Julieta Bolivar, Victoria
Infante,
Teresa
Fraga, and Johnny
Gonzalez.
Are there any alders that wish to speak to this resolution?
Chair recognizes Alder Fuentes.
Thank you, Mr. President.
It's an honor and a privilege to be associated with this resolution,
and I first want to acknowledge an amazing woman in the box
Melissa Dupre of the Humble Park Dupres, my sister in the
struggle. Actress, comedian, bombera, culture
preserver, organizer, and movement shaker.
She keeps people in check, reminds us why we're doing the work, and makes sure
we're having fun while we're at it.
She has been a great friend,
but someone I also look up to.
I represent a Latino ward, predominantly
a Puerto Rican neighborhood,
and we are often challenged with the impact of
colonialism, both on the island and in the diaspora,
challenging our neighbors and our beliefs.
And someone like Melissa, for so long, has reminded
us that we can continue to tell our stories
and change the circumstances. And so I'm grateful for her
leadership, to be able to call her a friend.
Know that I support you, champion you, and I'll follow you wherever you go.
I also want to acknowledge someone that's unable to be here today,
and that is Michelle Morales.
She
has been the executive director of Mikva.
She served as a board member for Chicago Public School.
She is the president of Woods Foundation, and she is
currently duking it out with cancer
while it is terrorizing her body.
I met Michelle when I was 16 years old.
I still didn't know who the hell I was,
but she provided immense leadership.
She showed me what it meant to advocate for our neighbors,
to be in solidarity with other Latino communities,
and she taught me that the struggle that we are a part of is a struggle in
perpetuity.
When I first encountered Michelle, she was the coordinator of National Boricua
Human Rights Network, which was the campaign to free our political
prisoners.
And I joined the campaign not ever knowing if we were going to bring our political
prisoners home, but Michelle woke up every single day, and she believed
we would.
And
under President Barack Obama, our last political prisoner received clemency, and
I remember just
how consumed Michelle was with emotion.
That she can work so hard every day, had hold on to hope, and that we would
realize that vision.
And today, she serves as the president of a foundation
that continues to advance so much of our work around community building,
organizing for those that need us the most.
But more importantly, she taught me what it meant to be a mover
and a shaker and an organizer in this work, but also what it
meant to be a mother,
a leader, a wife, someone who organized in her
household as much as she did on the streets.
And today, I want to acknowledge Michelle, because too
often we only give people their flowers when they're gone,
and today I want to make sure that Michelle receives hers while she is
battling such a vicious disease.
And her son, Javi,
has worked for my office, and he is brilliant.
He is his mother's son,
and I'm so excited to watch him lead and become the
organizer that our community deserves.
So many of you in the box have made the difference
in our lives.
I am because someone like Melissa is,
because someone like Michelle is.
Our Latino community is filled with individuals that preserve our
culture, that resist. And in a moment in which we are
under political attack, we have shown just how strong and
brave we are.
And the last thing I'll say is this: The Latino community is not a
monolith.
I was born with the right of citizenship as a Puerto Rican,
and many of our Latino communities have different struggles.
But I'll tell you this, we are stronger together than we
are apart, and this box is representation of that.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Yes. Hold on a
second.
Yes. May I have leave from the body to allow our city clerk to speak on
Michelle? Very well. Madam Clerk, you are recognized.
Thank you. I didn't know it was Jesse was or the
alderperson, Fuente, was going to bring her
today for the celebration. So I just wanted to share.
It's sad because this is the second time I've spoken to this body about losing a
friend and losing someone that so many of us coming up in the ranks have
looked up to. And I'm really happy, and I hope that she is
watching and can hear all of the praise that she so well
deserves. That while she has been on this earth, she has done
more in her lifetime,
that Michelle Morales has done more in her lifetime than many grown
adults I know. She has accomplished so much.
And the seeds she has sown into the alderperson and to
myself, to many other women leading nonprofits,
leading in political circles, navigating
barriers and misogyny and racism, and teaching
us how to get back up and stay in the fight and keep hope
in our hearts and not to give up. And especially in this moment,
especially in this moment where our communities and
immigrant communities are being attacked and deported and
terrorized and torn apart from their families,
it is hard to keep hope.
It is hard to keep hope. So I want to thank the box.
I want to thank the Latinas before me to allow that I am
the 44th city clerk of Chicago and only the second woman
and second Latina to hold this position
But it is because of your work in the box, it is your work, Michelle,
that you have done and set the course for all of us.
It is
this platform we will continue to use, I will continue to use for
good and justice and hope, and for doing the right thing, and for
showing up and not staying silent, for whatever it costs me and for
whatever it costs anyone else. So I am with you in solidarity.
I am with our community. I am holding them in my heart.
I'm holding you, Michelle, in my heart, and I am praying for your peace
and praying for your family's peace. Thank you for the leave.
Thank you.
Alderman Sigcho-Lopez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President, and
members of the chamber, members of the city council.
It's a great honor that I rise in support of this important resolution,
celebrating with pride
Hispanic Heritage Month.
This has certainly been a very difficult time for our community,
and I want to make sure that we
recognize the wonderful leaders that we have today in the box.
I do have some special guests, but I want to recognize every single
member that is in the box. The leadership that you represent in every
corner, in every trench where you're fighting,
makes our city a better place. Today, we are not a minority in the city of Chicago.
Our Latina-Latino community now represents over 800,000 people, and we're
proud not to be called a minority. We are, and we will be soon, a
majority in the city of Chicago. So today, I tell you with great pride
that it's great to see how in our Chicago public schools, we have
150,000 kids. We again, are the majority of the Chicago public
school kids, and that is what is so great to see our city fighting
to make sure that our schools are fully funded for every child.
Every child deserves the dignity and respect, including in our community.
I want to recognize Victoria Infante, who is a leader in Chicago public
schools, working with parents. Parents who need, today more than ever,
guidance. And we want to make sure that we have universal childcare so that we
have, just like in other countries with a much less GDP,
less per capita income, that they can make that a reality.
There's no reason why we cannot do that in the best city in the country, in
Chicago. So today, I also want to recognize some of the many
leaders that we have here. I see the president or the executive director
of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for your efforts.
I know our businesses have been deeply impacted because of the atrocious
terrorism that we continue to see in our country.
And we're not going to be afraid of calling it what it is.
And we continue to fight back. I want to also recognize some of my
special guests. I know that we have here all Latin America here and all
of my good friends from Bolivia, many other places.
I want to thank you for being here today.
My special recognition to El Comité Cultural Mexicano.
I want to recognize that last year, El Grito
wasn't
done throughout the city.
Days before, Silverio Villegas González was assassinated
and killed with cold blood by ICE mercenaries.
We will never forget, and there will not be impunity.
But I want to recognize the leadership because just days after, when many
El Grito events were canceled, there was one comité,
especially mothers in our community and grandparents who said that we will have it,
and that was El Comité Cultural Mexicano in Pilsen that gave El Grito last year
in the midst of fear. It is hope and courage of people like El
Comité Cultural Mexicano. Teresa Fraga, I want to
recognize, of course, for being there.
Mateo Macuil, who is the
director of the International Latino Cultural Center.
Thank you for being here.
I also want to recognize, of course, the leaders in Little Village that are not
there only when the cameras are on, but they're where nobody's talking, when I was
speaking, where the fear reigns. So my special thanks to a dear
friend and longtime activist, my good friend Irma Morales, who is here
with you today. Thank you for being the voice of reason.
She
does a lot of work for mental health, trying to save the lives of kids.
Her son was himself deported not too long ago, but
she continues to fight for every child and making sure that mental health and
violence prevention is a reality in Chicago.
Thank you, Irma, and all the Little Village leaders.
Seems like the ICE mercenaries are obsessed with Little Village, and I know why.
I think that they see the courage and the example of integrity that many leaders
have.
And then let me also recognize, I know that there's a lot of people from the Puerto
Rican community. All the communities.
We have many flavors, many accents, and I think some people get uncomfortable with
that. I love the flavors, and I love the diversity that we have in our
community. And there's no one who resembles that more, I know that she's not in the
box, but she's still here,
represents a legacy in the city of Chicago, the Lozano family.
So I want to recognize my good sister, Pastora Lozano, who is here with us, not in
the box, but she is here with us today.
Because you see, Mr. Mayor, there's a long tradition, a long
history of our community here in Chicago.
It was actually Pastora Lozano's brother, Rudy Lozano, who was
assassinated also in cold blood because he believed that a
coalition of Black and brown was possible in the city of Chicago, and there's a
blueprint. That cost him his life, believing the labor
movement, believing that the city of Chicago can be a welcoming city.
We owe to Rudy Lozano and Mayor Harold Washington
that today we continue to be a sanctuary city.
In a time when we need to respect human rights and constitutional rights,
Chicago is an example of that leadership, and I'm proud to be in Chicago.
I am proud to continue to fight for every child.
You people in the box, you leaders in the box, make us all proud.
I am telling you, as a father of triplets, I want my kids to be
always proud of what they come from.
There should not be any child afraid or ashamed of where they come from.
It is a shame that in our country we have money for masked individuals, but we
don't have money for SNAP benefits, of childcare, or healthcare.
It is a shame that we live in that fear.
But today is a time to celebrate, because our
history and our culture, it is really an example to the country.
Continue to be resilient, continue to lead in whatever the trenches are.
If you're an educator, if you're an elected official, if you're a doctor, if you're
a teacher, whatever the trench is, today more than ever,
we have to fight and fight together.
This divide and conquer, pitching our communities against each other is
nothing but a game by the billionaire class, the Epstein class.
And today, in our city, we know that we got to stay together.
Let us not fall for the divide and conquer.
Let us see the people of our community be an example.
And lastly, let me tell you, because we're going to have a meeting soon about this.
And never again, and this is go for the Chicago Police Department, I will never
again want to see that holding a Mexican flag is a crime.
That cannot happen. That will never happen again.
So today I tell you,
my last thing as
Los Tigres del Norte say, "Somos mas Americanos"
we are very American. We are from the South and the North.
And I tell you, for all the young kids that are here, the students who are here, I
tell you, do never, ever be ashamed of where you come from.
Our ancestors have been here for thousands of years.
We're not foreigners in this land.
And even for those who tell us that we're foreigners, let us see what the scripture
said.
How do we treat the foreigner? How do we treat the
immigrant? And in Chicago, we treat them as our own because we
do believe that. We are not hypocrites that use
religion to divide and to spread hate.
We are the love that we need in every part of the country.
So today I said, "Que viva América unida," and
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month. Thank you so much.
Si, se puede.
Alderman Cardona, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to extend my
sincerest gratitude to all my constituent staff
and the community members in the box who help make this celebration so meaningful
each year.
I am incredibly proud
to come from Puerto Rican parents, and growing up in this beautiful city
surrounded by so much cultural richness is something I would never
change. Chicago has always been a city shaped
by many cultures, traditions, languages, and stories
of people who
call it home, and I'm proud to be part of that story.
This year is especially meaningful to me because Belmont Cragin,
one of the neighborhoods I have the privilege representing for the past seven
years, is now home of the largest population
of any neighborhood in Chicago, surpassing Little Village.
Sorry, Mike, for that.
But that means a great deal to me personally.
My own family is a beautiful mix of Puerto Rican, Mexican, Peruvian, and
Honduran roots, and having my family live right here in
Belmont Cragin makes this accomplishment even more special.
For those who may not know or who may not have the opportunity to
visit Belmont Cragin, Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect way
to come and experience what the community has to offer.
On Fullerton Avenue, the corridor is home of an incredible number of Latino-owned
businesses and is one of the strongest commercial corridors in the city.
I encourage everyone to shop local,
support small businesses, try new restaurants, and visit local
shops, and experience the culture that what makes the neighborhood so special
on the North Side, or even on the South Side.
To all the small business owners throughout the city,
Latino businesses, and especially in the 31st Ward, thank
you. Thank you for investing in our community, creating jobs,
welcoming our residents, and sharing the piece of culture with everyone who walks
through those doors.
Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating where
we come from, honoring those who came before us, and
recognizing the contributions of our
communities continue to make every single day.
I am proud to represent
you. I'm proud to call Belmont Cragin home, and proud to
celebrate our Hispanic and Latino communities, not just this month, but
throughout the whole entire year.
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, and thank you for allowing me to
serve this incredible community. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Alderman Chico, you're recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President, and I too support this resolution.
I want to thank everybody in the box for their leadership and contributions.
I represent the oldest Mexican American community in the city of Chicago,
South Chicago, and I brought here a leader
in the 10th Ward,
Roman Villareal,
who is not only a staple in our community, but in the art
community.
Roman's roots run deep in the Bush neighborhood and in South
Chicago,
and it's through his artwork that you see that pride come out
in every one of his pieces.
The story of South Chicago is on display
in every piece of work he touches.
Roman never misses an opportunity to create pieces that
showcase the community that he loves
and respects.
But what I value most about Roman
is the work he does on a daily basis to uplift the
youth in our community.
You could go to 93 Studios any day of the week
and see him giving guidance and mentorship
to the young artists in the 10th Ward, and the Southeast Side, for
that matter.
I want to thank you
for the decades of hard work
and mentorship you have given to the youth that I represent.
I've seen you from afar, and as the alderman, I've seen you up
close. I could tell you that the work you do means so
much to our community, to the Southeast Side, and to the
overall art community. So thank you.
And thank you to his wife, Maria, for also
mentoring
our young artists in the community. Thank you to both of you.
Thank you. Alderman Mike Rodriguez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, thank you, Alderwoman Fuentes,
for bringing up
one of my heroes as well, Michelle Morales.
She is in our prayers. She will remain in our prayers for as
long as she's with us. And,
as we all meet our maker,
may we have lived life half as much as Michelle
Morales, who is such an
amazing human being, and I thank God.
My wife was just texting me right now, very sad about her good friend.
So,
Michelle, I hope you're listening.
We love you,
and we learn from you, and we try valiantly to carry on your
legacy.
To those in the box,
my neighbor is Jennifer Aguilar,
right down the street on Lawndale.
I grew up on 23rd and Lawndale. She lives on 25th, and now I live on 30th and
Lawndale. So
Lawndale is an important street. It's also the
name of an important two neighborhoods, North Lawndale
and South Lawndale. And it's not lost upon me that those
communities were divided by speculators.
They were divided and names were changed by people who want to
differentiate
between, let's be honest,
the disinvestment that was going on in North Lawndale, the forced
white flight that was happening in North Lawndale.
And we wrestle
with that lineage, that history of
disinvestment, particularly in our Black communities,
and how that impacts the Latino community as well.
I'm glad someone brought up Harold Washington and Rudy Lozano,
because the most iconic piece of
architecture
in the Latino community in the city of Chicago
is and will remain the Little Village Arch,
funded by and fought for by Jesus "Chuy"
Garcia and Harold Washington, right?
Let us remember the example of those two individuals,
how they brought communities together to work together, to fight together
for the betterment of our neighborhoods.
26th Street
is not the second Magnificent Mile.
26th Street is the Magnificent Two Miles.
We are second to nobody.
And that has to do with our population, our
immigrant spirits, and our entrepreneurs, who by the way,
our entrepreneurs were at the front lines
supporting our brothers and sisters.
So I want to thank you,
Jen, for being an organizer as well as a representative of the
Chamber of Commerce for organizing folks.
And I'm not going to name any more names because there's a lot of good people in
there that I've known for a long time that I love, that we fought for a high school
together in a hunger strike. We fought for mental health and behavioral
health support and violence prevention support.
But we've also fought, and I want to bring this full back,
to fight together, to invest in our communities together.
And I think of no better person that represents that than Michelle Morales.
So I would like to end by saying, "Viva Michelle."
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder Vasquez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Always, I rise proudly in support
of the resolution.
Before remarks, I'd like to recognize our folks in the box.
It's been
quite a year.
It's been quite a term being the chair of the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee
Rights, and
I want to make sure to thank the folks who have spent countless hours
helping us put together events, 80 to 100 events, in person,
virtually, to really make sure that our communities are informed, that
they're protected, and they feel confident that not only the city, but our
neighborhoods, that we keep us safe.
So I want to recognize Alejandra Palacios, Cecilia Mendoza,
Nina Cedeño, Enrique Espinoza, Orlando Arriaga,
Dulce Garduno,
Julieta Bolivar, and Victor Infante for all of your work.
You all do so much more,
and you do it voluntarily, and it reminds us
of the moment that we're in and how brilliant and resilient our people can be.
So this weekend, a number of us, the Latino Caucus, we had a
gala at the Chicago History Museum.
And we were fortunate enough to walk in to see Aquí in Chicago,
which is an exhibit showcasing the history of Latinidad
here in the city.
I would recommend everyone go see it before it closes November 8th.
But as I was walking through
It just reminded me of my own upbringing, of the neighborhoods that we grew up in
in the city that used to be very Latino, and sometimes are less so.
Bucktown, for example, when I grew up, a lot more than it was now.
Logan Square
looked different than it does now.
Humboldt Park still remains strong, but there are some changes.
I think citywide,
we need to recognize how a lot of us came here, the communities that we built,
and how many of us grew up in those communities.
To be here in this moment where
we feel traumatized and under attack constantly
should not feel that foreign to us, unfortunately, because it's been happening the
whole time we've been here.
When I was a kid, we had to make sure La Migra wasn't looking for us.
We wouldn't be able to go outside. Now,
decades later, that hasn't changed. In fact, it's gotten worse.
I want to commend our colleagues from Latino Caucus.
A majority of us know what tear gas tastes like now.
We know what it's like to have to confront a fascist government
that's targeting our people. And it's targeting not just our people, but
primarily in a way that makes us feel alone sometimes, and we know we have
to stand for each other. And I want to thank our colleagues for
having the courage to do that, for being on the front lines.
Not only are we legislating and handling potholes,
it's rapid response. It's making sure that CPD is held accountable
when it comes to potential ICE interactions.
Thank you.
There's so much work that needs to be done,
and I want to mention that because even in spite of that,
we carry on.
We keep fighting.
Two weeks ago,
I was at the Mexican Independence Day parade in La Villita,
and
I'm north as hell, very north side, 60,000 north side.
But to be on 26th Street and see all the folks on the side,
and having them all look like our families, right?
Right now, there are families that are having kids right now that are scared to be
outside. And everything that you all do every single day, every single one
of you all, even just your regular day jobs,
is creating the future for those kids to feel more confident and proud of who they
are and know that they are protected in this moment.
So, I want to thank you for that, because even with that amount of oppression,
it doesn't stop
our beauty,
our flavor, our shine.
I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
And so I want to thank you for everything you all do, and everything that you add
to our culture and our heritage here.
And I look forward to doing more as we develop future leaders to do the same.
Thank you so much for everything, and thank you to our colleagues. Thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes
Alderwoman Geulu Gutierrez.
Thank you, Chairman.
As you all know, I was born and raised in Mexico.
And I'm so proud to represent now the 14th Ward, with
80% of people
are of Hispanic descent.
And it not only
the pride that I have as the alderwoman, but also the blessing of being
there for our people,
making sure that every time I come here at City Hall,
at this chamber,
and any committee, any meeting, anything, is not only advocating
and working for our Latino people, but making sure that we
all together continue to uplift our communities
and continue to advocate for everybody as a whole in this city of
Chicago.
And why I'm saying this is because people sometimes get stuck about being
Latino, being Black, being white, or any race or
cultures. And we just need to continue to remind ourselves and our kids
that we are neighbors, that we live in Chicago, and
Chicago is a welcoming city, and we will continue to work
together to be good neighbors. And with this,
I just wanted to say,
colleagues,
people in the audience, people in Chicago, let's continue to
build together. Let's continue to be proud of who
we are. But let's continue to teach our kids to be
good to each other, to be proud of their
upbringing, their heritage and their roots.
But always make sure to be a proud Chicagoan, because that's what
we are. We're all together.
Thank you so much for everyone in the box.
I've worked with many of you as well
since I came here 15 years ago.
Time flies, but here we are, fighting again and
again together because we know what this is all about.
It's all about unity, it's all about working together, and
it's all about making sure that our kids, our elders, and everybody
in this city have the right to continue to be
safe and thrive in this city. Happy
Heritage Month, and let's continue to celebrate all year long.
Thank you.
Okay, are there any other alders that wish to speak to this resolution?
The chair recognizes Alderman David Moore.
Thank you
so much, Mr. President. I stand in support of this
resolution.
In the 17th Ward,
having about a 20% Hispanic population and working
with the community, what you realize in these communities that
it's a
melting pot in terms of
our communities living together, working together,
and our families. And when you start looking into it and you sit down and
talk, you find deeper the connection to the
Latino community and the African community, which is our background and our
heritage. And as we continue to work together to build up
a city that's more unified, I'm at the
forefront and will always be at the forefront of making that happen within the
city of Chicago. So I celebrate all of you today who came
out, and I want to just make sure we continue to work
together and make this city the greatest city in the world.
God bless you.
God bless you, too.
Thank you. Are there any other alders that wish to speak to this resolution?
Very well. Seeing no other hands, Chicago, as been
stated, is home to an incredibly vibrant and proud Latine
community, whose culture and tradition and history have
greatly contributed to the fabric and the soul of our city.
Latine influences can be seen throughout our city, and the
Latine culture and traditions permeate every part of Chicago,
from our community organizations, culinary scene, to, of course, our world-renowned
institutions and museums.
And our city is the global city that it is today due to the indelible
contributions of our Latine residents.
They've made them in arts,
our economy, science,
and government. They have touched every corner of our city.
I do want to recognize and thank the City of Chicago's Latino
Caucus
and all of the Latinos and Latinas who serve our city at all
levels of government.
As our Latine community faces threats and persecution at the hands of the federal
government,
it is important that we come together to celebrate and stand in solidarity with all
of them.
The Latine community has given our city so much, and we remain committed to
advocating with and for our Latine
neighbors.
Our city is what it is today because of the diversity of talent, culture,
traditions, and perspectives that
allow for us to
have a city that works for everyone.
Perspectives that immigrants have brought to Chicago since its inception.
It's truly made Chicago a truly welcoming and global city where
everyone can truly belong. Finally, this month and every month,
let us come together to celebrate, uplift, and support our
Latine community while embracing our shared community that defines
the soul of Chicago.
So again,
we celebrate Heritage Month, and with that, Alderman Mitchell, can I get a motion
for the passage? Alderwoman Harris, can I get a motion for the passage
of this resolution?
I
move to approve this resolution.
There's a motion to pass this resolution in the
omnibus. Hearing no objections,
so ordered. Congratulations, everyone, and
happy Hispanic Heritage Month.
All right. As our guests prepare to exit the box and
as our next set of guests enter the box,
bear with us today. Just a couple of more to go,
and we'll continue to move city council
forward.
Well, thank you. All of our members of the box have arrived.
I want to thank Karina De La Cruz, Dylan Robinson,
May
Tawakel,
also Veronica Castro,
Kevin Amaro,
Sheila Mimi
Guragain,
Maddie Schneider,
Antonio Ramos,
Katie Morrell,
Stephanie Alejandra Ortega,
Connie Hernandez,
Sandra Puebla,
Cindy Medina Cervantes, Maria
Elizabeth Calderon,
Enrique
Espinosa,
Jason Garcia,
John Luchega,
and Brian
Orozco. Let's give all of the members who are here in the box a round of applause.
Thank you all for being patient today.
The chair recognizes Alder Quezada.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise in support of this resolution to recognize
a fraction of our rapid response leaders and legal
support leaders who have been doing the amazing work supporting our
undocumented and immigrant neighbors across the city of Chicago.
I especially want to highlight three of the leaders who are in the box today,
Sandra, Connie, and Stephanie, who are leaders of our Northwest Side Rapid
Response Network, and who are also leaders of United Neighbors of the 35th
Ward. Not in the box, but I also want to recognize, is our Cook County
Commissioner, Jessica Vasquez, who's one of the co-chairs of the Northwest Side
Rapid Response Network.
This network, alongside the many other networks across the city, are
doing the amazing work of protecting our neighbors who
are being targeted by this fascist, authoritarian federal government.
Our Northwest Side Rapid Response Network has a active
membership of over 300 volunteers and neighbors,
who day in and day out patrol our neighborhoods of
Albany Park, Avondale, Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Belmont
Cragin, and Hermosa, and so many others, to make
sure that they are patrolling our streets to see when
ICE is in the neighborhood, to notify our neighbors, to
inform them on their constitutional rights,
and to make sure that we are connecting our impacted neighbors to
legal support, to rent support, to
food. They've created food pantries.
They have done the work that no other person should be doing
right now. But when we have a hostile federal
government that has basically waged war on our neighborhoods,
our neighbors have come together. They have answered the call.
They are the unsung heroes and heroines of our time.
And when this dark time is over, when this federal government is held
to account, when we dismantle the Department of Homeland Security and abolish
ICE, the history books will look highly to the people in this box
today because they have put their bodies on the line to protect our neighbors.
And for that, I am very grateful, and I am grateful that you are here today for
this recognition, and I know the people of Chicago are very grateful for your
leadership. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Alder Issahakhe.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman
Julia Ramirez.
Hey, everybody.
So a scene that constantly plays over and over in my head
was when I saw Tom Homan on national news, wide-eyed,
stunned, after coming onto our streets. Whose streets?
He found out quickly that we weren't playing.
Unaware of our strength, not knowing we don't play about our city,
we don't play about our people,
we don't play about our vulnerable neighbors.
He came realizing we were just too educated.
We're educated on our rights, and we weren't going to allow them to
infringe on our vulnerable communities.
They call you Rapid for a reason. You guys are very quick to
action.
You all quite literally do it all.
You organize, you document, you blow whistles,
but you also continue to spread joy,
you ask people to shop local,
you create mutual aid efforts,
and you help memorialize all of our loss,
but always lead with hope for another day.
We are indebted to your great rapid response. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Alder Ramirez.
The chair recognizes Alder Fuentes.
Thank you, Mr. President. I held it together for Michelle.
I'm going to try to do the same here.
For over a year,
our community has been terrorized.
Our communities have been under attack.
We watched Silverio Villegas be murdered and Marimal
Martinez be shot down.
And we had neighbors,
everyday organizers, educators, come together
to serve and protect our community.
These Rapid responders created walking bus tours for
our students so their parents can stay home and not risk their lives.
They wore whistles on their chests so that they can notify the entire
community when they were not safe.
They put their bodies on the line, were pepper-sprayed,
beaten,
and shot at.
These Rapid responders, without flinching or
thinking twice, understood the assignment:
that we are to protect our communities,
that we are to protect our people, and that no federal agent,
masked and armed with war weapons, were going to put us
behind doors in fear.
See, there are people in that box who wake up at
5:00 in the morning organizing people to get in
cars and to watch our communities.
There are people in that box who use their law degrees to protect the
most vulnerable. There are people in that box that have demanded the
state for funding so that we can protect a community that has built
this very city.
Rapid responders.
They have allowed children to go to school,
parents to go to work,
families to be able to come home at the end of the night
and see every single part of their household,
while also providing services to those
who have not been able to stay in town.
We've lost residents to deportation who had no criminal
record,
and I won't allow any journalist or any person to say that federal
agents have come in and taken the worst of our city.
They have come in and taken the best of our city.
The tamalera didn't do anything to anybody.
The owner of Best Sub in the 26th Ward didn't do anything to
anybody.
That have helped build our community, and
the terrorism that we've experienced is unjust.
You want to know what gives me hope?
The people in that box,
because they show just how strong and resilient we are.
And to the folks that have stood in solidarity,
who don't have to worry about their documentation status,
who have utilized their privilege to stand in the line to defend
those that cannot, I want to thank you.
Our community has noticed your presence.
And to Deputy Mayor Beatriz,
thank you for your work,
for making sure that
the city stands firm
in protecting our welcoming city ordinance, in supporting our rapid responders,
and in showing up with the resources when our communities need them the most.
And Mayor, thank you.
The Latino community has noticed your presence, your effort, and
your leadership.
We won't forget it.
Our ability to protect our communities requires leadership
that is unapologetic about defending us. Thank you.
Thank you to everyone in the box, and every single resident who has shown up in the
last year.
Thank you.
Alderman Mike Rodriguez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It is
not lost upon me that we have absolute heroes in the box
there,
people who put their lives on the line.
I absolutely have to, from the bottom of my heart,
share a story and thank,
particularly the lawyers of the Hispanic Lawyers Association
of Illinois, who have a directed subcommittee
of individuals that have had a backlog of
cases, I don't know how long, trying to help people.
Well,
I remember one morning
hearing about ICE being in the neighborhood and detaining somebody,
and rapid response got activated.
I remember someone was stopped in front of me for beeping their horn,
and ICE got out and threatened to arrest the guy.
I came out, had a suit on,
so they left, I think.
But then about a mile later, I found out
that
they abducted
two of my staff,
including my chief of staff,
and held them.
We didn't know where they were taken.
They were held for seven hours,
but it was the legal team that
called and really scavenged the whole county
to try and find them.
And
while we were setting up a press conference to demand their release,
I got a call from Mr. Brian Orozco, who I'm not seeing here, but I
thought I saw earlier,
telling me that Eli and Jax would be released.
I had a lot of panic that day. I remember having my cell phone in my
hand, not being able to send text messages, asking my staff to, because I couldn't
control
myself in that way.
I remember alerting the family members of
my staff about their detention and not knowing where they were taken, when they
would be let go, if they'd be let go.
But it was
those lawyers who found them
and let them go, who have dedicated so much pro
bono time to support folks who will never be able to
repay them for their time.
So thank you to you. To all of those who are not paid as well,
as a lawyer or anything,
you all know.
You're putting your lives on the line.
ICIR, all your member institutions, putting their lives on the line,
putting their organizations on the line.
For people we don't know, but people who we do know,
they're our neighbors. They're tamale vendors. They're vendors of paletas.
They're people who are trying to make a better lives for their family,
and they're being targeted unjustly.
Communities being targeted unjustly,
with the distinct intention to divide us
and get us distracted on the wrong 1%.
So today,
I stand with the mayor and all my colleagues to say
muchas gracias.
Thank you for all that you've done over the last months,
over the last year, in the face of terror.
Greg Bovino stood
six inches from my face.
I saw up close the eyes of the devil.
And you, my friends, have stood up to those eyes, and
you've provided a different path forward, a path of unity, a
path of resistance, a path of community. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder Vasquez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you who are in the box, but also
everyone citywide.
This job is something that teaches you a lot
about humanity and about our city.
When we first got elected,
in the first year, we had a global pandemic, and a lot of us lost
hope for a split second, not understanding what we would all need to do when people
had to separate from each other, when our seniors didn't know how to get groceries.
And it was neighbors who stepped up.
It was community that volunteered and filled in gaps that government couldn't.
You move fast-forward a couple years,
and we get to the point where we get new arrivals that are being brought in
through buses that were weaponized
from Texas.
And we saw our fellow people
sleeping on police stations
without resources, without blankets, without food.
And again, our neighbors stepped up.
First, it was to make sure we were safe during a pandemic, then it was to help
others.
But what we've seen in this last year is a different
step, a different level in that it's not just supporting and looking out, it is
actively defending and protecting our neighbors.
The amount of people...
When we first got word of the federal government coming, we tried our best to see
how we could organize neighbors. So we had a meeting about a year ago at Mather
High School, expecting
maybe 40 people, 50 in the ward showing up to kind of see how we
could teach rapid response,
know your rights canvases in the neighborhood.
We had about a week. We had 750 people show up from around the neighborhood
ready to throw down.
And I see it every single day. I want to thank ICIR,
TRP, OCAD, everybody out there organizing.
But even more so,
your regular neighbor,
your person who's got a full day job.
They got kids they got to raise, they got to pick up kids, they got to make meals
for the family. And what are they doing when they got free time?
Putting a whistle on, checking their phone to see where they've got to drive,
looking at all the different vehicles.
And y'all have gotten so
good at it.
You are defending democracy.
Everybody asks themselves, "What would you do if fascism, if you were around at the
time?"
You all do it every single day.
We see it. We get the messages. Y'all get information before we can ever get it
at government.
You get there, you show up, you record the evidence, then you make sure the
lawyers are around NIJC and everybody else so that we can hold them accountable
when the moment comes, and it will come.
I don't think you all know the kind of heroes you are.
I think you all just
do what you know best, how to be a neighbor.
But I'm looking forward to when y'all have your kids and grandkids
and they look back in history and they see everything you all have done to make
sure we were all safe. And we represented Chicago like nobody else.
We're the city that kicked Trump out when he tried the first time, and we keep
standing up, and other cities learn from us.
And that's because of the work that you all do day in, day out.
Anything you all need from us, let us know.
Not through any official lines of communication.
We're happy to help any other ways. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. Thank you.
Alderman Hadden, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I ought to rise to be associated with this resolution, of course.
I want to second all the
appreciation,
the accolades
that my colleagues have said about all of you, the
organizations and the groups that you represent, to our deputy mayor,
to the mayor, and your whole team.
Thank you.
I also want to shout out, of course,
Protect Rogers Park. I know that we
couldn't have folks representing here in the box,
but folks are representing every day.
We live in a multiracial democracy.
Great leaders, civil rights leaders
throughout our past, and especially for me and my generation as an
elder millennial.
Stake that out.
For everybody in this body, it's leaders that we've grown up
following, seeing. We have folks in this room today,
people that we've honored, who have fought for this multiracial
democracy.
When the Trump administration sends
unauthorized agents in masks to
steal people from the street,
they're not just stealing those people and their lives and their futures,
they're actually stealing from all of our futures.
If you're here,
if you've been elected to this body,
if you took the oath that we take when we
stand during inauguration, if you
fight for your community, for whatever that is, economic freedom,
civil rights,
advancement. I
have to believe you believe in this democracy. You believe in our country.
We've got American flags here.
We fight over sometimes how patriotic each of us is and who's
more patriotic.
And we love, because it's Chicago, we love to rep our cultural and
ethnic heritage as well.
But as a Chicagoan, I don't feel like that takes away
from the
love, community, and support for our multiracial
democracy.
As a representative of the 49th Ward, we have a lot of diversity.
We had dozens of people who were stolen, who were taken,
who were denied their civil rights and their protected
freedoms under our Constitution, under our Bill of Rights,
and we had so many neighbors, hundreds and
hundreds of neighbors,
who believe in this democracy.
They may not come to our ward nights
They may not read our newsletters, they may not show up or
take a survey for the zoning meeting, but they believe in our
democracy in this country, and they're putting themselves on the lines to
protect their neighbors.
And that is the strength that we have right now.
There are elections coming up. We're working on election protection.
We actually have a great election protection fair that many of the organizations
like ICIR, the League of Women Voters Chicago.
Folks are showing up this weekend in the 49th Ward.
So we can just talk about our rights.
What are our constitutional rights? How are we defending it?
And so while we work in this space, and your partners in
government work in our space,
your role and what you're doing in the streets, in your community
organizations, in living rooms, outside of
police stations, outside of Broadview, the
things that you're doing are
even more important. We can't always be there
alongside you, but more than ever, we all have to play our
part and our role. And I thank you, the 49th Ward thanks
you, not just for what you've done, but for what you're
going to do. And what I hope you're demonstrating for all of us
what we'll need to do. These models of community defense and
response,
we're going to continue to build, we're going to continue to innovate because I'm
afraid we're going to continue to need them.
So I appreciate you all. I hope my colleagues, if you don't
have a rapid response organization in your
community, or if you have one that you have not connected with,
connect with them.
Support them, work with them,
and learn from them. And thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder Rodriguez Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise also in support of this resolution, and I am so happy to
see
so many faces that I have been struggling alongside
with
for so long.
When we are faced with conditions such as what we are
facing right now, which we are
experiencing a fascist takeover of our
government and the targeting
of vulnerable people, very specifically in this case, the immigrant
community,
we have choices to make. We can fall into
despair,
we can decide that we are going to be indifferent because
it feels like it's too hard
and they're too powerful,
or we can make the choice to stand up, and we can make the choice to
look at what are the tools that we have, and we can make the choice
to create new tools, organize ourselves,
and channel solidarity.
And that is what everybody in this box decided
to do. And that is life-saving work.
That is the work that makes our community safe.
So when I think about the structures that we have built,
particularly want to shout out the Northwest Side Rapid Response,
the work of rapid response has been such an important layer of
protection for our communities. And then
when we couldn't onboard people
quick enough and efficiently enough because it was so hard,
other people decided they were going to do corner watch and started
wearing whistles around schools so that we could protect
those schools. And other people created walking school
buses so that the children could get to school safe and
back home.
And I think about how I would walk my child to school in the
mornings, and he would see the people with the whistles,
and he would see the people mobilizing, and how much
safer my child felt in his community because there were
helpers everywhere.
Because there were people that were committed to one another, and that in the face
of fascism
and in the face of these attacks where people were being abducted and
families were being separated
and people were being disappeared,
there were helpers everywhere.
And we owe such a big thank you to
everybody that has stepped up in this moment because this is what
keep us safe.
This is what we're going to write in the history books when we talk about that time
that there was fascism
and people decided to rise up and offer solidarity to one
another. Thank you so much for all the work that you have done.
And I
also need to say that
during this term,
weathering all of the storms that we have had to weather,
the fact that for the first time in my life, I have
observed the partnership of an administration
with community to be able to do this kind of work of
protecting each other against the
federal government. We are protecting ourselves against
government.
It's a really moving thing to see, and it gives me a lot of hope.
So thank you for not letting us fall into despair
and for teaching this city how to channel solidarity so
that we can all be safe. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. President.
Welcome. Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderman Chico.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I too want to thank everybody in the box,
but specifically my friends from the Southeast side.
I know oftentimes we feel we're left on an island by ourselves,
but the work that I saw you guys do each and every day out there,
is truly appreciated. So thank you for everything you've done and continue to
do
Thank you, Alderman. The chair recognizes Alderman Knutson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in support of this
resolution, and I've got to say,
like so many of my colleagues in rapid response text threads,
when we get that text, your heart jumps.
But information is power, and I'm so just grateful that they're
still active, not because they're needed, I hate that they're
needed, but because we're not letting up on this issue.
Right now, we know that ICE raids are still happening.
It's less in the face of the public, right?
But we can't quiet our support for you during this time.
We need to partner with you more than ever.
And I want to remind you all,
the rapid response teams, the attorneys, the many free
agent volunteers, the volunteers as well with the organizations we've worked with,
One North Side,
Resurrection Project, and so many more, you've got to take care of yourselves.
This work takes a toll.
Back in,
we'll call it
pre-Trump asylum, I used to do a lot of asylum cases, and
I did a good amount of work on the ground in Tijuana with a few non-profits.
And the other fellows on the ground were limited to the amount of time
that their funding organizations allowed them to do the work, and they were
limited because of the emotional toll.
So I'm asking you all, as you're on the ground doing this work, to be cognizant of
that. Support each other. We're here to support you.
And never be ashamed to say, "It's a hard day.
This has been a hard moment." You have to. It's the only sustainable way.
I know we're going to see a day in this city and country where this rapid
response work is not required. We have to know that.
And until then, your organizations, you have
support of so many of us here, and I just want to
express my deep gratitude to you all in making Chicago
clearly a welcoming city at a time when people really need to know it is.
So thank you.
You're welcome. Thank you. Alderman Nicole Lee, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, rise in support of this resolution and really
stand in awe and appreciation for all that you all have done.
Echoing everything that my colleagues have said, I know
that this group never sleeps. And the multiple groups that
are located throughout the city, including the Chinatown Bridgeport area,
we're working constantly between neighborhoods.
I know that I'm on one thread, and I know that there are six other threads that are
connected to it. And there are eyes and people everywhere
doing what is sort of the best of Chicago, which is neighbors looking out for
neighbors.
Neighbors looking out for strangers.
And it's not just people
standing by and simply watching, but that's what's so important right now,
is to bear witness to a lot of the stuff that's going on so that we can document
what's happening.
Sorry, spam calls, you cannot talk to me right now.
I have really important comments to make about this because the work that you're
doing is invaluable. And on behalf of the residents of the 11th Ward,
in particular in Chinatown and Bridgeport and Armour,
we appreciate all that you do, all that you've done, all that you continue to do,
and know that we're here to support you as well.
You've brought out neighbors who wouldn't typically get involved with
anything considered activism because what we're doing right now is
so basic. So basic a human thing to look out for our neighbors.
So in whatever small and big ways people can get involved, if that's showing
up to a whistle kit build,
that's great. If it's sharing the information with a neighbor that might not speak
English, also great thing.
Have residents that come and get whistle packets in Spanish and Chinese because
they want to give them to their neighbors and distribute those in their schools.
Just because we don't see it in the news as often right now doesn't mean it's
happening, and I know each and every single one of you know that.
So to all of you that are here in the box, to the hundreds of other
people that are tied to these networks, thank you so much for all that you're doing
and all that you continue to do. Thank you, Mr. President.
You are welcome. Thank you. The chair recognizes
Alderwoman Ruth Cruz.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in support of this ordinance.
As an immigrant myself,
and also a community that I represent, which has the
most Latinos resident, which is Belmont Cragin.
On behalf of the 30th Ward, I want to say thank you so much for
everybody who's in the box, but also especially for the Northwest Side
Rapid Response for all the work that you do to show
bravery, to show compassion for our immigrant community, and
to adapt to something that most of us have never experienced.
When we see what's happening on the ground, I think about myself.
That could have been myself with my mother, fearing
being torn apart from one another.
From all the sacrifices that we see in our community,
for the love that we have for our communities, for everything the immigrant
community is doing, and for all of you to come together and say,
"We're here with you. We're going to educate you. We're going to protect you.
We're going to be on the ground with you," I cannot thank you for
all the work that you have done. Long hours, and that is true.
Many times we didn't get to sleep. Many times we had to wake up
really early in the morning, ready to go, to be out in the streets to
protect our neighbors. But I just want to say thank you,
God bless you, and I am glad that I have partners like
you doing the work here in the city of Chicago. So thank you so much.
Thank you.
Alderman Lawson, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm
proud to be associated with this resolution on behalf of the residents of the 44th
Ward.
The Latino Caucus knows this. While my ward is not a plurality, half of my house
is Mexican.
My husband was born in Mexico, and
we had to have conversations last year we've never had to have.
He is the first in his family to go to school, first in his family to leave the
Southwest.
And as a professional person, I said, "Please don't go out for lunch today."
They were tear gassing my neighbors at Lakewood and Henderson.
A couple dozen had come out because they were harassing workers
reciting a three-flat
on the block, and they weren't going to have it.
And
it was a really sad and proud day,
knowing that I only had a few bad ones, and a lot of my colleagues had that every
week.
But my neighbors showed up.
They showed up to say no when they didn't know what to do. They showed up to march.
They showed up to volunteer. Katie Merrill from the 44th Ward is in the
box. I want to thank the North Side Rapid Response team for organizing
us as alders and for our ability to use our
resources to come together. I want to thank my neighbors that watch the
kids come home safely from school, especially at Inter-American,
the premier dual language school in the city of Chicago.
And
just thank you for-- Hopefully, we don't have to do this work, and we'll get to
something else. But
your dedication is important, and it means a lot, and it lifts up our city and it
shows us what the best of our city can be. So thank you. Thank you all, Mr.
President.
Thank you. You are welcome.
Alderman Conway, you are recognized.
Mr. Mayor,
two
much deserved thank yous to the folks in the box.
Last
year, had the
privilege of hosting, along with many of you, clinics where we tried to
help the migrant population get temporary protected status and work permits.
So many of you helped with that. Many of you led those programs.
So I am grateful that you, for your leadership and
also even training me as a lawyer on how to do it,
and help as best we can. That's the first thing.
The second thing is in my ward last October,
in front of World Language Academy,
elementary schools, bunch of kids outside.
ICE pulls over a lady, forcibly
removed her from the car in view of all these
kids, and the whole thing was videotaped, and the kids are screaming, "It's ICE,
it's ICE." And it was a
situation that very much went
viral and
was
heartbreaking to see. And many members of the World Language Academy
community reached out to me and said, "What do we do?
How do we respond?" And frankly, I
didn't know how, and was able to get
leadership and ideas from many of you, and I know I'll-- I see you,
Enrique, in the back there, but many of you
were helpful in terms of leading know your rights
seminars,
as well as distributing whistles and how we could all coordinate
response on this. And it was really helpful
to our community. So I can tell you that the folks at
the 34th Ward and World Language Academy will never forget it.
So thank you all very much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you. You are welcome. Are there any other alders that wish to speak?
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Gutierrez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
As you all know, Midwest List started in the 14th Ward a year
ago.
And today, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and
not only thanking you all for the great work that you've done,
the ones that are here today with us, but also acknowledging and thanking
all the ones that are right now out there doing rapid response.
Because I know you all had to check in with your peers and see who's coming to city
council and who's staying in the city, in the wards, to
continue to protect our people.
So thank you for that.
Your compassion, your dedication, your love for our
community does not go unnoticed.
I just want to give a special shout-out to some of the organizations in the
southwest side, but also in the north side and everywhere in inner
city, in the country, that has stepped up
and showed
up for our community. But especially
to ICER, BPNC, Arise, New Life
Center, SWAP,
Increase the Peace, LOSS.
I want to just say thank you.
And
I'm trying to read because, yes, I get emotional because I just
think that one day... And also wanted to give a shout-out to Alejandra
Izquierdo, my chief of staff, because she was with me also doing rapid
response when we were boxed in in our community, trying to get
those
bad people out of our community.
You all know I'm a naturalized citizen.
And of course, my life and my
status was also in the line when I was doing and when I continue to do
rapid response. But you know what? I'm going to continue to do it.
I'm going to continue to be out there for our community,
because we need to understand
that our people deserve to be here.
Our people are here to work. And if they want to take the worst of
the worst, take the worst of the worst. But don't take our families.
Don't take our hardworking people. Don't take our parents out of the schools.
Don't take people in our companies or in the bus stops going
back and forth from work. You know where to find those worst of the worst.
Do not continue to terrorize our communities.
Do not continue to create fear among our kids
and our families around schools and churches.
Thank you to all those elected officials in all levels of government
that have stand up and fight back.
But also shame
on the ones, especially in city council, that do not understand
what a Latino means, what an immigrant means, and what does a
sanctuary city means.
With that said,
thank you so much. I cannot express how much
I can thank you and express my support and my love for you all.
Let's continue to build together.
As I said before,
our only sin is to migrate to a country where we thought that we were going to
continue to thrive for our communities and our families.
So with that same commitment, let's continue to work together, let's
continue protecting our communities, and let's continue to lift each
other. Thank you.
Are there any other alders that wish to speak to this resolution?
Very well. Thank you to all that have come again in the box to
celebrate the
courageous work of our rapid responders.
Throughout history, Chicago has always been a city where people come together
to fight injustices. From the labor movement to the civil rights movement,
the people of Chicago have chosen courage, solidarity, and action.
This remained true over the course of this past year, especially
after the Trump administration launched what was dubbed as Operation
Midway Blitz, and unleashed militarized immigration
enforcement agents into our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools,
and public spaces. And families were separated, communities were
terrorized, and our immigrant neighbors were forced to live with
the uncertainty of what each day might bring.
But in the face of fear and intimidation, Chicagoans did not cower,
bend, or break. We stood by our values.
Here in Chicago, we protected our own, whether
you are a proud multi-generational Chicagoan or you became a Chicagoan
by choice.
Across the city, residents built rapid response networks to keep our communities
informed and protected,
to hold federal agents accountable for any wrongdoing, and
to wrap our arms around our vulnerable neighbors who needed support.
Rapid responders lawfully patrolled the streets, operated
hotlines, and documented what was happening.
And they did this work while facing physical force,
chemical agents, and the threat of arrest.
Not only did their resistance protect so many people, it set an
example for the nation on how communities can lawfully
resist and uphold our collective values.
Our rapid response groups are a proud example of Chicago at its
very best.
We are a city that refuses to be divided or intimidated.
We refuse to stand by while immigrants, refugees, and families
are under attack.
We are a city that champions diversity, embraces
immigrants and newcomers, and we will continue to fight for a better
future for everyone. Generations from now, I am confident
Chicagoans will look back on our rapid responders with the same
reverence we have for those who have come before us in the labor and civil rights
movements.
I am grateful for this opportunity to express our city's profound
gratitude to Chicago's rapid responders, along with the
residents, community organizations, faith institutions, legal advocates,
neighborhood businesses, and mutual aid organizations that supported and
continue to support Chicago's immigrant communities during Operation
Midway Blitz.
To every rapid responder who answered the call,
stood alongside a neighbor, or helped a family in need, your
courage, your compassion, and your commitment to this city has
not gone unnoticed.
And through my administration's Protecting Chicago initiative, I look
forward to continued partnership with each and every one of you.
We will make sure that the nation knows Chicago is a city where progress
is made and protected, and we won't be dragged
backwards. Together, we will ensure that every resident, regardless of
background, immigration status, or
their neighborhood, can live with safety, dignity, and peace of mind
in knowing that they belong here. Thank you very much.
And with that, Alderman Mitchell, can I get a motion for the passage of this
resolution?
Mr. President, I move passage in the honorable.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Thank you all, and congratulations again on your work.
Thank you all so much.
All right. You all have been extraordinarily patient this morning, and
now into the afternoon. We have one more
resolution. As the
members of the rapid responders leave the box,
we are prepared to acknowledge the retirement
of an incredible human being.
Someone who really, truly imbibes the
spirit of not just collaboration, but the power of
movement.
The re-retirement
of our corp counsel, Mary Richardson Lara.
The chair recognizes Alderman O'Shea.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise in support of this
resolution.
Mary,
you have been a godsend.
What most certainly would've been an
extremely difficult three and a half year tour,
leading as our corporation counsel.
I want to make sure your family can hear this, because this is from the heart.
You exhibit
everything
that government needs at a time when
communities across our city and taxpayers need to know that
someone's looking out for them.
You have great integrity.
You have a calm demeanor that, no matter what the circumstance was,
you would take the time to explain to each and every one of us exactly what we were
up against, and provide good counsel.
I speak for everybody in this room when I say, we are so
lucky to have had you these past three and a half years.
And,
I was hoping that you could stay with us a little bit longer, but I understand it's
time to spend more time with family.
To your family,
thank you for sharing her with us.
That I would imagine would've been a tremendous loss for you, the times that she
was here and not with all of you.
I wish you the best.
You are such a wonderful person, and I am so lucky to have gotten to work with you
and know you. Thank you. God bless you.
Thank you, Alderman O'Shea. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Harris.
Thank you. Today I rise to be associated with this resolution.
What a scholar,
what a leader,
what an amazing woman, and what an amazing woman of
God is. That's who you are. When I see you,
I see all those things encapsulated inside your
body as Alderman Matt said, "Integrity."
You beam it, excuse from your body, about doing the
right thing, not just for us, but for the entire city of
Chicago.
Today, the city's a little sadder
because they're losing a true leader
who has negotiated us through some
wonderful things over your tenure here, where you
gave the truth.
And not just my truth, not just the mayor's truth, but the
truth by law,
and we could take that to the bank.
So today, I am grateful to have been here standing
side by side with you,
and I am so proud that you are a great scholar,
a great leader,
and an amazing woman of God. God bless you on your new
journey, wherever that may take you.
I hope you will take time to breathe in some air, take a
breath, and enjoy your family,
and wish you the best on everything you do. Thank you.
Thank you. That AKA love there. Love it.
Just for the record, Corp counsel, my truth has always been legal.
Is that correct? All right. Just making sure because we're on the record here.
The chair recognizes Alderman Bill.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, I have known corporation counsel
for 28 years.
When I first came to this body,
she was one of the
people who I interacted with who helped
mold me.
And when I found out that she was coming back,
when I found out she was coming back, I was
happy and sad all at the same time.
I was happy
for the city of Chicago and what she brings to the
table,
but I was sad for what she was coming back to.
But she knew
what she was coming back to.
And when I tell you there's not a person
with more integrity,
more professionalism,
than our corp counsel,
and I say that
unequivocally.
Mary, I've known you, and you've been that steady,
steady
person your entire career.
You are a quiet storm, if y'all don't know it yet.
You are a quiet storm,
but that was for the best that this city needed.
I've known her husband,
Mister I call him First T,
because we worked together on some First T
stuff that he's very passionate about.
But when you're talking about a power couple,
you're looking at it right here.
You're looking at a true power couple
that really
moves forward with
what we all need to be emulating.
And so, once again, I'm sad that you are leaving
But at the same time, I'm happy that you are taking this next
step and this next journey in your life because you have
done the work that you are called to do.
And when you have done all that you feel that
you can do, and you've left it all on the table,
you have no regrets.
And I guarantee you, you all, our corporation counsel, Mary
Richardson Lowry, has no regrets
because you have left it all on the table.
I love you, I respect you, and I wish you nothing but the
best as you move forward. God bless you.
Thank you.
Alderman Moore, you are recognized.
She's out of my life.
She's-
Out of order. Out of order
... bring me some tissue.
You sometimes got to laugh to keep from crying, I'm telling you.
And
first and foremost,
as Alderman Beale was stating, just as a stellar person, you
were in the buildings department and throughout the city before your return.
It was just so both shocking and exciting to hear
that you were coming back. The shock,
she's going to leave
to come back to this? And you do it because you are
a true servant.
A true public servant.
I echo everything everybody else said.
And for the sake of time, this is where I'll leave.
You were someone I could trust.
Trustworthy. That's hard to find
these days and times, especially in government.
You were trustworthy, and you were someone that I depended
on when I was at a crossroads, and if you said it,
then I took it at face value.
You're going to be missed,
and I just thank you, I thank your family for
sharing you with us, because that couldn't have been easy, Dot.
That couldn't have been easy. And just enjoy life.
Enjoy life. And just continue to keep
God in front of you as you have always done, and continue just
to be blessed. And I just pray that He open up His window and pour you out
blessings that you just terribly don't have enough room to receive.
So keep winning in life. We love you. I love you. God bless.
Thank you for the word.
Alderwoman Taylor,
you are recognized.
So I wrote this down so I wouldn't start crying, because you all know I'm a
crybaby.
There are moments when you celebrate somebody's retirement, but you also have to
stop and honor the road that they traveled to get here.
Mary Richardson Lowry, today I celebrate you simply as an accomplished
lawyer, but as a trailblazer, but as a Black woman who
stepped into rooms that were not always built and made space for those
coming behind you.
As a Black woman serving the people of Chicago, I know something about the
weight we carry. We are often expected strong,
prepared, resilient, and ready to fight
for everybody else. What people don't always see is the
sacrifice, the long nights, the pressure, the
responsibility that comes with being one of the few.
You carry that responsibility with dignity.
You served the city of Chicago, including making history as the first
Black woman to serve as corporation counsel.
It's bigger than a title. It's a reminder that every young Black
girl watching, there is a place for her in every room.
There are decisions that are being made.
And Mary, I hope you know that the legacy is not only the
case you've handled decisions, you've helped navigate, the
work you've accomplished in City Hall.
Your legacy is also in the doors you've opened.
As you retire, I hope you allow yourself something that women like us don't
always give ourselves, permission to rest, permission to
breathe, permission to celebrate yourself just as fiercely
as you've celebrated others and served.
From one Black woman to another in public service, thank you.
Thank you for your brilliance. Thank you for your strength.
Thank you for your service. Thank you for showing us what leadership can look like.
May the next chapter be softer. May it be filled with joy,
family, laughter, travel, and all the things that you have
postponed while serving to the call. Congratulations, Ms.
Mary.
Thank you, Alderwoman.
Alderwoman Dowell, you are recognized.
Now, who wants to follow that?
Jeanette, that was a wonderful tribute.
When I think of Mary, I
don't know what to say.
Thank you
for the service that you have given this city,
going back to your days of
building commissioner.
Even when you decide to leave a private law firm to
come do public service, that is something that
a lot of people don't get a chance to do, don't even think about.
Alderman Beale used the word quiet storm.
That was on my sheet, too.
You are that. You're also someone who is
distinguished, someone who walks with discernment.
When you walk into a room, you know exactly
what is going on, whether it is a room that you're familiar with
or a room where the sharks are waiting for you,
you know what to do.
I want to thank you for
the assistance that you gave to the finance committee.
As you know, I always tell you I'm not a lawyer,
but I appreciate how you explain the law.
Your 101 classes to this body
were very important. The risk manager that you
hired to
rightsize the Department of Law is something that we
really needed.
The global settlement, I don't think anybody even thought of that.
But
it's important for us to be able to get these
old cases that go back decades out of the pipeline,
get them settled, and get them out of the way and move on.
I appreciate the work that you've done.
I appreciate your staff and how you've molded them.
When they walk into a room, I feel confident that I'm getting the
information, that we're getting the information that we need in order
to make a decision about being good fiduciary
stewards of the taxpayers' money, and for that,
I'm very thankful. I wish you the best as you
leave city government.
I want you to take care of that husband over there, yours.
And have fun.
And do the things that
you have put aside for these last three and a
half years.
Mary, I love you, and from one-- I'm not a Sora
quite yet, but I'm a Delta, so from one D9
person to another,
I want to thank you and know that you have my love and support
for all that you've done for the city of Chicago. God bless you.
Thank you.
Alderman Hall.
Thank you so much, Mr. President.
There's an old
phrase that what people say about you when you're not in the room is how
they really feel about you. And I came to know you by the
words of Hall of Famer, '85 champion, Richard
Dent, who while playing golf, he spent three
holes talking about you and about your husband, wanted to
call you, of which I just wanted him to hit a shot.
But needless to say, what he said about you was a precursor of what
I was able to experience with you, which is that of a woman of class,
dignity, character, and most of all, trustworthiness.
And for a rookie like myself, your direction and example has
helped me to not only be a good legislator, but a good leader.
And so thank you to your husband for allowing us to bug her all
times of days and nights. And needless to say, may people continue
to speak great of your name even when you're not in the room. Thank you.
Thank you, Alderman Hall.
Derrick Curtis. Alderman Curtis, you are recognized.
Thank you,
Mr. President. I too rise to support this resolution.
Mary, you are
a gift from God. I
really appreciate
everything that you've done for us.
Thank you so much for making it so easy to trust you.
I love how you pull sometime each one of us
to the side, even though people, you
make it seem like you don't even talk and speak a whole lot, but you'll
pull us to the side and you'll say, "This is the best thing.
This is the best thing." And I really appreciate that.
I appreciate the conversation we had the other day to make
me understand things better. Thank you so much for all you do.
Like everyone said, you definitely have to go get some rest.
I've known so many people do
three times retirement. Don't do that.
Go and enjoy the rest of your life
with your husband. Thank you for sharing her with us also.
Thank you so much for being who you are. Appreciate you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Alderman Waguespack, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I will second the comments of all of my colleagues
and note that corporation counsel job is as tough
as being an attorney general
or a state's attorney, where you're trying to deal with thousands of people, in our
case, millions,
50 different aldermen,
50 different agencies and entities within city government.
It is not an easy job, and I think this job is underrated by all
means. There's
no room in it for the unprepared, and I think you brought great experience
to this job,
and leave your staff and those working
for you with the experience that I think you've built up over many decades.
I don't think we would've reached this parking meter deal either
without you. As Alderman Beale said,
you were a quiet person through that storm.
But we've gotten through this, and I think a great sendoff, everybody,
would be to have overwhelming support for the parking meter
deal that she helped craft.
Hint, hint. But
in all reality, she and her team did an outstanding job, not only
on that piece of this great puzzle that we deal with every day, but many
others that I think the public doesn't see on a day-to-day basis.
Whether it's the settlements or the issues that we have with the
federal government, you were at the forefront of a lot of those issues.
When ICE was raiding different entities in the city,
businesses, you were there making sure that there was protection for the people
in the city that needed it. And I want to thank you, and I know on behalf of all my
constituents, we want to thank you for that effort.
I wanted to say thank you again for all of your service to this city,
and I hope that in your time in private life, that you can look back
and
be very proud of everything that you've done for the people of this city.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
The
chair
recognizes Alderwoman Hadden.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mary,
thank you.
I won't go into a ton of things. I'm going to plus one everything that
everyone said.
It was a blessing that we've had you for the time that we've had you,
and I hope to be able to continue to learn from you.
And you might have more time. You might have more time, a little bit,
in this retirement.
I know just from our interactions,
how much you've really given. And your
discernment and your ability to
come at things in a dispassionate way, right?
And to see that whole picture, and to
really put the duty that you've taken on, right, to
protect the city of Chicago,
and everyone in it.
It's just amazing. It's amazing to watch you work, to field
all of the legal challenges and
all the arrows being shot at our city, right, from the
federal government. To coordinate and collaborate across
government in,
say unprecedented, sorry, guys, in an unprecedented moment.
You've just been amazing. So thank you so much for your service.
We are going to miss you.
Thank you for being the ethical,
moral, right,
actor,
centering our actions, both in council and in the mayor's
office. We appreciate you. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Alderman Lopez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. And now, good afternoon, members of the committee,
members of the city council.
I, too, rise to sing your praises, Corporation Counsel.
As I said in the hallway, I will say again here because I think it's worth
repeating.
You've been an absolute delight to work with,
and
I'm glad that
you've been a beacon of stability
this tenure so far.
I first saw your name when I entered this building in the late 1990s.
And I'm glad that I'm here
to get to know you as a person.
I'm glad that I get to know you as a Chicagoan.
But more important than that,
I'm glad that as our chief lawyer for
this municipality we call home, that you have always
been someone who is
willing to listen on the rare occasion that people like myself come up
with some crazy idea to do something different,
or to sit through three hours of speeches just to hear your accolades.
But more specifically, you've always taken what we've said
as grounds to actually improve the city of Chicago.
You've heard what we've talked about when it comes to our settlements and our
concerns and you've heard our
concerns on some of the issues that we've talked about with Bally's or the parking
meter. And you've also provided feedback and paths forward to keep
conversations going, to prevent stagnation, and
to keep Chicago, even if incrementally, moving in
the right direction. Because I do know that lawyers like to
lawyer and take the most
conservative route sometimes.
Which is fine, because that's what our counsel's supposed to do, to
keep us tethered, to keep us grounded in reality, rooted
with where our principles are, but allow us to also have room to breathe and
grow. And you've also fostered a team
that understands that as well.
Sometimes leadership doesn't always trickle values downward.
But I would dare say in your department,
the law department has, in fact, been held to a standard
that all of us can appreciate,
and that all of us, obviously, willingly and gladly can attest to.
Sometimes we say goodbye and we're anxious for the door to close.
I don't think anyone in this room's going to be anxious
when that door finally is open for your retirement.
But we know that you've given your all.
We appreciate it immensely for all 77 communities that are
here.
And just personally,
I will say, as my colleagues have said, do not work again.
Enjoy retirement, enjoy life,
and Godspeed to you and your family moving forward. Thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you. You're welcome. Alderman Riley, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I, too, stand to join my colleagues
in this resolution. Mary,
I'm not here to give you any advice or tell you how to spend your next few
years, but
to say thank you
for your service to the city.
I know that while we've had our political disagreements from
time to time in this building,
I knew one thing, that if you were giving me information, it was information that I
could trust.
I consider you to be someone of high integrity.
And I never questioned that once.
I think that we, as a body, are very fortunate to have had you here
to help push back on bad ideas and to better inform us when we were about to make a
mistake.
I can tell you that
I knew your name long before
I was ever elected alderman because I remember your name and your signature at the
bottom of every expired elevator safety certificate
in the city of Chicago for many years.
But I'm so glad that I did get a chance to work with you in this capacity.
I think it's noteworthy that
many of the folks who've gotten up today to give you accolades are
some of your boss's most vocal critics politically.
But I can tell you that we have all,
over the years, as we've huddled and conspired and
strategized in
our working agenda here at City Hall,
what you've heard here today is very true.
There's always been a tremendous level of respect for you,
your talent, your ability, and your ethics.
And so I'm fortunate to have worked with you, and I thank you for your service,
and I wish you the very best in whatever it is you choose to do next.
So, thank you, Mary.
Thank you, President.
Thank you, Alderman Riley.
Alderman Ervin,
you are recognized.
Oh.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
And
first off, I do want to thank
Mary for
all of her, I guess I want to call it combined city experience from
building CPS and kind of being a, what I'll call a
calming factor in many cases. While she kind
of reminds you of a grandmother that kind of gives you that
look as if,
like she got a switch in her purse that if you don't act right, that she's
going to
do what needs to be done. And in some respects, I think that was good for all of
us because we can be a little unruly at times.
But I think you provided us with that calm demeanor, that
well-reasoned thoughts. Now, we may not have always been in agreement, but we
always respected what you stated.
And I think without
anything, that was the thing that kind of kept us all
halfway on the track of trying to get things done.
I will say this.
The things that you've instituted, the global settlements, the ways that you've
approached
our challenges, and as we begin to move forward, hopefully that
becomes
a blueprint as to how we do things in the future.
I think people don't think about this, and I think someone just said that you
really manage a pretty large law firm at the end of the day.
Our law department is probably, if you look at it, maybe fourth or
fifth, if you look at us as a law firm with the number of attorneys and people that
you manage, the issues and the challenges that you manage, and you've done that job
well.
Again, wish you the best in your retirement.
I would say that you can do
a contract or something, come back and help out as needed, but I know you're ready
to go and relax on the golf course with your husband. Do you golf as well?
I'll assume. So I will see you somewhere in Florida in the very near
future. Thank you. Thank you, Alderman.
Alderman Knutson, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. And Mary, I just want to pile on to the fandom
because I think you're absolutely wonderful.
There's so many attorneys in our city and country who are
masters of a particular thing. And you definitely have that, but you have
something which is much more, which is being a trusted advisor.
That's something that a large majority of attorneys never
graduate to because it's not just due to your knowledge and
masterful of the law, it's due to how
you manage your teams. It's due to how you speak to people and
enter a room.
That's been so present with you. We've had attorneys come back from the private
sector just because of you.
And the global settlement that you reached now a year ago is like one of those
Caleb Williams last-minute touchdowns. It was incredible.
So I am so grateful to you as a city council member, as
a recovering attorney who still really respects the trade
so much. I've learned a lot from you, and I
just want to echo everything everybody said today, wishing you the
best. This won't be the end of your relationships with so many of us,
and I thank you.
Thank you.
Alderwoman Nicoli, you're recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Oh, Mary.
I did not want to be standing here giving these remarks or hearing all
of the wonderful, well-deserved accolades that have
been provided to you today because that means that you are moving on
to a well-deserved retirement. Again,
thank you so much for your absolute
love and heart for this city,
that you would
sacrifice your time with your family,
move back to Chicago to do that,
and
be that steady hand
that we've all benefited from having.
Not just those of us that are on this council, but every single resident of the
city of Chicago, who knows it or doesn't,
should understand today that
you've gotten us through a lot,
and so that we are eternally grateful.
I'll just echo some of the other sentiments.
You embody integrity, and I've so appreciated that from the
moment that you and I have met.
And I can see that in your leadership-
No, it won't work anyway
... and how much they respect you, and the way in
which you have managed to, and through your leadership,
be
very innovative in helping the people of the city of Chicago with global
settlements.
Bringing people back to the team that had left before to
handle those things. And of course,
I know my colleague Alderman Waguespack talked about the Chicago
parking meter deal,
which
I'm hopeful everybody will want to give you that farewell gift as
well, and the gift to the city to approve that.
But we would not have gotten that far anywhere without your hand in
this process,
and really the honesty with which you speak.
It's not always news we want to hear, as others have said,
but we know it's the truth, and you've got the best interest of this city at
heart.
And what's more, she's one of the best-dressed people in the building, right
everybody?
I'm always in awe of her wardrobe.
We can all aspire. But thank you so much, Mary, for all that you've done to serve
the people of the City of Chicago, for your friendship, for your guidance, for your
advice, for your counsel. And we wish you all of the best.
This is not goodbye, but we will miss you dearly. Thank you, Mr. President.
You are welcome. Alderwoman Ramirez.
Well, Mary, I'm sorry I have a fleece jacket on in front of you.
I feel embarrassed.
Mary, you are pure grace. As you can see, your inspiration
transcends age, gender, and race.
We all look up to you, and you make us sit up a little bit taller
in your presence because we know we're around greatness.
You have this demeanor about you and a look that demands respect,
but in the nicest, softest way. It's demanding with a smile.
I'm not a lawyer, but I would respectfully be afraid to be against you.
And so I'm lucky you chose to be on our side, the City of
Chicago. Happy second retirement.
Thank you.
Alderman Conway, you are recognized.
Mayor, and Mary, broadly, I want to echo my colleagues
in thanking you for your service to this
city. But specifically want to highlight your work on global
settlements, which has been mentioned,
but I don't think highlighted enough.
That literally saved us years of litigation
and millions of taxpayer dollars.
So I want to make sure that I provide you specific recognition
and specific thank you for that, in addition to echoing what all of my colleagues
said. Thank you, Mary, and thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you. Alderman Martin.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Corp counsel, I have trouble calling you Mary.
I think you're corp counsel for as long as you're in that seat.
When I think about
what I wanted to say, I thought back to my first day in law school, and
my very first class was legislation and regulation.
And that professor said, "When you're dealing with legislation, you start
with the definition." So I thought, "Okay,
thinking back to that, let me go on Merriam-Webster and look up
what counsel or counselor means." And so the first definition, of
course, is an attorney, someone who gives advice,
manages cases for clients. Obviously, you've done that in
a truly extraordinary way. People have already talked about many of the things that
you have done.
The second definition, which I think is funny and apt, is one who has
supervisory duties in a summer camp,
which maybe this is a body that doesn't always feel as fun as some summer
camps have been. But there is that element
of chaos and disorder, and
I think to have someone in your position who is not just an
extraordinary attorney, but an extraordinary leader,
someone who
has really brought us together in ways whereas, as Alderwoman Lee was mentioning,
she got up and said, "Oh, Mary." Everybody has a Mary story
in a good way. And a lot of those stories are going to stay quiet, as
they should. But your quiet,
extraordinary leadership is something that will be felt
not just in the law department, but will continue to
reverberate across City Council.
So I want to end by saying sincerely thank you, because
given the career that you've had, you could do most anything,
and you decided to come back and serve.
May that example be something that more of us have an opportunity to
follow, and I just don't think there's going to be enough time in the day for us to
say thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Alderman Martin.
Alderman Quinn.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mary, you're a great Chicagoan.
First class all the time.
When I think about you, I think about
your preparation for the budget hearings.
I've been here for 16 years. The best by far.
So I'm grateful for your service to the City of Chicago on behalf of the
13th Ward residents. Thank you.
Thank you, Alderman Quinn. Alderman Sposato, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. And first, I want to congratulate you, Mr.
President, because you did hire Mary, so
one of your greatest hirings. It's hard to say.
You don't want to slight anybody, but an awesome hiring, Mr.
President, so congratulate you for starters.
Mary, everything's been said. I don't want to be redundant.
There was a couple of things that were very important for me to say, and they were
already said, but
what a better way to go out, Mary, other than reworking this
disastrous parking meter deal for us.
So you'll always be remembered for the corp counsel that helped rework this
deal for us. So once again, I congratulate you, and thank you for that.
But just want to say, a rare occasion where 50 alders could agree on
something. So
you're an awesome lady. You're an elegant lady. You're just passionate.
You're compassionate. You're the full package, Mary.
So just want to wish you the best. Best wishes to you.
God bless you, and thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. Thank you, Alderman. Alderman Lawson
Thank you, Mr. President.
Councilor,
most people here don't know what you and I have spent most of our time on because
it's exclusive to the 44th Ward and neighbors.
But that's that one constituent of mine, the Chicago Cubs.
For years, we have had outstanding legal and property issues
that we have kicked the can down the road on.
And they stood and festered. For years, we have talked about bringing the
All-Star game back to the North Side.
And you had a mayor and an alder in support, but you were the
one to put the deal together to clean up our land
use issues, clean up our use issues,
get the security we needed, get the financing together, and bring the All-Star
game to Wrigley Field next summer.
And I'm not sure if you're going to come visit us next July.
I can't offer you a ticket. You could accept one because you won't be a city
employee anymore.
But
that's huge. Those were things that lingered for a long time that are a heavier
lift than they should be. And that's something you were never afraid of.
And for that, and all the other reasons my colleague said, I wish you all the
best. I thank you for your work on behalf of the 44th Ward, and a pleasant
second retirement. Thank you.
Thank you, Alderman.
Alderwoman Nugent, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'd also like to stand in support of this resolution.
Mary, your departure's going to be a great loss for us here in the city, and
I personally will miss your thoughtfulness, your professionalism, your
exquisite flower brooches,
as well as how you handle some of these complex legal matters.
In particular, I know a few folks have brought this up, but
the settlements that you helped us navigate in some
police cases were just truly amazing, and they
really will help the city in years to come.
And it was
just really refreshing to see your approach and see how you handled that.
And some of the other more complicated legal issues that my colleagues have
mentioned, whether it's Alderman Waguespack or Alderman Lawson, I think that your
hand in those negotiations and deals has
been really valuable. And we're in a better place in the city because of that.
When I think of you, Mary, I think of the phrase, "Say what you do and do what you
say."
It's really simple, but it's powerful, and it deals with the principles
of integrity and accountability and professional ethics.
All things that I think really just represent you at the end of the day.
So go enjoy that retirement. Be well. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderman Villegas.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also wanted to stand in support of
this important recognition.
It's not often that someone serves in government, goes to the private
sector, and then says, "Wait a minute, I want to go back into public sector." And
we appreciate that because that was a huge sacrifice.
And oftentimes,
as someone who has a heart of service sometimes says, "Have
I done enough?"
And I can tell you that in your short three and a half years coming back into
government, you can rest assured that all the work that you've done,
it's enough.
So enjoy your retirement. Look forward to seeing you at some point.
But again, this time, make sure it's a permanent
retirement, and enjoy yourself. Thank you for your service to the city. Thank you.
Thank you. Alder Fuentes, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Corp Counsel. You have
intellect, legal chops, and swagger in spades.
But the thing that I'm most impressed by is your
patience and diplomacy in the midst of chaos.
And we've turned up the notch several times on you.
And if you always stood very firm in your resolve,
you are the best of Chicago. You showed the
world what we're made of, broad shoulders, grit, and resilience.
I couldn't thank you enough for coming back from retirement to be in the public
sector once again to serve this great city.
I hope you enjoy all the time that you have after this.
Because out of everyone, you deserve it. Thank you, Corp Counsel.
Thank you.
Alderman Robinson.
Mr. President, thank you.
My colleague from the West Side mentioned
Corp's Counsel's switch in her purse.
I didn't look at Mary
like
a grandmother. I looked at Mary like Mom.
And why is that? Because my own mother,
her name is Mary.
My mother also is a member
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
And ladies
that are in the room
that are a member of this illustrious organization,
if you all will
allow me
this opportunity,
there are
several missions of this great sorority,
but I want to bring one out if I may.
Service to all mankind while
transforming communities around the world.
Ladies of this illustrious organization, if
I may,
Mary,
you have been service to all mankind while transforming
communities
around the city of Chicago.
And
we are extremely proud of you. My
colleagues that
sometimes are on different sides of an
issue
mentioned today patience, trustworthy, and that you
were first class.
That absolutely says a lot about who you are
to this great city,
and we will be forever grateful for your
service. We love you, we appreciate you, and we hope
that you will continue to keep us a top of mind
as we have to continue to move our city
forward. There are a lot of issues that are in front of us,
but you set the path
for us to, again, usher our city into a new
day. So Mary, thank you.
Thank you, Alderman. Alderman Burnett, you are recognized.
Thank you.
I want to say
it's awesome to hear such an echo of excellence
spoken about your work and your name.
I've only had the opportunity to work with you for a little under a year,
but
your work over the last couple of decades have resonated with my family over the
last
three decades. So my family speaks very highly of you, and so I was looking forward
to the opportunity to continue to work with you.
And the last couple of months working so closely on this parking meter
deal
let me understand the level of comfort that all of my colleagues in the city
has with your work.
And so I'm very thankful for your guidance,
for calmly transitioning us through this next chapter with
this parking meter deal, but with all the other settlements and issues.
And being that resounding voice that made sure that everyone
made sense of what is the truth and what is politics,
and that those two things are often separated when we are working in government.
And so we are deeply appreciative, not only
for your direct leadership and engagement with us, but
the legacy that you have left here in the city for your many years,
and also the staff that you have trained to continue to do the work after you've
left. So I'm very grateful, and echo all of the
compliments that my colleagues have said.
And thank you for the time, and I hope you enjoy your retirement.
Thank you. Thank you. Alderwoman Pitts, you are
recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mary, I too wouldn't miss this opportunity just to say
thank you.
I won't repeat everything my colleagues, but they're spot on.
You just have that demeanor about yourself that you was
the chosen one in what you're doing, that you could
be heard without even saying anything.
So I'm going to take you back to 2003.
Fairly new in the council, but you was in the private sector.
You had left City Hall,
and then I had an opportunity to work closely with you,
with the issue that was here in the City Council, one very controversial at the
time, the Walmart issue.
But guess what? We prevailed.
In the background it was you, I can remember
clearly,
the heavy lifting that you were doing, all the partners involved.
But we were successful, so that will forever be in my heart.
Thank you so much for the work that you did, and for the
residents of the 37 Ward. We appreciate you for
all that you've done, what you're doing, and even as
you're
moving toward retirement.
Thank you. Good and faithful servant. You've done your best.
Have a good one.
Thank you, Alderwoman.
Are there any other alders that wish to speak?
Yes, Alder Vasquez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ms. Mary, there's not a lot more that I can add that
hasn't already been said.
You just have a coolness and a class and a confidence
in how you move and how you've led that I greatly appreciate.
I only got to work with you a fraction of your illustrious career,
but even that fraction was a lot. Thinking about
what a city needs to do to defend itself against the federal government, and having
to look at law and how we're able to move and what things we can do and cannot do
within the confines of the law in a way that allowed us to protect our neighbors
while
protecting our taxpayers and making sure we were moving in a way that didn't expose
us further or put us in danger,
I greatly appreciate.
And as
like every Chicagoan, not a fan of the original parking meter deal.
The fact that you were able to guide us through that conversation to get us in a
position where
I think we have something that anybody could say is an improvement, even as we're
still working out the kinks,
it means a lot. It means a lot to what you've done for the city, especially as we
look forward. And I think
you got big shoes to fill, but you've left a lot of precedent and a lot
of
notes of leadership for people to follow. So thank you so much for all your work.
You're a treasure to the city and we appreciate you. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Alderwoman Coleman, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. There are not a lot of people who
know where the bathrooms are in this building.
And sir, I am convinced that not only do you know where the
bathrooms are, but you also know where some of those other rooms
are in this building throughout your years of service.
I want to thank you and your husband for sacrificing
and leaving that good, dry heat to come back to
Chicago to serve the great city of Chicago.
I am going to specifically miss you in this upcoming
budget season because you know how to cut with a smile.
That is a art that not many women
... can do, and I hope to do that one day.
To the mentors,
my mentor, Kathy Brown in our sorority, was so excited to know that you
were returning back to the City of Chicago, and I want to thank you for,
even back then, there were not many Black women in the leadership
roles back in the '90s. And you have taken your
experience and have mentored other women here, like
Commissioner Boatwright, and one of the deputy mayors,
and myself, and others. You led the fight for
communities like Englewood and the Susan Wilson of making sure
that someone who purchased all of this land in about eight
wards was held accountable to take that land back
while we had to endure cutting and cleaning those vacant lots in that
$15 million lawsuit. We help each other,
for we know that there is no other like our sisterhood.
God bless you. Thank you for the wise counsel, in addition
to your legal counsel, but the wise counsel you have given this
girl from Englewood, as I am preparing the 16th Ward to be
the beautiful opportunity that I know it will be one day.
God bless you, soror. I know this isn't the end, it's just to see you later.
Thank you.
Alderwoman Harris.
With leave of the body, I'd like to ask the suspend the rules to allow Anna
Valencia to make remarks.
Sure. Leave from the body.
Do I have a leave from the body? Very well. Thank you very much.
Leave is granted.
I'll make it very quick.
Chair recognizes Clerk Valencia.
Thank you. I'll make it very quick because I got to see you and hug you before.
But I just wanted to thank you publicly for
what the Alderwoman Coleman said, for so many women that are coming
after you at City Hall have been able to see how you can
lead with integrity, with kindness, and with your
brilliance just by stepping in the room and being who you are and who God's called
you. And not having to take other different types of
leadership on to be heard, to be seen, to be valued.
And that is a skill that I admire so much about you.
And your calmness on this dais, I will miss your face,
and your calmness on this dais when it gets a little crazy out here
in City Council. So, thank you, and thank you for your leadership and all of your
years of service. And thank you to your husband for sharing, because I know what a
sacrifice it is on the weekends, and at night, and home when you're
getting phone call after phone call.
Thank you for your shared sacrifice to allow her to serve and soar.
Thank you, Mary.
Thank you, Clerk Valencia.
All right. Seeing no other hands,
I want to thank the Abners for being here.
Both the Abners are incredible people,
friends of our Corp counsel.
Yeah, let's give it up for the Abners. That's right.
You have had your picture taken by Mr. Abner.
You are somebody, I can tell you that.
Of course,
Bishop Dr. Frazier had to leave, and we recognized him earlier.
He's the pastor of our Corp counsel.
And then, of course, her husband, Mr. Mark Lowry.
Thank you for
your incredible love
and support for your wife.
There's so much that has been said, and there's so much more that could be said,
but I think it's important that we just establish the incredible career
of our Corp counsel,
having served
this city as its top lawyer.
But it's a career that has spanned across departments
and government.
As Commissioner of Department of Buildings, President of Chicago Board of
Education, and then, of course, the equity partner at Mayer Brown
LLP.
Our Corp counsel has extended her love and service
by helping others through her philanthropic efforts
on the executive committee of the Chicago Community Trust
as its chair.
And
everybody that knows somebody,
knows Mary Richardson Lowry,
and
she has broken down barriers and created a
pathway for others to become
who they are purposed and
called to be.
And as the first Black woman to serve as corporation counsel, it was
truly an honor that you were willing to serve,
not just an administration, but an entire city.
She defended this city against claims and protected residents against
unlawful and unjust actions,
and strengthened the department's affirmative litigation work.
Throughout her incredible career,
our Corp counsel has fought to show people that law and public
institutions can advance justice,
accountability, and expand opportunities while also protecting people.
After decades of dedicated service,
the expectation is that she'll get the much-needed
rest that she deserves.
And as you embark upon this next adventure,
I know that you are always going to be near to us.
The last couple of things that I'll say, I think it's
quite
apropos that we are
commemorating and celebrating the work that our rapid
responders led
And we needed to defend our city prior to
Midway Blitz.
And
it was a Black man that initiated
what a welcoming city could be.
But make no mistake about it, it was a Black woman that protected it,
and
you were remarkable.
So there was some consternation around me testifying before Congress
as if somehow I couldn't handle that.
I'm like, "Have you seen our body of government?"
But one of the things that I knew for sure is that I had the support
and the brilliance
and the assurance of our corp counsel, to
prepare our city to defend.
And then with that, the effort
to undermine local government.
We established precedent in this city.
So much so that at your church,
I was bragging about the commitment to Black Chicago,
and how many Black folks are in positions of
authority and leadership as a sign of progress, not as
a
way to exacerbate division.
And when the Department of Justice sent a letter claiming that
I was unfairly hiring Black folks,
it might have been the only time that I saw Mary Richardson Lowry
give a more profound look than the one that you all are accustomed to.
And I think what was so special about it was,
one thing about Mary Richardson Lowry, she is always up for
competition. She is. She thrives off of it.
And when the Department of Justice, I don't know if I should be saying
this, I'll make sure I keep it confined, corp counsel.
But as they sent their claim,
Mary Richardson Lowry was more offended
by the fact that they didn't even send something that she could even fight
than the claim in and of itself.
That shows how confident she always is.
If you're going to come for me, at least come for me correctly.
And that's the firm foundation that you have
established
throughout your tenure, particularly the time as our corporate counsel.
And then finally, you have been a trusted
advocate and counsel to so many people.
Our corp counsel makes you feel and believe that you
are her only client.
I mean, that's just how warm her presentation is.
And so I am grateful to be a part of your history.
The city of Chicago will forever be grateful
of a woman,
a courageous woman,
that stood firm up against fascism and tyranny,
and even sometimes in the midst of chaos,
was always able to bring just a little bit more calm to get
us to the next moment.
So without further ado,
the chair recognizes, if this is okay, Mr.
Mitchell, I think it's appropriate that we ask her soror to do
this.
Can I get a motion to approve the passage
of this resolution?
With that, I move passage in an omnibus, and I want to ask all of us to get
up and stand
and give her our love through applause.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
She's still working. Exactly. And
I do apologize, Mr. Lowry, you cannot take
her just yet.
We don't have all of our business finished.
With that, though.
Yeah, start up with that.
Alderman Mitchell, can I get a motion
to return back to our regular order of business?
Mr. President, I move that we return to the regular order of business.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
You want to thank him.
Next up, communications.
Communications from His Honor, the Mayor, to the Honorable, the City Council of the
City of Chicago. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of
Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an execution of the 66th
Amendment to the Administrative Services Agreement with Summer Corp 504
Incorporated. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Refer to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution
of a TIF redevelopment agreement with the Hudson Michigan Avenue Owner
LLC. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Refer to the Committee on Finance
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of a TIF
redevelopment agreement with By the Hand Club Kids,
NFP. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Housing, I transmit
herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of a TIF redevelopment
agreement and other agreements with Harvest Homes Apartments,
LLC. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of a TIF redevelopment
agreement with North Lawndale Catalyst Initiative, NFP.
Your consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental
agreement with the Chicago Board of Education to provide TIF funds for
improvements of Suder Montessori Magnet Elementary School.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of an
intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Board of Education to provide TIF
funds for improvements at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Aviation, I transmit
herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of concession agreement with
Allclear LLC for services at O'Hare International Airport
and Midway International Airport.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Aviation.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Aviation, I transmit
herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of amended concession agreement
with
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LLC for services at O'Hare International Airport.
Your consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Aviation.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith ordinances authorizing favorable tax incentives for
specified properties located within the city.
Your consideration with these ordinances will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing a public hearing to establish a business
improvement district. Your consideration of this ordinance will be
appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the 2027 budget execution of service
provider agreements, term extensions, or area expansion for various special
service areas located with the city.
Your consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I
transmit herewith ordinances authorizing the sale of city-owned lands.
Your consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and
Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the sale located at
1335 South Springfield Avenue, which city holds the title and trust for
Chicago Public Schools. Your consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Transportation, I transmit
herewith an ordinance authorizing execution of amended contract with Lyft Bikes and
Scooters LLC regarding the operation and management of a bike-sharing system.
Your consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning Development, I
transmit herewith ordinances authorizing the expenditure of open space impact
fee funds for playground improvements at various elementary schools located within
the city. Your consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs, Recreation.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner on Transportation, I
transmit here an ordinance authorizing the issuance of a permit to allow
specialized vehicles access to the Burleigh Avenue Improvement Project.
Your consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit herewith, together with Alderpersons
Hadden, Robinson, Monahapan, with an ordinance imposing a one-year
moratorium on the issuance of permits and approvals for the establishment of
new or expanded data centers within the city.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be--
With two committees called, it will go to rolls.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit herewith appointments of the Northwest Home Equity
Commission. Your favorable consideration of these appointments will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have appointed Renee Hatcher as Corporation Counsel.
Your favorable consideration of this appointment will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Budget and Government Operations.
Ladies and gentlemen, I've appointed Juan Pablo Prieto as the Commissioner of Fleet
and Facility Management. Your favorable consideration of this appointment will be
appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Budget Government Operations.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit here appointments to various special service
areas. Your favorable consideration of these appointments will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit here appointments to the Reverend Jesse L.
Jackson Senior Advisory Council on Fair Access to Democracy.
Your favorable consideration of these appointments will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Ethics and Oversight.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit herewith appointments at the Board of Ethics.
Your favorable consideration of these appointments will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Referred to the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit here appointments to Chicago Housing Authority
Board. Your favor and consideration of these appointments will be appreciated.
For two years, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Housing and Real
Estate.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have appointed Tedda L.
Hinton as the Commissioner of Human Resources.
Your favor and consideration of this appointment would be appreciated.
For two years, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, referred to
the Committee on Workforce Development.
I, City Clerk Anna Valencia, hereby inform the City Council that the following
documents were filed in my office relating to the respective subjects designated as
follows:
Executive Number 2026-4, which establishes responsible firearm,
firearm accessory, ammunition procurement standards.
Executive Order Number 2026-5, regarding the protection of
Chicagoans' clean water, clean air, energy affordability, and quality of life.
Executive Order Number 2026-6, which establishes
ethical procurement standards that protect taxpayers in our communities.
Notification of the designation of Chief Financial Officer Ashley B.
Gabrich as additional proxy of a fixed signature on Mayor to certain documents.
Determination certificate for sale of City of Chicago multifamily housing revenue
bonds, Martha Washington Apartment Series 2026.
Retirement Board of Municipal Employees' Officer and Officials' Annuity and Benefit
Funding Resolution for tax year 2027.
City Treasurer's annual reports and performance on Chicago Community Catalyst Fund
LLC for years 2022, '23, '24, and '25.
Civilian Office of Police and Accountability's quarterly report for period ended
June 30th, 2026. Office of Inspector General's follow-up report regarding
Chicago Police Department's 911 response time, data collection, and reporting.
Office of Inspector General's audit of Department of Streets and Sanitation,
Administration of Auto Pounds. Office of Inspector General's audit of Department of
Streets and Sanitation Rat Abatement Program.
Office of Inspector General's audit of Department of Finance payment and
timeliness. Office of Inspector General's follow-up of
audit report of Department of Human Resources Employee Assistance Program.
Office of Inspector General's demographic
outcomes of city hiring promotion within Chicago Fire Department.
Office of Inspector General's advisory concerning Chicago Community Catalyst Fund.
Office of Inspector General's follow-up evaluation of Chicago Police Department's
peer supervisory wellness support strategies.
Office of Inspector General's recommendation to inform and improve future
investigations regarding duty to report.
Submission of petition for establishment of the Magnificent Mile Business
Improvement District. Expression of opposition to proposed zoning reclassification,
property of 7400-7600 South Kostner Avenue,
7601 South Cicero. And expression of opposition to proposed zoning
reclassification of property at 4701-4725 West North
Avenue.
I, City Clerk Anna Valencia, inform the City Council that all those matters which
were considered by the City Council at the regular meeting
held on July 15, 2026, were required by statute and be published in book
or pamphlet form or one or more newspapers were published in pamphlet form on
September 23rd, 2026, by being printed in full text and printed
pamphlet copies of the journal proceedings of the City Council, City of Chicago.
I, City Clerk Valencia, inform the City Council that all those matters were
considered by the City Council at the regular meeting held on July 22nd, 2026,
were required by state statute to be published in book or pamphlet form, or one or
more newspapers were published in pamphlet form on September 23rd, 2026, by being
printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the journal proceedings of the
City Council, City of Chicago.
Imposition of tax levy approval of the year 2026 budget and execution of service
provider agreement for special service area number 21-2016.
I, City Clerk Valencia, also inform the City Council that the ordinance authorizing
the imposition of tax levy approval of the year 2026 budget, execution of a
service provider agreement for special service area number
21-2026, were passed by City Council on July 15, 2026,
which were requested to be published in pamphlet form, was published in pamphlet
form on July 22nd, 2026. I, City Clerk Valencia, also transmit
herewith the following miscellaneous communications and reports requiring City
Council action. Zoning classifications of particular areas are referred to the
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Claims against the City of Chicago to refer to the Committee on Finance.
Your Honor, that concludes the reports and communications from the mayor and other
city officers.
Thank you very much.
Alderman Daniel Espada has requested to participate in the remaining portion of
this meeting remotely for rules stated in Rule 59,
and we confirm his presence online.
He is present.
Oh, there he is.
Can I get a motion to approve his remote participation?
It's been moved. All those in favor, signify by saying "Aye." Any opposed, say
"Nay." In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Next up are our committee reports.
We will start with the Committee on Finance.
The chair recognizes
Chair Dowell.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council.
Reporting for the City Council's Committee on Finance, which held
committee meetings on September 14th and September 22nd,
2026. The following items received a do
pass recommendation from the committee.
Item number one is an ordinance approving amendment number six to the
redevelopment
project and plan for the Central West TIF District Redevelopment
Project Area in the 27th, 28th, and 34th Ward. Mr.
President, unless someone wishes to speak on this
item,
I move passage
of this item by a roll call vote.
Seeing no hands. Members of the body, please use your e-vote
application to record your vote at this time.
Voting is now open. The voting is now open.
Please use your e-device. The voting is now open.
I will now do a voice vote
for those who have not voted. Alderman LaSpada?
Yes.
LaSpada is a yes.
Alderman Robinson?
Not present. And Chambers?
Alderman Mosley?
Yes.
Alderman Mosley is a yes. Alderman Sigcho-Lopez?
Sigcho-Lopez is a yes.
Alderman Waguespack?
Waguespack is a yes.
And I think everyone's voted.
It came through.
All right. The voting is now closed.
It's 49, right? 49.
There are 49 yays, zero nays. The matter has passed.
Alderman Mitchell, on a motion to reconsider.
Reconsider the vote.
All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote, signify by saying "I."
Any opposed, say "No."
This motion fails. Chair recognizes Chair Dowell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Item number two is an ordinance designating
the expanded Central West Tax Increment Financing
Redevelopment Project Area as a redevelopment project
area pursuant to the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act
in the 27th, 28th, and 34th Ward. I move
passage of this item by the first most favorable roll call vote of the
Committee on Finance report and the associated unsuccessful motion to
reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number three is an
ordinance adopting tax increment allocation
financing for the expanded Central West Tax
Increment Financing Redevelopment Project Area in the
27th, 28th, and 34th Wards. I move passage
of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number four is an ordinance approving amendment number one
to the Avalon Park-South Shore Redevelopment
Project Area Tax Increment Financing District Eligibility
Study, Redevelopment Plan and Project in the
7th and 8th Ward. I move passage of this item by the same
motion.
So ordered.
Item number five is an ordinance approving amendment number three
to the Chicago Central Park Redevelopment Project
Area Redevelopment Project and Plan in the
27th, 28th, and 36th, and 37th
Wards. I move passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number six is an ordinance approving amendment number one
to the Commercial Avenue Tax Increment Financing
Redevelopment Area Project and Plan in the 7th
Ward, 8th Ward, and 10th Ward. I move passage of this
item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number seven is an ordinance approving amendment number one
to the Roseland-Michigan Avenue Tax Increment Financing
Redevelopment Area Project and Plan in the 9th and
21st Ward. I move passage of this item by the same
motion.
So ordered.
Item number eight is an ordinance approving amendment number three
to the Bryn Mawr Broadway Redevelopment Project
Area Tax Increment Financing Program Redevelopment Plan
and Project in the 48th Ward. I move passage of this
item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number nine is an ordinance approving amendment number four
to the Pilsen Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment
Project and Plan in the 11th Ward, 12th Ward,
25th, and 28th Ward. I move passage of this item by
the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 10 is an ordinance amending the land sale ordinance
and approving housing and economic development bond funds for
the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre project at
5339 through 5345 South State
Street in the 3rd Ward, in an amount not to exceed
$10.5 million. I move passage of this item by
the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 11 is a substitute ordinance executing an
intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Housing Authority to
provide tax increment financing funds for the ABLA Brooks
Homes Infrastructure and Flood Mitigation
Improvement Project located at 1300 through
1400 West 13th, 14th,
and West Hastings Street in the 28th Ward,
in an amount not to exceed $12 million.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number 12 is a substitute ordinance executing a
redevelopment agreement with Foundry Park Properties,
KP7 LLC, to provide tax increment
financing assistance for the Foundry Park mixed-use
development project bounded by West Dickens
Avenue, North Branch of the Chicago River, and North
Kinsbury Street, and North Southport Avenue in the
32nd Ward, in an amount not to exceed
$201,589,396
in TIF. Mr. President, Alderman Hopkins has requested
an opportunity to speak to this matter.
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Hopkins
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise in support of this ordinance despite my stated
opposition as recently as yesterday.
So I just wanted to take a quick moment to explain the reason for the change.
We did request and receive a communication from the Department of
Transportation and the Department of Planning
that attempt to explain, however imperfectly,
why we are moving forward without the full infrastructure package
that was originally supported for this parcel of
land back when it was called Lincoln Yards.
We made a promise to the neighborhood that we would
secure the necessary public infrastructure in order to support the
development before the project moved forward.
Anyone who lives in the area knows the need for it today. It exists right now.
After we closed the Cortlandt Street Bridge, about 18,000
vehicles were pushed off of that route when it was
closed into the surrounding bridges, which were already over
capacity. The need for the infrastructure is clear
today. This letter from CDOT and from Planning
commits to a study to look at the infrastructure needs for the
future.
I could've saved them the time. We already know when the
Cortlandt River TIF was created. We did a study, going
back eight years now, and that study clearly
documented the need for at least two additional bridges.
To repeat that process again, I find unnecessary.
Nevertheless, we did get the commitment, as I said, from both CDOT and the
Department of Planning that we will commence that study going
forward. This project, Foundry Park, along with the yet-to-be-named
companion on the south parcel of what once was Lincoln Yards,
it's a minimum 10-year project, possibly as long as 20.
So we have time to fix this. We have time to get it right.
And so that is why I am dropping my opposition in the interest of allowing this
project to move forward now with the stated goal that we will fix the
infrastructure in the coming months.
I will be supporting this measure today. Thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome. Chairwoman Dowell, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move passage of this item with the exception of
Alderman Maria Hadden, who wishes to be recorded as a no vote on
this matter.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number 13 is a substitute ordinance executing a
redevelopment agreement with 111 West Monroe Hotel
Landlord LLC for a repayable term loan
to support the Monroe Hotel office to
hotel conversion at 111 West Monroe
Street in the 34th Ward, in an amount not to exceed $50
million.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 14-- I'm sorry. I move passage of this
item by the first most favorable roll call vote.
Got it. Thank you. So ordered.
Item number 14 is a substitute ordinance authorizing
multifamily program funds to 5853
North Broadway IV
LP for the 4% project at
5853 North Broadway Avenue in the 48th
Ward, in an amount not to exceed
$3,855,235
in multifamily funds,
$22 million in TIF funds, and
$19.5 million in bond funds. I move
passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 15 is a substitute ordinance authorizing
multifamily program funds to 5853
North Broadway IX LP for the
9% project at 5853 North Broadway Avenue in
the 48th Ward, in an amount not to exceed
$5,967,690
in multifamily funds. I move passage
of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 16 is an ordinance authorizing multifamily
program funds to TCB Humboldt 4
LLC for the 4% project at
1417 North Talman Avenue,
2620 West Hurst Street in the 26th Ward,
in an amount not to exceed
$6,769,454
in multifamily funds, and
$32,860,059
in housing and economic development bond funds,
and in an amount not to exceed $22 million in
multifamily revenue bonds. I move passage of this item by the same
motion.
So ordered.
Item number 17 is an ordinance authorizing multifamily
program funds to TCB Humboldt 9 LLC
for the 9% project at 1417 North Talman
Avenue and 2620 West Hurst Street in the 26th
Ward, in an amount not to exceed
$1,826,242
in multifamily funds,
and in an amount not to exceed
$2,830,405 in
housing and economic development bond funds.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 18 is a substitute ordinance amending the original
ordinance by replacing Chicago Neighborhood with Leslie J.
Raffel Foundation as the developer, and
amending the redevelopment agreement to include revisions to the
project at 30 North LaSalle Street in the 34th Ward.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number 19 and 20 consist of orders of authorization
for the payment of various small claims against the City of Chicago,
and denials of payment of various small claims against the City of
Chicago. If there are no objections, I move that these items be
placed for passage in the omnibus
Hearing none, so ordered.
Item number 21 are four proposed orders authorizing
charitable solicitation on the public way permits for
Oxfam America citywide,
September 24th, 2026 to March 31st,
2027. Plan International USA, also
citywide from September 24th, 2026 to June
30th, 2027. The Salvation Army, North
Central Illinois Division, citywide from November 1st,
2026 to December 24th, 2026.
And Amnesty International, citywide September 26th,
2026 to December 31st, 2026.
These will be placed on file with the clerk.
Item number 22 is a communication transmitting reports of
cases in which verdicts, judgments, or settlements were entered
into for the month of July 2026 and August
2026. These two will be placed on file with the clerk.
Item number 23A is an order authorizing the
corporation council to enter into and execute a settlement
order in the case of Lorenzo Williams versus City of
Chicago
et al., case number
2026L007227, in the
amount of $225,000. I move
passage of this item by the same motion that was applied to
item number two, with the exception of
Alderman Quinn,
Lopez, O'Shea, Scott, Ervin, Taliaferro,
Cardona, Waguespack, Villegas, Sposato, and Riley,
and Ex Officio Nugent, who want to be recorded as
no on this matter.
Chair recognizes Alderman Ervin.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
After discussing this matter with court counsel and as a
last and final favor, I change my vote to a yes in that matter.
All right. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Tabares.
I want to be recorded as a no.
Alderman Napolitano, you are recognized.
Please hold me as a no.
Alderman Beale, you are recognized.
No as well.
Alderman Chico, you are recognized.
Please record me as a no.
Chair recognizes Alderman Gardner.
Please record me as a no.
Chair recognizes Alderwoman Silverstein.
Please record me as a no.
Despite the division, this motion passes. So ordered.
Item number 23B is an order authorizing the
corporation council to enter into and execute a settlement
order in the case of Matthew Jordan, an administrator
of the estate of Michael A. Jordan, deceased, versus City
of Chicago Municipal Corporation, Officer Christopher Moore,
individually and as an agent of the City of Chicago, case
number
2024L011910
in the amount of $6 million. I move passage of this item by the
same motion that was applied to item number two.
So ordered.
Item number 23C is an order
authorizing the corporation council to enter into and
execute a settlement order in the case of Gabriel
Solache versus Ronaldo Guevara et
al., case number 18CV2312,
in the amount of $6 million. I move passage of this item by
the same motion that was applied to item number two, with the exception of
Alderman Lopez, who wishes to be recorded as a no vote.
Very well. Chair recognizes Alderman Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President, and good afternoon members of the City Council.
This settlement, as well as the next one, for nearly $14 million,
is predicated
based on certificates of innocence issued by our former Cook
County state's attorney, Kim Foxx, who under deposition
has said that
basically was questioned as to whether or not certificates were given to people
that she felt were guilty of crimes, and she said "Yes."
I have a hard time
using that as our standard.
In committee,
I referenced that there was an
order
introduced to this body
stating that we should no longer use Kim Foxx's certificates of innocence
because they don't mean what we all assume that they mean, or how the media
portrays them, that they are innocent.
Innocence, we learned, has nothing to do with a certificate of innocence.
They could be guilty of a crime and yet we are still paying.
With that, Mr. President,
I would ask that my colleagues consider that as we move forward with both of these
items.
Because yes, we do know that torture is bad.
We do know that we have a history that we are trying to get
beyond, particularly with these individuals, Burge, Guevara,
Watts, and others.
But at the same time,
when our own state's attorney
has doubts about people's innocence, it's hard for us to look our
residents in the face knowing that we are giving $14
million of their taxpayer money to these
individuals.
And with that, I ask that people
say no to this and the next item as well. Thank you.
You're welcome. Hearing no other up, the chair recognizes Alderman Ervin.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The
fact of the matter is that
People's rights were violated.
People were tortured. People had
electricity attached to their private parts.
People had unspeakable things done to them
in the name of the City of Chicago, "seeking justice."
We all know that that was a terrible chapter in our city's
history. We appreciate the work of Corporation
Counsel in trying to
gather as much of this as possible to limit the liability
of the city on this.
But to make that statement, to say that these folks
don't deserve settlement for their
grievances, I think is
totally off base and wrong.
Now, you may disagree with
former state's attorney's methodology, you may disagree with her policy,
but the fact remains, she was the duly
elected state's attorney in this county.
And with that, was given the responsibility and the
discretion to make certain decisions.
Now, we got a new state's attorney that may have a different take on
things. That's fine. But
the person has been granted something, the courts went through the process, and
because we have a policy disagreement, not only that, but just
recognizing the pain that these folks went through,
I think it's wrong for us to take a position to say that we don't owe
them anything. So while I understand your position,
I don't agree with it.
But at the same time, to say that these individuals are undeserving of anything,
I think sends a wrong message in that we would allow
for that continued type of abuse to occur to
individuals who are in custody of the Chicago Police Department.
Now again, if that's the message that you want to send, you can do that.
But I've known way too many people who have had
hands placed on them, things done to them in the name of the
law, in the name of our name as the City of Chicago, and those
individuals do deserve their just due.
And so I would ask for us to support this because we know that this isn't
the end of that train. We're somewhere hopefully in the middle, getting toward the
end, but we cannot send that message that it is okay
for
officers or anybody or any person under our control as the City of Chicago
to do such things to individuals of our community. Thank you.
Thank you. Hearing no other, chair recognizes Chair Gao.
Yeah, and I want to thank my colleague for bringing that up, but I also want to
remind this body that Officer Guevara
has asserted his Fifth Amendment rights,
and will not testify, which significantly weakens our
ability to defend this case.
Very well. The motion has been made. Hearing no other objections, so ordered.
Item number 23D is an order authorizing the Corporation
Council to enter into and execute a settlement order in the
case of Arturo DeLeon Reyes versus Reynaldo
Guevara et al., case number 18 CV
1028, in the amount of
$7,750,000. I move
passage of this item by the same motion that was applied to item number
two, with the exception of Alderman Lopez, who wants to be recorded as
a no vote on this matter.
So ordered.
Item number 24 is a communication introduced by Mayor Brandon
Johnson, appointing Marshall Hatch Jr.
as a member of the Chicago Development Fund Advisory Board for a
term effective immediately and expiring on July
20th, 2029. I move passage of this item
by the same motion as
was applied to item number two, with the exception of Alderman Lopez,
who wants to be recorded as a no vote.
So ordered.
Item number 25 is a communication introduced by Mayor Brandon
Johnson, appointing Jeannette Defel as a
member of the Chicago Development Fund Advisory Board for a term
effective immediately and expiring on July 20th,
2029. I move passage of this item by the same motion
as was applied to item number two.
So ordered.
Item number 26 is an ordinance authorizing the
execution of a second amendment to the master intergovernmental
agreement with the Public Building Commission to authorize the use
of tax increment financing funds for various projects in
the 3rd, 7th, 12th, 34th and 42nd
wards. I move passage of this item by the same motion as was
applied to item number two.
So ordered.
Item number 27 is an ordinance introduced by Alderman
Marty Quinn and others, amending the municipal code
chapter 2-8 by adding a new section,
2-8-036, requiring issuance
of bonds and other indebtedness ordinance requirements.
I move passage of this item by the same motion as was applied to item
number two, with the exception of Alderman Hall, Ramirez,
Rodriguez, Siccho Lopez, Burnett, Irvin, Rodriguez,
Sanchez, Casada, and Martin.
Chair recognizes Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. Alderman Hall and I wish to defer and publish
this matter.
Very well. Alderman Hall, can you confirm that?
Very well. This item will be deferred and published.
Mr. President, that concludes my report from the Committee on Finance. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. For the Committee on Economic Capital and Technology
Development, the chair recognizes Chair Curtis.
Thank you, Mr. President, member of city council.
Reporting for Committee on Economic Capital, Technology and
Development on Tuesday, September 15th, 2026,
committee held a meeting to recommend passage of the following items
Items one through three
on the report
are appointments and reappointments of the following people's special service
areas. Appointment of Brian R.
Nerud
as member of the SSA number 16.
Reappointment of Lisa Orloff,
SSA number 23. Appointment of
Peter Caraco
as SSA member
of SSA number 04.
I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll call of the
Committee on Finance, an associated unsuccessful motion to
reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item four on the agenda is an amendment of Special Service Area
number 2, Belmont Central, regarding
service provider agreement with Portage Park Chamber of Commerce,
and 2026 tax levy and budget. I
move for passage of this item by the first favorable roll call
vote of the Committee on Finance, and the associated unsuccessful
motion to reconsider.
So ordered.
Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee on Contracting Oversight and
Equity, the chair recognizes Chairwoman Mitts.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council.
I'm reporting for the Committee on Contracts Oversight and Equity.
We held a meeting on Tuesday, September the 22nd,
2026, and the following item were passed by the
committee.
Item number
S02026-0024839,
Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development
and Department of Housing, directed to encourage goals of a
3% veteran-owned business enterprise
participation in each
city finances or discretionary
approval that includes MBE/WBE
participation goals.
I move that the city council incur in the recommendation
of this... Oh, Mr. Mayor. I'm sorry.
Alderman Villegas would like to speak on this item.
You can make the motion first-
Okay
... and then I'll recognize him.
Move that the city council incur in the recommendation of
this item
by passing for the same roll call as item number one on the Committee on
Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Very well. Thank you, Madam Chair. The chair recognizes Alderman Villegas.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to thank my colleagues from the contract
compliance and
hope that this item gets voted on. This is a
continuation of our commitment to veterans.
And so this council's been very busy on putting forward a bunch of
legislation that actually helps our veteran community, and this is just this
one more step where, as relates to the Veteran Business Enterprise program,
we saw that the Department of Planning Housing were not part of the
3% goal. And so what this does, in essence, is expands the
3% goal to allow for those that have served our country, that
are entrepreneurs, allows them an opportunity to participate on these
privately funded projects. So again, I ask my colleagues for their favorable
consideration on this, and thank you for your support.
Thank you for support of veterans.
Thank you, Alderman.
Chair, to your motion, seeing no other hands and hear no
objections, so ordered.
Item number two,
S02025-0021035,
amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-92 by
adding new section
2-92-587,
entitled Immigration Enforcement Disclosure.
I move passage of this item by the same motion, if there's no
objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Item number three was a subject matter hearing,
S02025-0018753,
amendments of Municipal Code Section
2-92-330
to establish Chicago Construction Workforce Equity
Advisory Board to monitor and report on
participation of target population in covered
projects,
by Alderman Rosana Carrillo Sanchez.
No vote taken. I move passage of this item by
the same motion, if there's no objection.
And there were no votes taken on this?
No votes taken.
Okay, so that last motion then was not necessary.
Okay. Thank you.
You're welcome.
That would conclude my report, Mr. Mayor.
Well, thank you, Madam Chair. For the Committee on Environmental
Protection and Energy,
Chair recognizes Chair Hadden.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of City Council.
Reporting on your Committee for Environmental Protection and Energy, which held a
committee meeting on September 1st, 2026.
The committee has two reports and recommends the passage of the following item.
Item one is
SO2026-0027165,
amendment of Municipal Code sections
18-14-101.3 and
18-14-101.4 regarding covered
buildings and related public availability of water usage data,
and section 18-14-102.3,
removing the data center exception from benchmarks and performance ratings
made public by the chief sustainability officer.
I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee
on Finance, and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered
The second item was a subject matter hearing on urban flooding.
No votes were taken on this item and, Mr. President, that concludes my report.
Thank you, Madam Chair. For the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, the
chair recognizes Chair Martin.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of City Council.
Reporting for your Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, which held a
committee meeting on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026,
the committee recommends passage of the following item, as well as a re-referral
of the subsequent item. First, item number one is substitute
ordinance
2024-0007359,
which amends municipal code section 2-156 regarding
ethical code of conduct for city council contractors, lobbyists, and
candidates for city office. This item passed unanimously amongst all
members present. Following the committee meeting, and based on discussions with
Alderwoman Newton and Alderman Riley and the Board of Ethics, I circulated a
proposed substitute clarifying that city council contractors will be
subject to the limitations on representation of other persons that
apply to appointed officials in keeping with the intent and discussion that
occurred in the committee hearing.
And pursuant to rule 33 of the city council rules of order, I
move to accept that substitute ordinance for
SO2024-0007359,
which was circulated to all members of city council by a majority vote.
There's a motion on the floor to accept the substitute that each of you have
received. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Any opposed say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
The substitute has been accepted.
I move for passage of this item by the first favorable roll call vote of the
Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Very well. Seeing no hands, hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number two is resolution
2026-0026043,
which calls for the adoption of a small business bill of rights.
The committee voted to re-refer this item to the Committee on License and Consumer
Protection. I move for the re-referral of this item by the first most favorable
roll call vote for the Committee on Finance and associated unsuccessful motion to
reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee on Housing and Real Estate, the chair
recognizes Chair Sigcho-Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the city council.
Reporting for your Committee on Housing and Real Estate, which held a
meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The following is a report recommending passage of 15 ordinances that included
mayoral appointments, a municipal code amendment, a lease
agreement, one issuance of multi-family program,
with
a land sale, and various other market rate and open
space land sales.
Item number one is a substitute appointment,
2026-0027373,
for the appointment of Ramona Westbrook as Commissioner of the Chicago Housing
Authority. I move passage of this item as substituted
for the first most favorable roll call vote on the Committee on
Finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Chair recognizes Alderman Beale.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President,
item one and two
are very, very important
appointments, Mr. Chairman. And I say that because we have a
very capable
CEO that has been appointed to the CHA
as CEO.
However,
this new CEO does not have the ability
to hire
competent people because of the uncertainty of his
position.
That's doing a disservice to the people
of CHA.
In fairness, I think it's doing a disservice to the people of the city of Chicago
that
there's no certainty about his appointment.
And so yesterday, I got a call
from the appointees and I asked point blank,
"Will you vote to try to
remove the new CEO?"
And I could not get that commitment.
That's extremely troubling to me
because if you can't make that commitment, that means you
may go to try to remove a very competent, willing, and able
new CEO that we all support.
And so,
seeing that we cannot get that commitment, Mr.
President, I move to defer and publish item one and two of this committee
report. Thank you.
Mr. President,
because this was actually discussed in committee, this very same issue,
I'm surprised about what-
Alderman Quinn, Alderman Waguespack, and Alderman Riley, who second
my motion. Thank you.
Thank you. You're welcome. The chair recognizes Chairman
Sigcho-Lopez.
Yeah. Just for the record, this question was brought up in committee.
Just for the record, I understand
there's not a-
Just a second.
This is not a debate.
It's not a debate.
Wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Just-
Let's think it for a second
... Chairman. Chairman.
This-
Alderman Beale. Thank you
... I'm reporting back on committee, Mr. President.
It's been deferred and published, so we're not
debating it.
We're not debating.
Thank you, Alderman Beale. The chair recognizes Chairman
Sigcho-Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Because there were two appointments.
For clarity, they both will be in defer and publish. I am understanding that well.
So because the next item, item number two, with the same, is an substitute
appointment for the appointment of John Bartlett as Commissioner of Chicago Housing
Authority. So I'm assuming that you are deferring and publish both items.
Chairman, you're directing it to me?
Yes, Mr.
President. I'm assuming that they were defer and publish For the two appointments
Let's not assume anything. So have you made a motion-
Yeah, so the-
... for this item?
So the item number two in a substitute appointment
2026.0027382 for the appointment of John
Bartlett as Commissioner of Chicago Housing Authority, and upon passage of this
item a substitute by the same motion.
Very well. Hearing no objection,
the chair recogni... Okay, let me...
The chair recognizes Alderman Bill.
Go ahead, sir.
Yeah, you got to make the motion.
Chairman, we're good. He's going to make that motion to me.
Alderman Bill, you have been recognized, sir.
Are you playing games?
Stay here.
You don't want to go there with me.
I know you don't want to go there with me, brother.
Well, how about we go here with me? Make the motion to me.
Renewed motion to defer item two by the same, defer and publish with the same
second.
Okay. With Alderman Lopez. Very well.
This item will be deferred and published.
The chair recognizes Chairman Sigcho-Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The third
item
is Substitute Ordinance
2026.0026554, Amendment of
Municipal Code Chapter 5-12 regarding residential landlord
and tenant ordinance, which was passed as a substitute.
I have talked with Alderman Villegas, and we have both agreed
that both pro and fair,
they need more time so that we can reach an agreement.
So I move to defer and publish with second with
Alderman Quesada.
For item three.
Just a second.
I-
Just a second.
Chairman Sigcho-Lopez.
So-
Your motion is to defer and publish item number three, and who is your
second?
With Alderman Quesada.
Alderman Quesada. Alderman Quesada, can you confirm that?
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. If there's a
supposed meeting of the minds on
pro and fair prayer,
might there be a
better option just to refer both of these back to committee so that
whatever differences can be worked out between the two ordinances so
that we can provide for
an ordinance that the majority of council can come to some
conclusions on? I know they're in separate committees, but
these two trains, this makes no sense, you all.
I mean, we could come to some kind of conclusion.
And if it needs to be in a joint committee, let that be.
But
this deferring both items and both are saying the exact
opposite things is not going to reach any real conclusion.
So
if
the makers of those motions
would agree to a joint committee referral,
that may be in the best interest of this body and the citizens of our city.
Okay. Thank you for that. So the initial
motion on the floor was to defer and publish.
The second was confirmed. I did not defer and publish
it officially, and so there is,
I don't know if this is a friendly amendment on the floor for both
items to be re-referred to a
joint committee or a committee. Is that what you're...
A joint committee?
Can you do that?
Al- Alderman Bill, I will recognize you, I promise you.
Just give me a second, okay? Thank you.
Okay, for parliamentary
procedural matters,
the motion on the floor to initially defer and publish this
item
can only be
no longer deferred and publish if Alderman
Quesada withdraws his confirmation.
The chair recognizes Alderman Quesada.
I withdraw my motion.
Very well. The motion on the floor to defer and publish-
I withdraw.
The second
to confirm that has been withdrawn. Very well.
Now,
now that that has been established, Alderman Irvin.
Alderman Irvin, you are recognized.
Okay. So there apparently is a disagreement between what
Alderman Sigcho-Lopez stated and what Alderman
Villegas is stating. So if that's the
will, then let them both be deferred and published.
It makes no sense, but if that's what you all...
You all can't come to that agreement,
could we come back to this? Could you all figure that out?
Alderman Irvin, you're directing it towards me.
Are you holding your motion or withdrawing it?
Um.
Your motion is for both items to be referred to
a joint committee.
That is my motion.
That obviously would require-
That's my motion. I'll-
That is the motion
... move to refer them to a joint committee.
Very well. So there's a motion on the floor to
refer both items.
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Waguespack.
Mr. President, I believe it's inappropriate to
defer two items when one is in zoning and this one is in
housing. You cannot defer both of them.
Very well. That is confirmed with our parliamentarian
that it-
Only one item can be
re-referred at a time.
So if you wish to move forward, Alderman Irvin,
with item number three
to refer this to committee,
you would have to wait until the item comes
up again, the other item, to
then attempt to do the same thing.
Well, if that be the case,
I would move to defer and publish with Alderman
Sigcho-Lopez. I may withdraw that if something could be reached before
we conclude today.
Very well. So your motion has been withdrawn, and we are back to the
initial motion to defer and publish this item,
Alderman Irvin, with the second of
Chairman Sigcho-Lopez. Can you confirm?
Confirm.
Very well. Then this item will be deferred and published.
The chair recognizes Chairman Sigcho-Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President. Moving on from the Department of Fleet and Facility
Management, item number four is an ordinance
2026-0027400, lease
agreement with Neighbor Space, Inc.
for use of vacant city-owned property at 5900 through
5910 North Lincoln Avenue as community garden in the 50th Ward.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Item number five from the Department of Housing is a substitute
ordinance 2026-0027320,
issuance of multifamily program funds and other financial assistance
to The Regenerator LLC for a residential housing project at
6206 South Racine Avenue in the 16th Ward.
I move passage of this item as substituted by the same motion.
So ordered.
The remaining items are from the Department of Planning and Development.
Item number six is ordinance
2026-0026365,
sale of city-owned property at 4013, 4019,
4031, and 4033 West Jackson Boulevard
to True Delta LLC under Chi Block Builder Missing Middle
Infill Housing Initiative in the 28th Ward, which passed at our
July 8th, 2026 committee,
and being reported out today. I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Items seven through 11 are grouped together for convenience.
They are for the market rate sale of various city-owned property under the
Chi Block Builder platform in the 3rd, 4th, and 37th wards.
The ordinance numbers are as follow: ordinance
2026-0027312,
ordinance 2026-0027298,
-0027302, and
-27390 and
0027315. I move passage of these five items by
the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Items 12 through 14 are for the sale of various city-owned properties
under the Open Space Chi Block Builder platform in the 3rd, 36th,
and 37th wards. The ordinance numbers are
ordinance 2026-0027380,
0027324, and
0027327. I move passage of these three items by the same
motion.
So ordered.
Finally, item 15 is ordinance
2026-0027368 for
the market rate sale of vacant city-owned property at
5645 West End Avenue to adjacent owner
Tracy Blackwell under Chi Block Builder in the 29th Ward.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
So ordered.
Mr. President, this concludes my report.
Thank you, Chairman. Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
The chair recognizes Chair Silverstein.
Thank you, Mr.
President and members of the City Council.
I am reporting for the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
We held a meeting on September 9th, 2026,
and the following items were passed by the committee.
Items one through 10 on the summary of reports, 10
ordinances regarding liquor moratoriums in the 1st, 6th, 8th,
30th, 34th, and 42nd wards. Item number
seven was a substitute ordinance. Mr.
President, I move that the City Council concur in the recommendations of the
License Committee by the same roll call as item number one of the
Committee on Finance report and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Items 11 through 29 designating precincts of the 15th Ward
as restricted residential zone prohibiting additional shared housing
units. I move passage of this item by the same motion if there's no
objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Items 30 through 48, substitute ordinances
designating precincts of the 23rd Ward as restricted
residential zone prohibiting additional shared housing units.
I move passage of this item by the same motion if there's no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Items 49 through 81 designating precincts of the 27th and
41st wards as restricted residential zone prohibiting
additional shared housing units.
I move passage of this item
by the same motion if there's no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
OR
2026-0025473,
a substitute order directed
to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to
formulate a plan for one-stop shop business
licensing and permitting
portal. I move passage of this item by the same motion if there's no
objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
The subject matter was heard on the current status of the
Chicago casino development and the enforcement of the
host community agreement between Bally's and the City of Chicago.
No vote on this topic was taken. Mr.
President, this concludes my report.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Chair recognizes Alderman Robinson.
Mr. President, thank you. I would like to
be recognized as a yes for the first favorable vote.
Thank you
And the Committee on Finance and the subsequent unsuccessful motion to
reconsider. Very well.
Thank you.
Could you please add Alderman Robinson to the
roll call?
For the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety,
the chair recognizes Vice Chair Cruz.
Reporting for your Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, for which meeting
was held on Tuesday, September 15th, 2026.
The committee passed 020...
Or rather say,
020260027125,
which is an amendment of Municipal Code Chapter
9-48-050 regarding bus
terminal loading and unloading zones.
If there is no objections, I move passage of this item with the first most
favorable roll call vote for the Committee on Finance and the associated
unsuccessful motion to reconsider the vote.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Before the committee there were also 537 routine traffic items,
as well as the Rule 45 report from July, all
which pass. If there's no objection, I move passage of these
items by the same motion.
Hearing none, so ordered.
The committee also held a subject matter hearing with a report on the Smart
Street Pilot Program in accordance to Municipal Code of
Chicago
9-108-070.
No votes were taken on this item. That concludes my report.
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. For the Committee on Police and Fire, the chair
recognizes Chair Taliaferro.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council.
Reporting for your Committee on Police and Fire, for which a meeting was held
on September 22nd, 2026. There was one item before the
committee, which the committee reported,
recommends do pass. Item number one was
202627318, an intergovernmental agreement
with the Chicago Transit Authority to provide Chicago Police Department
resources for voluntary special employment program at CTA
facilities throughout the city.
If there are no objections, Your Honor, if there's no objections, Mr.
President,
I move the passage of this item by the first most favorable roll call vote in the
Committee on Finance, and the associated unsuccessful motion
to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, my lord, so ordered.
That concludes my report.
For the Committee on Transportation and Public Way,
the chair recognizes Alderwoman Silverstein.
Yes, when I reported out, I had a wrong precinct number, so if I
could make that correction.
For the record, please. Thank you.
Okay. So items 49 and 50 are
designated precincts of the 29th Ward.
I believe I said 27. And then items 51 through
81 are designated precincts in
the 41st Ward.
Very well. Thank you. The record will
make that correction. Thank you-
Thank you
... Madam Chair. You're welcome. For the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way, the chair recognizes Chairman Mitchell.
Mr. President and members of the City Council, reporting for your Committee on
Transportation and Public Way, which held a meeting on September 9th,
2026. The following items passed by the majority of the members
present. Page two includes item
Resolution 2026-0027468.
Page three includes item amendment
appointment 2026-0027351,
appointment of Elbert Reneva. Pages four through six
include 28 ordinances and one amendment
for miscellaneous items introduced by the local
alderman from Wards one, two, three, 8, 10, 18,
25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32,
34, 36, 37, 40, 41,
46,
44, and 47. Pages seven includes items
substitute ordinance
2026-0026499, a
resubdivision ordinance, and item ordinance
2026-0027473, a
subdivision ordinance. Page eight includes items ordinance
2026-0023391, a
vacation ordinance. Item zero, ordinance
2026-0027065, a vacation
ordinance, and item ordinance
2026-0028119, a
vacation ordinance. If there is no objection, I move passage of these
items by the first most favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and
the
associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Mr. President, that concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee on Workforce Development, the chair
recognizes Chair Rodriguez.
Mr. President and members of the City Council, reporting for the Committee on
Workforce Development, which held a meeting September 17th.
There was only one agenda item,
SO2026-0027470,
an amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-92 by adding
new section 2-92-414, establishing bid
incentives for Chicago Jobs Plan commitment.
At the meeting, this ordinance was recommended do pass as substitute by a voice
vote. I now move passage by the first most favorable roll call vote of the
Committee on Finance and the unsuccessful vote to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
This concludes the report of the Committee on Workforce Development.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building
Standards, chair recognizes Chair Villegas.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council.
I'm presenting a report for the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building
Standards, which held a meeting on September 17th.
The following item was passed by a majority of the members present.
Page one contains document number
O2026-0027202 regarding the
amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 5-12, empowering the Department of
Buildings to strengthen standards and enforcement mechanisms for residential
buildings. Alderman Cardona and I move to defer and publish this item.
Very well. Alderman Cardona?
Very well. Confirms that item will be deferred and published.
Mr. President, members of the City Council, I'm presenting a series of reports for
the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards, which held a meeting on
September 22nd, 2026. The following items were passed by a majority of the
members present and are grouped for convenience.
Page one contains document number
02026-0027187. Regarding the
Milwaukee Avenue Special Character Overlay District, I move passage of this item by
this last most favorable roll call of the Finance Committee report and the
associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Page one also contains document number
02026-0024882.
Regarding religious assembly non-accessory parking restrictions, I move passage of
this item by the same motion, if there is no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Page one also contains the historical landmark designations of the shop building at
Altgeld Gardens in the 10th Ward and the Bryn Mawr Avenue district in the 48th
Ward. I move passage of these items by the same motion, if there's no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Page one also contains two fee waivers for a historically landmarked property
located at 30 North LaSalle in the
34th Ward, and 26 West Chestnut in the 42nd Ward.
I move passage of these items by the same motion, if there is no objection.
So ordered.
Page one through two contain various large signs over 100 square feet
in area, 24 feet above grade, in Wards 1, 2,
4, 7-- 4.
Strike that. 1, 2, 14, 27, 32,
34, 41, 42, 45, 46, and
50. I move passage of these items by the same motion, if there's no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Lastly, pages two through 16 contain various map amendments in Wards
2,
5, 8, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23,
25, 26, 27, 28, 30,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37,
39, 40, 43, and 47. I move passage of these
items by the same motion, if there is no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Mr. President, that concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. There's two more committees. There's a joint committee.
The chair recognizes
Chair Mike Rodriguez.
Just briefly, Mr. President, reporting for the Joint Committee on License and
Workforce,
on behalf of Chair Silverstein and I, we held a subject matter hearing on Tuesday,
September 15th, to discuss the conditions of workers in the
delivery service provider industry.
We had a lively discussion, and I thank my colleagues for their insightful
questions at the hearing. We look forward to ongoing discussions, as no
vote was taken. That concludes my report.
Thank you for the report, Chairman.
Finally, the Committee on Budget and Government Operations, the chair recognizes
Chairman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the council, reporting for your Committee on
the Budget and Government Operations, which held a committee meeting on September
the 9th, the committee has a series of reports recommending passage of the
following items. Item number one is a communication recommending a proposed
ordinance concerning an annual appropriation ordinance year 2026 amendment
within file 925. I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll
call vote of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to
reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Items two and three are communications regarding recommended transfers of
funds within Wards 3 and 27. Make the same motion, if
there's no objection.
So ordered.
Mr. President, that concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee
on
Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, there was an item that was
missed. The chair recognizes Vice Chair Cruz.
Thank you. I move passage of
02026-0026413
is the amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 9-64
by adding new Section
9-64-111, permitting
vehicles
on banning residential permit.
If there's no objections, I move passage of this item by the first most favorable
roll call vote for the Committee of Finance and associated unsuccessful motion
to reconsider the vote.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Thank you.
Does that conclude, Madam Vice Chair?
Yes.
Very well. Thank you. For the agreed-upon calendar, chair
recognizes Alderwoman Harris.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I've received from the city clerk, Andrea M.
Valencia, a total of 306 items proposed for the agreed
calendar, consisting of congratulatory, commemorative,
tributory resolutions for the following alderpersons:
Alderperson Dow, Alderperson Hall, Alderperson Mitchell,
Alderperson Harris, Alderperson Chico, Alderperson Quinn,
Alderperson Lopez, Alderperson Coleman, Alderperson Mosley,
Alderperson Rodriguez, Alderperson Tabares, Alderperson Cecil
Lopez, Alderperson Taliaferro, Alderspersons
Conway, Alderpersons Posada, Alderpersons Viega,
Alderspersons Sposato, Alderpersons
Basco, Alderperson Knudsen, Alderperson Lawson,
Alderperson Gardner, Alderperson Clay, Alderperson Hadden, with
the following additions:
Alderperson Viegas, Alderperson Harris,
Alderperson Dow, and Alderperson Coleman. I move these in the omnibus.
Very well. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
The chair recognizes Alderman Lamont Robinson.
Mr. President, thank you.
This morning,
when I addressed this council,
recognizing the passage of the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.
Youth Voter Empowerment Law, Mr. President, there
were some folks that are still here that I
did not recognize, and I want to take a moment to recognize
these folks that are here today that were
instrumental in passing this legislation in our
state capital
First, I would like to recognize Dr.
Joanne Roberts, who is the chairperson, Jane Ruby,
League of Women Voters, Allyson Radick with Chicago
Votes, Frederic Desorres, Chicago
Votes, Betty Magnus, Rainbow PUSH,
Latina
Pettis with GOTV for Teens, Deborah Crable,
Know Your Power Vote, and Jamir
Atkins with the Cook County First District.
So thank you again for allowing me, Mr.
President, to recognize these folks who have been here all
day with us. Thank you again for your hard work on this great legislation.
Thank you, Alderman Robinson. Thank you.
For new business, the clerk will call the wards beginning with the first.
Zoning amendments, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and
Building Standards. Traffic
regulations, traffic control signals, and traffic signs, which are referred to the
Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
An exemption from physical barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley
access to parking facilities, which are referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Public Way.
Alderperson Lespada has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for
signs/signboards at various locations, which are referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Lespada also has a proposed order for the Commissioner of
Transportation is directed to conduct feasibility study for
pedestrian-focused redesign of public ways immediately surrounding Palmer
Square Park, which is referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
Alderperson Hopkins has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Sections 4-250-110 and
14-40-260 to update definition and operation
requirements for commercial passenger vessels, which is referred to the Committee
on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Hopkins also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Section
4-244-140
to prohibit peddling in the Second Ward, which is referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderspersons Hopkins, Waguespack, and Knuth have a proposed ordinance for repeal
of historical landmark designation for Courtland Bridge, which is referred to the
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Dowell has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section
17-2-0207, requiring special
use permits for single-room occupancy residential developments in RT
4 through RT 6.5 zoning districts, which is referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Dowell also has a proposed ordinance for correction of the City Council
Journal of Proceedings of January 21st, 2026, which is referred to the Committee
on Committees and Rules. Alderperson Robinson has a proposed ordinance for
amendment of the Annual Appropriation Ordinance to transfer funds from the 4th Ward
Aldermanic Expense account to the Ward Wage Allowance account for the year
2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Yancey and others have a proposed ordinance for the city's acceptance
of ownership of Black Panther Heritage Trail historical markers in Illinois,
which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Hall has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as
Brian Sleet Street, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way. Alderperson Hall also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Sections 4-60-022 and
4-60-023 to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and
package goods licenses on portions of South Cottage Grove Avenue and East 87th
Street, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Harris has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for
signs/signboards at various locations, which are referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Beale has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section
2-8-041 by deleting and replacing in its entirety
to establish salary of alderpersons sworn in or after May
17th, 2027 at $120,000,
which is referred to the Joint Committee comprised of the members of the Committee
on the Budget and Government Operations and the members of the Committee on
Finance.
Was there
a second committee called?
Apologies.
Alderperson Lee
has a proposed order for the issuance of permits for signs/signboards at various
locations, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building
Standards. Alderperson Lee also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street
designation as Honorary Luis Castillo Way, which is referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Lee also has a proposed ordinance for an
honorary street designation as Honorary Woon Sing Se Way, which is
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Lee and others have a proposed resolution to call for hearings on
Amtrak Midwest Maintenance Facility site selection alternatives,
federal environmental review, and possible effects on nearby communities and
shared rail operations, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Public Way.
Alderperson Ramirez has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the Annual
Appropriation Ordinance to transfer funds from the 12th Ward Aldermanic Expense
account to the Wage Allowance account for the year 2026, which is referred to the
Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Gutierrez has proposed ordinance for amendment of the Annual
Appropriation Ordinance to transfer funds from the 14th Ward Wage Allowance
account to the Aldermanic Expense account for the year 2026, which is referred to
the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Lopez has a proposed ordinance for establishment of a senior citizen
property tax holiday from September 1, 2026 through December
24, 2026 in the City of Chicago, which is referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Alderperson Lopez also has an ordinance for an honorary street designation as
Claudette Soto Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way.
Alderperson Lopez also has a proposed ordinance for designation of the 16th
Precinct of the 15th Ward as a restricted residential zone prohibiting additional
shared housing units, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer
Protection.
Alderperson Coleman has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 16th Ward Wage Allowance account
to the Aldermatic Expense account for the year 2026, which is referred to the
Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson O'Shea has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for sign boards
at various locations, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and
Building Standards. Alderperson O'Shea also has proposed orders for an honorary
street designation as Honorary Michael Heaney Way, which is referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Taylor has a proposed ordinance for approval of a Blue Door
Resubdivision, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Taylor also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation
as L. Raby Lane, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way. Alderperson Taylor also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street
designation as Dion Joseph Williams Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Mosley has a proposed ordinance for an
honorary street designation as Honorary George E.
Johnson Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Mosley also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation
as Honorary Reverend Ronald Webb Way, which is referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Rodriguez has a proposed ordinance for
an honorary street designation as Raquel Luna Way, which is referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Rodriguez also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Section 9-64-206, establishing hours of operation
for parking meters at various locations, which is referred to the Committee on
Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. Alderperson Rodriguez also has a proposed ordinance
for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 22nd
Ward Contractual Services account to the Personnel Services account for the year
2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderpersons Tavares and Hopkins have a proposed resolution for reinstatement of
City of Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force for second
phase of operations, which is referred to the Committee on Public Safety.
Alderperson Citro Lopez has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the Committee on Housing and Real
Estate for the year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and
Government Operations. Alderpersons Citro Lopez, Rodriguez,
Sanchez, and Casada have a proposed resolution to call on the Illinois
governor to exercise eminent domain to keep Joslyn Plant
open and to immediately rehire workers at same wage and benefits bargained by
the UFCW 1546, which is referred to the Committee on
Workforce Development.
Alderperson Citro Lopez has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic liquor
licenses on portion of West 22nd Place, which is referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Fuentes has a proposed resolution for submission of public question by
referendum that Chicago voters in the 26th Ward on February
23, 2027 primary election in Chicago
should utilize North/South Western Avenue from West Howard to West
79th Street as bus rapid transit, which is referred to the Committee on Committees
and Rules. Alderperson Burnett has proposed an ordinance for amendment of Municipal
Code Chapter 9-64 by adding a new section,
9-64-195, establishing tow-away zones in area
bounded by West Fulton Street, North Ogden Avenue, West Halsted Street,
and West Randolph Street, and by establishing 24-hour parking
meters on portion of West Randolph Street, which is referred to the Committee on
Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. Alderpersons Burnett and Lawson have proposed
ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 by modifying various sections
regarding minimum lot area, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning,
Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Burnett has proposed ordinance for vacation of portion of West Walnut
Street from North Halsted Street to the Kennedy Expressway, which is referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Burnett also has proposed orders for the
issuance of permits for sign boards at various locations, which are referred to the
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Irvin has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section
4-60-023 to allow additional package goods licenses on portion of
West Roosevelt Road, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer
Protection. Alderperson Irvin also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of
honorary street designation as Officer Larry
L. Newman, Sr. Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public
Way. Alderperson Tufiero has a proposed order for the issuance of permits for
sign boards at 3202 North Harlem Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Cruz has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code Section
4-60-023 to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion of
West Belmont Avenue and North Laramie Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Cardona has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code Sections
4-60-022 and 4-60-023 to
disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion of West
Cicero Avenue and West Fullerton Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Cardona also has proposed ordinance for a designation of the first
precinct of the 31st Ward as a restricted residential zone prohibiting additional
shared housing units, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer
Protection. Alderperson Cardona also has a proposed ordinance for
designation of the second precinct of the 31st Ward
as a restricted residential zone prohibiting additional shared housing units, which
is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderpersons Cardona and Riley have a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal
Code Title 4 by modifying various sections and adding new sections regarding
nuisance abatement process and license requirements for liquor licensees,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Cardona has proposed ordinances for the designation of the third
precinct of the 31st Ward, the fourth precinct, the fifth precinct, the sixth
precinct, the seventh precinct, the eighth precinct, the ninth precinct,
the 10th precinct, the 11th precinct, the 12th precinct, the 13th precinct, the
14th precinct, the 15th precinct, the 16th precinct, the
17th precinct, the 18th precinct, the 19th precinct, the 20th
precinct, the 21st precinct, the 22nd precinct, and the
23rd precinct of the 31st Ward as restricted residential zones
prohibiting additional shared housing units, which are referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderpersons Cardona, Chico, and Tavares have proposed ordinance For
the chief procurement officer being directed to take all necessary actions
pertaining to procurement processes.
This is referred to the Committee on Contracting Oversight.
Alderperson Waguespack has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for sign
signboards at various locations, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning,
Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Waguespack also has a proposed ordinance for the vacation of the area
bounded by West Courtland Street, West Dickens Avenue, North
Southport Avenue, and the North Branch of the Chicago River, which is referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Rodriguez-Sanchez has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance to transfer funds within the Committee on Health and Human
Relations for the year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and
Government Operations. Alderperson Rodriguez-Sanchez also has a proposed ordinance
for amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 and
4-60-023 to allow additional alcoholic liquor and package good
licenses on a portion of West Montrose Avenue, which is referred to the Committee
on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Conway has a proposed order for the issuance of permits for sign
signboards at 310 South Racine Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Conway also has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code Title
17 by modifying various sections and adding new sections regarding permit
type, planned development approval, and requirements for electronic data
storage centers, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and
Building Standards. Two committees haven't been called, the Committee on Zoning and
the Committee on Finance. The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and
Rules.
Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 by modifying various sections and
adding new sections regarding permit types, planned development approval, and
requirements for electronic data storage centers.
Alderperson Conway also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
Section 4-60-022
and to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portions of West Lake
Street and North Desplaines Street, which is referred to the Committee on License
and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Conway also has proposed orders for the
issuance of permits for sign signboards at 10 South Dearborn Street,
which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Casada has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section
4-60-023 to allow additional package good licenses on a portion of
North Milwaukee Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer
Protection. Alderperson Casada also has proposed orders for
amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 and
4-60-023 to allow additional alcoholic liquor and package good licenses
on a portion of West Wrightwood Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Villegas has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter
2-22 by adding a new section, 2-22-060,
establishing registry of properties facing foreclosure, which is referred to the
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Villegas also has proposed orders for an honorary street designation as
Honorary Mother of Democracy Belgium Kenen Yahweh, which is
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Villegas and others have proposed a resolution for establishment of
Problem Landlord and Housing Coordination Task Force to examine
and recommend improvements to respond to chronic and repeated housing code
violations, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building
Standards. Alderperson Mitz has proposed orders for an honorary street designation
as Honorary Roberta Wilson Way, which is referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Sposato has proposed orders for an
honorary street designation as Honorary Coach Jack Hunter Way, which is referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Sposato also has a proposed ordinance for establishment of a temporary
moratorium on receipt of new applications for zoning and licensing of
new or substantially expanded electronic data storage centers, which is referred to
the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Two committees called, the Committee on Zoning and the Committee on Finance.
The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
Establishment of temporary moratorium on receipt of new applications for
zoning or licensing of new or substantially expanded electronic data storage
centers.
Alderperson Vasquez has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance for transfer of funds from the 40th Ward Aldermanic Expense
account to the Wage Allowance account for the year 2026, which is referred to the
Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Vasquez and Manna Happenhorth have proposed orders for an honorary
street designation as Jaden Perkins Way, which is referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Vasquez also has proposed a resolution
for submission of public question by referendum to Chicago voters of the 40th Ward
on February 23rd, 2027 primary election on support for
adoption of ranked choice voting for mayor, treasurer, clerk, alderperson,
and district counselors of Chicago, which is referred to the Committee on
Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Vasquez also has proposed a resolution for submission of public
question by referendum to Chicago voters of the 40th Ward on
February 23rd, 2027 primary election on if Chicago
should utilize North/South Western Avenue from West
Howard to West 79th Street as rapid transit
bus transit, which is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Vasquez also has proposed a resolution for submission of public
question by referendum to Chicago voters of the 40th Ward on February 23rd,
2027 primary election
on supporting moratorium on establishment, construction, or expansion of new data
center facilities within Chicago and address community concerns
such as natural resource depletion,
utility rate increases, and regulatory framework, which is referred to the
Committee on Committees and Rules.
Two committees called, the Committee on Committees and Rules and the Committee on
Committees and Rules. The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and
Rules.
Did you call finance?
Okay. Two committees called, the Committee on Committees and Rules
and the Committee on Finance. The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees
and Rules.
Alderperson Vasquez, LaSpada, and others have proposed orders
for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 9-108, revising area covered
by Smart Street program, which is referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and
Traffic Safety Alderperson Napolitano has proposed orders for the
issuance of permits for signboards at various locations, which are referred to the
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Napolitano also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street
designation as Honorary Maria's Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Napolitano also has proposed a
resolution to call for hearings on implementation of advanced law enforcement
training technology, which is referred to a joint committee comprised of the
members of the Committee on Public Safety and Police and Fire.
Alderperson Riley has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signboards at
various locations, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and
Building Standards. Alderperson Riley also has a proposed order for a historical
landmark fee waiver for the property at 208 South LaSalle Street, which is referred
to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards, and proposed orders
for an honorary street designation as Mother Jones Plaza, which is referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Riley also has a proposed resolution to call for hearings on
implementation of Reverend Jesse Jackson Jr.
Young Voter Empowerment Law in Chicago high schools, which
is referred to the Committee on Education.
Alderperson Knutson has proposed orders for amendment of the annual appropriation
orders to transfer funds from the 43rd Ward aldermanic expense account to the ward
allowance account for the year 2026.
It was referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Knutson also has proposed resolutions for submission of public question
by referendum to Chicago voters in the 43rd Ward on the February 23rd,
2027, primary election on if Illinois Department of Transportation should
conduct open and transparent public process to determine future of
North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, which is referred to the Committee on Committees
and Rules.
Alderperson Lawson has proposed orders for amendment of the annual appropriation
ordinance to transfer funds from the 44th Ward wage allowance account to the
aldermanic expense account for the year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on
the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderpersons Lawson,
Burnett, and Conway have proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code Section
17-9-0129, allowing lawful
cannabis dispensaries to modify to include medical cannabis without
triggering Section
17-19-0129.1, which is
referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Lawson has proposed a resolution for submission of public question by
referendum to Chicago voters of the 44th Ward on the February 23rd,
2027, primary election on if Illinois Department of Transportation should
conduct open and transparent public process to determine the future of North
DuSable Drive, which is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Lawson also has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Codes
Chapter 17-17, establishing allowances for certain bay windows
when calculating floor area ratio, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning,
Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Clay has proposed a resolution for submission of public question by
referendum to Chicago voters of the 46th Ward at the February 23rd,
2027, primary election on if Illinois Department of Transportation should
conduct open and transparent public process to determine the future of North
DuSable Lake Shore Drive, which is referred to the Committee on Committees and
Rules. Alderperson Martin has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code
Chapter 2-156 by modifying various sections and adding new sections
regarding candidates for election requirement and reporting, which is referred to
the Committee on Ethics.
Two committees called. The Committee on Ethics, the Committee on Finance.
The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Martin has a proposed order for the Executive Director of Public Safety
Administration being directed to conduct audit of each city vendor that
maintains, manages, or otherwise provides automatic license plate
readers to determine city compliance with the TRUST Act, which is referred to the
Committee on Police and Fire.
Two committees called. The Committee on Police and Fire and the Committee on the
Budget and Government Operations.
The matter is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Menahappenworth has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code
Section 4-60-023 to disallow additional package goods
licenses on portion of West Argyle Street, which is referred to the Committee on
License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Menahappenworth also has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal
Code Section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic
liquor licenses on portion of West Granville Avenue, which is referred to the
Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Menahappenworth also has proposed a resolution for submission of a
public question by referendum to Chicago voters of the 48th Ward on February
23rd, 2027, primary election if Illinois Department of
Transportation should conduct open and transparent public process to determine
future of North DuSable Lake Shore Drive, which is referred to the
Committee on Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Hadden has proposed orders for amendment of the annual appropriation
orders to transfer funds within the Committee on Environmental Protection and
Energy for the year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and
Government Operations. Alderperson Hadden has proposed a resolution to call for
City of Chicago departments to prioritize heat mitigation, maintain and expand
cooling centers, and install heat resilient infrastructure, which is referred to
the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy.
Alderperson Hadden also has proposed a resolution to call on the Illinois General
Assembly to pass the Power Act, House Bill 5513,
which is referred to the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy.
Your Honor, that concludes the presentation of aldermanic introductions.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
Alderman Desmond Yancey has requested to participate in the
remaining of today's meeting remotely
for reasons stated in Rule 59. Can we
confirm that he is online?
Alderman Yancey?
Yes, I'm here. Thank you.
Can I get a motion for his approval? It's been moved.
All those in favor signify by saying "aye." Any opposed say "nay." In the opinion
of the chair, the ayes have it.
Alderman Mitchell, for the approval of the journals.
Mr. President, I'm not aware of any corrections to the journals from the July 15th,
2026, and July 22nd, 2026, meetings, and
move that they be approved.
Hearing no objection, so ordered. For unfinished business, Alderman Mitchell.
I'm aware of two pieces of unfinished business, both of which refer to
the same ordinance, originally filed by Alderman Hadden.
The first piece of unfinished business was filed by Alderman Lopez, Moore, and
Napolitano, and I defer to Alderman Lopez.
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez
Good afternoon, Mr President-
Good afternoon
... members of the city council.
Following my Rule 41, I will not be calling this motion at this time. Thank you.
You're withdrawing it? Very well. He's not calling it.
Alderman Mitchell, any other unfinished business?
The second piece of unfinished business was filed by Alderwoman Hadden, and I defer
to her.
Very well. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Hadden.
Thank you, Mr President. On the filing of my Rule 41, I won't be calling that as
well, so our cold war can continue.
Very well. Alderman Mitchell?
Any other unfinished business?
Mr President, I'm not aware of any further pieces of unfinished business.
Now, what about... The chair recognizes Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr President. I appreciate our colleagues over there trying to
figure it out. Can I get the other two to do the same thing?
Mr Chair. Alderman Irvin, thank you for requesting and asking, but it doesn't
appear that that's going to happen today.
For miscellaneous business, Alderman Mitchell.
Except for the ordinance setting the date and time of the next meeting, I'm not
aware of any miscellaneous business.
And for the date and time of the next meeting, Alderman Mitchell.
Shh. Okay, I've handed up an ordinance to the clerk setting the date-
Just a second, Alderman-
... and time of the next meeting
... Alderman Mitchell. Alderman Mitchell, just a second.
You all just hold on, keep it down. It's hard to hear.
Please continue, Alderman Mitchell.
I repeat, I've handed up an ordinance to the clerk setting the date and time of the
next meeting.
Clerk, please read the ordinance.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago.
Section one, the next regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chicago
shall be held on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026-
Correct
... beginning at 10:00 AM in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall,
121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Section two, this ordinance shall take effect and be enforced from and after its
passage.
Very well.
Alderman Beale.
President, I'm offering up a friendly substitute to that ordinance,
calling on our next regular scheduled meeting to be Tuesday the
29th at 10 o'clock.
Oh, this is my...
Thank you. Say that one more time.
I'm offering up a substitute to that ordinance to call our next regular
scheduled meeting to be Tuesday, September 29th at 10 o'clock.
There's a motion on the floor for the substitute
for the next regularly scheduled meeting to be on Tuesday,
September-
29th
... 29th.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Hadden.
Thank you, Mr President. So, we've got a Committee on
Environmental Protection and Energy meeting at 10:00 AM at the same
time on September 29th. I would also,
just as a courtesy, ask my colleague to give us a reason for
this amendment so we could better understand.
Very well. Alderman Beale.
Thank you. To the
gracious woman of the 49th Ward,
basically we have unfinished business we need to attend to.
And I understand you may have a meeting, but a city council meeting definitely
takes precedence over a committee meeting.
I-
This chair recognizes Alderwoman Hadden.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I wanted to know why, if you could explain why.
Very well. Alderman Beale.
We are under a strict timeline to pass a parking meter deal, and
in order to pass it before the deadline, we have to have a meeting on the 29th.
Just a s-
Yeah. So, yeah, if there's one noticed on Friday-
Just a second
... help us understand
Just, Alderwoman Hadden, please, just we'll-
Yeah, yeah
... communicate through the chair.
Sure.
Chair recognizes Alderwoman Hadden.
If it is easier for someone who can just
in a linear way tell us why,
because I don't think there's a conflict here, but just getting some amendment and
not telling 49 other people is a little frustrating.
And of course, as the chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection and
Energy, I'm going to have to make some changes.
So, I would appreciate a little bit more substance to the
explanation and the reasoning why, because
I understand we already have a special city council meeting.
So, if you could just, a little further explanation, I think would go a long way.
Alderman Lopez.
Thank you, Mr President.
And I'm going to make an assumption that I'm reading things correctly, but
to answer our colleague's question,
Friday's meeting is for the parking meter deal, which hopefully will be voted
out tomorrow out of finance committee.
I would assume that if the special meeting goes as planned
and everything's approved, then there won't be a need to meet
on Monday. However... Or Tuesday, excuse me.
However, if someone were to choose to DMP it,
then the next regular scheduled meeting would be the only time that such an
item could be brought back, and this would be keeping in with the timeframe of
the deal, which has to be done by the 30th of September.
Alderwoman Hadden.
Thank you for that explanation. I think it was instructive for everyone.
Appreciate that.
That's what I'm here for.
Thank you.
You're welcome. All right, so the original motion on the floor is to accept the
substitute for the next regularly scheduled city council meeting
to be for Tuesday, September 29th.
All those in favor of the substitute signify by saying "aye."
Aye.
Any opposed, say "nay." In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Okay, very well. So, the substitute has been accepted.
And now for the motion
to accept
the substitute. Very well, for the passage of the
substitute. The substitute has been accepted.
Read.
Now there's a motion-
Sir, they got to read it.
Yes.
That's not it. That's the old one. I think that's the... Is that the old one?
Yeah. Do you want me to read the new one?
That has been handed to the clerk?
Very well. Mr Clerk.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago, the next regular meeting
of the City Council of the City of Chicago shall be held on Tuesday, September
29th, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM in the council
chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago,
Illinois. Section two, this ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage.
Very well.
Alderman Rodriguez.
Yeah. Point of order, Mr Chair. I want to make sure the public is aware
of our schedule. I know it'll be online, but my understanding is
a special city council meeting was called for this Friday, and
there is a finance meeting tomorrow.
And this other meeting
is on the 29th. So, we fully expect to be here
over the next couple of days. Hopefully not next week, in the event that we don't
need to be. Is that correct, Mr Chair?
That-
Okay.
Yeah.
All right.
Yeah. Yeah.
If.
If, I mean-
Right
...
technically, Alderman Rodriguez, the work has to be complete,
right? But we don't want to make any assumptions.
So, it has been read, and now Alderman Mitchell, for the passage
of this in the omnibus.
I move passage in the omnibus.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Alderman Mitchell,
for the omnibus.
I move that matters in the omni-
That got-
Shh.
Guys.
That sound... You're going to have to start.
Sorry.
I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by the first most favorable roll call
vote by the Committee on Finance, and the associated unsuccessful motion to
reconsider.
Hearing no objection, so ordered. Alderman Mitchell, on the motion to adjourn.
And seeing no business before the body, I move that we adjourn.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
The meeting is
adjourned.