City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027
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
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, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.
2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal
canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color,
that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 are permitted and subject to search.
And 5. 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...
while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability 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 2023-2027
and 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 deterrent good morning members of the city council
Good morning, members of the City Council. Please remember to log in your devices. The meeting will begin shortly. Thank you.
3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters.
4. Backpacks, large bags, and sealed packages.
Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search.
And 5. 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 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, 2023-2027
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.
3. 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, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.
2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal
canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color,
that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 are permitted and subject to search, and 5.
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 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
City of Chicago, City Council, Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027.
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, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.
2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or
metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages.
backpacks large bags and sealed packages clear bags not tinted in color that do not exceed 12
inches by 6 inches by 12 are permitted and subject to search and 5 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 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 2023-2027
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 right now 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
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,
1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind.
2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage.
3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters.
4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages.
Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search.
And 5. 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 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
good morning members of the city council please remember to log into your devices
The meeting will begin shortly. Thank you.
rule 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 1. when entering
or exiting the gallery. 2. 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 good morning can i have your attention please
silence silence ladies and gentlemen welcome to today's city council meeting the meeting will
begin moment at this time please take your seats silence your listening devices and be respectful
of your neighbors thank you 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
Good morning. The council will come to order. Please take a quorum roll call.
Good morning. Good morning. The quorum roll call is now open. The quorum roll call is now open.
Please use your e-device. The quorum roll is now open.
If you need support, please raise your hand for your e-device.
All right. I will now call for a voice vote. Have you not used your e-device?
Alderman Robinson, not present in chambers.
Alderman Hall, not present in chambers.
Alderman Mitchell, not present in chambers.
Alderman Beale.
Beale is present.
Alderwoman Ramirez. Ramirez is present. Alderwoman Gutierrez. Not present in Chambers. Alderman
Lopez. Not present in Chambers. Alderwoman Coleman. Not present in Chambers. Alderman
David Moore. Alderman Moore is present. Alderman Curtis. Curtis is present. Alderwoman Taylor.
Not present in Chambers, Alderman Scott. Scott is present. Alderperson Fuentes. Not present in Chambers. Alderman Quezada. Not present in Chambers. Alderman Villegas. Villegas is present.
Alderwoman Mitts. Not present in Chambers. Alderman Vasquez. Vasquez is present.
Alderman Riley. Riley is present. Cassata is present. Alderman Gardner. Gardner is present.
alderman knutson not president chambers alderwoman clay not president chambers
alder alder woman manna happenworth manna happenworth is present rodriguez is present
anyone else i missed walking in all right quorum is now closed
there are 38
ladies would ask that those members that are here in the gallery
that you would hold to decorum otherwise you will be asked to be removed
I would ask that those individuals that are here
participated in today's meeting,
I would ask that those in the gallery
to show some decorum and some respect.
Otherwise, I would ask that you be removed.
Okay, I'll add them.
I'm going to add Alderman Mitchell real quick.
I'm going to add Alderman Mitchell to the quorum.
Lopez.
Alderman Lopez, I'm adding you to the quorum.
Anyone else I missed coming in?
okay the quorum is now closed oh wait i have alderwoman mitts before i really close the
quorum and the mayor calls it let me add you alderman mitts added to the quorum 42 anyone
i've really met okay 42 very well there are 42 members that are present here that are we have
eight absent we do have a quorum there are two members that have asked to participate in today's
meeting remotely for rules or reasons stated in rule 59 alders la spada and hall madam clerk
could you confirm that la spada and hall alderman la spada is present in chambers can we confirm
Alderman Hall's presence online. Alderman Hall, are you there?
No.
And Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, we will add her to the quorum as well.
Farewell.
There are no members that are present online.
We do have 44 members that are present that are here.
We do have a quorum.
Thank you.
Please stand 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.
Thank you.
Please remain standing for our invocation,
which will be delivered today by Reverend Dr. Johnny L. Miller
of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church on the Great West Side of the City of Chicago.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor, and thank you for the proclamation.
Revelation, Psalm 121 says,
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hill from whence cometh my help.
My help come from the Lord, which made the heavens and the earth.
God, our Father, we pause now to thank you for your blessing,
for the opportunity to come together as your blessing upon the mayor,
upon this council, and all who have gathered.
Guide them as they act on behalf of the city of Chicago,
representing north, south, east, and west.
We have come today to do business, and we thank you for the opportunity.
Bless now as we go forth, for you have given us your word,
and we thank you, first of all, for your presence.
We thank you for your power.
Thank you for provision.
And then, God, we thank you for your protection.
We claim it all now in the masterless and powerful name,
our Christ Jesus, amen.
Amen.
You may be seated.
Thank you.
This is the chair recognizes Alderman Harris.
You're not going to do it.
Okay.
Good.
All right, very well.
This is the portion of the meeting for the 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 automatic review.
Our first speaker this morning is Edward Smith.
Good morning, Mayor, members of the council, and community members.
My name is Edward Smith, and I'm a union steward at ATU 241, where President Keith Hill is our president.
I stand before you today to adjust our union officers and frontline workers who live in a daily reality driving a bus for CTA.
CTA is on fire and it's falling within itself.
Every day our operators report to work,
not knowing if we're gonna come home safe or not.
Not knowing if we're gonna be spit on, beat on,
or whatever that comes in harm's way.
We're asking for city council to help us,
aldermen is to help us.
Give us some sort of protection.
Give us police for the bus.
We need help.
We've just lost two valuable members of our team this week and the weeks before.
We need help.
And we're getting tired of it.
Every day, am I coming home safe?
Are you coming home safe?
When you ride the bus, are you safe?
We need help.
And we're asking for help.
Aldermans have failed us.
Some have helped, some has failed.
We have a president, an acting president, that's not doing nothing, taking pictures, drinking coffee, talking about riding a scooter to the L's.
We need some strong leadership for CTA.
We are tired of coming to work again, not knowing if we're going to make it home.
When I kiss my baby goodbye, is that goodbye for real or is it we don't know.
So we're asking Mr. Mayor, city council, aldermans, give us a hand.
Help us.
Help us move the city because we move the city no matter what we do.
We are moving the city.
We're keeping our primes.
We're doing what we're supposed to do.
We need your help to help us.
Protect us.
We want to be protected now.
We get on the bus, we got shields that
are not shields. They're flimsy.
We're at harm's way no matter what.
On all streets, all streets of Chicago.
We need help. Can you help us?
Will you help us?
Will you help us? Will you help us? Will you help us? We need it. We need your word.
Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is David Doig.
Good morning, Mayor, members of the City Council. My name is David Doig. I'm the president of Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, but this morning I'm here on behalf of Reclaiming Chicago,
and I want to recognize the members of Reclaiming Chicago that are here with us in the audience today, if they'd please stand.
We have over 30 members with us.
So Reclaiming Chicago is an initiative of United Power for Action and Justice,
one of the oldest community organizing groups in the country.
And our goal is to build 1,000 new homes on the west side and 1,000 new homes on the south side.
To date, we've built over 200 new homes.
We have 100 homes under construction.
We have another 100 in pre-development.
and we've raised 60 million dollars of private money for our own construction financing fund
and we are building and selling homes to community residents for less than
homes to community residents for less than $300,000 a home. I want to repeat that,
less than $300,000 a home. And the reason we've been able to do that is we've been able to secure
$30 million from the state of Illinois to write down the cost of these homes and make them
affordable for folks in our neighborhoods. We're in four neighborhoods. We're in North Lawndale
on the west side, we're in back of the yards, we're in Roseland, we're in Chicago Lawn, and we're also
in Woodlawn. So today I'm here in support of an ordinance sponsored by Alderman Taylor and
Alderman Martin, co-sponsored by Alders Caseta, Rodriguez, and Knudsen, seeking $25 million from
the city of Chicago through the Housing and Economic Development Bond so that we can build
200 more homes for homeownership on the south and west sides. And with me today is one of those
homeowners, Leo Garcia. Leo is a resident of Back of the Yards, and he's here to say a few words.
Good morning, everyone. Good morning, counsel. Excuse me. I'm sorry. Speakers cannot transfer
their time to another speaker thank you very much okay i'll say uh i'll say on behalf of leo then
um also we've got alderman dowell uh and and she's one of our co-sponsors as well alderman dowell
and she's agreed to hear this at the finance committee alderman newtson is going around
circulating uh copies of the ordinance and uh we would love your um sign on thank you very much
for your comments however your time has expired our next speaker this morning is mike barlage
Mr. Mayor, City Council, my name is Mike Barlage.
I'm part of a company called MGM Excavating.
We're an excavating and site utility company out of Chicago.
And I'd like to speak on behalf of the Quantum Project, IQMP.
So having relatives that used to work at the U.S. South Works
and used to live at 84th and Brandon and 85th and South Shore Drive.
Seeing what happened there with the steel mill shutting down
that was so important in that area.
And with that property being vacant for so long,
I'd like to...
U.S. Steel was a pinnacle of Chicago industrial might.
They produced products used all over the world, built this nation.
Now we have a chance to be the center of the next industrial revolution, quantum computing.
And I'd like to say that for me, it's really amazing to be part of this project, linking the universities, linking cutting edge technology to possibly make the city of Chicago one more time like the center of industry in the United States.
That's about all I have to say.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker this morning is Durley Veladez.
there are people that live over there
please please please please thank you thank you
good morning mr mayor and members of the city council thank you for giving me the opportunity
to speak today in support of the proposed projects in the seventh and tenth awards
surrounding quantum shore my name is dearly valid as i am president of an mbe electrical
contractors signatory to local union 134. We are currently working on the PSI project in South
Chicago. I believe these projects represent more than development. They represent an opportunity
to invest in the future of Chicago's Southeast side and in the people who call these neighborhoods
home. For too long, communities in Southeast side have waited for meaningful investment
and opportunities that can improve the quality of life for their residents. These projects give us
chance to move forward by creating jobs improving infrastructure revitalizing neighborhoods and
attracting new business and investments to the area the quantum shore development has the
potential to put chicago on the map as a leader in quantum technology and innovation but the success
of this development should not be measured by the campus alone it should also be measured by
the opportunities it creates for surrounding neighborhoods we need to make more we need to
make sure local residents have access to good paying jobs that small business businesses have
opportunities to participate and the local contractors and skilled trades have a fair
chance to be part of the growth supporting these projects is an investment in our workforce our
families and the next generation it is an opportunity to turn vacant and underutilized
land into productive assets that benefit the entire community i respectfully ask the members
of the city of chicago council to vote yes and support these proposed projects while ensuring
ensuring that community benefits, local hiring, and responsible development remain priorities throughout the process.
Let's not simply build a development on the southeast side.
Let's build opportunity, strengthen our neighbors, and create a future that residents can be proud.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker this morning is Katie Hillis.
Good morning, Mayor and City Council.
My name is Katie Hillis, and I am the Vice President of Atrium,
a WBE landscape construction company in the city of Chicago.
Atrium has proudly participated in the Quantum Shore Project to help bring back green space
and restore the natural habitat of the former industrial site.
I'm especially excited to be part of the Quantum Shore Project because it thoughtfully honors
the beauty and the history of this space by bringing back green space and restoring natural habitat.
at. This project is creating a welcoming landscape by revitalizing soil, bringing back native
plants, trees, grasses, and cultivating an environment where native birds and pollinators
can flourish. As a Chicago resident, I am thrilled to see this site being remediated
and revitalized. The opportunity to restore an overlooked industrial property with green
space that includes native trees and plants represents a hopeful investment in our city's
landscape and the well-being of our community as a whole it is meaningful to be a part of a team
working to bring life to the site strengthen its connection to nature and create a greener future
for the neighborhood for atrium participating in this project means contributing to both
environmental restoration and economic opportunity we are honored to be
economic opportunity. We are honored to help bring this vision to life and look forward to
the positive impact and lasting value this project will provide to our community. And I would like to
also just say that there's a lot of misconceptions out there that this is a data center. This is
absolutely not a data center. It uses less water than a hospital would. So we are helping the
environment here. We are helping the nature. We're helping something that was once all slag and steel
And while it was great for Chicago with those jobs, we are now bringing back this environment to bring back green space for the community, for people to enjoy.
And I know for myself, I'm part of the 34th Ward.
And my opportunity to be a part, to have pocket parks, to be able to see that green space, to be experiencing something that's not just concrete and asphalt is huge.
It's great for everybody's well-being.
It's great for everybody's mental capacity.
It's just a wonderful thing to have.
And I think that gets overlooked a lot of times with these projects, and I think it's vital to continue building this because not only are we bringing back jobs, but we're helping the environment as well, especially at a time when the environment is so crucial.
So please continue to support this project.
It is critical for the city of Chicago.
It's critical for the people that live here.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
Our next speaker is Jose Suarez.
Good morning, Mr. Mayor. Good morning, City Council. My name is Jose Alfredo Suarez. I'm one of the founding members of Chicago Needles in Construction. We're a Latino advocacy group. We focus on projects here in Chicago.
group. We focus on projects here in Chicago, supporting our members that are here in the
stands today. I'm also a founding member of the Executive Latino Club. For the last, you know,
I look back and I turned 45 years old, milestone for me. I grew up in Chicago, born and raised
in Chicago. If I had to be honest, I didn't think I was going to live past 30. I grew up in gangs,
violence. I grew up in the Humble Park community. It was a very, very violent place. And some of
these neighborhoods that I see now remind me of looking at what Humble Park is today and the
developments and the positive changes that have happened in those communities have really given
me hope in Chicago. And I know there's a lot of things that divide us, race, politics, religion,
all those things. But I think one thing that does unite us is that we do believe that Chicago is
the best city in the world we are here to support chicago together and we believe in the belief of
this city and it was no surprise to see that chicago was voted by a condi nash traveler
best big city in the world for the 10th consecutive year now one of the projects that continues to
help this cause is the side quantum project the quantum project the development is happening in
the 7th, 10th Ward, everything that's happening, these are all positive things. These are things
that are allowing our business owners to grow, allowing our communities to flourish, allowing
neighborhoods to come back to life and to eliminate some of the things that we're always
combating as I was growing up and to see Chicago take shape, to see Chicago take form when it comes
to these issues and being a part of it is a special place. It means a lot to me being able
to advocate for my clients, we advocate for projects like this and partners such as Related
Midwest that have been there and giving these opportunities to these contractors, both black
and brown, that are helping turn this community around. So I want to thank you to continue.
So I want to thank you to continue to support these projects.
I want to continue to keep believing that outside of all the noise that takes place, this is still a city to believe in.
It's a city that continues to reside in and a city that is a city of big dreams.
And it's continued to support the dreams of us and everyone here today.
Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Thank you for your comments.
Our next speaker is Markel Williams.
Our next speaker is Markel Williams.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
Honorable Mayor, City Council, I represent ATU 241, Assistant Business Agent.
Also, I'm the 2026th President of the Legislative Council for all 18 ATUs in Illinois.
We're here today.
Today, we had too many deaths at CTA, not just CTA workers itself, but even our passengers.
Mayor, we need you. We need you to step up.
When we say we need you, when we say step up, we need you to step up.
We need you to give us leadership at the CTA who will come and help us.
we don't have no one helping us
we're helping ourselves
we're fighting for ourselves
at this point
we're asking for every alderman
who can help
everyone who can step up for us
because guess what
we're a world class transit
world-class transit we're a world-class city we deserve world-class protection as well
if you don't hear anything from us today do not hear another death on cta do not hear another
we can't protect you we're sorry and all the rhetoric that we get we get speeches we get
speeches but we don't get action no one's here to help us no one's here to give us action stand up
with us help us protect us we're not getting respect we're not getting protection and they're
not paying us no kind of money for being a caretaker for everybody in chicago we're to take
care of take care of take care we take care of all our city members the whole thing is
that's right we protect everyone that's on the bus we don't have security so guess what
our operators protecting everyone our operators stepping up to be security
all we're asking for the protection the strength and your leadership all your leadership
Thank you, Mayor.
Thank you.
Thank you, City Council.
Thank you very much.
Mayor and the Council, we need a police force.
We need our own police force to protect us.
New York got their own police force to protect them.
Everywhere got their own police force.
We need our own, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you.
thank you very much for your comments our next speaker is rhoda rosiers
Our next speaker is Rhoda Roziers.
Our next speaker is Rhoda Roziers.
Okay.
Good morning, Mayor Johnson and members of the City Council.
My name is Rhonda Rogers.
I am a GC project manager at BlackRock Construction, a certified minority and woman-owned construction
enterprise, and a member of the Fifth Ward near 71st and South Shore Drive.
I'm here today to urge your support for the continued development of the quantum shore.
Earlier this year, Black Rock's construction division successfully poured the foundations
for the phase one side quantum building.
For a business like ours, a development of this scale is more than another project.
It's an opportunity to grow our business, invest in equipment, and continue to hire
from our local neighborhoods, opening doors to skilled trades that offer good wages, benefits,
and long-term careers. After earning my bachelor's degree in construction management at Eastern
Illinois University, I returned to Chicago where I was born and raised. And when I returned,
I had a deeper appreciation for community development. That's why seeing this campus
take shape on a site that had been vacant my entire life excites me. As a South Shore first-time
homeowner, I understand that a development of this magnitude raises questions and concerns.
questions, and concerns. And although they do deserve to be heard, as a Black woman in construction,
I've also learned that progress requires us to consider what change can make possible.
I see Quantum Shore as potential to create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and open doors for
people in neighborhoods like mine. This is about more than building a campus. It's about building
opportunities and ensuring that people who call chicago home can share in this grow i urge you
to support the continued development of quantum and the opportunities it can create for our
residents our city our county and our state thank you okay thank you very much for your comments
our next speaker is colin sampson hello uh mr mayor and city council uh i'd like to thank you
for your time today i am here both as a chicagoan and a representative of norm mechanical uh plumbing
contractors whose vast majority of work is in the city of chicago um i am here in support of the
side quantum facility um first i like to speak as chicagoan as someone that frequently bikes around
the city and bikes through this campus uh seeing this land lay vacant for so long it is amazing to
see the developments there now and soon to come. This historically has been an underutilized
land that now with the side quantum facility will bring in both jobs now and in the future.
Along those lines, I am also very excited that Chicago will be part of a cutting new
new industry. I am very proudly Chicagoan, and I like to tell that to anyone from out of town.
And anytime I represent Chicago, I'd like to bring up how that we are part of a very new
cutting edge industry. From what I've heard, there's been a lot of misunderstanding of what
this facility is. It is not a data center. It does not use the resources of a data center.
is quantum computing it is used it's something that i wish i understood um but it is it is not
it uses nanomechanics or something i don't even understand but i know that is not a data center
and it is something that we should be proud to have in our city there are to my understanding
very few if not any in this in america and we could be we could drive this industry through
and be part of something cutting edge um the uh we are coming out of a historically slow
construction industry or time for construction and this is coming at a critical time for our city
um in the past couple years i have been part of multiple meetings where it's been said
there are only three tower cranes in chicago now we are on the outside of that but this project
help brought us out of that.
This brings both construction jobs now
and maintenance jobs in the future.
So that is what I have to say.
I am very much for this project
as a member of North Mechanical
and a proud Chicagoan.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker this morning is Celia Colon.
good morning mayor and members of the chicago city council my name is back
Chicago City Council. My name is Dr. Dame Celia Colon. I grew up in South Chicago. I'm
a fourth generation South Chicagoan. The community where I also lost my little sister to gun
violence in that very same community. I stand before you today carrying both heartbreak
and hope. After losing my little sister Lupita Lopez, I gave my pain an assignment. I created
Pita's promise for peace. I am one of the only women's on the south side that that runs one of
the largest CVI programs. I have a very large peacekeeper program in my sister's honor. A
promise to a promise to honor her life by helping protecting others. A promise to turn grief into
action and help build a community where families can thrive and live. I serve my community with
pride and honor through my not-for-profit called God, Giving Others Dreams. Part of that promise
is exactly what brings me here today.
Dignity, healing, access to jobs and opportunity
is what we need.
And this is what I believe IQMP can bring to my community.
The advancements in medicine alone
will help everybody globally.
A job cannot fix everything,
but it can change the direction of someone's life.
Could y'all be quiet for a minute?
Thank you very much.
Which will transform the community.
It helps a parent put food on the table.
It gives a young person the reason to believe in tomorrow.
It can open a door for someone who has heard no so many times and have stopped knocking.
When people have a chance to earn, build, and belong in a community,
hope can bring something that nothing else can.
Our community has talent, resilience, we have determination,
and we have people who are ready to work in that neighborhood,
who deserve a real pathway to a career.
IQMP, I believe, will be that beacon of hope
that we've been waiting for
by helping turning this lot into a potential opportunity.
this lot into a potential opportunity for stability in our families, which will stop
violence in its track. I ask you to see the people standing behind you in this investment,
the mother trying to provide, the resident returning, starting a fresh start, the young
person searching for a bright future right there in their own backyard. My sister's life mattered.
The lives in South Chicago matter. People around the globe are waiting for us and also matter with
the changes that will happen with IQMP. The decisions we make today don't just impact South
Chicago, it impacts the entire Chicago and our nation and our globe. Let us give our community
more reasons to have hope, our world more opportunity to thrive in a future where people
can live in peace because that's something everybody needs. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Your Honor, there are no further speakers who
have time to sign up for the public comment period. Very well, thank you. This concludes
our public comments portion alderman hall has requested to participate in today's meeting
remotely for a reason stating in rule 59 can we confirm his presence online online uh mr president
alderman hall i'm online thank you so much mr i get a motion for the approval of 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.
Please add Alderman Hall to the quorum roll call.
Thank you.
Recognizes Alderwoman Stephanie Coleman.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I ask to be added to today's quorum.
Thank you.
Please, thank you.
Let's add Alderwoman Coleman to the roll call.
Chair recognizes Alderwoman Clay.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Please add me to quorum, too.
Yes, please add Alderwoman Clay to the quorum.
Chair recognizes Alder Jesse Fuentes.
Good morning, Mr. President.
I'd also like to be recognized for the purpose of quorum.
Very well.
Please add Alder Jesse Fuentes to the quorum roll call.
Are there any other Alders that were not added to the quorum?
Very well.
Next up, we have resolutions.
But before we attend to the resolutions,
we do have four acknowledgments this morning.
The first is Alderman Jason Irvin,
who would like to recognize Reverend Dr. Johnny Miller
for his many years of dedicated service.
The chair recognizes Alderman Irvin.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the council.
I stand to acknowledge a great man, not only on the west side of Chicago,
but across our city, who is retiring after 50 years of service to our community,
50 years of leading, 50 years of caring, 50 years of just outright work, and this is the type of guy, I don't care what's going on, he will show up, hospitals, baby showers, wherever it is, he's there.
He is a true pastor, a pastor's pastor, and I want to congratulate you as you move on to this next chapter.
And on the side, there were two people that walked in this room with me in January of 2011
My father and that man there
Thank you
Thank you
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Mitts
Thank you, Mr. Mayor
I'd like to join in with my colleague, Alderman Irvin
To recognize Reverend Miller for 50 years
and I see that you're getting ready to pass the torch on.
So I want to stand and congratulate you for all the work that you've shown,
not only in 28th Ward, but throughout the entire city of Chicago,
city of Chicago particularly there on the west side of Chicago I don't think there's a pastor
around that don't know Dr. Miller and I'm talking about Johnny Miller because there's uh three of
them and I have a time remembering which which one of the brothers I'm talking to uh all being
minister except for one but it is a pleasure to have worked with you over the years
your voice. I hope to continue to serve in the city that we live in and on the west side
until your time that you decide to move on. But congratulations. Thank you so much for your
service. Thank you, Alderman. Alderman David Moore, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I
I have to stand up and support this resolution and honor this great man.
And as Alderman Smith said, he does not just belong to the West Side.
He belongs to the whole city of Chicago, a man who tries to work for the entire city,
who can call people together to make sure that we listen so that we can move this city forward.
I want to thank him not only for his leadership in this city,
but for him pouring into people like myself from a spiritual standpoint where you can grow.
And so thank you, Pastor Miller, and may God continue to bless you and keep you.
Thank you, Audman Moore.
Chair recognizes Audre Taliafaro.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I too rise to support this acknowledgement of a true legend on the west side of Chicago.
Pastor Miller, thank you so much for your prayers over our community.
As I often say, we push hard on the West Side, but we know that God blesses us through prayer.
And you have been a true representative of prayer on the West Side of Chicago.
prayer on the west side of Chicago. I am fortunate and honored to have all the Millers live in the
29th Ward. And I say it's an honor because I certainly support you. I support your ministry
and the sons that you've left on the west side of Chicago in their ministries will be a testament
to the legacy that you lead. Thank you so much, Pastor. Thank you. Alderwoman Harris.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today, I just want to say to Reverend Dr. Johnny Miller, what a great example you have been to many folks as you travel across the city and you spread the good word, not just on the west side, but you're in south side churches across the entire south side, supporting young pastors, supporting young churches and young ministries.
So today I say, after 50 years of service, how proud I am that you are working in this work and continue and will, and I know you, you will continue to be out there working with other folks. So today I say, God bless you and Godspeed on whatever you decide is going to be the next journey in your life. Thank you.
thank you before we call on the next couple of alders there's too much chatter coming from
the gallery so i'm going to ask that the sergeant at arms that if individuals continue to talk and
be disruptive please remove them from the from the gallery please and i would ask those that
are here to participate in today's meeting that you respect this body here please the chair
recognizes Alderman Burnett. Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, want to rise in support
of this resolution for Reverend Dr. Miller. And they say a man is judged not only by the actions
he does while in his position, but the legacy he leaves behind him. And Reverend Miller has
a tremendous legacy of leadership that follows after him, his son, his nephews.
after him. His son, his nephews, and all of the many men he helped usher through the west side
of Chicago, from high school beyond, including my brother. He has made sure to help everyone he can,
and for that, we are tremendously grateful, not only for the work that you have done,
but the standard you have set on the west side of Chicago. So thank you, Reverend Dr. Miller.
Thank you, Alderman Burnett. Alderman Mandel, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. To Reverend Johnny Miller, I wanted to stand and congratulate you on your retirement as a south side alderman, but also someone who worked on the west side. I know that I've seen you stand in the gap for the community. And I just want to thank you for your faithful leadership throughout the city of Chicago. May God bless you in your retirement. Thank you, Mr. President.
Dow. Are there any other Alders? The chair recognizes Alderwoman Stephanie Coleman.
President, to one of the great deans of the West Side, I think Pastor Matthew Miller and Pastor
Leon is here. And to your legacy, Pastor Johnny Miller, the next pastor of the Mount Vernon
Baptist Church. I found a tape about three weeks ago of Pastor Miller speaking at Fellowship
church. I believe it was from 1983. And I have never met a Westsider that can come to the South
side and totally West side and take over. So thank God for your life. I thank God for your
ministry. But most importantly, when you walk into a room, you just have an oil and angelic
presence about yourself. And I can feel it today in the midst of everything that's happening
right here in city council. Thank you for 50 years. Thank you for knowing that when it's
time to pass on over the storage. And that says a lot about our community and our culture. God
bless you. We can't wait to celebrate you in a couple of weeks. Thank you, Alderwoman Coleman.
Are there any other Alders? Farewell. See you.
Seeing other hands.
Okay, one more time.
Alderwoman Harris.
City Treasurer will be the last speaker.
Very well.
Leave for the City Treasurer to be able to speak, to offer up her acknowledgments.
Leave is granted.
Thank you.
The Chair recognizes our City Treasurer, Melissa Conyers Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of the City Council for allowing me an opportunity
to speak on such a great man that has made an impact on so many lives.
A lot of people know my life journey of being raised by a single mother.
Even though there was no man in my house,
I had a real-life example of what a good man looks like,
what a strong man looks like.
I really didn't feel like I was raised by a single parent
because I always had my pastor for all 50 years.
I have faith beyond measure
because I've watched my pastor for 50 years
have faith beyond measure.
It's so hard to put into words,
but I've watched him take on challenges
that many thought he could never do.
See, some folks will tell you to be strong, but you witness them collapse themselves when challenges are faced with them.
But over 50 years, I've never seen Pastor Johnny Miller flinch.
He is a prime example of what it means to love and help your fellow neighbor.
I used to think that I was his favorite and I later learned that we all are
because that's just how he is. He makes you feel special and helps
He makes you feel special and helps any and everyone.
He is the premier example of it takes a village
and what that looks like.
Because he not only stepped in to help my single mother,
but he stepped in to help so many.
And Pastor Miller, when I see you today,
all I can think about is after 50 years,
this is the best part.
because you get to see what your many acts of kindness has produced.
Doctors, lawyers, teachers, preachers, aldermen,
and yes, even the city treasurer from Englewood and west side of Chicago.
So we love you.
We are blessed to be in your presence.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of the city council.
Thank you to our city treasurer.
Reverend Dr. Johnny Miller, please stand and receive all of your flowers while you can smell them.
Very well. Thank you, Alderman Irvin, for that acknowledgement.
Next, we have Alder Hatton, who would like to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Good News Partners.
Alderwoman Hatton, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
We're going to keep up with the good news.
So if I could ask the team from Good News Partners behind me to stand.
Don't be shy.
Some of you aren't shy.
Members of the body and Mr. President, this morning I rise with a special recognition for
This morning, I rise with a special recognition for a hidden gem on Chicago's far north side.
All we seem to hear about affordable housing is bad news.
But today, I bring good news about a thriving community in Rogers Park.
Good News Partner has quietly and almost secretly been providing stability and homes to hundreds of people in their families who've been experiencing homelessness.
people who have been in the most desperate of circumstances good news partners has for 50 years
been there for us behind me we have the leadership team um ken johnson our executive director
chaston montgomery the senior loan officer jim warrens the good news partners board member jerome
hopkins another board member marcos ramirez a property director calvin johnson the new life
Shelter Director, Elena Gormley, the Development Consultant, Sabrina Jackson, New Life Shelter
Resident Coordinator, and Steve Greenhow, their Development Director. They represent the
organization that for 50 years has been doing some of the most important work in our neighborhood
since their start as a Northwestern University Bible Study Group. They've delivered on their
ideals. They bring shelter, hope, and a future for thousands of Chicagoans, most in need over
the last 50 years. This organization with their eight buildings are also an anchor in Rogers
Park, largely north of Howard, in what can be a tough community. Tough, but resilient, strong.
long. They've incubated several nonprofits that have become anchors as well in our neighborhood
and perform critical services for not just Chicagoans, but our neighbors to the north
of Evanston as well. Good News Partners has been bringing
Good News Partners has been bringing literally the good news that we need in our city, and
we're honoring their work today.
The resolution that you'll have in your packets there tells the story of how they got started.
It's extraordinary and worth a read if you have a moment.
And to hear resident stories in their own words, you're also invited to join their annual
event next Thursday in Evanston.
Contact me if you are interested.
If you would join me in honoring 50 years of service and exemplary Chicagoans, thank you, Good News Partners, and congrats.
Congratulations. Thank you.
A lot of great things birthed in the year of 1976.
Thank you, Alder Haddon.
Next, we have Alders Lee and Harris.
Both would like to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The chair recognizes Aldenwoman Harris.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Today, as a breast cancer survivor, I want to thank the many women and men who have had breast cancer, who have survived it, and talk about early detection.
This is a disease that will not kill you if you do what you're supposed to do.
If you go and get your mammograms every year, women, you can have early diagnosis and you can have your chemo, you can have your radiation and lose your hair, and you can have your surgery.
So I'm encouraging people to do it.
It is daunting at first look, and even at times you may be a little afraid of the process.
but as I am
But as I am six years out, I am grateful to my sister who encouraged me to go have my mammogram that I had not had for five years.
So I always tell her one more thing I got to add to the list that I owe her my life.
So I'm asking you all not to put yourself back, to think of yourself, be selfish when it comes to making sure you do your annual mammograms.
It could save your life.
please go out there and take care of yourself first. Some of these jobs, as we're sitting in
these seats and we get real busy and time goes by real fast. And before you know it, it's been two
years or three years. That could be the difference in your cancer being a Volkswagen or a Mack truck.
So I'm asking you all to go and take care of yourself, take care of your body and save your
life and save somebody else's life. As we're on this journey, encourage other women to go and do
their mammograms. Again, it is one of the best things that you could do for those. I want to
thank the thousands of women that get out there on the street, walking and talking and supporting
breast cancer awareness. So I thank all of the organizations that are out there for support of
women who are going through such a horrendous process. This cancer can take on a different
look. It could be, like I said, that Mack truck, which is a very aggressive cancer, or it could
be a Volkswagen. Get it while it's a Volkswagen. Because when it's a beach ball, you cannot wrap
your arms around what you're going to have to do in terms of getting treatment and going through
a process. So today I'm truly encouraged. I want to thank Alderman Lee, who's always at the
forefront of women's issues and, uh, uh, and acknowledging that, um, and giving me a platform
that I don't often take to talk about, take care of yourself. So thank.
So thank you, Mr. President.
You're welcome.
Thank you, all the women here.
All the women, Lee, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I also want to rise in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
myself being now a nearly five-year survivor in May.
Thank you.
It is no fun having that conversation in that doctor's office
and hearing that you have a positive cancer diagnosis.
My mom is a two-time survivor, and I think all too many of us have people in our lives that have been touched by breast cancer.
We live at a really great time in history with medical technology, and I cannot echo my colleague's sentiments enough about early testing.
Early testing made it possible for me to be standing here right by you.
I happened to get my diagnosis right before I was appointed, and there was a decision point there as to whether or not I was going to move forward.
And obviously, we know how that worked out, and I'm blessed to have gotten through that.
with the support of my family and with the support of lots of friends and people in this room as well
these jobs are all too often the things that we put first before ourselves so not just to the
women in the room but to the men with women in your lives have that uncomfortable conversation
about whether or not they've gone to i'll just say it i know i'm on the record got their you know
annual boob squeeze it's no fun but it absolutely saves lives and we can't be afraid to have these
difficult conversations because we do have to take care of ourselves. So on this day, as we're
acknowledging Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to thank all of the thousands of women out
there who are fighting it today, who have fought it and beat it, and honor those that we've lost
to the multitude of organizations that do this work, in particular Silver Lining Foundation that
works to provide mammograms and diagnostic testing to uninsured and underinsured individuals.
insured individuals. Please seek out organizations like that. There's no excuse not to get
a mammogram these days. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you to both
Alders. The chair recognizes Alderwoman
Mitts. Thank you, Mr. President. I too rise
in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Not like my colleagues, I haven't been diagnosed with it,
but I do have family members that I have had to work along
with to help get them through this process.
And for the last 10 years, in the 37th Ward, we always have a breast cancer awareness walk.
And the stories that the women are telling is not just about one individual.
the multitude of women's that are out here now who have survived those who are still going through
and they have you they even talk about the examination yourself or your breasts just to
make sure you're checking if anything wrong i didn't say nobody else i say you check because
who knows your body better than you as to if you feel something abnormal and yes mammograms are
important do you realize today with all the technology and they have been made simpler
because when i did my breast cancer my mammogram the screening have changed no longer do they have
to squeeze you in that cup until you can't hardly breathe it is much simplified so for any young
ladies that think they don't want to go through that process i'll tell you it's well worth going
through uh just think of the loved ones that you don't lost already and that if you can
that you don't lost already, and that if you can save your life, then you can help you try and save others.
So this Saturday, if you're not doing anything, we'd love to have you over at the Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
led by the Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute, and see all the women's in pink,
and let's get it, that walk on, and exercise, enjoy, and celebrate,
and even talk about how important it is to take care of each other.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Alderman.
Thank you.
Thank all of you for bringing this important matter to this chamber.
We have one more acknowledgement from Alderman Mike Rodriguez.
Alderman Rodriguez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
As City's Committee on Workforce Development Chair,
I stand along with my union brothers and sisters
to recognize the tragic loss of Julian Mobley,
a CTA rail maintenance worker and janitor
who was murdered last Thursday at the Green Line Station at Lake and Damon
while Ryder was attacking another union member, a customer service agent.
Julian was a husband and a father.
He leaves behind his wife of 20 years, their 14-year-old child,
and their 18-month-old child.
Our hearts go out to his family, his loved ones, and his co-workers during this incredibly difficult
time. I also want to recognize our ATU members and thank Keith Hill and Penny McCoach for their
leadership and for representing nearly 11,000 Chicagoans who keep our city moving. We thank you,
and especially your members, for their service and partnership.
We stand together in our commitment to the safety and security of all Chicagoans,
especially the men and women who serve the public.
especially the men and women who serve the public every day, sometimes at great personal risk.
And in closing, I ask that we as a body observe a moment of silence in memory of Julian Mobley.
Very well. This body shall stand and hold for a moment of silence in honor of our CTA worker and brother,
resident of this city, Mr. Mobley.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Alderman. You may be seated.
now for our resolutions
the chair recognizes
Alderman Mitchell
Mr. President I move past the omnibus
oh shit
temporary suspension of the rules for the immediate
consideration of these resolutions
very well
thank you
if the chamber
and the gallery can come back to order please
thank you
there's a motion for the temporary suspension of the rules for the immediate for the immediate
consideration of the resolution that we have before us that motion has been made hearing no
objection so order in the interest of respecting the time we will forego reading the resolution
and go straight to remarks from city council our resolution is commemorating domestic violence
Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
Are there any alders that wish to speak?
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Tabarez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise in support of this resolution,
recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness
and Prevention Month in the city of Chicago.
Last year, this body passed a resolution
to create the Chicago and Cook County
Violence Against Women Task Force.
The task force brought survivors, the city, and Cook County together for six months to document how the system fails victims.
This task force is survivor-led, and they are driving the work.
Phase one of that task force did something rare in government.
It produced results.
And it's because of the work of one of the survivors who is sitting in the box here today.
That person is Sarah Brown.
Sarah has been a courageous voice for years.
She has spoken publicly about her story.
I want to thank you, Sarah, for having the strength to share your story, not once, but
again and again.
Also in the box is Latina Watkins-Lloyd, who recently shared her story last week in the Public Safety Committee meeting.
When we passed a resolution to create the second phase of the task force, which is to put the recommendations that we produced in phase one.
Sarah and Latina, I want to thank you both for being here today.
I also want to give special recognition to two people who are with us here in the gallery who
have stood with this task force from the beginning, Diane Brown and Second Ward Alderwoman from Calumet City, Monet Wilson.
Diane and Alderwoman Wilson,
you have stood with survivors and with us.
Thank you for your consistent report, your support,
and your presence in all of the task force hearings.
I also want to thank Chairman Brian Hopkins
for his leadership on the Public Safety Committee,
and I also want to recognize the All In Alliance
and Chicago 77 for pushing for real accountability.
As we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, I ask my colleagues to stand with the survivors who are in this chamber and to stand with the city and Cook County Task Force.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Order Woman Monique Scott.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I, too, rise in support of domestic violence awareness.
Domestic violence is not just a family issue.
It's a community issue.
It's something that affects individuals, the children, and also the families.
As a resident of the 24th Ward, I want to acknowledge Juanita this morning.
She works tirelessly in our community.
I can give her a name and a number, and she's going to work on it and try to find placement
and housing and clothing and food for the families that are affected.
your advocacy
Juanita brings attention to the importance
of domestic violence
you show support
by standing up directly
to the ones that are completely affected
through your domestic
violence advocacy
we can break the silence
we can connect with our residents
we connect
with survivors, resources
and you continue to encourage
our community, I want to thank you
and also the others in the box
I don't want to not recognize your hard work and effort, but we must continue this work.
We must continue this work together to prevent any type of domestic violence.
In some shape or form, I'm sure 99% of people sometimes are affected by this,
and we need to have a place where people can go and be heard and be seen.
And again, I want to thank everyone in that box for your advocacy.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Aldman Mike Rodriguez.
Thank you so much, Mr. President.
and uh to all of you in the box i i just want to express my profound appreciation for all of your
work um you know every i think every year we do this in city council and it gives it gives me an
opportunity to talk about my mom who uh i lost a long time ago um but you know she was quite the
saint as far as i'm concerned she ended her life after years as a union uh worker with the federal
government, she ended as a volunteer rape victim advocate. And it was through her work that I
learned very intimately the challenges that the workers in this space deal with, the traumas that
you carry with you every day for trying to be there for our most vulnerable. And I just want
to just stand and say that I just thank you. I just thank you for your work. I know you shed a
lot of tears i know you give a lot of hugs i know you're there in the worst of moments uh juanita i
don't know how many times we've been together at some of those worst of moments uh and and and
many others here i don't want to name any more because then i'd be doing uh this justice here
but i just want to thank the sponsor of this uh raise my mom up in prayer thank her for her
guidance to me in my life uh and as well just thank you for for your work you know so much
your work goes unpaid it goes unrecognized um so i just want to take a moment not just to say yes
let's honor domestic violence awareness month and what it brings but also to honor
the workers who are are mostly volunteering their time sometimes paid and some
are mostly volunteering their time sometimes paid and some and most of the time not paid enough
to do this work so thank you for everything you do thank you mr president thank you alderman
alderman manhattan you are recognized thank you mr president i too rise to be associated with
this resolution um i want to echo the gratitude uh and appreciation that my colleagues have also
extended to everyone in the box and all the organizations and people you represent um
uh between friends apna gar we've got fantastic organizations in our neck of the woods that we
certainly call upon when we are trying to help constituents with things that i don't know how
to help constituents with um i think a couple things i want to highlight as we recognize the
issue one is that we're moving into budget discussions and we have not adequately funded
our gender-based violence and prevention work though we have made progress over the year so
i know this is coming up so we're recognizing people this month but we need to fund people
next month so i'll name that um i also just want to uh lift up um keep reminding us sometimes for
organizations keep reminding us that you're there and and if you you know aren't in touch with all
the aldermanic offices reach out again um so again we benefit greatly in the 49th ward from
fantastic organizations and resources um and sometimes though as we are pivoting from place
to place we might we might forget that you're out there and certainly so many constituents don't
know um people are isolated they're afraid they're they're juggling a hundred things
um and so thank you uh for for showing up continually um and i hope that we uh do right
And I hope that we do right by your work this budget season.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Alderman LaSpada, you are recognized.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
I'll speak.
We're talking about moms.
The only photo of my mom's childhood is from her senior year of high school yearbook.
Despite the fact that she spent her entire childhood in New Jersey, her yearbook is from
a high school in Ohio. That is because the violence that she experienced as a child,
sexual and domestic violence at the hands of her brothers, at the hands of her parents,
was so severe that family friends drove her out to the Midwest so that she could try to restart
her life out here. My grandfather came out here, put her in her car, drove her back to New Jersey
so that he could control the rest of her childhood. This is a memory that stays with me and
feels very deep when I share this photo with my daughter. I am really grateful that this year
we've actually seen a 44% reduction in domestic-related homicides in the city of Chicago.
I am distressed that despite a reduction in shootings overall, there has been a 26%
increase in domestic-related shootings in this city. The work of keeping people safe in their
homes has never been greater, particularly, I would say, with the insidious creep of the
normalization of domestic and sexual violence in this country that I think comes from the highest
levels of leadership in this country. I am glad that Chicago stands as a bulwark
against that narrative and those values.
narrative and those values. I'm glad to see us continue funding the Survivors Fund and various
other resources. I want to speak in this moment to a call that we've heard for at least the eight
years that I've been in council to fund community-based, compassionate, and relevant victim
services in the communities where violence is being experienced. I want to name that and hope
to see that reflected in the next week and the next months thank you sir thank you the chair
recognizes all the woman nicole thank you mr president i too rise in support of uh this
resolution honoring domestic violence awareness month um as the chair of the women's caucus this
is an issue that hits really close to home um for for us the women on the council i don't know that
we can ever do enough, actually. I appreciate the acknowledgement from my colleague, Alderman
Haddon, especially as we are coming upon budget. And I know I've had some conversations with
some of you. This is not an issue that should be in question about whether or not we should
fund things and find more funding where we can. I really want to acknowledge also the work of
my colleague, Alderman Tavares, with the joint task force. We need to do more work like this
together. And I give you my word, we are going to be rescheduling that subject matter hearing,
and we're going to have lots of our colleagues there on hand. Alderman Talia Farrow and I are
going to work on that date. We're going to keep our eye on the ball, because we have to. If we
want to do anything about violence in our communities, that has to start at home. And all
too often um there aren't the resources out there to to help those uh those women and families who
are in the most need um i can tell you the first time as an adult that i realized a friend of mine
of mine was in an abusive relationship. Um, it wasn't until she was telling me she was getting
a divorce. Um, I gotta tell you, I consider myself a pretty good friend. Um, and that I didn't know
about it broke my heart. I just broke my heart that she was going through this for as long as
she did. Um, and you know, she had the courage finally to leave her husband, but it just led me
to think what had been going on for so long beforehand and who was there for her um i think
that there's a lot of work yet to be done i think each and every single one of you that are sitting
in that box whether you're a survivor or you work if you're an ally if you work in the space thank
you for all that you do to help each other and to help our communities um we have to be there for
each other i want to call out in particular i see folks from the network and i don't i don't have
everybody so i apologize ahead of time um but uh we'll echo the sentiments uh regarding sarah brown
and katina watkins lloyd um thank you for all that that you're doing every day um conwen abnagar
uh those who work at this our city agencies as well and for all of us who are just trying to be
there for our friends and our colleagues um who may be going through something um appreciate that
thank you for the opportunity Mr. President and again thanks for all that you're doing.
Thank you. Thank you Alderwoman Lee. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Gutierrez.
Thank you Mr. President. Many of my colleagues didn't know the type of work that I was doing
before being an alderwoman and I think it's a an opportunity this morning to share with the
whole council and people present here this morning with us. Hey Lou before being an alderman
As an immigrant, like you all know, I started my journey working in CPS as a counselor assistant.
And I can tell you all the stories and all the parents, moms and dads, that were experiencing domestic violence.
And the work that we were doing to make sure that those kids and those families were safe.
that led my work to being appointed as a women issues commissioner for the seventh district in
cook county and we continue that work and i'm glad to see some familiar faces that we've worked
in the county while my tenure also as a district then director of cook county commissioner i know
mayor brandon you were a commissioner at that time and we're working together with the county
to help our communities, our moms, dads, and kids,
not only in Chicago, but in the county.
And here I am now as an elder woman,
continuing, trying my best to continue that type of work.
And with that, I rise today in strong support of this resolution,
recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Prevention Month.
And it's not only about wearing purple
in talking about these issues on October.
I think we all need to remember
that these issues happen 365 days a year, 24 hours.
And we need to continue to work hard.
And now as aldermen,
we need to continue to empower communities
to understand that what is happening is not okay,
that there's hope,
that us now as government leaders could send a hand,
but now with bigger resources
and we're bigger rich because we are able to provide services in our own offices and when we
all see a case like this even though people may think oh it's not a seated thing i can help you
Yes, colleagues, we can help them.
We are in our duty as public servants to look for resources.
And there's great partners in this city that are helping lead this work.
And that's why I want to thank you all for the great work that you've done.
Not yesterday, not this morning.
You've done it throughout the years.
From lived experiences.
And I know that it's hard and tough every day when you talk to someone.
and maybe they're dealing with something that you dealt before.
But for you all, you're not alone.
We're in this together.
And you know I'm also a mom.
I'm also a mom of three little ones.
That we're also teaching them to stay strong,
to respect each other,
but also to demand respect for themselves.
So we're going to continue to work together
because there's so much to get done.
As my colleagues have said, it's so unfortunate that 2026, and we're still facing that, but
of course we know why it's still happening, but we need to continue to advocate and work
towards the end of this.
We need healthy families in all aspects, and with this said, I just would love to mention
a couple of guests, and I'm sorry I'm not mentioning everybody, but I want to thank
you all from the bottom of my heart for the great work that you've done throughout the
But I want a special shout-out to Berta Morin and Joel Rivas from Mujeres Latinas en Acción,
that we've been working with them for years, as I mentioned before,
since I was a teacher, like they say, right?
When you work in a school, they will always call you the teacher, right?
Even though you were not teaching,
but you were also teaching something for those kids and families.
Also, Janet Hernandez, thank you for your work,
because your organization, Corazon de Valor y Fortaleza,
started in Chicago Lawn in the 14th Ward,
And now she has a great community hub in La Villita, where she continues to serve not only La Villita or Southwest Side residents, but everybody that needs help in Chicago.
residents, but everybody that needs help in Chicago and throughout the suburbs.
I know you go everywhere else, too, and she's an author as well.
Thank you all for the great work.
And I cannot forget also giving a shout out to Madeline Barr from the network.
We also have a hub, a shelter for our families in the ward.
Let's continue building.
Let's continue advocating.
Let's continue providing those vital resources that our communities deserve.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder Vasquez.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also rise in support of the resolution. We can't thank you enough, and it is unfortunate how much we've learned in the past term as far as the work that the network and other people do about the failings that we see sometimes in the court system related to orders of protection, as we see sometimes with CPD and acknowledging what harm looks and feels like.
um but i wanted to add domestic violence isn't only gender-based violence it's also violence
done to children it's violence that starts at a very very young age uh and we have to think about
how that is normalized when you have people thinking that there's anything considered
age-appropriate discipline and they're talking about beating their children it's something that
we should think about it is not something that should be normalized and i say that
because sometimes we come from communities and cultures
where we think that's what discipline and order is about
when all it does is cause more harm and trauma.
I say that as a victim myself growing up of domestic violence,
and many of us do.
It gets referred to as not sparing the rod
when in reality you're teaching things that we've been taught
from vestiges of slavery and colonialism
rather than teaching our youth how to actually be themselves.
if someone is an adult doesn't know how to have a conversation with the child
how to have a conversation with a child that doesn't involve a belt
or another weapon involved, then we need to reconsider what that means
because you all do a lot of work dealing with the symptoms, dealing with the aftermath
of what happens. We don't have enough conversations about changing
culture and understanding at the root of it all to actually address
it more. And so as we make sure that in this council we have enough funds
for you all to do the work that you do, let us also make sure we spend
the time, the energy, the funds, and the willpower to change how we think about how we treat our
children, because that is how it starts. When you look at some of the men who don't know how to
treat women in their community, you go back to see how they were treated as children, and the cycle
keeps continuing. And so I just want to make sure we keep staying grounded in that part of the
conversation as well, because I don't hear that enough, and I want to make sure it's something we
do tackle. So thank you for your work. We all are going to work as hard as we can, hoping we work
you guys out of a job and anyone else trying to do that line of work and I thank you for the
opportunity for the resolution thank you Mr. President thank you the chair recognizes Alderman
Lopez thank you Mr. President and good morning members of the city council good morning to our
guests who are here with us today I too rise in support of this resolution and it's something to
be said that we have not one not two but three items that were scheduled for discussion today
with regards to domestic violence um we'll talk more about the task force later which i was honored
to be a part of that discussion um and dismayed to learn of the failures not just of the institution
but of the people responsible for the execution of justice and safety of our families
and our children our brothers and our sisters in their times of need
but this resolution should continue to put as all of my colleagues have said domestic
violence on the forefront of all that we do to know that there are things that work
programs within our departments that we need to fund to ensure that they remain
that we need to fund to ensure that they remain available 24 hours a day
to the residents of the city of Chicago.
All of these things are true.
And yet, as one of our colleagues just mentioned, the root causes remain.
Whether it is because of the fact that harmed children become harmful adults,
if it's because of the emasculinization of individuals
who think that they have to prove themselves when they when the doors close in their homes
or because of rampant substance abuse whether it's alcohol drugs or other things all of those
are interconnected in what we see here and have to deal with mr president we are here today to ensure
that we do not allow this to simply become something that is just another statistic in
our neighborhoods. It's just a talking point in our communities. We know this happens more often
than we care to admit. We've seen it rise exponentially, a 50 percent increase to the
hotline, Illinois domestic violence hotline this year alone. Chicago can and will meet the moment
as we always do because this is something that impacts every community, every ideology,
every gender every person in some fashion or another and it is one of those few things on
our agenda that unites us all to ending once and for all thank you mr president thank you
alderman stephanie coleman you are recognized thank you mr president uh to every advocate here
uh i cannot echo my colleagues sentiment of enough of saying thank you i want to specifically
thank Ms. Sarah Brown, whose family connection, her family church is at 6000 South Ashland in
the 16th Ward. But in my most difficult season, you kept me informed and involved. And not many
many advocates, not many black women are strong enough to be a victim, but also tell the story
of what a survivor looks like. So I'm really grateful that you have the audacity and courage
to help other women in the struggle. To Dorothy Tucker, Karen Freeman-Wilson, and the NAACP women,
black women make up 16% of Chicago population. However, we are one of three victims of every
crime statistic there is, specifically for assault and batteries, black women account for 65%
as it relates to domestic violence. So as Alderwoman Hatton mentioned, funding is so necessary,
especially for the smaller community-based organizations that are working with CPD
and the CAPS office and the domestic violence subcommittees under CAPS, and ensuring that the
least of these get the help and the funding, especially on the south and west sides that
cater to black and brown women in the struggle. October is just one month. We can discuss domestic
violence every month. And so thank you again for your advocacy. And I'm so glad if you all are here
to join us. Thank you, Alderwoman. The chair recognizes Alder Quezada. Thank you, Chairman.
I mean, thank you, Mr. President. I rise to speak in support of this resolution.
You know, one of the most striking moments in my time in public service was about seven or eight years ago when I worked for the former alderman of the 35th Ward, Carlos Samiris Rosa, as the neighborhood service director.
And one morning, a mother came into our office with three of her children, and she was in a panic and she was crying.
And she came in and she said, I need help. And I said, absolutely. What's going on?
and she said, I just ran away from my house. My boyfriend was beating me and I'm not going to
take it anymore. And I didn't know where else to go to. So I came here and, um, you know,
And, you know, I was in my early 20s, and I, as a child who grew up in a home of domestic violence, you get into that fight-or-flight mode and immediately just started to attend to her emergency, started to ask her what she needed.
And I remember going through the rigmarole of calling different organizations, and that's when I first came across Mujeres Latinas en Acción and the great work that they do.
and I remember calling their hotline
and explaining the situation
that this woman and her children are going through
and they said, please send her to us immediately
and I ordered a lift
I bought food for the kids
and sent them on their way
to Mujeres Latinas en Acción
I didn't hear from her for a number of months
it was probably about like five or six months later
and I was walking in Lincoln Park
one day and I saw this mother
walking out of the park with her kids
and she looked a lot different
She looked healthier. She looked safe. She looked at peace. And I remember we ran into each other on the sidewalk and she ran up to me. She remembered my name. She said, Anthony, thank you so much. Thank you. You saved my life that day. But it wasn't me. I mean, it was a collective, right? It was our community that came together.
but it was the work of Mujeres Latinas en Acción who put that woman in safety and her children in
safety and ensured that she was able to go back to work and that her children were able to go
back to school. That is the work that these organizations do day in and day out. And because
of this silent crisis of domestic violence, it has normalized the violence that we have in our
homes, but also that we see in our streets. I'll never forget that in my first relationship
outside of high school, I experienced domestic violence as well, but it was normalized. I
thought that that was an expression of love or admiration or something. I didn't know it because
of the domestic violence that I experienced at home. It was normalized, that kind of violence.
So I do want to commend all the advocates that are doing the silent work of saving people,
women, men, children, because this is something that cannot be tolerated any longer. Thank you
tolerated any longer. Thank you very much. Thank you. Alderman Ciccio-Lopez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. I do also want to rise in support of this resolution and this
important resolution. I want to thank everybody in the box, all the leaders that keep our families
and our communities safe as the women of Chicago go to the rest of the city and the rest of our
families. So I want to thank specifically and especially Mujeres Latinas en Acción,
Berta Morfin, and all the founders of Mujeres Latinas en Acción that have served our communities
since 1973. When I was a teacher serving in some of the poorest communities of the city,
and I tell you, it really takes a village. Sister Kay actually used to help us a lot to
welcome survivors and victims and provide them shelter and immediate assistance in a time where
people are scared and afraid. We remember that leaders out there, and there's many people
here in the city who care and support each other. I want to also recognize the work that needs to
continue to be done, especially around housing. As a chair of Housing and Real Estate, we must
recognize that survivors and victims oftentimes stay
with their abusers because of lack of shelter,
because of lack of housing options.
And that is a fundamental change that we need to address.
The rapid rehousing program that has housed 417 survivors
needs more funding, needs more support.
So our commitment here in the city of Chicago
to protect all people, to protect their families,
is to protect our women, LGBTQ, and the interconnectedness
of these issues of violence.
When violence is not addressed, it
spreads throughout the community.
And that is the rise of that violence
at the highest level of government.
But here in Chicago, we must help and support each other.
And that's what I want to thank every single of you
single you in the box, who are making the difference to make sure that Chicago and our
families are safe. Thank you, Mr. President. You're welcome. Thank you. The chair recognizes
Alderman Mitts. Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, rise to support the resolution.
And I was just thinking about one of the most tragic accidents that could happen to me
in my lifetime as being an alderman was to see a man break into a lady's house,
threw a baby out the window, and then cut the lady's neck. It was just so happened. I may have
been in the area to have witnessed this but it was something that stayed with me and what I see
today is that we need far more domestic violence teaching for our youth so that they know that
they don't have to endure that you need to know the signs first of all the signs and when they
get out and not stay in relationship where you allow it to start and then it's get to a point
where you're overwhelmed and don't know how to get out and most times they don't have family
members or someone to help them to get out so i applaud you ladies and all of you who are
continuing to work on their behalf but yet work that's been done there's still much more that
need to be done. So thank you, Mr. Mayor. You are welcome. Are there any other alders that wish to
speak to this resolution? Very well. Seeing no hands, I do want to recognize and thank all of
the individuals that have joined us today in the box. Thank you again to Sarah Brown, Katina Watkins,
Watkins Lloyd, Manita Areola.
Manita Areola, Julia Weiner, Song Yun, Madeline Burr, Min Kim, Mallory Morgan, Gladys De La Torre,
Emanuel Erez, Els Moralda, Gonzalez, Claudia Rangel, Joel Rivas, Janeth Hernandez, and Bertha Morin.
You know, every October, we come together to lift up the survivors of domestic violence.
We mourn those that we have lost, and we recommit ourselves to end this violence.
We know that one in four women and one in seven men will experience partner violence at some point in their relationship.
And due to systemic racism and inequities, there are higher rates of domestic violence in black, brown, and LGBTQ plus communities.
And that is why the city and this administration is working so hard to combat and prevent domestic violence in Chicago.
We are working with city and community agencies to educate, raise awareness, provide resources for those experiencing domestic violence.
We have a full and robust gender-based violence task force that is made up of survivors, community
members, and liaisons with the LGBTQ Plus Advisory Council and the Women's Advisory
Council.
We have partnered with DFSS to increase funding for the Survivor Fund, enabling us to reach
more than 16,000 survivors of domestic violence,
stalking, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
This fund has also helped to house
over 400 survivors and children,
and the preventable program has reached
more than 13,000 young people and adults.
And we have hosted several roundtables with at-risk communities to hear their concerns,
their wants, and needs surrounding domestic violence.
So today, we all stand together as we continue our efforts to not just raise awareness, support
and protect survivors, and create a world that is free of domestic violence.
With that, Audemann Mitchell, can I get a motion for the passage of this resolution?
Mr. President, I move passes in the office.
Very well. Hearing no objections, so order.
Thank you all very much for being here today and for all of your amazing work.
Farewell.
Alderman Mitchell.
Move that we return to the regular order of business.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Alderman Bennett Lawson has requested to participate in today's meeting,
the remaining of today's meeting remotely for reasons stated in Rule 59.
Can we confirm Alderman Bennett Lawson's presence online?
Alderman Lawson?
Present. Thank you.
Very well. Can I get a motion for the participation?
It's been moved. All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say nay. In opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Next up, communications.
Communications from his honor, the mayor, to the honorable city council of the city of Chicago.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Chief Financial Officer, I transmitted
with an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $500 million in wastewater transmission
revenue bonds.
Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated.
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 housing i
transmitted with an ordinance authorizing increased tiff assistance for the development
of 1539 north pulaski elderly apartments project your favorable consideration of this ordinance
will be appreciated very truly yours assigned brandon johnson mayor referred to the committee
on finance ladies and gentlemen at the request of the commissioner of housing i transmitted with
an ordinance authorizing the execution of a tiff redevelopment agreement with oak and larabee llc
your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated very truly yours signed
brandon johnson mayor referred to the committee on finance ladies and gentlemen at the request
of the commissioner of housing i transmitted with an ordinance establishing a new tax increment
financing neighborhood improvement program to allow the use of tiff funds for the home repair
program your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated very truly yours
signed brandon johnson mayor refer to the committee on finance ladies and gentlemen at the request of
the commissioner of housing i transmitted with ordinances authorizing the issuance of financial
assistance for the morgan park commons phase one housing redevelopment project your favorable
consideration of this or these ordinances will be appreciated very truly yours signed brandon johnson
mayor refer to the committee on finance ladies and gentlemen at the request of the commissioner
of Housing, I transmitted with an ordinance authorizing the issuance of multifamily loan
for the acquisition and preservation of Palmer Place Apartments. Your fable consideration of
this ordinance will be appreciated. Very truly yours. Signed, Brandon Johnson, Mayor. Refer to
the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Superintendent of the
Chicago Board of Education, I transmitted with an ordinance authorizing the provision of permit
fee waivers for the Chicago Board of Education. Your fable consideration of this ordinance will
be appreciated very truly yours signed brandon johnson mayor referred to the committee on
finance ladies and gentlemen at the request of the commissioner of planning and development
i transmitted with ordinances authorizing the 2027 budget
ordinances authorizing the 2027 budget execution of service provider agreements and other amendments
regarding various special service areas located within the city your favor consideration of these
ordinances will be appreciated very truly yours signed brandon johnson mayor referred to the
committee on economic capital and technology development ladies and gentlemen at the request
of the commissioner of planning and development i transmitted with ordinances authorizing the
sale of city-owned lands your favor consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated very
truly yours signed brandon johnson mayor refer to the committee on housing and real estate
ladies and gentlemen at the request of the commissioner of housing i transmitted with
ordinances authorizing the sale of city-owned land and the execution of intergovernmental
agreements for the development of housing units under the city lots for working families program
your favorable consideration of these ordinances will be appreciated very truly yours signed
brandon johnson mayor refer to the committee on housing and real estate ladies and gentlemen at
request of the commission of business affairs and consumer protection i transmitted with an
ordinance amending the municipal code regarding business licenses for bicycle messenger services
your favorite consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated very truly yours signed
brandon johnson mayor refer to the committee on license and consumer protection ladies and
gentlemen i transmitted with appointments to the police and fire district councils
your favorite consideration of these appointments will be appreciated very truly yours signed
brandon johnson mayor referred to the committee on police and fire ladies and gentlemen i
transmitted with appointments to various special service areas your favorable consideration of
these appointments will be appreciated very truly yours signed brandon johnson mayor referred to
the committee on economic capital and technology development the following veto letter from the
honorable brandon johnson mayor was filed in the office of the city clerk on october 9th 2026
at 3 33 p.m to the honorable the city council of the city of chicago and city clerk valencia
i return here with without my approval an ordinance passed by the city council on
september 29th 2026 document number zero 2026 dash
document number 02026-0026270 requiring any debt issuance ordinance to be approved by a three-fifths
vote of all their persons entitled by law to be elected. Neighborhoods with the greatest
infrastructure needs should not face additional barriers to securing essential public investments.
Delaying infrastructure projects can increase construction costs,
worsened deterioration, and ultimately cost taxpayers more. While this ordinance increases
a voting threshold, it does not put into place any additional measures around debt affordability,
reporting requirements, or financial oversight. The vote requirement of three-fifths put in place
for this particular matter is greater than that of the City of Chicago's $16.6 billion budget
or any other critical matter that comes before this body. For the above stated reasons, it is
my duty to veto this ordinance. Madam Clerk, please read the letter
please read this letter at the October 14th, 2026 City Council
meeting under the heading of reports and communications from the mayor and other city
officers. Sincerely, signed Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The chair recognizes
Alderman Marty Quinn. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
I move to adopt
0-2-0-2-6-0-0-2-6-2-7-0
as previously adopted by the city council
at its regular meeting held on September 29, 2026,
notwithstanding the mayoral veto submitted to the city clerk
on October 9, 2026 by a roll call vote.
Mr. Mayor, I'd like to close the debate.
Farewell.
Thank you, sir.
There's a motion to pass item 02026-0026270 requiring any debt ordinance to be approved by three-fifths vote of all the persons entitled by law to be elected.
This is despite the veto.
A yes vote means your support.
The ordinance is passage and an override of the veto.
A no vote means you support the veto.
Are there any alders that wish to speak to this item?
The chair recognizes Alderman Bill Conway.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Now, we've heard the argument, read that letter,
that requiring 30 votes to authorize borrowing will somehow delay critical infrastructure
projects. But the facts tell a quite different story. The sales tax bonds the city issued just
last week were authorized by this council last December, 10 months ago. And the general
obligation bonds the city is expected to issue later this year, we authorized those last December
as well. In fact, we at this moment in time have billions of dollars of unused borrowing
authorization. Now back when I was in banking, a major issuer could call us on one week, we'd
update the legal documents, line up the brokerage houses, and we could do the debt offering the
following week. So the notion that requiring 30 votes instead of 26 will somehow delay
infrastructure investment simply doesn't square with the facts. If there is any delay in this
area, it is with the executive branch, certainly not city council. Now, nobody here is arguing
against investing in infrastructure. We need roads, bridges, and public facilities that will
serve Chicagoans for generations. But this is about the difference between borrowing to build
our city's futures or borrowing to mortgage our city's future. Chicago spends roughly $2 billion
Chicago spends roughly $2 billion a year servicing its debt, a number that's due to increase.
And much of that burden is the consequence of decisions made years, even decades before many of us arrived in this chamber.
Our predecessors borrowed money, deferred payments, and pushed obligations on to future generations.
Well, we are those future generations, and the bills are coming due.
We inherited those decisions.
We inherited the debt, and we inherited the consequences.
And today, we're spending money servicing old debts that could otherwise go towards parks, schools, police officers, and mental health clinics, to name a few.
Now, we cannot change the decisions of the past, but we can.
We can learn from them.
Borrowing is often necessary.
We all understand that.
but when we're making financial commitments that will outlive our time in this chamber
is it really too much to ask the 30 of the 50 members of city council agree
do you really want to still allow 29 members of this council to be able to mortgage our future
this isn't about stopping investment it's about making better decisions today
so future generations aren't forced to live with the consequences of our mistakes tomorrow
we inherited a city burdened by the deaths of its past and our responsibility is to leave the
next generation a city less burdened by ours so on behalf of the taxpayers of today and the
taxpayers of future generations heck on behalf of my own children don't need another mortgage
on any of our futures please vote to override this veto thank you mr mayor thank you the chair
recognizes Alder Matt O'Shea. Thank you, Mr. President. Now, there are people who are more
more knowledgeable about our financial predicament than me in this body. But what I want to talk
about is something that's becoming more and more frustrating to me. We were elected by
our community to come down here and cast difficult votes. Yes vote, no vote, own your vote. I've
seen more people duck out of this room, scurry out of this room, tiptoe out of this room the past
three years than I did the first 13 I was here. To my colleagues, put your big boy pants on
and cast your vote. You support it, you oppose it, but own it and stop hiding and stop ducking
and stop sneaking out. Ladies and gentlemen, we have more than $30 billion in outstanding debt.
I think oversight is a good thing. So does the state of Illinois. They also have
a three-fifths majority. So do many other large cities.
People like to throw around that word transparency and accountability. That's what this is.
This is going from 26 votes to 30 votes.
Does anybody really think that if there's a project on the south or west side that's needed,
a development that's needed, infrastructure improvements that are needed,
we wouldn't all rally in support of our colleague?
Come on.
If you signed in today, whether you're up on that...
If you signed in today, whether you're up on that screen or you're here in this room, own your vote.
And if you're hiding in your office down the hallway, get your ass back here in the chambers.
Alderman Knutson, you are recognized.
I was just confirming I was in quorum.
Yes.
It actually wasn't meant to be.
Confirmation.
Chair recognizes Alder LaSpada.
Thank you so much.
I really appreciate all of the texts that I've gotten about this, the scurrying talk
I take umbrage at. Because I've had questions about my absence, talked about it in my newsletter,
happy to talk about it here. Listen, I would far prefer my daughter to be in AM preschool
than PM. Certainly has made for complicated pickup and drop off. But that's what I do,
because I care about her education.
I regrettably underestimated the lack of dialogue
around the passage of this ordinance.
Last time, I thought I would have enough time
to log in by Rule 59.
By the time I was able to log in,
the meeting was already over.
I apologize.
I won't make that mistake twice.
But the notion that I've read now a lot of times
that I was trying to dodge my responsibilities
to vote in this council, I take genuine umbrage at, because that's not how I've tried to do my
job for the last eight years. I would have voted against it then, I would vote against it today,
and I plan to, because I genuinely am baffled by this skepticism around the concept of funding
infrastructure based off of general obligation bonds that just does not have merit in reality
and i'm sorry to be someone to say that if this was
If this was about that we shouldn't take out short-term high-interest loans to cover operating costs, I think that's fair.
If it's about whether we should put operating costs against bonds, that's something I would definitely consider, and I voted against that around this time last year.
The notion that bonds are somehow a means, this unscrupulous means of funding infrastructure, I'm really disappointed in the dialogue because I've seen over time how that is leading to decreasing infrastructure spend in the city.
when if we actually look at our own budget numbers,
the city's general obligation bond tax levy
is lower than it was 10 years ago.
That is the actual fact that is related
to this narrative about out of, what is it?
Out of control debt for the city of Chicago.
So that's why I'm frustrated at this.
People can have various motivations
on how they vote today or not vote today.
But the notion that some of us were running out of the room
to avoid our votes, at least for me,
is a false narrative on my vote.
And the notion that we have out of control,
general obligation spending is, to me,
based off of the facts, a false narrative.
This is what is informing my vote today.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'm still trying, what's this, the wrist crackers, the wrist crackers, but the business here
of the 51 of us here is the business of politics.
I know that, you know, we talk about politics,
and the politics is about who gets what, where, when, and how.
George Blakemore, he said contracts, goods, and services.
Thank you.
But in its true essence, politics breaks down to one single word,
and that's power.
And let me start with a question, and I want this to sit with you.
Who gives away their power?
This body continues to evolve.
When you look at the councils over the last couple of generations, you go back to the
70s, 14 minorities sat in this body, 14.
All happened to look like me, 37 members of the majority.
Think about this.
40% of the city of Chicago's population was black.
We had 14 members in this body.
15% of the population is Latino, but yet zero members in this body at that time.
It wasn't until the mid-80s when Mayor Harold Washington went all the way to the Supreme Court for the Latino community to gain one seat in this room for the right for them to elect a candidate of their choice.
Again, who gives away power?
nobody gives their power away because when you get the power you keep it you protect it
but power can also be taken back and it doesn't always happen with a fist
sometimes it's just a subtle rule change and for as long as I can remember 26 votes ruled
today in this body that's how democracy works you win with the majority you move on and now
this seeks to change that to three fists which is an insult unto itself but I'll let y'all get
in the parking lot, and do the math with me, 26 votes threshold.
And do the math with me, 26-vote threshold governs,
but with three-fifths, the minority governs at that point.
And again, a minority of the council
now will hold the key of how the city can invest in itself.
Because borrowing is not abstract.
It's about investment.
It's investment in our communities,
the libraries, the streets, the affordable housing,
the stores, the infrastructure.
It tells the community that you matter and that we're coming to help.
And here's what I want you to notice.
For generations, when that investment flow across this city, it missed a whole lot of
communities.
Alston, Garfield, Lawndale, Humboldt, Little Village, Roseland, Inglewood, Orgale.
And now that money's starting to flow, and we won't change the rules.
Again, who gives away their power?
This history of this city has never been kind to black and Latino communities.
And it's only been through the courts that we've had some semblance of fairness.
Again, who gives away their power?
I know aldermen like Dawson, Lewis, Lankford, Harris, Beavers, Shaw, turning over in their graves, thinking that black folks are about to give away their power.
Again, I would mention Latino alders, but I haven't been here long enough to have folks of their legacy.
Again, why do the rules need to change?
Who gives away their power?
You want to call it independence.
it's ironic that we only talk about independence and executive oversight
when the person sitting up there look like me I can't run from that it happened
I can't run from that it happened under Washington it happened for about 15 minutes under
Lori Lightfoot and it's been going pretty much all the term here under Johnson
three black mayors and every time the rules all of a sudden become an issue
now again call it independence you want to call the reforms you want to call the checks and balances
But again, where was that concern before? Under Daly, under Emanuel, under the other day? Where was the concern in when investment was going elsewhere? Where was the passion for the threshold of greater than a simple majority when folks was getting everything else and we were left out?
What was it then?
You're going to be here too, George.
I got you.
But let me say this.
I think about people like Nancy Jefferson,
Verdell Trice in the Midwest Community Council,
Illa Daggett, Ms. Robinson,
and people in Austin that had to file federal lawsuits
to get a swimming pool and swing sets in their communities.
Tell me why would I give away my power
when the majority is comfortable, 26 is fine.
Now the city is changing. The old guard is shrinking. The voters have spoken again and again. And suddenly, 26 is not enough. Remember, I opened with the council being 14 minority members.
Now, fast forward.
This council is as diverse as it's ever been.
Well, guess who's the 14 now?
Here's what I know.
When we went at the ballot box, we got to defend in the courtroom.
And now we're going to have to defend it in the rule book.
Because if you can't beat people at their own game, you just change the rules.
We see that happening all over the country.
Again, you can't change the vote, just change the threshold.
You can't change the election, just make it matter less.
That's what this means.
The voters in this city elected a mayor, elected a council,
and now a majority of the council can say yes,
but yet that's still not enough.
Help me understand that.
A minority says no.
That's not independence.
That's a veto with a better branding.
There is no major city in this country, contrary to what was said, that has such a requirement.
Some may point to the General Assembly, three-fifths voting requirements.
But if we had the power of the General Assembly, I probably would agree with that.
They have way more power than we do to talk about having a three-fifths majority.
And again, let me just say this.
Reverend Jackson said it best.
He said, we can win when the playing field is even, the rules are public, the goals are clear, the referees are fair, and the score is transparent.
Let me say that again.
We can win when the playing field is even, the rules are public, the goals are clear, and the referees are fair, and the score is transparent.
The playing field is even.
Is it when 21 can run 26, when 21 weighs more than 26, is that even?
is that fair is that transparent again when you look at who this benefits the
goal looks a lot like holding on to the influence that the voters have moved away
from again who gives away their power nobody gives it but when we don't pay
attention to what a technical amendment looks like on a Wednesday and who
and who benefits from that change,
I will never let anybody convince me
that my vote counts less today than tomorrow.
It's not going to happen.
Again, my mentor, great lady, Karen Yarbrough,
said something to me 20 years ago
that I didn't comprehend at the time.
She said, in this business of politics,
there's no permanent friends,
no permanent enemies, just permanent interests.
no permanent friends no permanent enemies just permanent interest ladies and gentlemen we got
to stop playing checkers when everybody else is playing chess and i'm not mad at the author
of this ordinance because he's doing his job he's trying to maintain his community's influence in
the world that has changed and he's doing what he's supposed to do come down here and get power
And again, more power to them, but not mine.
My community does not want to wait this long, work this hard, organize this deep to see the investment of our neighborhoods gets told hostage by the minority.
Again, nobody gives away their power, and I didn't come down here to give up mine.
So again, this ordinance is not an attack on the executive branch.
It's an attack on this body, perpetrated by those who've seen their power diminish in every election since 1975.
This order is not designed to make this council stronger.
It's to make the majority weaker.
Again, who gives away their power?
Voting yes on this matter is giving away our power.
The power of the people that we serve, again.
no permanent friends no permanent enemies only permanent interests and if you think that they
And if you think that they will put their community interests aside for ours, history has given us that answer already.
And this is not in our interest.
I urge a no vote and to protect the power that generations have bled for, have fought for, and have died for.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderman Riley.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I think we heard the word power used, I counted, 18 times in the last speech.
And I can tell you, a lot of folks come to the city council for different reasons and different motivations.
Some people came here to do public service, something that's in their blood.
Others came here because they felt that they're on a mission to try and save this city from a bad trajectory.
And clearly other people came here for power.
But that's not what this ordinance is about.
There's this fallacy being pushed around that a three-fifths majority will somehow paralyze any new infrastructure or development in this city.
And that's absolutely incorrect.
But I think it's important to remind my colleagues that Chicago has a unique distinction among the 10 biggest cities in America to be the only one.
the only one that requires a simple majority to issue more debt like this.
So we're not looking to go out and stake new uncharted territory here.
We're way behind the times.
And so this isn't about power.
It's about good governance.
And some folks, I think, have learned recently
that there isn't a majority that works with the executive branch.
We're seeing there's a majority of this council that's not.
In fact, that number is, ironically, 30.
And so I'd say that the previous speaker's arguments, while passionate, are flawed.
passionate or flawed. I'll give you a rundown very quickly of the other big cities and what
they require in order to issue debt. New York City requires a two-thirds supermajority vote
of the city council to pass bond resolutions. Los Angeles requires a two-thirds vote from
the city council to place it on the ballot. And then the voters decide. We all know about Chicago
and our failings. Houston, governed by Texas law mandating public ballot elections for any taxing
bonds. Phoenix, Arizona, local ballot ratified by the citizens. Philadelphia, the council votes
to authorize, but again, it becomes a question on the ballot. San Antonio, same thing. San Diego,
two-thirds vote from the city council to authorize a ballot measure. Dallas, Texas, same thing. San
San Jose, California. The list goes on and on and on. Some of these big cities require the voters
to weigh in. So let's talk about delays. I mean, we could go a lot further here, Alderman Irvin,
but I can tell you that this is something that a lot of folks have been talking about
for previous administrations. In fact, we had this conversation under Roman Emanuel.
This was discussed under him when I was the vice mayor. So we're not picking on specific mayors.
We've seen in other big cities, this is good governance. I would also remind people that
when it comes to debt load per capita per resident of Chicago, the city of Chicago ranks
second worst in the country among big cities, only eked out by New York City.
their citizens have a slightly higher debt load per citizen than we do so that's not a great list
to be on either look I think that that Alderman O'Shea said it very eloquently no one here is
consequently, no one here is going to hold up good community investment in anybody's ward.
We're colleagues first, and we see a lot of that deference happen day to day in our committee
hearings. If it's important to the local alderman and they make a good compelling case, they almost
always get support for those projects. So let's not try and divide this council over hypotheticals
and, honestly, divisive language.
We'll just call it that.
This is really about good governance,
and I applaud my colleague, Alderman Quinn,
for bringing it forward,
and I thank my colleagues in advance for supporting it.
But let's not make this about power.
This is about doing right by the people we work for.
The Chicago taxpayers currently have a liability
of around $42,000 per citizen
for the debt that we've been extending for decades and decades and decades.
That's what this is really about. Fiscal discipline and good governance. And I urge my
colleagues to vote yes. Thank you. Thank you. Audman Lopez, you are recognized.
Thank you again, Mr. President. Good afternoon, members of the city council.
I gather we're not done gaslighting each other today. But I do have some points as I rise to
support this effort to override this veto. And I want to thank our colleague from the
West Side. I think I checked off every urbanism that I've ever heard in 12 years in this speech
today. But I believe the saying is that power is not given, it is taken. That's the application
of that axiom and what we are trying to do today is to have city council regain power
over our future over the debt over the
Over the debt, over the use of hiding deficits through more and more borrowing, to the point where we have $36 billion in debt just from our pension alone, almost double that once you start including all of the other various lines of credit, which our colleague from the second ward, from the 34th ward, excuse me, referenced.
last budget we saw a refinancing of open lines of credit going back to the daily years
a shock to all of us and yet as we're trying to have a conversation today
about how we finance future obligations that go beyond just investment in our neighborhoods but
investment in our city as a whole, we're warned of the vengeful minority. It's been alluded
to numerous times today. We keep dancing around it. So just come out and say it. Blame the
evil white people who are not going to let African Americans and Latinos put sidewalks
in their neighborhoods. Say it. You're going to dance around it. Come out and say it.
Because that is the stupidest argument I think I've ever heard of anything in this room in nearly 12 years as old.
What I know is that all of us have supported investment in all our neighborhoods.
I've seen my colleagues stand as we put millions of dollars in investment and infrastructure in West Englewood,
while we also simultaneously sat here and voted on every single project going towards the 28th Ward.
budget after budget, TIF request after TIF request, we just said, or I should say, we
will have a TIF request for CPS that they didn't even ask for, that we're giving.
And the same goes with debt and bonds and housing grants and things of that nature.
example the housing and economic development bond which we passed which
is 1.2 billion dollars none of us know where it went but we said yes to it
because your administration mr. president wanted it no one held you
captive no one held the commissioner of housing captive we believe in investing
in neighborhoods throughout the entire city of Chicago and that's what we did
But the problem that we have right now is that oftentimes, yes, things have changed under the last two mayors, and we'll go back to the last mayor, because this used to be the body that was led by an administration that sought to have consensus and support from all 50.
I think Mayor Daley famously would work overtime to try to get budgets passed with maybe one exception.
And when she finally voted for his budget, it was front page news.
Mayor Emanuel, who many of us served with, would work on the side, gain our support so that we could present a united front for the city.
And then came the Lightfoot administration, who declared quite loudly, I'm only leading
to 26, which means piss on the other 24 of you.
That is what we are trying to get back from, get away from, saying that you could dismiss
the concerns of 24 members of this council once you get to 26.
Because that means those 24 aldermen who you just said you don't care to discuss, who you
don't care to engage with, they're out of luck, as are the 56,000 people that they represent.
Nearly half the city of Chicago would be dismissed because an administration chose not to engage
with anyone beyond the necessary 26, that simple majority that we're fighting so hard
to hold on to.
If we want to matter again, if our neighborhoods need to matter again to an administration, any administration, then we need to raise the threshold in order to be able to ensure that everyone has at least a chance of sitting at that table.
Six, four more chairs to that table is quite literally all we're asking for.
Four more people to talk to.
four more aldermen to discuss what's going on so that you could go from 26 to 30 and yet we're
acting as though we're never going to be able to borrow money again in the city of chicago
that is not the argument that is not the defense of saying no today and i would also point out
mr president to my colleagues that even your letter raised eyebrows for me and i'm sure for
many others because in it we talk about reporting requirements with regards to debt something that
i don't think i've ever heard this administration talk about in nearly three and a half years
we talk about financial oversight which our committees have but yet when we learn about
what happens to the execution of bonds and where the money goes we have alderman and chairman who
have talked about how do you earmark where projects go how do you have the list of where money's
going i believe our former chairman of economic capital technology had been asking for that for
three administrations now if i'm not mistaken give us the list of what you want to fund before we say
yes to how much money we're going to give you that has never happened debt affordability
we can't afford it i can answer that question right now and the fact mr president
In fact, Mr. President, that even when the smallest modicum of change is presented,
whether it's in the Committee on Finance or in this body,
this administration has said no time and time again.
When we've asked to review the language of our bond inducement ordinances,
the answer is no, because this is how we've done it.
It's how we've always done it, and it's how we're going to keep doing it.
When we're asked why we pay nearly double the percentage points,
on the money that we borrow above the national average.
Can't change it, it's how we do things.
Sometimes how we do things needs to stop.
Sometimes how we do things needs to evolve,
needs to change.
Some throughout the city, Mr. President,
had hoped that you would be part of that evolution
and not the status quo.
Saying no to this is the status quo.
Saying no to this override keeps us borrowing,
keeps us not knowing and keeps us all in the dark, which is why I encourage all of my colleagues to
support this measure of overriding the veto and bringing some true transparency to what we're
doing here today. Thank you. Thank you. Alderman Moore, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
I had no idea that Chairman Irvin, who usually go last, was going to speak about this. And although
he wrote stuff down i could have just sworn that he was all in my head and and collected my thoughts
i'd have it written down because i've lived it reverend jesse jackson was my co-pastor but before
i even heard him say what i'll say what jason hervin said growing up in the projects what i've
heard was money talk and wall that's all i heard and i and i understood that now you bring it full
Now, you bring it full circle to what Chairman Irvin said, because I heard this from my co-pastor for years.
When the rules are public and the playing field is even, I can compete.
I got calls from constituents and people texting with my picture on it saying, vote against the veto.
Vote against the veto.
Override the veto.
I picked up a phone call and called two people, and I said,
you know what you're asking me to do?
Yeah, override the veto.
Why?
What am I voting against?
But we don't want the mayor to have control over money,
da-da-da, whatever they say, and all this stuff.
We don't want to be in no more debt.
They were saying all this.
I said, no, what you're asking me to do is give up my power.
That's what you're asking me to do.
I don't think the gentleman from the 13th Ward was trying to do that.
I think he, I truly believe what he's doing is, what he feels he's doing is right.
But there are what we call unintentional consequences.
So what I put to my constituent, I said, right now I got 20 members in the Black Caucus.
All I need is six more votes.
You're asking me to go get, what, four or five additional votes.
you you asking me to make it harder for me to negotiate to serve you not that my colleagues
would vote for anything that i want i don't believe that but not well i got the power do it
when it's more difficult for you then i'll vote for it money talk bs walk and so while
we have 20 votes it will break my heart that any one of
break my heart that any one of those 20 will vote to override this video I don't
never tell people who to vote for do what you need to do I never say that do
what you want for your constituents but when your do-do get on me I gotta say
something then I have to say something and so today we have 20 votes that we
can work with leverage talk I'm not trying to increase that number today
tomorrow or next week now you take me down to five take me down to ten I'll
stand with you then but I never vote against my constituents because I never
vote against myself I urge my colleagues not to override this veto thank you
Thank you. And we thank you for the PG version of the back part of your comments.
Chair recognizes Alder Haddon.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I will not be supporting this veto override for a couple of reasons.
And I really appreciated, Mr. President, all my colleagues' comments.
and in this seventh year of my time in council,
I think our debates have gotten more interesting.
I look to my colleague over here,
and this is a body that's supposed to deliberate.
We're supposed to debate.
We're supposed to challenge one another,
and we are supposed to look at the way things work
and make recommendations to change them
if we think they're not working.
um so i want to just share a couple of my thoughts and maybe they'll influence you
as you're deciding what you're going to do before uh being an elect
Before being an elected official, there are several of you who I got to work with
and some of our colleagues who have since retired on a process called participatory budgeting.
And I've had the great pleasure of consulting with communities and elected officials around the nation
and no greater pleasure than doing so in Chicago.
um uh our colleague alderman alderman moore here in the 17th ward was one of my first
uh alder people that i got to work with and so i want us to think about our think about
our physical infrastructure right we're we're all here representing our communities we're
talking about bond funds we're talking about debt we're talking about a lot of ways in which
we finance one of our core responsibilities as a city and it is physical infrastructure
this participatory budgeting process is really simple if you don't know what it is it's just a
democracy it's community members getting to directly decide how to allocate money that's
their money our tax dollars in their community right it's adding this layer of deliberative
democracy bringing it a little bit wider than from just one decision maker as an older person
i continue this practice in the 49th ward many of you do as well because i think it leads to
better decision-making, a more engaged constituent base with higher civic education, and we get
cooler projects, right? It's kind of fun. I had been a volunteer in the first participatory budgeting
process in the 49th Ward, so I knew nothing about city government. I saw a flyer that my predecessor
put out and caught the democracy bug, right? Really got engaged in going on to help start an
organization that promotes this process nationally when i got to do my first process in the 17th
ward right it was in 17 45 46 and 49 our first year of pb chicago
49, our first year of PB Chicago. And I got to do the first neighborhood assembly in Alderman Moore's
ward. We were in his office. John Roberson was your chief of staff. And his community members
showed up. They wanted to hear about this process. And, you know, it's about our aldermanic menu. And
you guys know sidewalks, streets, resurfacing alleys, what have you. And coming from the 49th
Ward, where we're 2.2 square miles on the far northeast side of the city, most of our
infrastructure needs, they get close to met, as close to met as you're going to get with
a million dollars.
When I got to stand before 17th Ward constituents and say, hey, this is what this process is
and tell me your ideas.
And I will never forget one older gentleman saying, why do we have to have a process for
me to tell you that my street hasn't been resurfaced in 30 years. So fix it. I got to go
on to work in about 13 different wards. And as someone who's not from Chicago, I got to learn
Chicago through its infrastructure and through its infrastructure failings. And those failings
are not because of older people specifically, but because of a body and decision making over
generations that has deprioritized poor black communities in the city of Chicago,
Latino communities as well, other minority groups eventually. And as our city has shifted a little
bit, this is still one of the most segregated places I have ever set foot in racially. This
body is also racially divided. We can't get away from it. And so to my colleagues who want to
brush aside talks of power, not everybody who talks about power is trying to wield power for
to wield power for themselves. And I'll say that those who frequently dismiss talk of power in
this body, it's because you've probably always had the privilege of power that you haven't had
to fight for it. You haven't had to collectively organize for it. You haven't had not just your
own experience, but the experiences of a marginalized group of people that you represent
who are looking to you to write injustices. So when we talk about power, politics is organizing
power to govern ourselves. And while I don't think that the intention behind this change
is rooted in that space, so I might disagree with a colleague on that, I don't think it's
coming from that. I have seen in my work in many a city in this country, as a good governance
advocate, I've often seen good governance used to undercut the progress being made from minority
voices. Oh, it's not good. Well, we got to come in. There's good governance. We could be doing
this better and and multiple things can be true at one time we could be doing things better
we've got lots of reforms i personally am interested in the charter efforts for our city
i think that that's going to lead us to a lot of spaces for reforms but we need to have those
deliberative democratic conversations in order to get there in order to get there right so we can
want reforms. And we can also know that there are still whole segments of this city who are left
out of conversations and whole segments of the city who have representatives here in this room
that are fighting for them. Right. And this would be easier if
This would be easier if some of us were, if we all had more time, if we could have more
deliberation, if we weren't dealing with all the stresses and things that are competing,
if we had a more agnostic political space.
But we don't live in a dream world where racism doesn't exist, where classism doesn't exist,
where historic racism has created divestment and segregation in the city.
We don't live in that ideal world.
so we struggle with these challenges. I've been in this body my second term, and so I've served
under you, Mayor Johnson, and under Mayor Lightfoot, and I can't speak to people's intentions,
but I've noticed a pattern, right? I've noticed a pattern, and some of those changes and wanting to
have more council control, some of them I think are healthy things that should be part of our
deliberative body. And some of them, I don't know. The timing is weird, right? The timing is weird.
Folks reference Mayor Daley. We're here complaining and suffering in our debt crisis
because of decisions made by Mayor Daley. Right? But people like the way he did things and
everybody got something. That's why we're here. People like the way he did things. People got a
park. They got a bone tossed their way. I still drive around the city and see huge spots of the
city that have been neglected and just tossed aside. I don't think this change and this reform
to have more older people on board for for debt issuing and kind of the bonds i don't think it's
going to solve our problem um i think it's a distraction um i also mr mayor will say
we need the fifth floor we need you and your team
the fifth floor, we need you and your team to hear these concerns. And concerns and critiques
are difficult. And it is so hard to weed through a lot of the BS and the hate
and the opposition for opposition's sake. There are people who give us opposition who want to
see us fail. There are people who give critiques and criticisms for no good reason. And then there
are, there's feedback in the critiques. There's valuable information in the criticism sometimes.
And one of the things that every single one of us in this body have to contend with,
and I hope that the fifth floor is like seeing this, like you can't control people who are
trying to make you fail. We can respond to and come up with our own reforms and adopt our own
practices and our own processes to address the concerns. And I feel like especially as we talk
about race, and as we talk about challenges that marginalized people face, we know we always have
to do that. We have to be better. We have to think more than 10 steps ahead. We have to take
every advantage that we can from allies and the no permanent enemies, no permanent friends
in the allies, and we need to get ahead of the opposition. We wouldn't be here having this
conversation and and you having to have a veto if we had better relations with counsel and your office
and it's just true it's just true some people are going to try and and and totally jack the agenda
and they're going to do that and they're going to keep doing that but that is not
the majority of this body i do think the majority of this body
majority of this body, I do think the majority of this body is really trying to do something
good for their community, something good for Chicago. People are pretty direct. How can we
come together and how can you help us come together so that we don't end up in these places
where folks who might be just trying to jack an agenda, why do they have a majority? Why do they
have majority right now? What could we be doing differently? So I ask my colleagues to don't vote
against the veto. This is not the answer. This is not going to be better governance. This is not
going to fix your issue. You know, unless you're just trying to give the mayor a black eye, this
is pretty unnecessary. We could actually fix this in a different way. And I understand why you're
there. So, you know, mayor, I'm going to support your veto. Um, and I hope that we can learn from
this painful lesson. Again, these lessons we keep encountering so that we can do better and be
better as we move forward. Not everything is, is a, we can't toss out all of the feedback
in the, in the waves of critique, criticism, and opposition. Otherwise we will never learn. We
will never change and we will not get better. Thank you. Thank you. Alderman Quinn has asked
for the right to close. Are there any other Alders that wish to speak before Alderman Quinn closes?
All right, I see two more hands. Alders Vasquez, three more hands. The chair recognizes Alder
Vasquez. Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate my colleagues' thoughts. So we had the vote
come up for the debt threshold.
the debt threshold I was somebody supportive of the 30 votes and he listening to some of my
colleagues I decided to take the time to figure out if there were other ways to resolve the need
for accountability and transparency related to bond votes that didn't need to rise raise the
threshold so I engaged in conversations over the weekend today we have not found agreement so I'd
like to make the case of why I'm in support for the 30-vote threshold. It begins being born here
in this city. Every person in Chicago is born in debt. Every single person that has been born,
that is going to be born, has money they owe without any decisions they've made as individuals.
And it's because of mayors. It's because of the dailies. So we've heard every single person here
talk about how the dailies made such a decision and those decisions and that borrowing, which was
not fiscally responsible, is something that saddled everyone in here with debt. Everybody
said that. I haven't heard anybody say, you know, the dailies did a great job. We need to change
things. Everyone can acknowledge in this whole body we have here that the borrowing that the
dailies did is what has led us to the point where every single year we have near a billion dollar
deficit we have to make up for and you get three options you raise revenue you make cuts or you
borrow and you end up with mayors who don't have the guts to raise the revenue they won't cut the
department that spends the most amount of money so where do they go they go right to borrowing
it's the easiest way to get out of it we all know that's the problem we call it out and yet somehow
there's a defense of continuing that same behavior why is that something we think is going to lead
to better things the decisions i make aren't because i'm a chicagoan now it's because i'm
going to be gone and our kids inherit this chicago and they're going to be saddled with the death
kids inherit this Chicago and they're going to be saddled with the debt the same way we have except
it'll be compounded and I don't understand why people want to stand and say it's responsible
to continue that behavior we want to talk about power what I've seen in my time here alive in this
city is that we suffer because of the consolidation and hoarding of power rather than the sharing of
it rather than the conversations let's go through history let's go through government and
mayor starts out, not this mayor, any mayor, with 15 to 20 chairs. They get appointed with
leadership. They get appointed with staff. They get appointed with budget. And they get appointed
with a conversation that says, I hope you'll be with me on these votes. I hope that you're with
me on these votes. I want you to be a partner as you move forward. So a mayor doesn't start with
zero. A mayor starts with 15 to 20. So when you get to 26, you only need six more. That's not an
even playing field. That's not the rules being public. That's conversations that happen behind
closed doors. And we saw them under the daily. Actually, we didn't see them. Just closed doors.
You fast forward, it doesn't change much. Hey, I need your vote. You need that Parkfield house,
right? I got you. Let's get to 26. That does not lead to a stronger government where people
engage with each other. It leads to more polarization because you don't need the whole
body you only need the six or seven votes and again that's not an issue with this particular
mayor it's the issue with the way the government's been structured and how it operates it's the issue
with the fact that a mayor that is supposed to be a weak mayor strong council isn't that in practice
so what's happened this term but let's actually let's go back to last term because we like to
think about this term as like oh this is this is a particular time where a council's chosen to be
oppositional to a mayor. We came in in 2019.
We came in in 2019, a number of us, with what felt like an agenda.
And there were plenty of times that we were more focused on the messenger than the message.
I had my disagreements with Mayor Lightfoot.
I'll say a decision that I will apologize for, and it's definitely played out.
She raised the property tax in relation to inflation.
A smart, structural decision that's better than borrowing and better than cuts that don't work.
and it would help us out to have less deficits.
What happened this term?
Got rid of it.
Why?
Because we were oppositional to begin with,
Mayor Lightfoot, no matter what decision got made.
That's not good for city government.
It is more polarizing.
So what we see now is that the council
reacts to whoever's in the seat.
Whoever's oppositional ideologically to that mayor
is going to find ways to organize.
Now, if a mayor understands that the currency of the day
isn't jobs now, because I was way corrupt back in the day. It's not the same level of funding
that when Rahm Emanuel was around. The currency of the day is relationships. If you want to get
to 26, you better know 50. I'm a democratic socialist. I got elected. The first person I
talked to when I got elected, Brendan Riley. Why? Because I thought we were going to find
agreement on things? No. I want to understand what the heck it's like over in downtown. You
have to govern over there, because that's different folks than what I've got to represent
in my neck of the woods but the other reason is if i need 26 i better have a dialogue
that's not what's occurred it's been people coming in and saying you know those are the ops
that's opposition they want to tear you down but i've seen this council work together with
each other on different legislation depending on what the legislation is now a mayor in that
position could understand you know what i'm gonna do lunch with all 50 let me have breakfast let me
hear what's going on in your neck of the woods you do that in the first year second third fourth
you do it the whole time you'll find your 26 you'll find your 30 you'll find your 35.
In absence of that you're scraping by with the 20 you think you have and you're hoping
and you get six more.
what you've also done inadvertently any mayor is you ostracize the other half and the other half
secret for the public they don't even get along with each other they argue about things all the
time just the way we did with mayor lightfoot but we had one thing we agreed on hey man we don't
like what she's trying to push right now or we don't like what this mayor is trying to push
that polarization does not serve chicagoans it doesn't at least to less and less engagement
You know what forces engagement?
A higher vote threshold.
Hey, you've got to talk to 30 now.
I know you got your 26.
Man, you might have to work a little harder to get just four more votes.
That's less votes that you need to override the veto.
Why is that a tough thing to do?
I would imagine, and I know in my situation, I'd say, you know what I want?
Data.
I want information.
I want to know why you make these decisions and what you're doing with the money.
because I've got to go back to my constituents and my kids later
and tell them, hey, we borrowed money,
but let me show you why it was important to do so
and how we're going to pay it back.
The absence of that isn't about, it's not about transparency.
It's not about fairness.
It's not about justice.
It's about having the steering wheel for a brief moment in time
and hoping you could drive the city to where you want to go
rather than asking everybody else if we agree
and that's the direction to take it.
so i i wish we could get along more i wish we could have better conversations
but because we don't necessarily do that in practice sometimes you have to change the rules
to do so and maybe it'll make it harder to borrow which might make it so y'all have to make decisions
like actually raising revenue what do we have property tax corporate head tax make a decision
and figure it out rather than borrow and find a way out the back door or find a way to find
deficiencies when you've got one department takes up 53 percent of your operating fund
everything else takes a percentage of 1.9 percent make the tough
Make the tough decisions because our city
and our kids deserve it. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. Alderwoman
Mitts, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr.
President. This is not
something that I was expecting to talk
about, but so many of them said what
they need to say. Let me tell you what
I got to say. My reason
for not supporting
if I'm
going to be bullying Mr. Mayor
and I got to vote on infrastructure and bullies come to me and tell me if you don't vote on this
you won't get that the one thing that I'm very passionate about is you messing with my community
when you come to that flood and the way the people's hit out there infrastructure but what
do I have? I have folks around me that didn't get flooded as bad as 37 war and I can't get
a report of where that money is going. I'm pissed. That's what I am because we got folks
life in our hand and if you're going to do anything right before you ain't say anything,
be right. Now you got budget chairs. Let me just say, who else has the money?
Who handles your money?
Who have the oversight?
I want what's coming to the resident of the 37th Ward.
Those people should have made me made whole.
The number one ward for the 2023 flood.
The number one person that stood here and shouted and screamed about it.
And then I'd be told, you don't vote for this, then you ain't going to get your share.
Well, I'm going to sit here doggone it to see who's going to get their share.
Because if I don't get mine, ain't nobody going to get theirs.
And that's why I'm here.
So let me tell you, infrastructure, I want my money.
Alderman Sposado, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I had no intention of speaking in the old line.
Somebody has no intention of speaking, but yet I'm speaking.
Mr. President, you've been a friend of mine for 10 years.
Roughly.
12.
12, okay, 12 years.
anything I do is not because you're a black mayor or because I dislike you and I know you don't
believe that some of the nonsense some of my colleagues said I am really offended by I mean
really offended that's why I'm speaking I don't look at I'm against you because you're a black
man or I'm against some of my colleagues progress because they're a black female or whatever I try
to do what is right and I was probably the last holdout of the common sense caucus to to be part
of the people pushing for 30 votes and i'm like we're a dysfunctional group we don't get along
maybe this will help us maybe we'll be willing to work together a little bit more i don't know
i i said it was is worth the shot to me but my intention was not to offend you to be against you
i'm just trying to do what i think is right but some people just can't help themselves interjecting
race with this my close colleague over here will mention his name he's just north of me though he
had a project in his word. Guess what? He didn't want it. Guess what? People in here that believe
an aldermanic prerogative happen to be some black people all of a sudden voted against aldermanic
prerogative for my white colleague. He didn't take it as a black white thing. They just did
what they thought was right. So I just, excuse me, I just don't understand why anybody's interjecting
race in this. So I know, you know, everybody knows, maybe my media friends over there don't
know let me give you the breakdown of the council everybody this is the breakdown racial breakdown
Social breakdown. First, I'll give you male and females. We have 32 males, 18 females.
Whites, 14. Hispanics, 14. Asians, 2. And black, 20. Okay? So the black elders can basically
control anything they want. But I don't think any or the majority of them aren't looking at
this as a black-white thing. Okay? We're looking at it as a right or wrong thing. I'm not sure.
I don't think anybody's 100% sure what to do.
We know things didn't work the greatest in the past.
So I'm giving it a shot.
Nothing personal to you.
I always believe, I've said this my whole life,
I believe we should support our mayor, our governor, and our president.
Of course, many of you just, if it's a right-leaning president or a governor,
then you're not going to support him.
If he's a lefty, then you will support him.
But I'm just, once again, I'm just, just want to vent,
just say I'm pissed off about some of the people's comments.
You have a right to say what you want.
But my vote, I never ever said anything.
I'm against somebody because of the color of their skin.
You all know you're welcome in my office anytime.
You can eat my food, drink my beverages, hang out there, use my office for a meeting.
But my vote is nothing personal against you, Mayor.
It's just something I think we need to try to work a little bit more together.
And I think that the 30th threshold is maybe the thing to do.
So, Mr. President, thank you for all you do.
Thank you for your friendship.
And I will be not supporting the veto.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, friend. Are there any other Alders that wish to speak before Alderman Marty Quinn provides the last set of remarks? Seeing no other hands, the chair recognizes Alderman Marty Quinn.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's a matter of fact that I've been fighting for council independence for years now. It's a matter of fact that there's a period of time where the gentleman from the 28th Ward was right next to me fighting for council independence. So the hypocrisy in this room is a little thick today.
But I'm not going to get into that.
It's also a matter of fact that my time in this council
is winding down.
And many of you in the last 15 years
has sought my advice, whether you've
come to my office looking to cross train with my staff,
whether you want to talk about politics,
whether you want to talk about city services,
my door has always been open to the members of this council.
No strings attached. That's a fact. So today I'm going to give you some unsolicited advice,
right? Because my time is winding down. And my unsolicited advice is this. In order to become
a truly independent counsel, you have to change the rules. That's real. In order to change,
in order to become truly independent, you have to change the rules.
The facts are the rules have been used against this branch, this legislative branch, forever.
The ordinance before us today forces the mayor, whoever that mayor may be, to find four more votes on city debt issues.
That's it. That's it. Four more votes, city debt issues.
the same debt that is strangling our budget making process. So I'm going to wrap this up.
This is solid legislation. I stand by this legislation. I think this legislation demonstrates
to the taxpayers that finally this council is clawing back some of the influence that we never
had. So with that, Mr. Mayor, thank you. I ask for a roll call. Farewell. Thank you.
There's a roll call vote that's being requested for the passage of item 02026-0026.
0026270, requiring any debt ordinance
to be approved by three-fifths vote.
Madam Clerk, please provide the application
for the Alders to record their votes at this time.
Okay, the voting is now open.
The voting is now open.
If you're having difficulty with your device,
please raise your hand and we'll be happy to help.
Very well.
A yes vote means you support the ordinance's passage
and therefore approving an override of the veto.
A no vote means you support the veto,
that you support the veto.
Okay, I will now call on those
who have not yet cast their vote.
Alderman Hall.
No.
Alderman Hall votes no.
Alderman Wagesback.
Alderman Wagesback votes yes.
Voting is now closed.
There are 33 yeas, 17 nays.
This motion fails.
Committees reports.
The first committee is the Committee on Finance.
I'm sorry, Communications.
We have more.
City Clerk Anna Valencia hereby informs the City Council
that the following documents were filed in her office
relating to the respective subjects designated as follows.
Notification as the designation of Renee Hatcher
as additional proxy to affix signature of the mayor to certain documents
and the revocation of Mary B. Richardson Lowry as mayoral proxy.
Also, the certificate pursuant to bond ordinance
for issuance of Chicago O'Hare International Airport
General Airport Senior Lien Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2026.
And certificate pursuant to bond ordinance
for issuance of Chicago O'Hare International Airport
general airport senior lien revenue refunding bonds series 2026 c and the office of inspector
general's response to the rogue towing explainer city clerk anna valencia also informs the city
council that all those matters were considered by the city council at the regular meeting held
on september 23rd of 2026 and which were required by statute to be published in book or pamphlet
form or in one or more newspapers were published in pamphlet form on october 14th 2026 by being
printed in full text and printed tablet copies of the journal of proceedings of the city council
of the city of chicago city clerk and valencia also informs the city council that the call for
the special meeting and the appropriate documents thereto which were considered by the city council
at their special meeting held on september 25 2026 and which were required by statute to be
be published in book or pamphlet form or in one of our newspapers were published in pamphlet form
on october 14th 2026 by being printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the journal
of proceedings of the city council of the city of chicago city clerk and valencia also informs
the city council that all those matters which were considered by the city council at the regular
meeting held on september 29th 2026 and which were required by statute to be published in book or
pamphlet form or in one of our newspapers were published in pamphlet form on october 14th 2026
by being printed in full text and printed copies of the Journal of Proceedings of the City Council.
City Clerk of Valencia also transmits the following miscellaneous communications and reports requiring City Council action,
zoning classifications of particular areas, which will refer to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards,
claims against the City of Chicago, which are referred to the Committee on Finance,
and the Establishment of Chicago Transit Authority Modernization Act in support of improvements to transit stations and bus stops,
which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Your Honor, that concludes the reports and communications from the mayor and city officers.
Very well, thank you. Now for the committee reports, we will begin with the Finance Committee. The chair recognizes Chairwoman Dow.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council reporting for the City Council's Committee on Finance, which held committee meetings on October 5th and October 13th, 2026.
the following items received a due pass recommendation from the committee.
Item number one is an ordinance authorizing the issuance of multifamily program funds
and other financial assistance to Harvest Homes Apartment LLC
and conveyance of city-owned land for the housing project at 3415-3449 West Jackson Boulevard
and 3414 through 3456 West Fifth Avenue in the 28th Ward in an amount not to exceed $11 million
in multifamily program funds and $11.5 million in TIF. 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, please.
call vote see in no hands members please use your evo application to record your vote at this time
voting is now open voting is now open please use your device you're having difficulty please let
us know i will now call on those who have not yet cast their vote alderman hall yes alderman hall
is a yes alderman mitchell alderman mitchell not in chambers alderman gutierrez
Alderman Gutierrez is a yes.
All good, all good.
Alderman Scott, not present in a change.
I've done Rule 59, so I have to get approved to get in, but yes.
So we can't take your vote because you haven't been approved.
I'm sorry.
Alderman Talleyfaro.
Alderman Talleyfaro is a yes.
Alderman Mitchell, one more time.
Okay, voting is now closed.
There are 48 yeas, zero nays.
This motion passes.
Alderman Harris on the motion to reconsider.
Move to reconsider.
All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say nay.
This motion fails.
Because Alderwoman Monique Scott has joined us online and has requested to participate in the remaining of this meeting remotely for reasons stated in Rule 59.
Can we confirm Alderwoman Scott's presence online?
I'm present.
Alderwoman Scott is present.
Can I get a motion for the approval?
It's been moved.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say nay.
This motion passes.
The chair recognizes Chairwoman Dow.
Item number two is the substitute ordinance approving the execution of the 66th amending agreement with SummerCore 504, Inc.
to increase the grant fund amounts in various redevelopment project areas, amend the Small
Business Improvement Fund program rules, and authorize SUMACOR to continue providing
administrative services for the program in 39 wards.
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 objections, so ordered.
Item number three is an ordinance authorizing,
excuse me, executing a redevelopment agreement
with BTH Development NFP to provide housing
and economic development bond funds
for the Auldgelt Gardens Youth Center
at 13122 South Ellis Avenue.
3122 South Ellis Avenue in the 10th Ward, in an amount not to exceed $7.3 million. I move
passages of this item by the same motion. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Item number four is an
ordinance executing a redevelopment agreement with North Lawndale Catalyst Initiative, NFP,
to provide housing and economic development funds and tax increment financing assistance
for the Fillmore Linen Services at 920 through 922 South Campbell Avenue in the 28th Ward
in an amount not to exceed $5 million in bond funds and $5 million in TIF funds.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number five is an ordinance executing a redevelopment agreement with Hudson, Michigan Avenue owner LLC
to provide housing and economic development funds for Hudson House at 2222 South Michigan Avenue in the 3rd Ward
in an amount not to exceed $5 million in bond funds and $10 million in city grant funds and bond funds,
$5 million in a loan, $10 million in a grant.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number six is an ordinance executing an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Board of Education to provide TIF funds for the improvements at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School at 3444 West Waubonsia Avenue in the 26th Ward and an amount not to exceed $1,150,000 in TIF.
I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so...
Item number seven is an ordinance executing an intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago
Board of Education to provide TIF funds for improvements at Souter-Montessori-Magnet-Element
Improvements at Souter Montessori Magnet Elementary School at 2022 West Washington Boulevard in the 27th Ward in an amount not to exceed a million dollars in TIF.
I move passive of this item by the same motion.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Item number eight is a substitute ordinance as amended, amending Municipal Code Chapter 10-8 regarding charitable solicitation on the public way.
I move passage of this item by the same motion with the exception of Alderman Lopez and Sposado, who both wish to be recorded as voting no on this item.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Item number 9A through P is an order authorizing the Corporation Council to enter into and execute settlement order in the following 16 cases.
Butto versus Guevara, Flores versus Guevara, Juan and Rosendo Hernandez versus Guevara,
Lugo versus Guevara, Davia versus Guevara, Abrego versus Guevara, Martinez versus Guevara,
Kelly versus Guevara, Geck versus Guevara, Quill versus Guevara, Rivera versus Guevara,
Robinson v. Guevara
Ortez v. Guevara et al
Williams v. Guevara et al
Kruger v. Guevara et al
and McDowell v. Guevara et al
in an amount of $260,814,000
I move passage of this item by the same motion
as was applied to item number 2
Hearing no objections, so ordered
item number 10 is a communication transmitting reports of cases in which verdicts judgments or
settlements were entered into for the month of september 2026 these will be placed on file with
the clerk item number 11 and 12 consist of orders of authorization
Number 11 and 12 consist of orders of authorization for the payment of various small claims against the city of Chicago
and the denials of payments of various small claims against the city of Chicago.
And if there are no objections, Mr. President, I move that these items be placed for passage in the omnibus.
Hearing none, so ordered.
That concludes my report.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
For the Committee on Aviation, the chair recognizes Chairman O'Shea.
Mr. President, members of the City Council, reporting for your Committee on Aviation, which held a meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the committee recommends passage of the following item.
Ordinance 2026-002-9003, as amended, is a concession lease and license agreement with all clear LLC for TSA services at O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport.
Sorry, I didn't hear a motion.
um mayor i move passage of this ordinance as amended by the first favorable roll call vote
of the committee on finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider very well
hearing no objection so ordered mr president this concludes my report thank you mr chair
chair recognizes alderman mitchell mr president i would like to be uh recorded as a yes vote for
the first item on the committee of finance report.
Very well.
Please add Alderman Mitchell as a part of the roll call vote as affirmative.
While we have a break, Alderman Moore has requested to participate in today's meeting
remotely for reasons stated in Rule 59.
Alderman David Moore, can we confirm your presence online?
Alderman Moore, you there?
I'm here.
Very well.
Can I get a motion for the approval of his remote participation?
Has it 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 David Moore will be added as a remote participant.
Now, next up for the Committee on Budget and Government Operations,
the chair recognizes Chairman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President.
members of the city council reporting for your committee on the budget and government's operations
which held the committee meeting on october 13th the committee has a series of report recommending
passage of the following items go out of order and take items 2 through 12 which are communications
recommending transfer of funds for the following wars all for year 2026 ward numbers 4 12 14 16 4
43, and 44, along with the Committee on Workforce Development, Committee on Housing and Real
Estate, Committee on Health and Human Relations, and the Committee on Environmental Protection
and Energy. 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. And your motion is for all of those
items? Yes, sir. Very well. Seeing no hands and hearing no objections, so order. All right. Item
Item number one is a communication recommending a proposed ordinance concerning the appointment of Juan Pablo Prieto as the Commissioner of Fleet and Facilities Management.
After comment, I reserve the right to close.
I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion.
Farewell. The chair recognizes Alderwoman Harris.
I'm requesting leave of the body to allow Clerk Ana Valencia to speak.
Farewell.
May we have leave from this body to allow for the clerk to speak?
All right, leave has been granted.
The chair recognizes Clerk Valencia.
Oh, I didn't know I'd start.
I just wanted to give my congratulations to a dear friend, Juan Pablo Prieto.
I got to work with him at the CTA when they started the first citywide hiring fairs.
That started with 200 people arriving.
We had 900, almost 1,000 participants this time around.
And he has a heart to serve the community, but he's also a doer.
So I just wanted to congratulate the mayor for a great choice for having someone that
really cares about our city, that really is going to show up. Take the alderman at calls. Good luck.
There's 50 of them, 50 plus one, and the city charter, so 52 calls you'll be getting. But this
was a great choice. So I just want to congratulate you on this appointment, and I look forward to
working with you in future days. Thank you, Clerk Valencia. Are there any other alders that wish to
speak to this item? Chair recognizes Alderwoman Haddon. Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise in support of this appointment.
Good choice.
And I know I got to congratulate you and meet your family before you came in.
But thank you for accepting the role.
And thank you for the work you're going to do.
As the clerk said, like, we all have a list.
And we'll be following up with you.
And especially as you're stepping into this space, let us know or reach out if you've
got questions or ideas as we move into budget season around what we should be kind of thinking
about and centering. Thank you for your service in advance. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
You're welcome. Alderwoman Gutierrez, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise
in support of this great nomination. I've had the pleasure to work with Juan Pablo before,
and I just want to mention something really important, and Ruth may also be with me in this
one. We all three are fellows of the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation.
the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation. We have different cohorts, but we've been part of that
amazing program that some of my colleagues started years back. And yes, we are a product of this city.
We're a product of a great program that the city Latino Caucus has, but also when we are
in a task of choosing and recommending people for positions right in this great city that we're
working on in the council and all working together oftentimes there's discussions about race
unfortunately right there's only appointees of certain race there's always this type of workers
and blah blah blah things that happen so often but we need to continue to look more and above that
it's about electing or choosing or appointing the right person also in our seats it's not about
being a latino alderman or so and so it's about having the person that is really going to step up
and cater and work for their people and not only their words but all the whole city of Chicago
So, Mr. Mayor, thank you for allowing Juan Pablo Prieto, his family, and all of us to
work together in this great position.
Thank you, Juan Pablo, for saying yes.
Thank you to the wife and family, because also, these positions require not only a Monday
through Friday job 9 to 5, it requires a ton, and the family as well, and we all know about
it.
So, let's continue building together.
Congratulations.
Thank you, Mayor.
You're welcome.
Chair recognizes Alder Cruz.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I also rise in support of this appointment.
And I want to say how proud I am to call Juan Pablo my friend.
Juan Pablo brings many years of experience, many...
many years of experience, many relationships that he has built throughout the years,
but also a clear vision to this department.
And that's why Juan Pablo came in with so many letters of recommendations,
because everybody here, we can talk about truly the work that you have been doing throughout this years.
And that's why it is an honor and pride to call you my friend.
But you're also a proud 30th Ward neighbor and a true community leader for many years in the ward and, again, a friend.
And together we are the true example about building together, not tearing apart, but really building together.
And to see you in the box today with your family, with your wife, with your mom, and with your son, Gabe,
it's truly inspiring for me that you and I are in the same place that we can work together
and continue to build something that we have started four years ago.
You and I, we were going for the same thing, but now we are here in the same place working together.
and again we are that example of what really working together means when we truly talk about
our communities and doing the right thing of our communities and you have shown that
and much respect to you Juan Pablo and to the family you're going to be sharing his time a
little bit longer with us but again he is much needed in the city right now and you know we are
working together to change the city and really having the leadership that we need in these
departments and Juan Pablo is that person so I just want to say felicidades to your mom I have
to address your mom mommy you have done a great job with Juan Pablo showing really the the values
of family culture and again I can
family culture and again i can say i can be here hours and hours talking about you juan pablo
and to also say how we are in the same family when it comes to the chicago latino caucus
foundation uh as well so again i look forward working with you y que viva colombia
viva the chair recognizes alderman raymond lopez good afternoon mr president good afternoon
Members of the City Council, I wish to rise in support and congratulate you in your appointment today.
Juan Pablo actually came with, I think, 47 witnesses yesterday to speak his high praises, and all of them were true.
I'm just glad that we didn't have the entire speakers list today.
And I also want to thank him for being very proactive in addressing some of the concerns that we referenced in committee.
and encourage him that thanks to our new override,
if he needs to borrow some money to fix the infrastructure,
you only need 26 votes to do it.
So I think you've got more than that to get it done
and look forward to working with you.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Alderman Mike Rodriguez, you are recognized.
Congrats, Mayor.
Congrats, Mayor.
Forgive me on this wonderful appointment.
um you know juan pablo jp you have uh demonstrated over the years your excellence
you dot i's cross t's that's what we need in city leadership in these commissioner roles
uh the diversity in folks who have recommended you the diversity of folks who wrote your letters
of recommendation and spoken out uh in your favor means that you know how to be a true chicago leader
that's working across aisles that's talking to different folks in different parts of the city
to get things done.
I'm sure anybody on this council
that needs your cell phone,
they will have it.
They will be able to get in touch with you 24-7-365.
I'm very sorry to your wife.
That will be your new norm.
But I know Juan Pablo is ready for that.
Juan Pablo is ready for that, and algo muy especial, señora, no hay niños sin sus papás y los gran
hechos de sus papás, entonces hoy día no es de Juan Pablo, es usted, señora. Today doesn't just
belong to Juan Pablo, but to his family, mostly to his mother. I know how this stuff works,
And I just want to say congratulations once again, and thank you, Mr. Mayor, on an excellent
appointment here.
Thank you.
Alderman Villegas, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I stand, too, to support this appointment.
I've known Juan for, Juan Pablo, for almost 15 years.
And sad to see him leaving the CTA, because he was doing such a great job of making sure
that small businesses were participating in government-funded contracts.
And he was very successful at doing that. And so we're going to be very hopeful that you're going to do that same thing in 2FM and incorporate technology into the way that we deliver services. And so I'm very excited about what you're going to do at 2FM. And this body is going to continue to support you.
I think there's a great opportunity to take a look at ways to find savings and efficiencies.
And so looking forward to hearing what some of those ideas are going to be.
And to your family, your lovely bride and your son that are here today, this is a proud moment for the Preto family.
This is something that our community is excited to see as a fellow who went through the Latino Caucus Leadership Program.
This is what the results are of these types of programs and investments that we hope to garner.
So we wish you good luck on your new endeavor.
And make sure that you engage the body to make sure that we can provide any type of assistance that you need.
So good luck and congratulations.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Alderman Chico, you are recognized.
you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I, too, support this appointment. Juan Pablo, I got to
know you in depth through your work at the Red Line Extension, with an ending in my All-Gale
Gardens community, and it was there I saw your passion and commitment to the project, but also
the 10th Board. So I look forward to your work in your next role, and I look forward to the
partnership. Thank you. Thank you, Alderman Chico. Are there any other alders that wish to speak to
this item. Very well. Seeing no other hands, the chair recognizes Chairman Irvin. Thank you,
Mr. President. And again, excellent appointment here with Mr. Prieto. And in our conversation,
I said, hey, if we don't hear anything, you must be doing a great job because the 2FM really is
the backbone of everything that happens in this city, from our fleets, from our buildings. And
again no news is good news and so again i do not look forward to hearing from you i don't expect
to hear from you because i think you're going to do a great job with that mr president 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 very well hearing no objection so ordered
congratulations jp it's on my box now
We picked the box on the mountain now.
Spritz! Spritz! Spritz! Spritz! Crack!
All right.
How about one more time for our new commissioner? Let's give it up.
Commissioner Juan Pablo Prieto.
Chairman Irvin, does this complete your report?
I believe this does complete the report of Chairman Irvin.
Our next committee is on economic, capital, and technology development.
The chair recognizes, the vice chair will do this?
The chair recognizes Vice Chair Mosley.
Thank you, Mr. President.
on behalf of Chair Curtis
of chair curtis and members of the city council reporting for the committee on economic capital
and technology development on thursday october 8th 2026 the committee held a meeting to recommend
passage of the following items items one through nine on the report are appointments and reappointments
of the following people to the following special service areas for appointments david gassman
number 17-2025, Central Lakeview slash Wrigleyville, Alvin Bell, number 81, 87th Street,
Josh Mercer, number 4, 95th Street, Maysoon Farr-Hour, number 32, 2014, Auburn Gresham,
Martha McKnight, number 32-2014, Auburn Gresham, Dominique Gamble, Bruton, number 81, 87th Street,
For reappointments, Mark Astro, number 60, Albany Park, Alejandro Gonzalez, number 47, 47th Street, Encadas Grove, Darlene Orts, number 2, Belmont Central, Marilyn DeValle, number 2, Belmont Central, Kelly Chong, number 34, Uptown, David Gassman, number 18, North Halstead.
Again, for appointments, Jason Kaiser, number 19, Howard Street, Todd Hyatt, number 17-2025, Central Lakeview, Wrigleyville, and continuing on for reappointments, Eldora Davis, number 69, 95th and Ashland Avenue, Todd Israel, number 34, Uptown, Dominic Ippiano, number 34, Uptown,
Jason Koss, number 21-2016, Lincoln Square, and Dominique Gamble-Bruton, number 69, 95th, and Ashland.
Mr. President, I move for the passage of these items by the first favor.
President, I move for the passage of these items by the first favor roll call vote on the Committee on Finance and the Associated Unsuccessful Motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Number item 20 on the agenda is a substitute resolution calling for a hearing on establishment of business improvement districts, number one, the Magnificent Mao.
I move for passage of this item by the first favor roll call on the vote on the Committee of Finance and the Associated Unsuccessful Motion to reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Items number 21 to 34 on the agenda are a series of scopes of services, budget, and management agreements or calls for public hearings regarding extension of tax levies for special service areas.
The following items have scopes of services, budget, and management agreements for the year 2027 and the following special service areas.
Number two, Belmont Central.
Number 18, North Halstead.
Number 19, Howard Street.
Number 24, Clarkshire.
Street. Number 27, West Lakeview. Number 28, 2014, West Lakeview. Number 31, Greater Ravenswood.
Number 43, Devon Avenue. Number 48, Old Town. Number 54, Sheridan Road. Number 79, Lawrence
slash Pulaski slash Elston. The following calls for public hearings on extensions of tax levies
and expansion of special service areas for the year 2027, located in the following special
service areas, number 22, number 26, and 73. I move for passage of these items by the first
favor roll call vote in the Committee on Finance and the Associated Unsuccessful Motion to
Reconsider. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Mr. President, I move for item number 35 on the
agenda is an ordinance in support of a class 6B tax incentive for the property at 1120 West
exchange avenue i move for the passage of this item by the first favor roll call vote
on the committee on finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider no objection
unsuccessful motion to reconsider. Hearing no objection, so ordered. Item number 36 on the
agenda is an amendment of an authorizing ordinance in support of a class 6B tax incentive for
property at 1001 West 119th Street. I move for the passage of this item by first favor roll call vote
on the committee of finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider. Hearing no
objection, so ordered. Item number 37 on the agenda is an ordinance in support of a class 7D
tax incentive for property at 5567 West North Avenue. I move for the passage of this item by
the first favor roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and Associated Unsuccessful Motion to
Reconsider. There are no objections, so ordered. Item number 38 on the agenda is an ordinance that
amends the Municipal Code Section 2-45-165 by including additional review and decision-making
criteria when considering revocation of a property tax incentive. I move for the passage of this item
by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and Associated Unsuccessful
Motion to Reconsider. Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez. Good afternoon,
Mr. President, members of the city council. I rise in support, not only in support of this
substitute ordinance, but also to thank you and your team, Department of Planning, Department
of Law, for working on a common sense solution for an issue that many of us have raised numerous
times, which is this. How do we address those who receive tax incentives by this body that do not
meet the obligations consistent with their plans or with the expectations of this body?
I want to thank Chairman Curtis and his team, as well as Mark Alvarez from my office and others
who came forward to put in place mechanisms that will allow us to hold businesses that
fail to meet the mark accountable for the actions they're in. I would encourage and welcome all of
welcome all of my colleagues to join in support because this not only continues the progress that
we're able to make in advancing our neighborhoods, but also maintains the standards that we expect
all of those developers to adhere to and ask for its favorable passage. Thank you. Thank you. The
motion on the floor still stands. Seeing no other hands, hearing no objections, so ordered.
Congratulations, Alderman Lopez, and thank you, Mr. President, to secuse the report.
thank you mr vice chair committee on environmental protection and energy the chair recognizes chair
headed uh thank you mr president members of city council reporting for your committee on
environmental protection and energy which held a committee meeting on october 8th 2026 the committee
has four reports and recommends the passage of the following items the first item is substitute
ordinance 2026-0025472 amendment of municipal code chapter 2-92 by adding new section 2-92-591
prohibiting city departments from procuring disposable food service containers composed
of polystyrene foam. 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 objections so
ordered the second item is substitute ordinance 2023-0002972 amendment of municipal code titles
5 and 11 regarding utility billing relief program this item was held in committee
the third item is resolution 2026-0028725 calling on the city of chicago departments to prioritize
heat mitigation maintain and expand cooling centers and install heat resilient infrastructure
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 objections, so ordered.
And the fourth and final item is Substitute Resolution 2026-0028728, calling on the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Power Act.
I move passage of this item by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and Associated Unsuccessful Motion to Reconsider.
by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and Associated Unsuccessful
Motion to Reconsider. Hearing no objection, so ordered. Mr. President, this 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 good afternoon, colleagues. Reporting for your Committee
on Ethics and Government Oversight, which held a committee meeting on Tuesday, October 13th,
uh the committee recommends passage of the following 10 items item number two was appointment
2026-0028990 which is the reappointment of ryan cortesar as a member of the board of ethics this
item passed unanimously among all members present i move passage of this item by the first most
favorable roll call vote of the committee on finance and the associated unsuccessful motion
to reconsider. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Item three is appointment 2026-0028989, which is
the appointment of Michael Schlesinger as a member of the Board of Ethics. This item also
passed unanimously. I move for passage of this item by the first favorable roll call vote on the
Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider. Hearing no objections, so
ordered items four through 11 are the appointments of dushan branch stevie vias jane ruby ellison
raddick brianna champion christian taylor frank lawley and sofia franco as members of the reverend
jesse l jackson senior advisory council on access to democracy all items passed unanimously among
members present if there are no objections i move for passage of items four through 11 by the first
most favorable roll call vote of the committee on finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to
reconsider. Hearing none, so ordered. Thank you for your work on that, Chairman. Thank you,
and thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report. Very well. We have a group that has just
joined us. I would ask that this body recognizes and acknowledges the Explore Chicago class
from the DePaul University Blue Demons. Thank you all for being here this afternoon.
all for being here this afternoon uh please stand so we can see your faces very well
i'm sorry you missed all the action already 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 thursday october
8th, 2026. The following is a report recommending passage of 13 ordinances that included mayoral
appointments and various land sales. Item number one is a substitute appointment 2026-0029-000.
This appointment will be called back in committee as we have to clear some matters. That's the
appointment for Vernell Givens. So this will be called in committee. Item number two
is a substitute ordinance 2026.0029001 appointment of mary gardner as commissioner of chicago housing
authority i move passage of this item as substituted by the first most favorable roll call vote on the
committee on finance and associated on successful motion to reconsider chair recognizes alderman
lopez thank you mr president alderman napolitano joins me in deferring and publishing this item
Audiment Napolitano, this item will be deferred and published.
The remaining items are from the Department of Planning and Development.
Item four is Ordinance 2026-0029-008,
sale of city-owned property at 11414 South Halston Street to Far South CDC
under the low-income housing tax credits for redevelopment of Morgan Park Commons,
repeal and replacement of the ordinance 2026-0026-567
2026-0026-567 in its entirety in the 21st Ward. I move passage of this item by the first most
favorable roll call vote on the Committee on Finance, an associated unsuccessful motion
to reconsider. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Item 5 is Ordinance 2026-0029-007,
Sale of City-owned Property at 1335 South Springfield Avenue to MKB Business Strategies
LLC in the 24th Ward. I move passes of this item by the same motion. Hearing no objections,
so ordered. Item 6 is an ordinance 2026-0029020, sale of city-owned property at 2830 West Wilcox
Street, 2860 West Shermac Road, 1516 South Christiana Avenue, 7713 South Dobson Street,
50-08, 50-10, 50-12, 50-14, 50-16, and 50-18 South Troop Street to various buyers under
Chike Block Builder Open Space Platform in the 27th, 25th, 14th, 8th, and 20th Ward.
I move passage of these items by the same motion.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Finally, items 7 through 13 are grouped together for convenience.
They are for the market rate sale of various city-owned properties under the Chai Block Builder platform in the 16th, 27th, 4th, 3rd, 5th, and 28th words.
The ordinance numbers are as follows, 2026-0029-009-0029-010-0029-012-0029-011-0029-016-0029-017-0029-018.
I've moved passage of these seven items by the same motion.
The chair recognizes Audiman Lopez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, in accordance with Rule 14, with regards to item number 7, I wish to recuse myself out of an abundance of caution of my relationship with the...
Very well, with the exception of item number 7, with the Alder of the 15th Ward, has been asked to be recused from this particular item.
Hearing no other objections, so ordered.
Mr. President, this concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Chair recognizes.
Chair Silverstein.
thank you mr president and members of city council i am reporting for the committee on license and
consumer protection we held a meeting on october 7th 2026 and the following items were passed by
the committee 02026-0029055 amendment of the municipal code section 4-8-037 regarding operation
of mobile food vendors mr president i move that the city council concur in the recommendations of
the license committee are the same roll call as the as item number one of the committee on finance
report and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider no objection so order 02026-0027679
and 02026-0026775 amendment of municipal code section 4-244-140 regarding peddling in the
second and 19th wards i move passage of these items by the same motion if there's no objection
hearing none so ordered items 4 through 30 on the summary of reports designating precincts
of the 15th and 31st wards as restricted residential zone prohibiting additional
shared housing units i move passage of these items by the same motion if there's no objection
Hearing none, so ordered.
Items 31, 32, and 34 through 42 on the summary reports.
There are 11 ordinances regarding liquor moratoriums in the...
11 ordinances regarding liquor moratoriums in the 6th, 25th, 28th, 30th, 31st, 33rd, 34th, 35th, and 48th wards.
Item number 39 was a substitute ordinance.
I move passage of these items by the same motion if there is no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Mr. President, this concludes my report.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
For the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, the chair recognizes Chair LaSpada.
Thank you, Mr. President. Reporting for your committee on pedestrian and traffic safety for
which a meeting was held on Friday, October 9th, 2026. Before the committee, there were three
non-routine items. O-2026-0028871, the amended operator agreement with Lyft Bikes and Scooters
LLC for operation and management of the Divi for Everyone bike sharing system sponsored by Mayor
Johnson was held in committee. The committee passed SO-2026-0028833, an amendment of the
municipal code chapter 9-108, revising the area covered by the Smart Streets program sponsored
by Alderman Vasquez, myself and others. This ordinance makes the Smart Streets pilot, which
is currently set to expire December 21st, a permanent program and expanded citywide.
If there are no objections, I move passage of this item by the first most favorable roll call vote from the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider the vote.
Hearing none, so ordered.
The committee also passed Order 2026-00-28783, an order that directs the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study for pedestrian-focused redesign of the public ways immediately surrounding Palmer Square Park, sponsored by myself.
If there are no objections, I move passage of this item by the same motion.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Before the committee, there were also 322 routine traffic items and the Rule 45 report from September, all of which passed.
If there are no objections, I move passage of these items by the same motion.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
The chair recognizes Chairman Mitchell.
Mr. President, members of the City Council, reporting for your Committee on Transportation
and Public Way, which held a meeting on October 7, 2026, the following items passed by the
majority of members present.
Page 2 includes item Resolution 2026-0028-877.
Page 3 includes items, Ordinance 2026-0028-751.
Pages 4 through 8 include 34 ordinances and one amendment for miscellaneous items introduced by the local alderman from wards 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19 through 22, 26, 27, 28, 32, 35 through 42, 45, and 46.
Page 9 includes items Ordinance 2026, 0028919, a re-subdivision Ordinance 2026, 0029052, a re-subdivision Ordinance 2026, 0029223,
a subdivision ordinance, and item Ordinance 2026-0029-4053, a re-subdivision ordinance.
Page 10 includes item Ordinance 2026-0028-839, a vacation ordinance, item Ordinance 2026-0020-753,
3, a Vacation Ordinance, and Item Ordinance 2026-0027-066, a Vacation Ordinance.
If there is no objection, I move passes 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.
Very well.
we would do the committee on zoning and landmarks and building standards the chair recognizes
chairman viegas thank you 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 the meeting on
october 13th 2026 the following items were passed by a majority of members present and are grouped
for convenience. Page 1 contains document number R2026-0028815 regarding the establishment of a
problem landlord and housing court coordination task force to examine and recommend improvements
in response to chronic and repeat housing code violations. I move past of this item of this last
most favorable roll call the committee the finance committee report and the associated
unsuccessful motion to reconsider. There are no objections so ordered. Page 1 also contains
document number 02026-0028463 allowing lawful cannabis dispensaries to modify to include
medical cannabis. I move pass of this item by the same roll call. Strike that. I move pass of this
item by the same motion if there is no objection. Thank you. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Page one also contains document number 02026-0025391 regarding transit or into
development in the 40th and 47th wards. I move passage of this item by the same motion if there
is no objection. Hearing none, so ordered. Page one also contains a fee waiver for historically landmark
contains a fee waiver for historically landmark property located at 208 South LaSalle in the 42nd
Ward. I move passive this item by the same motion if there's no objection. Hearing none, so ordered.
Pages 1 through 2 contain various large signs over 100 square feet in area, 24 feet above grade
in Wards 1, 2, 8, 11, 19, 27, 29, 32, 34, 41, 42, and 45. I move passive these items by the same
motion if there is no objection hearing none so ordered lastly pages 3 through 13 contain various
map amendments in wards 1 3 5 6 11 16 20 23 24 25 26 27 28 32 36 37 39 40 45 and 49 and also 15
Mr. President, I've been notified by my colleague from the 15th Ward that he wishes to apply the Rule 14.
For which item?
The chair recognizes Audemon Lopez. Which item would you like to apply, Rule 14?
Thank you, Mr. President. With regards to O-2026-0027173, MAP amendment,
I wish to, in accordance with Rule 14, out of an abundance of caution, recuse myself from this vote.
Thank you. The clerk has made that note.
Chairman Villegas, on your motion.
I move for pass of this item by the same motion if there is no objection.
Hearing none, so ordered.
Mr. President, that concludes my report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do apologize.
Committee on Public Safety, the chair recognizes Chairman Hopkins.
Thank you, Mr. President.
reporting for your committee on public safety which held a meeting thursday
october 8th uh the committee recommends passage of the following items in addition to
The committee recommends passage of the following items in addition to approval of the Rule 45 report.
Your committee considered proposed Resolution 28875, a substitute resolution,
calling for the reinstatement of the Joint City of Chicago-County of Cook Violence Against Women Task Force
for the second phase of operations.
And, Mr. President, I understand two members of the committee wish to speak to this item.
Very well.
Thank you.
Your motion first?
Yes.
I do move passage of this item by the first favorable roll call in the Committee on Finance, an unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Farewell. There's a motion. Are there any members that wish to speak to this item?
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Tabarez.
No, thank you. I just want to thank Chairman Hopkins for taking up the Violence Against Women Task Force resolution of Phase 1 and Phase 2.
there's still a lot of work ahead of us. Phase one is where we gathered for six months and talked
with survivors and groups about what we need to do to change the system to help victims.
Those were the phase one. Now phase two is putting those recommendations to work. So
I'd like to thank the body for supporting phase one of the task force, and I ask for an aye vote
of phase two. Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez. Thank you, Mr. President. And
Again, good afternoon, members of the City Council. Thank you to Chairman Hopkins and Alderman Tavares for this resolution.
We spoke earlier at length about victims of domestic violence.
What I think needs to be repeated is what we learned from this hearing, which are the shortfalls within the criminal justice system,
and in particular, the lack of empathy coming from the bench.
it's outrageous to me both as an alderman as committeeman and as a human being to hear that
we have judges who literally threaten victims of domestic violence in the courtroom who kick out
witnesses and participants because they don't want to be seen how they mistreat people
they don't want to be seen, how they mistreat people in their most vulnerable state.
Some of those individuals are up for retention this year. So I would ask all of my colleagues
to educate yourself and to the public as well. When judges who are in the domestic relations court
ask for your vote, ask to be retained, that you hear from survivors, hear from those individuals
who've been before them and find out if they are deserving of such a spot. It's an eye-opening
experience when you hear they've threatened to take people's children away simply because they
were crying in a courtroom it's sad it's disgusting and our residents deserve so much
more than that that's just one component of the many things that this committee this task force
is charged with but it's a very real human aspect that's lost in all this conversation
thank you chairman you're welcome the chair recognizes Alder Fuentes
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, all the women Tavares and I don't always agree. But we do agree on this. You know, I've watched so many constituents, neighbors and relatives operate in fear, because the justice system didn't always get it right.
The justice system didn't always value the voice of those who have experienced violence in their homes or intimate partners or friends or on the streets and have had to make difficult decisions on how they protect themselves because the system couldn't do it.
I look forward to the realization of the recommendations from the victims who have spent months reflecting, reiterating, rearticulating the trauma that they have had to go through so that our system can be better.
And so I support this resolution.
I want to thank all the women, Tabaris, for her work on this.
And I ask all of our colleagues to support it.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Farrell, you're welcome.
There's a motion on the floor for the passage of this item by the most favorable roll call vote,
roll call vote the first one in the committee on finance and the associated unsuccessful motion
to reconsider seeing no other hands so ordered mr president this concludes my report thank you
mr chair now finally for the committee on workforce development the chair recognizes
vice chair Gutierrez thank you mr president and members of the city council reporting for the
committee on workforce development which held the meeting on october 8th i'm so sorry on october 7th
There was one item on the agenda, A-2026-0029002, the appointment of Tahira L. Hinton as Commissioner of Human Resources.
I'm proud to say that Tahira L. Hinton received the full support of the committee, and it was impressive to see so many of my colleagues come out and voice strong support for her appointment.
The appointment of Tahita L. Hinton received complete support from those present at the committee meeting, and I moved passage by the first most favorable roll call vote of the committee on finance.
And the unsuccessful motion to reconsider that's associated with that item.
Yes.
Very well.
Are there any, thank you for that, Madam Vice Chair.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Mintz.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise to speak on behalf of Tahita Hendon because Tahita, I had the opportunity to work with her
from the Department of Recurment Services in the city of Chicago, where she had served as the first deputy there.
And she stood for what she believed in.
she stood out, her profession.
her professionalism, her dedication, and her genuine commitment to understanding how city
services work. But more importantly, she understood that our job is to serve the residents of
the city of Chicago.
She is a strong leader who brings experience, integrity,
and a willingness to get things done.
She knows how to work with people, build relationships,
and make tough decisions while treating everyone with respect.
I believe that Tahita has the knowledge and the leadership
and the heart to serve as the Commissioner of Human Resources.
I am proud today to stand here to support her
and hope that the support of the council as well
for a positive difference for the city of Chicago.
Thank you and God bless you.
Thank you. And God bless you as well. The chair recognizes Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. Again, excellent appointment. This young lady has done great work, not only in her role in procurement, but just in the community of Austin as a whole, along with her husband, who's also the pastor in their co-ministry.
And again, these are the type of people that have come up in our community that have not risen to a point where they can have the ability to lead across our city.
So great appointment. Congratulations.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Audemant Taliafaro.
Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, rise in support of this appointment.
And I, too, rise in support of this appointment and just want to really take this opportunity to congratulate you.
Mr. Mayor, you made a great selection, one that comes with a legacy already built in the city with the great services and great work that the commissioner has done.
But not only that, the work that she's doing on the west side of Chicago.
So keep praying for the West Side, you and your family and your husband,
and God will continue to bless you in the West Side because of your hard work and prayers.
Thank you so much, Mr. President.
Thank you.
Audemars Pizzotto, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Tahita, best wishes to you.
I know I had the opportunity to talk.
I could once again assure you that nobody will be calling you more than me.
So hopefully I'm not too much of a pest, but I think I have a lot of good ideas,
and I think I know where a lot of the problems are, certainly with police and fire tests.
So I look forward to working with you.
Used to live not too far from you, but I moved a little further north.
So once again, best wishes, Mr. President.
I also forgot to add that people were coming out of the woodwork to support her, saying nice things about her.
So great hire, Mr. President.
I look forward to working with her.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Are there any other orders that wish to speak to this item?
Farewell.
Seeing no hands, there is a motion on the floor for the passage of this item and the approval of this appointee.
with the most favorable roll call on the Committee on Finance
and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.
Seeing no other hands, hearing no objections, so ordered.
Congratulations, Commissioner.
Madam Vice Chair, do you have any other items?
This concludes the report of the Committee of Workforce Development.
Very well, thank you for the matters on the agreed upon calendar.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The Chair recognizes Alderman Harris.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I've received from the City Clerk Andrea in Valencia a total of 78 items proposed for the agreed calendar,
consisting of congratulatory, commemorative, and tribulatory resolutions from the following automatic sponsors.
Alderperson Harris, Alderperson Chico, Alderperson Quinn, Alderperson Coleman, Alderperson Irvin,
Alderperson Rodriguez-Sanchez, Alderperson Wissada, Alderperson Mitts, Alderperson Vasquez,
Alderperson Knudsen, Alderperson Lawson, Alderperson Gardner, Alderperson Clay, Alderperson Hatton,
Alderperson Silverstein, with two additionals, one from Alderman, Alderperson Dow, and one
additional from all the person Harris and Mitchell and I move these in the omnibus hearing no
objection so ordered now for new business the clerk will call the war
Now for new business, the clerk will call the wards, beginning with the first.
expense account for the year 2026 which is referred to the committee on the budget and
government operations all the person robinson has proposed ordinance for donation of city
fire department ambulance to the public hospital authority of the bahamas which is referred to the
committee on public safety all the person beale has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal
code titles 4 and 13 establishing window obstruction restrictions for store for storefront
public facing windows which is referred to the committee on license and consumer protection
Alderperson Lee has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation
at its honorary Del Camo Funeral Home Way,
which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Quinn has a proposed ordinance for renewal of designation
of 1st and 40th precincts of the 13th Ward as restricted residential zone
prohibiting additional shared housing and vacation rentals,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Quinn also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance
to transfer funds from the 13th Ward wage allowance account
to the automatic expense account for the year 2026,
which was referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Lopez has proposed the ordinance for approval of the Canaryville Resubdivision,
which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Coleman has proposed the ordinance for honorary street destination
as Baron Murph Senior Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderpersons Taylor, Dowell, Rodriguez, Cruz, Cozada, Knudsen, Martin, and others
have a proposed ordinance for authorization to utilize proceeds from the 2024
proceeds from the 2024 bond funds for working families to purchase new construction affordable
homes produced by Reclaiming Chicago Initiative, which is referred to the Committee on Finance.
Alderperson Mosley and others have proposed orders for amendment of the MISPA code title 17 by
modifying permitting requirements for specified residential use group living subcategories in
various zoning districts and modifying use standards for community homes, transitional
residences and transitional shelters which is referred to committee on zoning landmarks and
building standards all the person ervin has proposed orders for the issues of permits for
sign sign boards at 555 west roosevelt road which is referred to committee on zoning landmarks and
building standards all the person cruise has proposed resolution for submission of public
question by referendum the chicago voters of the 30th ward at the february 2023 the february 23
2027 election on support for adoption of ranked choice voting for mayor treasurer clerk alder
persons and district counselors of chicago which is referred to committee on committees and rules
alder person cardona has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-60-023
to allow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portions of north central avenue
and westbury avenue which is referred to committee on license and consumer protection
alder person wagons pack has proposed order for the issuance of permits for signed signboards
at 1885 West Fullerton Avenue,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderman-Person Conway has a proposed order
for the issue of permits for signed signboards
at 600 West Adams Street,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderman-Cazada has a proposed order
for the issue of permits for signed signboards
at 2401 West Diversity Avenue,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderman-Cazada, Fuentes, Rodriguez-Sanchez, and others
have proposed ordinance for Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17
by modifying permitting requirements for single-room occupancy,
temporary overnight shelters, and transitional shelters in various zoning districts,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Villegas and others have proposed ordinance for Amendment of Municipal Code,
Section 2-44-055, establishing scoring criteria for 9% tax credits,
which is referred to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate.
Alderperson Villegas has proposed resolution for a tribute to Michael Keller Ditka,
which is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
Alderperson Vasquez has proposed resolution for submission of public question
by referendum to the voters of the 40th Ward at the February 23,
2027 election on whether Chicago should support a moratorium on the
establishment, construction, or expansion of new data centers, center facilities
within the city of Chicago, which is referred to the Committee on Committees and Rules.
While the person Vasquez also has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance
to transfer funds from the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights for the year 2026,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. While the person Vasquez also
has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code chapter 2-165 by modifying requirements for
businesses to enter into a debt transaction within with the city of chicago which is referred to
committee on finance alder person riley has proposed orders for amendment of the annual
appropriation ordinance transfer funds from the 42nd ward automatic expense account to the personal
services account for the year 2026 which is referred to committee on the budget and government
operations alder person canutson and alder person lawson have proposed orders for designation of
segments of west diversity parkway right of way on map number 7-g as a pedestrian street
an amendment of municipal code section 17-3-0503d modifying pedestrian streets on portions of west
diversity parkway which is referred to the committee on zoning landmarks and building
standards all the person clay has proposed orders for amendment of municipal code section 17-17-0104y
to include animal services sales and grooming and residential support services which is referred
the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Manaha Hoppenworth
has proposed the orders for commission of transportation,
directing the commission of transportation to update
Aldermetic Menu Program to include
additional eligible uses for Aldermetic Menu
for automatic menu program funds which is referred to the committee on pedestrian and traffic safety
two committees have been called the committee on pedestrian traffic safety and the committee
on transportation the matters refer to the committee on committees and rules all the
person manah hoppenworth also has proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance
to transfer funds from the 48th ward automatic expense account to the wage allowance account
for the year 2026 which is referred to the committee on the budget and government operations
all the person hadden has proposed there is for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance
to transfer funds from the automatic expense account to the wage allowance account for the
year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Your Honor, that concludes the presentation of automatic introductions.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk, for the approval of the journals.
The chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell.
Mr. President, I'm not aware of any corrections to the journals from the September 23rd,
September 25th, and September 29th meetings and move that they be approved.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
For unfinished business, Alderman Mitchell.
I'm aware of two pieces of unfinished business.
They are filed by Alderman Cicho Lopez.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Cicho Lopez.
Mr. President, I'll file a Rule 41 notice with the clerk of my intent to call for a vote on substitute appointment 0027373 concerning the appointment of Ramona Westbrook as commissioner of the Chicago Housing Authority, which was the fair and published at the City Council meeting held on September 23, 2026.
I move passes of this item by roll call vote.
Very well.
There's a motion on the floor for the passage of this item by roll call vote.
Does anyone wish to speak to this item?
Very well.
Seeing no hands, members, please use your e-vote application to record your vote at this time.
Madam Clerk, just for a second.
Madam Clerk, vote for a second.
Just a second.
Very well.
Before the vote actually starts, there's a member who has requested to participate in the remaining of this meeting remotely for a reason,
saying in Rule 59, Alderman Mike Rodriguez.
Can we confirm his presence online?
Alderman Mike Rodriguez, you there?
Alderman Rodriguez?
Very well.
I see his name, but he has not confirmed his presence online.
Very well.
So, Madam, roll call for what?
Oh, just a second.
The chair recognizes Alderman Beal.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, I just wanted to speak on this issue for a quick second since voting did close.
Which issue?
Oh, the actual item?
Yes.
Very well.
Absolutely.
Mr. President, I have known this individual for a long time.
And it really pains me to even stand up to talk about this issue.
But I think we have to look at the big picture.
And the big picture is, you all, it's very important that we understand that we have a very capable, willing, and talented person leading CHA.
And when you look at the mad dash to fill these appointments, it should really cause
pause with all of us, because we've seen appointments be open for over a year, some
a year and a half.
But there's a mad dash to put these people in these.
Put these people in these commissioner spots over CHA and I will tell you
That it is a
Movement ahead to try to get rid of the current CHA CEO and
People have said
Directly that we're going to flip the board to get rid of
the CEO of CHA
And so when you look at what this agency does, its mission, I think it's really important
that we make sure that we have the right people in place.
And I believe that we have the right person at the right time in place.
And so I'm asking each and every one of you not to vote in favor of these new commissioners
because they could not answer a point-blank question
on if they were being put in place
to get rid of the CEO of CHA.
If you can't answer that question
and you're going in, you have ulterior motives.
And I encourage everybody to vote no on these appointments.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Alderman Mike Rodriguez.
Yes, sir.
I am present.
Madam Clerk, can we, Alderman Mike Rodriguez is confirming his presence online.
Can I get a motion to approve his participation in the remaining of this meeting remotely?
It's been moved.
All those in favor signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say nay.
Nay.
In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it.
Madam Clerk, you may now proceed with providing the e-vote application so that members of the body can record their votes at this time.
the voting is now open the voting is now open please use the e-device the voting is now open
the e-device the voting is now open i will now call those who have not used the e-device alderman hall
hello yes hall is a yes alderwoman gutierrez gutierrez is a no alderman david moore not present
no okay alderman taylor alderman mosley alderman scott no alderman cruz alderman spisato
spisato is a no alder alder woman hadden which is not present alderman rodriguez yes
Could you repeat that?
Yes.
Okay.
Aye.
All right.
Anyone I missed?
Okay.
The voting is now closed.
16 yeas.
There are 16 yeas, 30 nays.
This motion fails.
He voted for it.
He voted for it.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Alderman Mitchell on the motion to reconsider.
Motion to reconsider the vote.
All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say nay.
This motion fails.
Alderman Cixi Lopez.
Were there other items?
Mr. President, I filed a Rule 41 notice with the clerk on the intent to call for a vote on the substitute appointment,
appointment 0027382, concerning the appointment of John Bartlett as commissioner of Chicago Housing Authority,
which was the firm published at the City Council meeting held on September 23rd.
I move passage of this item by roll call vote.
Very well. Does anyone wish to speak to this item?
The chair recognizes Alderman Bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. In the, you know, issue of time, I make a motion that we use the same roll call on the last item and the same motion to reconsider.
Very well. Hearing no objections then.
Farewell. Hearing no objections, then. So ordered. This motion fails, and the motion to reconsider it is also part of that motion.
Farewell. Alderman Mitchell, are you aware of any other further unfinished business?
I'm not aware of any further pieces of unfinished business.
Miscellaneous business, Alderman Mitchell.
Except for the ordinance setting the date and time of the next meeting, I am not aware of any miscellaneous business.
Farewell. For the date and time of the next meeting, Alderman Mitchell.
I've handed up an ordinance to the clerk set in the date and time of the next meeting.
Madam Clerk, please read the ordinance.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago, Section 1.
The next two regular meetings of the City Council of the City of Chicago shall be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 9, beginning at 10 a.m., and the Council Chamber on the second floor in City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.
This ordinance shall take effect and be enforced from After Earth Passage, Gregory Mitchell, Alderman 7th Ward.
Farewell.
The date, Tuesday, December 8th, 2026 at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 9th, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Farewell.
I said December.
Farewell.
The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez.
I just need it.
Farewell.
Alderman Mitchell.
I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by the first most favorable roll call vote
by the Committee on Finance and the Unsuccessful...
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
Alderman Mitchell on the omnibus.
That was the omnibus.
Oh, understood.
We took your initial motion for the omnibus to pass that ordinance.
I jumped ahead.
Now for the omnibus.
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...
to reconsider hearing no objections so ordered we just did that
We just did it.
Alderman Mitchell, on a motion to adjourn.
There being no further business before this body,
I move that we adjourn.
Hearing no objections, so order, the meeting is adjourned.