The hour of 11:30 having arrived pursuant to notice issued
the Committee on Public Safety will come to order. I
believe we have a quorum, but I will confirm so with a roll
call.
by
vice-chairman Yancey
all
Alderman Chico
alderwoman Gutierrez
Alderman Lopez Curtis
Auto
old woman Tavares
apartments in
Altamonte Centra
ottoman Central Lopez
old woman for renters
Alderman Taliaferro
open
Open Vasquez.
how to make
ottoman Knutson
Olive Garden
Remind me.
Armand Martin
I want him to not happen where
how do
alderwoman Hadden
all the women soccer team
autumn
Alderman Cardona is present as a non-member. Thank you.
Alderman.
Are we?
Are we do have one power speaker who registered in a timely
manner and we will call her and provide her with her three
minutes so easy way.
You know, you're my alderman for my mother in streeterville.
So I would like to
All right. Okay, so this is Public Safety.
I want to say I don't never have any man gets police.
Ever it's almost my mother my sister Marine Federal police
officer in DC 20 years older than me, so I don't have no
issue with police. So y'all going to start doing better
communication with my homies. Me and her is going to stop
having this problem cuz she's just doing her job, but y'all
going to stop keeping me up out of here violating my fourth
amendment rights and make her like the bad guy cuz she's
not a non-black motherfukers that's in my excuse me
non-black Ottomans that are in here. This is public site.
This is Public Safety. We got the worst crime in history in
Chicago. And where is it gets one black Auto Parts in here
doesn't embarrass.
this isn't
this is embarrassing and I
This is embarrassing and we tell you going to see right
where you're where you're at. Your office is one of my good
friends have a consignment store next to my girl right
there. That's my boo.
Samba
Somebody keeps breaking her window.
Do you want?
Do you want some shutters if you want something? That's a
black business will try to keep them over open over there.
You see how to look over that. We don't have nothing.
That's why I'm coming down here my 2.2 billion dollars.
I brought.
I promise you I have a gender. I have an agenda and I have
a senior Junior then Joe agenda out of Black Agenda. I will
flip this state red Off principal principal. I don't give a
f*** about the federal. I don't care about that. I don't
care about Federal Trump going to win. We already see what
genocide Joe is doing. So we already know he's but locally.
woke
logo
locally
the black leadership is embarrass us.
embarrassed and whoever rossana Rodriguez Sanchez
the sexual harassment ultimatum she got
everyone y'all black all the people.
Who else?
Whoever it is. That's a f****** creep. Please stop. I'm
going to have to ask you to please stop using profanity.
This is broadcast over the internet, and we just think it's
inappropriate.
Leaders and that's why y'all can't make make help us help
black people in general General like the sensor didn't do
something right? This concludes our public testimony,
please add Alderman Taliaferro and Alderman since Joe Lopez
to the attendance roll call First matter of business before
us is the rule 45 report, which you should all have. It was
distributed by email and paper any comments or questions on
the rule 45 report from the October meeting.
If not, can I get a motion to approve?
move
Moved by anh-minh franchise without objection to approved.
We have to matters of business before us today proposed
ordinances the first ordinance 3867 to amend Municipal Code
chapter 8.4 by adding a section assault against city
employees with enforcement Authority. We have one witness
to testify from her personal experience a representative of
the city's enforcement of parking and
Carmen opera
operate
operation
Operation Miss Ashley Campbell Ashley. Thank you for joining
us today.
Yeah you.
Yeah, your microphone should be on.
actual
Actually, it's not.
I can.
Can we get the witnesses microphone in the in the back?
Okay. There you go. Thank you.
The
Good morning. Good morning, Sharon Hopkins in all the
members of the Public Safety Committee. My name is Ashley
Campbell. I live in Chicago and I reside in the 7th Ward. I
have been a parking enforcement agent for over a
year-and-a-half and Chicago parking meters.
Why?
While performing my duties, I've encountered multiple
interactions with unhappy Patriots and Parkers.
or
For example while enforcing in the Lakeview area a patient
was driving down Belmont and decided to throw a drink at
me.
I'll be
I was confused disappointed and shocked that this kind of
treatment will happen to me.
being
Being a parking enforcement agent. I am committed to
fulfilling my role wholeheartedly. I look forward to having
a relationship with a public. It feels good when patrons
and Parker's communicate Kylie and treat me with respect.
however, I do but
However, I do believe accountability for patrons and
Parker's with erratic behavior that puts us an unforeseen
circumstances shouldn't be taken lightly.
I'll
I hope the committee approved the ordinance to increase
penalties against people who assault employees with
enforcement Authority so we can safely carry out our work
responsibilities. Thank you chairman Hopkins and the Public
Safety Committee members for following. I'm sorry for
allowing me to speak on behalf of my fellow team members.
Thank you. Miss Campbell out for your testimony and thank
you for doing an increasingly dangerous job and we
appreciate your service to our city any questions for the
witness.
a quest
A question, so I'm sorry. I'll miss Pizarro. Yes, sir.
Thank you chairman. No questions for the witness, but the
just a more of a comment or an FYI, so it's not just
parking enforcement that I've been getting a lot of
complaints from Animal Care and Control agents out there
too. So just I don't know what happened to this world, but
people have no respect anymore what we have a uniform or
not parking a judge crossing guards. I mean just the
world's gone mad, but they just want to say it's it's it's
just it's all over the place out there. We need to do
something about this. I'm glad we're doing something about
it. So thank you. Thank you all to bring any further
questions.
autumn
Armand Vasquez, thank you trippin. I just wondering if first
questions to the chair if there could be a record of like
any incidents that have occurred in the last let's say five
to ten years, as it relates to not just those who would
enforcement Authority but employees and general of the
city. You know, that would be helpful to do the chair. And
the reason why I asked that is kind of thinking through it.
Is it something we might want to expand further employees?
Not just the ones that exercise that Authority right as we
kind of see some of those tensions are rising as well to
make sure city employees are protected.
Yes, actually Elena Vasquez your what your point is. Both
valid and relevant we do have a substitute before us right
now we should you should have in front of you is
distributed by email as well which does it expand the scope
of this ordinance to include all city employees acting on
behalf of the city of Chicago engaged in the activity of
enforcement of any kind parking obviously is the first most
obvious one that comes to mind but as you mentioned there's
so many more I'm building inspectors Health Inspectors
going into a restaurant, you know, all sorts of people who
are on the front line, whose job is to identify potential
violations, you all have worn superintendent's their
responsibilities include engaging in enforcement of
violations rodent control trash dump.
overfilling garbage cans
Overfilling garbage cans blocking the public way all of
that sort of thing and it's not always a welcome visit when
someone who owns a business thinks the older about to be
fined and maybe they're having a bad morning to begin with
and they're going to take it out on the on the employee who
showing up your point about data, you know, unfortunately,
we don't really have a lot of definitive data but we do
have is a convincing an overwhelming amount of personal
narratives and anecdotal Stories part of the reason that we
lack data is in a salt is in a salt. It doesn't always, you
know, categorize separately and assault against a person
who happens to be doing their job versus an assault against
the person who happens to be walking down the street, you
gotta dig much deeper into the police reports to try and
separate those needles from the haystack. So we were unable
to do that in in any objective sort of way. But as you
heard, you know, the testimony of Miss Campbell and
You know.
He knows.
you know, she can also verify that her her colleagues and
Associates that she knows I'm would all tell you if they
were here. They're having the same experience and it's
actually something that I think we've experienced is a
society. I know a lot of people blame the impact of society
on what we all went through with the pandemic particularly
in 2020, you know, there's a greater level of tension, you
know, there's a greater level of of anger and it comes out
sometimes
still a
Stila tea and the people who can't protect themselves from
that are the ones who we tell to get out there for 8 hours
and do your shift on in the public you're exposed to it.
You can't you can't hide from it when you're parking
enforcement agent. You have to go where you're told to go
and the same thing is true with the United States Post
Office. We're seeing a dramatic increase and that is where
we do actually do have some data that is not our role.
We're not the federal government here in the city of
Chicago, but the United States Post Office does keep data
on attacks against their letter carriers and it's
astronomically increasing right now. So two to sort of
extrapolate that data and apply it to those who work for
the city of Chicago. It's a reasonable assumption and it's
the reason that we drafted this ordinance. So with that I
would ask for a motion to accept the substitute before we
go any further. So moved moved by Alderman Vasquez.
Oh, yeah, Alderman Taliaferro, but let's look forward on
hearing. No objection. Can we use the attendance roll call
to adopt a substitute Stillwater? Okay, Alderman Taliaferro
make a chairman and thank you for bringing this matter
before the committee. It is a very important matter and as
Altima sposato say we we hear about it consistently that
are especially not taking enforcement agents are being
threatened and attacked in some instances. How do we
enforce it? Is this enforced or administrative notice of
violation? Is there a is there a
a charge that
A charge that would be assessed against an individual does
a complaint have to be filed if there is a charge and then
how does the square up with a lout the State statue that
already has in place for assault and in some cases
batteries as well? Excellent question element LMFAO. Yes,
and in this is actually similar to the existing ordinance
that we have that provides an additional measure of
protection for public transit employees for assault against
CTA bus drivers in train operator. So it's the same type of
thing this provides for an additional fine and potentially
an additional measure of of incarceration up to I think
it's 3 months in jail there anyone from Law Department. Do
we get some a lot of parking here that can chat a little
bit further light on it. Is it is it by way of Anna?
I know.
I know I think it would just be added to the assault
charges and treated criminally. I don't think we're adding
in and out here. That's not in the ordinance, but I'll let
the Law Department. Shut a little bit further right on
that. Hi. Good morning everyone. This is Chris Paul with
the Department of Law system Corporation counsel. So there
are two tracks here. The first is this a new ordinance
violation which would be a civil penalty that goes through
Administrative Hearings unless we were pursuing
incarceration in which case it would have to go through a
circuit court alternative leave the state statute also
provides protections to city employees and that would be
through the State's Attorney's office.
Okay, so if there is an assault, it would be processed
through the administrative hearings.
I'm is that what I'm understanding your this ordinance? If
they say the prosecution didn't go move forward for
whatever reason they could still go through a civil civil.
You're going through a cheer. Can you have a criminal
charge of assault under State Statute as well as a city
ordinance violation for salt?
I do.
I don't I don't know whether you can do that. Then perhaps,
you know, my colleague may be able to help me out on that
as well. Can you process both charges and in does that fall
into the ramble Double Jeopardy? If you have a city charge
of assault and a state charge of salt?
Right. So there is a potential Double Jeopardy issue. There
is a big double jeopardy issue coordination between the
city prosecutor Department of administrative hearings and
the state's attorney.
Okay, didn't necessarily clear up what I want to hear but I
do appreciate the attempt. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
All right. I think we're going to run into some issues if
we do have that on whether or not to charge criminal linked
with the state statute or whether to charge through the
administrative hearing process. I know that what I said.
That was a big issue with.
That was a big issue when we initially started arresting
back in the early nineties for disorderly conduct whether
or not it Rose to a state charge of disorderly conduct org
city ordinance said and it took a lot of effort to clear
that up. I think we may have the same issue here as to
whether not we're going to proceed on a state charge of
assault or battery as well as a man and off or not and all
but a city ordinance charge to fix election.
Thank you all my Conway kids I could do as someone who
prosecuted many many many many many cases simple battery
backgrounds of the State's Attorney's Office. Can I please
stay the way we beat the case like this that has a criminal
element to is likely to proceed. I mean if it's just the
city case will go straight to the administrative hearings,
but if not, it will go to the appropriate misdemeanor
Branch Court and you would see you know, what the state
battery charge if it's a misdemeanor and then also the city
one to the Double Jeopardy issue comes in a purse of
different elements of the crime, which this is this is kind
of a bit of a grey area. But this does allow us was the
city for example, the State's Attorney's office not wish to
go forward on something like this this provides our own
Corporation counsel the ability to do that. So it does have
that that benefits as well. I would I would hope it it that
the city level this is what we can do today, but I hope
Roberto
over time we can get
Over time we can get the state to add the cover persons
listed here as an aggravating factor in the state battery
charge which will allow us to charge these people with a
felony instead of instead of misdemeanor battery. But this
is something that will will improve for small kids the city
flexibility going forward and there are different elements.
So that would mean I would really be at the water
department to litigate but certainly there is a case that
you would you don't have a double jeopardy issue cuz
they're different elements of the case. Most notably the
identity of the cupboard purse.
Thank you, sir. The committee further questions.
I hear
Hearing none Entertainer motion to approve the substitute.
will be
Go by Alderman sposato leave to use the attendance roll
call.
Thank you. So ordered motion passes. The next item is
another proposed ordinance 4088 presented by ottoman
Conway. And we do have a tree invited witnesses to testify
as subject matter experts will allow ottoman Conway to open
and then we'll call in our first witness. Thank you. Mr.
Chairperson, and that this is why I really showed up today
not even to my prosecutorial background, which I'm always
happy to do but it is it is no secret here in in Ark
country that a Porsche
country that abortion and
Country that abortion and Reproductive Rights are under
attack all over the country after after the jobs decision
and one may not think we we have these issues here
considering Chicago in Illinois, or are you show Jeopardy a
leader in guaranteeing a woman's right to healthcare?
However, if you go outside Family Planning Associates on
Washington Street in the Kennedy Expressway nearly every
Saturday morning and then other times as well. You can see
how anti-choice protesters are working to disrupt access to
health care and and harass patients to describe a few
specific Saturday's that I that I saw last July 22nd. I
pulled up to the clinic to find a hundred plus anti-choice
protesters actively running boards patience as they got out
of the car as well as well as small group of tennis courts
was was holding them back and I eventually join that group
of us words. That was understandably overwhelmed.
the fall
The following week they came back and actually that time
brought a an armed guard with them that was designed to
designed to intimidate the patient's L. Since then we put
up some additional penalties to warn of digital signage to
warn of penalties for violating the bubble ordinance. We
work with our local police Commander to provide extra law
enforcement on Saturdays, and these things have helped the
b****, but however, what the protesters have started to do
is they bring
like an amplifier
Like an amplifier and they'll put it against the building or
right next to the building and then they'll start.
And I've been inside while this is going on and not only
can you hear everything that's on the inside of the
building but you can literally feel the building Shake as
result of this is Amplified intimidation and so loud that
the staff at the clinics in take tasks can barely hear What
patients are saying to them if it disrupts the health care
that's going on inside the building and also the line for
the residents around around the facility and that's why I'm
asking this committee today to implement a and
noise-sensitive Zone around the facility to protect
patients staff and and local laborers.
and this is my
And this is not without precedent. Mr. Chairman, of course
you back in 2019, you wrote the original ordinance that we
are modifying today. You create a noise sensitive Zone
around Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Lurie Children's
Hospital both medical facilities in a residential area.
Just like plant Family Planning Associates is and I'm
asking the committee to do the same today the area around
after ye as a residential area and the noise outside is
disrupting the residents as well as the healthcare being
conducted inside. Now, it's part of the record. I'm asking
the committee to also include the document that you all
have in front of you from the Chicago Police Department,
which.
the noise complaints from the residences near
The noise complaints from the residences nearby Family
Planning Associates. And for the record what this document
shows is it the police receive noise complaints nearly
every Saturday and I can also tell you that that my office
has received several dozen complaints regarding the noise
outside the clinic as well.
Now I will say noting that the legal complexities of these
issues. I do want to share my colleagues that I work with
the law Department in crafting the text Amendments of 40
today. And I've also asked this committee to hear from
three Witnesses today to illustrate the need for this
amended ordinance is we have a family planning Associates
medical director. Dr. Allison Cowley. She'll testify to how
the methods employed by the anti-choice protesters
specifically to use of amplifiers negatively impacts
patients and Healthcare. We have to meet up with a subtle
founder of the clinic next project will share her
experience as a patient escort in the harassment. She
regular encounters first hand outside the clinic as well as
planned parenthood's Katie stanczyk a vegetable will speak
to the widespread nature of anti-choice protesters and how
there an impact the delivery of healthcare at FPA and in
general across the region.
So, thank you, Miss.
So thank you, mr. Chairman and a member of the committee for
calling this ordinance and holding his hearing today at the
conclusion. I will ask you all the boat to move this
ordinance. So I'll just text him and thank you. Thank you.
I'm in Conway moves to accept the substitute any objections
hearing. None of the substitute is accepted by the roll
call vote doctor, Please proceed with your testimony. Thank
you for joining us today.
turn
chairman and members of the Public Safety Committee
thank
Thank you so much for allowing me to speak to you today. My
name is Alison cowett. I am a physician and the medical
director at Family Planning Associates medical clinic at
659 West Washington Boulevard in the West Loop. Try to
imagine doing your job with a rally a concert or block
party happening 8 feet from your office wall.
Now I
Now imagine that you're seeing your doctor and these events
make it hard for you to focus on the critical information.
Your medical provider is conveying or even to hear them at
all.
This is the situation.
This is the situation at our Clinic where demonstrators set
up a stage outside our building and use mega phones
microphones and speakers to amplify speeches music and
chance just this past Saturday 300 demonstrators came to
our building all of them loudly voicing their opinions.
there
Therefore I'm asking you to designate the area around our
Clinic as a noise sensitive Zone according to the noise and
vibration Control Ordinance 8:32 of the Chicago Municipal
Code currently other noise sensitive zones include School's
library open to the public churches hospitals and nursing
homes, those last two hospitals and nursing homes. Need
quiet to deliver critical care just as we do in my office.
let's
Let me be clear. I am in no way saying that these
demonstrators don't have a right to lift their voices
outside our Clinic as long as they adhere to the bubble
Zone ordinance, which was established.
for the same
For the safety of Clinic workers and patients in 2009. That
is certainly their right in other words. Their speech is
free, but the excessive noise caused like this speech does
have consequences. It impedes the Peace of Mind of our
patients and bring the clinic and waiting for their
appointments in a
Harry
Area it interferes with communication between patients and
their providers. It impinges on the focus of staffers doing
medical procedures and administrative tasks. We simply
cannot hear each other speak inside the medical facility.
didn't
The need for this noise sensitive Zone designation extends
beyond the concern for patients and staffers at our office.
We are located and the dense neighborhood with several
large residential buildings nearby in these buildings
residents have their days disrupted in the early morning
hours by the noise from the crowds on the streets below.
the demonstrators amplification effect these residents to
I was
I want to reiterate these demonstrators have a right to
speak outside our Clinic we in no way to manned other
Silence after all we are an urban clinic and we're
accustomed to the reasonable racket of the city's hustle
and bustle but speeches music and chance blaring from
speakers is beyond reasonable. We are simply asking that
demonstrators engage in their legal right to expression in
a way that does not impinge or even bring harm to our
Clinic staff our patients and our neighbors. I respectfully
urge you to designate Family Planning Associates and the
surrounding area as annoy sensitive Zone.
thank you very much for the opportunity to test if
Thank you very much for the opportunity to testify and for
your time and attention.
I'd
Are the next witness is Bonita? You will say no, but she
looks I do.
so I
So I want to say thank you again for being here today. I am
a patient Clinic escort. And I also organized a group that
goes to Family Planning every week every Saturday at a
special. Thank you to you all different kind of way for
coming out to see what we go through and with your own
eyes. I mean that was so bad so much to us the current
Chicago noise ordinance sales us, you know, we understand
that it is theirs conversation level and that it's only at
certain times from the evening to 8 a.m. In the morning
when I show up and there's these loud blaring megaphones.
We're trying to get patients out of the car to direct them
to the door. We can't hear them speak to us and we can't
hear each other. So if there's also there's also no danger
Factor here like I can't tell my people there is a rope.
tie with a gun
Tie with a gun went there. There's you do and we've had
these people show up at our Clinic. They can't hear me. We
have a microphone to the side of the window. We have a
megaphone across the street that down the block in front of
a recovery room. They Blair it loud and proud and then
around the corner is our other entrance where the it's a
floor-to-ceiling Windows and the windows Shake.
DC
These things that they yell are not about love and light
there about hurting patient's feelings trying to influence
their decision with hateful speech again to doctor coax
point. We are not telling them that they cannot be there. I
tell them it's your right to be here. But please turn it
down. The police will try to help us have said conversation
level is so subjective that there's hard for them to
enforce.
ice
I see that this heartbreak week after week with people who
cannot get medical care. We going to the lobby you could
hear everything. They cannot hear the staff speaking to
them. We have residents come and ask us if we can help them
because they can't stand it either and we always tell them
to contact Alderman Conway's office with their concerns so
I can just tell you right now, it's really it's really
horrible. It infringes on patient care. It infringes on the
staff. They have to run their air conditioner in the middle
of winter to keep this.
from being hurt
From being heard totally like you could still hear it, but
it muscles it a little but not by much.
and
And it's their windows are right there. They cannot conduct
business with with the way it is now when they show up with
those amplification devices and at least at every every
corner possible they show up it's it's not even just one,
you know, it's like I mentioned it designated spots where
they know either the lobbies there or the waiting room is
there and they know that the staff works right by the
windows. So I kindly ask that you make sta a noise free
zone and I appreciate all your time today.
I think
I thank you miss you will sign up for your testimony and
and thank you for the important work you do or supporting
your patients at what is already a very stressful and
emotionally fraught time the work you do is essential as
you know, and it requires courage and tenacity and we
appreciate that questions for the witness.
I play
I please add almond Curtis to the Rock Hall. Our next
witness is Katie Stenson chords.
They
Thank you. Tara person Hopkins and members of the Public
Safety Committee. Hello. My name is Katie Santa cabbage my
pronouns are she hurt and I am the director of government
relations for Planned Parenthood of Illinois. First, I
would like to thank the leaders of the city of Chicago for
keeping reproductive Health Care at the Forefront of City
policy. We deeply appreciate it the quick passage of the
bodily autonomy ordinance after the fall of Rome v Wade. We
are encouraged by the renewed commitment to enforce the
bubbles on or dance around reproductive Health Care
Centers, which was passed by City Council in 2009. Also
Mayor Johnson and many of you support continued funding for
access to reproductive Health Care Services. We greatly
appreciate these important stops in helping patients access
vital health fair still. I am here today because there's
more to do Planned Parenthood of Illinois fully support
supposed to wait around Family Planning Associates Medical
Group on West Washington Boulevard. We are proud that
Illinois has a Hayden state for Reproductive health care
and that the city of Chicago stands out for its Progressive
approach to protecting access.
abortion unfortunate
Abortion, unfortunately anti-abortion activists have taken
notice and they aren't aging and increasingly aggressive
tactics. We recognize and respect everyone's First
Amendment right to free speech but we are talking about
today or tactics that are designed to interfere with an
individual's right to access reproductive Health Care
Family Planning Associates is not alone in facing facing
hostile opponents outside of their Clan. This is an issue
that providers are facing throughout the city state and
Country. The problem is so bad outside of some health
centers that at Planned Parenthood we weren't patients not
to stop for anyone outside if they aren't wearing one of
our rainbow Clinic escort best, even though we weren't our
patients. It isn't enough protesters try to block entrances
into suede patients from entering our facilities. They
sometimes even lie and claim to work in our health centers
only to direct patient away from our buildings into a
Crisis Pregnancy Center right next door.
I want
At one of our house centers where I volunteered as a
patient escort. I witnessed patients being yelled at
through a bullhorn with messages such as they are making a
mistake or that they would not be loved by God for making
their personal health care decisions. I had intervened to
assist patients were trying to enter this was met by
protesters verbally harassing me and other escorts calling
us derogatory names. My heart has a supported women crying
because of the noisy abuse from screaming protesters at
times protesters have gone beyond the simple bullhorn and
brought a patient equipment and speakers making their words
or religious music even louder.
clear
Clear the protesters do this to everyone. You did not
necessarily know why someone is going into a reproductive
Health Center or what kind of Terror they are seeking the
noise effects patients seeking vital Healthcare including
STI, testing birth control cancer screening Family Planning
services, and yes abortion.
Thankfully.
Thankfully the loud Activia Planned Parenthood locations
hasn't reached the level experienced by patients and staff
at Fanning Family Planning Associates. At least not yet. We
know that the noise at SPI is so severe that it interferes
with conversations between staff and patients inside their
building that level of noise is unacceptable and should be
limited while protesters outside of a building. They have
the right to speech. They do not have a right to create a
noise nuisance that interferes with Healthcare inside the
building patients at Family Planning Associates deserve to
be able to ask questions receive counseling and have their
procedure without disruptive noise making it difficult to
hear or beat her. Every healthcare provider should be able
to take patients feel comfortable safe and secure within
their office is the city of Chicago has the opportunity to
become a national leader in passing this proposed ordinance
that will improve access to reproductive Healthcare. Thank
you again for providing Planned Parenthood of Illinois the
chance to speak and told him in Conway for bringing this
ordinance for I'm open to taking any questions to make may
have. Thank you.
Thank you, Miss. Dance.
Thank you. Missed answer kalyx question for the witness.
all my
All women are helping words.
Thank you to
Thank you Cheri. I was
Thank you Cheri. I want to thank all their own way for
bringing this to the committee and thank you to those in
the box for your testimony. I am a mother of three
beautiful kids at some point in my young life. I had an
abortion in Chicago at a Planned Parenthood Clinic. I don't
remember protesters outside the clinic. I remember it was
It was a
it was a blur.
But people took care of me in the end the fortunately I had
family and friends to take care of me after.
is
It's procedure, which is Health Care.
and I
And I know at this time in our nation there.
Are even less right for women with Roe v Wade being under
overturned? And I want to thank you, especially the clinic
escort who's here to testify because this is it's unreal to
me that you even need to be there is
abortion
Abortion is a is that is Healthcare and women deserve to
have a say in what happens to their own bodies and that's
conversation that they should help with their health care
provider. I want to thank Planned Parenthood for being here
to to stand to speak on behalf of Family Planning
Associates for your work with the fact that the clinic
workers. Do not feel safe. And also those who need health
care.
feel a
Feel intimidated because of the noise is not right. I wanted
to ask.
I was
I wanted to ask.
firstly I went I wanted to thank everyone including those
who are in the gallery cuz I know that you are doing this
hard work, but
I was
I wanted to know a little bit more about your work with
others across the state of Illinois. Chicago should be
leading on this effort. It shouldn't just be Chicago at the
safe place to get health care for women. How are you? Also
having conversations with other municipalities across the
state.
Thank you for your question. So we are working on the state
level as well to pursue more legislation that could protect
access to clinics besides that as you might have heard.
There are several towns throughout Illinois that are trying
to pass Sanctuary cities for The Unborn. There is a man
from Texas coming in trying to do these types of ordinances
and there has been a lot of work between abortion providers
and reproductive Health Care Providers throughout Illinois
to stop these ordinances at at the municipality level. We
continue
Can you?
can you try and
Can you try and use mobile phones in noise ordinances to
protect patients but sometimes it depends on where that
municipality is. And if there is a council that is willing
to protect the service says that's not always the case.
Thank you. Thank you again for your work. It's chair for
your willingness to share your lived experience in your
personal story to help us informed the story public issue.
Thank you all different. Susanoo of chairman. I have a
point of information and a question for the Law Department.
First of all, we have no choice I M in this city, I believe
all of us have experienced that with the neighbors griping
about their neighbors making too much noise and then they
call the police or we call the police and ask them to go
out there. So the government determine if there's too much
noise, I have to go out there to notarize M and adenoids M
and I'm not sure what it is. You have to bring somebody
from the police department here. Maybe my colleague over
here remembers that one or not. I'm not sure. I don't wanna
put them on the spot. But the police do have noise M when
you get neighbor complains what noise do I would think that
would also apply to this and secondly a question for law?
we have
We have the same.
We have a thing here called the first amendment. I know many
of these rallies or protests are quite obnoxious and
everything and I've seen many of out-of-control ones, but I
haven't I've never really heard of us before saying you
have to tone down your complaining you camping. Drums. You
can't yell. You can't use a megaphone. So Corporation
counsel, where do we stand on noise ordinance is in this
city? Are we get we're going to start subjectively. I heard
the word subjective coming there. So we're going to start
subjectively enforcing them. Are we going to send police
out there with their m going for some I mean, who's the
who's going to be the one to determine if you're making too
much noise than that? Somebody's feelings are being hurt
because there's too much noise being made.
Then I got this is Chris Kolb assistant Corporation counsel
in the Department of Law. So as you can see in the
substitute, we already have designated a few areas as noise
sensitive what it means to be sensitive when it is that you
have certain operations that are particularly sensitive to
noise is Church's nursing homes in any other sense of
activity at the sermon by this body. What it means to
restrict activity is not Zone. It means that the
commissioner of Transportation will have assigned place.
an
And it will provide.
And it will prevent people from using bullhorns louder rock
is electronic amplification or objects that are stuck
manually such as drums to amplify the sound to a point
where those operations can no longer be done effectively.
So is this just here or is this anywhere in the city? You
can no longer use both arms or drums or a chance or
anything like that. It is an areas that are so designated
sarait. Now, there are five existing areas this way to add
three additional areas.
So there's five areas that they can't do this.
currently us
let me
put me down for a note German.
Thank you, cuz I know how to make on way to close. One
thing. I will say is just you to answer the concern that
all of us pizzato brought which is which is very
understandable in the sense that we don't want to be
walking into to some kind of litigation. But I I I would
note that the first five areas are the areas that were
brought forth by you. Mr. Chairman that are around
Northwest Memorial and Lurie Children's the other three
years are simply the three streets around around this
facility. And and I I, you know, we heard from our
Witnesses today, but also brought forth the evidence
regarding a significant amount of noise.
complaints
Complaints here and working with the law Department's the
Supreme Court has has routinely upheld content-neutral
regulation as a valid time place and manner restrictions
here with the with the undeniable record of a significant
amount of of residents around here and noise complaints
this indeed fits within allowable constitutional time place
and manner restrictions.
Yes, thank you. I'm in Conway and to your point. I have
your log of the 9/11 complaints for this address. I'm going
back for a year and it is extensive and with leave. This
will be entered into the record of the meetings proceedings
the ottoman Vasquez.
Thank you.
A German just got to follow up on some of that. Is there
anything that impedes a member of the council from adding
zones to this area? And what is that criteria? If so?
Summit
So let's say for example, I picked a random spot random
intersection in the ward that I thought was loud. Could I
just add it on is there any just curious from Department of
Law?
puppy
Update exact code section that pertains to that but
essentially working with the Department of police as well
as I believe cdph. Any member of the council can bring
forward an ordinance to amend this section upon a
demonstration that again North instead of operation such as
out of school a hospital at cetera is being actively insect
affected by Amplified sound got it in. The reason I asked
that his son 40 ever got like a specific intersection where
you got three senior homes on three of the Four Corners
that you know, sometimes we hear about whether it's
construction or something else. I just didn't know if that
would count cuz that there is mention on the substitute for
I'm sorry on the amendment. I like certain level of certain
kinds of businesses or events hospitals provide Healthcare
are the limitations as to any of that. Just wanted to know
in background.
increase
Includes but is not limited to schools libraries that are
open to the public churches hospitals and nursing homes. Do
you think through it? I want to thank our colleague for
putting forward and thank you Sharon for like initiating is
conversation back. Then it's good to know that we
potentially have other tools think about some of our
constituents like our seniors and you know, like so the
operation's ever mentions.
that's
That's why I had to take you to.
That's why I had thank you. Turn yourself all the way back
cuz I don't remember really are who want some assistance
with this my office in the loan department will be glad to
work with you as we did with all them in Conway's office.
Has he mentioned I had a unfortunately I had a break this
ground a few years ago due to some very unfortunate
circumstances in my word. So so we do have some experience
with this and I'll be glad to work with any member make
sure that that your initiative makes it to this committee
were fit to the passes muster with your colleagues. You
know, we'll we'll pass up a noise restriction on your word
as well Alderman, Taliaferro.
Thank you.
German
I am I if I'm not mistaking the average conversational
level up by way of decimal is 60 we've had this issue
before my ward as well because of an air conditioning unit
police don't arrive on the scene with anything outside of
their normal hearing and that's their you know, we don't
have unless they acquired them since I left a mini type of
machines that will measure how loud a certain object is or
how loud a conversation is generally will go by I'm
hearing. However, what I've done in the past is when I did
have a complaint about an air conditioning unit that was
running 24/7. I called the department I believe is the
Department of environment.
Will come out to the scene and measure.
It will come out to the scene and measure the decibel level
and if the decibel level rises above the city limits or the
limit that's prescribed by the city. Then a citation was
issued and can be issued. My question that I have for. This
is in these designated areas is that level reduced or is it
still under standard 60 decibel level being reduced under
this ordinance. I'll because it falls within a designated
area one of the five designated areas. And what's the new
level if it falls below 0 to 60
are they?
I thank you for the question Alderman. I got Chris Cole of
Law Department said the ordinance is not set for that
specific decibel level additionally noise sensitive zones
do not have a different noise limit compared to other
locations. It's simply restricts the use of a specific
amplifying devices within the boundaries of the Zone. But
don't you have to have a a standard of measure to be able
to cite because what may be in it unless you your username
in objectionable standard or subjective standard rather.
Should we have a standard level to which a violation is
occurring for example, 45 decibels.
and
And that way a person has received no cuz that's what the
judge is going to ask you. What's it? What's the level in
how high or how low was it level when you measured it
because certainly you cannot you. Can you can I go to the
judge and say I believe that it was above a certain level?
So what?
What's the standard with this ordinance?
and
And we Alderman I am not certain how these noise ordinances
are currently enforced. I don't feel comfortable giving you
incorrect information or no off the confirmation. So I'd
like to get that into your through the chair if possible.
German I do support the ordinance Alderman I do support the
ordinance. I think it needs to be ironed out just a little
bit more so that someone will actually know enter violating
an ordinance and we should not fight them for violation
where we don't even know what that standard is if that's
six that if that standard you say that 60 and it could be
reasonably articulated that it's about 12:16 then yeah,
that's the level that we should have as a measure of unit
of measure. But if we don't have that unit of measure in
the ordinance, how do we know that we're violating a
statute whether you're walking by with a Boombox or driving
by or have your car parked in front? How do I know? I'm
violating an ordinance.
Yeah.
Alderman Taliaferro, we actually have dealt with this
question and numerous different forms for noise regulations
in general. You know, we haven't always Control ordinances
as you know, as you alluded to feeling all right now with a
number of different pending proposed ordinances to address
motorcycle noise loud vehicle noise. So we actually have
looked at this question and it does seem somewhat
counterintuitive. You would think that actually having some
objective standard that can be measured using a device like
for example, a handheld decibel device which you know are
readily available and really they don't even cost that much
money. But actually the opposite is true to have a just a
judgment call that's made by whether it's a law enforcement
officer or in the case that you mentioned with loud rooftop
equipment. The building department comes out and they have
guidance on how to assess whether something is too loud in
that time specifically does not allow for the use of
decibel.
government device
Government devices. The reason is simply that measuring
sound with any kind of device is extraordinary problematic
and complex. There's all sorts of variables that come into
that including ambient noise temperature atmospheric
pressure distance from the source of all sorts of things
that undermine the ability to say with any sort of clear
yes or no answer that. This is over the red.
find
my nana
Find this is under the red line. So rather than open that up
to be, you know challenged. If you say that you had a
violation. It's much easier to just acknowledge that a lot
of this is simply subjective and to rely on the expertise
of the person who was sent out to determine the answer to a
simple question. Is that too loud or not. The same thing
really applies here we dealt with this back in 2019 when we
were trying to decide if there were certain noise-making
devices that we are going to allow outside of Lurie
Children's Hospital and I'm somebody was using like a
rattle really wasn't too loud or like okay, no one's
complaining about the Rattle and then other people had
Sirens, you know battery operated Sirens that were probably
like 120 decibels. So rather than draw that objective line,
we just said we're going to say it's too loud. If everybody
in the neighborhood says it's too loud and starts
complaining and testifies to
back
fact that it's affecting their quality of life. It's
affecting their ability to treat their patients. It's
affecting their ability to do their job. That's actually a
much more convincing standard. I'm than than having someone
who isn't trained as an audio engineer trying to assess it
using a decibel meter Alderman Taliaferro some background
material that exists on this question and we will get that
material to you actual shirt with the entire committee one
of the best unit of measure.
Edmond
Had been used by the police department's distance.
and if
and in that
And that's the one that we have always used rather than
going to a scene and saying that I believe is too loud. If
this sound can be heard from a certain distance, then it's
this is determined to be too loud and in so there is a unit
of measuring almost everything we do when we sight folks
for that on whether it's heard from a certain distance or
that it's hurt at a certain level, but I certainly believe
you have to have a unit unit of measure to determine into
charge and the convict someone or hold them liable for
having a sound. It's too loud what you made it in is not
necessarily be the person that's here in it. It's the
person that's that's how I'm committing the ACT.
That is actually going to be charged. And so if it's it's
almost like you want the site someone and there's no set
standard as to how to cite him. But these people over here
that I don't they don't be inciting or setting that
standard because I could walk by your house tomorrow and
save all your TV's too loud to me. I only have one ear that
works. So your TV maybe too loud to me and that is not
enough in my opinion to fight someone or to say you in that
instance without having a unit of measure to go by if I'm 4
blocks away or three blocks away and I hear your part in
your backyard that's distance that's telling me that
if I heard this from
If I heard this from four blocks away, then it's above a
certain level. It's above is 60 decibels that's determined
as a level in which the city can site. So I am I honestly
think we need a unit of measure here if we're going to stay
focused and say, oh it's an objectionable standard and and
is based on the person that called because you're you'll
get a lot of citation issued that way I want a citation
issued because it's too loud to me but it doesn't actually
and there is no standard to which I can govern that buy.
Sorry, I'd be able to know as well until we can come up
although I support it. I like to have an interjection
double standard placed in the ordinance if its 45 decibels,
then that's 45 decibel is if it could be heard from a block
away or half a block away that gives me a clear idea of
that. I'm violating the statue on 101 this rather because I
can hear my loud music.
watch
Why can hear my bullhorn a half a block away? Yeah, thank
you older than a question of how loud is too loud is a
relevant question as I said to a number of other pending
ordinances that we have out there that we're going to have
to deal with this. So I will get that background
information that exists up until this point about how this
question has been grappled with an N will share with the
committee.
Yep, and stray.
Yep, and Street musicians as well. That's another one
again. It's quite a few quite a few examples out there and
Conway unique situation medical facility residential area
and it is not reopening the the noise ordinance. I think
we've we've completed a few things here the noise ordinance
in the city has has some enforceability issues that that
all the time Pharaoh brought up at this one nearly
restricts the use of amplify devices in a very unique area
in the area that has president from from previous the
previous ordinance passed by the chairman. Thank you. Thank
you buy Charmin.
Yeah, I like.
Yeah, I like to add that it sounds like what is also unique
about this is that the people who are making the noise are
doing it with intent, right? It's not like a broken air
conditioner or street musician who's looking at retain but
this is a group of people whose intention is to be
disruptive to the services that are being provided in this
Health Care person, which makes this a little bit different
for me than others. Are we going?
further comments
Further comments or questions. I'll miss Pizarro. Thank you
again chairman. I'm glad you said Street musicians cuz
that's one of the things I have here. So once again at my
notes are what's the decibel our new style? What's a gone
from what the what we have a week? We don't have a problem
with a 45 or you do have a problem with 16 hours. So I'm
troubled by that and the police do have M. Maybe we need
the police to be here the verify that you have to believe
me you should verify it. But I know the 16th District has
M. Cuz when we get plain they say while I will try to get
the meter over there to my understanding is they have one
meter per District. Maybe we need to put more m in
District. I don't know because some areas I'm guessing he
had more complaints about partying in her yard and loud
music and some other areas. Do I know when I was other men
of the 36 word a certain area of my Warden 236 we got
constant complaints about that not as much now that I have
the thirty-eight so certain areas some people like to party
more than others.
the
This going back to the street musician thing. There's a
thing called. I believe they're called the bucket boys. I
like calling them because that's what the Bulls call him.
You got these kids going on Corners hustling for money.
They're not bad kids. They're good kids. They want to make
money the honest way just going out there banging on the
drum in order quite active in the 38 41st and 45th Ward. I
don't know where else are going on with Penny. And the
other of my colleagues are pretty loud there banging away.
I get some complaints about him. I tell the police
I don't know what they would they do.
I don't know what they what they do. I don't know what
happens. I know they're using in and out for a short amount
of time. Does this apply apply to them Corporation counsel?
If kids are or musicians around the corner at the guys out
here at the Daley Plaza playing his plane is music
entertaining or these kids are around the corner of Lander
buckets to me. It seems a little loud. I'm an old guy. I
don't like loud music by Irish I go to a bar in the music
is loud. I leave what was loud to me may not be allowed to
some of these youngsters over here. Like my Carly right in
front of me who who is much younger than my children. So he
probably likes loud music. I don't like loud music so loud
for what does this apply also to the street musicians?
Thank you again.
Thank you again for the question and Chris Kolb Corporation
counsel to answer the first part of your question. Yes
instruments including the use of a bucket would be
considered an amplification device. I do want to be very
clear that he's noise sensitive zones are specifically
designated and they will be signed basically in every
corner we can say we can say it's not good over here, but
it's okay over here. I don't think we could say that you're
the lawyer on that. I don't think we could say that at this
place you can't do it, but you can do it someplace else. So
I think of your your your ear you're in dangerous territory
there. Once again, I'm at an attorney you are.
dial
Okay, we are in a little bit from the topic at hand. Thank
you for your answer counselor. And please stay off
Alderman. Sposato is lawn any further questions on this
matter.
How to make Curtis on a point of information but one of the
members already talked about we can at any time I do not
think you're trying to go saying it at any time any area
can be added to the list correct there's a procedure to do
so, but yeah, no problem. Thanks. Thank you for the
comment.
He
here we
Hearing on we will entertain a motion to approve this item
with Alderman Taliaferro Alderman sposato voting. No.
My esteemed colleague with with the wig unless you went on
this account.
Being being a prosecutor and and a great lawyer. Could you
beat this in court?
It is it's pretty clear. But you being in court you have to
talk about the shipping back. But if this Pacific fact is
that use of an amplifier against a wall and Family Planning
Associates on on Washington Street between North Desplaines
and the easternmost off ramp to Interstate 90 90 90 for it
is very clear. He would be very quick violation. So no I
could not be too. I was in court.
I know.
I know I heard he was really good attorney and still is
that's all I
Okay, thank you. So the emotion is to approve on the roll
call Vote with Alderman Taliaferro in Alderman sposato
being recorded as know any objection to that.
so
Sorter and now a final Act of business today actually won
it on a personal privilege if I may can I please have this
all join together in a moment of silence for Chicago
firefighter Andrew price assigned to engine company number
55 who tragically lost his wife last night battling a blaze
in Lincoln Park. He was 39 years old.
and I
and on
I don't eat. He leaves a wife and children, so please
moaning sounds.
thank
Thank you, ladies and gentleman than our thoughts are with
all those who will take a note to protect and serve us out
with that a motion to adjourn by Alderman and I'll hop in
with all those in favor of meeting adjourned. Thank you,
everyone.