Well, I'm not West.
Nosotros estamos aquí para apoyar a Anthony.
Y darles, ustedes son un concilio, tenemos que ser unidos, trabajar juntos.
Y él es buen trabajador, bien, apoya a la gente, a la comunidad de todos los que,
de las viviendas, del vecindario.
Es buen, trabaja fuerte y me da mucho gusto.
Thank you, everyone. That concludes our public comment period.
For the record, I'd like to recognize Alder Person, Chris Talaferro,
as president of Chambers and will be added to quorum.
As stated earlier, we have two items on the agenda this morning. We'll begin with the approval of the February 2025 Monthly Rule 45 Report for the Committee on Committees and Rules, which was transmitted electronically to all committee members. If there's no questions, can I get a motion by Alderman Chico to approve the February Monthly 45 Report?
All those in favor, signify by aye. All those opposed. So item one is a direct introduction. It's the appointment of Anthony Quisada as the alder person of the 35th Ward. You should have received a copy of the letter of the appointment via email and in the packet before you.
Okay, if there's no questions by this body to recommend approval of the appointment for the alderperson of the 35th Ward by a formative vote of all members present, yes, sir, Alderman Lopez.
And wait, just one parliamentary thing.
I just want to recognize Alderman, former Alderman Mike Scott, who's here now, Commissioner.
Commissioner Tara Stamps, Commissioner Bill Lawry was here with us, Commissioner Scott Burnett, and Commissioner Steele.
Okay, all right, they're all in the back back there.
Okay, Scott Britton, Commissioner Scott Britton, and Alder, former Alderman Ramirez Rosa.
All right. Alderperson. Alderperson Lopez.
Chairman, will the appointee be making a statement before we take this vote?
He can. I was hoping that you would save it for the city council, but he can.
Okay.
Would you like for him to do it now, or would you like for him to do it at city council?
He could do a very brief one now, and then we could get to his full statement later.
Go ahead. Go ahead.
Good morning, City Council, members of the City Council, members of the public, and our distinguished guests.
My name is Anthony Joel Quesada.
I am extremely proud to stand before you as a person who is nominated for the seat of Alderman of the 35th Ward.
I was born and raised on Chicago's northwest side in Logan Square to two immigrant working-class parents from Mexico and Costa Rica,
and I've lived there my entire life, and I've had the great honor of serving our communities in multiple capacities,
as a community organizer, as the former 35th Ward Democratic committee person elected in 2020,
as a Cook County commissioner for the past two years and currently standing before you as commissioner,
and now standing before you as a possible appointee to the 35th Ward.
I have committed my life, my adult life, to working for people, to unite people, to uplift people.
to approach the most impacted people in our communities.
As someone who deeply experienced poverty growing up,
I know the issues that are impacting our neighbors, our residents, across our city.
And I've always committed myself to working to making sure that we deeply address those things.
And I work in a collaborative spirit.
You know, I've had the great opportunity of speaking with the majority of you at this point.
And one of the things, one of the principles that I've tried to really communicate
is that I'm someone who comes and I work.
I work, I talk, I collaborate, I engage in dialogue.
That's how I approach the work of governance.
And I think now more than ever, with the kind of spirit and vitriol that we're seeing across all different spectrums and levels of government,
we need people who know how to bring people together, who know how to have a cool temper,
and who know how to get ready to work to make sure that we are addressing the various needs that are impacting our communities,
from social, economic, racial, and economic injustice.
us. There is a lot. This is an important moment. Our communities and history
is looking on us, and it's imperative that we learn how to come together.
So I'm deeply honored. I have more remarks for later, but I'll
conclude right there. Thank you so much.
Okay. Are there other questions or comments
by the body? Roll call.
I'm so sorry. Before we do roll call, I need to acknowledge that
um all the person hall is here and all the person bill is present in the chamber and will be added
to the quorum and so on this item we've been asked to do a roll call yes pardon me they're in
roll call yes they did i'm sorry alderman moore pull me out to ask some questions i think
you want to ask questions we a roll call has been asked for y'all pulled me out so i know when i
i want to make some statements you're going to get a chance to do it at the city council then
get two bites at the apple all right chairman i respect that all the millis spotter all right
alderman hopkins all the person down all the person robinson i all the person yancey
No.
Audit Person Hall.
Aye.
Audit Person Mitchell.
Aye.
Chairman Harris.
Aye.
Audit Person Bill.
No.
Audit Person Chico.
Aye.
Audit Person Lee.
Yes.
Audit Person Ramirez.
Aye.
Audit Person Quinn.
Yes.
Audit Person Gutierrez.
Yes.
Audit Person Lopez.
No.
Audit Person Coleman.
Present.
Aye.
Aye. Aye, nay, no. Aye. Aye. Aye. Okay.
Order person Moore? No. Order person Curtis?
Order person O'Shea? Aye. Order person Taylor? Aye.
Order person Mosley? Aye. Order person Rodriguez? Aye.
Order person Tavares? No. Order person Scott? Aye.
Order person Cicho Lopez? Aye. Order person Fuentes? Aye.
Alderperson Burnett.
Aye.
Alderperson Irvin.
Aye.
Alderperson Talaferro.
Aye.
Alderperson Cruz.
Aye.
Alderperson Cardona.
No.
Alderperson Wagaspack.
Yes.
Alderperson Rodriguez-Sanchez.
Aye.
Alderperson Conway.
Yes.
Alderperson Villegas.
Alderperson Mitts.
Alderperson Sposado.
Alderman.
Alderman Sposado is an enthusiast.
Yes.
Okay.
All the person, Nugent.
Aye.
All the person, Vasquez.
Aye.
All the person, Apollotown.
Aye.
All the person, Riley.
No.
All the person, Knudsen.
Aye.
All the person, Lawson.
All the person, Gardner.
Yes.
You've got to mute yourself.
Other person Gardner?
No.
Other person Clay?
Aye.
Other person Martin?
Aye.
Please mute yourself.
Okay.
Other person Martin?
Other person Manna Hoppenworth?
Aye.
Other person Haddon?
Aye.
Other person Silverstein?
No.
Okay.
Alderman Mitts?
35.
Other person Mitts?
Are you voting?
Okay. All right. 35 yays and 10 nays. This motion passes.
The approval of this appointment will be reported out of our next City Council meeting today, Monday, April 7th, 2025.
Item 2 is a direct introduction. It's the resolution amending, the resolution identifying the Chairman, Vice Chairs, and members of the Standing Committees,
the City Council of Chicago or the City of Chicago for 2023-2027 term to include Anthony
Quesada replacing Carlos Ramirez Rosa who has resigned.
You should have all received a copy of the resolution via email and in the packet before
you.
If there's no questions, can I get a question?
If there's no questions, Alderman Riley.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Regarding the committee assignments, again, you know, as a new seated member of the council, of course, it's expected that the new alderman will serve on committees.
But it seems that he's inheriting committees that were given to a senior member of the city council with 10 years of service.
and I know of members that have served here for multiple terms
who do not have the pleasure on serving both the budget and finance committees.
And as one of the folks who's been around here longer than most, with you, Chairman,
traditionally, senior members of the Council would be offered the opportunity
to slot into one of the desirable committees.
We all know around here that there are three big ones.
zoning, finance, and budget. And I just wanted to know if there was any effort or outreach made
to senior members of the council to poll them on whether or not they would like to
upgrade their committee assignments or whether or not this was just simply being transferred
directly to the successor. So I can say that historically, since I'm an appointee by daily,
that I slid right into Todd Stroders' committees. Alderman Lee, Alderman Scott,
Alderman Knudsen slid right into those spots, and we've historically approved them. If you would like to change committees, go ahead, Alderman Sposato. Wait, wait, wait. Let me finish my statement. And so if you'd like to switch or be added to committees, it's just a conversation.
And you can be added when we're doing these changes that are historic for people that have been around to know that they can change committees at this time.
Well, Madam Chair, it also requires a call by you and a meeting scheduled.
Not by me.
A meeting scheduled.
Well, the Rules Committee needs to convene to vote on rejuggling these chairmanships.
And while you may have been appointed by Mayor Daley, I was elected a few months later.
And I also recall that we did not just transfer committee assignments to successors.
We did for certain people under certain mayors.
But under Rahm Emanuel, we didn't.
So, again, I would just like to say that a better process moving forward, not picking on Mr. Cazada,
moving forward any kind of replacements.
I think that the committees should be looked at and deference should be given to senior members of the Council
who may wish to serve on a committee they've been excluded from.
That has been tradition.
And so I'm just flagging that for you, Madam Chair, and I will stop talking now.
But that's something I wanted to raise.
All right, another homework assignment.
Go ahead, Alderman Sposato.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I say the same thing my esteemed colleague says.
Anthony, it's nothing against you. I'm actually trying to help you.
I don't think you should be on finance and budget and zoning and housing.
They're four very difficult, demanding committees.
I know you say you could do it, but it's not fair to other people that maybe want to be on finance or budget.
It's not hard to reshuffle the deck.
And I don't know what Mayor Daley did, but Mayor Emanuel always reshuffled the deck.
Because Mayor Emanuel, I believe, had five appointments, and he reshuffled the deck.
I don't know why it is so hard to say.
I think he deserves to be on something like the happy committee or some easier committee that's less demanding.
He's going to have the demands of being a new alderman.
And to burden him, I shouldn't say burden.
I mean, they're demanding committees.
You know it.
I know it.
Everybody knows it.
They're long meetings.
They're regular meetings.
I just don't think, I think the deck needs to be reshuffled and you should not slide into your predecessors' committees.
So that's all I'm saying.
And now I don't know, maybe nobody else wants to be on finance or budget that's not on there.
So I don't know how we go about this, but you should not inherit the committees that your predecessor had.
And that's all I wanted to say.
And it's nothing against you, Anthony.
It's just what's right is right.
It's more of trying to help you have less demanding committees.
But with that, I appreciate the opportunity to speak, Madam Chair.
We need to recognize Alderman Curtis for the purposes of quorum.
Alderman Rodriguez followed by Alderman Vasquez followed by Alderman Bill.
Yeah, in my first year's tenure under the mayor and the vice mayor,
we had three alders who slid into the committees of those successor aldermen, alder people.
I would suggest that if anyone's in a post here, once they go through this process,
they might suggest their successor take this high road.
Look, I don't think this is a perfect process, but upending it in this way doesn't make any sense to me.
I welcome you to the Workforce Committee.
I actually think it's the most – it's above those three that were just mentioned.
Just kidding.
Just kidding.
But thank you very much, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to speak,
and I'll move to pass at the appropriate time.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I really do appreciate our colleagues raising up these issues. I think in this instance, we have someone who served as a commissioner who, I'd argue, has a little more experience than other appointees might have, but for the members of this council who've got the questions, it makes absolute sense if we were to draft legislation so we don't have to worry about tradition or who has a conversation with whom, and we just establish a process for what happens when there's a appointee or when members of this council.
Members want to go serve on different committees.
I think maybe as a council figuring out what the good government way to do it
as opposed to what a whim of a mayor might be is a way to approach it.
But I think in this instance, since we're here in this moment,
it would make sense just to, I believe, move forward and see what we can agree on
should we want to see changes in the municipal code at another time.
Thank you.
Audemant Veal.
Madam Chairman, I tend to agree with Alderman Riley on this one,
and I want to offer up a friendly amendment to this one here
by adding the name of Alderman Anthony Beal to the Budget Committee?
Roll call.
Give me a minute.
If we're going to amend it, legal has said that we need to amend the document,
so if we're going to vote on an amendment, we need to see it in writing and passed out to the body.
We have historically offered up friendly amendments
and then have the law department or whoever draft it and have it ready for the city council meeting.
That's a very quick fix that I think can be done in a matter of five minutes.
We're going to stand at ease while we draw up the document, and I can give you all a copy of it
so that I don't get dinged for a violation.
So we're going to draw up an amendment, and you will get it.
So we're going to stand at ease while we draw up that amendment.
You're going to get some popcorn, right.
Yes.
Are they...
Any other friendly amendments, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished colleagues?
Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As it relates to committee assignments, if there is someone that wants to serve on something,
if you would give that information to the chair of the committee, if there is a desire,
just as in the past people have decided to come off of committees,
those things have been given to the chair and then routed through the appropriate process
through the committee to do this today in such a way, I think, doesn't make a lot of sense.
The will of the body can be as it is.
However, if there are committees and people want to be assigned to committees or come off of committees,
there is a process to do that that's a little more orderly and organized than where we sit today.
Furthermore, as I recall, there should be some evening of the committees
where members are serving on an appropriate number of committees.
We have some members serving on as little as one or two, and some serving on as many as nine.
So, ten, my apologies.
So if we want to have this conversation, then I think this needs to be leveled out
so that the workload is a little more evenly distributed across the board.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are at ease.
I'm going to ask him, too.
Alderman Bill, will you move your, change your amendment?
Okay.
He wants to see it.
Feel good?
Okay.
Alderman Bill, do you have your copy?
Okay.
So, will you read?
Alderman Irving has a question.
We back in session.
Hey, Alderman Mintz.
Okay, for the record, I want to make sure that we know that Alderman Coleman is here.
Alderman Mitts is here.
Alderman Clay also are in the House.
Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would ask for, based on the substitute resolution, I would ask the Alderman from the Ninth Ward to withdraw his motion,
therefore, and then move on to substitute resolution by roll call.
Go ahead, Alderman Bill.
Thank you, Madam Chairman.
But you had already asked me that a few minutes ago.
Yes, sir.
And I had agreed to withdraw my friendly amendment and move for the substitute, adding me to the Committee on Budget and Government Operations.
So all in favor of the motion to accept the substitute, adding Alderman Beal to the Budget Committee, all in favor of that, signify by aye.
Aye.
All those opposed.
And opinion of the chairs, the ayes have it.
The substitute is now on the table.
All those in favor of the substitute motion for...
The resolution amending, the resolutions identifying chairman, vice chairman, and members of standing committees of the City Council of the City of Chicago for the 2023-27 term to include the amended motion that you've received in front of you.
If I have no questions, I'd like to have all members affirm to, all y'all are yes, right?
Move, do pass.
Okay, so Alderman Sposato, with the exception of Alderman Sposato, we move passage of the substitute amendment.
All those in favor, aye, excluding Alderman Sposato.
All right.
All right. Yes. Alderman Irving moved there being no further business before this committee. Can I get a motion by Alderman Irving for all members to determine quorum? Alderman Lopez. Oh, I'm so sorry, everybody. I apologize.
Before we do adjourn, I am going to send out a notice to all of my lovely colleagues asking you what committees you want to get off of
and what committees you want to get on to, okay?
Thank you.
And I do want to say that we do have our rules allow that there are so many members on a committee.
So if the committee is full, you then have to work it out with someone to get off of that committee.
So let's move to that adjournment.
All those in favor that we adjourn.
All those opposed, we are now adjourned.
Good afternoon. Good afternoon. The meeting will start momentarily. Can everyone please take their seats and silence their phones? The meeting will start very shortly. Thank you.
Good morning, everyone. The council will come to order. Madam Clerk, please take a quorum roll call.
The quorum is now open. The quorum is now open. Please use your e-device. The quorum is now open. If you need support, please raise your hand. It is now open.
All right, I will now call those who have not used their e-device.
Alderwoman Dow, not present.
Alderman Robinson, Robinson is present.
Alderman Hall, Hall is present.
Alderwoman Harris, Harris is present.
Alderwoman Coleman, Coleman is present.
Alderman O'Shea, O'Shea is present.
Alderman Cicho Lopez. Present. Cicho Lopez is present. Alderman Burnett. Not present. Alderman Irvin. Not present. Alderwoman Cruz.
Reporting in progress.
Alderman Cruz, not present.
Alderman Irvin?
Alderman Irvin is present.
Alderman Talaferro?
Not present.
Alderman Cardona?
Present.
Cardona is present.
Alderman Rodriguez-Santez?
Not present.
Alderman Villegas?
Present.
Villegas is present.
Alderman Spasado?
Alderman Spasado.
Fasato is present.
Alderman Nugent?
Nugent is present.
Alderman Vasquez?
Present.
Vasquez is present.
Alderman Lawson?
Not present.
Alderman Martin?
Not present.
Alderman Cruz?
I see you.
Cruz is present.
Anyone else?
Walk in.
Okay.
The quorum vote is now closed.
There are 43 members that are present. We have a quorum.
There is one Alder. Alder Burnett
has requested to participate in today's meeting remotely for reasons
stated in Rule 59. Can I get a motion once his
presence is confirmed for
remote participation? Can we confirm Alderman Burnett's presence?
Alderman Burnett. I don't see him.
Very well.
Well, then we'll just keep moving right along.
At this point, we will 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.
Please remain standing for our invocation, which will be delivered today by Dorothy Caldwell, chaplain for the Chicago Sky.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Ecclesiastes 3 says,
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under the sun, and he has made everything beautiful in his time.
Father God, we bless you this morning, O God.
Father, we thank you, Lord, for your grace, your mercy, your goodness, your kindness.
Father, we thank you, Lord, for this new day.
Father, we arrest this atmosphere right now for your glory.
God, we pray in the name of Jesus, Lord, as you have ordained each one to be standing in posture in this time and in this season.
Lord, that you ordained them for such a time as this.
And Father, I pray in the name of Jesus, Lord, that your presence, Lord, would not only rule in this place,
But, God, Lord, that your kingdom will come and your will will be done in Jesus' name.
God, I pray, oh, God, for the wisdom of heaven to be upon our mayor, to be upon each council member in the name of Jesus.
Father, I pray that your will will be done.
God, Lord, that you will establish, Lord, what those things that will bring forth your glory, Lord, that will bring forth justice, Lord, that will bring forth mercy.
God, Lord, that will bring forth love in Jesus' name.
God, now I pray, oh, God, Father, Lord, that you will minister to each heart.
God, Lord, that you will cause their hearts to be tuned into you.
Lord, I pray.
Pray that your Holy Spirit will dwell in this place in Jesus' name.
Now, God, I pray that you will rule, that you will reign, and that you will have your will and let your kingdom be established in this place and in this city.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Amen.
You may be seated.
Thank you.
For the special meeting, Madam Clerk, please read the call of today's special meeting.
The following call for a special meeting of the City Council was filed in my office on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 418 p.m.
Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby call a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Chicago to be convened at 1030 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, in the City Council Chamber and City Hall for the sole purpose of, one, considering the appointment of the Alderman of the 35th Ward, replacing Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who has resigned, and two, considering the resolution, amending the resolution, identifying the chairman, vice chairman, and members of the standing committees of the City Council of the City of Chicago for the 2023 to 2027 term to include the new 35th Ward Alderman, replacing Carlos Ramirez-Rosa.
who has resigned. Very true to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Now this is a portion of the meeting for 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 Jody Whitaker.
Jody Whitaker is not present.
our next speaker is Robert Castillo good morning City Council Mayor Johnson
morning my name is Robert Castillo for most of my 57 years I have lived in
Logan Square I currently live there and I work in Logan Square and I'm here to
support the appointment of Anthony Cazada as our next alderman of the 35th
Ward excuse me I also serve on your advisory
Council for LGBTQ issues, and as I said earlier, representation matters, and I'm proud to see
another out LGBTQ plus member of the City Council take a seat. And sadly, I'm sad to see him leave
the Cook County Board, but I wholeheartedly support Anthony and look forward to working
with him in the future. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next
speaker is laneward j lingus good afternoon city council good afternoon mayor i am lawrence j
ligus i am the founder of logan square logan square concerned citizens i am a pragmatist
activist with a large list of accomplishments i'm not a pop-up activist as many you see that
come here they're just pop-up activists i am looking out for the hurting for the middle class
the voiceless that need support in this
Logan Square 35th Ward but in the city of Chicago
that has a very high increase in violent crime
and as pragmatists activists we need to stand up
to the elected officials that are not doing their job that are soft
on violent crime and that is one issue that I ask not to vote
for Anthony due to the fact that he's very weak
on violent crime and he loves every property tax increase that he sees he votes for. The corruption
that happens in Cook County is coming to the city and from the city it's going to D.C. So it's a whole circle.
And that is reason is I put my name in as a candidate for the 35th Ward.
With my 40 years as a resident, my 25 years as a 35th Ward resident.
I was voted, I was moved from the 35th Ward to the 32nd Ward through redistricting.
The fact with all my accomplishments for youth advocate, for mental health awareness,
for environment with the chicago river i currently live at the gateway into logan square
where the river meets diversity and i'm the only activist in the 35th ward that has cares about
the river the environment i'm the only activist in the 35th ward that cares about violent crime
and mayor i would ask that you support the eight o'clock curfew because the criminals they go the
path of least resistance. And in Logan Square, we're seeing a lot of the increase of youth
violence is because there's one area that they're getting a lot of pressure and then
they go to other areas. So that's one reason why I'm asking not to vote for Anthony, because
he will wait and ignore the problem and not be a true leader and stand up to the real
problem. Because right now we have a clown show that's going on. And one way we could
turn around not the 35th ward to say no to him is remove 50 percent of these older persons they're
not not willing to stand up for what their wards need we could cut the budget we could save it
because the chicago teachers doing the corrupt chicago teacher union is breaking our city so
the way to do that is we get rid of a lot of the you know the incompetent leaderships and i'm sorry
for the many that are here, but...
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Devon Carson.
Our next speaker is Connie Hernandez.
Hello there. My name is Connie Hernandez.
Thank you for this time.
I would like to voice my support
for Anthony Joel Quesada
to be appointed the next 35th Ward
alder person.
As I spoke to before,
I've known Anthony for a long time.
I am an organizer with the United Neighbors
of the 35th Ward. We are a people-powered organization.
We talk to neighbors every day to get them involved in issues
and give them autonomy over the decisions that are made in their
ward and their lives. Anthony, as a Cook County Commissioner,
has shown that he has immense care and goes out of his way
to involve the people in his district, to involve them
in decisions even outside of the voting
process, elections every few years. He's always like knocking doors. He has coffee hours to bring
people in, even if they can't vote or are disillusioned with government. He wants to listen
to, is constantly talking to neighbors. He has also lived in the ward for a long time,
and I'm excited to see him transition into the 35th ward office to bring that governance,
that democracy into that position. UN35 hosted our own endorsement session in which we allowed
anyone who wanted to submit a questionnaire for consideration for our organization to endorse
them. Anthony was the only person that submitted the questionnaire on time. And then because he
has such a long history in the community as an organizer and has built relationships,
personal relationships with people that live in the ward.
During that endorsement session, the community and our membership voted to endorse him
because we, the community, want him as our 35th Ward Alder person.
So I hope that you will also go through the formal process of endorsing him.
Love you, Anthony.
He is a compassionate, intelligent, diligent leader.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
thank you very much for your comments our next speaker is to one Sims excuse me Taiwan Sims
Good morning, committee, council.
For the thousands of people that were in Daly Plaza,
I wonder why they're not marching for the children that now use the L still for a sanctuary.
I wonder why they're not screaming at William J. Kelly, who was often screaming at you,
or trying to get some type of clout or whatever it is,
and calling it the violent, young, black, violent, whatever it is, teen, takeover,
an incident that took place downtown.
town. But specifically speaking to a nation of people, the mayor looked like them, but
the mayor used no power. But I was kind of relieved when you did speak afterwards. But
that's the after effect. We need immediate representation here in Chicago for the issues
that we're dealing with. You talk housing. I'm still homeless. But we have at 825 a gentleman
by the name of Corey Hughes, who told me that in 2022, when the new arrivals, that's what
y'all call them, the illegals, were brought over here, that in one week, he had them housed
and working. I've been speaking at this mic for how long? I'm sure many of the committee
people, or committee, or what do they call y'all now, all the persons, all the men and
women, can give you a timeline. Enough is enough. Enough of not holding our representation
accountable. Enough of this whole argument with what's happening in Washington when we are here
in Illinois and in Chicago. Enough with the people that sit high up causing issues and the backwash
comes down to the constituents. Because y'all want to show y'all sales powerful against the
president, right? It's Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump. But what about Chicago, Chicago, Chicago,
Chicago. What about the residents? What about residents like me that need help, that's been
screaming at this podium, at this microphone for help? What about 23D-79597, the case of my young
child? What about the case that I have with Ms. Williamson over there, or the domestic relations
department? Y'all have not addressed anything, but I'm sitting here in this room every day watching
y'all exchange land
parcels, watching y'all make decisions
towards the Chicago that's
what? Become a junk
though. That's decreasing
in value.
But you represent us, sir.
We need stability
in our representation.
Not that sideways madness.
And so while y'all argue
with Doge or
Elon Musk and Donald Trump,
we take the backlash.
The $4 billion that
comes here annually. This is the argument, right? The finances that we won't receive in the city,
that we need here in the city. So that $830 million that she said that there'll be no
fault in, it's so much fault. So we'll see you in 20 years, sir, when you won't see you next year,
though. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Mark Hubert. Thank you,
Mr. Mayor, Council. I already did my tight two minutes the first time, so I'm just going to
riff a little bit because we all know this is somewhat important but performative, that decisions
have already been made. Many of you aren't even paying attention to the speakers. So why are we
here? We're here to make the world a better place for all of us, and I think that
Anthony is going to be a great voice to come to the table to talk with all y'all when you figure
out, try and figure out how to solve problems. I appreciate you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate your
budget address because you laid it on the line. You said this city has a problem raising money.
It's been limited by the state in terms of how it can raise revenue. And if we want to solve
problems problems solutions cost money we got people talking about how Chicago
is all violent and it's violent violent violent and their answer is more violence
and I respect the people who put on the uniform to serve and protect I think the
vast majority of them want to serve and protect
But we all know that the root of our problems is poverty, is the lack of mental health, is the lack of the kind of health services that would make a healthy community.
And then the violence goes away because people are going to be less angry.
So, coming back to Anthony, I've known Anthony now for over 10 years, and he amazes me at his ability to understand situations and his ability to pull people together and have conversations.
And you may not agree with him, but I'll tell you, you'll enjoy the conversation.
And hopefully, hopefully, enough people can come together to make some decisions to solve problems.
So I stand for Anthony, and I wish all of you the best of luck, all power to the people.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is George Blakeborn.
A game that people play. Racism is the big problem here in the city of Chicago.
Racism, nepotism, corruption.
I was amazed what the federal government said, we're not going to indict police, the whistleblower, because everybody going to start blowing whistles, a shell going to go, and some of you all down here going to go.
is the reason why the federal government
says we're not going to indict police.
There's a reason why, and this man used this term,
nigger, and some of these blacks have accepted his apology.
If I go over three minutes,
throw him out, lock him up,
put it out, nigger.
Why would you accept that apology?
This is a cesspool here.
It's disgraceful here.
It's corruption here.
And the way that the government is going to bring Blue Down is to kill two birds with one stone.
Each one of these is going to kill on the other one.
I asked my mother
how can you kill two birds
for one stone
it's going to happen
do do happen here
it's going to happen
we have black faces
in high places
selling black people out
and we have fallen in love
with our enemy
and our enemy
look like us
in our God we must trust
in our God, true to our God
and our native land, Africa.
We are a black people enslaved in America.
Enslaved in America.
America owes us.
We don't owe America nothing.
Where is Go Red?
Where is Flip Red?
This hat says, make America great.
Or make America great? Was she ever great? Was she enslaved black people? Racism is a problem here. Take my picture. Make it go viral.
Racism is a problem here. All you black faces in high places selling your people out. I'm sorry. I forgive you.
Love your nappy hair, your big nose, and your black.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Your Honor, there are no further speakers who have timely signed up for the public.
Very well. Thank you very much.
I believe that Alderman Burnett has arrived virtually.
Madam Clerk, could you confirm?
Alderman Burnett, are you there?
Yes, I am.
Very well. Can I get a motion to approve the remote participation?
It's been moved. Is there a second?
All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Any opposed, say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Thank you very much.
Now for the special meeting agenda. As said forth in the letter, calling for this special meeting, the only item or items of today for consideration.
It's an appointment for the vacancy in the 35th Ward, aldermatic vacancy,
and a resolution that also amended the membership of various city council committees
to include the new 35th Ward alderman.
These items were heard this morning in the Rules Committee,
and so as a matter of proper procedure, I would ask that the chair of the Rules Committee
present her committee reports.
Chair recognizes. Chairwoman Harris. Thank you, Mr. President. Reporting for your Committee on Committees and Rules was met earlier today, Monday, April 7, 2025 at 930. The committee recommends the passage of the following items. Item one is a report approving the appointment of Anthony Cozada as the alderman of the 35th Ward. Mr. President, after remarks, I move that the council concur in the appointment by a roll call vote.
Very well. Do you wish to speak? Do you wish to be preserved as last?
I'll be preserved as last.
Very well. The chair will be the last speaker on these items.
The chair recognizes Alder Jesse Fuentes.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand in support of this appointment.
Anthony Joel Quesada is a community organizer.
He is a lifelong Avondale resident.
But more importantly, he understands the ins and outs of aldermanic work,
working under former Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa.
But also, Anthony's a convener.
If you've worked with him in any capacity,
whether he was a staffer for the office,
an organizer with UN35,
or in his capacity as commissioner,
you know that despite your political ideology
or where you come from in the city of Chicago,
he respects who you are,
and he is willing to have any difficult conversation.
I mean, half of the Cook County board is here today
supporting Commissioner Anthony Joel
Quezada. But we only
have one vacancy. Don't get any ideas.
I
know that as the 35th
Ward Alderman, he's not only going to work with
every single colleague that's here in this
chambers, but he's going to go above and
beyond to make sure that we can be collaborative,
have critical discussions, and
move this city forward. We know it's
very difficult political times,
and when there is difficult political
times, we need people who are willing to bring
folks together, willing to critically listen.
no matter what your standing or position is on any single matter.
I believe that Anthony is going to bring that forward.
He's a friend of mine as Cook County Commissioner, which 95% of the 26th Ward sits in.
He has been nothing but a great partner,
bringing every single resource that the county has to offer to residents across the 26th Ward,
whether those were property tax appeals, exemption support,
or whether that was taking field trips to the Forest Preserve
and bringing all of the goodness that the county has to offer to our residents.
He will do the same for every 35th Ward resident.
And, you know, here's the fact.
Anthony was overwhelmingly elected by residents of the 35th Ward as county commissioner.
People support him. They believe in him.
Today we have residents and organizers that are supporting this appointment
because they've watched him do the job.
He's a good legislator, a good advocate, and a good organizer, and this council will be lucky to have him.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder Ramirez, Julia Ramirez.
Hi, everyone.
Good afternoon.
I want to say good afternoon, buenas tardes, to this huge, diverse box that people can't even fit in.
It's a beautiful sight to see, and I really want to thank all the community members
who have been here today. Anthony, you build community. Community always surrounds you.
And I want to give you some friendly support from the southwest side of Chicago, the best side,
in competition with the northwest side forever. But you have accomplished so much. You come from
humble beginnings, but you have a fierce heart. And you've carried a lot, and you've accomplished
a lot. Not only on a local level, but obviously through your county work. You know, I was thinking
about you this morning and how I can best describe you and your intensity. And I really love
basketball. So if Anthony was on a basketball team and this was the second half, he would be
full court press, like really intense. And I really love that about you. And so selfishly,
I'm really happy that you're going to be my colleague here, but I think it benefits everybody,
that you're going to bring a fresh perspective, a fresh way of doing things and building sort of those relationships.
along the way. And so as part of the 90s Babies Caucus, we now appoint you as the youngest member
of City Council. So happy Appointment Day, Anthony, and I'm so very proud of you. Congrats.
Chair recognizes Alderman David Moore. Thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to speak
speak on this appointment. Let me start out by just saying words matter. Words matter.
And one of the things I do, I teach when I'm speaking to youth, I always tell them life is about choices and consequences.
I always tell them life is about choices and consequences. And I always tell them to make sound decisions,
make good choices, because even if you begin to sometimes weigh your choices, you may say,
well, the worst thing I can do if I sneak out the house is I may get a whooping.
I may get my cell phone taken.
I may get put on punishment.
You try to look at all those possible consequences to your choices,
but there are always things that's called unknowns in there that I tell them.
and that unknown you just never know about.
So you sneak out the house and your mom catch you.
You knew that for a fact that she's going to whoop you.
You knew for a fact that you're going to get her own punishment
and you knew for a fact that your phone was going to be taken away.
But you didn't know for a fact why she was hollering and screaming at you
that she got so stressed out she had a heart attack and died.
Choices matter and all of them have consequences.
Let me first pass saying that Alderman Ramirez Rosa did a great job representing his ward.
Whether you agree with some of his policies or anything like that, he did a great job of representing his constituents.
And I am a strong believer, I am a strong believer that any alderman has a right to have a voice
and making sure that their predecessor is someone that they can put there
or advocate for that will continue the work that they've done
until otherwise elect people of that ward see different or see the same.
And so that's not this situation here.
There's a scripture in Psalm 38, 18 that said,
I confess my iniquity.
I am sorry for my transgression.
2 Corinthians says, for godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret,
that leads to forgiveness without regret, whereas worldly grief or worldly confession produces death.
Where are you going, David?
but everyone has an insult level, and everybody's insult level is different.
In this case, it wasn't so much what you said as much as how the apology
or lack of an apology, in my opinion, came out.
So for me, as we start and we go through this thing,
because it matters.
Word beginning.
Danny Ayla,
debating if I should go visit my nigga.
Anthony Cazada,
excuse you, that's my nigga.
Go visit Fat Nose.
Danny, laughing my ass off.
He is your nigga, you're right.
So can he be my semi-nigger?
laugh out loud. Words matter. Anthony, barely semi, but I'll allow it. I look for ways to
forgive people, especially young people when they've made youthful mistakes. I look for
ways to forgive. But a lot of people hear this word, and it's become so just accepting
that other people are like, oh, well, well, but substitute that. And I'm going to apologize
and say I'm sorry up front if I offend anyone. But substitute it for
anything you want. Excuse me
that's my spig. Excuse me that's my kite.
Excuse me that's my guido. Now other people may
use terms amongst themselves all the time. All the
time. But when someone else does it, it is cut
somewhere. Whether it cuts some young person, it cuts a
group of people, it cuts.
But we have to look for ways to forgive you all because people do make mistakes.
And I'm always open to that.
And I appreciate this, Commissioner, without me saying anything, reaching out to me and saying,
hey, Alderman, this has happened when I was young and I made a statement.
Yeah, send me over that statement.
I'm looking for a statement and then this is what I see.
Earlier this week, and this is from March 23,
Earlier this week, someone identified an inappropriate tweet I wrote nine years ago when I was 18 and still in high school.
I regret having written it.
Listen to it.
I regret having written it.
Not that I'm sorry for saying those words.
Not that I'm sorry to a group of people.
This is my insult level.
I regret I have written it.
When it was brought to my attention, I immediately deleted it.
thank the individual who fled it. If so, it could be appropriate action.
Now, I'm seeking 35th Ward Alderman.
And I got another opportunity. After I announced my intent to seek
the 35th Ward Aldermanic appointment, a tweet from 2014
that I deleted two years ago resurfaced, I would like to take this opportunity
to express again my deep regret
for making a mistake as a high school student and take full responsibility.
I don't feel that sorry. I don't feel I am sorry.
Regret, and as I told people, and I give my example here,
if I was to have an opportunity to have an affair with Beyonce,
and Jay-Z catch me, and shoot me in my behind,
and people interview me, Alderman,
How do you feel about this? What? I regret being in that hotel room with Beyonce.
I regret that Jay-Z came in there. But you will never hear me say I'm sorry for sleeping with Beyonce.
Because I wouldn't be. But I regret that that happened.
And so it's a difference between regret, writing something down, and being godly sorry.
Godly sorry for hurting a group of people, because I don't know what kids are looking at this.
I, David Moore, have an insult level.
And I would say this to the commissioner.
Use my opposition in terms of what I'm saying as a growth opportunity.
Don't take it as anger.
Use it as a growth opportunity.
because when you're sorry about something, in my opinion, it just comes out.
I don't have to dress it up.
But when I write something down and I'm intently writing down
and I'm intently not writing I'm sorry and I'm intently using certain words,
that's what got me, not so much the other stuff
because as Reverend Clemens has said,
please don't spit in my face and then tell me it's raining.
Don't do it. And that's the way I felt about the apology. And so for me, on behalf of the resident of 17th Ward, as much as I know my former colleague has put somebody together and helped mold somebody to take on his, take on after him and serve his community,
I wish I could, but because I have an insult level today, I cannot support this appointment.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderman Burnett.
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the council.
So I just want to say I thank God that the past doesn't equal the future.
When I was about half any age, I made a mistake.
And I thank God that the people in my community, the city council, the governors and folks from all over forgave me for what I did when I was a teenager.
A lot of folks make mistakes when they were teenagers.
It appeared that even with this situation, it was a means of endearment.
It wasn't even toward an African-American person.
It's unfortunate that folks take things that happen in our culture,
a lot of negative things that happen in our culture,
and they use it in a different manner because a lot of folks follow our culture,
whether it's rap music or these sayings or whatever the case may be, to be cool.
And a lot of young people are influenced by these things.
I just want to say the commissioner came to me.
He spoke to me.
Probably was one of the first ones he called.
And I was very impressed.
I accepted his apology.
I understood it, you know, from, you know, having made a mistake myself when I was 17, 41 years ago.
And again, thank God the past doesn't equal the future.
Does that mean he don't like African-Americans because he called a Latino guy his nigga?
You know, I mean, I don't get it.
But we're not going to argue about that.
What I can say is my colleagues, my county commissioners from my district,
each of them called me in support of Anthony to tell me how great he is.
Matter of fact, one of my county commissioners even told me how he, as a younger person,
mentor them to be a county commissioner and how they rely on him with all of his knowledge
and his resources to be able to get into their position and do a great job for our community.
So I just want to say thank you, Anthony. He's been on several committees. A myriad of other
elected officials from across Cook County has called in support of Anthony from, you know,
from the top to the bottom, from black, white, you know, Hispanic,
all types of folks have called in support of Anthony.
Anthony, I look forward to working with you.
I think you are a very impressive young man.
When I see you, I see one of my young, one of my sons, right,
who is very active in the community, who is creative,
and who is very well read and well smart i just want to say i commend um disappointment
uh and i support disappointment mr mayor thank you thank you the chair recognizes alder woman
taylor is that coming through the sound system
Last week at lunch, Riley says to a classmate, can a nigga borrow a french fry?
Oh, this is here. I'm like, what is this going on here?
It was now, how is a nigga going to borrow a fry?
Nigga, is you going to give it back?
Hopped like that before you got it like that.
So that's a clip.
I'm a black man.
Okay, just please, thank you. Just order here, please.
My apologies. I didn't know where it was coming from.
Okay, it's fine.
Thank you. Please continue, Alderwoman Taylor, please.
So I played that clip because we talk about the power that that word has.
And as a black woman, it's different for me than what it is for a black man.
And so I was told, it ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
And so he made that mistake when he was a kid.
We've all said stuff that we don't agree with.
I don't think that that takes away from his community actually picking him to be in that space.
And so I've been called a nigger by one of our coworkers.
It was my first time speaking on the floor.
After I spoke, I had this, like, anxiety attack, and I walked out,
and one of my coworkers was standing on the other side of that door and said,
who do that nigger think she is?
I wasn't surprised.
I didn't report it.
I wasn't hurt because I know what y'all think of us.
I know that's how y'all feel, but those are your feelings,
and you're entitled to them.
And so while I don't agree with what was done, I do understand he was a kid.
I'm an 80s baby.
We didn't have Facebook and Twitter and X and all of that where you record some of the silly stuff we've done and said.
And so I won't say that I wasn't offended by what we're saying because, of course, that word bothers all of us.
But taken out of content, it was clear he was going back and forth with a friend of his.
He's entitled to it.
Shouldn't have never been on social media, but it is what it is.
But him saying those words.
don't make me think he's going to vote against my interests.
Don't think I won't have an ally in here.
Don't think that he won't vote for things that are great for my community.
And so while some of us are hurt by what he said,
I'm not going to take away from people's feelings.
You're entitled to them.
But I wasn't.
And so, Anthony, you got my support.
I know you as a Cook County Commissioner.
I know you as a person standing on the front line fighting to what's right.
And so we all make mistakes.
And so I hope you learn from them.
And I hope that you make sure that you move in a direction that's safe for all of us.
Because what you said was unsafe.
It could have gotten somebody hurt.
But I know that's not who you are because of my relationship with you.
And so I'll say it again.
We say it all the time amongst us.
It's not okay for y'all to say it.
It's not.
We know what that word was intent for.
We know how it was made up for a racial slur.
We know that.
And so don't say it.
Ain't your place.
Now, what we say to each other as black people, that's on us.
Because I'm sure there are plenty of things you all say to each other.
And so let's make it clear.
While it was not okay, this is where we are.
And we're in a world where racism is right in our face.
You all don't hide it anymore.
You all don't make it a secret.
Let's not act like he's not the only person on the name of a nigga.
And the thought that we have in this whole debate about it.
We just had a whole debate last month doing Black History Month about what?
an art exhibit. I ain't hear nobody say
nothing then. Well, what was
the defendant then?
And so, like, we gotta be very careful
about what we talk about that offends
people. And if the man
apologized, whether you agree with it or not,
because I get a lot of apologies, and apologies
are like, you know what, to me, you just
said it. You say it because it's convenient.
We will know if he
literally means it by the way he works.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder LaSpada.
Thank you so much, Mr. President.
I'm glad to stand in support of this appointment.
I've had the privilege to know Anthony for close to 10 years now.
I've had the opportunity to know him and work with him as a Cook County Commissioner.
I had the opportunity to know him and work with him as a ward staffer and as an organizer.
But more than anything, I had the opportunity to know him and work with him before there was any title or salary to his name.
And his empathy and his integrity is something that he has always carried with him.
I think as we're talking about this moment, I think both of us have had a lot of learning experiences in both of our lives
around accountability, around the difference between our intention of our actions
and the impact of our actions.
I've had the opportunity to grow from my experiences, and I know that he has as well.
And as Alderwoman Taylor was saying, if he had not grown in the last 11 years,
if he was not a different man today than he was then,
And the box of people behind him and behind us now would look a lot different than he does.
The folks speaking for you today, with you today, vouch for your character and for your solidarity.
And that is why I am so glad and privileged to welcome you as a partner in governing our community together and in governing the city together.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Cruz.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I also rise in support of the appointment of Anthony Quesada.
Not only he is my commissioner, but he is also the commissioner of the 30th Ward.
And working with Commissioner Quesada has been a true partnership.
He has built an outstanding team who him and his team has always gone above and beyond to serve the residents of the 8th District.
You have been there for when times that we were in a difficult situation to help residents.
You have showed up with either a call, you have showed up to the office.
So, again, you and yourself always go beyond and always been there to cooperate with us
and doing a lot of different events.
And I want to speak to that in your work ethic and how understanding you are, how you're committed,
how you follow up, and those are the things that we want to see also in city council.
And I think you'll be outstanding, as you have been doing with your work.
But also...
There's times that we have disagree.
There's times that we're both on different end of a subject or something that is very important,
but something that we hear often is the ability for Anthony to give you the opportunity to understand your point of view,
but also to hear him out and come out to something that we both agree, but we have done it with a lot of respect.
And at times we have ended in different oppositions or views on certain topics,
But something that a lot of people have here is he will take the time to hear you out.
But more than just hear you out, it's really understand your point of view as well.
So I appreciate that a lot about you.
Again, in the work that you have and the help that you demonstrated also for my staff as well,
when times we were also learning about the process, you and your department were there.
But, again, yesterday in an event somebody reached out to me who was a critic of the prior aldermen
but said she was hopeful and really looking at a positive view of Anthony Quesada coming into this role.
And I think that's what we're going to see a lot is most people being excited for him to be here.
But, again, I just want to make sure that everybody knows his work ethic and everything he does
and how he will also change things here in city council.
So I look forward to our partnership, again, at a different level.
But thank you for what you have done so far for all of us and other residents of the 30th Ward.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderman Mike Rodriguez.
Thank you, Mr. President.
First and foremost, I want to welcome to our chamber commissioners, Britton Lowry, Scott Stamps, and Steele.
I spent some time on the county side some years ago, and I know the work is very heavy over there.
And I know that you are very familiar what leadership is like and what colleagues you have
And how difficult it is to build relationships, to build working groups, to work together to achieve so much change.
And it signifies so much to see you all here today, from the south side to the north side to the west side,
representing the suburbs and the city of Chicago, all here for one purpose,
to support a leader like Anthony Joel Quesada, Commissioner Quesada.
You know, the fact is we sat on a committee together, a countywide committee together, Anthony,
and it was in that committee where I knew and I learned firsthand about your work ethic.
I learned firsthand about your putting your money where your mouth is when it comes to investing in working class people,
to investing in the least of us to bring out the most of us.
And the fact is I believe that you will sit honorably in this chamber.
I do believe that you will sit honorably, you will serve honorably.
And today, my friend, is a good day for the city of Chicago.
Today is a good day for your family.
Today is a good day for your mentors and those around you.
Because this day culminates in a person who's grown, a person who's ready to leave,
a person who's ready to join this chamber and offer so much new energy and vibrancy.
That's what you represent.
That's the person that I know, and that's the person that I am excited to welcome into Chicago City Council.
Mr. President, thank you for this appointment.
I think it's a stellar one, and I stand with you, hermano.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alder Vazquez.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
I also stand in support of our soon-to-be colleague, Alderperson Anthony Quesada.
I've known Anthony now, it feels like eight or nine years, as we all started organizing around the same time.
I, like many people, like most people, we don't start out perfect.
We grow through our relationships and through exposing ourselves to people that are different from us.
And I think it's been an example of that growth to see Anthony in leadership now.
We've also seen folks who've been appointed to this council who may not have the most experience.
Thankfully, everybody that's been appointed as I've been here have been top notch.
They've been really good examples in the last term.
But to have somebody who's also worked at a ward office that understands the services is really great for the constituents.
Regardless of someone's ideology or what someone may serve, they're here to provide the service for anyone that needs it.
And I think that's important so the people in the 35th Ward get to see leadership that doesn't skip a beat.
I think it's also a lot of opportunity to have someone almost.
reset the table here as we have new blood into this council to have the opportunity to bring
people together who may not have engagement with each other as colleagues and I think this will be
a good opportunity for Mr. Quesada to set that example to have those conversations um we have a
lot of tough decisions coming before this council in this next term or this term I should say we
have budget votes we have a lot of things that we may not agree on and the more we engage the better
We're going to be as a council. And so I would challenge soon to be Alderman Quesada, as I would change anyone, anyone coming to this council to take the opportunity to have that engagement,
to have those conversations with us, to bring people together who may not agree because we're all going to need it and the city will need it as well.
So I stand in support and thank you for the opportunity. Thank you.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Sposado.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Anthony and me.
Anthony is one of my three Cook County commissioners.
So I wouldn't say we work a lot together.
We have a casual relationship, but it's a good relationship.
As we all know, Anthony's way over here, and Nick Sposato's way over here.
But we can still work together, I feel.
I consider him a friend.
We don't go out drinking or hanging out or watching a ballgame or anything like that,
but we have a working relationship, and I appreciate that.
But all I wanted to say, the main thing I wanted to say, Mr. President, is
I could care less what the Cook County Commissioner say about supporting him.
I could care less what his colleagues say about supporting him.
And I could care less what some of the people in the gallery say about not supporting him.
All I care about is what you say.
It is your choice.
I'm a big believer.
It is your choice to pick whoever you want for whatever reason.
So, therefore, I support your choice for Anthony Quesada.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you.
the final two speakers unless there's anyone else that wishes to speak here the chair recognizes
alderwoman clay thank you mr president i didn't think you were gonna call on me so quick but i
appreciate that uh good afternoon anthony welcome to the gauntlet okay um i wanted to just first
i'll say that this is a beautiful moment for any young person this is a beautiful moment for any
young person who is thinking about running and representing their communities and their government
This is a beautiful moment for anybody who's ever grew up in poverty,
to be at the helm of the seat of power, to represent your community in a thoughtful way.
I also want to say that this is a huge opportunity for the 35th Ward, y'all.
Y'all have been putting in work over there, and I want to say that publicly,
because as a community of organizers, it's not always as easy to just walk into a seat of power.
It takes real blood, sweat, and tears.
And this is the culmination of that moment.
I also think that this is a teachable moment.
I think that this is a really, really personal, teachable moment that a lot of us need to just hold space for.
As the youngest black woman caucus member, it gives me great pleasure to be on this floor with you all
because my great-grandparents who fled the South getting called nigger,
their grandchild now has the opportunity to be at the seat of power in the city of Chicago, right?
Because the only conversation that we're having here is not about who you are as a human, as a man, as an organizer.
This is about a really traumatic word in the black community.
And I want us to have a moment because, to Taiwan's point, if there were any other words that were stated, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
This wouldn't even be something that we would be voting on.
And so I want to just have that reality that this word still carries immense trauma in the black community.
Now, as my family has tried to do, which my mom says all the time, is turn sugar into, or turn into sugar, okay?
We try to use it as a term of endearment.
We try to kind of blur the lines on what it means to be called that word.
But we have folks where this word carries deep trauma.
Every black person in this room has been called a nigger,
and they can tell you how it raises the hairs on the back of their necks
because of the ancestral trauma that's within that word.
Now, that does not take away from the fact that you are a brilliant, smart, amazing human.
You've just made us have an uncomfortable conversation as a family
where we have to assess what does that word mean for us
Because to Alderman Taylor's point, it's not what they call you, it's what you answer to.
Right?
So I want to use this as a teachable moment.
I want to use this as a teachable moment so that our communities can understand that we are tied by a cord.
Black and brown communities, you all, I want you to know that we need the same things.
We need affordable housing.
We need great schools.
We need safe communities.
All of us need these basic principles.
and what I'm asking as you enter the gauntlet
that I've been asking all my colleagues
is that we work together to unite our communities.
This isn't an opportunity to point fingers and place blames
because everybody has a mistake moment.
What this is an opportunity for us to do
is to use this moment to say,
hey, what are you doing in your community
that will also benefit my community?
and how can we push that forward?
One of the worst things to be called on this floor, y'all, is an Uncle Tom.
I hear it in the back of my neck every single time I sit in this beautiful seat.
Nobody wants to be called an Uncle Tom and saying they're not putting their people forward,
that they are not putting their people in a better place than where they were left, right?
And I know that you're coming on to this.
Get used to that.
I know you're coming on to this with some real power behind you.
But I really want to use this as an opportunity not to bash you for making some mistakes.
That's not the point.
The point is to use this moment to say I am coming with open arms,
I am coming with working hands to bridge the gap between our communities,
to build bridges instead of continuing to make it seem like we're always at odds.
I'm a mommy.
My baby will be five in three weeks.
And she's half Dominicana.
So I know how this word is used interchangeably in the culture.
I'm in it now.
What I'm telling you is this should not be why we're having this great debate on this floor right now.
It should be about how are we working together.
it. And so I just want to extend that olive branch. This is in no way, shape, form, or
fashion, given anybody else who is not in the culture the opportunity to say that word
or think that they can use it and have no repercussions. That's not that at all. What
we are saying is that we hear you, we appreciate you, and we want to work with you. So with
that, I say I appreciate you, Mr. President, for this appointment. You have my support.
Thank you very much. The chair recognizes Alderman Gardner.
Thank you, Mr. President. I stand against this appointment. And to be clear, I first want to thank Carlos Ramirez Rosa for the 10 years that he spent in this council.
We disagreed on many things, but I am appreciative and respectful of the service that you have given this city. And I wish you well in your new position.
I also think Anthony Quezada is going to be a good public servant
I do, I think you're a good individual
I believe you when you say that you regret what you have done
And I take that as your word
And I think we should all be able to make mistakes
And be forgiven for our mistakes
I just wonder if I made the same mistake
If this room would be as forgiving
I wonder if somebody who looked like me
and had moderate political views like me,
I wonder if this room would embrace me the way that you're embracing Anthony Cazada right now.
I wonder if there would be an alderman that would introduce a legislation to have me censured
and get 20 other aldermen to sign on to it because of the words that I said or spoke.
I wonder. I wonder if that's what would happen.
Until we can, I'm not voting against your appointment because of you.
I'm voting against the hypocrisy in this room.
And until we can start treating people equally and being just as forgiving to other people who make mistakes, I'm a no.
I vote against it, and I'm calling it out.
My colleague, Alderman Clay, just said this is a teachable moment.
I agree.
It is a teachable moment.
Should be a teachable moment for everybody in this in this room to simply ask ourselves, do we treat all of us equally and fairly?
You know, the past five years have been, you could say, challenging for myself, my family.
I had a lot of allegations thrown at me, many false.
I had protests outside my office, called me every name, racist, homophobic, transphobic,
every phobia you can imagine.
He's it. He's it.
I had people holding signs, black lives matter.
They want to tell me how much black lives matter.
And then a day later, within 24 hours,
they're the same people who call my wife's employer to try to get her fired,
who just so happens to be an African-American woman.
But we don't want to let that secret out
because we want to still go with the narrative that somehow, someway, he's racist.
So once again, I'm not voting against you, Anthony.
I think you're a good human being. I do.
And I take you at what your word.
You say you regret what you did. I'm sure you do.
I'm sure we all have made mistakes in our lives.
I'm sure we all did things or said things that we regret.
And I think we should all be given the same grace that Anthony's given today.
But I also think we should call it the hypocrisy in this room when we know damn well that people who look like myself wouldn't be given the same type of grace and latitude to make those same mistakes.
So I'm a no.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes all the women minutes.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
and I stand to support you Anthony before I knew that you had used the N
word you had called me and I accepted and said I moved forward knowing that
you're taking the place of Carlos and the the way the issue came out with
So, Audemars Ramirez and myself, we have been working together since then, I tell you, every
step of the way.
Even during the election, he and I met up and walked in the community.
You serve as part of the 8th District, encompassed part of the 37th Ward, and I'm looking forward
to you still keeping that same commitment to work along with me.
When I was a child growing up, you know, they used to say a lot of words.
I'm old school.
They can call you everything out of the book.
But you know what we did?
Put our hands on our hips and said, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Because those are words that we was called as we were growing up.
And we had to get past being called words that try to make us feel like we was less than.
Now let me say this.
Just so you know, nigger was a word that came out of slavery.
Where whites would always call the black folks niggers.
So it was a translation.
I had to look it up.
And as I was younger reading, to keep from being offended by it, anybody could be a nigger, because nigger was something that was bad, and it didn't have a color to it.
It's the word that whites choose to call black folks was a nigger, but it didn't represent who you was.
Hispanics, Polish, Jewish, anybody could be a nigger.
It's not about a color.
But if I was to let words bother me, I promise you I wouldn't be standing here as ottoman because I probably got called everything from my community, folks, some who like you, some who don't like you.
That don't make you be who you are.
But those are some, what you did was put it in right.
See, now you got another level here.
You're going to say something that may be derogatory.
you certainly don't want to put it in right.
So that's something that you have to make sure that never happened again,
because I have interracial family members,
and I know that they can talk both languages,
and they don't mean nothing by any of it,
it's just the way they're talking and communicating with one another.
But there are folks who are still sensitive about using the nigger word.
We was called niggers, negros.
We done moved on up the ladder.
Now we're black.
Now we're African Americans.
I can give you all kind of names you've been called.
It don't make no difference as long as you treat me right.
Treat me as a human being, and that's the way you should feel as you represent your constituents.
It's not a color.
It's a human being, and you want to treat them right and treat them the way you want to be treated.
That's the most thing I can give you out of this.
Treat folks the way you want to be treated.
And you will be all right. But I'm looking forward to collaborating with you and developing that relationship with you here in the council as we move forward on policy and moving this great city forward. So thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Silverstein.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I stand here today as the only Jewish alderman on the city of council,
and I stand here today representing the largest Orthodox Jewish community in the city of Chicago.
And I stand here today because I have made lots of friends and spoken to a lot of mainstream Jewish organizations throughout the entire city of Chicago.
And I have to tell you that the entire mainstream Jewish community feels alienated in the city of Chicago.
and at this point i cannot support somebody who has been at anti-israel and anti-semitic events
and so for that reason i will be voting no our final two speakers are alderman robinson
and aldo and chairwoman harris unless there are any other alders that wish to speak
all right our final two the chair recognizes alderman lamont robinson
Mr. Mayor, thank you.
There are four women in my life who I respect tremendously.
And, Mr. Mayor, when they vow for somebody, I have to take a moment and really listen in to them.
My mother, who doesn't know the commissioner that sits in the box a day,
But there are three other women, two of these women in this body, who I respect tremendously,
Chairwoman Harris, Chairwoman Dow, who is not with us, and then lastly, Cook County
Board President Tony Preckwinkle, who, the reason that I spent six years in the Illinois
General Assembly and now replacing her as alderman, when she calls, I do listen.
And when she vouches for someone, that means a lot to me.
When I look at the box, I see my friend and mentor, Commissioner Laurie.
I also see someone that since the 1960s has been doing his part to bring justice to the city of Chicago as well as bringing the black and brown community together, Frank Chapman.
Commissioner, you brought Frank Chapman to the party today.
Unbelievable.
That says a lot about your character.
Somebody who is 80-something years old who looks like he's 60,
that's been at the forefront of all fights between two disfranchised communities
that are still separated.
And a lot of this separation is what we're talking about today.
So I agree with Alderman Clay that this is a teachable moment.
I was talking to my cousin who is an eighth grader headed to Whitney Young about this device.
At Alderman Taylor, I'm an 80s baby that we didn't have.
And so this teachable moment is to our young people that we have to be careful what we say.
and what we put out in the universe.
And so, Commissioner, I look forward to working with you because our young people need to understand
what they say is important, and it lives with you forever.
And so I know that you've apologized, and I believe I know where your heart is
because of the people like Frank Chapman and Bill Lowry and Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle
and my friend Kevin Morris behind you.
But my ask of you, Commissioner, is that you help this body move forward.
Citizens of the city of Chicago that have been kissed by nature's son are hurting.
We don't need more folk to derail our movement for black and brown folks.
We need people that are going to stand up and move this city forward for two disfranchised communities.
And so, Anthony, I look forward to working with you to move our communities forward.
And so that is my ask of you.
And from my understanding, I know that the will is there to be able to do so.
And so congratulations.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Our final speaker from the city council will be the chair of Rules Committee.
The chair recognizes Chairwoman Harris.
Thank you, Mr. President.
It's evident that we're in pain as a city.
You listen to everybody's remarks, and I just think that as a city council, we're in pain.
And so I think that it's been a real robust conversation on listening to everybody and how they felt about some things that were said that are part of a public record and how they come back to bite you in the butt, as my mom would say.
So I'm looking forward to us moving forward as a city council, learning how to work together on issues to grow our city council.
The process by which Commissioner Casada got here is that his community supported him in this.
He was represented by organizations and groups across his entire ward for the support for him to leave his commissioner's seat to become their alderman.
To me, a very robust process that they went through as a ward to make sure that they would get the candidate of their choice.
So today, I will be supporting Commissioner Anthony Cazada, and I request a roll call vote on him.
Very well. Thank you for all of our speakers today, all those spoken to this item.
So there's a motion on the floor by Chairwoman Harris for the appointment of the 35th Ward automatic vacancy,
replacing Carlos Ramirez Rosa, who has resigned.
At this point, members of this body should use their e-device because a roll call has been requested.
All right.
The voting is now open.
The voting is now open.
Please use your e-device.
The voting is now open.
If you need support, please raise your hand.
The voting is now open.
Just hit refresh.
All right, I will now call on those who have not used the e-device.
Alderman Coleman, not present.
Alderman O'Shea.
Alderman O'Shea is a yes.
Alderman Mosley, not present.
Alderman Burnett.
Yes.
Burnett is a yes.
All right, everyone has voted.
The vote is now closed.
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
There are 32 yeas, and there are 11 nays, so this matter has passed.
Alderman Mitchell, on a motion to reconsider.
Alderman Mitchell, on a motion to reconsider.
Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.
All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say no.
This motion fails.
Mr. Quezada, please come to the dais.
The oath of office will be administered by the Honorable Thomas M. Donnelly, Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Please raise your right hand and repeat after me.
I, Anthony Joel Cazada, do solemnly swear
that I will support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution of the State of Illinois
and that I will faithfully discharge the duties
of the Office of Alderman
of the City of Chicago
according to the best of my ability.
Congratulations.
Congratulations again, Alderman Que Sada.
Welcome to the City Council.
Do you wish to address this body?
Yes, ma'am.
leave from the body to allow our newest member to address the body.
Good afternoon and thank you, Mayor Johnson, members of the City Council,
distinguished guests, and members of the public and the people of Chicago.
My name is Anthony Joel Quesada, and I'm honored and humbled to accept the appointment
to serve as Alderman of Chicago's 35th Ward.
The 35th Ward's neighborhoods have shaped me and continue to inspire me every day.
Before I go on, allow me to recognize my guests this afternoon.
Commissioners Bill Lowry, Scott Britton, Keisha McCaskill, Kevin Morrison,
Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, former Alderman and Park District CEO Carlos Ramirez Rosa,
my brother Michael, my sister Samantha, my niece Nora, Hilda Frontani, Joyce Brody, Lenny Brody,
Frank Chapman, Joe Iospaker, Andrew Schneider, Nilda Esparza, Nataki Rhodes, Graciela Guzman,
Caitlin Brady, the members of the 35th Ward's IPO, United Neighbors of the 35th Ward, and our
longtime Logan Square residents, thank you so much for being here today. I want to thank the 35th
Ward Committee and Alderwoman Michelle Harris for their time and commitment to the aldermanic
selection process. I also want to thank the many 35th Ward residents who have supported me
throughout this process, including our independent organization. I also want to thank the other
applicants who stepped up and put their names forward to be considered for this appointment.
I look forward to working with you all and our neighbors to advance our wards and cities' collective interests.
Last, I want to recognize someone who has been a mentor, a friend, and a trailblazer,
former alderman and now Chicago Park District General Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa.
Carlos led our ward with a deep commitment to justice for 10 years in this council,
and I am proud to build upon the foundation of progressive good governance he helped lay in the 35th Ward,
and even more proud that he will continue serving our city with dedication and compassion in his new role.
Please give him a huge round of applause.
Now, allow me to tell you a little bit about myself.
I was born and raised in Logan Square at a time when the neighborhood was still primarily immigrant and working class.
I am the son of two immigrant parents.
My father immigrated from Mexico and my mother immigrated from Costa Rica,
and they worked multiple jobs to support our family.
I am joined today by my brother, my sister, and my beautiful niece, as I introduced earlier.
Growing up, I learned from my parents and our neighbors that a community can thrive
when people from diverse backgrounds care for each other,
even under challenging economic circumstances and poverty, like which impacted my family.
The 35th Ward and the city of Chicago are made up of diverse communities and families,
but we share common values and concerns.
Inspired by the diversity and values of our neighborhoods,
I've always believed that we can have elected leadership that does more to advance our shared
compassionate values. That is why I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to serve our community.
I've had the honor of serving our ward and city in many ways, first as a community organizer and
then as the neighborhood services director in the 35th Ward office for over six years, where I
oversaw infrastructure improvement projects and assisted thousands of residents with accessing
city and social services. I was elected in 2020 as the 35th Ward Democratic Committee person,
and most recently, I was elected and served as commissioner of Cook County's 8th District for
two years. In each of these roles, I built coalitions, expanded access to critical services,
and fought for policies that prioritized working families. Whether it was working to help build
100 affordable housing units at the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments in Logan Square,
defending immigrant families from deportation,
standing alongside tenants and tenants' unions for housing justice,
or delivering property tax transparency and relief at the county,
I have always fought to bring people together to address our shared concerns.
I've always believed that the guiding principle of government must be to do the greatest good
and to improve the well-being of everyone, especially the most vulnerable in our communities.
As commissioner, I've worked alongside my colleagues to increase funding to our Cook County health system
and create dental health units across multiple clinics.
As vice chair of the Labor Committee, I worked with our Board of Commissioners to pass the paid leave ordinance,
expanding benefits for workers in suburban Cook County.
And more recently, I passed legislation to ensure intergovernmental collaboration
between Cook County and the city of Chicago to address violence against the trans community.
As a community organizer, neighborhood services director, Democratic committee person, and county commissioner,
my work has always been informed by my own and my neighbors' lived experiences.
From families being displaced by rising rents and a lack of affordable housing options,
to people sleeping under viaducts or trains,
to seniors forced to sell their homes due to increased property taxes,
from students at our neighborhood schools who don't have the resources they need to succeed and deserve,
to the neighbors who can't access mental health care or are forced to choose between medicine and groceries,
these are the daily realities many Chicagoans are experiencing daily.
I know them deeply, and I'm committed to fighting every day alongside all of you
so that no one in our communities is left behind.
In the 35th Ward, I will continue to support our community-driven zoning and development process
because local zoning decisions should be made alongside residents to meet local needs.
I'll work diligently to protect and build affordable housing
while working to pass reforms to our property tax system to provide relief to struggling homeowners.
I'm also deeply committed to improving and modernizing our public transit system,
not only to drive economic development in our neighborhoods,
but also to reduce our city's carbon footprint and combat climate change.
I will also work with all of our stakeholders to improve public safety
by implementing data-driven strategies and investments that create safer neighborhoods for everyone,
and especially against folks who are discriminated against.
I am passionate about many more issues, and I look forward to working on them all with you.
And I know that this work is difficult and that there are many challenges ahead,
but I also know that if we come together, we can accomplish amazing things,
and deliver the results all Chicagoans deserve.
To my colleagues, I look forward
to building meaningful relationships
and to collaborating to meet our community's diverse needs.
To the people of the 35th Ward,
know that I will be an alderman who listens,
organizes, and governs alongside you.
It is an incredible honor to serve as our next alderman,
and I look forward to all the great things
we will do together.
And to my fellow Chicagoans, at this moment,
now more than ever, we need to stand
rooted in solidarity let me say that again we need to stand shoulder to
shoulder in solidarity I believe in Chicago the city that raised me and made
me the leader I am today and I know that when we come together we can build a
Chicago where no one is left behind where every person no matter their
income zip code or where they were born has a chance not just to survive but to
thrive. Let's get to work and thank you very much. Madam Clerk, will you please add Alderman
Quesada to the roll call for the purposes of today's quorum? And of course now our
Sergeant at Arms, will you please escort Alderman Quesada to the 35th Ward seat? Chair recognizes
Chairwoman Harris. Thank you. Item two is a substitute resolution amending the resolution
in identifying the chairman, vice chairman, and members of the standing committees of the City Council of the City of Chicago
for the 2023-24 term to include Anthony Cazada, replacing Ramirez Rosa, who has resigned, and adding Alderman Beal to the Budget Committee.
Mr. President, if no one wishes to speak, I move the adoption of this resolution by the first most favorable roll call
previously applied to Item 1 on Committees of Ruse and the Ruse Committee Report and
Associated Unsuccessful Motion to Reconsider.
Chair recognizes Audemars Sposato.
Mr. President, I'm just looking for a clarification.
I voted against this in committee, but then after I voted against it, I heard there's
a commitment to reorganize the committee.
I believe I supported Anthony.
I believe we're putting too much of a burden upon him with all those committees and those
It's tough committees.
I think the committees need to be reorganized, but now I believe, Madam Chair,
there is a commitment to reorganizing the committees.
I do.
I'm asking everybody to send in their request.
Okay, yeah.
If nobody says nothing, then fine.
But I just wanted to reclarify I voted no in committee, but now I am voting yes in council.
Thank you for the clarification.
Very well.
Hearing no other objections and seeing no other hands.
So ordered.
Mr. President, that concludes my report.
Very well. Thank you.
The chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell on a motion to adjourn.
Mr. President, there being no further business before this body, I move that we adjourn.
Hearing no objection, so ordered.
This meeting is adjourned.