Good morning. The council will come to order. Madam Clerk, please take a quorum roll call.
Voting is now open. Please mark yourself present using the device.
I will now call on those who have not yet marked themselves present.
Alderman Hopkins, not present in chambers.
Alderman Dowell, not present in chambers.
Alder Robinson, not present in chambers.
Alderman Hall, not present in chambers.
Alderman Harris, not present in chambers.
Alderman Beal, not present in chambers.
Alderman Lee, not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Coleman, not present in chambers.
Alderman Curtis, not present in chambers.
Alderman O'Shea, Alderman O'Shea is present.
Alderwoman Taylor, not present in chambers.
Alderman Mosley, not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Tabaris, not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Scott, Alderwoman Scott is present.
Alderman Siccio Lopez, Alderman Siccio Lopez is present.
I'm sorry, you were marked, sorry about that.
Alderperson Fuentes, not present.
Alderman Burnett, not present.
Alderwoman Cruz, not present in chambers.
Alderman Cardona, not present in chambers.
Alderman Wagesback, not present in chambers.
Alderman Conway, not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Mitts, Alderwoman Mitts is present.
Alderman Sposato, not present in chambers.
Alderman Riley, not present in chambers.
Alderman Lawson, not present in chambers.
Alderman Gardner, Alderman Gardner is present.
Alderman Silverstein, not present in chambers.
Alderman Beal, Alderman Beal, present.
Alderman Beal is present in chambers.
Voting is now closed.
Very well, thank you, Madam Clerk.
We have a quorum.
We do have a quorum.
There are 29 members that are present.
So we do have a quorum. There are five alders that have requested to participate in today's meeting remotely for reasons stated in Rule 59, and they are as follows.
Hopkins, Robinson, Cruz, Harris, and Mosley.
Can I get a motion to approve their remote participation and have them added to the roll call?
It's been moved.
All those in favor, Madam Clerk, can we verify that these alders are indeed with us remotely?
Yes.
Alderman Hopkins?
Present.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Alderman Hopkins is present.
Alderperson Robinson?
Alderman Robinson is present.
Alderman Robinson is present.
Alderwoman Harris?
Harris is not present.
Alderman Mosley?
Alderman Mosley is not present.
Alderwoman Cruz?
Here.
Alderman Cruz is present.
Okay, all those in favor, for those who have verified their remote availability,
all those in favor of allowing them to participate remotely, signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say nay. The ayes have it.
Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God,
indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Please remain standing for the invocation.
The invocation will be delivered by Pastor Philip Watson
from Near West Vineyard Church.
Thank you for this honor. Hallelujah.
If we can, as many people as possible, can you just hold hands,
grab arms or something in an act of unity in this city?
Jesus, we decree that you are great.
Jesus, we decree that you are high and lifted up and your train fills the temple.
Lord, we decree today that the city of Chicago is in your hands.
For you said that our times are in your hands.
And so we pray today, Jesus, let the doors be open to the spirit of wisdom to be released in this atmosphere, to bring about collaboration and unity.
Lord we cry out today for your mercy for your mercy is new every morning anybody that is out
there that prays I want you to pray with me right now hallelujah Lord we say today let your mercy
be released over this city Lord we say let hope begin to arise in this city let the spirit of
unity be released God let the spirit of wisdom be released upon our mayor be released upon our
council people lord we pray for your agenda for this city to be done father we pray that as wisdom
is crying out at the gates that we would hear the call of wisdom today and what wisdom is speaking
and so we say wisdom come forth we say wisdom speak at the gates we say let the doors be open
to wisdom father we pray today for collaborative efforts in the name of jesus let every head of
pride be cut off and let the spirit of humility and unity be released oh god that things may be
able to get done we decree peace over this city we decree hope over this city we decree love over
this city we decree mercy over this city father we bless you lord in jesus name amen amen thank you
you may be seated this is the portion of the meeting for public comments the council the
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 made and submitted will be posted and made available for automatic review.
Our first speaker today is Sharnel Lane.
Hello, can you hear me?
Yes, we can.
Good morning.
Good morning.
My name is Sharnel Lane.
I will be speaking on the budget for the File the Sidewalks program.
I believe we as all citizens of this city will benefit from the File the Sidewalks program.
I, as a wheelchair user, think it's imperative that we have the sidewalks changed during the winter months to get around.
This goes for disabled people, mobile, blind, hearing disabled people.
seniors they can't do what they used to do so they're not able to supply their sidewalks and
they may not have anyone to do it for them and because of their limited budget may not also be
able to pay someone to do them to do it for them not to mention if they slip and fall on the ice
it can be very dangerous for not only them but their families and increase in their financial
responsibility. Parents of children who have to walk to school every day or even just want to play
have the risk of falling or not being able to get around properly because of the snow.
Property owners aren't going to look out for the citizens by themselves.
We all have fines in order, but they don't pay them fines.
And we also have to remember about vacant lots and buildings.
The city's responsibilities to care for its citizens during bad and dangerous weather do not end with the streets.
The city can find the money for this.
Maybe if the student spent more money on the safety of all of its residents than the upkeep of flowers, but specifically in the downtown area, I believe you all could make it happen.
Put yourselves in the shoes of the residents I mentioned.
Put your family members in the shoes of the residents I mentioned.
Make sure that you all not only look in your hearts, but look in your duties and responsibilities as the city council of the city of Chicago.
Think about how you all are blessed to be able to get where you all were today and that you all have the tools and the mean how and the transportation ability to do so.
Consider those same issues for the people of Chicago who walk these sidewalks every day.
For those people who may have been trying to get to buses or trains who can't even make it there because of the snow and then they can't get to work.
and then they can't get to school, which prevents them from being productive members of this society.
Please look into your hearts, your heads, and your know-how to please come up with money
for the budget of the South Sidewalk program.
We appreciate you, your service, and your work, and I know you will do the right thing.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Danielle Carter.
So, Brandon, you and all these Democratic mayors out here and governors, y'all talking about crashing out for these illegals, right?
You all sit up there and said you will not allow Trump to come in here and get these illegals.
Yeah, you can smile.
We're in a billion dollar deficit. And you spent half of our money, half of that, on illegals. You campaigned. You campaigned and doubled down that you would not raise property taxes. I ain't going to do that. You campaigned, went around doing that. And here we are right now. You wanted to raise our taxes $300 million. They shut it down. Now we're back here for $150 million.
okay see this is what we asking now since you want to crash out some of y'all say y'all willing
to go to jail for it trump tom homie make an example at this negro right here first
please come here first because you know what we're gonna help you we want to forgive them i would
ask that you hold on a second stop her time stop her time just a second just a second stop her time
Ma'am, I would ask that you, if you want to continue speaking, if you want to continue speaking, you have to make sure that your language is appropriate, okay?
All right.
Okay, you can begin her time again.
You're going to spend our tax dollars to go, like a wall reader, you said to take Trump to court to protect these illegals.
You said you're going to spend our tax dollars to take Trump to court to protect these illegals if they're trying to come here in your district.
And then you said they all are y'all in cahoots with each other to do it.
Okay, so now we're about to make y'all famous.
We're going to let all y'all constituents know who y'all rioting for, that y'all wouldn't spend our tax dollars to protect illegals and to get them legal services.
So that's what we're doing.
That's cool because we're about to make all of y'all all of this famous.
Y'all think this has gone rad?
I think not.
Look, Chicago will.
We're not playing.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is just a second.
If you continue to shout, I will clear the chamber.
That is your only warning.
Okay.
Next person, please.
Our next speaker is Jessica Jackson.
So, Mayor Brandon Johnson.
I was always taught that a man's word is his bond.
I was always told that if you can't take a person at their word, you can't take them at nothing, right?
So, because I was raised that way, I stand by my word.
And there's two words I gave you.
The first word was, we coming for them seats.
And we are.
and we are. The second word I gave
is that we was going to make y'all famous
and we're going to make y'all famous starting with
Famous Friday. Every Friday
at 6 o'clock we're going to be on Zoe's
YouTube. Tune in, Zoe Lee
and we're going to get you one at a time starting with
I'm going to pull your name out of a hat.
And we're going to see who is a lucky person who gets to go first.
Let's see who's down here.
Drum roll, please.
This week, Friday at 6 o'clock, featured on the Zoe Lee YouTube, is all the person,
because I'm not getting caught up in pronouns and junk, all the person, Jessie Ferentes.
Yes, guys.
Yay.
She's not here.
But her people are. Y'all get the word, too. Make sure y'all tune in so you know what to expect when it's your turn. For everybody who sat here and ain't helping me get my property, you're going to sit up here and watch them take my stuff.
But every black person I know that get their property taken, that's a seat that's going. You can believe that. You can believe that. I hate that your name wasn't pulled first. That Mary Richardson-Laurie, we're going to get to her too. We're going to get to them commissioners. We're getting to everybody who sat back and watching me be stressed out about my stuff.
Tell Jessie for winchairs
Tune in
We about to make her famous
Boom
Thank you very much for your comments
Our next speaker is Howard
He ain't gonna do it
He don't have black people
Good morning
Mayor Johnson
City councils
And the citizens of Chicago
To the taxpayers
Residents and special interest group
all who want to see Chicago thrive and all who want to see property taxes to go
down or not pay them or all who wants to see this city have a better quality of
life can you please stand with me and support me with this thank you for your
dedication to and the future of the city to the mayor and City Council if the
citizens of Chicago were to come together and support your 2025 budget and also
contribute four point five billion dollars to the city and four point five
billion dollars to the county would you agree to this initiative I know you can
answer question this proposal represent a unified effort by the citizens to
address budget shortfall and support the city development are you open to
accepting and working with the people on such an initiative called the People
Fund. And to the citizens, to my federal citizens in the audience, I now turn to
you. You are the backbone of the city and your voice matters. You reside in one of
the 50 wards of Chicago and you have entrusted these elected officials to
represent your interests. I have a question for you. If the mayor of Chicago
and the council were to work with the county president Tony Prickwinker to end the annual tax and scavenger sale, approve a people fund, which is a transactional tax,
waive property taxes, reimburse homes that were taken from the tax sale, would you support the budget proposal in return for these changes?
okay if you are willing to consider this I ask you to join me in the hallway after this by the
elevators and I was finished telling you about the people fun there's there I was playing this
plan in detail and how it would transform our city and county now
Mayor Johnson, you do have this proposal. I don't know if you got it yet. You probably have it, that's fine.
Check with Ms. Kennedy. But this proposal is a great proposal, and it will bring and help the city,
and it definitely will help the people from losing their home, because without their homes, we do not exist.
And the city don't exist. And another thing, Alderman, you guys are elected by us.
We are the people. When you're down here, we want you to represent us.
I hope that you guys have our interests. So again, after everything is over with, come in the hallway and I'm going to explain what we call the people fund. It's the coldest, the coldest economic initiative ever. When I created my directors, I'm like an economist now. But anyway, thank you very much for your comments.
our next speaker is tiara conway good morning everyone good morning my name is tiara conway
i'm here to speak about actually police torture or as y'all say prosecutorial misconduct
uh yet again this is another budget crisis we demand no cuts and transparency no cuts
We demand no cuts on accountability and transparencies, but instead cut the vacant positions.
We should not be funding any criminals.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, I need you to look into this case.
Ramon Banks has been held against his will for over two years at the Cook County Jail.
We have Officer Kevin Corn and Miguel Jackson who intentionally made up false allegations against him.
We have Fowler Braves, the Assistant State's Attorney, who approved it.
They lied and stated Mr. Banks made fatal movement when they approached the car.
The body cam clearly shows that Mr. Banks was instructed to raise down the window.
He's the passenger.
Why don't he turn towards his left if the window is to his right?
They also lied and stated Miguel Anderson, he's the driver officer,
said that he's seen a weapon in plain view directly behind the passenger seat.
How could you see that and you're the driver officer?
We need help with this case.
I understand to tarry free someone, you have to have a reasonable suspicion that a crime is at foot or someone is armed in danger.
The officer must be able to articulate specific facts which led them to suspect a crime is at foot or someone is armed in danger.
These policemen that you guys are putting out here, they're not upholding the law.
They actually violate them.
We need these people to be held accountable.
Because lack of accountability can create a toxic environment like what we're experiencing now.
We have so much going on in this city where it's a lot of innocent people which pled guilty because they're fighting against all you guys.
This is wrong. I really need you to look into this case. His next court date is December 18th. We're demanding this case to be thrown out. You have lack of probable cause. They violated his rights. You have prosecutorial misconduct and they have insufficient evidence.
We have on body cam the officer telling me that he had to put something in my car.
We don't do that here.
I asked him, what is there you have to put in my car?
He told me I'm not under arrest.
Thank you very much for your comments.
However, your time has expired.
Our next speaker this morning is Ms. Lawrence.
Good morning, all in the city council that came today.
And for those who didn't come today, they usually block up this room.
yes let's talk about vows when you all are getting up there doing those prayers
let's talk from a christian point of view
numbers 32 ecclesiastes 5 5 james 5 12 matthew 5 33 and 5 37 you know what those are all our
brandon johnson they're called vows that you make before god you get on national tv and make these
statements that raising property taxes is not one of the things that you can do because it's the
lazy way of doing things but are you now lazy are you now lazy it's the question because you're not
holding to any of these and as we also listen to you or basically watched you while William J. Kelly
stumbered and pummeled you in a press conference and you're standing there trembling at all the
questions that he asked from a citizen's perspective now let's get down to Tom Holman
And 8 U.S.C. 1324, different editions of 1994, 2020, 2021, and 2022, about you harvesting aliens.
And you so strong about protecting those aliens, but you won't do nothing for the U.S. citizens.
We are the ones who pay your salaries.
Salaries.
Please, let me accentuate on that.
But yet, you want to overlook us like we don't exist.
Well, you're not going to exist for the next election.
Because there's a 10-year prison sentence when you want to stand up here for those illegals.
See, when I come, I told you I'm bringing the facts.
And on the back of my shirt, I'm going to let you read it before I walk away.
to let you know that I'm not about your games, your jokes, and your prizes.
Because when you ask silly questions, you're going to get silly answers.
You know, you should know that statement, right?
Well, you haven't answered the question yet.
William J. Kelly came to you with plenty of them.
And what happened with that?
Only thing you could talk about is your wife saying her first name.
Who cares?
I don't.
Because number one, I never voted for you.
Number two, Lori Lightfoot either.
Because I have not been a Democrat for nearly two decades.
So therefore, you wouldn't have been my choice.
And you even let Valis show your evil in those debates.
So here's the message for you.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is George Blakemore.
Brenda Johnson didn't bring this doo-doo here.
It's been here.
Old Man Daly, Harold Washington, Richard Daly, David Lightfoot.
This man did not bring this doo-doo in this room.
It's been here.
And you've been voting for this doo-doo too.
Maybe some of you have, and maybe I was the one too.
I was under the impression that I could vote for a candidate.
And I could vote somebody in.
You can't vote nobody in.
The way this is set up is a group of people slay who they want, and then you vote for those they slay.
This is all rigged.
They're all Democrats.
And it's been this way.
So some of y'all get up here and spit in this mic and holler.
It's been this way.
This is nothing new under the sun.
So the awesome got a raise.
and the mayor got a raise
so the teachers say they want a raise
and the farmers want a raise
everybody wants something
what do you want?
I want this chamber to be diverse
have many different political parties
and different viewpoints
it's all the same
six to nine each other
all of them
the black ones
the white ones
the Hispanics
all are Democrats
now how are you going to get
all of them
all of them
and make it
happen, make it work
I don't think you're going to do it just hollering
go red
I think you're going to have to have some strategic aims to clean this doo-doo up.
This is old doo-doo.
This doo-doo go back a long time.
And you don't smell it now because it's dry.
But you can see the results of it.
You can, all of them, so the press, all of them, they're all in this together.
This is not new, so you holler, go red, or go blue, go green.
It needs to have a change here.
All of them are the same.
Every one of these men.
Stay in the microphone, Mr. Blakemore.
A revolution.
Stay in the microphone.
A revolution to change this system and clean it up and have a real democratic system,
a democracy where you have different points of views.
Everybody here is the same doo-doo.
All of them.
Have you ever seen a bad happen?
Thank you very much for your comments.
However, your time has expired.
Our next speaker this morning is Melvin Bailey.
How are you doing, Mayor and City Council?
Good morning.
It's been a long time since I've been coming down here.
But, again, I'm coming down here, Mayor, and I want you to hear this.
We want to enforce TBI, Trouble Building Initiative.
is over 15,000 vacant and abandoned buildings
surrounded around the city of Chicago
and they trapped in our community.
If we, I got started a petition.
I'm getting 26 signatures from aldermans
so we can turn, I talked to several aldermans individuals.
As you can see, I started, they already signed.
So what we want to do is take them vacant and abandoned buildings,
rehab them, keep our young men in our community
because if we keep them in the community,
now we can tell them to put down their gun.
Now they don't have to take that car running into downtown and now they don't have to kill another police officer.
Is we talking about reducing all crime? No, but we're going to reduce some of the crime.
We'll reduce some of the crimes with these vacant and abandoned buildings in our community.
And just like Alderman Lopez said, maybe we need to have a committee meeting on it.
We need to call Corporation Counsel. I already talked to Judge Murray. I already talked to Judy Freeland.
Judge Murray is the housing court. Judy Freeland is the commissioner.
She said, man, we got a bunch of them.
But Corp Council are holding the properties hostage like it's their property.
But this is our community.
And I'm tired of seeing our young kids coming down every time you look at the news.
Look, we just had a police officer killed in Oak Park, police officer killed in Chicago.
Come on now, all you smart people down here.
All the degrees you guys have.
You mean to tell me we can't take a simple problem.
Now here's a vacant and abandoned list that they sent me.
Here's some agreed order demos.
They've been on the agreed order demo list since 2014, and they're still standing.
That's 10 years.
You mean to tell me all these educated people down here, we cannot find a solution to this problem?
At least we can give these kids some hope because every time they call me or talk to me, do you have a job for me?
That's all they want to do is work.
They don't want it.
It's like, bro, I don't want to grab this sword, but I got to.
Man, they're like, I don't want a big bro.
I don't want a man.
I'm like, they've called me.
I got to say, you know, I'm going to tell you this.
Y'all can take this.
When they call, I tell them to have a job.
No, they tell me, just look at the news.
That's the first thing they tell me, just watch the news.
Isn't they serious?
Because I watch the news.
The first thing you hear, I say, oh, man, I couldn't save them.
I can't save all of them, but we can save some of them.
So I really appreciate if you guys help us with this problem, because we can, you know, we can most definitely solve some of it.
Some of it.
Come on now.
Who all say, I'm looking for signatures.
I need 26 signatures to give to the mayor so we can force Corporation Council.
I can't wait to talk to Corp.
Council and the budget meeting, Department of Law.
This is a very big problem.
But I want to say thank you to Jason Irvin, thank you to the housing department, because they allow us to start building on Madison and Hamlin, a small African-American company to build.
Thank you guys very much.
Thank you very much for your comments.
Our next speaker is Mr. Cruz.
Thank you, City Council. Thank you, Mayor. Today, I stand here as a concerned citizen
to speak out against the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson, a leader whose actions and
affiliations are doing a disservice to our once great city. But before I do so, I'd like to thank
Alderman Brendan Riley and Raymond Lopez and the other common sense aldermen for holding firm on
no property tax hikes and for their proposed headcount reductions. While the end of the
budgetary cycle is near, we are just getting started in order to save our city, which is in
financial crisis. Under the current mayor's administration, we've seen a disturbing trend.
A mayor more concerned with pandering to special interest groups and non-taxpayers than with making
the tough, necessary decisions to move this city forward. Mayor Johnson's leadership can be defined
by demagoguery, fueled by progressive rhetoric and driven by a divisive agenda that plays to the
lowest common denominator rather than striving for unity, fiscal responsibility, or the common good.
We do not need progressive revenue initiatives. We have an addiction to spending and it must be
fixed immediately. It's no secret that Brandon Johnson's ties to the CTU run deep. His political
career from the start has been propped up by union support, and now as mayor, it's clear that those
ties come with a hefty price tag and put the CTU's interests above those of our children and
taxpayers. The CTU, with its unwavering influence over local politics, has contributed to our
insolvency. The president of the CTU recently tweeted, we will put a force field around our
children. This is lunacy and the definition of demagoguery. The CTS, for a couple of stats here,
the CTS budget in 2010 was $5.3 billion, roughly $13,000 per student to educate. In the 2025
budget, the budget for CPS is $10 billion, or $31,000 per student. When is enough enough? That's
the cost to go to the University of Illinois. The annual salaries of CPS employees have skyrocketed
by over $800 million since 2019, all of which was funded by federal COVID funds, which are
all now depleted and no longer coming. What's more troubling is the mayor's blatant disregard
to address the rising costs of living, worsening infrastructure, and mounting public debt.
His proposal to raise property taxes was egregious and was lost by a 50-0 vote. He and his supporters
refused to give in on the sanctuary status when we've spent over $600 million on migrants
this year, while Chicago is basically insolvent. Argentina's new president, Javier Malay, took over
an economy in 2023 with triple-digit inflation, massive deficits, and widespread poverty, and he
turned their economy around in less than one year. How did he do so? He cut over $20 billion from
government spending while eliminating departments and layoffs, and as a result, inflation has
collapsed to 3% from over
200%, and GDP growth
has reached 16% in the latest quarter
with a budget surplus. Chicago
deserves better. We need leadership
that puts our city's future above partisan
interests and won't be held hostage to union
interests. The current mayor won the
2023 election by 26,000 votes
on 30% voter turnout. We need a
mayor who will stand up to the special interests
and focus on the improvement of the lives of...
Thank you very much for your comments. However, your time has expired.
Our next speaker is
David Mason.
Yeah, you remember me, Brandon Johnson, from the PBC meeting, and you know I'm standing
on business.
Here you are with another gritty property tax hike, trying to push the half-lots to
house your precious illegal immigrants.
You told Trump you ain't going to blink?
Well, we ain't neither.
You ain't above the law, and what are you going to run to when Trump pulls that Trump
card out on you?
I will make it my duty to try to get my gun to perform an Operation Great Lord 2.0 in
Chicago and lock all you crooked
Democrats and judges up. And it's
just like that. Thank you very much
for your comments. Your Honor, there
are no further speakers. Very well. This concludes
the public comment period. We don't
have any resolutions. Next up,
communications. Communications
from Ms. Honor the Mayor to the Honorable
the City Council of the City of Chicago.
Ladies and gentlemen, I request the
Chief Financial Officer to transmit here with an
ordinance amending the Municipal Code of Chicago
regarding the Employee Charitable Contribution
Program. Your favor of consideration of this
Daughter of the מש.
Ladies and gentlemen, request the Commissioner of Housing and Transmit here with an ordinance
студent in the是的 entertainment hall out of the397 of the energies, sedanarian
and Johnson Mayor for the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development are transmitted here with an ordinance authorizing the execution of redevelopment agreement with BR Congress Owner, LLC, and Congress Theater, NFP, to provide TIF funds for improvements at the Congress Theater.
To be able to consider this ordinance, it will be appreciated.
Very true to yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit here with an ordinance amending the Belmont Central TIF redevelopment plan and project to revise the expiration date.
A favor and consideration of this ordinance would be appreciated by your two years, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement with Hudson, Michigan Avenue Owner, LLC to provide TIF funds for improvements at the Hudson House.
Your favor and consideration of this ordinance would be appreciated by your two years, Brandon Johnson, Mayor.
for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, I request the Commissioner of Planning and Development. I transmit herewith an ordinance amending the Central West TIF redevelopment plan and project to revise the expiration date. Your favor and consideration of this ordinance be appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, I request the Commissioner of Planning and Development. I transmit herewith an ordinance amending the Englewood Neighborhood TIF redevelopment plan and project to revise the expiration date. Your favor and consideration of this ordinance be appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen,
The request of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit here with an ordinance amending the Lake Calumet TIF redevelopment plan and project to revise the expiration date.
The favor and consideration of this ordinance be appreciated. Very truly yours. Brandon Johnson, Mayor, refer to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, the request of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit here with an ordinance amending the Lawrence Broadway TIF redevelopment plan and project to revise the expiration date.
The favor and consideration of this ordinance be appreciated. Very truly yours. Brandon Johnson, Mayor, refer to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and Redevelopment, I transmit an ordinance amending the Lawrence Kedzie TFE Redevelopment Plan and Project to revise the expiration date. Your favor. Consideration of this ordinance be appreciated. Very tribute to the yours. Brandon Johnson, Mayor, refer to the committee on finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Redevelopment, I transmit here with an ordinance amending the Peterson-Pulaski TIP Redevelopment Plan and Project to revise the expiration date.
Your favor and consideration of this ordinance be appreciated.
Very two years.
Brandon Johnson may refer to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit here with an ordinance amending the South Chicago TIP Redevelopment Plan and Project to revise the expiration date.
Favor and consideration of this ordinance be appreciated.
Very two years.
Brandon Johnson may refer to the Committee on Finance.
Ladies and gentlemen, the request for Commissioner in Planning, I had to transmit here with an ordinance
approving the budget and authorizing the execution of service agreements for specified special service areas.
In favor of consideration, this ordinance will be appreciated.
Barry, truly yours.
Brandon Johnson, may I refer to the Committee on Economic Capital and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have to request the Commissioner of Transportation, I transmit here with an ordinance
authorizing the acquisition of land needed for Taylor Street Bridge Improvement Project.
In favor of consideration, this ordinance will be appreciated.
Barry, truly yours.
Brandon Johnson, may I refer to the Committee on Housing and Real Estate.
Ladies and gentlemen, I request the Director of Emergency Management and Communications I transmit here with a resolution authorizing the adoption of the Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and Associated City Annex to the 2024-2029 planning cycle.
Fave in consideration this ordinance resolution will be appreciated very truly yours.
Brandon Johnson may refer to the Committee on Public Safety.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit here with appointments to various special service areas.
Fave in consideration of these appointments will be appreciated very truly yours.
Brandon Johnson, Mayor, referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit here with appointments to the Community Development Commission.
Your favor of consideration for these appointments be appreciated.
Very to the years, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, I appointed Jared Walker as a member of the Board of Health for a term effective immediately
and expiring April 30, 2027 to succeed Janet Y. Lynn, whose term is expired.
Favor of consideration for this appointment will be appreciated.
Very to the years, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, referred to the Committee on Health,
and human relations ladies and gentlemen i transmit here with appointments to the chicago
police board favor consideration of these appointments would be appreciated very truly
yours brandon johnson mayor for the committee on police and fire i city clerk anna valencia
hereby informed the city council the following documents were filed in my office relating to
the respective subjects designated as follows notification of disapproval by commission on
chicago landmarks of demolition permit application for building at 2030 47 south michigan avenue
Tabulated Statement of Returns and Proclamation Results of Campus of Election Results for November 5, 2024 General Election
I, City Clerk Valencia, also informed the City Council that all those matters which were considered by the City Council at the regular meeting
held on October 22, 2024, were required by statute to be published in book or pamphlet form or in one or more newspapers
were published in pamphlet form on December 2, 2024, but being printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the journal proceedings of the City Council and the City of Chicago.
I, City Clerk Anna Valencia, also informed the City Council that all those matters were considered by the City Council regular meeting held on October 30, 2024,
which were required by statute to be published in book or pamphlet form or in one or more newspapers or published in pamphlet form on December 2, 2024,
by being printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the Journal of Proceedings of the City Council, City of Chicago.
I, City Clerk Valencia, also informed the City Council that the call for special meeting and associated ordinance and comments related thereto
were considered by the City Council in a special meeting held on November 14, 2024,
which were required by statute to be published in book or pamphlet form
or in one or more newspapers or published in pamphlet form on December 2, 2024
by being printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the journal proceedings
of the City Council of the City of Chicago.
ICD Clerk Lindsay also informed the City Council of the various ordinance
which were passed by the City Council on October 30, 2024
regarding this refunding tax levies, budgets, and service provider agreements
for special service areas 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28-21,
2, 0, 1, 4, 29-2014, 31, 32-2024, 34, 35-2015, 38, 39, 42, 45, 47, 55, 56-2022, 59-2022, 61-2023, 62, 69, 73, 76-2024, 79, 80, 81, 82, which will be requested to be published in special pamphlets or published in Spanish special pamphlet form on November 22, 2024.
I, City Clerk Valencia, also transmit herewith the following
miscellaneous communications and reports requiring City Council action.
Zoning reclassifications of particular areas referred to the Committee on Zoning Landmarks
and Building Standards.
Claims against the City of Chicago referred to the Committee on Finance.
Prohibition of sale of retail hemp products to persons under 21 years of age referred
to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Imposition of 3% tax.
What?
Two committees being called.
That will go to rules.
Which one was it, though?
The prohibition of sale of retail hemp or clean.
Was that the one?
Was it the imposition of 3% tax on gross receipts or prohibition of sale?
Who called it?
Oh, under 21 years.
Okay.
Yeah, prohibition of sale retail hemp product.
Yeah, two committees were called will go to rules.
And you called health?
Okay, he called health.
Imposition of 3% tax on gross receipts from sale of hemp products sold in City of Chicago, which referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Two committees being called, that will go to budget, or go to rules, sorry.
Imposition of 3% tax on gross receipts from sale of hemp products sold in City of Chicago, which referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection, will go to rules.
Correction of September 18, 2024, City Council Journal Proceedings, which referred to the Committee on Committee and Rules.
Your Honor, that concludes the reports and communications with the mayor and other city officers.
Thank you very much, Madam Clerk.
Chair recognizes Alderwoman Dow.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I just wanted to be recorded as being present today and be counted towards quorum.
Very well.
There are a number of alders that wish to be recorded as present.
Alderwoman Dow, Wagonsback, Cardona, Conway, Harris, Riley, Lawson, Lee, Silverstein, Mosley,
Tabatis Sposato Hall Gardner very well thank you madam clerk for adding those
members to the roll call next up our committee reports the chair recognizes
finance chairperson Dowell thank you mr. president and members of the city
council reporting for the city council committee on finance which held the
committee meeting on October 28th 2024 the following item received a due pass
recommendation from the committee, a substitute ordinance concerning the execution of a redevelopment
agreement and issuance of multifamily tax-exempt bonds and other financial assistance to Thrive
Exchange LLC for the Thrive Exchange South project located at 7905 South Exchange Avenue
in the 7th Ward, the amount not to exceed $6.7 million in Chicago Recovery Plan dollars
in an amount not to exceed $13.1 million in TIF
and an amount not to exceed $19,175,000 in tax-exempt bonds.
Mr. President, unless someone wishes to speak on this item, I move passage by a roll call vote.
Very well. Thank you.
Members, please use the e-vote application to record your vote at this time.
Open. The vote is now open.
The vote is now open. Please raise your hand if you need support.
The voting is now open. I will now call on those who have not
voted using the e-device. Alderman Hopkins.
Alderman Hopkins, are you there?
Alderman Hopkins votes aye. Alderman Hopkins votes aye.
Alderman Robin, I'm sorry, Alderwoman Dow.
Alderman Dow is aye.
Alderman Robinson.
Alderman Robinson is a yes.
Robinson is a yes.
Alderman Talaferro.
Not present in chambers.
Alderwoman Cruz.
Aye.
Cruz is an aye.
Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez.
Not present in chambers.
Alderman Ramirez-Rosa.
Ramirez-Rosa not present in chambers.
as everyone who voted who wished.
Okay.
The voting is now closed.
Very well.
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
There are 42 yeas, 0 nays.
This matter is passed.
Alderman Mitchell on the 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.
All those opposed say no.
This motion fails.
Thank you.
Very well.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Now, for matters of the agreed-upon calendar. Chair recognizes Alderwoman Harris.
I've received from Clerk Andrea M. Valencia a total of 107 items proposed for the agreed calendar consisting of congratulatory, commemorative, tribulatory resolutions from the following Alderpersons.
All the person Hopkins. All the person Dow. All the person Robinson. All the person Hall. All the person Harris. All the person Quinn. All the person Lopez. All the person Coleman. All the person Tabaris. All the person Irving. All the person Cruz. All the person Rodriguez-Sanchez. All the person Conway. All the person Riley. All the person Lawson. All the person Gardner. All the person Clay. All the person Manon Hoppingworth. All the person Silverstein. I move these in the omnibus, Mr. President.
Hearing no objections, so order.
Now for new business.
Clerk will call the wards beginning with the first.
For the approval of the journal, the chair recognizes the new business, those items are being prepared.
Alderman Mitchell, for the approval of the journal.
Alderman Mitchell, for the approval of the journal.
Please.
Mr. President, I am not aware of any corrections to the journals from the October 22nd and October 30th, 2024 regular meetings
and the November 14th, 2024 special meeting, and move that it be approved.
Very well, hearing no objections, so ordered.
We will now return back to new business.
Thank you, Audubon Mitchell.
Zoning amendments, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Traffic regulations, traffic control signals, and traffic signs, which are referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
Extension from physical barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley access to parking facilities,
which are referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Audubon Laspata has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards,
which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderman LaSpada also has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-7-0572
extending the boundaries of the Northwest Zone
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderman LaSpada also has proposed ordinance for the transfer of funds
within the first ward automatic expense account for the year 2024
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson LaSpada also has proposed orders for a transfer of funds within the Committee
on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety for the year 2024, which is referred to the Committee
on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson LaSpada also has proposed orders for an amendment of Municipal Code Chapter
3-46, revising the boundaries of the downtown zone, which is referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Alderperson Dowell has a proposed order for the issuance of permits for signed signboards
at 2537 South Wabash Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and
Building Standards.
Alderperson Robinson has proposed the ordinance for a transfer of funds within the Fourth Ward Aldermatic Expense Account for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Yancey has proposed the ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 17-13 regarding zoning administrator approval on special use applications,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Mitchell has proposed the ordinance for the issuance of permits for signed signboards,
which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderman Chico has proposed ordinance for a street designation as Dennis E. Zavinsky, a.k.a. BBI's, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderman Chico also has proposed ordinance for transfer funds within the 10th Ward automatic expense account for the year 2024, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Lee has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 and 4-60-023
to allow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses in portions of South Wallace Street,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Quinn has a proposed ordinance for a transfer of funds within the 13th Ward automatic expense account for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alder Person Gutierrez has proposed ordinance for a transfer of funds within the 14th Ward automatic expense account for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alder Person Lopez and others have proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance for the year 2025
regarding funding for acoustic gunshot detection technology, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alder Person Rodriguez has proposed ordinance for the issue of permits for signed signboards,
which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Tabaris has a proposed ordinance for a transfer of funds
within the 23rd Ward Wage Allowance Account for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Fuentes has a proposed ordinance for Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022
to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portions of West Armitage Avenue,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Fuentes also has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-60-025 by restricting additional late-hour liquor licenses along portions of North Costner Avenue, North Cicero Avenue, North Pulaski Road, West Division Street, and West Armitage Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Burnett has a proposed order for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at 955 West Grand Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on zoning, landmarks, and building standards.
Alderperson Irvin has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at various locations,
which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Irvin also has proposed ordinance for transfer of funds within the Office of the Vice Mayor for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Wagus Pack has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards,
which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Conway has a proposed ordinance for the transfer of funds within the 34th Ward Automatic Expense Account for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Conway also has a proposed order for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at 165 North Des Plaines Street,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Ramirez Rosa has a proposed ordinance for Amendment of Municipal Code, Section 4-60-023,
to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of West Diversity Avenue,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderman Ramirez-Rosa also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation
as James Joseph Mulligan Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderman Ramirez-Rosa also has a proposed ordinance for reclassification of a specified area
shown on map number 7J, an amendment of the Municipal Code, section 17-3-0503D,
establishing West Fullerton Avenue from North Kimball Avenue to North Pulaski Road
as a pedestrian street, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderman Villegas has proposed ordinance to call for hearings
on the potential efficiencies in the City of Chicago's technology systems and processes,
which is referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development.
Alderman Villegas has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023
to allow additional package goods licenses on a portion of West Addison Street,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderman Sposato also has proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code
of Section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses
on a portion of West Irving Park Road,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderman Sposato has proposed ordinance for correction of amendment
to Section 4-60-023 of the Municipal Code
to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of North Pulaski Road
from West Argyle Street to West Foster Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Vasquez has proposed ordinance for a transfer of funds within the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights
for the year 2024, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Vasquez also has proposed ordinance for a transfer of funds within the 40th Ward Wage Allowance
Automatic Expense Account for the year 2024, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Riley has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at various locations,
Mr. Referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Elder Person Riley also has proposed orders for Amendment of Municipal Code, Title IX,
by modifying Section 9-100-020, establishing increased fines for parking-related violations in Central Business District.
Mr. Referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
Elder Person Riley also has proposed orders for Amendment of Municipal Code, Section 2-45-155,
required in the Department to publish quarterly reports of current balances of TIF districts.
which is referred to the Committee on Finance.
All the Person Riley also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023
to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of West Randolph Street,
North Wacker Drive, and West Washington Street,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
All the Person Riley also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023
to allow additional package goods licenses on a portion of Columbus Drive and Wacker Drive,
which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Alderperson Gardner has a proposed ordinance for a transfer of funds within the 45th Ward
automatic expense account for the year 2024, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget
and Government Operations. Alderperson Gardner also has a proposed ordinance for a transfer
of funds within the 45th Ward automatic expense account for the year 2024, which is referred
to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. Alderperson Clay has a proposed
ordinance for a street designation as Sharon Joklitch Stanley Way, which is referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Clay also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as Slim Coleman Way,
which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way.
Alderperson Martin has a proposed ordinance for an amendment of the 2025 budget recommendations
regarding staffing positions with the Chicago Police Department,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Mana'a Hoppenworth has a proposed ordinance for issuance of permits for signed signboards
at 5937 North Broadway, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alderperson Hoppenworth also has proposed orders for transfer of funds within the 48th Ward wage allowance count for the year 2024,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Hatton has proposed orders for amendment of Municipal Code Section 7-28-215 regarding permit fees for Type R recycling refuse containers,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Telefiero and others have a proposed resolution to urge the Budget Director of the Comptroller
and the City Chief Financial Officer to conduct comprehensive, forward-looking assessments
on the impact of impending Trump administration on the City's resources,
which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Conway and others have a proposed ordinance for Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-8
regarding annual reports of departmental operations.
Alderperson, which committee would you like it referred to?
The matter is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.
Alderperson Rosa and others have a proposed ordinance for amendment of Mismicode Chapter 5-11
regarding the definition of material change in the terms of a contract for a just eviction,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards.
Alder President Vasquez has proposed the pedestrian street designation for Fullerton Avenue
that was introduced earlier and referred to the Committee on Zoning
should be referred to the Committee on Zoning and not transportation.
This is a correction on a previous introduction.
The matter that was corrected was an automatic introduction by Alderman Ramirez Rosa
regarding the honorary street designation of James Joseph Mulligan Way,
which is referred to the Committee on Zoning rather than Transportation.
Correction.
The matter regarding the reclassification of specified areas shown on map number 7J
and the amendment of the Municipal Code Section 17-3-0503D
establishing West Fullerton Avenue from Kimball to Pulaski as a pedestrian street.
The matter is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Buildings, and Landmark Standards.
Order President Coleman has proposed an ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code section 4-60-023, prohibiting the issuance of additional alcoholic liquor, or allowing the issuance of alcoholic liquor licenses on portion of West.
51st Street, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.
Your Honor, that concludes the introduction of all the matters.
Farewell. Thank you, sir.
For unfinished business, the Chair recognizes, Alderman Mitchell.
Mr. President, I am not aware of any unfinished business.
Farewell for miscellaneous business, Alderman Mitchell.
Well, except for the ordinance setting, the date and time of the next meeting, I am not aware of any miscellaneous business.
Farewell for the date and time of the next meeting, Alderman Mitchell.
I've handed up an ordinance to the clerk setting, the date and time of the next two meetings.
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago, Section 1, the next regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chicago shall be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m.
and on Friday, December 13, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the Second Floor in City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.
This ordinance shall take effect and be forced in after its passage.
Farewell. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Audemant Mitchell.
I move passage in the omnibus.
Hearing no objections, so ordered the omnibus.
Alderman Mitchell.
I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by the first most favorable roll call vote by the Committee on Finance and the Associated Unsuccessful Motion to Reconsider.
Hearing no objections, so ordered.
Chair recognizes Chairman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Move to go out of the regular order of business in order to conduct a public hearing on the proposed executive budget.
Farewell.
On the motion to go out of the regular order of business, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say no.
This motion passes.
This time is now – well, how about we do this? It is 11.35. So in order for this meeting to – yeah.
So this time is now, of course, dedicated for the – for this portion of the proposed budget meeting.
If there are individuals that wish to speak at this time, this is an opportunity for you to put your request forward.
So very well, again, my apologies.
Now that the time is – now it's 11.36, the clerk will read the notice of the public hearing first.
The following official notice of a public hearing on the budget document in the City of Chicago for the year 2025
was published in the Chicago Tribune on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Public notice is hereby given that the Executive Budget of the City of Chicago for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 was received in the Office of the City Clerk from Mayor Brandon Johnson on October 30, 2024 and was submitted by the Honorable Brandon Johnson, Mayor to the City Council of the City of Chicago at a City Council meeting held on October 30, 2024.
The budget document is a pamphlet form and available for inspection in the Office of the City Clerk.
Public notice is hereby further given that a public hearing on the executive budget will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024 at 1130 a.m. in City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. The City Council Chamber on second floor. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony in regards to the executive budget may contact Alvin Stark, Sergeant at Arms, 121 North LaSalle Street, room 201C 312-744-6800 or appear and fill out a witness slip before the hearing.
If you require specific language accommodations, including ASL interpreting,
please email communityengagement at citychicago.org by November 27, 2024.
Data at Chicago, Illinois, this 22nd day at November 2024.
Andrea M. Valencia, City Clerk of City, Chicago.
Very well. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
For this public hearing, there is a sign language interpreter.
If there's anyone who is in need, please notify the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Again, any person who wishes to testify on the budget,
please sign one of the witness slips provided by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Please note specifically on your slip the topic that you wish to address.
As we will seek to group the speakers by topic,
the Sergeant-at-Arms will collect the slips and bring them to the rostrum.
We will, so how about this, we'll stand at ease just momentarily
why any additional speakers are at it.
The chair recognizes Alderman Moore.
Thank you, Mr. President.
While we're about to stand at ease, if I could suspend the rules for a second
to acknowledge our colleague, Alderman, Monique Scott,
it's her birthday today while we're wasting time.
They didn't see you.
Well, let me give it approval from the mayor first.
On the motion to suspend the rules, to take up special recognition for a particular birthday celebrant.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Any opposed, say nay.
All right, the motion has passed.
Alderman Moore.
Let me use my voice before I got kicked out of Fellowship Choir.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Very well.
Alderman. Thank you, guys. It's okay. The chair recognizes Alderman Scott. I thank you for that 25th congratulatory birthday. It is a, this is a, it's always a different kind of birthday when you've got to come down to city council, right? So you can't celebrate all day, right? Because you've got to do work. But it is a, it's not guaranteed that you wake up every day.
Unfortunately, my best friend's brother died last night, so I'm happy to be in the land of the living because some of us don't always make it.
And so it is an honor and a blessing to be here.
I thank God for allowing me to see 53 years of life.
Thank you all for the congratulatory birthday.
Thank you.
Alderman Moore, on the motion to return back to the regular order of business.
Make a motion to return back to the regular order of business.
All those in favor of returning back to the regular order of business, signify by saying aye.
Any opposed, say no.
Very well, this motion passes.
The chair recognizes Alderwoman Coleman.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I'd like to ask to be counted as present and as yes on the first favorable roll call.
Thank you very much, Madam Clerk.
Please add Alderwoman Coleman to the roll call as well as to the favorable roll call vote in the Committee on Finance
and the subsequent motion to reconsider the failure of that motion.
Thank you very much.
Very well.
The chair recognizes Alderman Talia Faro.
I'd, too, like to be added as a yes vote on the first item in the Committee on Finance and the subsequent motion to reconsider.
Very well. Thank you, Madam Clerk. If you can also add Aldo Mentale-Ferro to that roll call.
The chair recognizes Aldo Fuentes.
Mr. President, I would also like to be recorded as a yes on the first motion of finance.
Very well. Madam Clerk, please add Alder Fuentes to the most favorable roll call vote in the Committee on Finance and the subsequent failure of the motion to reconsider.
Chair recognizes Alder Ramirez-Rosa.
Mr. President, I, too, would like to be added as a yes to the first motion of finance.
This is a very dramatic scene in the movie.
Madam Clerk, please add Alder Ramirez-Rosa also to the most favorable roll call vote.
The finance committee, of course, the subsequent failure to reconsider that vote.
Are there any other Alders that wish to be added to the roll call or to be recorded as the chair recognizes Alderwoman Sanchez?
He had to be added to the first most favorable vote.
Committee on Finance.
Very well.
Now, Madam Clerk, please add Alderwoman Rosanna Rodriguez-Sanchez, the most favorable roll call in the Committee on Finance,
as well as the subsequent failure of reconsidering that vote.
All right, very well.
Each speaker, so today we have so far a total of 25 individuals that wish to testify during this budget hearing.
So we will limit each speaker to two minutes.
And again, if there are any other speakers that wish to be added, please make sure you fill out a pink witness information slip
with some specificity around your topic so that we can group them accordingly.
And, of course, the specificity must be related to the budget, the budget.
So all testimony this morning and going into the afternoon will have to be specified.
But it is relegated to the budget.
And again, each speaker will have two minutes, and we have so far a total of 25 speakers as far, at least.
Very well.
The first speaker, Mr. Cruz.
Thank you.
I don't really have a ton to say other than I once used to be proud to call myself a Chicagoan.
And I was recently, and now everyone is going to get up and walk away, which is fine.
But we have an addiction to spending, and progressive revenue initiatives will not grow our way out of this issue.
The progressive revenue tactics will fail until the necessary headcount reductions and budget cuts are made,
including do not lower the speed limits to try to trap individuals and citizens for driving 30 miles an hour
when the speed limit is 25 or whatever the proposal is.
That will not work, and that will only lead to increased traffic and continue to annoy citizens.
Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has a $1.6 billion budget.
$500 million of this is paid from Chicago property taxes.
I'm sure there's some savings there.
We have an egregiously complex and rigid form of local government.
We have 20 Cook County commissioners.
Now we have 21 new Chicago Board of Education members.
We obviously have the 50 city council members, which we thank you, the vast majority of you.
um again progressive revenue policies will only fail and continue to exacerbate the city's
financial woes i was recently in nashville with my wife two weeks ago and i just randomly met
four people who had moved from chicago to tennessee because of the tax burden a number of my friends
moved to colorado they moved to nashville they moved to texas we don't want to move but there's
really no alternative if we're just going to continue to raise taxes people are not going to
want to move here or people are not going to want to stay here okay the only way to get out of this
this budget crisis and insolvency is to increase the population and keep people here encourage
people to want to move here encourage businesses to want to hire here okay raising taxes it does
the exact opposite of that lastly just don't raise don't please do not reduce the speed limits that
is insane we need if anything we should be increasing the speed limits the traffic is a
nightmare thank you thank you I just want to repeat again if there are any
individuals in the audience that require ASL please let us know are there any
members in the audience that need sign interpret interpreters very well the
The next speaker is Conway, Tiara, Tiara Conway.
All right, we'll hold off then.
Tiara Conway is not here.
The next speaker is David Mason.
David Mason.
Okay, the next speaker, Jessica Jackson.
So, Jesse Fuentes, you wasn't here.
So real quickly, were you acting like you don't hear me?
but you'll see yourself on Friday on Zoe Lee's channel
and we're going to make you famous and you're going to keep acting like you don't hear me.
Now, as it pertains to the budget, what I'm trying to figure out is this.
How are my property taxes getting increased when you keep instructing your people to not settle my case?
So you've got the public administrators who are intentionally depriving me of my income
because they're telling those tenants to squat on me for free for two years.
But yet and still, I'm getting property tax increases.
And if I don't pay the property taxes by December 10th,
they got the audacity to say they're going to put my property at a tax sale
while you all are sitting there letting these people squat on me for two years.
But yet, my property tax bill is $300 more than it was last quarter.
Now you make that make sense.
And you tell me why you should be able to stay in that position and why anybody should be able to stay in these seats.
You all know what they are doing.
You know what they're doing.
And y'all going to sit here and let them come after my property while y'all let some...
Waters, per the public administration office, sit in my building.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
You're supposed to be a civil rights attorney.
What is it, that Conway supposed to be a prosecutor?
And he ain't bothering them white judges at all.
But he walk around here all smug, thinking he better than y'all because he born rich.
All y'all need to be embarrassed.
I hope you pray to God that whatever your family leave for y'all, I hope it burns to the ground.
Next speaker is George Blakemore.
Pertaining to the budget, every household, you make so much money and you have priorities of what you're going to spend your money on.
Now, one department that's notorious is Notorious Water Department.
the notorious water department
very racist
and if you don't pay your water bill
did you know they can put a lien on your property
and take it
the most notorious water department
the most notorious police department
the most notorious police department
now I spoke here
and been spinning this mic
and I made a statement
Have you ever seen a black policeman pull his gun out and shoot a white man, a white woman, a white boy or a white girl in the United States of America?
That doesn't happen.
But constantly you see white policemen say they serve and protect, killing black people while walking in their homes.
So evidently these black policemen know their place.
And these white policemen seem like they don't have a place.
The notorious police department.
Let's go to the notorious fire department.
Only 16% of the firemen are black.
The notorious racism.
The worst city in the United States.
The most corrupt is the city of Chicago.
Well, why would you say this?
Because how many of those so-called leaders have been indicted, have been indicted, and they keep on keeping on?
So if racism is alive here, go back to that police department again, Mr. Blakemore.
The paternal or the other police.
Thank you, Mr. Blakemore.
Next speaker, Danielle Carter.
Okay, so I got a great way of what we can do with this budget.
First, let's start with cutting off illegals, getting free everything.
Free housing, free schooling, free food.
Yeah, let's start with that.
That'll save us a lot of money, what, $600 million?
Let's start there.
Then let's start with you, your salary.
you are you are going down in history as the worst mayor in america let's start with cut yours
you're making too much money let's start there and now let's start with the police detail you
have the 200 police detail you have let's start with that because you democrats and you remember
you told us to defund the police remember you ran on there remember you was a defund the police
let's start with that let's let's defund the police detail that you have and let's put the
police back in our neighborhood because we're not for defunding the police we need the police
so let's start with all the democrats because because y'all policy which y'all push in our
neighborhood defund the police so all y'all that get police details and get police presses around
your house let's start with cutting that that'll save a lot of money so won't you just practice
what you preach remove all the details we saw you coming in today you had all the police presence
so let's take some of that away
And then let's start with not. And I'm asking you all and I'm telling you all all the mess, whatever property tax high he's proposing or whatever taxes he's proposing on the Chicago citizens.
I'm letting y'all know for real. And now if you all vote on anything to raise all taxes or anything, because we already suffering homeowners, you all will not be in those seats.
Thank you. The next speaker is Howard Ray.
Yes, I'm back. Since people are not speaking, a lot of people are not speaking, can we raise it back up to three minutes?
But here's the deal. To the aldermans and the citizens and the council, I'm going to talk about the People Fund again.
Basically what the People Fund is, it's a special tax for the citizens of Chicago.
And what we're asking is for all sale transactions and uses that occurs, we want six cents, C-E-N-T-S, attached to those sale transactions.
We estimate that there's six trillion transactions in a half a year that occurs in Cook County.
So you take six trillion times six cents, you get $360 billion.
dollars that's seven hundred some billion dollars a year but that tax is
solely for the citizens of Chicago that tax will pay our property taxes it will
also fund public safety it will also do a lot of other things for our community
because each community community including the suburbs because this is a
Cook County and Chicago that's why I asked to also include Tony Preckwood
every community would be able to get
a billion dollar per community
and the directors of that fund
would be non-elected
officials but they would have to go
through the elected officials
that's a whole other subject
but what we want to do is have that special tax
you guys can keep your
10.25 but really you guys
here in Chicago is 1.25%
you guys keep that
just add that 6 cent
we're willing to negotiate with you guys
maybe you can give $0.03 and the citizens
give $0.03 to make us $0.06.
This is what we want. That way
everybody will be satisfied. You guys can raise
all what y'all want to raise for what you need to do
but give us our $0.06 on
every transaction that occurs
in Cook County.
Thank you.
The next speaker is
Zoe Lee.
I see that you
now are floating around a
$60 million property tax hike.
Ain't no taxes going to be hiked until y'all, it shouldn't be at all.
But you need to settle my family's case.
Like, the city of Chicago, the local government, the state of Illinois, has violated the Fifth Amendment, the 14th Amendment, the U.S. Constitution.
Y'all took an oath.
The government owes my family for eminent domain.
Y'all sit here and ignore this.
The government owes my mother as a single black daughter raised by a single black mother
who gave me what I needed to be down here.
That's why I'm not scared.
I know the Constitution.
I know the federal laws. I said last year, last year, I said this is December 13th.
I said for the last 60 days, I've sent an email to the Chicago inspector general requesting that they look into the accounting of the six hundred and forty million dollars.
The key players in the legal immigration scheme are Carlos Ramirez Rosa, Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez, Michael Rodriguez, Andre, Andre Vasquez, Beatrice Ponce de Leon.
as far as making Chicago great again the black Democratic leadership in Congress
showed that they have no black agenda that's why they have allowed all this
money to go to everyone but the black Americans for decades the only way the
Democrats should be voted back in is find and secure the black agenda pass the
debt pay the debt America owes us apologize to black Americans and say
they won't try this s again and as far as locally flip Illinois red on
principle.
Thank you. The next speaker is Jasmine Smith. Jasmine Smith. Very well. The next speaker is John Morrison. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You ran on being better, and I believed in you. So much so that I organized for you. I canvassed for you and I fundraised for you.
And when you won, Chicagoans entrusted you and this council to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago.
You promised to build bridges instead of raising them.
But over the last year, you've proposed spending taxpayer money on a stadium we don't want,
a massive payday loan for CPS, and a year with record police settlement costs,
you shamefully proposed further deferring the implementation of the consent decree for our police force.
And for the rest of us, property taxes and service cuts.
I fear you've lost the plot, Mr. Mayor.
If I wanted this kind of financial mismanagement, I would have voted for that guy from Palos Heights.
The Plow the Sidewalks pilot was one of the few progressive legislative accomplishments.
This pilot estimated to cost slightly more than $1 million,
yet it's nowhere to be found in your current $17.3 billion draft budget.
That $1 million pilot represents an investment in our people, and to benefit by clearing our sidewalks, we can empower the elderly and disabled members of our community to live fuller and safer lives, while potentially spurring economic activity, increasing transit ridership when we do desperately need it, and reducing unnecessary injuries.
It's an investment in a better, stronger, safer Chicago that you ran on, sir.
But here you are, walking away from that investment.
It's not too late, Mr. Mayor.
I want to believe in you.
I want you to prove me right.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Our next speaker, Joan or Joanne Johnson.
Brandon Johnson, I want to, you was in an office when this happened.
Repurchase insurance on our property.
They came out to rebuild after a fire.
They demolished the property, turned around, they put a roof up, they framed it, and they walked away.
It was in zoning.
Zoning was supposed to overlook this property.
Buildings only, Dan, that's in the building office.
And they told him to build that property the way I wanted it to be built.
The insurance money walked away.
I got signatures.
I got documents of everybody that's involved in this project.
and
Nationland
of Justice
they were supposed to build it up
but they walked away from it
so now it's just a dump
it's abandoned
we did everything
we were supposed to do
we paid our insurance
and they took our insurance
money
and why
the zoning department was supposed
to overlook the project
And they didn't
I went into court
They told me to get a lawyer
My lawyer tell me
You dealing with the city of Chicago
You're fucked
We did everything we were supposed to do
We did everything
We were supposed to do
And they turned around
And walked away with $300,000
Thank you
Our next speaker
Is Dennis White
Brandon Johnson
Listen, the good news is we got 48 days before Trump take that oath.
In January, ICE is going to come in and get rid of these illegal immigrants.
Here's the thing.
In order for us to get these taxes, we got to get rid of these illegals.
So this is what's going to happen to you.
You've got Kash Patel and Pam Bundy that you're going to have to deal with sooner than later.
Then it's going to be an audit.
Next, it's going to be an investigation.
Then it's going to be an indictment.
Convition.
That's what's going to happen to you.
Now, guess what?
I just cooked them under two minutes.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Vashon Tonkle.
Good morning to the people of Chicago.
I just want to say, Mr. Brandon Johnson, I'm up here.
I am speaking right now, so I would love your undivided attention, please.
I'll wait.
So this just proves to you the lack of leadership that you show in this city.
You can't even give me straight eye contact.
Now, I'm going to let you know now, the people of Chicago, we're done with you.
I'm young. I'm a young black man here in Chicago, Illinois, and I'm here to tell you that I've seen what the Democratic Party have done to my people, specifically black people.
Now, it is insane how we have been voting Democrat for over 60 plus years.
And we've never seen a change from people like you, Lori Lightfoot, Rob Emanuel.
It is insane. Now, when it comes to the budget, why would you want to get rid of sock?
or excuse me, shot spotters, which is a 36 to $49 million investment in communities that are
basically suffering from gun violence. I support blue troops. I support the police. They protect
us. And you want to defund the police, you and the Democrats. Now, I know you guys see my Trump
hat. You know that Chicago was flipping red. Chicago was 37% red. In 2020, it was only 15%.
in. So we're waking up. So you can pretend that this isn't happening. But I know for a fact that
you will not have that seat the next election. And at this point, Brandon Johnson, you can race
bait all you want. You guys can sit up here and call me an Uncle Tom because I got my Trump hat
on. But here's the thing. If you guys never read Uncle Tom, Uncle Tom, he died not telling on two
runaway slaves but you know who will sell you out in a minute this guy right here so you can call
me uncle tom all you want but one thing you can't call me is a damn democrat thank you our next
speaker is scarlett johnson scarlett johnson very well our next speaker robert castle jr
Robert Castle, Jr.
Good morning, Mayor.
Good morning.
My name is Robert Castile, Jr.
So after years of being incarcerated and having my voice snatched, I'm finally able to speak.
So even being inside of sales and things and trying to write about things and certain stuff
and having things being denied and male tampered with and not be able to do that,
I'm here to be able to speak about different things that happens in the city
and contributes to different subjects and negative effects that turn out in the city.
For instance, education.
I truly believe in education.
I believe in the children.
I believe they are the future.
We need them to survive and to thrive and to grow forward with the closing of schools
and just not funding the education or the teachers that are needed to teach them to grow,
to be fruitful, to produce for our society, to make us better.
I almost definitely do not agree with that.
They need to be funded.
They need to be given what they need to protect and allow the children to grow.
When you have a classroom that's overcrowded, you have children that are not being paid attention to
and some that can't receive that attention and that support or that certain manner of method
that they need in order to be nourished mentally.
So when that happens, some of them become disruptive.
And when they become disruptive, they can't receive the education so that they can grow and do what they need to do.
When you don't receive the proper education and it comes time to fill out job applications or whatever it may be or higher education or whatever it may be, then you're just not able to, which leads you down a certain path where when schools are closed and everything else, the block is never closed. The hood is never closed.
you can always go out on those corners
there's always somebody that's ready to teach you
the street trade
so when they learn these trades
it's with them
even inside of that
that's why I support
the education of the students
and not having crowded classrooms
when it comes to
thank you
next speaker
Ms. P. Ray Eastley
yes ma'am
Good evening to the city of Chicago, to the city council, to the mayor, to my alderman of the great 37th ward and to all the west siders in the building.
First things first, I had a whole different thing, but I want to say this very quickly.
I am a Negro woman.
My mother and my father are Negro people.
My grandmother is a Negro woman.
Their birth certificates out of Cook County, their original ones say Negro.
It was printed on the Cook County birth certificates before 1975.
Please respect the label and our American ethnicity.
We don't have problems identifying anybody else.
We will not play about the Negro.
But I came here to say this.
Typically, I'm here and I'm fussing.
I want to say thank you to the city council.
I want to say thank y'all for voting down that $300 million.
Thank you for saving us $300 million.
dollars thank you for saying no to 150 million and we want y'all to say no to the 60 million
you all did not get enough hand claps enough support enough love know that the whole country
was clapping and proud of the work of this city council because our mayor is embarrassing us y'all
around the world and you all took the power back from him to say the city of chicago is out of the
business of funding illegals. We are out of the business of prioritizing non-American citizens
on top of the American citizens who go out in this cold weather every day to make money to pay
their taxes. So I want to encourage you guys to please stay America first. Please continue to make
our city look like the great city that it is because we are great people with good sense.
One thing that Chicago people know very well is how to spot a scam, and the scam has been exposed.
You cannot bully Chicago people because this is a city of bullies and bully slayers.
So today, I encourage you guys to help us slay the bully.
Thank y'all.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Alex Nelson.
Hi.
Hi, Mayor Johnson.
Thank you, folks, for taking the time to hear our comments today.
I'm Alex Nelson.
I'm the strategy advisor for Better Street Chicago.
Some of you folks have met me before, many of you have not.
But I think a lot of you have heard the campaign I've been managing for the past couple years now, Plow the Sidewalks.
We are seeking to make sidewalk, snow, and ice removal a universal municipal service here in the city of Chicago.
It would make us a trailblazer and a leader in our infrastructure.
For the past year and a half, Mr. Mayor, we've been working with various city officials,
including Commissioner Cole Stollard from the Department of Streets and Sanitation,
Commissioner Tom Carney from the Chicago Department of Transportation,
as well as other numerous officials both from Aldermanic offices, from your department, from your administration,
and city advocates and organizers who come here either on their free time or, in my case, take PTO days.
And we've been doing it and developing this pilot because we believe in it,
because we understand that sidewalks are the most universal and accessible infrastructure that this city has.
Every single person in this room, regardless of their political allegiance,
regardless of whether they're an elected official, a journalist, an organizer,
just a constituent here with concerns, every single person uses the sidewalks.
And so when we make sure to prioritize the most accessible and tangible infrastructure
that every person in the city has access to it shows who we care about it shows
that we care about the elderly the disabled folks with children folks
without access to cars you campaigned on plow the sidewalks we've been working in
developing this pilot we're incredibly proud of it and so I'm going to ask you
to see it through
and make sure that you include the $1 million budget line for the pilot in this upcoming budget season.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The next speaker is Kyle Lucas.
Greetings, City Council and Mayor Johnson.
My name is Kyle Lucas.
I'm the Executive Director of Better Street Chicago,
and I want to read a statement on behalf of some of the organizations
that were part of the working group for the Plow the Sidewalks pilot program.
In May, the City of Chicago released a Plow the Sidewalks Pilot Program recommendations report
outlining a year's worth of work by advocates alongside the City to develop a feasible pilot program
for municipal sidewalks, snow, and ice removal.
This was a profound step forward in the years-long Plow the Sidewalks campaign,
providing a clear roadmap and outline for the City to begin the steps of implementation.
Unfortunately, since then, the City has missed key deadlines for implementation
and has failed to provide the necessary funding in the Chicago Department of Transportation's budget to move the pilot forward.
While the city faces significant challenges, eliminating this pilot program does not meaningfully address those challenges.
Instead, it perpetuates the continued neglect of the needs of people with disabilities, seniors, parents with children, and beyond to participate in society when it snows.
This means Chicagoans will continue to be unable to run errands, go to the doctor, buy groceries, and otherwise participate in our economy and in their communities, oftentimes left trapped at home for days until the snow clears or melts.
A budget is a statement of values, and by continuing to delay implementation, the city is sending a message that it sees the status quo as acceptable.
We find the status quo as wholly unacceptable.
We are not the first to do this, and we know that this is possible, and we are not asking
for the sky.
We are asking for a small pilot program to study this and to show what happens.
Advocates are here.
We are willing to work with you if you will come to the table with us to identify the
solutions to make this happen, but we must make it clear the time to fund Plow the Sidewalks
is now.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is Kimberly Saunders.
Y'all ain't going to clap for me.
Good afternoon, Mayor Brandon and all the constituents.
My name is Kimberly Saunders.
I am a developer, Treasure Service, Inc.
I purchase property with my money, nobody else's money.
I rehab it with my money.
Wintrust has granted me a $10 million line of credit because I do a lot of business with them.
My godfather took me there, the Italians, and they granted me this credit about a week ago.
So I'm asking you to do a pilot program where I want to, as I told you, I'm tired of the Inglewood Southside looking like the projects.
When you go over to Lincoln Park, these situations should be equal right now.
You have nothing to do with this, Brandon.
You remember me.
I sued CHA1 with the PPP.
I asked you to help me then, and you see the federal government war with me.
So I think you need to know I got the feds and everybody, like, messing with me.
So I'm asking if I could do a program where they're going to give me the money to build.
So I have a couple of other black men that's developing in the city, losing their money, and we are willing to do some of these projects, fund them, and then we get a pilot and we're going to leave equity in there because we're not going to charge them the full market price.
So if we did something like that, that could bridge the gap of generational wealth.
All of this that's going on, you just need to talk to people like me and stop being in the in crowd because I'm not in the in crowd.
And I'm the deputy of the 27th Ward, which I was appointed by the Republican Party because they asked me to run against Burnett.
I didn't want to run.
I don't want to do y'all jobs.
You don't make enough money.
But I want to help the community because I'm tired of my side.
Well, I don't even live over there.
I'm in the 27th over there.
Whatever.
I'm a part of Chicago, south and west side, but I grew up in Bronzeville.
And again, I told you, my grandmother worked for president.
My grandfather worked for President Kennedy.
My grandmother worked for Harold Washington.
Again, I have the lineage, the paperwork, the background, and the name that could take the take.
But I like to deal with the drug dealers, the hustlers, the crackheads, the misfits, and I help them.
So it's like y'all don't mess with me because my kids got put out of British because of one of y'all.
They're winning, totaling people.
So thank y'all.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Our next speaker, Giovanna Alvarez.
Good afternoon, Mayor. Good afternoon, City Council.
Good afternoon, Chicago residents. My name is Yuvada Alvarez.
I'm an immigrant, first generation, and I was very lucky to have an education here in the United States
and became a very productive citizen.
Nowadays, I am very, very concerned on what's happening in the city.
I understand the budget is the bottom line of the concerns that we have,
but I can also see a lot of miscommunication, a lot of dysfunctioning.
How can we access, how can we prepare a budget?
How can we become effective if we cannot communicate with each other?
There's a lot of sensitivity.
There's a lot of fear.
There's a lot of anger.
So, Major, I would like to ask you to please consider everyone within the budget.
Like I said, I'm an immigrant.
I came to the United States legally.
I was very fortunate to do that.
I have never been a delinquent.
and I am very, very embarrassed for what my other fellow Latin American citizens are doing in this city.
On behalf of the people that work, on behalf of the people that pay taxes,
on behalf of the people that contribute to the city,
I'd like to make clear that not everyone is the same.
These people came with a wide door open and they feel entitled to many things that nobody has.
There are U.S. citizens suffering from poverty.
there are U.S. citizens on public aid
and these people are here
just enjoying the benefits
becoming delinquents
and they have no consequences
same thing with the youth in Chicago
you talk a lot about the youth
well let me tell you, I have a daughter
who's a university student
she's doing her third degree
she was at the Christmas celebration
two or three weeks ago
and she had the most horrible experience ever
I really thought I was going to lose my daughter
out of that experience. What are we doing? Where's my money
going? I'm a contributor to the city. I'm a productive person.
I want you to do the same. And please leave my example. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Does anyone else wish to speak on the
proposed executive budget? If there aren't any others that wish to
speak on the proposed executive budget, the time is now 1220.
This does conclude our public hearing on the proposed
executive budget. The chair recognizes Chairman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move we return back to the regular order of business.
On the motion to return to the regular order of business, all those in favor signify by saying aye.
Any opposed say no. The motion passes.
On the motion to adjourn, the chair
recognizes Alderman Curtis.
Mr. President, I was just called to see if I could actually be recorded as quorum and most favorable vote as aye, please.
Yes, please, Mr. Clerk, please add Alderman Curtis as president, a part of the roll call,
and as an aye vote for the most favorable roll call vote in the Committee on Finance
and the subsequent reconsideration of that vote that failed.
Chair recognizes Alderman Irvin.
Thank you, Mr. President.
At the conclusion of this meeting, Committee on Budget and Government Operations will resume
probably about 15 minutes after they allowed a clerk to set up another time to start.
It was at 12.
We're going to start, you know, shortly thereafter after we all get set up,
unless you all want to have a break and come back later.
Good.
You like a break?
Okay.
Anybody want a break?
Everybody want a break?
Break, break.
All right.
We will come back then at 1.30.
We'll start at 1.30.
All right.
Very well.
Thank you, Chairman Irvin.
On the motion to adjourn, the chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell.
Further business for this body, I move that we adjourn.
Hearing no objections, so order this meeting is adjourned.