# Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 2-44-140 and 2-45-110 regarding property liens, waivers, debt and transfer definitions, reporting, and mandatory consultation by Commissioner, requiring agreements with prohibitions and time frames for development of approved plans

- Record number: **SO2025-0018149**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
- Committee: Committee on Finance
- Introduced: Jun 18, 2025
- Final action: Jul 16, 2025
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=69C5F927-4F4C-F011-8779-001DD8069091)

## Roll call: Passed Jul 16, 2025

**49 yea, 1 nay.** This was a divided vote. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the [City Council meeting of Jul 16, 2025](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/256D9E41-48D4-EF11-8EEA-001DD804C7AB).

**Nay (1)**: [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15)

**Yea (46)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (5), [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (6), [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (7), [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (8), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (16), [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (17), [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (18), [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (19), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20), [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (21), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (27), [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (28), [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (29), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Anthony J. Quezada](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/35) (35), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (50)

Former members who voted: Jeylu B. Gutierrez (Yea), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Yea), Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (Yea)

## Plain-language summary

> Written by AI (@cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b) from the ordinance text only: [SO2025-0018149 Muni Code 2-44-140 and 2-45-110 Debt, Liens, Property.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/7dc64128-2ca3-4073-b9ee-68ecc6c6c888.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

The ordinance lets the City Commissioner waive or assign city debts and liens on vacant or abandoned residential or mixed-use properties in low-moderate income areas, if the new owner agrees to develop the site and follow strict conditions. It also sets up required consultations, penalties for non-compliance, and reporting requirements.

- Waivers apply to properties vacant for at least six months in low-moderate income areas.
- The new owner must sign an agreement to develop the property, not resell for two years, and guarantee the debt.
- A $500 daily fine is imposed for each day the agreement is not followed.
- The Commissioner must consult with multiple city officials and the local alderman before approving any waiver.
- The city will receive quarterly reports on all waived or released debts and liens.

**Money**

- $500 fine per party per day for non-compliance with the agreement

**Who**: Property owners or developers taking over qualifying vacant or abandoned properties, as well as the City agencies involved, are affected.

## Timeline

- Jun 18, 2025: Referred, City Council
- Jul 14, 2025: Substituted, Committee on Finance
- Jul 14, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Finance
- Jul 16, 2025: Passed, City Council

## Documents

- [SO2025-0018149 Committee Letter.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/f9131b9f-a684-4605-8902-b43115bb31ff.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [SO2025-0018149 Digital Cover.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/72bb6314-f0f2-42be-a488-bdb56c67ae21.pdf) (Miscellaneous)
- [SO2025-0018149 Muni Code 2-44-140 and 2-45-110 Debt, Liens, Property.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/7dc64128-2ca3-4073-b9ee-68ecc6c6c888.pdf) (Legislation)
- [O2025-0018149 Mayoral Letter.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/655e3423-603d-447f-84de-fd7fa8f05b0f.pdf) (Miscellaneous)
- [O2025-0018149 Ordinance v2.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/7cee323b-12ca-40fd-ae36-91771147c3cf.pdf) (Legislation)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/69C5F927-4F4C-F011-8779-001DD8069091 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt