Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 10-8 regarding charitable solicitation on public way
- Record number: O2026-0026950
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: In Committee
- Sponsor: Pat Dowell (3rd Ward)
- Committee: Committee on Finance
- Submitted Date: Jul 9, 2026
- Introduction Date: Jul 15, 2026
- Official record: Office of the City Clerk
Impact report
Written by AI from the official document. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.
This ordinance would move control of permits for collecting charity donations on Chicago streets and sidewalks from the City Council's Committee on Finance to the Commissioner of Transportation.
Who it affects
- Charitable organizations that collect donations on the public way: They would apply to, get permits from, and file money reports with the Commissioner of Transportation instead of the Committee on Finance.
- Volunteers and workers who solicit donations on streets: They must wear a name tag or card of at least two by four inches (or a copy of the permit) and a reflective vest, must be at least 16, and may only approach vehicles fully stopped at stop intersections.
- Chicago Department of Transportation: It would review applications, resolve date and location conflicts, sign permits, make rules, and enforce the rules alongside the Chicago Police Department.
- Chicago Police Department: It would enforce charitable solicitation rules together with the Department of Transportation.
- Special Inspectors of the Committee on Finance: The unpaid inspectors appointed by the Finance Committee chairman for two-year terms would no longer be part of enforcement under the amended text.
- Drivers on City streets: Charity solicitors may approach them only at intersections where vehicles must come to a complete stop and only after they have stopped.
What changes
- Charities would apply for street solicitation permits through the Commissioner of Transportation, at least 30 days ahead.
- Permits would be signed by the Commissioner of Transportation instead of the Finance Committee chairman.
- Solicitors could show a copy of the permit instead of wearing a tag or card.
- The Department of Transportation and Chicago Police would enforce the rules instead of Finance Committee-appointed special inspectors.
- Charities that break the rules face a one-year suspension, a second year for a second violation, and a permanent ban after a third.
Money
- Charitable organizations pay a $10 application fee for each day of solicitation requested, which the City Council cannot waive.
- Any person who breaks the charitable solicitation rules is fined $1,000, with each day counted as a separate offense.
- Organizations with unpaid fines or fees under these rules have fee waivers put on hold until they are paid.
Where: 3rd Ward
When: Upon passage and publication.