# Amendment of Municipal Code Title 4 by adding new Chapter 4-401 entitled "Trade In Fur Products"

- Record number: **SO2023-0002983**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: Lopez, Raymond A. (with 22 co-sponsors)
- Committee: Committee on License and Consumer Protection
- Introduced: Jul 19, 2023
- Final action: Mar 12, 2025
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=E220093A-5926-EE11-9965-001DD804E9A5)

## Roll call: Failed to Pass Mar 12, 2025

**19 yea, 26 nay.** This was a divided vote. On motion of Alderperson Silverstein, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter Failed to Pass. Voted at the [City Council meeting of Mar 12, 2025](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/A32C8FC8-47D4-EF11-8EEA-001DD804C7AB).

**Nay (24)**: [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [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), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [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), [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24), [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), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48)

**Yea (19)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (50)

**Not voting (3)**: [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46)

Former members who voted: Jeylu B. Gutierrez (Nay), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Not voting), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (Nay), Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (Not voting)

## Plain-language summary

> Written by AI (@cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b) from the ordinance text only: [O2023-0002983 Ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/ad340392-7726-4055-bdfa-4a726b646c0e.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

Chicago is adding a new law that bans the sale, offer, display, trade, or distribution of fur products within the city. Certain exceptions are allowed, such as used fur items sold by individuals or non-profits, religious or tribal uses, and items covered by higher laws. Violators will be fined $500 for each offense, and the rule starts one year after it passes.

- Creates Chapter 4-401 that makes selling fur products illegal in Chicago
- Defines “fur product” and lists items that are not covered, like leather or taxidermy
- Exempts used fur items sold by individuals, non-profits, pawn shops, religious and tribal uses, and items authorized by state or federal law
- Violations carry a $500 fine for each act and each day of violation
- The ordinance takes effect one year after it is passed

**Money**

- $500 fine for each violation

**Who**: The ordinance impacts anyone who sells or offers fur products in Chicago, while allowing individuals, non-profits, religious groups, and tribal members to sell or use certain exempted items.

**Where**: Chicago

## Timeline

- Jul 19, 2023: Referred, City Council
- Feb 10, 2025: Held in Committee, Committee on License and Consumer Protection
- Mar 4, 2025: Substituted, Committee on License and Consumer Protection
- Mar 4, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on License and Consumer Protection
- Mar 12, 2025: Failed to Pass, City Council

## Documents

- [O2023-0002983 Ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/ad340392-7726-4055-bdfa-4a726b646c0e.pdf) (Legislation)
- [SO2023-0002983 - Substitute-Fur Products.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/363d62d7-d108-44b2-9519-2ab583c97f26.pdf) (Legislation)
- [License Rule 41 Request - Lopez.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/a9a6371b-b957-428f-8b47-d73d19288a74.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [Signed Passage Letters 3\_4\_25 LCCP - SO2983.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/da3946a8-a3cf-45b7-9ad4-6f64ac510ccb.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [cosponsorship form - fur ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/b87404ac-4276-44da-aa7c-944fdf6d9c16.pdf) (Miscellaneous)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E220093A-5926-EE11-9965-001DD804E9A5 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt