Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 17-12 and 17-17 by modifying Sections 17-12-1200 and 17-17-0200 regarding City digital signs and general terms

Legislation tracker › 29th Ward: Chris Taliaferro

• Record number: O2023-2187
• Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
• Status: Council Introduction
• Sponsor: Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward)
• Committee: Zoning
• Submitted Date: Jun 14, 2023
• Introduction Date: May 31, 2023
• 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 let the City expand its digital sign network onto private property near expressways and toll roads, paid for by advertising on the signs, with sign operators paying the City a fee of 15% of distributable gross revenues.

Who it affects

• Drivers on expressways and toll roads: They would see more digital signs showing City information, government messages, emergency notices, and advertising.
• Private property owners near expressways and toll roads: Land within 660 feet of a designated expressway or toll road could host City digital signs.
• Digital sign developers and operators: They must sign a Program Agreement with the City covering at least 24 sign faces on private property and pay the City a fee based on sign revenue.
• Advertisers: They would be allowed to place off-premises ads on City digital signs located on private property.
• Other government agencies, including Cook County and the Chicago Transit Authority: They could use the sign network to share their own messages through agreements that the City Council must approve.
• Lenders financing the signs: They could temporarily own a sign after a loan default and look for a new operator, with some obligations eased for up to six months unless the City Council approves longer.

What changes

• At least 24 new digital sign faces facing expressways and toll roads would be placed on private property.
• The signs would regularly show City information and other government messages, plus emergency notices during emergencies.
• Off-premises advertising would be allowed on these City digital signs.
• Zoning rules would change so City digital signs can be placed on private land within 660 feet of designated expressways or toll roads.
• Sign operators would have to follow agreement rules on sign design, light intensity, light pollution, and energy use.

Money

• Sign operators would pay the City a fee of 15% of the distributable gross revenues each sign on private property earns.
• Advertising on the signs would pay for their design, installation, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement, at no cost to the City.

Where: Ward 29; Expressways and toll roads in Chicago; Private property within 660 feet of a designated expressway or toll road

Timeline

• May 31, 2023: Referred, City Council

Documents

• O2023-2187.pdf (Legislation)

Lobbying and money

Computed links; money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote.

Who lobbied on it

• Jcdecaux North America, Inc.: OPPOSITION TO O2023-2187; DIGITIZATION OF BUS SHELTERS (5 filings, Jul 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2024; Amy Kurson, Victor Reyes; matched by record number)
• Jcdecaux North America, Inc.: ATTENTION TO ORDINANCE O2023-2187 (1 filing, Oct 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024; Amy Kurson; matched by record number)
• Jcdecaux North America, Inc.: LEGISLATIVE RELIEF OF OPPOSITION TO O2023-2187 (1 filing, Jan 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2024; Amy Kurson; matched by record number)
• Jcdecaux North America, Inc.: OPPOSITION TO O2023-2187 (1 filing, Jan 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2024; Victor Reyes; matched by record number)

Related legislation

More from Chris Taliaferro

• Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for TNT Car Wash & Detailing, Inc. (O2026-0029454, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
• Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for T N T Carwash LLC (O2026-0025088, introduced May 20, 2026, Passed)
• Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Mikhlin Auto Group LLC (O2026-0024927, introduced Apr 15, 2026, Passed)
• Dedication of public alleys in area bounded by W Congress Pkwy, S Lotus Ave, W Harrison St and S Lockwood Ave (O2026-0024644, introduced Apr 15, 2026, Passed)
• Amendment of Annual Appropriation Ordinance to transfer funds from 29th Ward Aldermanic Expense Account to Wage Allowance for Year 2026 (SO2026-0022545, introduced Feb 18, 2026, Passed as Substitute)
• Renaming of Austin Satellite Senior Center as "Lillian Drummond Austin Satellite Senior Center" (R2026-0023384, introduced Feb 18, 2026, Adopted)

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