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

Votes › License and Consumer Protection › 15th Ward: Raymond A. Lopez

• Record number: SO2023-0002983
• Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
• Status: Final
• Sponsor: Raymond A. Lopez (15th Ward)
• Co-sponsors (22): William Conway (34th Ward), Ruth Cruz (30th Ward), Jessica L. Fuentes (26th Ward), James M. Gardiner (45th Ward), Maria E. Hadden (49th Ward), Timothy R. Knudsen (43rd Ward), Daniel La Spata (1st Ward), Bennett R. Lawson (44th Ward), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th Ward), Ronnie L. Mosley (21st Ward), Anthony V. Napolitano (41st Ward), Marty Quinn (13th Ward), Julia M. Ramirez (12th Ward), Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33rd Ward), Michael D. Rodriguez (22nd Ward), Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward), Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward), Jeanette B. Taylor (20th Ward), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40th Ward), Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward), Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward)
• Committee: Committee on License and Consumer Protection
• Introduction Date: Jul 19, 2023
• Final Action Date: Mar 12, 2025
• Official record: Office of the City Clerk

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.

Nay (26): Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Nicole T. Lee (11), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Monique L. Scott (24), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), William Conway (34), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (former member)

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

Not voting (5): Lamont J. Robinson (4), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), Samantha Nugent (39), Angela Clay (46)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (@cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b) from the ordinance text only: O2023-0002983 Ordinance.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. The matter was referred.
• Feb 10, 2025: Held in Committee, Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The matter was Held in Committee.
• Mar 4, 2025: Substituted, Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The matter was substituted in committee.
• Mar 4, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
• Mar 12, 2025: Failed to Pass, City Council (19 yea, 26 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Silverstein, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter Failed to Pass.

Documents

• O2023-0002983 Ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
• SO2023-0002983 - Substitute-Fur Products.pdf (Legislation)
• License Rule 41 Request - Lopez.pdf (Committee Letter)
• Signed Passage Letters 3_4_25 LCCP - SO2983.pdf (Committee Letter)
• cosponsorship form - fur ordinance.pdf (Miscellaneous)

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