Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 2-44-080, 2-44-085 and 2-44-135 to dissolve Chicago Community Land Trust (a.k.a., Chicago Housing Trust) and allow formation as bureau within Department of Housing

Record number: SO2025-0018827
Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
Status: Final
Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
Committee: Committee on Housing and Real Estate
Introduction Date: Jul 16, 2025
Final Action Date: Dec 10, 2025
Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Passed Dec 10, 2025

49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent. On motion of Alderperson Sigcho-Lopez, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of Dec 10, 2025.

Yea (49): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Raymond A. Lopez (15), 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), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Debra L. Silverstein (50)

Absent (1): Maria E. Hadden (49)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: SO2025-0018827 - Substitute Ordinance 12.1.2025.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance would close the Chicago Community Land Trust, also called the Chicago Housing Trust, a nonprofit the City created in 2006 to keep housing from City programs affordable over the long term. The City would take over the trust's money, property, records, contracts, and debts, and its work would be handled within the Department of Housing. It also changes three sections of the Municipal Code that refer to the trust.

The Department of Housing is directed to dissolve the trust, and City officials may sign agreements with the trust's Executive Director and Board for an orderly shutdown.
All of the trust's money, property, accounts, and records would move to the City, and the City would pay the trust's lawful debts and keep its agreements.
The City may not sell any real property it gets from the trust without City Council approval.
The City would indemnify (legally protect) the trust's board members, executive director, and employees for official acts done as part of their duties.
The City and the trust are to make best efforts to finish the shutdown and transfer of assets by December 31, 2025.

Who: The Chicago Community Land Trust, its board members, executive director, and employees, the Department of Housing, and owners or buyers of affordable homes connected to the trust's programs are affected.

Where: City of Chicago (citywide); no specific ward is stated.

Timeline

Jul 16, 2025: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
Sep 24, 2025: Held in Committee, Committee on Housing and Real Estate. The matter was Held in Committee.
Dec 1, 2025: Substituted, Committee on Housing and Real Estate. The matter was Substituted in Committee.
Dec 3, 2025: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Housing and Real Estate. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
Dec 10, 2025: Passed, City Council (49 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Sigcho-Lopez, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.