Permit fee waivers for Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) in connection with construction, repair and rehabilitation of facilities owned by certain governmental entities and clients of PBC from January 1, 2026 thru December 31, 2031
- Record number: SO2026-0023322
- Type: Ordinance; category: Permits/License/Fee Exemptions
- Status: Final (Passed as Substitute)
- Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
- Committee: Committee on Finance
- Submitted Date: Feb 17, 2026
- Introduction Date: Feb 18, 2026
- Final Action Date: Mar 18, 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.
The City would waive all permit, license, plan review, and inspection fees that the Public Building Commission of Chicago would otherwise pay when it builds, repairs, or maintains facilities for certain local government agencies from 2026 through 2031.
Who it affects
- Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC): The PBC would not have to pay city permit, license, review, and inspection fees for its work on facilities owned by its government clients, but must send quarterly reports on the waivers.
- City of Chicago departments, including the Chicago Public Library, Police Department, and Fire Department: Buildings, land, and facilities they own could be built, repaired, or maintained by the PBC without city permit fees being charged.
- Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago: Work the PBC does on their buildings and facilities would be covered by the fee waivers.
- Chicago Park District: Work the PBC does on parks and park facilities would be covered by the fee waivers.
- Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago Housing Authority: Work the PBC does on facilities they own would be covered by the fee waivers.
- Third parties paid under the Department of Buildings' developer services program or other city programs: Money the City owes them for their services is not affected by the waivers.
What changes
- The PBC would pay no city fees for permits such as building, demolition, sprinkler, sewer, elevator, public way, and parkway tree permits on covered projects.
- The PBC must still submit plans, get them approved, and obtain all required permits and licenses.
- Covered buildings, parks, and facilities must still be built and maintained according to city code.
- The PBC must report every three months to the Office of Budget and Management and the City Council Finance Committee on the number, type, and amount of fees waived.
- The waivers may only be used for the PBC's work for the named government clients.
Money
- All permit, license, plan review, special review, approval process, and on-site inspection fees the PBC would otherwise pay to the City are waived in full; no dollar amounts are stated.
- The waivers do not cover money the City owes to third parties for services under the Department of Buildings' developer services program or other city programs.
When: Takes effect upon passage and approval, applies retroactively from January 1, 2026, and stays in force until December 31, 2031.
Timeline
- Feb 18, 2026: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
- Mar 4, 2026: Substituted, Committee on Finance. The matter was substituted in Commitee.
- Mar 13, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Finance. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
- Mar 18, 2026: Passed, City Council (50 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Dowell, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.
Documents
- SO2026-0023322 C.L..pdf (Committee Letter)
- O2026-0023322 Ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
- SO2026-0023322 Substitute Ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
- O2026-0023322 Mayoral Letter.pdf (Miscellaneous)
Lobbying and money
Computed links; money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote.
Who lobbied on it
- Public Building Commission Of Chicago: WORK WITH ALDERMAN ON VARIOUS PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION PROJECTS ONGOING AND POTENTIAL THROUGHOUT CHICAGO (1 filing, Jan 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2026; Langdon Neal; matched by client named)
Related legislation
More from Johnson, Brandon
- Executive Order No. 2026-7 (Senior Bill of Rights and Establishing the Mayor's Office on Aging) (F2026-0029547, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Placed on File)
- Issuance of general obligation bonds (2027-2028 General Obligation Borrowing Ordinance) (O2026-0029650, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Recommendations (O2026-0029642, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
More on Permits/License/Fee Exemptions
- Permit fee waivers for Chicago Board of Education, its contractors or contracting vendors, for buildings, facilities and improvements… (O2026-0029416, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- Permit fee waiver for 3351 S Giles Ave (Or2026-0026050, introduced Jun 17, 2026, Passed)
- Permit fee waivers for Chicago Board of Education, its contractors or contracting vendors, for buildings, facilities and improvements… (O2025-0021009, introduced Nov 14, 2025, Passed)
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