Expression of continued support for remediation and reclamation of legacy contaminated waterways like Bubbly Creek, such as Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) efforts and other local, state and national projects

Votes › Environmental Protection and Energy › 2nd Ward: Brian Hopkins

• Record number: SR2025-0018658
• Type: Resolution; category: Committee/Public Hearings
• Status: Final
• Sponsor: Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward)
• Co-sponsors (2): Matthew J. Martin (47th Ward), Samantha Nugent (39th Ward)
• Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy
• Introduction Date: Jul 16, 2025
• Final Action Date: Feb 18, 2026
• Official record: Office of the City Clerk

Roll call: Adopted Feb 18, 2026

49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent. On motion of Alderperson Hadden, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the resolution was Adopted. Voted at the City Council meeting of Feb 18, 2026.

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), 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), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)

Absent (1): Monique L. Scott (24)

Plain-language summary

Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: W2 CAWS Resolution.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This resolution says the Mayor and City Council support federal, state, and city efforts to clean up old pollution in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). It notes that past industry left contaminated sediment in places like Bubbly Creek. The Council also says it will work with others as an active partner to support a water system reclamation study.

• CAWS is about 76.1 miles of canals and modified rivers used for recreation and home to wildlife, including over 70 species of fish.
• Water is sampled monthly at 30 locations, and research shows more native fish and fewer invasive species.
• Historic industrial pollution has affected sediment in some areas, such as Bubbly Creek (south fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River).
• The Council supports cleanup of contaminated sediments and dredging within CAWS.
• The City will work with stakeholders to support a water system reclamation study.

Who: People who use Chicago's waterways, including subsistence anglers from overburdened communities, along with wildlife that depend on the river system.

Where: Chicago Area Waterway System, including Bubbly Creek (south fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River); sponsored by Alderman Brian Hopkins, 2nd Ward

Timeline

• Jul 16, 2025: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
• Feb 3, 2026: Substituted, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. The matter was substituted in Committee.
• Feb 3, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
• Feb 18, 2026: Adopted, City Council (49 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Hadden, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the resolution was Adopted.

Documents

• SR2025-0018658 CL.pdf (Committee Letter)
• SR2025-0018658.feb4.pdf (Legislation)
• W2 CAWS Resolution.pdf (Legislation)

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