# CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL 9.29.26

- Date: September 29, 2026
- Type: Video
- Length: 2:19:28
- Topic: City Council
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHL_ZM0QsKY)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 18,649 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/UHL_ZM0QsKY.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Description

Mayor Johnson presides over a meeting of the Chicago City Council.

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=0) behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the

[0:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=31) orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and

[1:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=61) sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the

[1:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=97) proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant at arms city of chicago city council rules of conduct for public meetings 2023 to 2027 pursuant to rule 58 of the chicago city council rules of order and procedure the sergeant at arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public these rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room

[2:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=133) is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees, all individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except 1. when entering or exiting the gallery, 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting set aside for that purpose, or 3. when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior or

[2:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=170) speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing shouting or other loud utterances are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of

[3:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=202) the meeting any item that poses a potential safety hazards as determined by the sergeant at arms is prohibited in the gallery such items include but are not limited to one any pointed objects including knives of any kind two banners flyers or other forms of signage three food and beverages including in glass or metal canisters four backpacks large bags and sealed packages clear

[3:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=233) bags not tinted in color that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 are permitted and subject to search, and 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals

[4:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=269) or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant at arms city of chicago city council rules of conduct for public meetings 2023 to 2027 pursuant to rule 58 of the chicago city council rules of order and procedure the sergeant at arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public Click. These rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees.

[5:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=307) All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except 1. when entering or exiting the gallery. 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. or three when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the city council profane threatening harassing abusive or defamatory behavior or speech which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or

[5:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=344) the sergeant at arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting is not permitted disruptive or distracting actions such as the stomping of feet waving of arms throwing any item whistling booing shouting or other loud utterances are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting any item that poses a potential safety hazards

[6:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=376) as determined by the sergeant at arms is prohibited in the gallery such items include but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by

[6:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=406) 6 inches by 12 are permitted and subject to search, and 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules

[7:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=442) will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the Sergeant-at-Arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023-2027 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the sergeant at arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public these rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting

[7:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=474) of the city council or any of its committees all individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request individuals must remain seated at all times except one when entering or exiting the gallery, two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting set aside for that purpose, or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior or speech,

[8:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=511) which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant at arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the

[9:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=541) meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12

[9:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=578) are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode. can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings.

[10:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=608) Individuals or groups. Good morning, members of the City Council. The meeting will begin shortly. Please remember to log in to your devices. Thank you. From 2023 to 2027, pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees.

[10:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=646) All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery, two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose, or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

[11:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=691) Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to,

[12:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=723) 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind. 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage. 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters. 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons.

[12:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=759) Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings, 2023-2027

[13:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=795) Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery.

[13:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=830) Two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Good morning, members of the City Council. The meeting will begin shortly. Please take your seats and register in your iPads. Thank you. of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the

[14:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=879) orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, 1. Any pointed objects, including knives of any kind, 2. Banners, flyers or other forms of signage, 3. Food and beverages, including in glass or metal canisters, 4. Backpacks, large bags and sealed packages, clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search.

[15:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=919) 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the Sergeant at Arms.

[15:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=957) City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023-2027 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant at Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. The meeting will begin shortly. Please take a seat and log in to your devices. Thank you. Of the City Council or any of its committees, all individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request.

[16:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=993) Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery. Two, when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council, profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted.

[17:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1030) Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. any item that poses a potential safety hazards as determined by the sergeant at arms is prohibited in the gallery such items include but are not limited to one any pointed objects including

[17:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1065) knives of any kind two banners flyers or other forms of signage three food and beverages including in glass or metal canisters four backpacks large bags and sealed packages Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons.

[18:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1099) Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023-2027

[18:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1135) Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure, the Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, 1. when entering or exiting the gallery, 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose, or 3. when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council.

[19:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1182) Profane Threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair, or the sergeant at arms, may lead to a breach of the peace, or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting.

[20:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1221) Any item that poses a potential safety hazards, as determined by the sergeant-at-arms, is prohibited in the gallery. Such items include, but are not limited to, Good morning, members of the City Council. The meeting will begin shortly. Please remember to log in to your devices. Thank you. 4. Backpacks, large bags, and sealed packages. Clear bags, not tinted in color, that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12.

[20:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1257) permitted and subject to search and five firearms ammunition fireworks laser pointers stun guns tasers mace pepper spray and toy good morning ladies and gentlemen can I have your attention please and I have your attention please silence thank you welcome to today's City Council meeting the meeting will

[21:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1287) begin as soon as the mayor enters the room so at this time i'd appreciate if you would take your seats and silence all of your listening devices if you have to talk to each other please use your inside voices please respect your neighbors and respect this room thank you of the chicago city council rules of order and procedure the sergeant at arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or

[22:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1321) room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees. All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except 1. when entering or exiting the gallery. 2. when providing public comment during the portion of a meeting set aside for that purpose, or three, when asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or

[22:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1357) defamatory behavior or speech, which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting, is not permitted. Disruptive or distracting actions, such as the stomping of feet, waving of arms, throwing any item, whistling, booing, shouting, or other loud utterances, are not permitted when in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant-at-arms, such actions are

[23:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1387) disrupting or impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting. Any item that poses a potential safety hazards as determined by the sergeant at arms is prohibited in the gallery such items include but are not limited to one any pointed objects including knives of any kind two banners flyers or other forms of signage three food and beverages including in glass or metal canisters four backpacks large bags and sealed packages clear bags not tinted in color that do not exceed

[23:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1424) 12 inches by 6 inches by 12, are permitted and subject to search. And 5. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, laser pointers, stun guns, tasers, mace pepper spray, and toy weapons. Cell phones and other small handheld recording devices must be placed in silent mode, can only be used while seated, and can only be used in a manner that does not interfere with the ability other individuals to view or hear the proceedings. Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules

[24:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1460) will be subject to removal from the remainder of the meeting by the sergeant-at-arms. City of Chicago City Council Rules of Conduct for Public Meetings 2023-2027 Pursuant to Rule 58 of the Chicago City Council Rules of Order and Procedure The Sergeant-at-Arms sets forth the following rules of conduct for members of the public. These rules shall be in effect at all times that a viewing gallery or room is open for a meeting of the City Council or any of its committees.

[24:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1495) All individuals and their belongings are subject to search at entry or upon request. Individuals must remain seated at all times except, one, when entering or exiting the gallery, 2. When providing public comment during the portion of a meeting, set aside for that purpose. Or 3. When asked to rise and be acknowledged by a member of the City Council. Profane, threatening, harassing, abusive, or defamatory behavior, or speech,

[25:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1529) which in the judgment of the meeting's chair or the sergeant at arms, may lead to a breach of the peace or disrupt the order. Somehow it made me smile, though. Good morning. The council will come to order. Madam Clerk, please take a quorum roll call.

[26:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1568) The quorum is now open. The quorum is now open. Good morning. Please use your e-device. The quorum is now open.

[27:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1637) All right. I will now call those who have not used their e-device. Alderman LaSpada. Not President Chambers. Alderwoman Dow. Present Alderman Robinson. Not present in Chambers. Alderman Yancey. Yancey is present. Alderman Hall. Call him. Alderman Hall. Not present in Chambers.

[27:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1667) Alderman Mitchell. Not present in Chambers. Okay, Alderman Hall is present. Alderman Beal. Not present in Chambers. Alderwoman Ramirez. Ramirez is present Alderwoman Coleman Not present in Chambers Alderman Moore Moore is present Alderman Curtis

[28:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1699) Curtis is present in Chambers Alderwoman Taylor Taylor is present in Chambers Alderman Rodriguez Rodriguez is present in Chambers Alderwoman Scott Scott is present in Chambers Alderman Cicho Lopez Cicho Lopez is present in chambers Alderman Talaferro Talaferro is not present in chambers

[28:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1729) Alderman Quezada Quezada is present in chambers Alderman Villegas Villegas is present in chambers Alderman Vasquez Vasquez is present in chambers Alderman Riley Riley is present in Chambers. Alderman Gardner. Gardner is present in Chambers. Alderwoman Mana Hoppenworth. Mana Hoppenworth is present in Chambers. Alderman Laspata. Laspata is now

[29:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1765) present in Chambers. Anyone else I missed that walked in? Anyone else? Okay. The quorum is now closed. Forty-five. Very well. There are 45 members that are present. We do have a quorum. Thank you. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

[30:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1801) one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing for our invocation, which will be delivered today by Alderman Will Hall. Let's bow our heads. God, we first of all say thank you for giving us another day. God, we thank you for strengthening our bodies, and we thank you for the opportunity to do the business of your people, for this is your city. You say that the earth is the Lord's. And so, God, we ask now that peace rests in this chamber.

[30:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1831) God, we pray that you give clarity, compassion, empathy. May that be on the agenda today. May the decisions that we make may reflect your heart. And so, God, we pray that also you touch both the north side and the south side, our winning teams. Get them grace on the mound. And, God, we pray for victory not only there but in here. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. You may be seated. Our public comments.

[31:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1876) Our public comments. The council will now begin the public comment period, which is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. Speakers cannot yield or transfer their time to another speaker. Any written comments that have been submitted will be posted and made available for automatic review. The first speaker this morning is Brittany Galt.

[31:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1907) Our next speaker this morning is Martin Cozzola. Our next speaker this morning is Brittany King. Good morning. My name is Marty Cozzola. We can hear you. Sorry. Okay. All right. Good morning. My name is Marty Cozzola. I'm a 39th Ward resident and an attorney at Impact for Equity, a law and policy center based here in Chicago.

[32:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1939) Impact for Equity is a proud member of the Chicago Healthy Homes Coalition, which advocates for greater protections for Chicago's 623,000-plus renter households. For more than a decade, the coalition has researched best practices, consulted with subject matter experts around the country, and convened stakeholders throughout the city, all with the goal of creating a robust and effective... It's exciting to see so many members of City Council dedicated to updating their LTO. There are competing visions for how to do this, pro and fair, and i'm glad that the alder people backing both each proposal have committed to continued

[32:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=1971) negotiations rather than making a knee-jerk decision today i'm especially excited to see that alder people in both camps agree that a rental registry is a necessary tool for our great city to have at its disposal going forward however as folks here love to say the devil's in the detail urge alders to follow best practices set by peer cities a rental registry should collect meaningful information about apartments so that renters know what they're getting into when they assign a lease, including how many units exist in any given building, where vacant units exist,

[33:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2005) and which units have been investigated for violations. A registry should collect detailed and accurate information about building ownership and management so that city departments and aldermanic offices know who to contact in an emergency and one whole portfolios owned by out-of-state investors for nominal fees and the rest of the RLTO can meaningfully carry out their missions. Anything less of this body are committed to getting this right and will spend the coming

[33:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2036) weeks negotiating. I want to once again urge members to turn 23,000 venture households. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Brittany Galt. Good morning, Counselor. Good morning, Chairman. My name is B. Galt, and I'm running for Alderman of the 8th Ward, and I fear we have missed the plot for profit's sake. Keep in mind that PRO is not about housing affordability.

[34:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2070) It's about protecting renters. And while it is a great start, PRO is still a ways off from implementing housing as a human right. The battle of PRO and FAIR has exposed for the first time on record that neither the Department of Building nor the Department of Housing have enforcement mechanisms to hold slumlords and fraud tenants accountable under the RLTO for the last 40 years. And even when RLTO counterclaims were raised by tenants, success in the judiciary is rare. As a renter and real estate agent who has experienced these unlawful retaliatory practices leading to my own eviction in June 2026,

[35:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2109) it devastated me to learn my own alderman aligned with FAIR despite over 50% of Ace Ward being renter occupied. hot. It is no fair that landlords are attempting to hijack the tenants' rights movements by gaslighting housing affordability. But ask yourself, when has rent ever gone down at renewal? Landlords have the protection of contract law. They have the advocacy of national realtors and builders' lobbies. Real estate is an investment in a business. Like any investment, you are not

[35:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2140) guaranteed a 10% return. With the cost of doing business, building, managing housing, landlords might not make a profit, but profits are not constitutional rights and businesses are not humans. Humans have human rights. Equitable law doctrine mandates lawmakers to create equity where there is unfairness. Housing is not a human right when forced homelessness and financial ruin serve profits over human, owner or renter. I compel Alder's supporting fair to concede the

[36:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2175) areas that make sense to pro and work with the landlord and builder lobbies to design home rule legislation targeting forced homelessness, inequity, and housing affordability on the battlefield where it matters most because your fight is not against the tenets that you exploit on your path to financial freedom. Thank you all. Have a great day. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Brittany King. Thank you for being here, everyone. My

[36:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2211) My housing journey started in the search for my first apartment, a time real with anxiety because it was the decade post-stroke recovery. And instead of celebrating an abundant life after stroke, I was stressed, finishing my associate's degree and searching for an affordable and accessible space to accommodate the lovely pink caddy I sit in today. I was instead involuntary.

[37:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2242) I was instead involuntarily finding that I had to update an outdated housing list of access living. Meanwhile, two years later, I was again not able to celebrate the blessing of pregnancy as I was considering the fear of homelessness while expecting my first little sweet potato. We were forced to double up with family, And then the Too Long to Wait campaign started in 2018, when Lauren was just six months old, because we were, again, still waiting for affordable, accessible housing.

[38:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2281) My one and only love bug, Lauren, will be 8 in March. Pearl was a thoughtful piece of legislation created by the voters, influenced most by the city's housing challenges. I urge you to vote for them so the city can get back to more pressing matters. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next speaker this morning is Julie Dworkin.

[38:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2325) Good morning. Good morning. I'm Julie Dworkin with Institute for the Public Good. Our coalition of tenant advocates was very happy to learn yesterday that supporters of the two tenant protection ordinances agreed to postpone the vote on both in order to work out a compromise that everyone can support. This is a big step in the right direction, but our work is not done. We don't yet have a final product that will provide meaningful tenant protections without taking away any existing rights. Here is the work that remains.

[39:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2356) We must remove any rollbacks of tenants' rights. The current version of FAIR would remove the FAIR notice protection for owner-occupied two-to-six flats, which gives tenants ample notice if they must move due to no fault of their own, while at the same time expanding the definition of owner-occupied to include anyone with a stake in an LLC. This would take away a critical right for thousands of tenants, and it's a number that could grow as new LLCs are formed. We must create a rental registry that creates true transparency and ownership.

[39:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2388) The current version of FAIR allows the name of the owner to be a registered agent, a technique that was specifically created to hide the identity of owners. The registry also must come with a fee to create a revenue source to pay for staff and infrastructure for enforcing tenant protections. We must create true enforcement of rights by creating a fully staffed bureau with staff that understand the laws they must enforce. And finally, we need to rein in move-in fees so that tenants can afford to move when necessary.

[40:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2418) We can't allow unlimited costs defined by landlords' opinions of what is reasonable. We are moving closer together, but we are not done yet. Renters in Chicago are more than half of the population. They deserve safe, stable, affordable housing, and we as advocates will not let up until we have an ordinance that ensures they get that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Tulsi McDaniels.

[40:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2453) Hello, everyone. My name is Tulsi. I'm a community organizer with the Metropolitan Tenants Organization. Three years ago, I came to MTO with my own housing struggles when my neighbors chose to form a tenants union in response to conditions issues and a lack of accountability on behalf of the landlord. What we came to discover was that my landlord had more than 20 properties all over the west side in the same condition. When our union met with renters out of those properties by going door-to-door in an effort to build a larger tenants' union, we met tenants who were in denial of their housing issues.

[41:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2490) Tenants were hesitant to share their repair issues with us because when they spoke out about it, no repairs had been made. My neighbors were all facing the same problem in juxtaposition to our landlord who lives a very comfortable life in the suburbs. and my landlord provides a comfortable life for his family off those same tenants through the exploitation of my community, never mind the lives of the families on the west side and the dysfunction unstable housing causes them. Now in my work at MTO, I continue to meet tenants who

[42:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2522) are in fundamental denial of their housing grievances. Half of my job is telling renters that their housing issues are not a personal or moral failure. It is a systemic failure when our housing laws are behind other cities in the U.S. Housing experts and advocates have drafted the Protecting Renters Ordinance out of a need for greater tenant protections in the city and an agency that is funded to enforce those protections. Because for the tenants that walk into our office, their housing is actually not their main fight. Their housing

[42:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2555) is a feature of the fight they wage as working and nationally oppressed people. MTO continues mobilizing tenants across the city and meeting with alders because we believe in a future with stronger tenants rights under the protecting renters ordinance the opposing ordinance fair would be a rollback of tenants rights and was drafted in response to pro how do you draft an ordinance with around housing without housing or policy experts at the table we refuse to roll

[43:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2586) back any tenant protections no unfair yes on pro thank you very much for your comments our next speaker is George Blakemore you work for the people you work for the people you a public servant we pay you your job is to service us

[43:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2621) Mr. Blakemore, what is the political makeup of all these officers? All of them are Democratic. Big head Trump is not here. I advocated for big head Trump to come here and clean up this swamp. I advocated for that. All of them are Democrats. Just imagine, you live in a house and it's all mamas and no daddies. In a house that's all dead, it's in no mama.

[44:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2652) No check and balance. While I'm talking over here, you see that old lady talking to someone else? Why do you say that this is a swamp? Because so many of our elected officials have been indicted. Criminals. Criminals. What is the solution, Mr. Blakemore? You're just talking loud and voice. So what is the solution? Term limitation. You bring your A here for eight years, and you get your A out.

[44:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2684) That's one solution term limitation. They stay too long, and they become complacent. That's one. What if we need a manager, somebody that will manage this city? They don't know how to manage. They sold out these streets. Now they're here to buy them back. It's something evil here. It's something un-American here. And the black ones are a piece of SHI.

[45:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2715) The white ones, the Hispanics, the Asians, all of them. All of them. What did Maria Ernest say? Feed these people, Kate. They're no good. Later on, you know what happened. A French Revolution, they cut a neck off. It's time for us to purge ourselves of all of them. Try a little something different, different, because you cannot continue to do this over this insanity.

[45:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2746) You cannot continue down this road, kick the baby out, throw the bathwater out, and Big Ed Trump didn't have a damn thing to do with this here. It's something evil. It's something un-American. And they're all Democrats. They're low-lighted people. Throw them all out. I smell something that stink here. Real funky here. You can look good. You can talk good. You can smell good. And you can act good and be a piece of SHI.

[46:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2779) That goes for me, too. I can wash this fuck off. But you will fuck it from within. From within. From within. Throw them all out. Thank you very much for your comments. Speakers are reminded that people of all ages are listening to public comments, and we ask you to please refrain from personal attacks or using any profanity. Our next speaker this morning is Jessica Jackson.

[47:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2852) So probably the most disappointing thing I've heard all year is when you announced that you were running for re-election. I don't know if it was the worst thing I've ever heard or if it was the most unbelievable thing I've ever heard. The fact that you would have the audacity to throw your hat in the ring to run for mayor when your original campaign promises

[48:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2883) haven't even been kept. You said over and over again that you were not going to raise property taxes. Yet, the South Side and West Side, where most black people live, Mayor Bliggity, Bliggity, Bliggity, Black, got up to a 133% property tax increase. You said that you were going to get crime down.

[48:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2914) But again, Mayor Bliggity Bliggity Bliggity Black, the crime has not gone down regardless of how you put out lying statistics. Everybody can see with their own two eyes that crime is not down. Now, the fact that you have sent people after Chicago flips red, and you have because you're trying to hold on to these people that got contracts and all this, that, and the third. Rather than do what you should have done in the first place that Chicago flips red when it never got started.

[49:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2948) And that would have been if you would have protected our property, our real estate. You got all these people in here talking against landlords, talking against property owners, as if we don't have the right to own property. As if it's some type of crime to pass things down to our children. How sick are you? You already got a residential landlord-tenant ordinance that you don't support at all.

[49:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=2981) Because if you did, those squatters would have never been able to squat on me for three years. You need to hurry up and get out of office. And the fact that Mary Richardson-Laurie is going, nothing could be finer. She's nothing but a liar. And the fact that Anthony Beale and that Brandon Riley got up and sung your praises on TV when you're nothing but a liar, you could have stopped a lot of these cases and you chose not to, including mine, including Zoe's. So the next time you think about sending somebody for me, you better understand this.

[50:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3017) Threats don't make me stop. What's going to make me stop is that you settle my mother's case, that you give me what's rightfully mine. And until that day, I'll be back. I'll be back the day after that and the day after that. And you need to get out of office, loser. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Zoe Ma.

[50:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3049) Good morning, members of the city council. My name is Zoe Ma. I'm an independent, progressive candidate for mayor of Chicago. I'm also a real estate professional and a small landlord who rents out my own condominium. I'm here today to ask you to strengthen the Protecting Renters' Ordinance with one clear and fair standard. 3. Limit the small property exemption to only one property index number, one PIN, with no more than four residential units.

[51:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3086) Why four units? Because one to four units' properties are commonly treated as residential properties in mortgage finance. Properties with five or more units generally fall into multifamily commercial financing. The distinguishing matters. There is major difference between a Chicago homeowner who owns a two-flat, lives in one unit and rent the other,

[51:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3118) and a professional investor operating dozens of hundreds of rental units. We should protect generating small property owners, but we should not create an exemption so broad that it becomes a loophole for the commercial landlords and the large real estate investors. The exemption should be therefore follow three simple rules. One owner, one qualifying pin, maximum four units. The beneficial ownership must count.

[52:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3166) A landlord should not be able to create 10 forest flats, place each property in a different LLC, and then claim 10 separate small property exemptions. The ordinance should look at who actually owns and controls the properties, not simply the name of the LLC operating on the deed. Once a building contains five or more residential units, its tenants should receive the full protection provided by the Protection Renter Ordinance.

[53:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3202) This is not about choosing between landlord and tenant. I understand both sides. I have worked in real estate for decades, and I'm a small landlord myself. Small property owners facing rising property tax, insurance, assessment, maintenance, and repair costs. Those challenges are real, and city policy should recognize that. But protecting small property owners should not mean weak in protection for tenants living in.

[53:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3234) Thank you very much for your comments. However, your time has expired. Our next speaker this morning, our next speaker this morning is Gordon Damowski. Good morning. Good morning. My name is Gordon Damowski. I am a resident of Chicago. Three years ago, I was one of 125 tenants who lost their leases because a large property management company bought out five buildings in the Beverly neighborhood.

[54:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3268) We organized and were able to assert our rights. And I'm here to urge you to please pass the pro-ordinance. The pro-ordinance is legislation that extends current runners' rights according to the Chicago ordinance and was built with two years of community impact and feedback from tenants like me. Fair, on the other hand, is nothing more than an AI-generated legislative trash fire

[54:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3298) which only appeals to the rights of corporate landlords and property managers. Tenants are left out of this. Fair should be consigned to legislative oblivion. What we need is legislation that not only lets renters know what their rights are, but also gives them an office that they can actually process these things and they don't have to go through the process that i and other tenants had to go through because we lost our leases for no good reason we also need a robust transparent rental registry

[55:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3334) that provides information to better inform both current tenants looking for an apartment and potential tenant and and tenants who are living in conditions so they know and can report what their landlord is doing so i urge everyone to please to remember that housing is a human right and to pass pro now thank you thank you very much for your comments our next speaker is Zoe Lee my name is Zoe Lee I'm the founder of CFR and yeah it is

[56:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3383) disappointing that you put your hat in the ring again the main reason why CFR is here because you ignored my issue the city of Chicago is unlawfully demolishing our properties on the south side and west side so they can get that tiff money and you ignored it you had everybody else come to me kennedy everybody else but nobody would solve the issue they said money is on my head because i won't then danielle will not get out

[57:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3422) the race people on the west side is threatening her volunteers if they get signatures let me tell you something you can bring everything out of my past i know what i used to do that's why i know y'all stealing all y'all do is launder money all day i've been watching y'all for three years i've been going with your whole with your whole uh can't with you with your whole term i've been with you the whole term that 830 million dollars i'm waiting to see what's it going to because

[57:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3454) it's not going to to lights it's not going to capital improvement somebody just got killed on Lakeshore Drive the other day yesterday two days ago and the family came to us because there's no lights on Lakeshore Drive each of y'all get 1.5 million dollars for capital improvements in y'all ward the south side don't even have lights practically anywhere the street say you a conservative vice lord so crime ain't never gonna go down you are you you're okay with the crime

[58:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3487) You're okay with our kids shooting each other. You're a former teacher. It's 22,438 unhoused CPS students, and we're paying $26,000 for each. Everywhere I go, I see a black elder homeless out here asking for money. Today, after I leave here, I got to go back to Auburn Grisham because it's a family that's about to lose an elder couple about to lose their home you don't care about

[58:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3520) nobody so you can play that with that little michael jackson voice i'm fighting i'm fighting you're not all y'all acting let me tell you something I'm not in this. If anything happened to me, Chicago, make sure Danielle get that seat.

[59:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3552) Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Tyrone Mohammed. How y'all doing? Hey, Mayor. Good morning. Mayor, I feel sorry for you. I really do. Just to see all the stuff we've been through fighting, I know I'm one of the first ones who went to jail when the migrant bus came in. One of the first. I hear all this talk about you

[59:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3583) In the 51 million in Lori Lightfoot And I don't hear nothing about them Talking about this J.B. Prisker King of Illinois The 3 billion he put forth It's amazing to me Somebody like me could go to prison Do 21 years for murder And get more respect than you get That's a problem That is sad To me And anytime we decide to take matters in our own hands as citizens we got aldermans who think they shouldn't even be

[1:00:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3618) challenged think they have a monopoly even on their seat and when you do so certain of them retaliate against you like alderman derrick curtis this man towed all my cars in front of my on the side of my center over a hundred fifty thousand i work for vehicles with lopez i patrolled your community in them them cars i patrol a greg mitchell puts community in them

[1:00:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3649) cars your community sister scott coleman's jeanette taylor all them vehicles i've been gang banging all my life ain't nobody ever took nothing from me and you ain't gonna take nothing from me using your authority to do it and the next time you send a gangster anybody i'm gonna send them back and put them on your porch you got to stop that you not a gangster you're all them in a legislator and a policymaker stay in your place you not cause i because i support brandon you're

[1:01:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3687) not going to use your authority to harass, intimidate, and threaten me. I will have you investigated. You openly said you didn't do it, and then when you upset, you said you had all my cars towed. Who you think you playing with? All my life and prison. You gonna, you gonna, yours what? Say it loud so the people can hear you. So if you want to get in the mud with me please continue to direct your comments just yes thank you ma'am but i'm telling

[1:02:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3720) you your council members as the authority of them sister coleman as the over the black caucus i'm telling you this guy is out of order he's used his authority amongst others and we're gonna ask for an internal investigation i already got something going on you're gonna return my vehicles I'm going to be getting yours. Do your comments. Your Honor, there are no further speakers who have time.

[1:02:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3751) Thank you. This completes our public comment period. We have two acknowledgments. First, Chairwoman Harris would like to congratulate Dr. Peggy A. Montez on turning 90 years old. The chair recognizes Chairwoman Harris. Thank you. Dr. Peggy Montez is here with us, and I'm honored to welcome Dr. Peggy A. Montez, a philanthropic leader and a trailblazing volunteer who has dedicated her life to serving fellow citizens, empowering women and girls, and educating children.

[1:03:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3785) A seasoned cultural, educational, and a woman's rights activist, Dr. Peggy A. Montes is best known as the founder of the President of the Bronzeville Children Museum, which is located right in the heart of the AIDS War community. This museum is the first and the only African-American, black African-American children's museum in the country. Peggy is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. I would want to highlight her Chicago State Lifetime Achievement Award

[1:03:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3818) because we all graduated from there. Peggy has also been appointed to numerous boards within the city of Chicago, Cook County, and even the White House with former President Bill Clinton. Additionally, she's held several premier board memberships and recently retired after serving 24 years. As Commissioner Slash Chairman of the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues, I'd like to stand today and give a warm welcome and deserving applause for her contribution

[1:04:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3849) and finally wish her a happy 90th birthday. Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to my dear Peggy. Thank you so much, Mr. President. Thank you, Chairwoman. The chair recognizes Alderman Taliafaro.

[1:04:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3882) Mr. President, I'd like to be counted as present for purposes of today's quorum. Very well. Madam Clerk, could you please add Alderman Taliafaro? The chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell. Same. I'd like to be added. Very well. Alderman Bill, you're recognized. I'd like to be marked as present also. Very well. Alderman Robinson. I would like to be marked as present as well. Please, Madam Clerk, add all of those individuals to the quorum roll call. Very well. So, Alderman Gardner would like to honor the passing of the Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief, Battalion Chief Sean Kevin.

[1:05:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3912) The chair recognizes Alderman Gardner. Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Alderman Sposato, Alderman Napolitano, and Alderman Nugent, and everybody here in city council, I would just like to acknowledge the passing of an extremely good man. Last week, we laid to rest Sean Kevin. who was the battalion chief of the 18th Battalion. He was the captain at Engine 76, the lieutenant at Engine 113, fireman at Truck 7,

[1:05:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3945) and he spent the majority of his career as a fireman on Truck 29, serving the Austin community, your community, Mayor Johnson. More importantly, he was a father of three children, Maggie Delaney and his son, Will, Longtime partner of Jackie, his girlfriend He was a loyal friend, a good fireman, and a great father We lost a good man Although he was a resident of the 39th Ward Many people knew him as the Mayor of Merrimack

[1:06:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=3975) If you needed something, if you needed a hand Carrying in drywall, you called Sean If you need somebody to serve on the LSC, you called Sean If you needed an electrician or a carpenter, he had a guy that's who Sean was and as proud as he was to be a public servant to be a member of the Chicago Fire Department he was even more proud to be Irish he loved his heritage he loved celebrating St. Patrick's Day he loved Pearl Jam

[1:06:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4005) he loved traveling the White Sox playing golf and meeting his good buddy Bill Murphy at the 19th hole for a Coke beverage the Kevin family would like to especially thank all members of the Chicago Fire Department and Local 2 for their friendship and companionship during this difficult time. I had the privilege to work with Sean for many years on the west side of Chicago. My words could not adequately encompass the type of man Sean was.

[1:07:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4041) The Kevin family would like to especially thank Bill Murphy, Mike Price, Larry Lempa, Dan Lipinski, Phil Miller, Greg Novak, Mark Knothouse, and Vince Duffy for their companionship during these last couple weeks. Please, if it's okay with you, Mayor, if we rise in a moment of silence for Sean Kevin and the Kevin family. Thank you, Alderman Gardner. Let's please rise for a moment of silence remembering Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief Sean Kevin.

[1:08:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4091) Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This concludes all of our acknowledgments for this meeting. We do not have any resolutions. Next up, communications. And there are none. For committee reports, there are no committee reports today. For the agreed-upon calendar, Aldermen Harris. Thank you, Mr. President. I received from the City Clerk, Andrea, in Valencia, a total of two items from the agreed calendar,

[1:08:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4127) consisting of Congratulatory Commemorative Tributory Resolutions for the following Alder Persons, Alder Person Dow, Alder Person Chico. With three additional from Alderperson Harris and Alderperson Gardner, I move these in the omnibus. Hearing no objections, so order. Now for new business. The clerk will begin with the 50th Ward. Traffic regulations, traffic control signals, and traffic signs, which are referred to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. Alderperson Knutson has a proposed ordinance for approval of Blue's Legacy Resubdivision,

[1:09:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4159) which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderman Vasquez has a proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code, Sections 2-4-058 establishing Bond Vote Transparency Ordinance, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. Alderperson Wackenspac has proposed ordinance for approval of the River Wand Resubdivision, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Wackenspac also has proposed ordinance for support of a Class C tax incentive for the property at 1825 West Webster Avenue,

[1:09:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4189) which is referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development. Alderperson Burnett has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as Kenan Carl Thomas Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Burnett also has a proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as Paulin and Juanita Soto Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Burnett also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-60-023 to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of West Washington Boulevard,

[1:10:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4220) which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection, and a proposed ordinance for approval of the Omni Subdivision, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Hopkins has a proposed ordinance for establishment of complaint reporting of alleged violations and service requests regarding operation or parking of bicycles, electric mobility devices, and motor scooters to the City's 3-1-1 system, which is referred to the Committee on Public Safety. Alderperson Hopkins has a proposed ordinance for an amendment of municipal code, Section 4-8-037, prohibiting operation of mobile food vendors on portions of North Well Street,

[1:10:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4256) East Huron Street, North Lakeshore Drive, West Chicago Avenue, and West Division Street, which refers to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderpersons Mitts and Harris have proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section 3-50-110 regarding exemption and credits for wholesalers. which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations.

[1:11:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4291) Your Honor, that concludes the presentation of automatic introductions. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. We have no journal to approve today. We do have some unfinished business. The Chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell. Mr. President, I'm aware of four pieces of unfinished business. The first piece of unfinished business was filed by Chairman Dow and Alderman Wodgesback, and I defer to Chairman Dow. Very well. Thank you, Alderman Mitchell. The Chair recognizes Chairwoman Dow.

[1:12:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4322) Thank you, Mr. President. Alderman Wagesbach and I filed a Rule 41 notice with the clerk of our intent to call for a vote on SO 2026-0025407, a substitute ordinance authorizing the approval of the ownership transfer pursuant to the Chicago metered parking system concession agreement, which was deferred and published on September 25th, 2026. I move passage of this item by a roll call vote.

[1:12:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4355) Very well. There's a motion on the floor for the passage of this item by a roll call vote. Does anyone wish to speak to this item? Very well. Chair recognizes Alderman Irvin. Thank you, Mr. President. I think many of you know my position on this particular matter. And I still stand on the premise that we should take our streets back.

[1:13:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4388) We all know that this has always been couched as the worst municipal finance deal in the history of our country. The irony of this is that some of the same things that were stated in 2008 are playing out again in 2026.

[1:13:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4419) 2008, they said it was the deal of the century. Same thing was said again. Last time in 2008, there was a false sense of urgency. Same thing again. Last time we talked about the city's financial condition, needing the $1.5 billion.

[1:14:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4451) Same thing again. Last time we had no independent financial analysis. Same thing again. Again, last time this body had no legal counsel to advise us as a legislative body. Even though we did have outside counsel, they were primarily on the transactional side.

[1:14:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4483) When legal counsel was requested, it was denied. Again, same thing again. Understand our role in this process is not governed by that contract. This legislative body's role cannot be governed by contract, contrary to what we've continuously been told that we have to operate within the confines of the contract.

[1:15:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4516) One legislative body cannot, let me say this, cannot bind a future legislative body with respect to any of our police-related legislation. And when I say police power, it's only the health, safety, and welfare, but also the financial welfare of the city of Chicago. We've been told we'd be sued if we don't do this. We've been told our kids would be sued. they told everything negative that can happen to us as related we don't pass

[1:15:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4552) this today again if our voice or our role in this process didn't matter then why are we here why did the contract say that we had to approve it it didn't give us any parameters but we've been told consistently that we only can operate in

[1:16:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4583) a certain way. I said this before in finance, and I'm going to say this again. Unfortunately, we have been trained to believe that we are powerless. I use the example of an elephant as a child, as they tie a rope around its leg, that they can't break the rope as a child. But that same elephant, 20 years later, could very easily break that rope.

[1:16:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4616) But unfortunately, it's not the physical it deals in, it's the mental. It's that we've been trained to believe that we have no power. And unfortunately, we believe that. We have been left on this deal in the desert for so long. The only thing that I could think of is every time we went to close the street, they said, screw you, pay me.

[1:17:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4647) Every time we had a festival, screw you, pay me. Every time we tried to do something for the benefit of the residents of the city of Chicago, it said, screw you, pay me. And here we are again, getting screwed and go pay. Like I said, you leave people in the desert long enough, you give them a saltine, and they'll think it's a wrench. I stand behind this. I think that history will judge us poorly, just as it has judged the 08 council. In years it will judge us poorly for this as well.

[1:18:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4685) While we've created some level of financial ability, we've done nothing for the residents in this transaction. They'll still pay the 35 cents. They'll still be subject to increasing parking rates. when we have an opportunity to do something to solve that, we chose to cower down and sell out for $75 million. It's unfortunate, but again, history will judge us for that in the future.

[1:18:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4716) Hopefully, maybe, none of us will be here. I do want to give accolades to those back in 2008 who stood for this. It's unfortunate that those same people won't stand again today. Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Ciccio Lopez. Thank you, Mr. President. And I want to echo also the comments from Alderman Irving. And history seems to have a very funny way to repeat itself. Same interest, actually, that said that this was the deal of the century

[1:19:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4751) continue to repeat the same fallacies of today. And we can show it with the numbers. This is a very profitable operation by both companies. Chicago parking meters will be 3.5 billion richer because of this deal. 3.5 billion. Stone Peak will be projected to make $4.6 billion. The question is, what does the city of Chicago earn?

[1:19:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4781) $75 million in a course of 56 years? plus no structural change in the privatization scheme for a mere $75 million payment. There's no rape protections for Chicagoans either. So when we talk about the deal of the century, for whom and at what expense,

[1:20:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4815) the pressure of this artificial deadline and a gun in our heads to sign it It was the very same reason why Daly signed a nefarious contract, the worst in the history of the country. And yet, here we are again. The mere 5% profit sharing that we get, let me explain how it works.

[1:20:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4848) Because the companies never lose, they will write off. Now, the interest, the interest expenses and depreciation, the risk of the trend for the city of Chicago as public transportation and changes to our car-centric system may change, will probably reduce the revenue of $376 million, likely by half, if no more. So to me, and today, the responsibility is with the Chicago that we love and care for.

[1:21:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4886) My responsibility, fiduciary responsibility, is with Chicagoans, not with these two companies. And today, I tell you that these companies are taking advantage of the dysfunctionality of this council. They're taking full advantage of that. It is incredible that we did not allow an independent financial analysis. Many of the council members who voted for the deal in 2008 probably opposed to sign it again.

[1:22:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4921) And then I tell you that their responsibility of Chicagoans in a time of crisis is to get the best possible deal. And many think this is a laughable matter. And then when we come to the budget season, we're going to see the pain of Chicagoans. to always bear the costs, while the companies, the big companies who donate to the same council members will gain billions at the expense of Chicagoans in the midst of a crisis.

[1:22:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4951) So for that, my vote in opposition and my commitment to keep fighting for Chicagoans. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Waggis. Thank you, Mr. President. First, I want to thank all the people that were involved in this Department of Law, outside counsel, a lot of aldermen who, over several months, added their input to a very difficult deal. There's no doubt that this was the worst deal in municipal history.

[1:23:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=4986) We were in a rush at that time. There was a lot of consternation about trying to pass a deal that put money on the table for taxpayers to get through a budget. But I don't blame anybody for voting for it back then, and I don't think I ever have. I think it was a mistake, and it was a contract. So what I don't want to hear today is people misleading, not just anybody in this council, but the public as well.

[1:23:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5017) people in this room and the people out there that are listening the misleading comments I find to be almost reaching a point of, not illegality, but unethical behavior. And first of all, let me address the issue. Last year, there was a bid put in by the mayor's office. There was an NDA put in place, non-disclosure agreement,

[1:24:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5048) which said that the city council could not look at that bid. We even FOIA'd it to see if we could get our hands on it, and we couldn't. But we moved on. There was an attempt to renegotiate the contract a few months before this final deal came forward, and that also did not move forward. But there were aldermen in the room looking at the ways to change that deal. So, again, there wasn't quite the rush that we're hearing about. There was financial analysis done on this deal.

[1:24:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5082) But here's the catch. This was 58 years left on this contract. There's a binding contract. CPM through Stone Peak extended the deadline for the city council several times. And I thought that was a good gesture on their part, a good sense of negotiating, making sure that we had time to look at the details. So a lot of us took that opportunity to start negotiating, to work with them, with the leadership of Alderwoman Dowell.

[1:25:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5119) We had legal counsel at the table. To act like somehow it was just a bunch of aldermen cooking up a deal is misleading at worst. The pieces that were put on the table, and I've just got to say what they were, they are $75 million. A bunch of people said, hey, we get $75 million, let's split it up. We said, absolutely not. It needs to go to pay for our pensions, because that's where we have a problem.

[1:25:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5149) The 5% profit share. Yes, there was discussions about that. Did we want to start a lot higher? Absolutely. When you go to buy a car, do you get the price that you want? No. The dealer says one thing, you say another. At some point, you reach the middle point. And that's what happened here. Yes, we were given a bad deal back in 2008. We tried to break it open, and this is what we got, 5% over the next 58 years.

[1:26:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5182) There's a lot of talk about event closures, too, and that was built into this contract many years ago. We've been able to break that open. Enforcement staff protections. We now have, thanks to Aldermen and Taylor, more options on the table to make sure that we're protecting that workforce. LAZ has one of the highest minority group of workers in the city on all contracts, and that will increase as well.

[1:26:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5214) We looked at data sharing, making sure that none of these companies can share the data with anybody outside of the city. They don't get to sell the data. They don't get to send it to Homeland Security, anything like that. And when I hear talk about that and you've read the contract and then somebody goes out in the hallway and says something different, they're lying. And that has to stop. We have issues with EV charging. We're moving in the right direction on that technology. We're moving in the right direction on the other technology that my colleague Red Burnett put forward

[1:27:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5248) That's great ideas on how to make this work in the future. So I just want to say that this is a binding contract. We have until September 30th to close this deal. The people who want to disrupt it right now, outside agitators or outside businessmen, who think they're going to come in at the last minute and manipulate this vote, that's unethical at best. They shouldn't be doing that. They shouldn't be interfering.

[1:27:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5279) I was sitting there thinking about it last night, thinking, boy, this is almost like tortious interference, trying to manipulate the vote at the last second to what? Profit personally? None of us that cut this deal are profiting personally on this contract. Nobody in this room, nobody in this room is benefiting personally. We signed a contract in 08. If we decide that we're just not going to abide by contracts anymore, what kind of government is this?

[1:28:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5313) You could throw everything out the door then if you think that no contract is binding. Mr. President, if we sat there and said that about the other contracts, we wouldn't get paid on half the things that we do. Vendors wouldn't get paid. The whole city would fall apart financially. So I think this idea that somehow it's an artificial deadline, that's false. We are bound by this contract. We are bound by our word.

[1:29:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5344) We are bound by the documents that this city signed, and we have to vote on this. I don't like the whole deal. I don't like it from 2008. But this is the best deal that we could get on the table. And talking to a lot of you, things are going to change over the next 58 years. That is true. We're not all going to be here. Well, I don't know who would be here 58 years from now, but hopefully we're all long-living like the people that we celebrated today.

[1:29:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5378) But the bottom line is this is a good deal. It's not the best in the world because we were stuck with the 2008 deal. As Chairwoman Dowell said, we made lemonade out of lemons. I think we did a lot better than that. The money that's going to go to the pension payments that we need to make is important, and that's going to build up over time. So I would just suggest that we focus on what is in front of us,

[1:30:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5409) not misleading ideas about what somebody else could do here at the last minute. Because if those people had an idea, they should have brought it to the table a year ago, and they should have shared it with everybody. And they didn't. So what we were left with was a very tight deadline, and I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues on this, all of you who gave input to this deal, to say, here are the things that we want to put on the table. There were dozens of ideas that were put on the table. you are not going to get every single one of those.

[1:30:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5440) A dozen of them is what we got. And I would suggest that coming back after 18 years of looking at this deal, trying to find ways to break it open, having lawyers, private lawyers, try to go in and work on different legal angles, none of that worked. This is the first time we've been able to really get something out of it, at least since 2013, with some of the hour changes. So I would suggest that look at the work that was done, look at the leadership of Chairwoman Dowell,

[1:31:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5472) look at where we are today compared to where we were in 08. This is far better than anything we're going to get. And I would just ask this whole council to strongly consider supporting what I think is a great deal out of having nothing, which is where we were before. So, Mr. President, I want to again thank all the people who worked on this. It's a long list of people. Everybody in this room who put forth great ideas, thank you for doing that. And I think collectively we're going to come out for the better on this new parking meter deal.

[1:31:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5507) Thank you. Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Hall. Thank you, Mr. President. I stand here to vote absolutely no for a few reasons. Number one, in this transaction of over $17 million, there's no lead African-American firm in this deal. There's no lead lobbyists. There's no lead advisors.

[1:32:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5539) There's no lead accountant firms. There's nothing that says that those who paid the bills for this city are welcome to make deals in this city. $17 million in which no one was called to come to that table. So I stand to say that this is not the city that we all are dreaming of. It's about the principle and the particular. The principle ought to be that if 27% of folks in this city are black, then there should be 27% representation in the deal.

[1:32:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5573) So what do we say to not only those who are watching, but those across the country? is that you can come to this city and only use blacks as consumers but never as partners. So in the future, we're going to have to raise these parking fines in order to make this deal lucrative. In the future, we're going to have to raise the rates to park. So what do we say to the blacks who've been paying tickets for years over billions of dollars? We tax you to park. We tax you if you don't pay.

[1:33:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5605) It's sad to say this is nothing more than taxation and no representation. Thank you. Chair recognizes Old Woman Lee. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in absolute support of this ordinance. I am so proud to have been a part of the team that helped to negotiate this deal and have nothing but praise for Chairwoman Dowell and her leadership.

[1:33:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5638) This has been an exercise in getting beyond the politics of this chamber, which we all know happens a lot, and at the forefront of this exercise was the people of the city of Chicago and getting a better deal for every resident, for every resident's child, and for every resident's grandchild, for that matter. You know, for 18 years, this parking meter deal, these words make everybody wince, because we know what a bad deal it was.

[1:34:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5674) And we've got the opportunity today, colleagues, to write a new chapter. What happened in the past has happened in the past. There's really nothing we could do about it until this transfer deal came through. And the responsibility of approving that sale was with this city, is with the city council. And this council came together on one of those grounds around reputation. And we all stood firm together.

[1:35:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5705) that this company's affiliation, Stone Peak's affiliation with Omni, was something that could not be tolerated. And that was the opening that we used in order to get this deal done, a deal that at least one colleague in this room who voted no, who's still in office, my colleague Scott Wagesback, who, since this deal was cut, for anybody paying attention, has been one of its loudest critics. And he was at the table with us, and today he's supporting this ordinance to approve this parking meter deal

[1:35:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5740) that will allow us to write this next chapter. Does it get everything that we want? We already know it doesn't. If we had it our way, it would be very different. And here we are. And I want to applaud Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry, whose last meeting is today. Thank you, by the way, for all that you've done. because we have followed your SAGE advice and your leadership on many other deals when it comes to lawsuit settlements and the things that you've helped to make sure that the city is benefiting from. And this is no different.

[1:36:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5773) So I thank you for your leadership, the leadership of your team, all of the city workers and lawyers that participated in helping to bring this deal to fruition. For the first time ever, we're going to get a share of the profits. There is something in it for the people of the city of Chicago for the remainder of this contract. 57 years. I'm not even that old yet. I can't even imagine what that's going to be like. 2% of any future sale, which we fully anticipate this is going to change hands some more. So we've gotten a better deal, not just for today, but for tomorrow and every day until this contract is over.

[1:36:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5809) We've included things that were not contemplated in the past, and I'm sure there's going to be things in the future that we're not thinking of. I don't know what flying vehicles they're going to be and, you know, where we're going to be able to park things in the future. But it is really rare that a legislative body has an opportunity to correct something of this magnitude. So my ask to each and every one of my colleagues today is to join us together to pass this. I've asked for a yes on this, and we can show the residents of the city of Chicago that we can put politics aside

[1:37:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5844) and get the best deal that we can, that we are here for the people of the city of Chicago, especially as we're going into the season that we are going into now. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Are there any other Alders that wish to speak to you? The chair recognizes Alderman Robinson. Mr. President, thank you. I want to commend Chairwoman Dow and my other colleagues for their hard work on this deal. I want to thank all the city departments as well that were working on this deal as well.

[1:37:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5877) Mr. Mayor, I also want to thank you for your executive order, strengthening minority participation on contracts. I look forward to, Mr. Mayor, working on the task force to make sure communities like mine have a part in million-dollar and or billion-dollar deals. Economics, I believe, particularly African-American communities like the Fourth Ward, can transform our communities.

[1:38:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5912) if we have a bite at the apple There is not one industry in the African-American community that we're not a part of. And I believe that we have to be able to get an opportunity on the front end, not the back end of deals, but the front end. And so, Mr. Mayor, again, I appreciate the executive order, but I look forward to, with my other colleagues,

[1:39:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5943) colleagues, making sure, again, that we are a part of these multi-million dollar, multi-billion dollar deals that this city is going to authorize. Thank you very much. Thank you. Alderman O'Shea, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I wasn't going to speak, but I've listened to so much revisionist history the past 30 minutes, I couldn't help myself. I know that's going to shock some of you.

[1:39:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=5974) We all know this deal was garbage from the beginning, but we don't need to revisit history going back to 2008. What we need to talk about is what's happened the past 14 months. In July of 2025, this administration began conversations on the parking meter deal. In fact, they bid not once, not twice, three times. The last bid, $3.2 billion. Anybody know how much more that is with the actual sale we're talking about today?

[1:40:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6010) What would that have done to our finances? Money we didn't have. But a bid that this administration put in that none of us knew about. Well, a couple of us here in the council knew about it, but 45 or 46 of us didn't know anything about it. We started to hear rumblings over the winter. Nobody gave us any straight information, certainly not the administration.

[1:40:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6040) So on May 17th, Sunday night about 8 o'clock, I got a text message from one of the mayor's allies. Hey, want to see if you're available to meet after finance committee tomorrow, May 18th? Seems to be an opportunity around the transfer of the parking meter deal for the city council to weigh in on. concessions, and the CFO and staff want to brief a group of us tomorrow. Let me know if you're interested. Oh, I was interested.

[1:41:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6071) I called around. Several of my colleagues didn't get that text message from the mayor's ally. So I took part in that meeting the next day, and it was interesting. The mayor's leadership team, many of them, some in the room here today, were at the meeting. And we were told that there's a nondisclosure agreement. And the chief financial officer couldn't talk to us about it.

[1:41:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6101) They bid $3.2 billion that we don't have, and the chief financial officer couldn't talk to us about it. The mayor then followed up with, well, this is in the city council's lap. They have to vote on this. That was May 18th. I took part in that meeting, and I called bullshit. Jim Reynolds' name was also mentioned in that meeting, too, which is ironic.

[1:42:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6135) So for the next 19 weeks, all these people today talking about this is a bad deal and we're going too fast, I never heard from them again. You know who I did hear from? I heard from the finance chairman. I took part in meetings and Zooms and phone calls, as did many of us. And she took the leadership, she took the bull by the horns, and she put together a committee.

[1:42:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6167) My colleague Alderman Burnett, Villegas, Wagaspach, Lee. And they worked on this. And they met with finance people, and they met with lawyers, and they met with our fine corporation counsel. And they worked on this, and they worked on this, and they worked on this. And they were transparent, and they shared information, and they gave updates. They didn't hide behind a non-disclosure agreement. They didn't say we can't talk about it.

[1:43:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6198) And then a few weeks ago, we brought in Stone Peak. Now, I know to a lot of people here, Stone Peak, oh, wow, big bad Stone Peak. Well, you know what they did? They came in with several of the leaders from their company. And they gave us straight answers. And they told us they would get more information. And they told us they wanted to sell OmniAir, which they've done. They were straight shooters. This administration was anything but a straight shooter.

[1:43:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6233) And now, here in the 11th hour, we started here last week about, oh, oh, we need to look at this. This is going too fast. Come on, folks. We've got a deadline tomorrow We've got a deal offered to us A way to protect the taxpayers A way to fulfill our pension obligations

[1:44:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6264) $75 million Which, by the way, in a couple weeks This administration is going to tell us They're not going to make the advance pension payment So we really need that $75 million It's getting old, folks It's getting real old We've got an unbelievably difficult task in front of us, this $882 million budget gap.

[1:44:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6294) I hope all the people that have the excuses today want to roll their sleeves up and be a part of the process as we try to put a budget together that puts us on better financial footing. I'll be voting yes today, and I want to thank everybody who had a part in getting us here. Thank you, Alderman Schaefer, for your remarks. The chair recognizes. No. Alderman Burnett, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. About a year ago, we found out that the city had an opportunity to buy the parking meter deal back for an exorbitant price of $3 billion.

[1:45:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6335) And over the course of months, it came to a conclusion that we weren't going to buy it. Now, we had the option, and I'm not saying it was good or bad, but we decided not to go forward with the acquisition of it back into the city's hands. So be it. The next step forward was figuring out how do we, as a council, dive deep into what this contract is and who is going to be in ownership of this asset and our partners. Over that time, our colleagues found that the company, Stone Peak,

[1:46:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6369) who was acquiring this asset, had a company that was directly affecting our residents negatively in a way that violated their civil rights. Over the course of months, starting in May, that concern became so prevalent. And it was our responsibility to figure out what do we do in order to make sure that our partners in the city, who are coming into contracts now or who have them have the same standard of care for our residents.

[1:46:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6405) And so my colleagues in the Latino Caucus and the Progressive Caucus, rightfully so, protested this idea that we will work with someone who is working alongside ICE to detain and ship out our residents. That is how this whole conversation really started. It started as an issue of civil rights. And our responsibility was to make sure that people are enforcing their duty with regards to our assets and our property.

[1:47:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6437) And so for the course of four months, we tangled with this conversation of what do we do with this transaction and this contract that everyone knows that was signed in 2008 was a bad deal. Regardless of if you agree or disagree with our sale of the asset in 2008, we signed a contract. And whether or not Stone Peak acquired it or the CPM stayed in the hands of Morgan Stanley, we still don't have that right.

[1:47:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6468) So what we're arguing today is not about the ability to buy the asset back because we gave up that right. What we're arguing is, how do we sign into a contract that makes sense for the Chicago people? And alongside Chairwoman Dowell and her great leadership with Alderman Villegas, Alderman Scott, Wagaspak, and Alderman Lee, we dug into the details about preparing Chicago for the future. Getting the money up front for our pension, 75 million bucks that we know we desperately need.

[1:48:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6503) gaining some control and some revenue share with the asset that we lost all ability to get revenue from before, 5%. And 2% going forward. For any future sales, but more importantly, we engage in this process thinking about how the future changes. So I'm a nerd and I wake up in the morning and live at videos of conferences in the tech world about what's going on. Everything is about what's happening in the AI world and what's happening across our country and how quickly things are changing.

[1:48:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6538) In that video it was reminded or bestowed upon me that between 1870 and 1900, 30 years, we went from a society that mainly drove, got around on horses, to then being a society that mainly got around on trains. Just 30 year time frame, our complete transportation system changed. 30 years. 30 years on from that we became a society that was dominated by cars. So we're over here arguing about a revenue stream that is not guaranteed 30 to 40 to 50 years down the line.

[1:49:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6573) So we have to be prepared for all the changes that come while still making decisions that make sense for Chicagoans today. And I know for a fact that that money up front is something that benefits Chicagoans today. But I also know that we worked very hard to make sure that this contract is something that can help us in the future and securing opportunities to help us prepare for a changing environment that we can't predict. And as long as this council is dedicated to doing the work to make sure that our minority contractors are participating in the contract as it stands,

[1:50:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6607) that we're preparing our workforce to adapt to the changes in our system and the way that we get around, I'm sure that we will continue to reap more benefits from the deal at hand. But we can't change the terms of what this agreement is. We signed a 75 year contract in 2008. That is what it is. We gave up the right to buy it. That is what it is. Now we have an opportunity to work with a partner who has done what we've asked for and sold a company that did not agree to our standards.

[1:50:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6645) And that's a monumental feat, y'all. A private company doing something on behalf of a city because they want to do business with us, with the city of Chicago? Let's not take that for granted. They didn't have to do that. But to do work with us, it was a requirement, and that's something that this council enforced in an unprecedented manner. So I think we should be very proud of how far we've come as a council to make sure that our partners are held to the same standard that we hold ourselves to.

[1:51:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6679) But we should also be very proud that we are trying to fight for a better future for this city within this contract and making lemonade out of lemons. So I thank the chairwoman for her tremendous leadership on this, and I urge my colleagues to support this deal. Thank you, Alderman Burnett, for your remarks. Alderman, Alderwoman Haddon, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, rise to stand in support. I will be voting yes on this. In 2008, the five, and Alderman Wagespack will correct me if I'm wrong, because he's, I think the five people who voted no, they were all part of the Progressive Caucus.

[1:52:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6720) We're here in a space where I think there was a 40, was it 45 to 5 vote, something, or 40 to 5, and five people were absent. I would love, I know we have some people who are voting no, I would love to see us actually beat those numbers. This should be a unanimous yes, in my opinion. I think that seeing the opportunity that we have to do something a little bit better of Chicago, but also what Chairwoman Dow, Alderman Lee, Burnett, Wagaspak, and Villegas have done,

[1:52:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6760) they really did put the city of Chicago first in this. We've heard it in the briefings. We see it in the final deal. What is it? Chicago doesn't have a mayoral problem. We have an aldermanic problem. We got the T-shirt. I know when I first decided to try and be an alder person, that was a huge consideration of why would I want this title, right? Why would I want this title? Like, I lived in the city through that parking meter deal, through school closures, mental health clinic closures, terrible decisions.

[1:53:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6795) I sat outside the fifth floor and held protest signs. I did not appreciate Alderman or Chicago City Council, and I thought the body of people before I was in it were making total terrible decisions, and it was a rubber stamp council. I've been in this body now, this is my second term. Times are changing, and this body is necessarily actually changing with it. I think what we're seeing in our decision-making process today, not just in the vote, but the debate,

[1:53:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6829) I think in the work of colleagues that have brought this opportunity to us, we're seeing maturity in the city council that I hope is a trajectory that continues. We have really difficult decisions to make, and we oftentimes don't have enough time to make them. And it is nearly impossible to gather consensus with 50 minds. And so sometimes we have to trust the delegated power or the people who just step up, actually, to take on the role.

[1:54:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6862) And I trust these five colleagues in the work that they've done and the intentions that they brought to it. I trust our corp counsel here on your last day with us, and the team of people who put this together. And so I just want to lift you five up. I want to lift up everyone who participated in this. I want to lift up our Latino Caucus colleagues who really pushed on the sale of Omni. And it's great to sit here and have that press release from this morning that it's done. So thank you all.

[1:54:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6893) So to our constituents, 49th Ward constituents, but also the residents of the city of Chicago, I know that we get ugly in here sometimes. I know that we're entering budget and we're going to fight and we don't always agree. But I think that your city council and the vast majority of the people in this body are really acting today, even if they're not supporting it. They're acting in what they think is the best interest of the city. And I don't know that that was fully the case in 2008, I'm going to be honest.

[1:55:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6926) There was a different council, a different mayoral structure, a different relationship, and a different deal. But we're here, and even for folks who are in this body who maybe supported that deal before, we've all lived through it and we've all learned. And that's one of the best things that we can do. So I am proud of us as a council today. I'm proud of our colleagues, and I hope you all will join me in voting yes as well in putting Chicago first for a deal that we are stuck with for another 50-plus years is terrible.

[1:56:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6960) I don't feel the good nature. I don't necessarily share my colleague Alderman Burnett's opinion on the good nature of the corporation who wants to do business with us. They kind of had us under a barrel. We didn't really have many choices here, and I want to be clear about that, too. And I'm also glad that they extended those opportunities for the discussion. So thank you to our colleagues. Thank you, Chairwoman Dow, for your leadership on this. And thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Alder. The chair recognizes Alderman Villegas.

[1:56:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=6994) Thank you, Mr. President. Then our final – okay. All the woman. Sorry. Alderman Mike Rodriguez and all the woman pat down. No, you're good. I'm sorry. I was just talking out loud. Please continue. Thank you, Mr. President. I stand to stand in support of this, this transaction, this ordinance. I agree with some of my colleagues that this is the worst deal ever in U.S. history. I sit on some national boards, and this is the deal that often city council members from different municipalities say do not do the parking meter deal.

[1:57:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7034) But this is a contract, and what we're trying to do is make a virtue of a necessity. and I think that when we take a look at what we've been able to accomplish in a transparent way goes contrary to what the administration tried to do. I look at the fact that this administration entered the NDA and I look at the corporation, the CEO, not advising the board of directors that they were about to embark on a potential $3.2 to $3.3 billion deal.

[1:57:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7071) which was $600 to $700 million more than what's currently Stone Peak is purchasing it for, without any discussion, and then hiding behind the NDA, and then having the Stone Peak executives say, hey, we released the city from the NDA, but the city's still hiding behind the NDA. I just look at the hypocrisy, and I think about the folks that are talking negative about this contract, and I wonder if this administration even wants it to be done. Because if you think about the people that are talking about it, key allies to the mayor,

[1:58:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7104) and thinking about the fact that his transaction didn't go through, but here the body once again is stepping up to do the work. I have to wonder, is there an ulterior motive here? And so, this has been a tough decision. I want to thank my colleagues from the Latino Caucus for bringing up that issue. As much as I try to include more language around the welcoming city ordinance into the transaction, we do have the opportunity through the Reputation Clause to take a look at holding this firm accountable.

[1:58:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7137) The fact that we know that these types of transactions are not going to last throughout the 58 years, that there's an opportunity to benefit off another transaction fee and to continue potentially building on the ownership that was put in place, I think puts us in a good position. Listen, $1.15 billion transaction with minimum discussion from that administration, this body has learned a lot from it. And I think that we've set ourselves in a position now moving forward

[1:59:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7168) that this body is going to continue to evaluate all the contracts that are there to make sure that we're having as much discussion around it and seeing what's for the benefit of the city of Chicago. So a lot of hard work, a lot of meetings. I want to thank my colleague, Chair Dow, for assembling this team, Nicole Lee Boguspak, and especially Walter Burnett, the newest member, who really has a background in this industry.

[1:59:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7198) and was really someone that we could lean on to make sure that we were putting forward good questions, but then making sure that responses were valid. And I want to thank the Corporation Counsel, as well as the outside lawyers, for helping us navigate this. This was a tough deal. We're going to continue to try to build on it because we know, again, like I said, these transactions do not last the life of the term, but this puts us in a better position. And the fact that police and fire have reached out already and some of the other entities that receive pension funds,

[2:00:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7234) the pension dollars rather, to say that they appreciate the fact that the $75 million is going to go on top of the advanced pension payment, also signals that we're going to keep our promise to them, but also I hope indicates that to the credit rating agencies that this is a good step forward in trying to deal with this huge liability that we have. So again, I want to thank my colleagues for working together. I want to thank all my colleagues for asking questions during the briefings and trying to put us into a better position. So with that, I'll be voting yes. Thank you.

[2:01:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7265) Thank you, Alderman, for your remarks. The chair recognizes Alderman Dow. Thank you, Mr. President. I guess the one thing I mean, a lot has already been said. And I just want to say that nobody said that this was the deal of the century. What we said was this was an example of a municipal finance deal that was bad. But I believe that the deal that you are going to vote on today is ten times better than the deal we voted on in 2008.

[2:01:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7307) In June, we were staring at a contract that had zero benefits, no benefits to the city. zero. And we were also looking at a situation where we felt that trust was broken, and this was just sort of thrown in our laps. And I want to acknowledge the people who worked on this. A lot's already been said, so I just want to acknowledge Alderman Lee, Alderman

[2:02:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7342) Wagesback, Alderman Villegas, and Burnett for working on this deal. I want to also acknowledge Alderman Taylor, Martin, Fuentes, Vasquez, Haddon, and Riley, who actually had suggestions that got reflected in the final contract. I want to thank Mary Richardson Lowry and her team of Jim McDonald and John Hendricks and Mark Rotetari from Jones Day, and Veggie

[2:02:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7372) and Chip from the Finance Department. And I want to thank Audrey Wade, the staff attorney with the Committee on Finance, for all working together on this and this process. We worked long and hard on this deal. We worked a lot of hours. We risked our respective of reputations in the negotiating position of the city, and this was the definition of high stakes. I think through gritty and nuanced negotiations and by facing the hard-hitting

[2:03:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7405) truth, I think today we deliver to all of Chicago a better deal. than we delivered in 2008, and we'll continue to fight for other improvements. I want to say to Alderman Lamont Robinson and Will Hall, who brought up the point about no minority involvement on the front end of this deal.

[2:03:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7435) This was a company coming from outside of Chicago, doing work in Chicago, AND WE INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MBE, WBE PARTICIPATION AND A YEARLY AUDIT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY FOLLOW WHAT THEY AGREE TO. AND JOIN ME, JOIN US IN MAKING SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS SO I SUPPORT THIS IDEA OF A TASK FORCE. AND I GUESS WITH THAT, MR. PRESIDENT, I RENEW MY MOTION FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE

[2:04:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7469) ask my colleagues to all vote yes. Thank you. There is one more person that wishes to speak. The chair recognizes Alder Vasquez. Thank you, Mr. President. I don't want to reiterate more than what our colleagues had mentioned. I just wanted to thank someone who wasn't mentioned here. It's a reporter Gillian Brockle whose story and Mother Jones helped us really get an understanding about the company that was part of Stone Peak at the time and I think led to

[2:05:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7502) what clearly was an opportunity to create a table and have negotiation. I think but for that information, there wouldn't have been any possible negotiation or leverage. And without our colleagues, led by Alderwoman Dow, we wouldn't be here. I think we all feel a tremendous weight related to the 2008 deal. There's a tremendous weight even voting on this one, knowing that objectively it's an improvement to what's already been written in the contract. But I do want to thank Gillian again for that work because it allowed us to have the conversation.

[2:05:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7535) I am also in support and want to thank our colleagues who held strong in making sure that our votes were reliant on an asset being divested and us getting the information about it yesterday that that is what is happening going forward. I want to thank our corporate counsel as well and would also urge our colleagues to vote for it as it shows that the aldermen aren't always a problem. Sometimes they're the fix. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you very much for your remarks. Members, please use your e-vote application to vote at this time.

[2:06:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7567) Please use your e-device. The voting is now open.

[2:07:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7627) All right, I will now use the e-device, or will now call for a voice vote who did not use their e-device. Alderman Talaferro. Talaferro is a yes. Alderman Riley. Riley is a yes. Alderman Gardner. Gardner is a yes. Alderman Clay. Not in chambers. Gardner is a yes. Anyone else I missed? Okay, let me get that in. And voting is now closed.

[2:07:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7663) There are 46 yeas, 3 nays. This motion passes. Alderman Mitchell, I'm going to vote to reconsider. Mr. President, I move to reconsider. All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye. And opposed, say no. No. This motion fails. The second piece of unfinished business, I believe we have. The chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell. The last two pieces of unfinished business are filed by Alderman Villegas, and I defer to him.

[2:08:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7697) There's one before that. There's one before that? The second piece. Oh, the second. Yes, my apologies. The second piece of unfinished business was filed by Alderman Quinn. And I defer to him. Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Quinn. Thank you, Mr. President. Pursuant to Rule 41 of the Rules of Order Procedure of the City Council of the City of Chicago, I call for a vote on 020260026270, which was deferred and published at the City Council meeting held on September 23, 2026.

[2:08:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7730) Mr. President, I ask for a roll call on this item. Very well. There's a motion on the floor for this item, a roll call vote. Alderman Conway wishes to speak. The chair recognizes Alderman Conway. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I first want to start off by thanking Alderman Quinn for bringing forward this ordinance and for your many years of service to the City of Chicago and your many years of service to the 13th Ward, and I think this will be a great capstone to your legacy here at City Council.

[2:09:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7763) Get a little round of applause for Alderman Quinn. Thank you. Marty, I tried. Tough rule. That's okay. Anyway, our debt load is really a silent killer on our budget. This year, we're going to spend about $2 billion on debt service, and that number will increase next year. By the way, remember in 2008, we sold the parking meters for $1.1 billion, so I hope that puts $2 billion in perspective. The risk we are facing going forward is becoming too tied up in paying the interest on the taxpayer's credit card

[2:09:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7796) that will crowd out our ability to fund parks and schools and roads and police officers and mental health clinics. And to put that $2 billion in a little more context, we all love streets and sanitation, right? Bureau of Sanitation, Bureau of Road and Control, Bureau of Street Operations, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of Traffic Services. Big part of the bread and butter of what we do in this chamber. The total budget for all of that is $350 million a year.

[2:10:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7829) So we will spend on debt service this year six times that amount. We will spend six times as much as we will spend on streets and sanitation. And so much of our borrowing has been pushed into the future, which will make this problem worse in the years and decades to come. Now, to be fair, most of the fiscal challenges we face today are based on terrible financial decisions involving debt issuances and, heck, asset sales that predate our time on this council or on the fifth floor.

[2:11:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7864) But this fiscal mess is now our responsibility. We all need to work together, the mayor and across this council in the coming years, to confront these challenges, exercise fiscal discipline, and avoid passing even greater burdens onto future generations. Now, we all know that borrowing is sometimes very necessary, but significant new debt should require broad consensus. And this ordinance, which establishes a 60 percent threshold,

[2:11:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7898) helps ensure that we make these decisions carefully and collectively. And that's a 60 percent is a good compromise to ensure that some vocal minority can't make unreasonable demands, but the new debt issuances are broadly agreed upon. So I am proud to support this ordinance, greatly encourage anyone to vote for it, everyone to vote for it. And thank Alderman Quinn again for his putting forward this ordinance, his leadership and his service to the city. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[2:12:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7928) You're welcome. He still has time left on his term, by the way. Are there any other Alders that wish to speak to this? The chair recognizes Alderman Quinn. Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I've introduced an important ordinance regarding the city's bond rating and overall debt structure. I'm proposing a simple change, that the city council must approve any bond or debt-related ordinances with the three-fifths, 30 votes, as opposed to a simple majority, 26.

[2:12:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7959) This measure passed the Finance Committee with a vote of 21 to 9. But before I dig deeper into the ordinance, I want to be clear about what this proposal is about. The long-term health of the city. That's it. That is the entire basis of the proposal. This ordinance is about sound policy and doing the best for our residents. This proposal does not apply to one mayor. This is a long-term plan that would apply to all Chicago mayors moving forward.

[2:13:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=7993) As you know, I'm a strong proponent of a more independent city council and have been promoting ways to enhance our independence for the past several years. Utilizing a three-fifths vote as opposed to a simple majority allows more voices to be heard and counted in addressing critical issues like Chicago's health and the future. Of course, this isn't a new concept. A three-fifths vote is required in the Illinois General Assembly on all debt-related matters. It's a smart and solid practice that I believe the city should also adopt.

[2:13:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8025) I see this as a win for the people of Chicago. I also see this as a win for the city council in gaining its independence. I think we all agree we should have more of a voice in our city's long-term financial health. Mr. Mayor, I renew my request for a roll call. Thank you, sir. Very well. Are there any other orders that wish to speak to this item? Very well. Seeing no other hands, there's a motion on the floor for the passage of this item by roll call vote. Members of this chamber, please use your e-application to record your vote at this time.

[2:14:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8065) The voting is now open. The voting is now open. Please use your e-device. The voting is now open. If you need support for your e-device, please raise your hand.

[2:15:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8131) I will now call those using the e-device. Alderman LaSpada, not President Chambers. Alderman Burnett. Alderman Burnett is a no. Alderman Talaferro, not in Chambers. Alderman Vasquez, not in Chambers. Alderman Riley. Riley is a yes. Anyone else? I missed. Okay, anyone walk in? All right, the voting is now closed.

[2:16:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8179) There are 32 yeas, 15 nays. This motion passes. Alderman Mitchell, on a motion to reconsider. All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote, signify by saying aye. Any opposed, say nay. and in the meeting of the chair that this motion fails. Alderman Mitchell, on the last two items. The last two pieces of unfinished business were filed by Alderman Villegas, and I defer to him. The chair recognizes Alderman Villegas.

[2:16:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8211) Thank you, Mr. President. After conversations with my colleagues' stakeholders over the weekend, at this time I do not intend to call for a vote on either S02026-0027202 or SO-2026-0026554 in order to afford this body a little bit more time to find common ground on a path forward. Very well. Thank you, Alderman Vegas. Alderman Mitchell, any further unfinished business? Mr. President, I'm not aware of any further pieces of unfinished business.

[2:17:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8244) Very well. Miscellaneous business, Alderman Mitchell. Except the ordinance at the date and time of the next meeting, I'm not aware of any miscellaneous business. Very well. For the date and time of the next meeting, Alderman Mitchell. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago. You've handed this up to the ordinance to the clerk, is that correct? I'm setting the date and time of the next meeting. Very well. Thank you, Audemant Mitchell, for doing that. Madam Clerk, please read the ordinance. Sorry, it was too fast. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago, Section 1. The next regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chicago shall be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026,

[2:17:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8279) beginning at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber on the second floor in City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Alderman Mitchell. Section 2, the ordinance shall take effect and be enforced from after its passage. Gregory Mitchell, Alderman Seventh Award. Alderman Mitchell. I move passes, then the Honorable. Hearing no objections, so order. Just a second, please. For the omnibus, Alderman Mitchell. I move that matters in the omnibus be passed by a voice vote. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

[2:18:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY?t=8310) Any opposed say nay. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. On the motion to reconsider, Alderman Mitchell. I move to reconsider the vote. All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye. Any opposed say no. This motion fails on the opinion of the chair. Now for adjournment, Alderman Mitchell. If there's no further business before this, but I move that we adjourn. Hearing no objections, so order the meeting is adjourned.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/UHL_ZM0QsKY · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt