# Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation meeting, June 11, 2025

- When: Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 12:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/special-events-cultural-affairs-and-recreation)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1092514974
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1092514974.txt) (4,732 words, official captions)

## Meeting notes

> AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.

The Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation heard two public commenters and approved its May 2025 Rule 45 report. The committee then considered five appointments to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events advisory councils together: Billy Ocasio, Jan Feldman, the president of the Magnificent Mile Association, the executive director of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, and Jorge Perez, each of whom gave a brief statement. Several alderpersons commented on the diversity and qualifications of the appointees and commended the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The committee voted to recommend all of the appointments, to be reported to the City Council on June 18, 2025.

Topics: advisory council appointments, cultural affairs, special events, tourism, public comment, Rule 45 report

### Agenda items discussed

- [14:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=860) May 2025 Rule 45 report: passed
- [15:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=936) Appointment of Billy Ocasio to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Council: passed
- [15:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=946) Appointment of Jan Feldman to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Council (A2025-0017536): passed
- [15:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=953) Appointment of the Magnificent Mile Association president to the Special Events advisory council: passed
- [16:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=962) Appointment of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago executive director to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Council (A2025-0017538): passed
- [16:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=969) Appointment of Jorge Perez to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Council (A2025-0017539): passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (alderperson): Said the data he requested earlier came back quickly and that this panel addresses representation issues raised previously, commending the department. ([27:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=1649))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Commended the commissioner for assembling the group of appointees, saying he knows several personally and all by reputation. ([29:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=1771))
- [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (alderperson): Said the panel reflects the committee's direction that all of Chicago be represented and thanked the commissioner. ([29:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=1798))
- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Commended the commissioner and mayor's office for a diverse, neighborhood-focused group that understands the economic development impact of cultural work, and offered the 44th Ward as a resource. ([30:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=1839))
- [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (alderperson): Called the nominees outstanding and said promoting tourism and promoting culture for residents are intertwined and both need strong advocacy. ([31:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=1893)); Cited a new event space at the John Hancock Center as an example of an amenity serving both tourists and residents. ([33:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B?t=1982))

## Documents

- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/bbab301a-6241-f011-b4cb-001dd809bacf.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/6a52e8a6-dc3f-f011-b4cb-001dd80dd066.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/4d41044c-fc46-f011-8779-001dd83083eb.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/074B5CA6-DB3F-F011-B4CB-001DD806866B · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt