City Council meeting, December 13, 2023

When: Wed, Dec 13, 2023, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Body: full City Council
Video: https://vimeo.com/893801913
Transcript: full text (41,436 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 City Council heard ten public commenters on topics including a Gaza ceasefire resolution, a proposed fur sale ban, the police arbitration award, the welcoming city ordinance and work permits for undocumented residents. The council passed the CHI vs. Hate ordinance on reporting hate incidents (read as 49 yeas, 0 nays), the Garrett v. City of Chicago settlement (read as 31 yeas, 18 nays) and other settlements, finance and housing items, and the Fraternal Order of Police collective bargaining agreement changes (read as 42 yeas, 7 nays). After a long debate, a motion to bring the separate police disciplinary arbitration ordinance before the council passed (read as 34 yeas, 16 nays), and the ordinance itself was rejected (read as 17 yeas, 33 nays). The council also adopted a resolution asking President Biden to expand parole and work permits, with Alderpersons Moore and Lopez recorded as no, and honored the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, the Chicago Dragons Rugby Football Club, HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and the Mount Carmel football team. Alderman Anthony Beale withdrew a motion to take up a referendum ballot question, and the next meeting was set for January 24, 2024.

Topics: police arbitration, FOP contract, hate incidents ordinance, police settlements, work permits resolution, public comment, TIF and housing finance, HIV/AIDS awareness, community recognitions, committee reports

Agenda items discussed

12:33 Public comment
42:47 Substitute ordinance establishing reporting and tracking procedures regarding hate incidents (CHI vs. Hate): passed
55:28 Committee on Public Safety Rule 45 report: passed
57:04 Pedestrian and traffic safety routine items and ordinance on intercity bus requirements and penalties: passed
58:11 Amendment No. 1 to the Lincoln Avenue TIF redevelopment plan: passed
58:36 Amendment No. 2 to the Greater Southwest Industrial Corridor East redevelopment plan: passed
58:54 Amended TIF redevelopment agreement with 4300 Roosevelt LLC (Roosevelt and Kostner project): passed
1:02:18 Multifamily housing revenue bonds and assistance for United Yards 1A: passed
1:02:47 Loan modification agreement with Revive Center for Housing and Healing: passed
1:03:34 Small claims payments and denials; tag day permits: passed
1:04:31 Settlement in James Mundo v. City of Chicago ($515,000): passed
1:05:01 Settlement in Garrett et al. v. City of Chicago ($2 million): passed
1:10:45 Settlement in Patrick Jenkins v. City of Chicago ($8.75 million): passed
1:14:28 Substitute ordinance on information requirements for civil actions under paid leave and paid sick and safe time ordinance (SO2023-0005883): passed
1:15:11 Agreed changes to the collective bargaining agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police and the City (O2023-0006332): passed
1:18:29 Rule 44 motion to disapprove the do-not-pass recommendation on the police disciplinary arbitration ordinance: passed
3:06:07 Ordinance implementing an arbitration option for certain CPD disciplinary actions: failed
3:10:10 Resolutions honoring the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, Chicago Dragons Rugby Football Club and HIV/AIDS Awareness Month: passed
3:41:01 Recognition of Mount Carmel High School state champion football team
4:04:42 Ordinance for Rebuild Foundation repurposing of St. Lawrence School: passed
4:06:41 Fund 925 amendment and committee fund transfers: passed
4:07:55 Re-referral of veteran hiring preference ordinance to Committee on Workforce Development: passed
4:09:11 Class 6(b) tax incentive for 328 West 40th Place and SSA No. 10 ordinance: passed
4:10:03 Report on joint subject matter hearing on lead service line replacement: discussed
4:11:17 Substitute ordinance on lobbyist registration: passed
4:11:48 Second amendment to IGA with Public Building Commission for Inspector General services: passed
4:12:59 Lakeview Landing supportive housing financing (O2023-0005797): passed
4:13:54 Flexible housing pool program (O2023-0005793): passed
4:14:25 Third amendment to lease agreement for additional office space: passed
4:16:08 Resolution asking President Biden to expand parole and work permits (SR2023-0005289): passed
4:45:48 Appointment of Kyle Cooper to the Police Board: passed
4:47:46 Amendment on standards for rooftop and grade outdoor dining (O2023-0005763): passed
4:48:40 Landmark designation for 2678 West Washington Boulevard (O2023-0005896): passed
5:01:35 Motion to suspend the rules to consider a referendum ballot question (withdrawn)
5:09:18 Ordinance setting next meeting for January 24, 2024: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Reported the pedestrian and traffic safety committee items, including an ordinance on intercity bus requirements. (56:55); Said the Jenkins settlement was just and raised concerns about the city's response to domestic and gender-based violence. (1:12:05); Compared retention bonus spending to spending on gender-based violence and called for a non-law enforcement or co-responder model. (1:13:12)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Reported the Committee on Public Safety items, including the hate incidents reporting ordinance. (42:33); Recognized the French Heritage Society for the 350th anniversary of the Marquette and Joliet expedition. (55:53)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Recognized students and staff from Ray Graham Training Center High School. (8:21); Reported Committee on Finance items including TIF amendments, housing finance and settlements. (57:57); Said the Garrett case was not clear-cut and the settlement could avoid a larger judgment against the city. (1:08:07)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Spoke on high HIV rates in the African American community and the need to support Black-led organizations. (3:36:30); Congratulated Mount Carmel, his alma mater, and described its role in his own life. (3:50:34)
Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Said as a trade unionist that the arbitration award protects officers who do the worst harm to public trust and that he would vote no. (2:43:54); Asked the community to keep pressure on to build a public safety system that keeps everyone safe. (2:46:03); Recognized the Mount Carmel football team for its state championships. (3:41:37)
William E. Hall (alderperson): Congratulated Mount Carmel and thanked its men's and father's clubs for setting an example. (3:54:23)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Supported the Rebuild Foundation project at St. Lawrence School as an investment in South Shore. (4:05:16)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Said people disrupting the chamber by banging on walls and glass should be arrested. (1:37:07); Said the council does not negotiate contracts but ratifies them, and city lawyers called reversing the award an uphill battle. (1:52:03); Said most officers deserve support and asked colleagues to ratify the arbitration piece. (1:53:53)
Peter Chico (alderperson): Said as a police officer and grandson of a union president that he supports the arbitration award as a worker rights issue because officers cannot strike. (2:18:16); Recognized the Mount Carmel principal and coach. (3:45:46)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Raised concerns that the contract was not provided until the day of the committee hearing. (2:09:42); Described high robbery levels in Chinatown and the need for police response. (2:10:59); Said state law guarantees arbitration, that she would support the contract with arbitration, and that the state statute should be changed. (2:12:20)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Said colleagues who oppose fighting settlements were now willing to fight the arbitration award in court and called this inconsistent. (2:52:54); Said several trade unions support not separating the contract. (2:54:25); Compared the arbitration procedures in the CTU contract and cited Inspector General data on CPS misconduct cases. (2:55:55)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Pointed colleagues to the remarks of Waguespack and Lee and said the state has a responsibility on arbitration law. (2:38:22); Said race and trust between communities and police are central to the issue and that constituents and officers he spoke to asked for transparency. (2:39:44); Said arbitrators rely on historical precedent and that he would vote no. (2:41:48)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Supported the Mount Carmel recognition and described the school's history in Woodlawn. (3:43:02)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said trust is two-way and cited cases of Black women harmed by police and the Jenkins settlement. (2:20:08); Disputed arguments about the cost of rejecting arbitration and said she would not vote for decisions behind closed doors. (2:22:46)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Reported Committee on Workforce Development items including the paid leave ordinance and FOP contract changes. (1:14:18); Explained the Rule 44 process and moved to disapprove the committee's do-not-pass recommendation so the arbitration ordinance could be voted on. (1:18:29); Cited the city's chief labor negotiator in urging rejection of the arbitration award and described the city's proposed public arbitration option. (3:00:21)
Silvana Tabares (alderperson): Said the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act guarantees police arbitration and the city is likely to lose in court. (1:20:09); Said rejecting the award could lead to costly litigation and signal to other unions that the city does not respect their rights. (1:22:14); Urged passage of the contract and collaboration among CPD, FOP, CCPSA and community members on accountability. (1:24:19)
Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Described the Roosevelt and Kostner innovation center as bringing over 250 jobs and investment to North Lawndale. (59:24)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Requested a moment of silence for victims of violence. (1:57:30); Said the council could choose more accountability over continued misconduct payouts and urged a no vote on arbitration. (1:58:46); Cited police board outcomes on FOP appeals as evidence against reducing public accountability. (2:03:01)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Said voting no on arbitration is unrelated to concern about gun violence or the ability to call 911. (2:13:51); Said the vote concerns transparency for the most serious misconduct affecting a small share of officers. (2:15:27); Closed on the work permits resolution, saying it covers immigrants from every diaspora and asks President Biden to keep his promise. (4:40:34)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Said laws are not always right and that the arbitration award is not in the public interest, urging rejection. (2:06:10); Reported Committee on Budget and Government Operations items including the St. Lawrence School project and fund transfers. (4:04:31)
Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Reported the committee's recommendation to appoint Kyle Cooper to the Police Board. (4:45:37)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Said as an immigrant that undocumented residents contribute to the economy and deserve work permits. (4:38:18)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said the contract was not made public before committee and that splitting it was the wrong approach. (2:25:04); Raised concerns about paying for the contract and possible property tax increases. (2:27:31); Said he would vote no on arbitration while noting reservations. (2:29:50)
William Conway (alderperson): Explained his continued no vote on the Garrett settlement, calling it a close case, and noted increased attendance at settlement briefings. (1:05:32)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Reported economic development items and a joint hearing on lead service line replacement, calling for an aggressive replacement program. (4:09:00)
Emma Mitts (alderperson): Reported the re-referral of a veteran hiring preference ordinance to Workforce Development. (4:07:45)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Thanked Alderwoman Samantha Nugent for inviting Northside Learning Center students. (10:12); Requested a moment of silence for Israeli victims and hostages. (2:46:35); Said he supports labor rights and that counsel told the council the arbitration award would be very hard to overturn. (2:47:42)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Recognized students and staff from Northside Learning Center. (6:47); Congratulated Mount Carmel on its football season. (3:53:19)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said the council should know the city's goals before contract negotiations. (2:30:46); Raised concerns about body camera and COPA investigation provisions in the contract that passed. (2:32:17); Said police differ from other unions because of their powers and that he would vote to reject arbitration for transparency. (2:34:15)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Said rejecting the award would lead to costly litigation and that officers gave up the right to strike in exchange for arbitration. (1:27:28); Congratulated Mount Carmel and its coaches. (3:46:31)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Supported the resolution honoring the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus and invited them to perform in the 43rd Ward. (3:13:28)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Congratulated the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus on 40 years. (3:12:43); Supported the Chicago Dragons resolution and expressed interest in Chicago hosting a Bingham Cup. (3:18:53); Spoke on HIV prevention with PrEP and remaining barriers to care and housing. (3:27:31)
Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Reported the ethics committee's lobbyist registration ordinance and PBC Inspector General agreement. (4:11:05)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Supported the hate incidents ordinance and said departments including the Commission on Human Relations and OEMC need resources. (49:24); Thanked the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus for its community history. (3:14:03); Congratulated the Chicago Dragons and praised their inclusivity. (3:20:40)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Supported the hate incidents ordinance and said the Commission on Human Relations will need resources. (48:12); Said public accountability for the most serious misconduct is key to trust and urged a no vote on arbitration. (1:31:34); Congratulated the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus. (3:15:33)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Described rising hate incidents and how the CHI vs. Hate ordinance defines hate incidents and allows reporting through 311. (43:38); Thanked colleagues and dedicated the ordinance to her late father. (54:01)

Exchanges between members

10:15 Sposato thanked Nugent for inviting the Northside Learning Center students.
48:14 Hadden thanked Silverstein for bringing forward the hate incidents ordinance.
49:26 Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Silverstein for her coalition work on the ordinance.
49:54 Manaa-Hoppenworth agreed with Hadden that departments need resources for the ordinance.
53:51 Hopkins asked the chair to recognize Silverstein to close on the ordinance.
59:11 Dowell noted that Scott wished to speak on the 4300 Roosevelt item.
1:07:00 Conway credited Dowell's leadership for allowing debate on settlements.
1:08:01 Dowell acknowledged Conway's remarks and explained her support for the settlement.
1:11:00 Dowell noted that La Spata wished to speak on the Jenkins settlement.
1:27:22 Napolitano said his colleague had covered the arbitration topic and agreed with her points.
2:07:35 Ervin acknowledged Tabares's points on state law but said the award was not right.
2:08:56 Ervin said he was in accordance with Chairman Michael D. Rodriguez in asking colleagues to reject the award.
2:28:39 Waguespack disagreed with Tabares that rejecting the award could cost hundreds of millions.
2:30:46 Vasquez credited Beale's point that council members were not at the negotiating table.
2:31:37 Vasquez agreed with Lee's point about a lack of transparency on the contract.
2:31:39 Vasquez agreed with Waguespack's point about a lack of transparency on the contract.
2:33:43 Vasquez acknowledged Chico's point that CPD officers cannot strike.
2:35:00 Vasquez referenced Fuentes's point that the affected officers are a small share of CPD.
2:38:22 Moore asked colleagues to pay attention to what Waguespack said.
2:38:26 Moore asked colleagues to pay attention to what Lee said.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-120-518 establishing reporting and tracking procedures regarding hate incidents (SO2023-0003932): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Lincoln Ave 35-2015 (O2023-0006007): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-156 regarding registration of lobbyists and regulations pertaining thereto (SO2023-0002937): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
St. Laurence NOF Redevelopment (O2023-0005700): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Funding approval for landlord subsidy program and 5 year extension of DFSS Housing Pool Program (O2023-0005793): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Third Amendment to Lease at 2 North LaSalle St for additional office space (SO2023-0005731): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Second Amendment to Greater Southwest Industrial East TIF project and plan regarding repayment (O2023-0006005): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Transfer of funds within Committee on Public Safety for Year 2023. (O2023-0005576): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Munir Muhammad Honorary Street Sign (O2023-0005836): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
MuniCode 17-13-0303-D Amend by addition Type I (O2023-0005759): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Private Charity residences for women, children and babies since 1923 under three different entities (O2023-0005896): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Issuance of multi-family housing revenue bonds and other financial assistance to New City Redevelopment Limited Partnership for acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable housing at 1515 and 1635-1643 W 47th St (O2023-0005765): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Restructuring agreement and transfer of ownership to 1668 W Ogden Ave LLC as replacement borrower of City loans for new mortgage regarding ReVive Cressey Center, 1660-1674 W Ogden Ave (O2023-0005982): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Amendment to certain provisions of timing and substantive nature of TIF RDA (O2023-0006033): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Authorization of Multi-family program funds or secured Sales Tax Securitization Corporation Bonds (O2023-0005797): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Support of Class 6(b) tax incentive for property at 328 W 40th Pl (O2023-0005980): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Chicago City Council Commits to the National Fight for Parole for the 11 Million. (SR2023-0005289): Adopted 47 yea, 2 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2 and 6 regarding notification requirements to employers of proposed civil action for alleged paid leave violations (SO2023-0005883): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code 7-5-0207 regarding Outdoor Patio Dining (O2023-0005763): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
License and subscription services agreement with ProLink Solutions, Inc. for Department of Housing data management (O2023-0005948): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Second amendment to intergovernmental agreement with Public Building Commission of Chicago providing for City's Inspector General to serve as Commission's Inspector General (O2023-0005983): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Fund 925 Amendment (SO2023-0005937): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-48-050 regarding requirements for intercity buses and penalties for noncompliance (O2023-0006210): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay
Amended collective bargaining agreement with Chicago John Dineen Lodge No. 7 (f.k.a. Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 7) (O2023-0006332): Passed 42 yea, 7 nay