Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation meeting, March 13, 2026
- When: Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 10:30 AM (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
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928541?video=1173020710
- Transcript: full text (3,209 words, automatic 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 three public commenters, who raised concerns about transparency in DCASE's Individual Artists Program grants, crowd control and exits at the November 2025 Christmas tree lighting event, and support for a pollinator garden at Disney II Magnet School. The committee approved its Rule 45 report. It recommended approval of three open space impact fee expenditures presented by the Department of Planning and Development: an artificial turf field at Riley Elementary School, an outdoor stage and pollinator garden at Disney II Magnet Elementary School, and landscaping, seating and sports netting at Nettelhorst Elementary School. Alderpersons Cruz and Lawson spoke in support of the projects in their wards.
Topics: open space impact fees, school outdoor spaces, DCASE artist grants, event safety, pollinator gardens
Agenda items discussed
- 20:07 Rule 45 report: passed
- 20:21 Open space impact fee funds for turf field at Riley Elementary School, 3650 West School Street: passed
- 22:54 Open space impact fee funds for outdoor space improvements at Disney II Magnet Elementary School, 3815 North Kedvale: passed
- 27:54 Open space impact fee funds for outdoor improvements at Nettelhorst Elementary School, 3252 North Broadway: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Nicholas Sposato (chair): Cast the only no vote on remote participation, saying he votes no on it for everyone. (11:32)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Thanked CPS and DPD for the Riley and Disney II projects, saying they turn unused concrete into places for students to play and learn outdoors. (26:02); Praised the principals of Disney II and Riley for their impact on their schools. (27:00)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Said the Nettelhorst project includes over a million dollars in state funds and is needed because the school is in a dense area with little green space. (30:01); Said the work is expected to take place over the summer break. (30:50)
Exchanges between members
- 27:29 The chair thanked Cruz for her remarks on the school projects.
- 31:03 The chair thanked Lawson for his comments on the Nettelhorst project.