Committee on Workforce Development meeting, April 13, 2026
- When: Mon, Apr 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 Workforce Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1181716259
- Transcript: full text (10,187 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 Workforce Development approved its October Rule 45 report and took up a substitute ordinance sponsored by Alderperson Matthew J. Martin that would bar Chicago Police Department members from actively participating in extremist activity, authorize COPA to investigate such allegations, and direct OPSA to screen police applicants. A motion by Alderperson Chris Taliaferro to re-refer the ordinance to the Committee on Police and Fire failed after the chair announced six nos and four yeses. Supporters said the ordinance responds to an Inspector General report on CPD handling of officer ties to extremist groups, while opponents said it unfairly singles out police officers and should apply to all city employees. A Law Department attorney said narrowing the ordinance to CPD reduced constitutional and employment-litigation risk, and CPD described its position as neutral. The committee recommended the ordinance for passage by a roll call vote announced as six to three.
Topics: extremism in police ranks, COPA investigations, OPSA hiring screening, committee jurisdiction, First Amendment concerns, police accountability, Rule 45 report
Agenda items discussed
- 21:24 October Rule 45 report: passed
- 23:16 Motion to re-refer the extremism ordinance to the Committee on Police and Fire: failed
- 22:15 Substitute ordinance prohibiting police department members from participating in extremist activity and authorizing COPA investigations: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Michael D. Rodriguez (chair): Said city departments were consulted on the ordinance and that, to his knowledge, none opposed it. (40:45)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Said the ordinance should be heard by the Committee on Police and Fire and moved to re-refer it. (23:20); Said that with overlapping jurisdiction a joint committee is common practice and that Police and Fire members deserve a committee vote on a CPD-only ordinance. (25:44)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Said the Workforce Committee handles city personnel matters and is an appropriate committee, while acknowledging overlapping jurisdiction. (23:56); Said federal rollbacks of anti-extremism protections and a 2024 Inspector General report on CPD require the city to act. (31:18); Explained that the ordinance bars active participation in extremist activities, gives COPA investigative authority and has OPSA screen applicants, using a content-neutral definition. (33:43)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Said the ordinance applies only to police and belongs in the Police and Fire Committee. (28:49); Asked whether anyone opposing the ordinance had been invited to testify. (40:17); Said the ordinance singles out police and ignores other groups and protests. (41:24)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Said there is no room for hate in government but he cannot support an ordinance that singles out CPD rather than all city employees. (51:34); Said he would support the original citywide version but considers the CPD-only version unfair. (1:08:25)
- Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Said comparisons to 2020-era protests are not apples to apples and described police officers directing racial slurs at him and others. (53:15); Said there should be a mechanism to hold armed officers accountable when tied to extremist groups. (56:02)
- Marty Quinn (alderperson): Asked for the Chicago Police Department's official position on the ordinance. (57:28); Asked the sponsor whether the ordinance applies only to CPD and whether expanding it was considered too risky. (58:14)
- Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Said the ordinance addresses actual harm to democracy by armed officers, not protected speech, and is not anti-police. (1:06:10)
Exchanges between members
- 25:41 Taliaferro responded to Martin that the ordinance should go to Police and Fire or a joint committee.
- 27:20 Martin replied to Taliaferro that he respected his points but still considered the Workforce Committee appropriate.
- 43:06 Sposato asked Silverstein whether she considers the phrase he cited to be hate speech.
- 45:47 Martin responded to Sposato's concern about singling out police by explaining the Law Department's advice.
- 52:45 Curtis said he agreed with Sposato that any such rule should apply to the entire city workforce.
- 53:24 Yancy responded to Sposato's comparison of protesters and trespassers, saying it was not apples to apples.
- 58:14 Quinn asked Martin whether the ordinance applies only to the police department.
- 1:12:23 Sposato told Martin he could earn his support by applying the ordinance to all city employees.