Committee on License and Consumer Protection meeting, April 13, 2026
- When: Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 1:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on License and Consumer Protection
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1182706655
- Transcript: full text (14,801 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 License and Consumer Protection, chaired by Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein, heard ten public commenters, mostly on video gaming terminals (VGTs): sweepstakes machine operators asked to keep operating legally, Bally's and UNITE HERE Local 1 casino workers opposed speeding up VGT licensing citing casino revenue and jobs, and a hospitality business group supported it. Alderperson Anthony Beale sweepstakes ordinance was held. The committee recommended a substitute taxicab ordinance raising time and distance fares about 20%, doubling the cleaning fee and increasing penalties, with Alderperson Brendan Reilly recorded as no after questioning enforcement of meter use. After a motion by Alderperson David H. Moore to hold it failed on a roll call read as 11 noes and three yeses, the committee recommended an ordinance allowing conditional city approval of VGT license applications before state licensing, following questions on the Bally's agreement, revenue, terminal operators and BACP staffing. The committee also recommended increasing lakefront venue liquor licenses after members asked the sponsor to consult other lakefront alderpersons, a Wrigley Field rooftop events ordinance, and several package goods moratorium changes, re-referred an alcohol manufacturer event license ordinance to the Committee on Zoning, and held item four.
Topics: video gaming terminals, sweepstakes machines, Bally's casino, taxicab fares, taxi meter enforcement, lakefront liquor licenses, Wrigley Field rooftops, package goods moratoriums, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 18:14 Public comment: discussed
- 18:43 Alderperson Anthony Beale ordinance regarding sweepstakes machines: held
- 45:55 Rule 45 reports for March 2026: passed
- 46:19 Substitute amendment of Chapters 9-104 and 9-112 on taximeter use, taxicab equipment and inspections, license fees and fare rates: passed
- 1:13:36 Item four: held
- 1:13:44 Amendment of Chapter 4-155 adding Section 4-155-035 regarding conditional approval of video gaming terminal licenses: passed
- 1:37:08 Substitute amendment of Section 4-60-073 increasing the maximum number of lakefront venue liquor licenses: passed
- 1:50:45 Amendment of Title 4 regarding Wrigley Field special club fees, liquor operations and adjacent rooftop hours: passed
- 1:52:37 Substitute ordinance establishing an alcohol manufacturer accessory event license (re-referred to the Committee on Zoning)
- 1:54:39 Disallowing additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portions of West North Avenue (2nd Ward): passed
- 1:55:38 Disallowing additional package goods licenses on portions of West Grand Avenue: passed
- 1:57:47 Allowing additional package goods licenses on West Devon Avenue (O2026-0023801): passed
- 1:59:07 Substitute allowing additional package goods licenses on portions of North Sheridan Road: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Debra L. Silverstein (chair): Announced that Alderperson Anthony Beale sweepstakes machine ordinance was being held but that public comment could proceed. (18:43); Asked BACP to confirm that the taxicab industry requested the fare ordinance. (1:03:37); Asked Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson whether he had discussed the lakefront liquor ordinance with other lakefront alderpersons. (1:38:50)
- Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Asked how many tickets BACP has written to medallion owners and whether enforcement has increased since COVID. (51:37); Said drivers often refuse to start the meter until he identifies himself, and that despite sympathy for the industry, abuse makes it harder to support a fare increase. (52:27); Asked whether the new $1,000 minimum fine applies to licensed drivers who fail to start the meter. (56:00)
- William Conway (alderperson): Asked how the new taxi rates compare with Uber fares. (1:01:43); Said taxi fares have fallen behind rideshare prices and that he supports the increase. (1:03:59); Asked whether conditional VGT approval puts Bally's $4 million payment at risk and whether VGT revenue would cover the budgeted amount plus that loss. (1:18:22)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Requested a 10-year breakdown of active medallions and asked about enforcement when rideshare drivers offer cash flat fares. (1:04:33); Supported doubling the cleaning fee and asked how the fuel surcharge threshold is measured, suggesting a Chicago-specific price. (1:05:33); Asked whether in-cab signage explains that flat rates are illegal, and said he would vote yes. (1:07:50)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Said taxis remain important for people with disabilities and seniors and thanked BACP for doubling the cleaning fee, supporting the ordinance. (1:09:41); Asked who manufactures VGTs, how many terminal operators there are and their ethnic makeup, and how long licensing takes. (1:24:34); Said there were unanswered questions and no briefing on the VGT ordinance, and moved to hold it. (1:32:28)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Asked whether medallion costs are increasing. (1:11:38); Asked how many terminal operators have applied and how many locations are expected to seek VGTs. (1:27:03)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Requested a list of pending state VGT applicants by address, ward or community area. (1:23:33); Explained that his alcohol manufacturer event ordinance was rewritten as a zoning change for indoor brewery, distillery and winery events and moved to re-refer it to Zoning. (1:53:19)
- Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Asked who at BACP will vet VGT applicants and what additional staff will be needed. (1:28:49); Asked who oversees sweepstakes machines and noted they currently operate without a specific license. (1:30:08); Suggested the city consider a gaming czar as a single point of contact, similar to its former cannabis czar. (1:31:17)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said the ordinance lets applicants seek conditional city approval while awaiting a state license, similar to phased liquor licensing, with the city keeping fees if applicants fail. (1:14:20); Said conditional approval does not immediately jeopardize Bally's $4 million payment and that any effect would require legal discussion under the agreement. (1:19:30)
- Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Presented a substitute adding liquor licenses for concessionaires at Rainbow Beach and 12th Street Beach, approved by the Park District. (1:37:55); Said he should have consulted North Side colleagues, would do so, and asked for a vote so concessionaires can operate this summer. (1:47:27)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Said time is of the essence and the committee should move the lakefront ordinance if comfortable with the new locations. (1:41:46)
- Peter Chico (alderperson): Said he had not discussed the lakefront ordinance with the sponsor and had concerns about his own beach. (1:46:01)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Said the West Grand Avenue moratorium seeks community feedback and avoids saturating the area with liquor stores. (1:56:18)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Said a long-established store moving across Devon Avenue from the 49th Ward has support from Alderperson Maria E. Hadden, block clubs and the chamber. (1:58:13)
- Angela Clay (alderperson): Said the Sheridan Road change would let a local deli sell packaged goods and that the 48th Ward was consulted. (1:59:46)
Exchanges between members
- 51:29 The chair recognized Alderperson Brendan Reilly for questions on the taxi ordinance.
- 1:01:23 Alderperson Brendan Reilly told the chair he would take remaining questions offline and vote no.
- 1:01:40 The chair recognized Alderperson William Conway.
- 1:04:27 The chair recognized Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson.
- 1:08:04 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson asked about signage to address the meter issues Alderperson Brendan Reilly raised.
- 1:09:29 The chair recognized Alderperson David H. Moore.
- 1:11:31 The chair recognized Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr..
- 1:18:21 The chair recognized Alderperson William Conway on the VGT ordinance.
- 1:19:20 The chair directed Alderperson William Conway question about the Bally's payment to Alderperson Scott Waguespack.
- 1:19:30 Alderperson Scott Waguespack answered Alderperson William Conway question about the $4 million Bally's payment.
- 1:20:45 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson said he would leave the legal question to his colleague and added his own points.
- 1:22:17 Alderperson William Conway directed a follow-up question on VGT timing to Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson.
- 1:23:30 The chair recognized Alderperson Matthew J. Martin.
- 1:24:14 The chair recognized Alderperson David H. Moore.
- 1:24:23 Alderperson David H. Moore wished Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman a happy birthday.
- 1:27:03 Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr. followed up on Alderperson David H. Moore question about terminal operators.
- 1:28:44 The chair recognized Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman.
- 1:32:18 The chair gave Alderperson David H. Moore another opportunity to speak.
- 1:38:50 The chair asked Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson whether he had consulted other lakefront alderpersons.
- 1:39:17 The chair called on Alderperson Brendan Reilly to address the lakefront consultation issue.