Committee on Health and Human Relations meeting, March 10, 2026

When: Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Committee: Committee on Health and Human Relations
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928590?video=1170724330
Transcript: full text (26,429 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

11:29 Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez: Said the committee received 30 public comment slips and would hear 20 randomly…
56:05 Resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025 (introduced by Alderperson…
1:04:44 Ruth Cruz: Spoke in support of her Medicare for All resolution, citing U.S. health spending and expected…
1:07:43 Ruth Cruz: Described helping a family navigate insurance for a critically ill man and urged colleagues to…
1:10:57 Anthony J. Quezada: Cited uninsured and underinsured figures and insurer profits, said health care should be…
1:12:42 Appointment of Susan Capello as executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control
1:21:23 Raymond A. Lopez: Recognized the founders of PAWS Chicago and Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control for…
1:23:30 Raymond A. Lopez: Cited the return-to-owner law he worked on with Ms. Capello and the pillars of the no-kill…
1:25:18 Raymond A. Lopez: Said a past national search brought in a director unfamiliar with the city whose tenure…
1:30:18 Nicholas Sposato: Thanked speakers on both sides and said few members attend Animal Care and Control budget…
1:31:09 Nicholas Sposato: Said he or his staff visit the shelter monthly with donations and described the job as…
1:32:12 Nicholas Sposato: Said Ms. Capello stayed in the role for three years while also covering the deputy…
1:35:22 Julia M. Ramirez: Asked how the nearly $700,000 budget increase would address needs Ms. Capello raised at an…
1:37:20 Julia M. Ramirez: Asked when the department last received a comparable funding increase.
1:38:05 Julia M. Ramirez: Asked what moving from interim to permanent director would change in her leadership and…
1:39:33 Bennett R. Lawson: Said an interim leader faces real constraints and that Ms. Capello had been innovative…
1:40:34 Bennett R. Lawson: Said he heard from constituents on both sides and cited partner organizations' call for…
1:41:27 Bennett R. Lawson: Asked what the department would do with an additional $2 million.
1:46:38 Ruth Cruz: Asked Ms. Capello how long she has worked at Animal Care and Control, her roles there and what…
1:58:36 Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez: Told Alderperson Ruth Cruz she had allowed enough time for questions and needed…
2:04:48 Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez: Ruled Alderperson Ruth Cruz out of order and gave the floor to Alderperson Leni…
2:05:30 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Compared the shelter to a hospital that should move patients through rather than…
2:06:55 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Asked what owner-requested euthanasia costs at the shelter, noting she paid $800 at…
2:07:34 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Asked how the department would restore trust and share its progress transparently…
2:12:53 Jessica L. Fuentes: Asked Ms. Capello to explain what the AFSCME agreement allows volunteers to clean.
2:14:53 Jessica L. Fuentes: Said the city lacks the time and money for a national search given expected budget cuts.
2:15:39 Jessica L. Fuentes: Called for accountability measures, regular meetings with volunteers and a written plan,…
2:23:47 Appointment of Lauren Burdette to the Advisory Council on Equity
2:23:55 Appointment to the Advisory Council on Equity (second appointee)
2:24:01 Appointment of Dina Lewis to the Advisory Council on Equity
2:27:38 Appointment of Julio Flores to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues
2:27:46 Appointment of Ella to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues
2:27:53 Appointment of Jahari Stamps to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues
2:27:59 Appointment to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues (fourth appointee)
2:28:05 Appointment of Chandra White to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues
2:28:10 Appointment to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues (sixth appointee)
2:48:18 Resolution R2025-0019988
2:48:43 Mayoral appointments of Rogelio Villa Jr., James Flagg and a third appointee to the Advisory Council on…
2:53:56 Jeylú B. Gutiérrez: Thanked the veterans council appointees for their service, praised Rogelio Villa Jr.'s…

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 Health and Human Relations, chaired by Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez, heard 20 randomly selected public commenters, nearly all on the mayoral appointment of Susan Capello as executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, with speakers divided between supporting her record during rising intake and calling for a national search over shelter conditions, dog walking, euthanasia and volunteer relations. After approving its January 2026 Rule 45 report, the committee passed Alderperson Ruth Cruz resolution calling on Congress to pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025, following testimony from a former Cook County Health chief medical officer. Members then questioned Ms. Capello on staffing, new funding, dog walks, euthanasia, volunteers and diversion programs; her appointment was recommended for passage by voice vote, with Alderperson Ruth Cruz recorded as voting no. The committee also recommended mayoral appointments to the advisory councils on equity, LGBTQ+ issues and veterans, and held resolution R2025-0019988 in committee.

Topics: Chicago Animal Care and Control, Executive director appointment, Medicare for All, Shelter volunteers, Euthanasia and live outcomes, Shelter funding, Advisory council appointments, Veterans, LGBTQ+ issues, Public comment

Agenda items discussed

55:44 Approval of January 2026 Rule 45 report: passed
56:05 Resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025 (introduced by Alderperson Ruth Cruz) (R2025-0018946): passed
1:12:42 Appointment of Susan Capello as executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control (A2026-0023751): passed
2:23:47 Appointment of Lauren Burdette to the Advisory Council on Equity (A2026-0023402): passed
2:23:55 Appointment to the Advisory Council on Equity (second appointee): passed
2:24:01 Appointment of Dina Lewis to the Advisory Council on Equity (A2026-0023404): passed
2:27:38 Appointment of Julio Flores to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues: passed
2:27:46 Appointment of Ella to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues (A2026-0023408): passed
2:27:53 Appointment of Jahari Stamps to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues: passed
2:27:59 Appointment to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues (fourth appointee): passed
2:28:05 Appointment of Chandra White to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues (A2026-0023411): passed
2:28:10 Appointment to the Advisory Council on LGBTQ+ Issues (sixth appointee) (A2026-0023412): passed
2:48:43 Mayoral appointments of Rogelio Villa Jr., James Flagg and a third appointee to the Advisory Council on Veterans: passed
2:48:18 Resolution R2025-0019988 (R2025-0019988): held

Alderpersons who spoke

Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (chair): Said the committee received 30 public comment slips and would hear 20 randomly selected speakers for two minutes each. (11:29); Told Alderperson Ruth Cruz she had allowed enough time for questions and needed to move on to other members and appointments. (1:58:36); Ruled Alderperson Ruth Cruz out of order and gave the floor to Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth. (2:04:48)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Spoke in support of her Medicare for All resolution, citing U.S. health spending and expected federal cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. (1:04:44); Described helping a family navigate insurance for a critically ill man and urged colleagues to support the resolution. (1:07:43); Asked Ms. Capello how long she has worked at Animal Care and Control, her roles there and what animal sheltering certifications she holds. (1:46:38)
Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Cited uninsured and underinsured figures and insurer profits, said health care should be a guaranteed right, and said he would vote yes on the Medicare for All resolution. (1:10:57)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Recognized the founders of PAWS Chicago and Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control for supporting the shelter with nearly $3 million annually. (1:21:23); Cited the return-to-owner law he worked on with Ms. Capello and the pillars of the no-kill model, including compassionate leadership. (1:23:30); Said a past national search brought in a director unfamiliar with the city whose tenure saw warehousing of dogs and unsafe conditions. (1:25:18)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Thanked speakers on both sides and said few members attend Animal Care and Control budget hearings. (1:30:18); Said he or his staff visit the shelter monthly with donations and described the job as difficult and heartbreaking. (1:31:09); Said Ms. Capello stayed in the role for three years while also covering the deputy position and that he wholeheartedly supports her. (1:32:12)
Julia M. Ramirez (alderperson): Asked how the nearly $700,000 budget increase would address needs Ms. Capello raised at an earlier hearing. (1:35:22); Asked when the department last received a comparable funding increase. (1:37:20); Asked what moving from interim to permanent director would change in her leadership and goals. (1:38:05)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Said an interim leader faces real constraints and that Ms. Capello had been innovative within them. (1:39:33); Said he heard from constituents on both sides and cited partner organizations' call for stable leadership, sustainable funding and collaboration. (1:40:34); Asked what the department would do with an additional $2 million. (1:41:27)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Compared the shelter to a hospital that should move patients through rather than house them, and thanked staff, social workers and partners. (2:05:30); Asked what owner-requested euthanasia costs at the shelter, noting she paid $800 at a private vet. (2:06:55); Asked how the department would restore trust and share its progress transparently with the city. (2:07:34)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Asked Ms. Capello to explain what the AFSCME agreement allows volunteers to clean. (2:12:53); Said the city lacks the time and money for a national search given expected budget cuts. (2:14:53); Called for accountability measures, regular meetings with volunteers and a written plan, and offered to help. (2:15:39)
Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Thanked the veterans council appointees for their service, praised Rogelio Villa Jr.'s community work, and said the city needs to do more for veterans. (2:53:56)

Exchanges between members

1:30:04 Alderperson Nicholas Sposato told Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez he had already mentioned people Sposato planned to recognize and called him a good friend on animal issues.
2:04:48 Chair Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez ended Alderperson Ruth Cruz line of questioning and ruled her out of order.
2:05:02 Alderperson Ruth Cruz objected that being cut off was unfair.
2:44:42 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson concurred with the chair's remarks on the diversity of the appointees.

Documents

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