City Council meeting, April 15, 2026

When: Wed, Apr 15, 2026, 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/showcase/citycouncil?video=1183109138
Transcript: full text (34,483 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 April 15, 2026 City Council meeting opened with public comment on a planned quantum computing facility at the former U.S. Steel South Works site, the Hazel M. Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance, the tipped wage, video gaming terminals and the 63rd Street Beach drum circle, followed by acknowledgments and resolutions for Earth Day and Arab American Heritage Month. A motion to pass the tipped wage ordinance (SO2025-0017549) over the mayor's veto received 30 yeas and 19 nays and failed, after debate over restaurant costs, worker pay and the lack of a committee process. The council approved finance items including the Institute of Cultural Affairs agreement (50-0), Workforce Solution TIF funds, Lathrop Homes financing, water revenue bonds, a tobacco tax resolution and settlements, and confirmed Kenya Merritt as DCASE commissioner. A tenant notice ordinance passed over several no votes, a video gaming terminal ordinance and an extremist activity ordinance were deferred and published, and a held sports wagering clarification passed under unfinished business. Through a Rule 41 discharge, the council accepted a substitute (27-20) and adopted committee changes naming Alderperson Gilbert Villegas zoning chair and Alderperson Derrick G. Curtis economic development chair; the next meeting was set for May 20, 2026.

Topics: tipped wage veto override, quantum computing facility, cumulative impacts ordinance, Earth Day, Arab American Heritage Month, DCASE commissioner, zoning committee leadership, tenant notice requirements, affordable housing finance, video gaming terminals

Agenda items discussed

29:51 Remote participation of members under Rule 59: passed
32:14 Public comment
1:02:11 Moment of silence for victims of gun violence: discussed
1:02:41 Acknowledgments including the CPS spelling bee champion, Marshall and Farragut basketball, Harold Washington Day and Sikh Heritage Month: discussed
1:26:26 Resolution in recognition of Earth Day: passed
1:39:50 Resolution honoring Arab American Heritage Month: passed
2:09:27 Motion to pass the tipped wage ordinance over the mayor's veto (SO2025-0017549): failed
2:41:35 Amended redevelopment agreement for the Institute of Cultural Affairs at 4750 N. Sheridan Road: passed
2:44:16 TIF allocation for Workforce Solution programs: passed
2:48:01 Revenue bonds and TIF assistance for Lathrop Preservation in the 32nd Ward: passed
2:50:55 Financial assistance for Hub 32 at 201 N. Kedzie Avenue: passed
2:51:27 Water revenue bonds, project and refunding series 2026: passed
2:51:47 Resolution urging passage of HB 5175 and SB 3630 on municipal taxation of tobacco products: passed
2:54:09 Settlement orders including Reed v. Zuley ($9.5 million): passed
2:56:34 Resolution calling on the administration to implement the 2026 budget package: passed
2:58:02 Thirty-day notice requirement for termination of short-term tenancies (SO2025-0019933): passed
3:04:42 Low affordability community designation within the Foundry Park development (O2026-0023450): passed
3:07:01 Conditional approval of video gaming terminal licenses (O2026-0024090): deferred
3:07:37 Taxi meter, equipment, fee and fare rule changes: passed
3:08:56 Wrigley Field special club fees, liquor operations and rooftop hours: passed
3:11:45 Ordinance directing identification of asset management software for the city: passed
3:12:45 Expanded definition of trespassing with cumulative fines: passed
3:14:32 Open space impact fee funds for the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial (O2026-0024100): passed
3:15:29 Appointment of Kenya Merritt as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (A2026-0024049): passed
3:36:09 Appointments to the Metra, CTA and Illinois International Port District boards (A2026-0023418): passed
3:37:59 Prohibiting city officers with access to sensitive locations from extremist activity (SO2025-0015584): deferred
3:38:55 Agreed calendar of commemorative resolutions: passed
3:52:52 Sports wagering license clarification for online operators outside Chicago (O2026-0022510): passed
3:54:46 Rule 41 discharge and re-referral of the low-income housing tax credit allocation plan ordinance: passed
3:56:42 Rule 41 resolution reorganizing chairs of the zoning and economic development committees: passed
4:14:38 Ordinance setting the next meeting for May 20, 2026: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Congratulated Marshall High School on a second consecutive West Side state basketball title. (1:06:13); Said he did not vote on the tipped wage item last month and that the issue needed committee deliberation and compromise. (2:32:39); Presented the budget committee report, including a resolution calling for implementation of the 2026 budget package. (2:55:50)
Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Congratulated Marshall High School as an alumnus. (1:07:26); Described working with the Arab American community in the 18th Ward. (1:58:16); Supported Kenya Merritt's appointment, citing her knowledge of city government. (3:19:57)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Welcomed the Harold Washington Legacy Committee and described a resolution designating April 15 as Harold Washington Day. (1:09:26); Credited the Arab community with helping make history alongside Black and Latino Chicagoans. (1:55:08)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Recognized Sikh American Heritage Month and the Sikh community's contributions. (1:11:19); Spoke of kinship between Asian American and Arab American communities. (1:44:07); Supported Kenya Merritt's appointment and promoted International Jazz Day. (3:27:20)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Recognized AARP Fraud Prevention Month and labor leader Carl Rosen on his retirement. (1:12:29); Described Arab cultural influence on everyday life, citing tacos al pastor. (1:51:34); Supported Kenya Merritt, citing her engagement with the union on department issues. (3:22:21)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Honored firefighter Juan Covarrubias on his retirement after 20 years. (1:15:53); Credited environmental organizers with closing coal plants and urged passage of the Hazel Johnson ordinance. (1:30:06); Recognized Arab American community leaders and solidarity with the Latino community. (1:49:21)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Congratulated the Walter Payton College Prep Scholastic Bowl team on its state title. (1:18:40)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Recognized the Payton Scholastic Bowl team's first state championship. (1:19:17)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Honored crossing guard Joe Sass for carrying students across a flooded street. (1:21:20); Spoke about challenges facing Middle Eastern and North African communities and pledged solidarity. (1:45:53)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Congratulated Joe Sass, noting they attended the same high school. (1:24:06); Said customers tip less as wages rise and restaurants are cutting hours, and supported the override. (2:30:55); Asked members to stop disruptive Rule 59 remote participation in his committee. (3:13:39)
Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Presented transportation committee appointments to the Metra, CTA and port district boards and ward ordinances. (3:35:59)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Recognized environmental justice advocates and said jobs and a healthy environment can coexist. (1:26:48); Thanked the Arab American community for its contributions to Rogers Park. (1:48:42); Supported Kenya Merritt, saying DCASE needs stability after the previous commissioner's dismissal. (3:16:36)
Angela Clay (alderperson): Recognized the Institute of Cultural Affairs for its environmental work in the 46th Ward. (1:28:40)
Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Honored Penny Gibbons and the Trashed People Organization's cleanups. (1:31:54); Introduced a technical substitute clarifying that the tenant notice requirement does not apply to nonpayment or lease violations. (2:58:36); Said housing provider associations and a tenant group met with his office and signed off on the ordinance. (3:03:48)
Julia M. Ramirez (alderperson): Thanked environmental advocates including 12th Ward resident Jessica Fong and the environment commissioner. (1:32:47)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Thanked activists who push for environmentally conscious development, including the Lincoln Park Conservancy. (1:34:43); Congratulated Kenya Merritt, citing her consensus-building across city departments. (3:20:45)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Said a city disparity study on the MENA community will be presented next month. (1:41:33); Moved to pass the tipped wage ordinance over the veto. (2:11:46); Cited city data that about 0.034 percent of restaurant workers filed wage complaints and described the ordinance as a pause. (2:12:56)
Marty Quinn (alderperson): Welcomed Arab American Heritage Month guests and praised a 13th Ward sanitation supervisor. (1:48:12)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Praised the Arab American community's business, arts and faith. (1:53:45)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Noted Arab American contributions to Devon Avenue in the 50th Ward. (1:54:38); Presented the license committee report on video gaming terminals, taxi rules, lake vendor licenses, Wrigley Field and liquor moratoriums. (3:06:47)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Recognized Arab community solidarity with Humboldt Park's Puerto Rican community. (1:56:12); Opposed the override, saying the ordinance strikes the next two raises rather than pausing them and breaks a commitment to workers. (2:21:02)
William E. Hall (alderperson): Thanked Arab American community members as cornerstones of his ward. (1:57:51); Supported Kenya Merritt's appointment. (3:18:20)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said she did not vote last month because neither side was fully right, and urged bringing workers and small businesses together for a compromise. (2:25:36)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Presented the finance committee report on the ICA agreement, Workforce Solution TIF funds, Lathrop and Hub 32 financing, water bonds and settlements. (2:41:19); Withdrew her no vote on the tenant notice ordinance after housing associations were consulted. (3:00:22); Supported Kenya Merritt, citing her priorities for neighborhood cultural institutions. (3:18:37)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Supported the Workforce Solution TIF funds and urged reviving the TIF Neighborhood Improvement Program for home repairs. (2:45:17); Supported the resolution seeking state authority for municipalities to tax nicotine products beyond cigarettes. (2:52:18); Opposed the tenant notice ordinance, saying small housing providers were not included in the process. (3:00:50)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said the Lathrop project will provide up to 364 affordable units and thanked housing staff and colleagues. (2:50:09)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): As vice chair, reported a hearing on the Austin Avenue bridge closure and 410 routine traffic items. (3:10:15)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Presented the public safety committee's trespassing ordinance. (3:12:35)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Supported Kenya Merritt, citing their long working relationship. (3:21:41)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Supported Kenya Merritt's nomination. (3:22:52)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Supported Kenya Merritt, citing her outreach to alderpersons. (3:23:08)
Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Congratulated Kenya Merritt on her appointment. (3:23:39)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Supported Kenya Merritt and asked DCASE to work with 2FM to reflect the city's cultures at City Hall. (3:28:41); Moved a substitute naming Villegas zoning chair and Curtis economic development chair. (3:58:44)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Congratulated Kenya Merritt and supported making Chicago affordable for artists. (3:32:19)
Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Moved under Rule 41 to discharge the low-income housing tax credit plan ordinance and re-refer it to the housing committee. (3:54:46)
William Conway (alderperson): Moved to discharge a resolution and proposed a substitute naming Lawson zoning chair and Cruz vice chair. (3:56:42)

Exchanges between members

1:19:25 Nugent noted she was joined by Burnett, whose ward is home to Payton.
1:24:12 Sposato referenced Curtis bragging about his alma mater.
1:45:03 Lee echoed Villegas's remarks on Arab American business contributions.
2:32:47 Ervin said Taylor was correct about the need for deliberation.
2:35:15 Villegas cited Taylor's point about neighborhood restaurants.
2:50:04 Villegas offered Waguespack help on the Lathrop project.
2:50:09 Waguespack thanked Villegas.
2:50:35 Waguespack thanked Dowell for sticking with the Lathrop project.
2:52:33 Lopez made a lighthearted reference to Ervin while discussing the tobacco tax resolution.
3:00:22 Dowell said she was satisfied after the associations Quezada identified were consulted.
3:03:48 Quezada responded to Lopez by explaining that housing associations had met with his office and signed off.
3:22:40 Rodriguez said Dowell took the words out of his mouth on Merritt's qualifications.
3:26:17 Lopez joked about competing with Moore over the neighborhood Taste of Chicago.
3:29:05 Coleman echoed Lopez's call to resurrect the good at DCASE.
3:29:29 Coleman echoed Dowell's point about the breadth of support letters for Merritt.
3:33:35 Sposato agreed with Knudsen about Merritt serving under multiple administrations.
3:59:49 Hadden moved to table Coleman's substitute.
4:00:31 Lopez noted Conway's substitute had not yet been introduced.
4:01:11 Ervin agreed with Lopez that no substitute was before the body to table.
4:02:04 Hadden spoke on behalf of the 15th Ward colleague to note that a motion to table is not debatable.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Trespassing fines - cumulative and criminal (SO2025-0017561): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 9-104 and 9-112 adding specifications for taximeter use and modifying rules on taxicab equipment requirements and inspections, license fees and new service fare rates (SO2025-0019931): Passed 49 yea, 1 nay
Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds for development of Chicago Torture Justice Memorial at 5520 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr (O2026-0024100): Passed 49 yea, 1 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (26.83), (27.97) and (36.37) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Grand Ave (O2026-0024047): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Call on Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration to implement Year 2026 budget package (R2026-0023372): Adopted 50 yea, 0 nay
Liquor Moratorium Lift (O2026-0023801): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (46.10) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Sheridan Rd (SO2026-0024057): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds for development of Territory Community Garden at 557 N Central Ave (O2026-0024101): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
First amendment to lease agreement with 8700 Building LLC for property at 8650 S Commercial Ave (O2026-0024039): Passed 49 yea, 1 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-073 increasing number of maximum Lake Vendor liquor licenses issued during any license period from 29 to 31 (SO2026-0024021): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (2.206) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portions of W North Ave (O2026-0023807): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Issuance of multi-family housing revenue bonds to Lathrop Preservation Phase IC LP for lease and development of facilities at 2600-2618, 2601-2631, 2628-2662, 2664-2704, 2633-2667, 2740 and 2750-2768 N Hoyne Ave and 2731-2759 N Leavitt St (SO2026-0024082): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Issuance of multi-family program funds and other financial assistance to HUB32 LLC for development of HUB32 project at 201 N Kedzie Ave, 3209 W Lake St and 3201 W Lake St (SO2026-0024073): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Title 4 by modifying various sections regarding Wrigley Field special club fees, alcoholic liquor operation, and adjacent area rooftop hours (SO2026-0023370): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amended redevelopment agreement with Institute of Cultural Affairs to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for property at 4750 N Sheridan Rd (O2026-0024063): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 5-12-130 to require sufficient written notice from landlord prior to rental agreement termination or filing of eviction actions (SO2025-0019933): Passed 46 yea, 4 nay
Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture securing Second Lien Water Revenue Bonds, Refunding Series 2026A (O2026-0024095): Passed 49 yea, 1 nay