Committee on Finance meeting, July 13, 2026
- When: Mon, Jul 13, 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 Finance
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1208548404
- Transcript: full text (50,307 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 Finance held TEFRA public hearings for the Levy House multifamily housing revenue note and for the Chicago O'Hare International Airport senior lien revenue bonds. The meeting also considered routine items such as the Rule 45 report, small-claims payment orders, charitable solicitation permits, and a settlement case, before moving to a major TIF allocation for the 78 redevelopment project, which generated extensive public comment and debate over infrastructure, job creation, and transparency. Several motions to allow remote participation were approved, and the committee voted to adopt the Rule 45 report and several small-claims orders.
Topics: Levy House TEFRA hearing, O'Hare Airport bond TEFRA hearing, Rule 45 report, Small-claims payment orders, Charitable solicitation permits, Settlement case approval, The 78 TIF allocation, Public comment on the 78 project, Infrastructure and job creation, Transparency and TIF porting
Agenda items discussed
- 18:12 TEFRA hearing – Levy House redevelopment multifamily housing revenue note (up to $15 million): discussed
- 32:31 TEFRA hearing – Chicago O'Hare International Airport senior lien revenue and revenue refunding bonds (up to $4.56 billion): discussed
- 1:11:48 Adopt June 2026 Rule 45 report for the Committee on Finance: passed
- 1:12:38 Authorize payment of various small claims against the City of Chicago (Item 1): passed
- 1:13:01 Deny payment of various small claims against the City of Chicago (Item 2): passed
- 1:13:16 Authorize charitable solicitation permits for Knights of Columbus and Project Orbis International (Item 3): passed
- 1:13:54 Settlement of Albert Ochoa v. Jose Lopez et al. – $9 million settlement (Item 5A): do pass (recommendation to be reported to City Council)
- 1:23:03 Chicago Public Library grant agreement – $500,000 private donor-restricted bequest (Item 6): pending
- 1:31:35 Items 15 & 16 – TIF allocation for The 78 redevelopment (approx. $424 million): discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Raymond A. Lopez (chair): Oversaw the motion to adopt the Rule 45 report. (1:11:48); Asked for a list of state grants related to libraries. (1:30:19)
- William Conway (vice chair): Asked a question about the redevelopment agreements over the weekend. (2:00:11); Provided clarification on whether the agreements obligate Related Midwest to spend money. (2:00:11)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Moved to allow remote participation for several alderpersons under Rule 59. (19:49); Moved to allow remote participation for Alderman Gilbert Villegas and others. (45:26); Moved to accept substitute ordinance for items 15 and 16 (The 78 TIF). (1:31:50)
- William E. Hall (alderperson): Requested remote participation for Alderman Walter R. Burnett. (1:21:04)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Noted the ayes and confirmed the motion for remote participation. (20:06); Asked a question of Ms. Felker after the settlement case. (1:21:32)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Moved to recommend passage of the $9 million settlement (Item 5A). (1:22:44); Moved to pass the settlement recommendation after discussion. (1:30:55)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Moved to allow Alderman Felix Cardona Jr. to participate remotely. (1:59:22)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Moved to adopt the Rule 45 report. (1:12:05); Requested remote participation for Alderman Debra L. Silverstein. (3:18:04)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Supported the motion to allow remote participation for several alderpersons. (19:49); Supported the motion for remote participation for Alderman Gilbert Villegas and others. (45:26)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked CDOT about specific Roosevelt Road improvements and bike-lane plans. (3:19:11); Follow-up clarification request after Anne Zang’s response. (3:19:31)
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Moved to allow remote participation for Alderman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez. (20:42)
- Anthony Beale (alderperson): Requested remote participation for himself later in the meeting. (1:28:55)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Asked for a list of state grants related to library funding. (1:30:19)
- Julia M. Ramirez (alderperson)
- Marty Quinn (alderperson)
- David H. Moore (alderperson)
- Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson)
- Monique L. Scott (alderperson)
- Emma Mitts (alderperson)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Confirmed remote participation request under Rule 59. (20:25)
Exchanges between members
- 19:49 Alderman Byron Sigcho-López moved to allow remote participation for several alderpersons, including Alderman Derrick G. Curtis.
- 20:06 Alderman Nicholas Sposato noted the ayes and confirmed the chair’s decision on the remote-participation motion.
- 1:21:04 Alderman William E. Hall moved to allow Alderman Walter R. Burnett to participate remotely.
- 1:59:22 Alderman Byron Sigcho-López moved to allow Alderman Felix Cardona Jr. to participate remotely.
- 3:18:04 Alderman Andre Vasquez Jr. moved to allow Alderman Debra L. Silverstein to participate remotely.