Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation meeting, March 10, 2025
- When: Mon, Mar 10, 2025, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1062921307
- Transcript: full text (6,318 words, official 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 Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation approved its February 2025 Rule 45 report and considered six appointments to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council, heard together. Each appointee described their arts background, and the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events outlined the council's duties and goals, including directing funding to those who have not received it. Several alderpersons praised the appointees, while Alderpersons Rodriguez and Lopez said Latino residents would make up only about 20 percent of the council and called for more representation; other members requested demographic breakdowns including LGBTQ+, Italian American and Jewish membership. The six appointments were recommended for approval in a single voice vote, to be reported to the March 12, 2025 City Council meeting; three people spoke during public comment.
Topics: Cultural Advisory Council appointments, representation and diversity, arts funding, Rule 45 report, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 14:23 Approval of the February 2025 Rule 45 report: passed
- 15:50 Appointment of Camille Bacon to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council (A2025-0014887): passed
- 15:57 Appointment of Diane Carr to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council (A2025-0014888): passed
- 16:08 Appointment of Leslie Honoré to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council: passed
- 16:15 Appointment of Tony Carmen to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council (A2025-0014892): passed
- 16:15 Appointment of Richard Logan to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council: passed
- 16:27 Appointment of Patric McCoy to the Cultural Affairs and Special Events Advisory Council (A2025-0014895): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Called the appointees a stellar group and said he would support them. (28:33); Said Latinos are about 30 percent of the city but would be about 20 percent of the council, and said he expects the disparity to be addressed in remaining openings. (29:02)
- William Conway (alderperson): Asked whether the position is paid and, told it is volunteer, thanked the appointees. (31:00)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Praised the appointees and the institutions they represent and thanked the commissioner for assembling the group. (31:23)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Asked how many members the council has and whether any self-identify as LGBTQ. (32:41); Asked about the council's current initiatives and plans for 2025. (33:14)
- Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Praised the group and thanked two 4th Ward appointees for supporting African American art and the South Side Community Art Center. (34:34); Asked that references be to the LGBTQ+ community rather than the gay community. (42:51)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said he supports the work as an artist and asked for a breakdown of council members by gender, race, LGBTQ identity and part of town. (36:03); Described an arts district being established on Lincoln Avenue in his ward and asked how council members could consult the advisory council. (36:54)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Said he was aggravated that Latinos, nearly one third of the city, were about one sixth of the nominees and would be 20 percent of the council. (39:28); Said Latino artistic communities on the South, Southwest and Northwest sides are not fully represented and urged intentionality in making advisory councils reflective of the city. (40:05)
Exchanges between members
- 31:23 Alderperson Ronnie L. Mosley said his seatmate had already used his word, stellar, to describe the group.
- 33:02 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson said he was following up on his colleague's question about representation.
- 39:38 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez referred to the point made at the start of the discussion about Latino representation on the council.