City Council meeting, December 16, 2025
- When: Tue, Dec 16, 2025, 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/manage/videos/1146638281
- Transcript: full text (6,538 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 December 16, 2025 City Council meeting had no committee reports. After Alderperson Jason C. Ervin asked whether any business warranted a full meeting, Alderpersons Beale and Lopez noted that the rules require public comment once a quorum is present, and Beale said he had business to bring. Eight public commenters spoke, mainly on the 2026 budget, the proposed corporate head tax and community safety surcharge, a proposed hemp ban, and funding for safe hiring sites for day laborers. The council passed the agreed calendar and received aldermanic introductions, including an alternative 2026 appropriations proposal and budget amendments referred to committee. Alderperson Anthony Beale substitute resolution amending the upcoming council meeting schedule, including a possible Saturday, December 20 meeting, passed 30 to 19 after Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein said she would not object despite being unable to attend.
Topics: 2026 budget, council meeting schedule, corporate head tax, hemp regulation, day laborer safe hiring sites, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 38:54 Discussion of whether to proceed with a meeting without committee reports: discussed
- 41:48 Public comment period: discussed
- 1:12:01 Communications, including Inspector General candidate pool and OIG report on CPD discipline
- 1:13:17 Agreed calendar resolutions: passed
- 1:13:45 New business: aldermanic introductions, including alternative 2026 appropriation ordinance and budget amendments
- 1:16:48 Substitute resolution amending the schedule of upcoming City Council meetings: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Noted there were no committee reports and asked whether any other business needed to be done, suggesting adjournment if not. (38:56); Asked to confirm that Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein had no objection to a meeting on Saturday the 20th. (1:19:37)
- Anthony Beale (alderperson): Said he had business to bring after public comment. (41:02); Said sponsors had spoken with Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein about her religious observance and hoped a Saturday meeting would not be needed, describing it as for emergency purposes only. (1:20:45)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Agreed with Alderperson Anthony Beale that, unless the rules are suspended, the meeting must proceed with public comment in the order prescribed by the rules. (40:10)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Asked whether resolutions on the agreed calendar would move forward as part of business. (41:13)
- Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Reminded Finance Committee members of a committee meeting immediately following the council meeting. (1:25:27)
Exchanges between members
- 39:25 Beale responded to Ervin's suggestion to adjourn by noting the rules require public comment first.
- 40:11 Lopez said he concurred with his colleague from the 9th Ward on the procedural requirement.
- 1:19:37 Ervin asked Silverstein whether she objected to meeting on Saturday the 20th.
- 1:20:12 Silverstein answered that she would not object despite being unable to attend.
- 1:20:45 Beale said sponsors had consulted Silverstein and were sensitive to her religious observance.