City Council meeting, September 27, 2023

When: Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 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/868378239
Transcript: full text (17,088 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 City Council held a special meeting called for the sole purpose of acting on the Committee on Police and Fire's report recommending confirmation of Larry Snelling as Superintendent of Police. After public comment from six speakers, Chairman Chris Taliaferro presented the committee's recommendation and numerous alderpersons spoke in support, citing Snelling's experience in Englewood and at the police academy, officer morale, the civilian commission's selection process, and accountability. At Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez request the vote was taken by verbal roll call, and the appointment was confirmed with 48 yeas and 0 nays as read aloud. Snelling was then sworn in and addressed the Council, followed by adjournment.

Topics: Police superintendent confirmation, Public safety, Police accountability, Officer morale and wellness, Civilian oversight (CCPSA), Asylum seeker rent support, Armed robberies, Public comment

Agenda items discussed

1:38:46 Motion to allow Alderperson Jeylú B. Gutiérrez to participate remotely under Rule 59: passed
1:42:19 Public comment: discussed
2:00:58 Committee on Police and Fire report: confirmation of Larry Snelling as Superintendent of Police: passed
3:10:00 Motion to reconsider the confirmation vote: failed
3:16:28 Oath of office and address by Superintendent Snelling: discussed

Alderpersons who spoke

Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Reported that the Committee on Police and Fire met September 22, 2023 and recommended confirming Larry Snelling as Superintendent of Police. (2:01:14); Said the committee hearing showed Snelling's commitment to residents and to sworn and civilian department members, and moved confirmation by roll call vote. (3:04:44)
Emma Mitts (alderperson): Supported the appointment, saying a superintendent from within Chicago can start immediately and address community concerns. (2:01:46)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Thanked interim superintendent Fred Waller and said officers who interacted with Snelling at the training academy speak highly of him, adding that safety is everyone's business. (2:02:57)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Supported Snelling, citing his work in Englewood combining community engagement with holding offenders accountable, and the value of Waller's mentorship. (2:05:07); Said the superintendent needs strong commanders around him and asked that Brian McDermott be kept in his role. (2:06:56)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Moved to allow Alderperson Jeylú B. Gutiérrez to participate remotely. (1:38:50); Supported the nomination, describing Snelling's reputation in Englewood and with academy recruits, and criticized the previous superintendent's tenure. (2:08:31); Said the city needs a superintendent who believes in his officers and argued against efforts toward abolishing the department, calling for both police and community accountability. (2:11:32)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Supported the nomination and credited the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, saying civilian oversight helps rather than hinders public safety. (2:13:19); Asked for collaboration and accountability and cited a series of robberies in and around his ward as a challenge for the department. (2:14:23)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Supported the nomination and said residents do not feel safe in their communities. (2:16:00); Raised a recent armed robbery spree of 15 robberies in four hours and called for new thinking, technology and training. (2:16:59)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Described Waller's and Snelling's work in the 7th District and Englewood, including uniting violence prevention groups during the pandemic. (2:18:23)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Said he had suggested bringing Fred Waller back years earlier and praised the choice of Snelling, inviting him to address northwest side challenges. (2:26:03)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said Snelling acknowledged when officers were wrong and stressed that what communities want is accountability, not the absence of policing. (2:28:08); Linked crime to disinvestment, closed mental health clinics and lack of youth support. (2:31:06); Raised concern about a young Black man's dismissal from the academy described in public comment and about the department's racial makeup. (2:33:18)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Supported Snelling and recalled committee discussion of community policing, equitable staffing, the co-response model and technology. (2:33:58); Endorsed a public commenter's point about engaging philanthropic, business and civic communities on safety. (2:34:54)
Peter Chico (alderperson): Said Snelling trained him at the academy and that restoring rank-and-file officers' trust and morale depends on respect for the superintendent. (2:35:36)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Supported the appointment and thanked the commission and Waller, citing low morale and officer wellness concerns in the department. (2:37:27); Recalled seeing Snelling mentor young officers after a vigil for a slain officer and called him a leader with integrity and heart. (2:41:12); Called for investment in technology such as license plate readers, cameras and helicopters, and for all 50 members to work together on public safety. (2:43:55)
Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Said Snelling was an excellent pick who would improve department morale, and recognized the civilian partners' role. (2:44:49)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Praised the commission and noted an upcoming public meeting on violence against rideshare drivers and street vendors. (2:45:42); Described outreach workers and police working together after a shooting near a school and on neighborhood concerns, as examples of collaboration. (2:47:20); Said the city can support officers, including their mental health, while also holding public servants accountable. (2:49:59)
Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Supported the appointment as the son of a retired officer and co-founder of GAPA, saying the process in the 2021 ordinance produced the best choice. (2:51:06)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Thanked those behind the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance and cited Snelling's committee commitment to keep everyone safe regardless of background or status. (2:52:10); Said everyone deserves housing and health care, including mental health support, and thanked Snelling for committing to transgender-related training. (2:55:44)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Congratulated Snelling and called for recruiting more officers who reflect the communities they serve. (2:58:06)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): As vice chair of Police and Fire, thanked Waller and described working with Snelling on issues along 35th Street as a state representative. (3:00:08)

Exchanges between members

2:05:31 Moore highlighted Ervin's recognition of acting superintendent Waller.
2:33:06 Taylor said Lopez was right in his comment about the previous superintendent.
2:52:14 Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Yancy and the Grassroots Alliance for their work on the public safety ordinance.
2:53:48 Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Vasquez for attending a community public safety meeting in Andersonville and Edgewater.
3:05:53 Sposato seconded Lopez's request for a verbal roll call vote.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Superintendent of Chicago Police Department (A2023-0003864): Approved 48 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent