Committee on Finance meeting, February 27, 2026
- When: Fri, Feb 27, 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/1166129365
- Transcript: full text (12,256 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 first held a required public hearing on forming the Chicago Tourism Improvement District and levying transaction charges on certain hotels; eleven speakers testified, nearly all in support, and the clerk reported no written objections. In the regular meeting that followed, the committee considered the ordinance introduced by Alderperson Jason C. Ervin establishing the district, under which hotels with more than 100 rooms in the district would add a 1.5 percent fee to overnight stays to fund Choose Chicago's sales and marketing. Choose Chicago and the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association answered questions about return-on-investment reporting, the five-year term, the lack of a resident exemption, and the hotelier advisory committee. The ordinance was recommended for passage on a voice vote, with Alderperson David H. Moore recorded as voting no pending requested information.
Topics: Tourism Improvement District, hotel transaction charges, Choose Chicago, conventions, tourism economy, public hearing
Agenda items discussed
- 17:20 Public hearing on formation of the Chicago Tourism Improvement District and levy of transaction charges on certain hotels: discussed
- 56:10 Public comment
- 59:40 Ordinance establishing the Chicago Tourism Improvement District and levying transaction charges on certain hotels: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Pat Dowell (chair): Said she supports the ordinance but found the district plan light on specifics and asked for a briefing on how funds would support neighborhood heritage tourism, cultural districts and parades. (1:25:12)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): As sponsor, said the district is needed for Chicago to stay competitive for conventions and that tourism benefits every ward, and urged an aye vote. (1:06:02)
- Anthony Beale (alderperson): Asked who would measure the impact of the additional $40 million and whether results could justify raising the fee later. (1:07:09); Said anything that attracts more tourism is needed given lost conventions and that he looks forward to seeing the numbers. (1:10:02)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked for examples of how current tourism spending benefits South and West Side neighborhoods and requested 2015-2025 data before the council vote. (1:11:11); Asked whether the effort focuses on conventions rather than tourism, noting tourism numbers have been reported as growing. (1:13:40); Raised concern about hotel fees on residents taking staycations and asked whether Chicago residents could be exempted. (1:15:26)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked Choose Chicago to describe the city's recent visitation results. (1:18:13); Said the fee is transparent and dedicated with reporting built in, that neighborhood restaurants rely on tourism, and that he supports the measure. (1:20:17)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Commended the industry for pairing the fee with investment and return-on-investment reporting and said he would support it. (1:21:43)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Called it an easy yes vote, noting it is rare for an industry to ask to be taxed and that the spending should return several times its cost. (1:23:18); Said residents of every ward, including Alderperson David H. Moore, work in hotels and restaurants that benefit from tourism. (1:24:51)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Asked how the stakeholder advisory committee will be composed, selected, and meet, and how it will oversee spending with Choose Chicago. (1:26:43)
Exchanges between members
- 1:23:18 Hopkins said he agreed wholeheartedly with Vasquez.
- 1:24:51 Hopkins responded to Moore's concerns by noting Moore's constituents work in the tourism industry.
- 1:31:22 The chair acknowledged Moore's objection and recorded him as a no vote.