# Committee on Public Safety meeting, July 25, 2024

- When: Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 12:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Public Safety](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/public-safety)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928579/video/989061293
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/989061293.txt) (22,145 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 Public Safety, chaired by Alderperson Brian Hopkins, held a hearing on city preparations for the August 2024 Democratic National Convention. The Inspector General summarized a follow-up report finding progress since the 2020 unrest response but noting that CPD's revised mass-gathering policies remained in draft, and CPD's general counsel later said the language is final but not yet in effect. CPD and OEMC presented the security perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place, and members asked about resident and business access, protest locations, staffing for neighborhoods, communication with residents, and ambulance coverage. BACP, the Mayor's Office of Community Engagement, CDOT and the CTA described outreach, construction moratoriums, bus reroutes and 175 dedicated delegate buses paid for by the DNC, and the deputy mayor for immigrant, migrant and refugee rights and OEMC described a contingency plan for a possible surge of new arrivals. The committee approved a Rule 45 report and the June 2024 joint committee report with the Committee on Health and Human Relations.

Topics: Democratic National Convention, security perimeters, mass gathering policies, protest rights, neighborhood policing, public communication, transit service, new arrivals contingency plan, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [19:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=1158) Public comment
- [42:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=2540) Inspector General follow-up on CPD readiness for mass gatherings: discussed
- [49:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=2944) CPD and OEMC presentation on DNC security preparations: discussed
- [1:47:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=6441) BACP presentation on DNC business outreach: discussed
- [2:03:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=7407) Mayor's Office of Community Engagement presentation on DNC outreach: discussed
- [2:11:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=7864) CDOT and CTA presentations on DNC transportation: discussed
- [2:25:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=8757) Rule 45 report: passed
- [2:26:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=8771) June 2024 joint committee report with the Committee on Health and Human Relations: passed
- [2:26:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=8796) Contingency plan for a possible surge of new arrivals during the DNC: discussed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (chair): Asked whether hanging banners and signs on the security fencing would be considered vandalism. ([1:16:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4612)); Asked CPD's general counsel for the legal basis for providing protest space within sight and sound of the United Center, saying the First Amendment does not compel an audience. ([1:26:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5179)); Asked the superintendent whether the mass-gathering guidelines being in draft status affects operations, and whether training on the draft was an issue. ([1:32:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5553))
- [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (alderperson): Asked why the United Center perimeter has an extension along Damen rather than a squared-off shape. ([55:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=3338)); Asked the Fire Department whether extra ambulances would be added in the convention areas. ([1:43:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=6202))
- [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (alderperson): Asked about vehicle checkpoints for residents near the United Center, parking for the Henry Horner Annex, and pedestrian access, and said the perimeter appears to affect few residents. ([57:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=3434)); Asked whether protest areas would be kept away from residential homes near the United Center. ([1:17:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4656)); Said many residents near the United Center, including elderly residents without computers, do not use QR codes and asked for another public or virtual meeting to address concerns. ([1:36:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5761))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Raised concern about shootings affecting peacekeepers in his ward and asked about support for intervention teams and federal gun policy. ([1:02:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=3763))
- [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (alderperson): Asked about resident access points, security at the 18th Street pedestrian bridge, delegate routes, and how business staff would enter the McCormick Place area. ([1:07:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4073)); Asked about the protocol for residents' visitors and whether protesters could walk through the yellow vehicle-screening area. ([1:27:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5265)); Asked whether a special hotline would be provided for residents in the perimeter areas and requested a list of Soldier Field events. ([1:30:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5451))
- [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (alderperson): Asked whether a designated protest location had been finalized. ([1:13:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4390)); Asked whether Jewish organizations near the area should remove Israeli flags or stay away from their offices, and whether police were prepared for protests in neighborhoods. ([1:13:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4423))
- [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (alderperson): Asked OEMC about its app and whether permits near the venues were placed under a moratorium. ([1:18:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4724)); Asked what happens if the city does not receive the FEMA funds it requested for a surge. ([2:41:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=9669))
- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Asked for a citywide list of DNC-related events and urged advance communication about possible protests in neighborhoods. ([1:21:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4898))
- [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (alderperson): Asked whether CPD has enough staffing to cover both the DNC and neighborhoods at the same time. ([1:24:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5057)); Suggested using mass text messages to residents in the perimeter areas to reach those who do not opt into alerts. ([1:41:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=6063))

### Exchanges between members

- [55:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=3334) Alderperson Nicholas Sposato thanked the chair before asking about the perimeter.
- [56:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=3402) The chair asked Alderperson Walter R. Burnett, whose ward includes the United Center, for questions or comments.
- [1:02:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=3745) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López thanked the chair for convening the hearing.
- [1:07:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4053) Alderperson Pat Dowell thanked the chair before her questions.
- [1:13:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4384) Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein thanked the chair before her questions.
- [1:16:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4612) The chair followed up on Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein line of questioning about protests.
- [1:17:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4656) Vice Mayor Walter R. Burnett said he appreciated Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein question about protesters.
- [1:18:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4724) Alderperson Derrick G. Curtis thanked the chair before his questions.
- [1:22:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=4967) Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson referred to Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein question about protests in neighborhoods.
- [1:24:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5057) Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr. thanked the chair before asking about staffing.
- [1:27:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=5262) The chair recognized Alderperson Pat Dowell after she said she had raised her hand.
- [2:22:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=8532) Alderperson Pat Dowell thanked the chair before questioning the CTA.
- [2:41:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=9717) The chair thanked Alderperson Derrick G. Curtis for his question.
- [2:43:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D?t=9801) Alderperson Pat Dowell thanked the chair, who thanked her in return.

## Documents

- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/8c7f700a-78f9-430c-94c2-e93559b25613.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/bfe31884-6768-4117-aa6f-0d50a4f035f1.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/f91c5bf9-7841-4e6f-8b16-eee13a32a8df.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/d7e16847-cbb5-41d8-9721-6217d61ab818.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/931b0238-76f0-4d05-a466-687d6d35fb1c.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5457020A-A843-EF11-8409-001DD809B40D · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt