Committee on Workforce Development: Subcommittee on Youth Employment meeting, June 24, 2026
- When: Wed, Jun 24, 2026, 11:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Workforce Development: Subcommittee on Youth Employment
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928568?video=1202267652
- Transcript: full text (28,090 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 Subcommittee on Youth Employment, chaired by Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes, held a subject matter hearing on teen trends and large youth gatherings, with no vote taken. Nine public speakers addressed youth jobs, safe spaces and violence, and invited youth leaders from community organizations described a lack of free, safe spaces in their neighborhoods, their experiences with police at gatherings, and a desire for jobs and programs. Deputy Mayors Emmanuel Andre and Kahari Humphreys presented the city's approach, including trend monitoring, curfew enforcement, youth-led safe space events and youth employment, and a UIC-affiliated researcher said arrests at recent gatherings were mostly for disorderly conduct and that enforcement alone has not reduced gatherings. Members asked about what works, data on gatherings and arrests, jobs for parents, and agency partnerships; Alderperson Pat Dowell raised concerns about guns recovered at a gathering and called for a balanced approach, while Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez rejected labeling youth as good or bad. The chair described the hearing as the first in a series.
Topics: teen trends, youth gatherings, youth employment, safe spaces, policing of youth, curfew, media narratives, community investment
Agenda items discussed
- 32:32 Motion to allow remote attendance under Rule 59: passed
- 33:26 Public comment
- 57:46 Subject matter hearing on teen trends: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Jessica L. Fuentes (chair): Said she called the hearing to center young people's testimony, and that incarceration has led to the school-to-prison pipeline and mass incarceration of Black and brown children. (57:46); Asked colleagues to be respectful of the young panelists' experience and expertise during questioning. (1:45:54); Described her own experience being expelled and attending an alternative school, and urged colleagues to use legislation to give communities resources rather than to punish. (2:57:25)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Said young people deserve investment and credited community organizing in Little Village for reductions in violence. (1:46:46); Asked the youth panelists what works to keep streets safe and young people engaged. (1:49:40)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Told young people they have been neglected by adults and are entitled to use all parts of the city. (1:54:11); Said many young people picked up by police are not from Chicago or not in school, and asked where CPS is in the conversation. (1:54:54); Asked young people to hold peers accountable and called for year-round youth employment. (1:56:11)
- William E. Hall (alderperson): Asked the deputy mayor what the reported 54 large gatherings in Area Four involved and how CPD defines a large gathering. (1:59:28); Commended the deputy mayor's office for responsiveness to youth ideas in his ward. (2:01:56); Asked the youth panelists the difference between a teen takeover and a teen trend. (2:02:20)
- Julia M. Ramirez (alderperson): Said she opposes fining parents, describing her brother's death by gun violence and negative public comments afterward. (2:09:55); Asked young people which social media platforms and influencers they follow and what spaces they want the city to invest in. (2:11:46); Suggested city investments and small business grants include criteria for creating youth spaces. (2:18:47)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Thanked the chair and panelists and agreed more investment is needed in communities, schools and parks. (2:19:48); Said the conversation must also address problems such as guns recovered at the 57th Street gathering and asked for data on guns and arrests. (2:21:17); Described a shooting at an unauthorized gathering in her ward and called for working with parents and businesses in a balanced approach. (2:23:11)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Thanked the administration for expanding youth employment and asked panelists what City Council can do to create more safe spaces. (2:29:20); Asked how to work with the Park District and CPS to activate spaces, citing concerns about beach access on the South Side. (2:33:39); Expressed concern that budget cuts could limit late-night activations and asked for ongoing conversations with CPS and the Park District. (2:39:45)
- Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Apologized on behalf of colleagues who did not attend and described her past work with youth at a theater company and an alternative high school. (2:40:41); Said she rejects the notion of good kids and bad kids and that the council should support young people rather than judge them. (2:42:34); Asked young people what they would include in a community youth center they designed. (2:45:31)
Exchanges between members
- 1:46:33 Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez congratulated and thanked Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes for organizing the hearing.
- 1:50:05 The chair thanked Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez.
- 1:53:58 Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor thanked the chair when recognized.
- 1:59:02 The chair thanked Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor.
- 1:59:10 Alderperson William E. Hall thanked the chair.
- 2:08:36 Alderperson William E. Hall referred to Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor point that accountability is key and added that policymakers should also be held accountable.
- 2:09:25 The chair thanked Alderperson William E. Hall.
- 2:19:34 Alderperson Julia M. Ramirez thanked Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes.
- 2:19:37 The chair thanked Alderperson Julia M. Ramirez.
- 2:19:41 Alderperson Pat Dowell thanked Alderperson Julia M. Ramirez and called her questions great.
- 2:19:48 Alderperson Pat Dowell thanked the chair for holding the conversation.
- 2:24:18 The chair thanked Alderperson Pat Dowell.
- 2:24:25 Alderperson William E. Hall thanked the chair again before a follow-up question.
- 2:40:14 Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López asked to have ongoing conversations with the subcommittee chair about CPS and Park District activations.
- 2:40:35 The chair thanked Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López.
- 2:42:34 Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez said that, with respect to Alderperson Pat Dowell, she rejects the notion of good kids and bad kids.
- 2:53:35 Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez said she understands Alderperson Pat Dowell concern while urging root-cause, evidence-based responses.
- 2:54:46 Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez thanked the chair.
- 2:54:50 The chair thanked Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez.