Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, December 9, 2025
- When: Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928495?video=1144934697
- Transcript: full text (3,310 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, chaired by Alderperson Gilbert Villegas, approved remote participation for Alderpersons Chico, Mitts, and Napolitano and heard one public commenter, George Blakemore, who criticized special service areas and city government. The committee recommended approval of the November 2025 monthly report. It adopted substitute budget-only ordinances for SSA #3 (63rd Street) and SSA #59-2022 (59th Street) presented by DPD to preserve 2026 levies while DPD works with affected alderpersons on concerns about the service provider, Greater Southwest Development Corporation, including selecting an interim provider and conducting an RFP. Both substitute ordinances were recommended for passage, the second with a scrivener's error correction, and the meeting adjourned.
Topics: Special Service Areas, SSA #3 63rd Street, SSA #59 59th Street, Service provider accountability, Property tax levies, Public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 43:44 Public comment: discussed
- 47:26 Approval of November 2025 monthly report: passed
- 47:52 Ordinance regarding Special Service Area #3, 63rd Street (substitute budget-only ordinance): passed
- 59:31 Ordinance regarding Special Service Area #59-2022, 59th Street (substitute budget-only ordinance): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gilbert Villegas (chair): Urged DPD not to wait until the last minute, noting issues raised over the past year, and said all alderpersons in any SSA should be treated consistently. (58:35)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Apologized for the 40-minute delay and thanked DPD and the chair for adding the amendment to accommodate affected colleagues. (51:19); Said the ordinance avoids disruption of services while noting Greater Southwest Development Corporation's long history but changed responsiveness. (51:53); Said SSAs are an additional property tax and require accountability to alderpersons, commissioners, and the business community. (52:52)
- Silvana Tabares (alderperson): Thanked DPD and the 15th Ward colleague for the amendment and described a strong working relationship with Greater Southwest Development Corporation. (54:01); Asked whether projects approved by SSA #3 commissioners in 2025 will proceed in 2026 under the amendment. (55:02); Said she looks forward to working with DPD and colleagues on choosing a provider, whether Greater Southwest or another. (56:37)
- Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Described a positive working experience with Greater Southwest Development Corporation on events and business support, acknowledging room for improvement. (57:12); Asked that the 17th Ward alderperson be included among the six affected alderpersons and expressed support for moving the levy forward. (57:57)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson)
Exchanges between members
- 54:04 Tabares thanked her 15th Ward colleague for adding the amendment.
- 1:01:57 Napolitano joked that Lopez beat him to pointing out the scrivener's error.