Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety meeting, September 6, 2023
- When: Wed, Sep 6, 2023, 2:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928552/video/861745839
- Transcript: full text (3,063 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 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety approved its July Rule 45 report and, by the quorum roll call, recommended approval of its routine traffic ordinances, including several not recommended by the department. The main item was a substitute ordinance introduced by Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein adding a traffic crash review and analysis chapter to the municipal code, requiring CDOT to analyze every fatal crash, publish monthly preliminary information and issue annual reports on trends and crash hotspots. The Active Transportation Alliance testified in support, and members described fatal crashes in their wards and the need for citywide data. The committee recommended passage of the substitute ordinance; there was no public comment.
Topics: traffic safety, fatal crash analysis, Vision Zero data, pedestrian and cyclist safety, routine traffic ordinances
Agenda items discussed
- 9:57 Rule 45 report from July 2023: passed
- 10:24 Routine traffic ordinances: direct introductions, recommended, and not recommended items passed over department recommendations (pages 2-10): passed
- 12:25 Substitute ordinance adding chapter 9-116, Traffic Crash Review and Analysis, to the municipal code: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Daniel La Spata (chair): Supported the ordinance, noting it includes Illinois Department of Transportation participation and data, and cited repeated cyclist deaths at Logan and Western in his ward as an example of action coming too late. (26:42)
- Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Said the ordinance responds to road deaths, including a nine-year-old killed in the 50th Ward, by requiring CDOT to analyze every fatal crash and publish monthly and annual reports to identify hotspots. (14:12); Cited rising traffic deaths and cyclist crashes as evidence the ordinance is needed. (15:41)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Commended the ordinance, saying standardizing the crash review process is a modest but meaningful response to fatal crashes in his ward. (20:50)
- Angela Clay (alderperson): Said citywide crash data would replace guesswork in using ward funds for pedestrian and bike safety and help address trends across wards. (21:48)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Cited a recent fatal hit-and-run on Broadway and said data-driven action is needed to fix unsafe infrastructure. (23:14)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Supported the ordinance, saying the 30th Ward receives frequent calls about pedestrian safety, especially near schools. (24:38)
Exchanges between members
- 13:46 Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein thanked the chair and colleagues for supporting the ordinance.
- 20:56 Alderperson Matthew J. Martin commended Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein for the ordinance.
- 23:00 Alderperson Angela Clay thanked Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein for the ordinance.
- 23:14 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein for introducing the ordinance.