City Council meeting, June 17, 2026

When: Wed, Jun 17, 2026, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Body: full City Council
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/citycouncil?video=1201890835
Transcript: full text (39,283 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 June 17, 2026 City Council meeting opened with public comment focused largely on opposition to Alderman Raymond A. Lopez parental accountability (curfew fine) ordinance and the Quantum facility on the Southeast Side, followed by acknowledgments and resolutions celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth, both of which passed. Committee reports produced passage of several Finance items including a social media amusement tax ordinance and a $650,000 police pursuit settlement (36-12 on a roll call), the appointment of Kenneth Gunn as chair of the Commission on Human Relations, the city's purchase of the Greyhound intercity bus station at 630 West Harrison (38-10), a DACA support resolution, and an order calling for an ADA transition plan. Many alderpersons thanked Streets and Sanitation, Forestry and ComEd for their response to recent storms. Under unfinished business, a motion to disapprove the committee's do-not-pass recommendation on the parental accountability ordinance failed 16-32, and an ordinance banning sweepstakes machines failed 15-33.

Topics: sweepstakes machines, Greyhound bus station purchase, police pursuit settlement, parental accountability ordinance, Pride Month, Juneteenth, Commission on Human Relations appointment, storm response, Quantum facility, ADA transition plan

Agenda items discussed

31:21 Public comment period: discussed
1:01:22 Acknowledgments (John Surrell Mitchell, Columbia College, New Friendship Baptist Church, Englewood Lions, Zeta Phi Beta, Banner Wholesale Grocer, Puerto Rican pride, DACA anniversary): discussed
1:27:36 Resolution celebrating Pride Month: passed
1:59:31 Resolution celebrating Juneteenth: passed
2:34:03 Communications from the Mayor and City Clerk referred to committees
2:40:43 Successor servicer for Lake Shore East special assessment improvement bonds: passed
2:43:32 Multifamily program funds for Abrams Intergenerational Village Project: passed
2:44:28 TIF intergovernmental agreements for Madigan Park, Clark, Skinner North and Smith elementary schools: passed
2:45:52 Substitute ordinance amending Chapter 4-156 regarding the social media amusement tax: passed
2:46:16 Settlements in Jones v. City of Chicago ($250,000) and Nina Hunt v. City of Chicago ($425,000): passed
2:47:09 Settlement in Navarro Escobedo v. Juarez, Houston, Kosirka and City of Chicago ($650,000): passed
3:02:16 Committee on Budget and Government Operations report (Fund 925 amendment, Axiom Flame NOF agreement, ward transfers): passed
3:03:49 SSA appointments and Class 7B tax incentive for 2640-2646 West Madison: passed
3:08:17 Appointment of Kenneth Gunn as chair of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations: passed
3:26:24 Low affordability community designations in the 46th and 35th wards (O2026-0025475): passed
3:27:24 Purchase and sale agreement with GH Chicago LLC for the intercity bus station at 630 West Harrison Street (O2026-0025512): passed
3:39:53 North Park Village lease amendments, Logan Square Preservation lease, and city-owned land sales (O2026-0025502): passed
3:43:04 Resolution supporting preservation and expansion of DACA protections (R2026-0025433): passed
3:43:46 Reducing maximum lake vendor liquor licenses from 31 to 30 (O2026-0025029): passed
3:44:22 Renewal of restricted residential zones in the 23rd Ward and liquor moratoriums (O2026-0025367): passed
3:46:13 Order calling for an Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan (OR2026-0023422): passed
3:50:28 Routine traffic items and May Rule 45 report: passed
3:51:05 Committee on Public Safety items (vehicle donation, Bally's community benefit funds, airbag disposal, bomb squad donation): passed
3:53:01 Committee on Transportation and Public Way items (O2026-0024966): passed
3:54:22 Map amendment for 215 North Racine (O2025-0016791): passed
3:54:59 Building code amendments, Wrigley Field roof signs, large signs and map amendments (O2026-0024930): passed
3:56:23 Remarks on storm response and agreed calendar (118 resolutions): passed
4:19:11 New business: aldermanic introductions referred to committees
4:32:16 Motion to disapprove committee do-not-pass recommendation on the parental accountability ordinance (O2023-005298): failed
4:37:38 Ordinance defining and prohibiting sweepstakes machines (SO2026-0024076): failed
4:58:43 Correction to February 18, 2026 journal to include 19 South LaSalle landmark fee waiver: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Memorialized John Surrell Mitchell, former chief of staff to Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. (1:02:06); Recognized Columbia College Chicago and its new president, Shontay N. Bolton. (1:05:04); Spoke as LGBTQ Caucus chair on the Pride resolution and honored State Representative Kelly Cassidy. (1:27:51)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Expressed support for the Columbia College recognition. (1:07:54); Encouraged colleagues voting no on settlements to attend briefings on whether police general orders were followed. (2:59:07); Supported Kenneth Gunn's appointment, citing his work on discrimination and fair housing. (3:13:27)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Honored the 80th anniversary of New Friendship Baptist Church in the 16th Ward. (1:08:40); Opened remarks on Juneteenth as Black Caucus chair and noted over $1 million in caucus scholarships. (2:00:28); Congratulated Kenneth Gunn on his appointment. (3:10:25)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Recognized the Englewood Lions youth football and cheer program and its state championships. (1:10:13); Supported the ADA transition plan order in honor of constituent Babette Payton. (3:49:30); Thanked Streets and Sanitation and Forestry and his constituents for patience during storm-related outages. (4:04:06)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Recognized the 60th anniversary of the Zeta Tau Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. (1:14:04); Honored former State Senator Howard B. Brookins Sr. and his work to create judicial subcircuits. (2:14:36); Thanked Streets and Sanitation, ComEd and Deputy Mayor Lori Lipson for storm response at senior buildings. (4:14:51)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Recognized the 100th anniversary of Banner Wholesale Grocer, a family-owned business in the 25th Ward. (1:16:56)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Honored Puerto Rican community leaders and credited 14th District police leadership for a safe Puerto Rican People's Day Parade. (1:19:22); Supported the Pride resolution, citing national attacks on trans people, and honored Maya Lozano. (1:37:17); Thanked Streets and Sanitation, ward superintendents and ComEd for storm response. (4:13:18)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Recognized the 14th anniversary of DACA and criticized federal delays in work permits for recipients. (1:23:33); Supported the Pride resolution and invited colleagues to the groundbreaking of Elise Mallory Plaza. (1:50:33); Thanked Streets and Sanitation, Forestry and ComEd, noting routine tree trimming reduced storm damage. (4:17:16)
Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Spoke on the history of Pride and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and honored 35th Ward organizer Connie Hernandez. (1:29:50)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Supported the Pride resolution and said civil rights victories must be defended. (1:33:15); Described efforts to make Juneteenth a city holiday and called for reparations. (2:05:18); Supported Kenneth Gunn's appointment and urged colleagues to consider more funding for the Commission on Human Relations. (3:16:25)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Honored Chicago Therapy Collective and a drag performer, noting attacks on library drag story time. (1:40:24)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Described restoring Halsted Street's rainbow crosswalks and honored Pride organizers and Pat Cummings. (1:44:30)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Honored educator Dr. Noble L. Pierce for Juneteenth. (2:02:06); Supported Kenneth Gunn's appointment, citing 35 years of working with him. (3:09:22); Thanked Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard and staff for storm cleanup on the South Side. (3:56:27)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Recognized the owners of Amazed Cakes as a Black-owned small business in the 20th Ward. (2:10:49)
Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Recognized Lost Boys and Girls founder Levante Stuart and the Brookins family for Juneteenth. (2:11:52)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Recognized Tim Hall of the Garfield Park Gators football organization. (2:12:47); Supported the Navarro Escobedo settlement, saying officers violated general orders and the city should settle cases it would lose. (2:54:17); Supported Kenneth Gunn's appointment, citing his 30-plus years of city service. (3:18:28)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Spoke on Juneteenth, crediting the civil rights movement and the Black Caucus, and addressed tensions between Asian and African American communities. (2:24:28); Thanked Streets and Sanitation and CDOT's Electrical Bureau for storm response. (4:08:29)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Supported the Juneteenth resolution and praised former Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. as fair to work with. (2:27:16)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Opposed the Navarro Escobedo settlement, defending the officers' pursuit and urging the city to wait for a Supreme Court decision on apportionment. (2:48:19); Moved to disapprove the committee report on the parental accountability ordinance so a substitute sponsored by 11 alderpersons could be considered. (4:32:16)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Supported the Navarro Escobedo settlement, noting the squad car exceeded 80 mph without lights or sirens and a trial could cost more. (2:56:49); Supported Kenneth Gunn's appointment, saying Gunn helped his ward respond to incidents of racism and antisemitism. (3:12:30); Praised Streets and Sanitation's storm response and said the council should focus on such local services. (3:58:25)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Supported the settlement, saying it was not an indictment of the officers but avoided greater financial exposure. (2:58:33); Thanked Streets and Sanitation workers and the outgoing commissioner for storm response. (4:12:28)
Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Thanked Streets and Sanitation and other departments for storm response and described residents' frustration over outages. (4:09:43)
Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Praised Kenneth Gunn, noting the many people who testified to his character at the committee hearing. (3:19:44)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Said she would support Kenneth Gunn's appointment but would keep pressing the administration on rising antisemitism. (3:11:13)
Marty Quinn (alderperson): Opposed the bus station purchase, estimating total costs near $50 million and questioning whether the city can run a bus station given the budget gap. (3:28:34); Thanked Streets and Sanitation and the Bureau of Electricity for responding to a tornado in the 13th Ward. (3:57:36)
William Conway (alderperson): Urged support for the bus station purchase, describing his initial concerns and the plans developed on safety, operations and traffic. (3:32:30); Asked for a journal correction to include the 19 South LaSalle landmark fee waiver for an apartment conversion. (4:58:51)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Reported the ADA transition plan order and explained the substitute's changes regarding a private right of action. (3:46:13)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Said the ADA transition plan order is a first step toward removing accessibility barriers in city facilities and the public way. (3:48:01)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Explained that the parental accountability ordinance received a 10-5 do-not-pass recommendation in committee before being deferred and published. (4:31:44)
Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Thanked city departments, her staff, interns and volunteers for storm cleanup in the 14th Ward. (4:00:09)
Silvana Tabares (alderperson): Thanked Streets and Sanitation and the Buildings Commissioner for responding to storm damage, including a school roof that fell on a home. (4:02:07)
William E. Hall (alderperson): Thanked Streets and Sanitation and Sixth Ward residents for patience after the storm. (4:03:38)
Peter Chico (alderperson): Thanked Streets and Sanitation staff for their professionalism during storm cleanup. (4:07:49)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Thanked Streets and Sanitation for storm work on the Northwest Side. (4:16:23)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Urged passage of the sweepstakes ban, saying the state considers no sweepstakes machines legal and that they undermine video gaming terminal revenue. (4:37:47)

Exchanges between members

1:33:57 Hadden noted that Robinson served with Representative Cassidy before she became Hadden's representative.
1:39:49 Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Robinson as LGBTQ Caucus chair.
2:05:53 Hadden credited Moore with co-introducing the Juneteenth holiday ordinance.
2:29:53 Robinson referenced Mosley's remarks about serving in a seat previously held by a predecessor.
2:54:21 Ervin said he agreed in part with Lopez but supported the settlement because officers violated general orders.
2:58:33 Sposato thanked O'Shea for his remarks and agreed with supporting the settlement.
3:12:33 O'Shea joked that he does not go back as far with Gunn as Harris does.
3:13:52 Dowell echoed O'Shea that Gunn responds when wards call him.
3:30:07 Ervin responded to Quinn's concerns, arguing the city should provide an affordable intercity bus station.
3:32:59 Conway cited Ervin's point that the improvements are funded by the Canal Congress TIF.
3:47:29 La Spata thanked Cruz for reporting out the ADA item in his absence.
3:50:10 Moore thanked La Spata for bringing the ADA transition plan order forward.
3:56:31 Harris said she and Quinn both wanted to acknowledge Streets and Sanitation.
3:57:34 Quinn thanked Harris and agreed with her praise of Streets and Sanitation.
3:58:25 O'Shea said he agreed with his colleague on the storm response.
3:59:36 O'Shea recognized Curtis's experience as a ward superintendent.
4:04:06 Moore thanked Harris for raising the storm response.
4:05:41 Moore said he called Hall during the storm to check on his ward.
4:09:08 Lee echoed Dowell's description of uprooted trees.
4:10:07 Curtis joked that Harris did not get the memo about not discussing the storm.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (1.96) to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of W Chicago Ave (O2026-0025439): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-12-1105-B authorizing zoning administrator to install static roof signs on W Waveland Ave and on N Sheffield Ave facing into Wrigley Field (O2026-0025414): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (50.51) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Devon Ave (O2026-0025384): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Renewal of designation of 4th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 32nd Precincts of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zones prohibiting additional shared housing units and vacation rentals (O2026-0025367): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 4-156 by defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines (SO2026-0024076): Failed to Pass 15 yea, 33 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of acquisition of land parcels of Burlington Northern-Santa Fe property for El Paseo trail project (O2018-9027) (O2026-0026109): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Call for City of Chicago to develop Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan in accordance with requirements of ADA (SOr2026-0023422): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 4-156 regarding social media amusement tax (SO2026-0025395): Passed 47 yea, 2 nay, 1 absent
Intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Board of Education to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for improvements at George Rogers Clark Elementary School at 1045 S Monitor Ave (O2026-0025398): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Expression of support for preservation and expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program protections (R2026-0025433): Adopted 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 9 and 11 regarding fines for illegal dumping and adding new Section 9-92-036 authorizing impoundment of vehicles used in fly dumping (O2026-0024966): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (49.2) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Howard St (O2026-0025354): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 4 and 11 by modifying various sections and adding new Section 4-228-218 regarding purchase, collection, transportation or disposal of air bags not attached to motor vehicles (O2026-0025424): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (14.96) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion of W 55th St (O2026-0025437): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for improvements at Skinner North Elementary School at 640 W Scott St (O2026-0025399): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Assignment or reimbursement of Community Benefit Funds to The Magnificent Mile Association as service provider for public safety improvements in area surrounding Bally's Chicago casino (O2026-0024866): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Lease agreement with Logan Square Preservation for City-owned property at 2420 N Sacramento Ave (O2026-0025527): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Assignment and assumption and amendment of lease agreements with North Park Village Campus for property at 5801 N Pulaski Rd, Building G (Senate Apartments) and Building E (Prete Apartments) (O2026-0025502): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 14A, 14B, 14F, 14G, 14M, 14N, 14R, 14X, 17 and 18 regarding various Building Code related provisions (SO2026-0024930): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Redevelopment agreement with Axiom Flame LLC to provide Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) assistance for development of property at 2640-2646 W Madison St (O2026-0025476): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Appointment of successor servicer and assignment agreement execution between BNY Asset Solutions LLC and MTAG Services LLC regarding City's Special Assessment Improvement Bonds for Lakeshore East Project, Refunding Series 2022 (O2026-0025435): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Issuance of multi-family program funds and other financial assistance to support acquisition and development of Abrams Intergenerational Village project at 5300-5318 S Calumet Ave (O2026-0025467): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Park District to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for improvements at Madigan Park at 4707 W Marquette Rd (O2026-0025430): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for improvements at John M. Smyth Elementary School at 1059 W 13th St (SO2026-0025397): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-073 by decreasing maximum number of Lakefront Venue liquor licenses issued during any license period from 31 to 30 (O2026-0025029): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent