City Council meeting, July 19, 2023

When: Wed, Jul 19, 2023, 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/6277394/video/846407087
Transcript: full text (33,308 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 City Council heard eight public commenters, most of whom criticized a social media post by Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez about Italian American heritage and one of whom supported ending the subminimum wage for tipped workers. The council confirmed Mary Richardson-Lowry as corporation counsel by voice vote, adopted resolutions honoring Rudy Lozano and commemorating Disability Pride Month, and passed the Finance Committee report, including a Durkin Park lease (read as 46 yeas, 0 nays), TIF agreements for the Congress Theater and 2222 South Michigan Avenue, and affordable housing assistance. Of four police-related settlements, the Tucker and Courage settlements passed (35-11 and 35-13 as read), a $2 million settlement in Garrett v. City of Chicago failed (22-26 as read) after Alderperson William Conway urged a no vote, and a roughly $4.99 million class action settlement passed (43-6 as read) after debate among Lopez, Conway, Sposato, Napolitano, Vasquez, Ervin, La Spata and Dowell. The council also passed an ordinance creating a working group to design a Chicago Plow the Sidewalk pilot after extended debate, the acquisition of a motel for a stabilization housing pilot, a veteran-owned business program extension, inspector general qualification changes, a youth employment subcommittee, and zoning items including landmark designation of Greater Tabernacle Cathedral.

Topics: Italian American heritage controversy, corporation counsel appointment, Rudy Lozano, Disability Pride Month, police misconduct settlements, Plow the Sidewalk pilot, stabilization housing, veteran-owned businesses, youth employment subcommittee, public comment

Agenda items discussed

18:11 Public comment
50:06 Appointment of Mary Richardson-Lowry as corporation counsel: passed
1:02:09 Resolution honoring Rudy Lozano: passed
1:44:43 Resolution commemorating Disability Pride Month: passed
2:07:52 Resolution congratulating Kevin Lampe: passed
2:12:01 Communications from the mayor and city clerk
2:17:50 Lease agreement with Chicago Park District for a portion of Durkin Park for a water supply project: passed
2:20:41 Third amendment to the Fullerton/Milwaukee TIF redevelopment project and plan: passed
2:21:06 Redevelopment agreement with TIF assistance for renovation of the Congress Theater, 2135 North Milwaukee Avenue: passed
2:21:32 Redevelopment agreement with TIF funds for Hudson Michigan Avenue Owner LLC at 2222 South Michigan Avenue: passed
2:22:32 Amendment to TIF appropriation for University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute infrastructure: passed
2:23:26 Financial assistance to Boulevard Apartments Preservation LP for affordable housing rehabilitation: passed
2:25:02 Settlement of $750,000 in Vincent Tucker v. City of Chicago (13A): passed
2:28:23 Settlement of $750,000 in Bernard Courage v. City of Chicago (13B): passed
2:32:39 Settlement of $2,000,000 in Garrett v. City of Chicago (13C): failed
2:38:43 Class action settlement in Darnell Smith v. City of Chicago (13D): passed
3:01:01 Budget committee items including Fund 925 amendment and salary resolution on lateral and rehire agreement and health benefits: passed
3:04:01 Extension of veteran-owned small business participation pilot program to July 31, 2026: passed
3:06:50 Special service area appointments and Class 6(b) tax incentives: passed
3:10:10 Amendment regarding qualifications and appointment of the Inspector General and Public Safety Deputy: passed
3:12:17 Acquisition of 5230 North Lincoln Avenue motel for the stabilization housing pilot program (O2023-0001409): passed
3:18:49 Resolution calling for monthly hearings on the city's response to new arrivals (R2023-0001022): passed
3:20:49 Liquor moratorium ordinances: passed
3:21:32 Routine traffic items: passed
3:22:05 Chicago Plow the Sidewalk pilot program ordinance (SO2023-0000851): passed
3:51:21 Public Safety committee items including police district council elections ordinance: passed
3:52:30 Transportation and public way ordinances: passed
3:54:13 Resolution expressing solidarity with the Teamsters in UPS contract negotiations: passed
3:54:57 Resolution establishing a subcommittee on youth employment: passed
4:00:35 Zoning committee report including Greater Tabernacle Cathedral landmark designation and map amendments: passed
4:02:52 Agreed calendar: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

David H. Moore (alderperson): Called Mary Richardson-Lowry the best appointment the mayor had made and supported her confirmation. (50:39)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Supported the corporation counsel appointment and thanked Richardson-Lowry for answering the call to serve. (51:48); Supported the Rudy Lozano resolution and the proposed regional library honoring him. (1:29:56); Supported the Disability Pride Month resolution, describing feedback from a constituent on making her newsletter accessible. (1:47:18)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Supported the corporation counsel appointment, citing Richardson-Lowry's experience. (52:32); Supported the Plow the Sidewalk pilot, acknowledging inequities in service delivery raised by Beale and Lopez and saying the city should figure it out. (3:32:31)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Supported the corporation counsel appointment and asked that she work with the council fairly. (53:11)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Closed debate on the corporation counsel appointment, expressing trust in her judgment. (53:54); Took issue with remarks by the 41st Ward alderperson, saying members review evidence in good faith and agreeing with Vasquez about the city's history. (2:53:12); Presented budget committee items including a Fund 925 amendment and a salary resolution. (3:01:01)
William E. Hall (alderperson): Recognized seven-year-old Bradley Hope, who joined him as alderperson for a day, and his family. (56:49)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Introduced remarks on the Rudy Lozano resolution, describing Lozano's legacy of uniting working-class communities and calling for a regional Rudy Lozano library. (1:02:50); Presented a resolution supporting the Teamsters in UPS negotiations and a resolution creating a youth employment subcommittee. (3:54:04); Explained that the rules suspension allowed members outside the parent committee to serve on the subcommittee, which would only make recommendations. (3:56:29)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Honored Rudy Lozano's organizing of workers and the coalition that helped elect Harold Washington, and supported a regional library in Pilsen. (1:12:07); Presented the housing committee report, including the motel acquisition for stabilization housing and city land sales. (3:11:49)
Julia M. Ramirez (alderperson): Described working at the Rudy Lozano Alternative High School and pledged to continue Lozano's values. (1:20:18)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said the council and city would not look as they do without Rudy Lozano's coalition-building. (1:21:34); Supported the Disability Pride Month resolution and cited the sidewalk snow clearing pilot as legislative action. (1:51:28); Objected to remarks during the class action settlement debate, saying segregation and disinvestment shape policing outcomes and calling one statement unacceptable. (2:49:49)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Supported the Rudy Lozano resolution and thanked the Lozano family for their activism. (1:23:59)
Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Described learning about Rudy Lozano as a child in Guadalajara and how his work inspired her community involvement. (1:25:57)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Called for Black and Brown communities to work together for equity in schools, parks and housing in Lozano's and Harold Washington's tradition. (1:31:56)
Carlos Ramírez-Rosa (alderperson): Closed debate on the Rudy Lozano resolution, describing Lozano's union and community organizing and his family's continued work. (1:33:58); Said he had concerns about feasibility but supported the sidewalk ordinance because it only creates a working group to study a pilot. (3:39:23); Presented the zoning committee report, including the landmark designation of Greater Tabernacle Cathedral. (4:00:35)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Spoke about his experience using a wheelchair, including misuse of accessible parking, and supported the Disability Pride Month resolution. (1:49:28); Said he reluctantly supported the class action settlement after attending the briefing. (2:46:56); Said a city sidewalk plowing program was not feasible, citing staffing shortages at Streets and Sanitation and cost. (3:34:03)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Supported the Disability Pride Month resolution, citing her work as a physical therapist and the need for accessible transit and cleared sidewalks. (1:53:05)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Supported the resolution, describing family members with disabilities and a planned 100% accessible affordable housing development in his ward. (1:55:07)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Supported the Disability Pride Month resolution and echoed Lawson on building accessible housing. (1:57:05); Explained his support for the class action settlement, saying the plaintiffs had no criminal charges and pedestrian stops would be brought into the consent decree. (2:56:01); Closed debate on the sidewalk ordinance, saying it creates a working group that will bring a pilot design with equity criteria back to the council for a vote. (3:46:59)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): In his first council remarks, recognized Mikva Challenge and its interns, describing the organization's role in his path to office. (2:04:11)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Introduced a resolution congratulating Kevin Lampe on a fraternity distinguished service award. (2:07:52); Presented the Finance Committee report, including leases, TIF agreements, housing assistance and settlements. (2:17:38); Urged support for the class action settlement, saying the plaintiffs had no criminal background and police must be held accountable when wrong. (2:57:11)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Co-sponsored the Kevin Lampe resolution, citing his human rights advocacy work. (2:09:26); Reported Public Safety committee items, including an emergency telephone system board appointment and police district council election changes. (3:51:21)
William Conway (alderperson): Urged a no vote on the $2 million Garrett settlement, citing officer accounts, a recovered weapon and the medical examiner's report. (2:33:33); Urged a yes vote on the class action settlement, citing the risk of large attorney fee awards if the city lost any of the underlying cases. (2:45:32)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Opposed the class action settlement, arguing it labels millions of arrests as racist and requires undisclosed changes to gang loitering enforcement. (2:39:47); Objected to providing health benefits through the end of the month to terminated employees and asked to be recorded as no. (3:02:06); Said he was conflicted about the sidewalk plowing pilot, citing existing struggles maintaining vacant lots, but would support studying it. (3:26:10)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Urged members to do their own research on settlement cases beyond the Law Department briefings. (2:47:49); Clarified that his comment was directed at members who told him they relied only on briefings. (2:55:04); Asked whether adding a subcommittee would change voting within the parent committee. (3:58:22)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Urged extension of the veteran-owned small business pilot and called for a faster veteran certification process. (3:04:42); Introduced the Plow the Sidewalk pilot ordinance, citing about 600,000 residents affected by unplowed sidewalks and examples such as Toronto. (3:22:35)
Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Reported the ethics committee's ordinance on Inspector General qualifications and hearings on two OIG audits. (3:09:57)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Criticized a U.S. representative's remarks calling Israel a racist state and condemned anti-Semitism before giving her committee report. (3:19:38)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Opposed the sidewalk plowing pilot, saying the city cannot plow streets promptly and residents would expect service the city cannot deliver. (3:29:38)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Supported the sidewalk ordinance and asked colleagues with concerns to also offer solutions. (3:42:37)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Asked for clarification on committee membership for the youth employment subcommittee and whether it changed council rules. (3:55:49)

Exchanges between members

1:56:56 La Spata echoed Lawson's point about building fully accessible affordable housing.
2:09:23 Dowell noted that Hopkins wished to speak on the Kevin Lampe resolution.
2:46:00 Conway responded to a point Lopez raised about the class action settlement while urging a yes vote.
2:48:12 Napolitano said he was glad Conway was present to explain the merits of cases.
2:49:57 Vasquez commended Conway for making a fair argument.
2:49:57 Vasquez commended Lopez's argument but objected to his remarks about who gets pulled over.
2:53:12 Ervin took issue with Napolitano's comments about how members decide on settlements.
2:53:57 Ervin agreed with Vasquez about the city's troubled history.
2:55:04 Napolitano responded that his comment was not a blanket statement about all members.
2:56:01 La Spata answered Napolitano's question about what members thought of the case.
2:57:27 Dowell cited La Spata's point that the plaintiffs had no criminal background.
3:24:26 Villegas thanked Ervin for recommending the substitute sidewalk ordinance.
3:32:53 Hadden acknowledged Beale's points about inequitable service delivery.
3:33:37 Hadden said Lopez's points were well taken while supporting the pilot.
3:34:21 Sposato echoed Lopez's remarks about existing ward snow programs.
3:35:31 Sposato responded to Beale's comment about what young people earn shoveling snow.
3:38:27 Vasquez responded to Sposato that different pay for shoveling across the city reflects inequity.
3:44:57 Ervin thanked Villegas for collaborating in committee on the sidewalk item.
3:55:49 Nugent asked Rodriguez to clarify subcommittee membership.
3:56:20 Rodriguez answered Nugent that the rules do not specify non-parent committee membership on subcommittees.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Call for hearing(s) each month on City's plans and processes in response to migrant and refugee arrivals to Chicago (R2023-0001022): Adopted 48 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (26.2) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Chicago Ave (O2023-0001228): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Support of Class 6(b) tax incentive for property at 3815 S Ashland Ave (O2023-0001378): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
ANLAP Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition Program (O2023-0001279): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Vintage signs & more (O2023-0002680): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Periodic reallocations of portion of City's tax-exempt private bond cap issued by Illinois Housing Development Authority for housing development projects (O2023-0001371): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment to Salary Resolution regarding Chicago Police Department lateral and rehire agreement, health benefits, salary adjustments and salary schedule IT (R2023-0003064): Adopted 47 yea, 1 nay, 1 absent
ANLAP (O2023-0001259): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of ordinance appropriating tax increment financing (TIF) funds for infrastructure projects for University of Illinois Discovery Partners Institute at W 15th St and S Clark St (O2023-0001367): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 2-56, 2-78, 2-80, and 2-84 regarding citation changes from Committee on Public Safety and Committee on Police and Fire (O2023-0003063): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
925 Amendment (SO2023-0001357): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Restructuring Agreement (SO2023-0001388): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Durkin Park portion regarding lease and use for water supply project (O2023-0001354): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-80 by modifying Section 2-80-070 regarding elections for Police District Councils (SO2023-0002879): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-92-955 regarding extension of veteran-owned small local businesses participation goal pilot program until July 31, 2026 (O2023-0001210): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Negotiated Sale City Property (O2023-0001268): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
PACE LLC (O2023-0001932): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Negotiated sale of vacant City-owned property at 5339-5345 S State St to Deeply Rooted Productions, Inc., Deeply Rooted Dance Center NFP for development of dance studio center with production facilities (O2023-0001283): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Acquisition of property at 5230 N Lincoln Ave for redevelopment as three-to-six month shelter for homeless with wraparound health services as part of Stabilization Housing Pilot Program (O2023-0001409): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Historical landmark designation for Greater Tabernacle Cathedral at 11300 S Dr. Martin Luther, Jr. Dr and 341-359 E 113th St (O2023-0002658): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (49.29) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Clark St (O2023-0001204): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-6-230 to disallow booting of motor vehicles on private property within 25th Ward (O2023-0001227): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (11.87) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of S Wallace St (O2023-0002242): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Substituted in Committee (SO2023-0002867): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-56 regarding qualifications and appointment of Inspector General and Public Safety Deputy (SO2023-0001245): Passed 47 yea, 1 nay, 1 absent
TIF District Plan Amendment No. 3 (O2023-0001361): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (37.24) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Division St (O2023-0002240): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Support of Class 6(b) tax incentive for property at 4510 W Ann Lurie Pl (O2023-0001383): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Snow and ice Removal (SO2023-0002851): Passed 48 yea, 1 nay, 1 absent