Committee on License and Consumer Protection meeting, October 9, 2025

When: Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 12:30 PM (Chicago time)
Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Committee: Committee on License and Consumer Protection
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928556?video=1125948835
Transcript: full text (8,201 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 on License and Consumer Protection heard five public speakers on the proposed legalization of video gaming terminals (VGTs), with a Unite Here member, a Bally's executive and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce opposing or urging caution and the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago urging the committee to advance it. The committee approved its Rule 45 report, recommended the reappointment of Laura Perry to the License Appeal Commission, and passed Alderperson Brian Hopkins resolution calling on the National Restaurant Association to expand Angel Shot training for alcohol sellers. At the sponsor's request, Alderperson Anthony Beale VGT ordinance, previously voted on in September, was held in committee while he continues talks with colleagues and the state, and items 5, 6 and 7 were also held. The committee passed a series of ordinances adjusting liquor and package goods moratoriums in the 4th, 8th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 35th, 41st, 42nd, 44th and 49th wards.

Topics: video gaming terminals, Bally's casino, License Appeal Commission, Angel Shot training, liquor moratoriums, package goods licenses, city revenue

Agenda items discussed

36:21 Rule 45 reports from September 2025: passed
36:45 Reappointment of Laura Perry as a member of the License Appeal Commission: passed
41:51 Resolution calling on the National Restaurant Association to expand Angel Shot training for alcohol sellers (R2025-0017091): passed
50:16 Substitute ordinance adding Municipal Code chapter 4-155 on licensing and regulation of video gaming terminals (motion to reconsider): held
56:35 Agenda item 5: held
57:00 Agenda items 6 and 7 (1st Ward): held
57:26 Lifting liquor license moratorium on a portion of Cottage Grove Avenue (4th Ward): passed
59:29 Substitute ordinance allowing additional package goods licenses on a portion of 18th Street (25th Ward): passed
1:01:01 Allowing additional liquor licenses on a portion of Rush and Oak streets (42nd Ward) (O2025-0019973): passed
1:01:57 Allowing additional package goods licenses on a portion of 87th Street (8th Ward) (O2025-0019666): passed
1:03:08 Allowing additional liquor licenses on a portion of Chicago Avenue (29th Ward): passed
1:03:54 Allowing additional package goods licenses on a portion of Diversey Avenue (31st Ward): passed
1:05:07 Allowing additional liquor licenses on a portion of Elizabeth Street (27th Ward): passed
1:06:28 Substitute ordinances lifting liquor moratoriums on Belmont, Armitage and Elston avenues (35th Ward) (O2025-0019939): passed
1:09:14 Allowing additional liquor licenses on a portion of Armitage Avenue (26th Ward): passed
1:10:39 Allowing additional package goods licenses on a portion of Nagle Avenue (41st Ward): passed
1:11:41 Allowing additional liquor licenses on a portion of Sheffield Avenue (44th Ward): passed
1:12:45 Moratorium changes for package goods and liquor licenses on Clark Street (49th Ward): passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Debra L. Silverstein (chair): Introduced the sponsor's request to reconsider the video gaming terminal ordinance before reporting it to the council and then announced it would be held. (50:16)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Said Laura Perry had been professional, fair-minded and judicious in matters involving his office and urged support for her reappointment. (40:44); Presented the Angel Shot resolution, modeled on hotel training to spot trafficking, so bar staff know how to help patrons who signal they feel unsafe. (42:43)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Said legalizing video gaming terminals could bring nearly $100 million a year while over 3,000 illegal machines operate untaxed, and cited the budget deficit as a reason to proceed rather than raise taxes and fees. (51:15); Asked to hold the ordinance in committee while he continues negotiations with the state, and said bars and taverns could be added by floor amendment. (53:34)
Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Asked support for lifting the moratorium to allow incidental alcohol sales by a retail business on Rush Street. (1:01:23)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Confirmed the 87th Street boundaries and stated support for allowing package goods licenses there. (1:02:20)
Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Stated support for allowing additional liquor licenses on a portion of Chicago Avenue. (1:03:35)
Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Supported allowing package goods sales by grocery stores along Diversey Avenue. (1:04:17)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Stated support for the liquor license change on Elizabeth Street. (1:05:37)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Asked support for a package goods license for a longstanding 41st Ward business with new owners. (1:11:08)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Explained the Sheffield Avenue ordinance would allow the transfer of a long-operating bed and breakfast with no incidents. (1:12:06)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Described the three Clark Street items as standard moratorium changes for ownership changes and asked for support. (1:13:36)

Exchanges between members

49:57 The chair thanked Alderperson Brian Hopkins for bringing the Angel Shot resolution to the committee.
50:01 Alderperson Brian Hopkins thanked the chair and members.
54:32 Alderperson Anthony Beale thanked the chair for her cooperation and leadership on the VGT ordinance.
1:05:57 The chair thanked Alderperson Walter R. Burnett for taking over the Elizabeth Street ordinance.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (35.102) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Elston Ave (SO2025-0019943): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent