Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, November 12, 2025

When: Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 9:30 AM (Chicago time)
Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Committee: Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8925576?video=1135569237
Transcript: full text (36,703 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

13:05 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of the City Clerk
20:36 Matthew J. O'Shea: Asked the City Clerk to describe the results of the city sticker amnesty month.
22:05 Matthew J. O'Shea: Asked what the council can do to promote amnesty efforts and what is planned for 2026.
23:22 Matthew J. O'Shea: Thanked clerk staff for signing up seniors for CityKey at a ward event.
24:11 William Conway: Asked about the sources of the vehicle tax fund and how costs are split between it and the…
26:08 William Conway: Invited the clerk to flag fees that seem off, citing the $35 residential parking fee as low.
29:10 Ronnie L. Mosley: Asked how the electronic legislative management system has helped the clerk's workflow.
30:54 Ronnie L. Mosley: Asked about the clerk's role in bringing disability permit parking processes online.
31:59 Ronnie L. Mosley: Asked whether residential guest parking passes could be purchased digitally.
34:42 Jason C. Ervin: Thanked the City Clerk for her work and for CityKey events in the community.
35:30 Pat Dowell: Thanked the clerk for help improving the online small claims process.
35:57 Pat Dowell: Asked about two-year city stickers and whether the clerk sets sticker prices.
38:58 Pat Dowell: Suggested exploring revenue from electric vehicles, such as a higher sticker fee, since EV…
40:40 Michelle A. Harris: Praised the clerk's staff and supported the new technology system.
41:23 Michelle A. Harris: Asked whether more amnesty months are needed and suggested aligning the clerk's amnesty…
45:01 Raymond A. Lopez: Asked why the clerk's budget increased after cuts the prior year and whether revenue…
49:03 Raymond A. Lopez: Said CityKey should prioritize long-term residents and asked about card expiration and…
50:54 Raymond A. Lopez: Suggested looking at bicycle tag enforcement as a revenue source.
51:19 Walter R. Burnett: Praised the clerk's technology focus and asked whether CityKey could be offered as a…
55:08 Walter R. Burnett: Asked how CityKey's local business partnerships have expanded.
56:55 Scott Waguespack: Asked how many out-of-state plated vehicles obtain city stickers and whether rideshare…
59:24 Scott Waguespack: Asked for a report on potential revenue lost from out-of-state vehicles.
1:01:58 Nicole T. Lee: Supported more amnesty months and thanked clerk staff, noting she looks forward to electronic…
1:13:14 FY2026 budget hearing: Department of Human Resources
1:21:28 Michelle A. Harris: Asked what procedures followed DHR's cut of 40% of employment tests and whether it saved…
1:22:41 William Conway: Asked how much DHR changes have shortened onboarding time and raised concern about cutting…
1:25:26 Lamont J. Robinson: Asked how to shorten hiring timelines so the city does not lose talented candidates.
1:27:03 Lamont J. Robinson: Asked whether departments such as CDPH could handle hiring internally.
1:28:32 Lamont J. Robinson: Asked how DHR works with City Colleges and CPS.
1:29:17 Anthony V. Napolitano: Requested data on applicants and acceptances for vacancies, saying many positions go…
1:32:02 Scott Waguespack: Asked what roles DHR added in recent years and whether it worked with Ernst and Young.
1:38:58 Nicole T. Lee: Asked how a centralized HR department could address managerial span of control and requested…
1:40:53 Nicole T. Lee: Praised the CPS and Streets and Sanitation laborer training program.
1:41:34 Monique L. Scott: Asked what retention programs exist for city employees in high-turnover departments.
1:43:36 Nicholas Sposato: Asked whether DHR screens public safety referral lists for anything beyond the do-not-hire…
1:45:46 Jason C. Ervin: Said testimony points toward centralizing HR functions to save time and resources and…
1:58:04 Redevelopment agreement with 50 50 Prairie LLC for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund assistance, 3rd Ward
2:03:32 Transfer of funds ordinances (agenda items 3 through 10)
2:14:19 FY2026 budget hearing: Board of Ethics
2:31:48 Jason C. Ervin: Thanked the Board of Ethics for advice provided to council and executive branch members.
2:32:36 Debra L. Silverstein: Thanked the Board of Ethics executive director for responsiveness.
2:37:55 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of the City Treasurer
2:55:08 Nicholas Sposato: Said he was disappointed by the Treasurer's statement and that the city is not at war with…
2:55:38 Anthony V. Napolitano: Said he was appalled by the Treasurer's statement, calling it a campaign speech not…
3:02:59 Monique L. Scott: Asked how the Treasurer's programs support community development in neighborhoods like…
3:04:44 Monique L. Scott: Asked how the Treasurer ensures equity and transparency about investments and returns.
4:23:37 FY2026 budget hearing: Civilian Office of Police Accountability
4:53:52 FY2026 budget hearing: Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
5:17:08 Samantha Nugent: Thanked the CCPSA executive director for discussing policy options with her.
5:17:38 Timothy R. Knudsen: Said the district councils in his ward are engaged and collaborative, noting not all…
5:32:44 FY2026 budget hearing: License Appeal Commission
5:45:01 FY2026 budget hearing: Chicago Police Board

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 Budget and Government Operations continued FY2026 budget hearings with the City Clerk, Department of Human Resources, Board of Ethics, City Treasurer, Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, License Appeal Commission, and Police Board. Members discussed city sticker amnesty and pricing, CityKey, council modernization, hiring timelines and HR centralization, ethics ordinance reforms, police oversight roles, vacancies, and stalled police discipline cases awaiting a ruling on arbitration. The City Treasurer announced her office would stop purchasing U.S. Treasury securities in response to federal actions in Chicago, which drew objections from several members and questions about returns and authority. During a separate regular meeting, the committee approved the September Rule 45 report, recommended passage of a redevelopment agreement providing about $4.34 million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund assistance for the 50 50 Prairie mixed-use project in the 3rd Ward, and recommended passage of eight transfer-of-funds ordinances, three of them as substitutes. The budget hearings themselves were informational and involved no votes.

Topics: City Clerk budget, City sticker amnesty, HR hiring and centralization, Board of Ethics, Treasury securities divestment, Police oversight agencies, Police discipline arbitration, Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, Transfer of funds

Agenda items discussed

13:05 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of the City Clerk: discussed
1:13:14 FY2026 budget hearing: Department of Human Resources: discussed
1:57:45 Monthly Rule 45 report for September 2025: passed
1:58:04 Redevelopment agreement with 50 50 Prairie LLC for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund assistance, 3rd Ward: passed
2:03:32 Transfer of funds ordinances (agenda items 3 through 10): passed
2:14:19 FY2026 budget hearing: Board of Ethics: discussed
2:37:55 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of the City Treasurer: discussed
4:23:37 FY2026 budget hearing: Civilian Office of Police Accountability: discussed
4:53:52 FY2026 budget hearing: Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability: discussed
5:32:44 FY2026 budget hearing: License Appeal Commission: discussed
5:45:01 FY2026 budget hearing: Chicago Police Board: discussed

Alderpersons who spoke

Jason C. Ervin (chair): Thanked the City Clerk for her work and for CityKey events in the community. (34:42); Said testimony points toward centralizing HR functions to save time and resources and expressed support for the department's efforts. (1:45:46); Thanked the Board of Ethics for advice provided to council and executive branch members. (2:31:48)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Asked the City Clerk to describe the results of the city sticker amnesty month. (20:36); Asked what the council can do to promote amnesty efforts and what is planned for 2026. (22:05); Thanked clerk staff for signing up seniors for CityKey at a ward event. (23:22)
William Conway (alderperson): Asked about the sources of the vehicle tax fund and how costs are split between it and the corporate fund. (24:11); Invited the clerk to flag fees that seem off, citing the $35 residential parking fee as low. (26:08); Asked how much DHR changes have shortened onboarding time and raised concern about cutting onboarding specialists. (1:22:41)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Asked how the electronic legislative management system has helped the clerk's workflow. (29:10); Asked about the clerk's role in bringing disability permit parking processes online. (30:54); Asked whether residential guest parking passes could be purchased digitally. (31:59)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Thanked the clerk for help improving the online small claims process. (35:30); Asked about two-year city stickers and whether the clerk sets sticker prices. (35:57); Suggested exploring revenue from electric vehicles, such as a higher sticker fee, since EV charging is not taxed. (38:58)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Praised the clerk's staff and supported the new technology system. (40:40); Asked whether more amnesty months are needed and suggested aligning the clerk's amnesty with the Department of Finance's. (41:23); Asked what procedures followed DHR's cut of 40% of employment tests and whether it saved money. (1:21:28)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Asked why the clerk's budget increased after cuts the prior year and whether revenue targets were met. (45:01); Said CityKey should prioritize long-term residents and asked about card expiration and renewal. (49:03); Suggested looking at bicycle tag enforcement as a revenue source. (50:54)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Praised the clerk's technology focus and asked whether CityKey could be offered as a digital wallet ID. (51:19); Asked how CityKey's local business partnerships have expanded. (55:08)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Asked how many out-of-state plated vehicles obtain city stickers and whether rideshare drivers' compliance is tracked with BACP. (56:55); Asked for a report on potential revenue lost from out-of-state vehicles. (59:24); Asked what roles DHR added in recent years and whether it worked with Ernst and Young. (1:32:02)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Supported more amnesty months and thanked clerk staff, noting she looks forward to electronic residential parking dailies. (1:01:58); Asked how a centralized HR department could address managerial span of control and requested vacancies by department. (1:38:58); Praised the CPS and Streets and Sanitation laborer training program. (1:40:53)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Asked how to shorten hiring timelines so the city does not lose talented candidates. (1:25:26); Asked whether departments such as CDPH could handle hiring internally. (1:27:03); Asked how DHR works with City Colleges and CPS. (1:28:32)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Requested data on applicants and acceptances for vacancies, saying many positions go unfilled while constituents are not hired. (1:29:17); Said he was appalled by the Treasurer's statement, calling it a campaign speech not suited to a budget hearing. (2:55:38)
Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Asked what retention programs exist for city employees in high-turnover departments. (1:41:34); Asked how the Treasurer's programs support community development in neighborhoods like North Lawndale. (3:02:59); Asked how the Treasurer ensures equity and transparency about investments and returns. (3:04:44)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Asked whether DHR screens public safety referral lists for anything beyond the do-not-hire list. (1:43:36); Said he was disappointed by the Treasurer's statement and that the city is not at war with the president. (2:55:08)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Thanked the Board of Ethics executive director for responsiveness. (2:32:36)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Thanked the CCPSA executive director for discussing policy options with her. (5:17:08)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Said the district councils in his ward are engaged and collaborative, noting not all colleagues have the same experience. (5:17:38)

Exchanges between members

29:02 Mosley echoed the sentiments Conway shared about the clerk's office.
35:08 Ervin called on Dowell for the next questions as he stepped away from chairing.
1:25:48 Robinson said Harris had started the line of questioning on hiring time that he was continuing.
1:40:02 Lee said her request built on Napolitano's question about vacancies and applicants.
2:38:07 Ervin asked Dowell to chair the Treasurer's hearing.
2:47:55 Dowell invited Ervin, as the most senior member, to ask questions first.
2:49:29 Dowell recognized Lopez for questions.
2:53:46 Dowell asked Lopez to return to budget questions after his exchange with the Treasurer.
2:55:38 Napolitano said he was in the same position as Sposato regarding the Treasurer's statement.
2:56:26 Napolitano agreed with Lopez that the city should support investment in the country.
3:02:13 Dowell thanked Conway after his questions.
5:12:13 Conway said his questions followed the same line as Lee's on district councils.
5:17:04 Lee thanked Conway and called on Nugent.
5:57:14 Lee thanked Lopez for his questions to the Police Board.

Documents

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