Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, March 13, 2026
- When: Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Transportation and Public Way
- Video: https://vimeo.com/1173343297
- Transcript: full text (9,174 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 Transportation and Public Way Committee approved several routine ordinances, including a Rule 45 report, substitute ordinances for a Second Ward transportation item, a First Ward subdivision, a taxi-cab stand repeal, and a set of miscellaneous items. Motions were made to allow remote participation for several alderpersons and to approve a letter of support for the Bellmore Estate subdivision. Public comment focused on the appointment of Christian Diaz to the Metra Community Rail Board, with multiple community leaders expressing support. The committee held the Commerce Park Chicago subdivision and the Diaz appointment for further consideration, recessed briefly, and then adjourned.
Topics: Remote participation, Ordinance approvals, Metra board appointment, Commerce Park subdivision, Bellmore Estate subdivision
Agenda items discussed
- 23:30 Approval of Rule 45 report for the Committee on Transportation and Public Way: passed
- 24:02 Substitute ordinance for a transportation item in the Second Ward: passed
- 24:05 Substitute ordinance for a subdivision in the First Ward: passed
- 24:32 Approval of fifteen miscellaneous ordinances from wards 21, 24, 26, 27, 29, 32, 36, 47, 48 and 50: passed
- 24:48 Repeal of taxi cab stand number 17 (Substitute ordinance 2026-0023-068): passed
- 25:09 Bellmore Estate Subdivision (Substitute ordinance 2026-0023-201): held
- 30:57 Commerce Park Chicago Sub-Division: held
- 39:12 Appointment of Christian Diaz as Director of the Community Rail Board, Metra: held
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Recognized a motion to allow remote participation for several alderpersons. (11:23); Called a ten-minute recess before voting on an item. (1:12:00); Moved to adjourn the committee meeting. (1:25:46)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Moved to allow remote participation for Aldermen Mosley and Gutiérrez. (11:27); Moved to recommend approval of fifteen miscellaneous items. (24:39); Asked Christian Diaz about his background and expressed support for the appointment. (44:33)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Moved to approve the Rule 45 report for the committee. (23:34); Moved to adjourn the meeting by roll-call vote. (1:25:46)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Moved to accept the substitute ordinance for a subdivision in the First Ward. (24:11)
- Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Moved to recommend approval of the repeal of taxi cab stand number 17 (record 2026-0023-068). (25:02); Moved to allow remote participation for Alderman Jessica L. Fuentes. (30:00)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Gave remarks praising the council’s collaborative work on housing, education, transportation and health equity. (54:54)
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Moved to recommend approval of the Commerce Park Chicago subdivision. (38:54)
- Raymond A. Lopez (vice chair): Committed to share Metra best practices with the CTA as requested by Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr.. (1:08:00)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Requested remote participation under Rule 59. (11:12)
- Raymond A. Lopez (chair)
- Gilbert Villegas (non-member): Asked Christian Diaz about the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program and its relevance to the board. (58:01)
- Jason C. Ervin (other): Questioned the prior speaker about whether the appointee was a pastor. (1:10:26)