City Council meeting, October 30, 2024

When: Wed, Oct 30, 2024, 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/1024539851
Transcript: full text (30,404 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

22:13 Public comment period
36:46 Raymond A. Lopez: Raised a point of order asking why a sergeant at arms had a hand on the microphone while a…
1:11:34 Question on availability of budget books and motion to delay budget briefings
1:11:36 Anthony Beale: Asked whether budget books were ready, noted the address had been postponed amid a large…
1:14:17 Mayor's 2025 budget address
3:08:39 Acknowledgement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
3:08:49 Michelle A. Harris: Recognized breast cancer survivors from her ward, shared her own diagnosis and…
3:12:34 Acknowledgement of HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
3:14:09 Lamont J. Robinson: Thanked Alderperson Michelle A. Harris for sharing her story and urged Black and brown…
3:15:30 Lamont J. Robinson: Said HIV rates remain high among young people in the African American community and…
3:17:03 Lamont J. Robinson: Said HIV funding should be paired with attention to housing, jobs and education.
3:20:01 Resolution designating Chicago a Purple Heart City
3:20:40 Raymond A. Lopez: Requested that the clerk read the Purple Heart City resolution in full.
3:23:46 David H. Moore: Supported the Purple Heart City resolution and remembered a local veterans post commander…
3:26:08 Nicole T. Lee: Supported the Purple Heart City resolution, recognized her predecessor's service to veterans,…
3:29:35 Derrick G. Curtis: Supported the resolution, describing an uncle who received a Purple Heart and later lost…
3:32:47 Jason C. Ervin: Supported the Purple Heart City resolution and described learning what the medal meant from…
3:34:38 William Conway: Supported the resolution as a veteran and active reservist and thanked the honorees and…
3:35:41 Anthony Beale: Supported the Purple Heart City resolution and described a ward program finding nearly 400…
3:37:36 Nicholas Sposato: Supported the resolution, said his grandfather was a Purple Heart recipient, and noted…
3:38:51 Scott Waguespack: Supported the resolution and suggested veterans organizations as places a colleague could…
3:40:38 Anthony V. Napolitano: Supported the resolution and thanked veterans on behalf of the 41st Ward and his late…
3:41:31 James M. Gardiner: Supported the resolution and said the council stood united in thanking the veterans…
3:42:34 Raymond A. Lopez: Supported the resolution, citing family members who served including a great-grandfather…
3:43:46 Gilbert Villegas: Closed on the resolution with the history and counts of Purple Heart awards and said the…
3:57:13 Mayor's statement on the shooting of a Jewish community member in West Rogers Park
3:59:01 Pat Dowell: Presented the Finance Committee report including TIF agreements, housing bonds, CPS fee waivers…
3:59:15 Redevelopment agreement and TIF funds for Heart of Uptown Apartments rehabilitation (46th Ward)
4:00:08 Angela Clay: Thanked colleagues for supporting the Heart of Uptown rehabilitation, describing it as deeply…
4:01:01 Jason C. Ervin: Asked Alderperson Angela Clay to yield for a question on the Heart of Uptown item.
4:04:30 Tax-exempt housing revenue bonds for preservation Phase 1C project (32nd Ward)
4:04:57 Intergovernmental agreement with Board of Education for TIF funds at Chicago Vocational Career Academy
4:05:26 Redevelopment agreement and TIF funds for Revolution Workshop (28th Ward)
4:05:54 Fee waivers or refunds for Chicago Board of Education and its contractors
4:06:23 Lawsuit settlement orders (Pfeiffer, Chin, Howard, Harris cases)
4:10:30 Gilbert Villegas: Reported Economic, Capital and Technology Development items including special service area…
4:10:42 Economic, Capital and Technology Development items: special service areas and tax incentives
4:14:25 Housing and Real Estate items: CHA board appointment, right of entry agreements, land sale
4:16:20 Re-referral of peddling prohibition on portions of East 79th Street, East 75th Street and South Euclid Parkway
4:17:27 Appointment to District Council
4:18:15 Resolution calling for hearings on missing women in Chicago
4:18:56 Chicago Park District appointment and open space impact fee expenditures
4:21:17 Gregory I. Mitchell: Presented the Transportation and Public Way report including five RTA board…
4:21:29 RTA Board of Directors appointments (four appointees)
4:25:09 Scott Waguespack: Commended the RTA appointees but asked to be recorded as voting no on the Medina…
4:25:57 David H. Moore: Commended the RTA board appointees as representative and knowledgeable and urged colleagues…
4:29:41 Appointment of Reverend Medina to the RTA Board of Directors
4:30:12 Daniel La Spata: Said he had raised questions about appointing religious leaders to the RTA board but…
4:35:30 Text amendment on signs in the Michigan Avenue and State Street special sign district
4:36:12 Text amendment on urban farm operations in DC and DX zoning districts
4:36:30 Zoning map amendments and large signs in various wards
4:37:28 Agreed calendar resolutions
4:41:33 Resolution setting the 2025 budget public hearing for December 2, 2024
4:41:44 Jason C. Ervin: Presented the resolution setting publication of the budget and the December 2 public…
4:44:40 Date and time of next meeting (December 2, 2024)
4:45:21 Michelle A. Harris: Recognized the retirement of a long-serving council staff member.
4:46:58 James M. Gardiner: Wished a retiring council staff member well after 13 and a half years.

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.

At this October 30, 2024 meeting, Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his proposed 2025 budget address. He described a projected deficit of about $986 million, cost savings and department cuts, a planned $300 million property tax increase, TIF surplus revenue, and no layoffs. After public comment and a long recess, the council heard acknowledgements for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and adopted by rising vote a resolution designating Chicago a Purple Heart City. It passed committee reports covering a $15 million TIF agreement for the Heart of Uptown Apartments (47 yeas, 0 nays as read), housing bonds, several lawsuit settlements, special service area items, zoning changes, and four RTA board appointments. A separate vote on the appointment of a fifth RTA board nominee, Reverend Medina, failed 18 to 25. The council also adopted a resolution setting the budget public hearing for December 2, 2024 and set the next meeting for that same date.

Topics: 2025 budget address, property taxes, public comment, Purple Heart City, health awareness months, TIF and affordable housing, lawsuit settlements, RTA board appointments, special service areas, zoning

Agenda items discussed

22:13 Public comment period: discussed
1:11:34 Question on availability of budget books and motion to delay budget briefings: discussed
1:14:17 Mayor's 2025 budget address: discussed
3:03:44 Communications from the mayor, including 2025 budget recommendations, tax levy and revenue ordinances, referred to committees
3:08:39 Acknowledgement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month: discussed
3:12:34 Acknowledgement of HIV/AIDS Awareness Month: discussed
3:20:01 Resolution designating Chicago a Purple Heart City: passed
3:57:13 Mayor's statement on the shooting of a Jewish community member in West Rogers Park: discussed
3:59:15 Redevelopment agreement and TIF funds for Heart of Uptown Apartments rehabilitation (46th Ward): passed
4:04:30 Tax-exempt housing revenue bonds for preservation Phase 1C project (32nd Ward): passed
4:04:57 Intergovernmental agreement with Board of Education for TIF funds at Chicago Vocational Career Academy: passed
4:05:26 Redevelopment agreement and TIF funds for Revolution Workshop (28th Ward): passed
4:05:54 Fee waivers or refunds for Chicago Board of Education and its contractors: passed
4:06:23 Lawsuit settlement orders (Pfeiffer, Chin, Howard, Harris cases): passed
4:10:42 Economic, Capital and Technology Development items: special service areas and tax incentives: passed
4:14:25 Housing and Real Estate items: CHA board appointment, right of entry agreements, land sale: passed
4:16:20 Re-referral of peddling prohibition on portions of East 79th Street, East 75th Street and South Euclid Parkway (O2024-0012863)
4:17:27 Appointment to District Council: passed
4:18:15 Resolution calling for hearings on missing women in Chicago: passed
4:18:56 Chicago Park District appointment and open space impact fee expenditures: passed
4:21:29 RTA Board of Directors appointments (four appointees): passed
4:29:41 Appointment of Reverend Medina to the RTA Board of Directors: failed
4:35:30 Text amendment on signs in the Michigan Avenue and State Street special sign district (O2024-0012427): passed
4:36:12 Text amendment on urban farm operations in DC and DX zoning districts: passed
4:36:30 Zoning map amendments and large signs in various wards: passed
4:37:28 Agreed calendar resolutions: passed
4:41:33 Resolution setting the 2025 budget public hearing for December 2, 2024: passed
4:44:40 Date and time of next meeting (December 2, 2024): passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Anthony Beale (alderperson): Asked whether budget books were ready, noted the address had been postponed amid a large deficit, and moved to push budget briefings to November 13 if books were not available. (1:11:36); Supported the Purple Heart City resolution and described a ward program finding nearly 400 veterans unaware of available resources. (3:35:41)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Raised a point of order asking why a sergeant at arms had a hand on the microphone while a public speaker was trying to speak. (36:46); Requested that the clerk read the Purple Heart City resolution in full. (3:20:40); Supported the resolution, citing family members who served including a great-grandfather who received a Purple Heart, and asked leave for the former colleague to speak. (3:42:34)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Recognized breast cancer survivors from her ward, shared her own diagnosis and treatment, and urged women to get mammograms. (3:08:49); Recognized the retirement of a long-serving council staff member. (4:45:21)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Thanked Alderperson Michelle A. Harris for sharing her story and urged Black and brown residents to get tested. (3:14:09); Said HIV rates remain high among young people in the African American community and thanked the budget chair for asking where HIV funding goes. (3:15:30); Said HIV funding should be paired with attention to housing, jobs and education. (3:17:03)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Supported the Purple Heart City resolution and remembered a local veterans post commander who recently died. (3:23:46); Commended the RTA board appointees as representative and knowledgeable and urged colleagues to support the whole slate. (4:25:57)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Supported the Purple Heart City resolution, recognized her predecessor's service to veterans, and described veterans organizations in the 11th Ward. (3:26:08)
Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Supported the resolution, describing an uncle who received a Purple Heart and later lost his house, and said veterans should not lose their homes. (3:29:35)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Supported the Purple Heart City resolution and described learning what the medal meant from a relative wounded in Vietnam. (3:32:47); Asked Alderperson Angela Clay to yield for a question on the Heart of Uptown item. (4:01:01); Presented the resolution setting publication of the budget and the December 2 public hearing, and announced budget hearings starting November 6. (4:41:44)
William Conway (alderperson): Supported the resolution as a veteran and active reservist and thanked the honorees and fellow veterans caucus members. (3:34:38)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Supported the resolution, said his grandfather was a Purple Heart recipient, and noted fewer veterans now serve on the council. (3:37:36)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Supported the resolution and suggested veterans organizations as places a colleague could redirect donor funds. (3:38:51); Commended the RTA appointees but asked to be recorded as voting no on the Medina appointment. (4:25:09)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Supported the resolution and thanked veterans on behalf of the 41st Ward and his late father, an Army veteran. (3:40:38)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Supported the resolution and said the council stood united in thanking the veterans despite its divisions. (3:41:31); Wished a retiring council staff member well after 13 and a half years. (4:46:58)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Closed on the resolution with the history and counts of Purple Heart awards and said the designation reaffirms the city's commitment to recipients. (3:43:46); Reported Economic, Capital and Technology Development items including special service area budgets and tax incentives such as a Class 8 incentive for the former US Steel site. (4:10:30)
Angela Clay (alderperson): Thanked colleagues for supporting the Heart of Uptown rehabilitation, describing it as deeply affordable housing that has lacked investment for decades. (4:00:08)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Presented the Finance Committee report including TIF agreements, housing bonds, CPS fee waivers and lawsuit settlements. (3:59:01)
Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Presented the Transportation and Public Way report including five RTA board appointments and corrected a scrivener's error in one appointment's expiration date. (4:21:17)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Said he had raised questions about appointing religious leaders to the RTA board but supported Reverend Medina, citing his fiscal responsibility and community engagement work. (4:30:12)

Exchanges between members

3:14:09 Robinson thanked Harris for sharing her breast cancer story.
3:15:57 Robinson thanked budget chair Ervin for asking where HIV funding is going.
3:29:43 Curtis thanked Harris for championing breast cancer awareness.
3:38:22 Sposato credited Villegas for his leadership on veterans issues.
3:38:52 Waguespack thanked Villegas for writing the resolution.
3:41:36 Gardiner thanked Villegas for the resolution.
3:43:46 Villegas noted Lopez had already made his request to let the former alderman address the council.
4:01:01 Ervin asked Clay to yield and asked whether she wanted support for the item.
4:01:19 Clay replied that she would like Ervin's support.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Call for hearing(s) on missing women in City of Chicago (R2024-0008960): Adopted 47 yea, 0 nay
Redevelopment agreement with and issuance of tax increment financing (TIF) funds to Revolution Workshop for improvements at 3410 W Lake St (O2024-0013058): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds to NeighborSpace for installation of permanent infrastructure in community open space and garden at 947 W Cullerton St (O2024-0013125): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds to NeighborSpace for development of Winnslie Parkway community garden on the east side of N Ravenswood Ave from W Lawrence Ave to W Ainslie St (O2024-0012495): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Appointment of Natasha E. Jenkins as member of Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors (A2024-0013535): Approved 47 yea, 0 nay
Support of Class 6(b) tax incentive for property at 4655 W Arthington St, 4614 W Fifth Ave and 4620 W Fifth Ave (O2024-0012500): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-4-1006-C to allow use of funds for administrative, reporting and monitoring costs and expenses of Citywide Adopt-a-Landmark Fund (O2024-0012428): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Appointment of Dennis J. Mondero as member of Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors (SA2024-0013539): Approved 47 yea, 0 nay
Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of tax increment financing (TIF) funds for improvements at Chicago Vocational Career Academy High School, 2100 E 87th St (O2024-0013055): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds for improvements to Goethe Elementary School athletic and recreational facilities at 2236 N Rockwell St (O2024-0013124): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Recognition of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241 and 308 for transportation services during 2024 Democratic National Convention (R2024-0013147): Adopted 47 yea, 0 nay
Issuance of tax-exempt housing revenue bonds for Lathrop Preservation Phase IC project (O2024-0013059): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Redevelopment agreement with and issuance of tax increment financing (TIF) funds to Heart of Uptown Apartments LLC and POAH TIF LLC for acquisition and redevelopment of Heart of Uptown Apartments at 4431-4441 N Clifton Ave, 927 W Wilson Ave, 900-902 W Windsor Ave, 847-849 W Sunnyside Ave and 4130 N Kenmore Ave (O2024-0013080): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 17-12 by modifying regulations for signs within Michigan Avenue and State Street/Wabash Avenue special sign districts (O2024-0012427): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Time fixed for Public Hearing on Executive Budget for Year 2025 (R2024-0013547): Adopted 47 yea, 0 nay
Support of Class 8 MICRO property tax incentive for former U.S. Steel mill located in 7th and 10th Wards and amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 2-8 and 2-45 to waive various fees for Class 8 MICRO projects (O2024-0013091): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Support of Class C tax incentive for property at 801 W Belmont Ave, 809 W Belmont Ave, 811 W Belmont Ave, 813 W Belmont Ave, 817 W Belmont Ave, 819 W Belmont Ave, 829 W Belmont, 3170 N Clark St, 3169 N Clark St, 3158 N Halsted St, 3179 N Halsted St (O2024-0011005): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Appointment of Jarixon Medina as member of Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors (SA2024-0013538): Failed to Pass 18 yea, 25 nay
Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds for improvements to LaSalle II Elementary School turf field at 1148 N Honore St (O2024-0012491): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Honorary street designation as "James Joseph Mulligan Way" (SO2024-0013024): Passed 47 yea, 0 nay
Appointment of Thomas G. Kotarac as member of Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors (SA2024-0013536): Approved 47 yea, 0 nay
Appointment of Nora Cay Ryan as member of Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors (SA2024-0013540): Approved 47 yea, 0 nay

Legislation on the agenda

Appointment of Sharon Bush as Commissioner of Chicago Park District (A2024-0012406), Approved
Reappointment of Juliana Montebello-Roman as member of Special Service Area No. 17, Central Lakeview Commission (A2024-0013067), Approved
Appointment of LaShawn Cobb as Commissioner of Chicago Housing Authority (A2024-0013068), Approved
Appointment of Ciera Whitaker as member of District Council 006 (A2024-0013069), Approved
Vacation of portion of W Superior St in block bounded by W Chicago Ave, N Willard Ct, W Huron St and N Racine Ave (O2024-0011197), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Chicago Housing Authority (O2024-0012779), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for H.O.M.E. Childcare LLC (O2024-0012823), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Don Hall, Jr. d.b.a. XF Auto Sales Enterprise (O2024-0012973), Passed
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 4, 95th Street Commission (O2024-0013040), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 35-2015, Lincoln Avenue (O2024-0013043), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 47, Cottage Grove/47th Street (O2024-0013044), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 55, 111th Street/Kedzie (O2024-0013045), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 56-2022, Bronzeville (O2024-0013046), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 73, Chinatown (O2024-0013048), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 31, Greater Ravenswood (O2024-0013049), Published in Special Pamphlet
Permit fee waivers for Chicago Board of Education, its contractors or contracting vendors, for buildings, facilities and improvements… (O2024-0013056), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Orlando Tires and Auto Repair, Inc. (O2024-0013071), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Car Guys Chicago (O2024-0013076), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Beats and Bagger (O2024-0013078), Passed
First amendment to right of entry agreement for time extension to continue research activities at 220 E Monroe St by Lincoln Park… (O2024-0013129), Passed
First amendment to right of entry agreement for time extension for Columbia Yacht Club parking under of Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake… (O2024-0013133), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Midway Chamber of Commerce (O2024-0013174), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Roots Early Learning Center (O2024-0013188), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Que Tan Lejos Iras Daycare Center, Inc. (O2024-0013278), Passed
Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Open Kitchens, Inc. (O2024-0013347), Passed
Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 2, Belmont/Central (Year 2025) (O2024-0013391), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 7, Kedzie Industrial Park (Year 2025) (O2024-0013406), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 26, Broadway (Year 2025) (O2024-0013408), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 38, North Center (Year 2025) (O2024-0013410), Published in Special Pamphlet
Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 42, 71st Street/Stony Island (Year 2025) (O2024-0013411), Published in Special Pamphlet

…and 36 more items: the legislation tracker has every one.

Documents

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