City Council meeting, November 15, 2023

When: Wed, Nov 15, 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/manage/videos/884445708
Transcript: full text (37,675 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 debated and adopted Mayor Johnson's 2024 budget package, including the annual appropriation ordinance (read as 41 to 8), the management ordinance, tax levy and revenue ordinance (each read as 40 to 9), along with the corrections ordinance, budget amendments, motor fuel tax measures and salary resolution. Supporters cited the absence of a property tax increase, reopened mental health clinics, the Peacebook ordinance, a reparations commission, an office of reentry, the restored Department of Environment and added ward staff, while opponents and some supporters raised concerns about the $150 million for migrant services, police vacancies, reliance on one-time revenues and future tax increases. Public commenters largely opposed proposals to repeal the welcoming city ordinance and supported budget items such as mental health clinics. The Council also passed committee items including a Kenwood Academy TIF agreement (49 to 0), special service area measures, liquor moratoriums and an ordinance on assaults against city employees, while a proposed noise-sensitive zone ordinance near a 34th Ward health clinic was held after debate. Members also adopted a resolution honoring departing intergovernmental affairs official Beth Beaty and observed moments of silence for firefighter Andrew Price and staff member Sharon Munson.

Topics: 2024 budget, Migrant spending, Welcoming city ordinance, Mental health clinics, Reparations commission, Public safety, Noise-sensitive zones, Special service areas, Public comment

Agenda items discussed

16:58 Motion to allow remote participation for Ald. Maria E. Hadden: passed
17:51 Moment of silence for firefighter and EMT Andrew Price
20:27 Public comment period: discussed
49:37 Communications from the Mayor and City Clerk
53:50 Suspension of rules to consider 2024 budget items as unfinished business: passed
54:55 Debate on the 2024 budget package: discussed
3:17:42 2024 Code Corrections ordinance (O2023-0005292): passed
3:18:57 Amendments to 2024 budget recommendations and text portion (O2023-0005837): passed
3:19:57 2024 Annual Appropriation Ordinance: passed
3:22:48 2024 substitute management ordinance (SO2023-0005294): passed
3:25:05 2024 substitute motor fuel tax allocation ordinance (SO2023-0005296): passed
3:25:42 Motor fuel tax allocation intergovernmental agreement with CTA and Cook County (O2023-0005297): passed
3:26:21 Substitute salary resolution: passed
3:27:24 2024 tax levy ordinance (O2023-0005291): passed
3:29:57 Substitute 2024 revenue ordinance (SO2023-0005293): passed
3:32:35 TIF intergovernmental agreement for Kenwood Academy High School improvements: passed
3:35:24 Fee waivers for Chicago Board of Education, small claims and charitable solicitation permit: passed
3:37:06 Economic, Capital and Technology Development items: SSA appointments, Class 6(b) incentives and SSA levies: passed
3:44:49 Appointments to advisory councils (Health and Human Relations): passed
3:45:48 Liquor moratoriums in five wards and 13th Ward restricted residential zone (O2023-0004957): passed
3:47:52 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety routine items and curb parking amendment: passed
3:49:03 Ordinance on assault on city employees, officials and contractors with enforcement authority: passed
3:49:40 Ordinance designating noise-sensitive zones in the 34th Ward: held
4:17:25 Transportation and Public Way committee items: passed
4:19:18 Agreed calendar, including resolution honoring Beth Beaty: passed
4:46:13 New business introductions
4:49:39 Ordinance setting date and time of next meeting: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Recognized the MAAFA Redemption Project and moved to suspend the rules to take up nine budget items. (52:51); Said the budget reflects the agenda voters chose, citing the office of reentry, Treatment Not Trauma, Peacebook and investments beyond policing. (3:06:17); Noted the budget keeps the promise of no property tax increase while adding $300 million to pension payments and civilianizing police positions. (3:14:19)
William Conway (alderperson): Said he would vote yes, praising no property tax increase and mental health funding, but raised concerns about LaSalle Street TIF funds and the $150 million for migrants without enough collaboration with alders. (55:24); Asked to hold his noise-sensitive zone ordinance at Corporation Counsel's request. (4:15:40)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Fully supported the budget, citing the restored Department of the Environment and mental health investments, and urged community-based approaches to gender-based violence. (58:03); Expressed solidarity with people of Gaza and called for a ceasefire. (1:01:11); Reported the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee's routine items and a subject matter hearing on police traffic stops. (3:47:52)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Opposed the budget, saying it is not balanced because the $150 million for migrants would run out by April without identified backup funding. (1:02:26); Said the budget does not address about 2,300 police vacancies and that civilian hiring will take years. (1:04:30); Said added ward staff should have been justified by a study and warned of large future tax increases. (1:05:54)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): As budget vice chair, thanked the budget director and staff for their work during hearings. (1:08:16); Said she would vote yes, citing closing a $538 million gap, the Department of Environment, added ward staff and pay schedule adjustments. (1:10:12); Raised concerns about migrant spending given uncertain federal funds and committed to work on fiscal responsibility. (1:14:22)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Called the budget a deposit on campaign promises, citing Treatment Not Trauma, Peacebook and reentry services. (1:15:17); Said the Council should press federal and state officials for migrant funding rather than hope and pray, and that Chicago will remain a sanctuary city. (1:17:07)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Thanked the budget director, Ald. Jason C. Ervin, Ald. Pat Dowell and the Clerk for the budget process. (1:20:46); Said he was disappointed the CPI-linked property tax increase was not continued, predicting larger increases later. (1:23:34); Said he could not support the budget because $10 million he requested for an Ogden Park field house was not included while $150 million went to migrants. (1:25:47)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Supported the budget's office of reentry, reparations commission funding, youth jobs and mental health investments. (1:29:30); As Housing Committee chair, thanked the administration for homelessness support and home repair funding. (1:34:49); Thanked Alds. Robinson and Hall for joining him at the border and called for federal and state support for migrants. (1:37:25)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said Council members are not working together, recalled colleague Sharon Munson, and urged responsibility to all Chicagoans. (1:45:22); Said she would vote yes because the budget funds Peacebook for young people, though it is not perfect. (1:48:29); Recounted Ald. Brendan Reilly agreeing to help her in her first year as an example of working across differences. (1:49:38)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Described the budget as a moral and political document and spoke about immigrant residents' fear of deportation, citing his father. (1:52:16); Cited a 50% increase for the Office of Labor Standards, the Department of Environment, extra pension payments and 300 civilian police positions. (1:55:16)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Supported the budget, citing mental health clinics, the Department of Environment, youth programs and extra ward staff. (1:56:09)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Called the budget a holistic public safety budget, citing reentry, mental health, civilian police positions and 4,000 more youth jobs. (1:59:17); Supported continuing LaSalle Street reimagining with affordable housing downtown and lead service line replacement. (2:02:45); Thanked Beth Beaty for understanding the perspectives of aldermen and the administration. (4:37:46)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Called it a people-centered budget, citing community safety, homelessness, mental health, youth jobs, reparations and reentry, and said he would vote yes. (2:07:45)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Honored firefighter Drew Price and Sharon Munson and thanked the budget director. (2:09:57); Supported the budget's public safety approach, including civilianization, detectives and alternative mental health response. (2:10:45); Said growth in tourism and business revenue is needed to avoid future property tax increases. (2:12:53)
Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Supported the budget and said Chicago must remain a sanctuary city, describing undocumented residents in her ward and her own experience. (2:15:03)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Opposed the budget, citing projected migrant spending of over half a billion dollars over 18 to 24 months and predicting a future property tax increase. (2:22:31); Thanked Beth Beaty for her service and friendship. (4:33:23)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said he would vote yes, thanking the budget director and Ald. Jason C. Ervin and praising the migrant appropriation and reentry and reparations funding. (2:27:34); Raised concerns about reliance on TIF surplus, ending the CPI property tax increase, and police spending without an independent audit. (2:33:02); Praised Beth Beaty's effectiveness across administrations. (4:29:59)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Supported the budget, thanking the budget director and Ald. Jason C. Ervin and highlighting the funded office of reentry and reparations commission. (2:37:21)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Supported the budget as a people's budget while raising concerns about understanding public safety spending. (2:42:30); Supported the noise-sensitive zone ordinance, saying abortion is health care and patients should not be impeded. (4:14:09)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Raised concerns about the $150 million for migrants and the reparations commission funding but said he would support the budget. (2:46:30); Opposed the noise-sensitive zone ordinance as targeting anti-abortion protesters and infringing on free speech. (3:50:11); Wished Beth Beaty well. (4:35:49)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Clarified that CPS, not the Council, voted to close schools, and asked colleagues to help expand the Office of Veterans Affairs. (2:50:03); Supported decoupling IT from AIS and urged rapid IT modernization to save money and speed development, and said he would support the budget. (2:51:25); Reported Economic, Capital and Technology Development items including SSA appointments, levies and Class 6(b) incentives. (3:37:06)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): In closing, called the budget a reflection of the Mayor's values, listing mental health, homelessness, reentry, environment and reparations investments. (2:54:50); Said the budget does this without raising property taxes and cited a recent credit rating upgrade. (2:57:17); Moved adoption of the 2024 tax levy and revenue ordinances. (3:27:24)
Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Reported Health and Human Relations Committee appointments to advisory councils. (3:44:49)
Peter Chico (alderperson): As License Committee vice chair, reported liquor moratoriums and a 13th Ward restricted residential zone, noting a corrected numbering error. (3:45:48)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Reported the Public Safety Committee items on assaults on city employees and noise-sensitive zones. (3:49:03); Said the noise ordinance would be held in committee while the Law Department reviews noise control. (4:16:09)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Supported the noise-sensitive zone ordinance, saying patients and doctors need access to care without threats or amplified noise. (3:51:49); Praised Beth Beaty's consensus building as intergovernmental affairs director. (4:28:44)
Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Supported the noise ordinance's goal but recommended holding it to set a decibel or distance standard so violators would know the limits. (3:52:51); After speaking with the sponsor and Law Department, said he supports the ordinance despite its subjective standard. (4:12:27)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Supported the noise ordinance, recalling the 2009 bubble ordinance and its court review. (4:13:11); Thanked Beth Beaty for years of professionalism and advice. (4:41:28)
Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Reported Transportation and Public Way Committee items, including miscellaneous ordinances and two commercial vacations. (4:17:25)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Thanked Beth Beaty for her leadership and guidance as she leaves to become Joliet's city manager. (4:23:05); Acknowledged the life of staff member Sharon Munson and invited colleagues to her services. (4:45:02)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Spoke of 20 years working with Beth Beaty and praised her competence. (4:26:43)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Praised Beth Beaty's ability to build relationships and bring people together. (4:27:53)
Carlos Ramírez-Rosa (alderperson): Congratulated Beth Beaty on her new role. (4:32:37)
Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Thanked Beth Beaty for being his go-to person in finance and intergovernmental affairs. (4:34:00)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Thanked Beth Beaty remotely for her service to the city. (4:37:15)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Described Beth Beaty as a calming force who communicated aldermen's community concerns. (4:39:12)
Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Praised Beth Beaty's talent and dedication to public service. (4:40:29)

Exchanges between members

1:19:01 Ald. Jessica L. Fuentes thanked Ald. Nicole T. Lee for recognizing the budget director's professionalism.
1:16:06 Ald. Jessica L. Fuentes congratulated Ald. Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez and Ald. Jeanette B. Taylor for leading on Treatment Not Trauma and Peacebook.
1:21:14 Ald. David H. Moore thanked Ald. Jason C. Ervin for running the budget hearings.
1:21:27 Ald. David H. Moore thanked Ald. Pat Dowell for her leadership on finance issues.
1:32:59 Ald. Byron Sigcho-López thanked Ald. Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez for her mental health advocacy.
1:37:29 Ald. Byron Sigcho-López thanked Ald. Lamont J. Robinson and Ald. William E. Hall for joining him at the border.
1:49:38 Ald. Jeanette B. Taylor recounted asking Ald. Brendan Reilly for help and his agreeing to assist.
1:53:40 Ald. Michael D. Rodriguez referenced a reminder from his colleague from the 14th Ward about immigrant residents.
1:56:23 Ald. Ruth Cruz thanked Ald. Jason C. Ervin for the budget hearings.
2:04:23 Ald. Walter R. Burnett commended work with Ald. William Conway and Ald. Brendan Reilly on downtown LaSalle Street plans.
2:09:06 Ald. Timothy R. Knudsen joked about following Ald. Ronnie L. Mosley pizza analogy.
2:10:52 Ald. Timothy R. Knudsen echoed Ald. Walter R. Burnett description of the budget as holistic.
2:16:44 Ald. Jeylú B. Gutiérrez echoed Ald. Michael D. Rodriguez call not to spread misinformation.
2:22:16 Ald. James M. Gardiner thanked the budget director and Ald. Jason C. Ervin.
2:28:56 Ald. Andre Vasquez Jr. thanked Ald. Jason C. Ervin for his leadership of the budget hearings.
2:38:12 Ald. Stephanie D. Coleman thanked Ald. Jason C. Ervin for guiding her through the process.
2:39:18 Ald. Stephanie D. Coleman thanked Ald. Pat Dowell regarding reparations funding.
2:41:47 Ald. Stephanie D. Coleman told Ald. Jeanette B. Taylor the Black Caucus supports her on Peacebook.
2:42:33 Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Ald. Stephanie D. Coleman and the Black Caucus.
2:50:32 Ald. Gilbert Villegas thanked Ald. Walter R. Burnett for his advocacy for returning citizens.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-64-170 by adding new subsection 33.1 allowing parking of commercial pickup truck or van less than 8,000 pounds on portion of N Albany Ave (O2023-0004738): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
First Amendment to Kenwood Academy IGA (O2023-0005701): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (1.61) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Logan Blvd (O2023-0004752): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 3, 9, 11 and 14 (2024 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance) (SO2023-0005293): Passed 40 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (1.88) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Grand Ave (O2023-0005671): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (34.38) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N LaSalle St and W Madison St (O2023-0005533): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 8-4 by adding new Section 8-4-077 entitled "Assault Against City Employees with Enforcement Authority" (SO2023-0003867): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
091323 2 wheel parking exception South Hale_9-64-113 (O2023-0003364): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Infrastructure agreement for LeClaire Courts redevelopment project at W Cicero Ave south of Stevenson Expwy (O2023-0005070): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2024, as amended (SO2023-0005140): Passed 41 yea, 8 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.65) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of E 87th St (O2023-0004822): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Scope of services, budget and management agreement and amendment of 2023 budget for Special Service Area No. 38, North Center (O2023-0005041): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
government agency fee waivers Board of Education (O2023-0005778): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Midway Moving Class 6b substitute final (SO2023-0001202): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Support of Class 6(b) Tax incentive for property at 5740 N Tripp Ave (O2023-0005095): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 18 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various departments and agencies (2024 Municipal Code Management Ordinance) (SO2023-0005294): Passed 40 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent
Designation of various precincts of 13th Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units and vacation rentals (O2023-0004957): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cook County for allocation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds (O2023-0005297): Passed 40 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (40.5(a)) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Lincoln Ave and 4-60-023 (40.5(a)) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Lincoln Ave (SO2023-0005315): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent
Amendment of 2022 appropriation, tax levy, scope of services, budget and provider agreement, and amendment of 2023 Service Provider Agreement for Special Service Area No. 60, Albany Park (O2023-0005043): Passed 49 yea, 0 nay, 1 absent