# Committee on Health and Human Relations meeting, March 19, 2025

- When: Wed, Mar 19, 2025, 10:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Health and Human Relations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/health-and-human-relations)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1067027865
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1067027865.txt) (25,209 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 Committee on Health and Human Relations, chaired by Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez, heard 20 public commenters, most addressing the federal detention of Columbia University graduate student and green card holder Mahmoud Khalil from differing perspectives, and others addressing antisemitism, a protecting families ordinance and other concerns. The committee approved its February Rule 45 report and recommended approval of mayoral appointments and a reappointment to the Chicago Board of Health after appointees described their backgrounds and members raised the board's vacancy history, term lengths, health disparities and Latino representation. It also recommended a substitute of Alderperson Maria E. Hadden ordinance O2024-0012999 codifying anti-discrimination protections for people associated with members of protected classes, and a substitute of Alderperson Julia M. Ramirez resolution R2024-0010989 calling for hearings and trainings on hate and discrimination. In a subject matter hearing with no vote, representatives of the ACLU of Illinois, CAIR-Chicago and the US Palestinian Community Network called for Khalil's release; Alderpersons Sigcho-López, Hadden and Fuentes spoke about due process, while Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez criticized the hearing, cited the October 7 attack and said the committee had not heard a hostage resolution, a point the chair disputed.

Topics: Mahmoud Khalil detention, due process and free speech, Chicago Board of Health appointments, anti-discrimination ordinance, hate and discrimination hearings, antisemitism, Latino representation, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [49:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=2966) Approval of the February 2025 Rule 45 report: passed
- [49:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=2993) Mayoral appointments and reappointment to the Chicago Board of Health: passed
- [1:21:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4901) Substitute ordinance: Protecting Families and Caregivers (civil rights protections for individuals associated with protected classes): passed
- [1:25:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=5139) Substitute resolution calling for hearings on issues of hate and discrimination in Chicago: passed
- [1:28:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=5318) Subject matter hearing calling for the release of Mahmoud Khalil by ICE and an investigation into his detention: discussed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (chair): Thanked the Board of Health appointees and said public health faces a tough and uncertain moment requiring strong leadership. ([1:04:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=3875)); Explained the Khalil resolution was sent to the Rules Committee but that as chair she can hold a subject matter hearing, calling the detention of a green card holder for speech a dangerous precedent. ([1:29:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=5390)); Responded to a departed colleague that discussing due process and authoritarian detentions is appropriate for the committee. ([2:24:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=8686))
- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Thanked the Board of Health appointees, praised the slate's range of disciplines, and urged that boards not be left unfilled for long. ([1:07:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4077))
- [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (alderperson): Asked the board president to repeat his remarks on health disparities and early deaths among people of color during COVID. ([1:09:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4174)); Asked what the board's priority will be in breaking down long-standing health disparities, citing policies including housing. ([1:11:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4316)); Drawing on work as a physical therapist in the county health system, asked the board to make housing a priority. ([1:15:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4555))
- [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (alderperson): Asked about Board of Health term lengths and whether the slate is complete. ([1:16:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4602)); Said the lack of Latino representation among the appointees is unacceptable and that he may vote against future mayoral appointees that are not reflective of the city. ([1:19:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4752)); Urged the board not to lose sight of violence as a public health issue. ([1:20:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4825))
- [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (alderperson): Explained the ordinance codifies the Commission on Human Relations' existing practice of extending anti-discrimination protections to family members and caregivers of protected classes, as at the county and state. ([1:22:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4945)); Said she co-sponsored the Khalil resolution solely because the executive branch cannot operate outside the law, while not sharing his views. ([2:09:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=7779)); Responded that executive orders are not the law and that legislative bodies make law. ([2:12:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=7936))
- [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (alderperson): Said the substitute resolution provides virtual trainings for a broad group including ward staff, citing stress and trauma residents feel amid ICE sightings. ([1:26:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=5184))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Thanked the chair for the hearing, called Khalil a political prisoner, and said the city condemns hate crimes wherever they come from. ([1:49:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=6583)); Read into the record a letter attributed to Khalil describing his detention. ([1:51:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=6670)); Said the resolution went to Rules because of a colleague and that local legislative bodies must speak up when the federal government will not. ([2:37:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=9432))
- [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (alderperson): Said green card holders and others have a right to due process and that if a crime was committed a person should be charged. ([2:19:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=8347)); Said ICE has been showing up in her ward every other day without signed warrants and that she will protect residents regardless of status. ([2:20:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=8424))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:20:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=4825) Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez referenced his colleague's mention of housing before raising violence as a public health issue.
- [1:49:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=6583) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López thanked the chair for holding the subject matter hearing.
- [2:07:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=7643) Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez said the committee had not taken up a resolution on the return of hostages.
- [2:12:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=7936) Alderperson Maria E. Hadden responded to her colleague's reference to an executive order by saying executive orders are not the law.
- [2:24:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=8686) The chair disputed her departed colleague's view that the committee should not be discussing the matter.
- [2:26:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=8762) The chair cited Alderpersons Fuentes and Hadden's points about the precedent being set.
- [2:29:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=8975) The chair stated the committee had passed a resolution demanding release of all hostages.
- [2:49:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=10159) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López said he wished Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez had stayed for the conversation.
- [2:49:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238?t=10188) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López thanked the chair for her leadership.

## Documents

- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/f61f9b80-93fe-ef11-9340-001dd804a238.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/9ac05096-eaf7-43e5-bf34-38c781ae89eb.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9D704938-93FE-EF11-9340-001DD804A238 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt