# Committee on Housing and Real Estate meeting, September 16, 2026

- When: Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Housing and Real Estate](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/housing-and-real-estate)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928563?video=1227112522
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1227112522.txt) (32,727 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 Committee on Housing and Real Estate heard about an hour of public comment, chosen by lottery, much of it on the Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO), along with comments on a Senior Bill of Rights and federal flood-recovery grant funds. Administration officials presented a substitute PRO that removes the just cause and relocation fee provisions while keeping a citywide rental registry, a Bureau of Rental Housing Services, codification of the eviction counsel program, and junk-fee limits. Members asked about registry fees, staffing, enforcement and the city budget, and on a roll call the chair announced 12 in favor and 9 against, so the substitute PRO passed. The committee also approved two Chicago Housing Authority board appointments (Ramona Westbrook and John Bartlett), after a substitute changed which expired term Bartlett would fill. It also approved a community garden lease, financing for the Regenerator permanent supportive housing project in West Englewood, and several Chi Block Builder land sales.

Topics: Protecting Renters Ordinance, rental registry, tenant protections, CHA board appointments, city budget, permanent supportive housing, Chi Block Builder land sales, community gardens, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [20:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=1209) Public comment (20 speakers selected by lottery): discussed
- [59:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=3542) Rule 45 report for July 8 and July 14, 2026: passed
- [59:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=3568) Appointment of Ramona Westbrook as Commissioner of the Chicago Housing Authority (substitute, succeeding Matthew Brewer): passed
- [59:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=3568) Appointment of John Bartlett as Commissioner of the Chicago Housing Authority (substitute, succeeding Angela Herlock): passed
- [1:38:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=5914) Item 3: Substitute ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapter 5-12, Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Protecting Renters Ordinance): passed
- [3:39:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=13184) Item 4: Lease agreement with NeighborSpace for city-owned lot at 5900-5910 N. Lincoln Ave. as a community garden (50th Ward): passed
- [3:44:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=13494) Item 5: Substitute ordinance for multifamily program funds and other assistance to The Regenerator LLC, 6206 S. Racine Ave. (16th Ward): passed
- [3:53:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=14030) Item 6 (skipped)
- [3:54:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=14052) Item 7: Sale of city-owned property at 4442 S. Calumet Ave. to Fargo Ventures LLC under Chi Block Builder (3rd Ward): passed
- [3:57:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=14227) Item 8: Sale of city-owned property at 5022 and 5026 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. to R&D Builders LLC (3rd Ward): passed
- [4:00:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=14440) Item 9: Sale of city-owned property at 5316 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. to R&D Builders (3rd Ward): passed
- [4:03:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=14596) Item 10: Sale of city-owned property at 1054 N. Avers Ave. to JT Alternatives LLC (37th Ward): passed
- [4:05:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=14746) Item 11: Sale of city-owned property at 3609-3611 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. to New House of Flowers LLC (4th Ward): passed
- [4:12:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=15158) Item 12: Sale of city-owned property at 2341 W. Erie St. to Walsh Apartments LLC (36th Ward): passed
- [4:20:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=15600) Item 13: Sale of city-owned property at 4144 S. Calumet Ave. to NeighborSpace (3rd Ward): passed
- [4:22:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=15736) Item 14: Sale of city-owned property at 817, 821 and 823 N. Harding Ave. to NeighborSpace (37th Ward): passed
- [4:24:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=15849) Item 15: Sale of city-owned property at 5645 W. End Ave. to adjacent owner Tracy Blackwell (29th Ward): passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (chair): Said 42 people signed up for public comment and that 20 speakers would be chosen by lottery to speak for a minute and a half each. ([20:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=1209)); Agreed to provide members a list of expired CHA board terms and vacancies. ([1:09:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4198)); Said the RLTO had not been updated in 40 years and encouraged Alderman Gilbert Villegas and himself to work together so the two ordinances do not conflict. ([3:20:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=12047))
- [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (alderperson): Asked the CHA appointees whose expired terms they would be filling. ([1:09:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4156)); Called the ordinance a piece of the problem, said it does not reach the worst buildings, and urged more focus on housing court and including HUD buildings. ([3:03:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=10986)); Asked whether HUD buildings are excluded and how the ordinance would change enforcement against slumlords. ([3:04:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=11089))
- [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (alderperson): Asked the chair for a list of expired CHA board terms, oldest to most recent. ([1:09:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4185)); Asked the CHA appointees whether they intend to replace the CHA CEO chosen through a nationwide search and whether anyone asked them to. ([1:10:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4204)); Urged the appointees, if confirmed, to keep politics out of the CHA and let the selected CEO perform. ([1:11:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4314))
- [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (alderperson): Said she supports the CHA appointments and urged appointees to provide stability and use independent judgment rather than follow elected officials on the CEO question. ([1:13:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4408)); Said aldermen face limits on their power to address bad buildings, said PRO will help, and moved to pass. ([3:08:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=11335))
- [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (alderperson): Asked for information on other expired CHA board terms and moved to have an appointment fill the expired term of Angela Herlock instead. ([1:16:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4612)); Asked how much revenue the registry would generate, how many staff would be hired across departments, and whether senior buildings are included. ([2:01:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7288)); Moved the appointment of John Bartlett to succeed Angela Herlock on the CHA board. ([3:39:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=13147))
- [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (alderperson): Asked whether a Chicago resident who owns but does not live in a three-flat would pay the registry fee, and confirmed there is no carve-out. ([1:57:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7049)); Asked what happens to new employees if registry revenue falls short and raised concern about adding staff given an $800 million budget gap. ([1:59:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7155)); Asked why the just cause and relocation fee provisions were removed. ([2:00:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7224))
- [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (alderperson): Asked which fees landlords would still be allowed to charge and whether those are spelled out in the ordinance. ([2:04:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7444)); Asked about notice requirements for adding fees such as a pet fee during or between leases. ([2:05:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7545)); Praised the Englewood community partners in the Regenerator development team and moved to pass the item. ([3:52:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=13942))
- [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (alderperson): Asked what happens if a landlord does not pay the registration fee and what the fine would be. ([2:08:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7733)); Asked whether there would be hardship provisions. ([2:11:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7864)); Said members were briefed on changes only the evening before, that meetings in her community opposed the ordinance, and asked for continued dialogue. ([2:11:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7888))
- [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (alderperson): Asked which city department is responsible when a tenant lacks electricity and the landlord does not respond, and how PRO would change that. ([2:14:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8048)); Asked how an alderperson can currently find out who owns a building and how PRO would help with lockouts. ([2:18:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8292)); Described a 48th Ward tenant who paid large move-in costs and lacked utilities, and said she supports PRO to hold bad landlords accountable. ([2:20:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8400))
- [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (alderperson): Asked how coordination among departments would work and where existing Department of Housing staff workloads would shift. ([2:22:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8552)); Asked what enforcement would follow if a landlord did not pay registry fees for several years. ([2:23:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8638)); Said the city has a history of not collecting fees and fines and that the program could add to the budget deficit. ([2:26:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8762))
- [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (alderperson): Said her office has over 300 housing cases this year and described tenants unable to reach landlords hidden behind multiple LLCs. ([2:30:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9022)); Said owner-occupied exemptions and removed provisions address small landlord concerns and that PRO meets the needs of constituents. ([2:33:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9213))
- [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (alderperson): Said her ward has the same problems, that the approach has worked elsewhere, described a landlord with dozens of buildings out of code, and moved to pass. ([2:36:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9410))
- [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (alderperson): Raised concerns that fees are not collected from owners now and that a $60 fee will not change outcomes in a ward with older buildings and small owners. ([2:39:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9583)); Cited property tax increases in her ward and asked what fees are allowed and where the money will come from given the deficit. ([2:42:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9760))
- [Anthony J. Quezada](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/35) (alderperson): Described tenants in poor conditions who cannot reach landlords and supported the registry attestation of safe conditions. ([2:46:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9984)); Said tenant protections and building more housing are not in conflict and urged a yes vote. ([2:48:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=10124))
- [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (alderperson): Asked for a breakdown of how the projected $22.1 million in revenue would be allocated. ([3:01:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=10883)); Asked whether church rectories fall under the registry fee categories. ([3:02:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=10946))
- [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (alderperson): Said neither PRO nor FAIR addresses single-family homes rented by investors in neighborhoods, vacant buildings, or Department of Buildings staffing. ([3:10:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=11455))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:09:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=4185) Villegas asked the chair for a list of expired CHA board terms, and the chair agreed to provide it.
- [2:01:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=7288) Harris noted that Quinn had already asked several of her questions.
- [2:23:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=8638) Beale followed up on Mitts's line of questioning about unpaid registry fees.
- [2:36:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=9410) Rodríguez Sánchez echoed what her colleague from the 26th Ward had said about housing problems.
- [3:03:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=11039) Dowell referred to the case of the tenant with roaches that Fuentes had described.
- [3:09:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=11358) Hadden said she shared Dowell's frustration about limits on addressing bad buildings.
- [3:10:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=11447) Mitchell said he shared Dowell's frustrations.
- [3:21:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0?t=12061) The chair encouraged Villegas to work with him so the PRO and FAIR ordinances do not conflict.

## Documents

- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/6fede8bb-cc2a-441c-a893-52c66d84121f.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/91551ce0-eb82-4572-a741-43737b261bb4.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/4a214340-d76c-4cb3-810f-f98424c3118e.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/75a8e9be-005f-4b25-9720-7969b664696d.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/9E52303E-7387-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt