City Council meeting, March 12, 2025

When: Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 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/1064794248
Transcript: full text (44,693 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 March 12, 2025 City Council meeting began with approval of remote participation for two members and a public comment period in which eight speakers addressed a proposed ban on new fur sales, police accountability, civic unity and a proposed cumulative environmental impacts ordinance. Much of the meeting was devoted to acknowledgements and resolutions honoring Sigma Gamma Rho's Central Region centennial, retiring Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee, Women's History Month and the late Shandra Libby of the Department of Family and Support Services, all of which passed. The council passed Finance Committee items including financial assistance for an Irving Park Road project (47-0), TIF Works program changes and several legal settlements, one of which passed 34-15, and approved Ivan as Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. After debate, the substitute ordinance to ban the sale of new fur products failed 19-26. The council also approved reports from other committees, the agreed calendar and an ordinance setting the next meeting for April 16, 2025.

Topics: Fur sales ban, Honorary resolutions, Aviation Commissioner retirement, Women's History Month, Homelessness services, Legal settlements, BACP commissioner appointment, Gun violence, Committee reports, Public comment

Agenda items discussed

26:35 Approval of remote participation under Rule 59: passed
31:29 Public comment period: discussed
57:44 Acknowledgements of a student hero, the 8th Infantry, Benny Henry, Olive-Harvey Lady Panthers and Kenwood Academy girls basketball
1:08:11 Resolution honoring the Central Region of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: passed
1:29:26 Resolution honoring retiring Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee: passed
2:30:08 Resolution honoring Women's History Month: passed
3:41:54 Resolution honoring the life of Shandra Libby: passed
4:09:45 Communications from the mayor and city clerk
4:14:59 Finance: financial assistance for development at 2909-2917 W. Irving Park Road: passed
4:17:59 Finance: amendments to the TIF Works program: passed
4:18:37 Finance: settlement in Boyd v. Javon et al. ($280,000): passed
4:21:18 Finance: settlements in Mang, Jones and Island cases: passed
4:24:45 Appointment of Ivan as Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection: passed
4:44:45 Budget, Economic Development, and Housing and Real Estate committee reports: passed
4:52:51 Substitute ordinance adding chapter 4-41 to ban the sale of new fur products: failed
5:12:59 License committee: liquor moratorium ordinances: passed
5:14:03 Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, Special Events, Transportation and Zoning committee reports: passed
5:20:02 Agreed calendar: passed
5:20:36 New business introductions
5:31:36 Ordinance setting the next meeting for April 16, 2025: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Praised Commissioner Rhee's enthusiasm and leadership and hoped her successor would maintain that standard. (1:37:13); Reported 144 routine traffic items from the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. (5:14:03)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): As an Aviation Committee member and personal friend, praised Commissioner Rhee's career and character. (1:56:18)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Thanked Commissioner Rhee for her accessibility and her work to increase African-American opportunities at the airport and in procurement. (2:19:34); Described working with Shandra Libby on homelessness issues in the Third Ward since the pandemic. (3:43:27); Presented the Finance Committee report, including financial assistance for an Irving Park Road project, TIF Works changes and several settlements. (4:14:59)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Congratulated the Kenwood Academy girls basketball team on its IHSA state championship. (1:07:26)
Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Presented the Committee on Housing and Real Estate report of eight ordinances including land sales and lease renewals. (4:48:39); Presented the Committee on Transportation and Public Way report. (5:16:04)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Honored the Olive-Harvey College Lady Panthers for winning the NJCAA Region 4 championship with a 32-1 record. (1:04:27); Thanked Commissioner Rhee for guiding her through procurement matters. (1:41:54); Presented the agreed calendar of 93 commemorative and congratulatory resolutions. (5:20:02)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Credited Commissioner Rhee with being intentional about increasing contracts for African-American businesses while at procurement. (1:35:29)
Peter Chico (alderperson): Honored Cheryl Johnson of People for Community Recovery for continuing Hazel Johnson's environmental justice work. (3:03:38)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Supported the Sigma Gamma Rho resolution, describing support from Black Greek organizations when she co-founded an Asian American sorority. (1:17:35); Praised Commissioner Rhee as a model civil servant. (2:17:11); As women's caucus chair, honored Asian American and Chicago women leaders and recognized Personal PAC's work on reproductive rights. (2:30:34)
Marty Quinn (alderperson): Thanked Commissioner Rhee for restoring trust with Southwest Side residents affected by airport issues, calling her an honest broker. (2:09:52)
Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Recognized Rosario Ayala and the Archer Heights Civic Association for keeping residents informed. (3:01:12); Thanked the new commissioner for help reviving business corridors and providing multilingual materials. (4:40:40)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Credited Commissioner Rhee with repairing the Department of Aviation's relationship with communities after her predecessor. (2:03:46); Praised the new commissioner's enforcement work against illegal businesses and vendors. (4:34:18); Spoke in support of the amended fur ordinance, noting the council regularly regulates businesses. (5:00:03)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): As a member, honored the Sigma Gamma Rho Central Region on its centennial celebration in Chicago. (1:09:01); Credited Commissioner Rhee with helping form a diversity working group that holds the aviation industry accountable for contracting with Black and Latino businesses. (2:15:12); Said BACP should reward good businesses and hold bad actors accountable. (4:41:22)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Recognized the 8th Infantry Illinois National Guard Association's 50th anniversary and Benny Henry's work mentoring young people. (1:00:33); Recognized Sigma Gamma Rho members serving in Auburn Gresham. (1:20:19); Credited Commissioner Rhee with work on equity in procurement and aviation, including the first Black-owned air cargo facility on airside. (1:32:38)
Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Supported the Sigma Gamma Rho resolution, citing their work supporting young women. (1:19:11); Thanked Commissioner Rhee for supporting his efforts to bring young people to the airports. (1:40:51)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): As Aviation chair, said reconfirming Commissioner Rhee was his first official act and had a major impact on the airports. (2:22:35); Said the fur ordinance was not about public safety or health but about dictating moral standards, and asked whether leather or beef would be next. (4:57:02); Said two furriers in his ward would close if the ordinance passed, costing jobs and sales tax, and urged colleagues not to support it. (4:58:48)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Credited Commissioner Rhee with making sure Black-owned businesses had opportunities at the airports. (1:48:45); Thanked women in City Hall and residents who hold council members accountable, and honored Cheryl Johnson and Jinora Stone. (3:15:32)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Recognized a student who used life-saving training after a March 4 shooting at a high school in his ward. (58:00); Said guns remain too accessible and called for gunshot detection, the Peacebook plan and a resourced office of violence prevention. (58:47)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Thanked Commissioner Rhee for transparency and engagement on Latino equity issues. (1:52:41); Thanked the women honored and his late mother, a rape victim advocate and social worker. (3:35:40); Cited work with the new commissioner on paid leave, One Fair Wage and a rideshare ordinance. (4:29:06)
Silvana Tabares (alderperson): Honored a Chicago police officer who survived being shot during a 2022 traffic stop and now supports injured officers through a nonprofit. (2:34:34)
Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Honored Apostle Rashawna Fitzpatrick for community service in North Lawndale. (2:50:26); Presented appointments to the Special Events and Cultural Affairs Advisory Council. (5:14:39)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Raised the case of Emily Pike and said Black and brown women are disproportionately missing. (3:25:04); Asked the men in the chamber to start conversations about ending violence against women. (3:25:47); Honored Cheryl Johnson and Hazel Johnson's environmental justice legacy and thanked them for the Hazel Johnson cumulative impacts ordinance. (3:27:35)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Credited Commissioner Rhee, a 26th Ward constituent, with competitive federal grants and airport expansion. (1:46:14); Cited statistics on women-owned businesses and honored Melissa, founder of a local chamber of commerce. (2:41:13); Said Shandra Libby helped her through a growing Humboldt Park encampment, leading to over 80 people being housed in December 2024. (3:52:10)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Credited Commissioner Rhee with helping many small businesses navigate city procurement. (2:12:53)
Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Recognized Sigma Gamma Rho's youth work on the West Side. (1:24:16); Recalled Commissioner Rhee's integrity and her support for contractors. (2:11:04); Described Shandra Libby as setting a high bar for homelessness services. (3:59:54)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Honored Lorraine, a longtime Independence Park resident, for decades of social work, tree planting and volunteering in Independence Park. (2:45:52); Supported the new commissioner's appointment and thanked him for partnership with the 30th Ward. (4:28:07)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said the city will miss Commissioner Rhee's institutional knowledge and representation of the city. (1:38:40)
Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Thanked colleagues for passing the bodily autonomy sanctuary ordinance. (2:57:03); Described the labor history behind International Working Women's Day and urged continued defense of rights. (2:57:35); Said men have a responsibility to create a culture of safety for women. (3:00:34)
William Conway (alderperson): Described Shandra Libby's weekly outreach at a downtown viaduct encampment, where 10 people accepted housing. (3:46:34)
Carlos Ramírez-Rosa (alderperson): Recalled Shandra Libby's help with a homeless encampment in the 35th Ward when he took office. (3:56:27)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Recalled working with Commissioner Rhee on local procurement, small business and veteran business programs. (1:50:18); Cited work with the new commissioner on a rogue towing ordinance and noted he is a Marine veteran. (4:26:57); Presented two tax incentives from the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development and invited members to the tech task force. (4:47:28)
Emma Mitts (alderperson): Recalled Commissioner Rhee's progress at procurement and wished her a healthy retirement. (1:43:50); Honored Elise Edwards, a faith-based community organizer in the 37th Ward. (3:09:34); Supported promoting the new commissioner from within the department. (4:26:10)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Cited Commissioner Rhee's support for minority- and women-owned businesses and sustainability at the airports. (2:07:56); Honored Principal Liz Mikus of Northside Learning Center. (3:37:30); Recalled working with Shandra Libby to house people from a northwest side viaduct. (3:48:41)
Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said many are concerned about filling Commissioner Rhee's role given the complexity of the aviation department. (1:55:12); Said he looks forward to work with the new commissioner on short-term rental accountability, chamber funding, outdoor dining and street vendors. (4:29:56)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Praised Commissioner Rhee's work ethic and communication with his office. (1:47:29)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Presented the zoning committee report, including landmark designation of the Rector Building and adopt-a-landmark grants. (5:17:37)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Thanked Commissioner Rhee for explaining issues to newer alderpersons. (2:06:40); Honored Nina, a Portage Park resident described as the first woman to own a barbershop in downtown Chicago. (3:30:14)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Honored Orie Pinnock for fair housing advocacy and directing the city's first battered women's shelter. (3:20:28); Said struggling small business corridors need strong BACP leadership. (4:39:54)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Said losing Commissioner Rhee during a critical time is a loss and that the council will have tough questions for her successor. (1:59:57); Asked the aviation team to stay and communicate with council members during the transition. (2:01:50); Said the council could honor Shandra Libby by securing more funding for homelessness support services. (4:05:29)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Honored 50th Ward resident Karen for work with families in crisis and connected Women's History Month to the story of Esther. (2:52:36); Presented the license committee's item appointing Ivan as BACP commissioner and congratulated him. (4:24:45); Presented the substitute fur ordinance, noting opposition from Alderpersons Coleman, O'Shea and Cardona. (4:52:51)

Exchanges between members

1:49:38 Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor said she agreed with Alderperson Anthony V. Napolitano advice that Commissioner Rhee enjoy her retirement.
1:52:53 Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez built on Alderperson David H. Moore earlier remarks about Commissioner Rhee and equity.
1:59:08 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden said she agreed with Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. about her first impression of Commissioner Rhee.
1:59:14 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden echoed Alderperson Gilbert Villegas comments on Commissioner Rhee's leadership and expertise.
2:16:27 Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman echoed Alderperson Maria E. Hadden in calling Commissioner Rhee irreplaceable.
2:18:45 Alderperson Nicole T. Lee echoed Alderperson James M. Gardiner remark that honoring Commissioner Rhee during Women's History Month was fitting.
3:20:15 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth acknowledged Alderperson Nicole T. Lee as chair of the women's caucus.
3:25:42 Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López echoed Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez call for men to make the world safer for women.
4:35:59 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin noted to Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez that they agreed on the BACP appointment.
4:57:43 Alderperson Matthew J. O'Shea mentioned that Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor had been singing a furrier's jingle that morning.
5:01:20 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez responded to the argument that the ordinance imposes moral judgments by listing other business regulations the council has passed.
5:07:55 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin responded to Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez that if the fur business is declining, it should be left to decline on its own.
5:08:22 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin referenced Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman remarks about the cultural significance of fur in the community.
5:29:18 Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman asked colleagues for a moment of silence in support of Vice Mayor Walter R. Burnett after his mother's death.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Ashland Ave, W Division St, and N Western Ave; and to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Ashland Ave, N Western Ave, W Armitage Ave, W Division St, and N Milwaukee Ave (O2025-0015579): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Historical landmark designation for Rector Building at 79 W Monroe St (O2025-0015553): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (16.101) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Garfield Blvd (O2025-0015038): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-64-206 to establish parking meter hours of operation on portion of S Springfield Ave (O2025-0015568): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (28.60) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of S Western Ave (O2025-0015417): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
First amendment of lease agreement with Sit Stay Read! Inc for use of City property at 2861 N Clark St (O2025-0015542): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Title 4 by adding new Chapter 4-401 entitled "Trade In Fur Products" (SO2023-0002983): Failed to Pass 19 yea, 26 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (35.23) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Elston Ave (O2025-0015690): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Support of Class L tax incentive for property at 2135 N Milwaukee Ave (O2025-0015564): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Sale of nine additional city lots to Heritage Pointe II Project amending redevelopment agreement (O2025-0014974): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (49.6) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Jarvis Ave and portions of Rogers Ave (SO2025-0015527): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Support of Class 6(b) tax incentive for property at 1001 W 119th St (O2025-0015563): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
UNAH Irving Park 7 story construction (O2025-0015536): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Facade Encroachment Easement Agreement with JRTC Holdings LLC, Chicago Transit Authority amendments and new Pedestrian Agreement for building at 100 W Randolph St (formerly known as James R. Thompson Center) (O2025-0015748): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
First amendment to lease agreement with Sticks Chicago LLC for property at 6348 S Archer Ave (O2025-0015537): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amended redevelopment agreement with Cup O' Joe Coffee LLC for provision of neighborhood opportunity funds (NOF) to build coffee roastery, beer production facility, retail cafe and taproom at 754 E 111th St (O2025-0015562): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Packaged Goods Moratorium Lift on a stretch of W Irving Park Rd. (O2025-0015055): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (16.138) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W 59th St (O2025-0015037): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (1.66) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Fullerton Ave (O2025-0015575): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay
Adopt-a-Landmark grant funding agreement with First Baptist Congregational Church of Chicago for preservation work at 1613 W Washington Blvd/60 N Ashland Ave (O2025-0015539): Passed 48 yea, 0 nay
Adopt-a-Landmark grant funding agreement with Greater Union Baptist Church for preservation work at 1956 W Warren Blvd (O2025-0015543): Passed 50 yea, 0 nay