Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, September 4, 2024
- When: Wed, Sep 4, 2024, 10:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Transportation and Public Way
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/985079556
- Transcript: full text (10,212 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 Transportation and Public Way, chaired by Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell, approved remote participation for one member and the Rule 45 report for its July 10, 2024 meeting after hearing six public commenters. The committee recommended approval of a land acquisition of two properties at Cicero Avenue intersections that had been struck by semi-trucks, an amendment to the pedestrian walkway easement at the former James R. Thompson Center, several resubdivisions, an alley vacation in the 34th Ward, and 29 miscellaneous ordinances plus a substitute for the 2nd Ward. A hearing on delays to the Grayland station project was held at the mayor's office's request. An ordinance requiring city coordination on sidewalk restoration when utility work disturbs 60% or more of a sidewalk was initially held for CDOT input, then a substitute was presented by Alderperson Gilbert Villegas and recommended for passage.
Topics: sidewalk restoration, Thompson Center redevelopment, land acquisition, resubdivisions, alley vacation, Grayland station, miscellaneous ordinances, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 5:29 Rule 59 remote participation for Alderperson Michelle A. Harris: passed
- 5:57 Public comment
- 27:16 Approval of the Rule 45 report for the July 10, 2024 meeting: passed
- 28:06 Land acquisition of 4801 W. Argyle and 4801 W. Ainslie for a road improvement project: passed
- 30:39 Amendment of Municipal Code 10-20 requiring city coordination on pavement restoration for work impacting 60% or more of a sidewalk (substitute): passed
- 33:19 29 miscellaneous ordinances introduced by various wards: passed
- 33:55 Hearing on delays to the Grayland station project: held
- 34:11 JRTC Holdings LLC amendment to pedestrian walkway easement at the former James R. Thompson Center (O2024-0011048): passed
- 40:50 Raina resubdivision, 2400-2446 W. 24th Street (O2024-0010604): passed
- 43:45 Central 8 resubdivision in the 30th Ward: passed
- 46:55 Friar Servants of Mary and apartment resubdivision, 311 W. Illinois Street: passed
- 49:48 Regions Park 2 resubdivision in the 50th Ward (O2024-0010769): passed
- 56:25 1168 North Clinton LLC vacation of an east-west alley (substitute): passed
- 1:06:28 Substitute ordinance for miscellaneous items in the 2nd Ward: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Asked CDOT whether a letter of support from the 45th Ward alderperson had been received and held the land acquisition item until it was verified. (29:56); Agreed to hold the sidewalk restoration ordinance until someone from CDOT could address members' questions. (32:52); Thanked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas, said his ward had experienced the same unrestored sidewalks and called the ordinance common sense. (1:15:44)
- William Conway (alderperson): Asked CDOT to explain plainly what the Thompson Center easement changes do and how far the vestibule extends on LaSalle Street. (37:44); Said the 34th Ward and the city are excited about the Thompson Center project and he supports it. (39:25)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Asked whether the alley vacation would prevent public access from one side to the other. (58:04)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked whether refuse is collected from the north-south alley adjacent to the vacated alley. (59:04); Said he fully supports the sidewalk restoration ordinance, citing staff time and city costs after utility work in his ward. (1:12:35)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Presented the substitute sidewalk ordinance negotiated with CDOT, explaining that utilities only restore the squares they damage and the city would complete the rest once 60% of a sidewalk is disturbed. (1:08:25); Said funding comes from the capital bill and urged members to add a sidewalk line item in any future capital bill. (1:11:28)
Exchanges between members
- 1:12:31 The chair called on Alderperson David H. Moore, who had earlier raised questions about the sidewalk ordinance.
- 1:13:26 Alderperson David H. Moore thanked Chairman Gilbert Villegas for bringing the sidewalk ordinance forward.
- 1:15:48 The chair thanked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas for his work on the sidewalk restoration ordinance.
- 1:17:41 Alderperson Gilbert Villegas thanked the chairman and committee members after the vote.