Committee on License and Consumer Protection meeting, May 13, 2025
- When: Tue, May 13, 2025, 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 License and Consumer Protection
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928556/video/1082254238
- Transcript: full text (5,037 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 License and Consumer Protection, chaired by Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein, heard public comment from three speakers, including two rideshare drivers urging action on the proposed Fair Share ordinance for rideshare regulation. The committee approved its Rule 45 report and recommended passage of all agenda items it took up: renewal of an emerging business permit for Coco sidewalk delivery robots, a substitute ordinance by Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson increasing short-term rental reporting, aldermanic notification, primary residence verification and occupancy limits, a ban on hemp-derived cannabinoid product sales in part of the 31st Ward, a substitute ordinance disallowing additional liquor and package goods licenses on parts of the 23rd Ward, and several ordinances lifting liquor and package goods moratoria in the 11th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th, 42nd and 49th Wards. Members discussed sidewalk safety and clutter, local hiring, and battery standards in connection with the delivery robots. Passed items were to be reported to the May 21, 2025 City Council meeting.
Topics: sidewalk delivery robots, short-term rentals, hemp product sales, liquor license moratoria, package goods licenses, rideshare regulation, public way safety
Agenda items discussed
- 23:26 Rule 45 reports for April 2025: passed
- 23:48 Renewal of emerging business permit for Cyan Robotics (Coco) personal delivery devices (O2025-0016747): passed
- 31:00 Substitute ordinance amending chapters 4-6, 4-13 and 4-4 regarding short-term shared housing and vacation rentals: passed
- 34:36 Prohibition on sale of cannabinoid hemp products in the Belmont Cragin and Hermosa area: passed
- 37:06 Lifting liquor license moratorium on a portion of Archer Avenue (12th Ward): passed
- 39:00 Lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of Damen Avenue (16th Ward) (O2025-0016748): passed
- 40:15 Lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of Halsted Street (11th Ward) (O2025-0016734): passed
- 41:07 Lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of Cottage Grove Avenue (20th Ward) (O2025-0015979): passed
- 41:38 Lifting liquor license moratorium on a portion of Cottage Grove Avenue (20th Ward) (O2025-0016506): passed
- 43:08 Substitute ordinance disallowing additional liquor and package goods licenses on portions of the 23rd Ward: passed
- 44:47 Lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of Roosevelt Road (24th Ward): passed
- 45:38 Lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of North State and West Huron Street (42nd Ward): passed
- 46:47 Substitute ordinance lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of Clark Street (49th Ward): passed
- 47:15 Substitute ordinance lifting package goods license moratorium on a portion of Howard Street (49th Ward): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Debra L. Silverstein (chair)
- Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Said he expected the delivery robots to be hazardous on crowded sidewalks but found them respectful of pedestrians, and supported the extension. (26:07); Said the 42nd Ward could be open to the robots if the program continues without major incidents. (26:56); Explained that lifting the moratorium at North State and West Huron would allow an Aldi to open at the former Whole Foods site. (46:01)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Thanked the robot company for meeting with him and supported renewal while raising concerns about scooters and e-bikes on sidewalks. (27:49)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked whether the renewal extends the pilot or expands it citywide. (29:04); Encouraged the company to hire Chicago residents to operate the robots. (29:52)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Described his substitute as a transparency ordinance requiring platforms to report short-term rental locations, operators and disciplinary history to BACP and aldermen quarterly. (31:42); Said the ordinance adds primary residence verification for the homeowner exemption. (32:53); Said occupancy limits will be shared with renters to help prevent problem parties. (33:21)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Said he is following other wards in banning hemp product sales after seeing products resembling marijuana sold and youth using them nearby. (34:57)
- Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Asked for support to lift the moratorium so a long-standing community operator can buy a store from an owner who is terminally ill. (39:25)
Exchanges between members
- 29:04 Silverstein recognized Moore to ask a question.