Committee on Public Safety meeting, November 13, 2023
- When: Mon, Nov 13, 2023, 11:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Public Safety
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/883102246
- Transcript: full text (10,074 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 Public Safety, chaired by Alderperson Brian Hopkins, heard one public commenter and approved its Rule 45 report from October. The committee accepted and recommended passage of a substitute ordinance adding a Municipal Code section on assault against city employees with enforcement authority, after testimony from a parking enforcement agent and discussion of how it would interact with state assault charges. It then accepted a substitute and recommended passage of Alderperson William Conway ordinance designating the area around Family Planning Associates on West Washington Boulevard a noise-sensitive zone that restricts amplification devices, following testimony from the clinic's medical director, a clinic escort and Planned Parenthood of Illinois; Alderpersons Taliaferro and Sposato were recorded as voting no, citing enforceability and First Amendment concerns. The meeting closed with a moment of silence for Chicago firefighter Andrew Price.
Topics: assault on city employees, noise-sensitive zones, reproductive health clinic access, First Amendment, noise enforcement, Rule 45 report
Agenda items discussed
- 12:12 Rule 45 report from the October meeting: passed
- 12:35 Substitute ordinance amending Municipal Code chapter 8-4 to add a section on assault against city employees with enforcement authority: passed
- 25:41 Substitute ordinance designating a noise-sensitive zone around Family Planning Associates medical clinic: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Brian Hopkins (chair): Said the substitute expands the assault ordinance to all city employees engaged in enforcement, noting that data is limited but anecdotal accounts and postal service data show rising attacks. (16:25); Said the ordinance mirrors existing protections for CTA operators, adding a fine and possible jail time. (20:30); Explained that noise rules generally rely on judgment rather than decibel meters because sound measurement is complex, citing the 2019 hospital noise zone. (57:20)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Said animal care agents, crossing guards and other uniformed workers also face disrespect and welcomed the ordinance. (15:08); Asked the Law Department who would determine excessive noise and raised First Amendment concerns about restricting protesters' megaphones and drums. (46:27); Asked whether the noise rules would apply to street musicians such as bucket drummers. (1:04:28)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Asked for data on incidents against city employees and whether protections should extend to all employees. (15:48); Asked whether members can add noise-sensitive zones in their wards, such as near senior homes, and what the criteria are. (50:58)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Asked how the assault provision would be enforced and how it squares with the state assault and battery statute. (19:51); Said there may be confusion over charging under state law versus administrative hearings, recalling similar issues with disorderly conduct. (22:58); Asked whether noise-sensitive zones have a lower decibel limit and said citations need an objective unit of measure. (53:29)
- William Conway (alderperson): Drawing on prosecution experience, said the city ordinance gives Corporation Counsel an option if the State's Attorney does not proceed and that differing elements limit double jeopardy concerns. (23:45); Described anti-abortion protesters using amplifiers outside Family Planning Associates that shake the building and disrupt care, and asked for a noise-sensitive zone. (26:01); Noted precedent in the chair's 2019 noise zone around Northwestern Memorial and Lurie Children's and entered police noise complaint records. (28:34)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Shared that she had an abortion in Chicago, said abortion is health care and that clinic workers and patients should not feel intimidated. (42:37); Asked Planned Parenthood about its work with other municipalities across Illinois. (44:50)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Confirmed that areas can be added to the noise-sensitive list through a procedure. (1:07:35)
Exchanges between members
- 16:25 The chair told Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. his point was valid and that the substitute expands coverage to all city employees doing enforcement.
- 19:51 Alderperson Chris Taliaferro thanked the chair for bringing the ordinance and asked how it would be enforced.
- 23:45 Alderperson William Conway responded to Alderperson Chris Taliaferro double jeopardy question from his prosecution experience.
- 28:34 Alderperson William Conway cited the chair's 2019 hospital noise zone ordinance as precedent.
- 42:37 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Alderperson William Conway for bringing the ordinance.
- 49:24 Alderperson William Conway responded to Alderperson Nicholas Sposato First Amendment concern, citing content-neutral restrictions.
- 50:36 The chair agreed with Alderperson William Conway and entered the 911 complaint log into the record.
- 52:33 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. thanked Alderperson William Conway and the chair for the ordinance.
- 52:52 The chair offered to help Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. draft a noise zone for his ward.
- 57:20 The chair explained to Alderperson Chris Taliaferro why noise rules avoid objective decibel standards.
- 1:03:17 Alderperson William Conway said the ordinance restricts amplification in a unique area and does not reopen the enforceability issues Alderperson Chris Taliaferro raised.
- 1:07:21 The chair noted Alderperson Nicholas Sposato street musician question was moving beyond the topic.
- 1:08:12 Alderperson Nicholas Sposato asked Alderperson William Conway whether he could beat the ordinance in court.
- 1:08:33 Alderperson William Conway answered that a violation would be clear and he could not beat it.