City Council meeting, January 31, 2024

When: Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 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/908008872
Transcript: full text (22,243 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 City Council heard nine public commenters, most speaking for or against a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, along with one supporting a proposed fur sale ban. The Workforce Development committee report on the police disciplinary arbitration ordinance was deferred and published at the request of Alderpersons Yancy and Gutiérrez, and the chair ruled that Alderman Raymond A. Lopez appeal of that decision was not in order. Under unfinished business, the council accepted a substitute version of the ceasefire resolution SR2023-0006422 (read as 30 yeas, 18 nays), and after an extended debate that included a recess for disruptions, the resolution passed on a 23-23 tie broken by the mayor's aye vote (read as 24 yeas, 23 nays). The next meeting was set for February 16, 2024.

Topics: Gaza ceasefire resolution, police arbitration, antisemitism and Islamophobia, council process, public comment, decorum

Agenda items discussed

43:37 Public comment
1:18:13 Committee on Workforce Development report on ordinance implementing an arbitration option for CPD disciplinary actions: deferred
1:19:39 Alderman Raymond A. Lopez appeal of the chair's ruling on deferral of the committee report
1:20:19 Agreed calendar: passed
1:24:51 Motion to accept a substitute for the ceasefire resolution (SR2023-0006422): passed
1:29:32 Resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza (Uniting for Peace) (SR2023-0006422): passed
4:19:21 Ordinance setting next meeting for February 16, 2024: passed

Alderpersons who spoke

Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Moved acceptance of a substitute ceasefire resolution reflecting feedback from colleagues. (1:24:51); Clarified that the substitute had been emailed to members the day before. (1:26:39); Condemned the October 7 attack and the violence in Gaza and said a ceasefire is the path out of violence. (1:31:54)
Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Supported the resolution as imperfect but a call for peace. (3:39:29); Said he wished there were similar urgency about violence and missing Black women on the south and west sides. (3:40:23)
William E. Hall (alderperson): Supported the resolution on behalf of victims on both sides and constituents connected to Palestine, citing scripture and Dr. King. (3:25:09)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Said she would vote yes despite not agreeing with all of the language, to send a message for peace. (2:59:49); Said she shares concern about rising antisemitism and described watching footage of the October 7 attack. (3:00:48); Said the November ceasefire was the only time hostages were freed in large numbers. (3:03:07)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Appealed the decision of the chair on deferring the arbitration committee report. (1:19:39); Noted that Alderwoman Ruth Cruz had not been approved to participate remotely. (1:28:58); Opposed the resolution, saying it omits Geneva Convention prohibitions on hostage taking and violence. (3:46:15)
Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Reported the arbitration ordinance with a do-not-pass recommendation and said it would be deferred and published at the request of two members. (1:18:13)
Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Said the council has a responsibility for the safety of Chicago's large Palestinian community. (3:08:27); Questioned media reports presented as fact and said humanitarian aid should not be conditioned on allegations. (3:09:54); Said the resolution also calls for the release of all hostages and urged colleagues to support it. (3:11:32)
Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Said the council can address both local issues and this resolution. (3:16:11); Described her Puerto Rican family's experience with colonialism as informing her support. (3:17:19); Said supporting the resolution is not antisemitic and that it calls for humanitarian aid across the region. (3:21:34)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said he would vote no because of a divisive process and disrespect among colleagues. (3:42:30); Called for a negotiated peace with hostage release and humanitarian aid, and condemned local Islamophobia and antisemitism. (3:43:22)
Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Thanked colleagues, apologized to those who felt unheard, and said she sought feedback throughout. (4:02:54); Said the resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of all hostages and humanitarian aid. (4:07:28); Described her experience in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria as shaping her view. (4:08:55)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Asked for clarification on voting on a substitute members had received shortly before the meeting. (1:26:08); Asked that Silverstein be allowed to restart her remarks after the disruption. (2:48:25); Said Hamas violated a ceasefire on October 7 and that a council resolution would not change the parties' actions. (3:33:48)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Read a statement signed by 23 alderpersons opposing support for UN resolution 377 as undermining U.S. foreign policy and ceasefire negotiations. (3:04:47)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Described time spent in Israel and the West Bank and condemned both the October 7 attack and the scale of deaths in Gaza. (3:27:58); Called for a two-state solution negotiated under international leadership. (3:30:03); Said he would vote no because the resolution had become a source of division. (3:31:06)
Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Read proposed amendments on hostages and Hamas that the sponsors did not accept and asked why. (2:57:25); Said he could not support the resolution and urged the council to refocus on local safety and hate incidents. (2:58:29)
James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Expressed condolences for Israeli and Palestinian lives lost and thanked Silverstein and the resolution's sponsors. (3:56:17); Said the resolution is imperfect but a move in the right direction given the number of deaths. (3:56:57); Said he heard from constituents on both sides and would vote in favor. (4:01:58)
Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Opposed the resolution, saying 28 alders sought a balanced version and her proposed edits were not accepted. (2:49:01); Said the resolution does not require hostage release or call for Hamas to disarm. (2:50:32); Said supporting UN resolution 377 would weaken U.S. veto power while negotiations are under way. (2:51:36)

Exchanges between members

1:26:39 La Spata responded to Sposato's question by saying the substitute was emailed to members the day before.
1:26:56 Fuentes told Sposato to check his email for the substitute.
1:30:25 La Spata thanked Rodríguez Sánchez for her leadership on the resolution.
2:48:33 Sposato asked that Silverstein be allowed to start her remarks over.
2:57:14 Lawson thanked Silverstein for her work and proposed compromises.
3:00:35 Lee said she respects Silverstein and acknowledged she would be disappointed by Lee's vote.
3:08:10 Sigcho-López thanked Rodríguez Sánchez for efforts to reach a compromise.
3:14:32 Sigcho-López said he was grateful for Lee's remarks.
3:38:44 Sposato told Silverstein he expected the resolution to pass.
3:38:54 Sposato noted that Lawson was on the same side of the vote.
3:56:32 Gardiner thanked Silverstein for being a strong voice for the Jewish community.
3:56:49 Gardiner thanked La Spata for writing the resolution.
3:56:49 Gardiner thanked Rodríguez Sánchez for writing the resolution.
4:02:09 Gardiner acknowledged Sposato's remark that they were on opposite sides of the vote.
4:08:48 Rodríguez Sánchez said her reasons echoed those of her colleague from the 26th Ward.

Roll-call votes at this meeting

Expression of support for United Nations Resolution 377 known as "Uniting for Peace" (SR2023-0006422): Adopted 23 yea, 23 nay