Committee on Finance meeting, November 6, 2023
- When: Mon, Nov 6, 2023, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Finance
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/880912512
- Transcript: full text (5,349 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 Finance heard public comment focused mainly on spending for new migrant arrivals, the use of a park field house as a shelter, and council procedures. After a moment of silence for city staff member Sharon Monson, the committee recommended passage of the 2024 property tax levy ordinance of about $1.77 billion, with the roll call read as 16 yes and 5 no. The committee then accepted and recommended passage of a substitute 2024 Municipal Code revenue ordinance, read as 18 to 3, which makes the Clear Path and administrative debt relief programs permanent, expands utility billing relief to three-unit buildings, applies the motor vehicle lessor tax to peer-to-peer leasing, raises certain accessibility review fees and suspends the automatic pension levy escalator for 2024. Budget Director Jill Guzman explained the ordinances and answered members' questions.
Topics: 2024 property tax levy, 2024 revenue ordinance, debt relief programs, utility billing relief, pension funding, migrant spending, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 35:00 Ordinance authorizing the 2024 levy of real estate taxes for the City of Chicago: passed
- 39:50 Substitute 2024 Municipal Code revenue ordinance amending titles 2, 3, 9, 11 and 14 regarding taxes, fines and fees: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Pat Dowell (chair): Called for a moment of silence for Sharon Monson, a third-floor staff member. (33:55); Asked the budget director to point out the substantive changes in the substitute revenue ordinance. (41:33); Asked how many three-flats might be eligible for the expanded utility billing relief program. (47:55)
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Remembered Sharon Monson as a kind colleague and suggested finding a way to acknowledge her life and legacy. (34:15)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Asked whether debt service and pensions are the only uses of the property tax levy. (36:53)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Asked what the negative figure for the utility billing relief program means. (48:33); Asked for clarification on the difference between the vehicle debt relief program and the employee liability change. (49:28)
Exchanges between members
- 34:11 The chair invited Alderperson Michelle A. Harris to speak before the moment of silence for Sharon Monson.
- 34:44 Alderperson Michelle A. Harris thanked the chair for the moment of silence.