Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, October 22, 2025

When: Wed, Oct 22, 2025, 9:30 AM (Chicago time)
Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
Status: Scheduled & Published
Committee: Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8925576?video=1129363326
Transcript: full text (85,717 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

7:24 Public comment
14:49 Department of Transportation 2026 budget hearing
26:07 Jason C. Ervin: Asked CDOT whether it has compared its construction efficiency against private contractors…
27:47 Jason C. Ervin: Asked CDOT for its view of the proposed heat exposure ordinance and requested an analysis of…
29:32 Jason C. Ervin: Asked how CDOT's roughly $600 million in federal highway funds will be used, whether the…
34:48 Michelle A. Harris: Asked where CDOT's budget cuts are and how many positions were eliminated by fund.
38:58 Michelle A. Harris: Asked whether the eliminated positions were long vacant or recently vacated.
40:43 Michelle A. Harris: Said streetscape projects take six to ten years and asked how to shorten the timeline…
45:19 Pat Dowell: Said streetscape delays hurt commercial corridors and businesses.
45:46 Pat Dowell: Asked how staffing cuts in in-house construction and electrical operations would affect overtime…
47:15 Pat Dowell: Asked whether long gaps between grinding and paving this year would become the standard.
54:21 Brendan Reilly: Said CDOT failed to plan and coordinate four simultaneous bridge projects in the 42nd Ward,…
57:29 Brendan Reilly: Said closures should have been staggered and that CDOT did not coordinate with ward offices…
59:40 Brendan Reilly: Thanked CDOT for working with OEMC to provide traffic control aides at the Grand Avenue…
1:05:49 Nicole T. Lee: Agreed that driveway permit billing needs attention and suggested a technology solution to…
1:06:43 Marty Quinn: Asked how much is budgeted for trip-and-fall sidewalk repairs and shared cost programs and…
1:08:43 Marty Quinn: Asked about staffing levels of Local 9 electricians for streetlight repairs.
1:10:41 Marty Quinn: Asked whether federal cuts would affect a scheduled 63rd Street resurfacing project.
1:15:53 Nicole T. Lee: Requested a list of deferred menu and capital projects by ward over the past five years.
1:17:08 Matthew J. O'Shea: Asked how many speed cameras exist, whether more are planned, and how much revenue they…
1:20:37 Matthew J. O'Shea: Said CPS cut crossing guards in his community and asked about safety measures, including…
1:21:59 Matthew J. O'Shea: Raised safety concerns about children riding private electric scooters.
1:27:16 Chris Taliaferro: Asked whether the 2026 budget includes maintenance funds for neighborhood streetscape…
1:30:05 Chris Taliaferro: Asked whether federal delays of transit funding affect CDOT grants relied on for 2026.
1:32:10 Chris Taliaferro: Asked whether the delayed Austin Boulevard resurfacing is included in 2026 plans.
1:33:11 Walter R. Burnett: Asked about the communication process between CDOT and ward offices given multiple bridge…
1:35:11 Walter R. Burnett: Asked about the timeline from design to construction of bridge projects and when it is…
1:38:11 Walter R. Burnett: Asked whether project delays create TIF funding or labor cost risks.
1:44:26 Maria E. Hadden: Said statements from CDOT about a Glenwood Avenue paver project were inaccurate and asked…
1:49:06 Maria E. Hadden: Said CDOT had not previously raised concerns about the heat protections ordinance and that…
1:52:00 Timothy R. Knudsen: Said the Cortland and Lake bridge shutdowns have created access problems in Lincoln Park.
1:52:37 Timothy R. Knudsen: Asked for an update on the long-delayed Clark Street streetscape.
1:54:34 Timothy R. Knudsen: Said better coordination could have shortened summer street projects left ground up for…
2:00:30 Monique L. Scott: Asked CDOT for electronic project timelines so wards know when projects start and finish.
2:01:11 Monique L. Scott: Said the acting commissioner should be given some grace given his recent appointment.
2:03:41 Ronnie L. Mosley: Asked what tools beyond speed bumps and cameras are available to reduce speeding.
2:06:11 Ronnie L. Mosley: Asked about funding sources outside menu for safety improvements in his ward.
2:08:01 Ronnie L. Mosley: Asked what guidance residents receive about driveway permit bills before repairs.
2:12:59 William Conway: Asked whether a lack of past planning prevented staggering the bridge closures affecting his…
2:15:27 William Conway: Asked whether out-of-service decorative light poles on Michigan Avenue could be replaced…
2:20:00 David H. Moore: Asked for the standard time between grinding and resurfacing and said delays must be…
2:21:27 David H. Moore: Asked about the impact of eliminating contract expediter positions.
2:27:39 David H. Moore: Said the information on cuts helps alderpersons go back to the administration and that…
2:31:25 Nicole T. Lee: Encouraged CDOT to propose shifting positions if some eliminated roles are more essential…
2:32:21 Daniel La Spata: Said Chicago is on pace for its safest traffic year in a decade and the budget determines…
2:32:52 Daniel La Spata: Asked how 100 non-revenue vacancies can be filled under the hiring freeze.
2:35:23 Daniel La Spata: Asked how cuts to Complete Streets, traffic design and public way policy teams affect…
2:43:45 Gilbert Villegas: Asked whether infrastructure line items are broken out in the budget book so appropriators…
2:45:54 Gilbert Villegas: Asked about results of the ordinance requiring utilities to share sidewalk replacement…
2:48:11 Gilbert Villegas: Asked about WPA streets and the Public Building Commission's role and payments as…
2:54:50 Anthony J. Quezada: Praised the Milwaukee Avenue streetscape project and its contractor.
2:55:14 Anthony J. Quezada: Asked about the increase in anticipated grant funding in the 2026 budget.
2:57:03 Anthony J. Quezada: Asked whether menu item prices will rise and requested ten years of menu pricing history.
3:05:55 Emma Mitts: Asked the acting commissioner for his vision and specific efficiency changes for CDOT.
3:08:59 Emma Mitts: Asked how CDOT is working with the chief procurement officer on MBE and WBE goals.
3:11:15 Emma Mitts: Asked how she can track state funding for her ward and confirmed flood disaster recovery funds…
3:18:33 Anthony Beale: Asked the cost of the signs placed at construction sites and requested a cost analysis.
3:19:31 Anthony Beale: Said 20 to 25 collector streets in his ward have not been done and asked why.
3:20:35 Anthony Beale: Said he sees a correlation between budget votes and completed collector streets and requested…
3:27:16 Gregory I. Mitchell: Asked whether in-house construction cuts would affect coordination of work across wards.
3:29:00 Gregory I. Mitchell: Said departments have not been honest with council about what they need and asked them…
3:31:23 Samantha Nugent: Said geographically large wards with many road miles cannot fix enough streets with the…
3:33:08 Samantha Nugent: Asked why 311 shows seven days for potholes when the actual average is about 21 days.
3:35:08 Samantha Nugent: Said the city should give residents realistic timelines.
4:38:47 Jeylú B. Gutiérrez: Said potholes requested in April are still unfilled and asked for them before winter.
4:40:43 Jeylú B. Gutiérrez: Asked about coordination with contractors who leave barricades behind after work.
4:46:36 Gregory I. Mitchell: Asked what instructions the budget office gave CDOT and whether actively recruited…
5:03:49 Felix Cardona Jr.: Asked why disabled parking signs take three to six months to be removed or relocated.
5:07:26 Felix Cardona Jr.: Asked how pothole crews are organized and why repairs take longer than 311 indicates.
5:10:17 Felix Cardona Jr.: Suggested giving foremen devices to close 311 requests on site.
5:13:52 Nicholas Sposato: Suggested neighboring wards share a pothole crew.
5:19:55 Anthony V. Napolitano: Asked for a ward dashboard to track engineered streets and state or county funding.
5:24:02 Anthony V. Napolitano: Asked how many eliminated vacancies are laborers and said council wants positions…
5:26:20 Anthony V. Napolitano: Asked whether more durable materials or methods could extend street and pothole…
5:31:28 Lamont J. Robinson: Thanked the commissioner for holding contractors accountable on the south and west sides.
5:32:07 Lamont J. Robinson: Asked how other city departments could help report potholes.
5:38:34 Brian Hopkins: Said four simultaneous river bridge closures are unprecedented and have caused severe…
5:40:25 Brian Hopkins: Said the closures lacked coordination with IDOT and a regional congestion mitigation plan.
5:43:25 Brian Hopkins: Asked CDOT to provide an expedited regional congestion mitigation plan.
5:46:26 Jeanette B. Taylor: Said CDOT service has declined, citing slow pothole and sign repairs and poor…
5:47:50 Jeanette B. Taylor: Asked how long eliminated vacancies were open and whether CDOT has a hiring plan.
5:49:09 Jeanette B. Taylor: Asked about alley grading equipment and green alley requests by ward.
5:58:32 Scott Waguespack: Said CDOT spends tens of millions on outside contracts and requested an in-house versus…
6:00:17 Scott Waguespack: Said private developers often make inadequate street repairs.
6:00:58 Scott Waguespack: Asked whether CDOT will address large e-bikes in bike lanes.
6:07:19 Ruth Cruz: Asked the size of CDOT's budget reduction and what efficiencies would offset it.
6:10:43 Ruth Cruz: Said in-house construction cuts will lead to more constituent complaints.
6:11:45 Ruth Cruz: Asked how collector streets are allocated and why resurfacing takes three to five weeks.
6:18:10 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Said sidewalk inspection requests average 940 days and called it an equity issue.
6:19:45 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Asked whether CDOT would use a grid system for inspections.
6:21:44 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Said Edgewater was unprepared for traffic from the Ridge water project and asked for…
6:29:39 Stephanie D. Coleman: Said a viaduct street paved with menu funds deteriorated within two years.
6:31:53 Stephanie D. Coleman: Asked why curb and gutter work is not included in resurfacing.
6:35:40 Stephanie D. Coleman: Asked whether CDOT and Water Management coordinate on alley drainage after summer…
7:00:35 Nicholas Sposato: Asked whether wards could purchase flashing stop signs and about repairing bent signs.
7:11:20 Department of Streets and Sanitation 2026 budget hearing
7:16:16 Angela Clay: Asked how garbage basket pickups are prioritized.
7:18:47 Angela Clay: Asked how many garbage trucks are short daily and about fleet maintenance.
7:22:17 Angela Clay: Asked about trash can design and the rodent birth control study.
7:52:26 Monique L. Scott: Asked whether the city should charge a fee for large bulk trash set-outs, as nearby…
7:58:58 William Conway: Asked how to address graffiti at high locations in the southern Loop.
8:35:22 Nicholas Sposato: Recommended colleagues remove public garbage baskets and buy their own garbage carts.
9:39:53 Department of Technology and Innovation 2026 budget hearing

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 Budget and Government Operations reconvened its recessed hearings on the proposed 2026 budget, beginning with two public commenters who criticized the budget's taxes, fees and spending. The committee then questioned the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Department of Streets and Sanitation, and the Department of Technology and Innovation about their 2026 budgets. Members raised the elimination of about 98 CDOT vacancies, simultaneous bridge closures and downtown congestion, communication with ward offices, resurfacing and pothole delays, sidewalk inspection backlogs, and the status of capital bond funds. Streets and Sanitation questioning covered garbage service and fees, snow readiness, forestry, rodent control, towing fees and vacant lots, while DTI was asked about ERP modernization, time and attendance systems, and support for aldermanic offices. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed until the next morning.

Topics: 2026 budget, Department of Transportation, Bridge closures and congestion, Vacancy eliminations, Streets and sidewalks, Streets and Sanitation, Garbage and recycling, Towing and vacant lots, Technology and ERP modernization, Public comment

Agenda items discussed

7:24 Public comment
14:49 Department of Transportation 2026 budget hearing: discussed
7:11:20 Department of Streets and Sanitation 2026 budget hearing: discussed
9:39:53 Department of Technology and Innovation 2026 budget hearing: discussed

Alderpersons who spoke

Jason C. Ervin (chair): Asked CDOT whether it has compared its construction efficiency against private contractors or other benchmarks. (26:07); Asked CDOT for its view of the proposed heat exposure ordinance and requested an analysis of its impact on operations and overtime. (27:47); Asked how CDOT's roughly $600 million in federal highway funds will be used, whether the funds are in hand, and when they expire. (29:32)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Agreed that driveway permit billing needs attention and suggested a technology solution to automate it. (1:05:49); Requested a list of deferred menu and capital projects by ward over the past five years. (1:15:53); Encouraged CDOT to propose shifting positions if some eliminated roles are more essential than others. (2:31:25)
Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Asked where CDOT's budget cuts are and how many positions were eliminated by fund. (34:48); Asked whether the eliminated positions were long vacant or recently vacated. (38:58); Said streetscape projects take six to ten years and asked how to shorten the timeline and engineering costs. (40:43)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Said streetscape delays hurt commercial corridors and businesses. (45:19); Asked how staffing cuts in in-house construction and electrical operations would affect overtime and service delivery. (45:46); Asked whether long gaps between grinding and paving this year would become the standard. (47:15)
Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Said CDOT failed to plan and coordinate four simultaneous bridge projects in the 42nd Ward, causing citywide congestion. (54:21); Said closures should have been staggered and that CDOT did not coordinate with ward offices or utility work on detour routes. (57:29); Thanked CDOT for working with OEMC to provide traffic control aides at the Grand Avenue intersection. (59:40)
Marty Quinn (alderperson): Asked how much is budgeted for trip-and-fall sidewalk repairs and shared cost programs and suggested reprioritizing those amounts. (1:06:43); Asked about staffing levels of Local 9 electricians for streetlight repairs. (1:08:43); Asked whether federal cuts would affect a scheduled 63rd Street resurfacing project. (1:10:41)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Asked how many speed cameras exist, whether more are planned, and how much revenue they generated. (1:17:08); Said CPS cut crossing guards in his community and asked about safety measures, including relocating speed cameras. (1:20:37); Raised safety concerns about children riding private electric scooters. (1:21:59)
Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Asked whether the 2026 budget includes maintenance funds for neighborhood streetscape features outside downtown. (1:27:16); Asked whether federal delays of transit funding affect CDOT grants relied on for 2026. (1:30:05); Asked whether the delayed Austin Boulevard resurfacing is included in 2026 plans. (1:32:10)
Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Asked about the communication process between CDOT and ward offices given multiple bridge projects in his ward. (1:33:11); Asked about the timeline from design to construction of bridge projects and when it is communicated to alderpersons and the public. (1:35:11); Asked whether project delays create TIF funding or labor cost risks. (1:38:11)
Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Said statements from CDOT about a Glenwood Avenue paver project were inaccurate and asked for a reset in communication. (1:44:26); Said CDOT had not previously raised concerns about the heat protections ordinance and that the city had supported it. (1:49:06)
Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Said the Cortland and Lake bridge shutdowns have created access problems in Lincoln Park. (1:52:00); Asked for an update on the long-delayed Clark Street streetscape. (1:52:37); Said better coordination could have shortened summer street projects left ground up for months. (1:54:34)
Monique L. Scott (alderperson): Asked CDOT for electronic project timelines so wards know when projects start and finish. (2:00:30); Said the acting commissioner should be given some grace given his recent appointment. (2:01:11); Asked whether the city should charge a fee for large bulk trash set-outs, as nearby suburbs do. (7:52:26)
Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Asked what tools beyond speed bumps and cameras are available to reduce speeding. (2:03:41); Asked about funding sources outside menu for safety improvements in his ward. (2:06:11); Asked what guidance residents receive about driveway permit bills before repairs. (2:08:01)
William Conway (alderperson): Asked whether a lack of past planning prevented staggering the bridge closures affecting his ward. (2:12:59); Asked whether out-of-service decorative light poles on Michigan Avenue could be replaced faster or with standard poles. (2:15:27); Asked how to address graffiti at high locations in the southern Loop. (7:58:58)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Asked for the standard time between grinding and resurfacing and said delays must be communicated. (2:20:00); Asked about the impact of eliminating contract expediter positions. (2:21:27); Said the information on cuts helps alderpersons go back to the administration and that savings now may cost more later. (2:27:39)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Said Chicago is on pace for its safest traffic year in a decade and the budget determines whether that momentum continues. (2:32:21); Asked how 100 non-revenue vacancies can be filled under the hiring freeze. (2:32:52); Asked how cuts to Complete Streets, traffic design and public way policy teams affect capital projects. (2:35:23)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Asked whether infrastructure line items are broken out in the budget book so appropriators can judge needs. (2:43:45); Asked about results of the ordinance requiring utilities to share sidewalk replacement costs. (2:45:54); Asked about WPA streets and the Public Building Commission's role and payments as construction manager. (2:48:11)
Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Praised the Milwaukee Avenue streetscape project and its contractor. (2:54:50); Asked about the increase in anticipated grant funding in the 2026 budget. (2:55:14); Asked whether menu item prices will rise and requested ten years of menu pricing history. (2:57:03)
Emma Mitts (alderperson): Asked the acting commissioner for his vision and specific efficiency changes for CDOT. (3:05:55); Asked how CDOT is working with the chief procurement officer on MBE and WBE goals. (3:08:59); Asked how she can track state funding for her ward and confirmed flood disaster recovery funds in the grant budget. (3:11:15)
Anthony Beale (alderperson): Asked the cost of the signs placed at construction sites and requested a cost analysis. (3:18:33); Said 20 to 25 collector streets in his ward have not been done and asked why. (3:19:31); Said he sees a correlation between budget votes and completed collector streets and requested capital spending by ward. (3:20:35)
Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Asked whether in-house construction cuts would affect coordination of work across wards. (3:27:16); Said departments have not been honest with council about what they need and asked them to be candid. (3:29:00); Asked what instructions the budget office gave CDOT and whether actively recruited positions were cut. (4:46:36)
Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Said geographically large wards with many road miles cannot fix enough streets with the menu allocation. (3:31:23); Asked why 311 shows seven days for potholes when the actual average is about 21 days. (3:33:08); Said the city should give residents realistic timelines. (3:35:08)
Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Said potholes requested in April are still unfilled and asked for them before winter. (4:38:47); Asked about coordination with contractors who leave barricades behind after work. (4:40:43)
Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Asked why disabled parking signs take three to six months to be removed or relocated. (5:03:49); Asked how pothole crews are organized and why repairs take longer than 311 indicates. (5:07:26); Suggested giving foremen devices to close 311 requests on site. (5:10:17)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Suggested neighboring wards share a pothole crew. (5:13:52); Asked whether wards could purchase flashing stop signs and about repairing bent signs. (7:00:35); Recommended colleagues remove public garbage baskets and buy their own garbage carts. (8:35:22)
Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Asked for a ward dashboard to track engineered streets and state or county funding. (5:19:55); Asked how many eliminated vacancies are laborers and said council wants positions filled. (5:24:02); Asked whether more durable materials or methods could extend street and pothole repairs. (5:26:20)
Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Thanked the commissioner for holding contractors accountable on the south and west sides. (5:31:28); Asked how other city departments could help report potholes. (5:32:07)
Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Said four simultaneous river bridge closures are unprecedented and have caused severe congestion. (5:38:34); Said the closures lacked coordination with IDOT and a regional congestion mitigation plan. (5:40:25); Asked CDOT to provide an expedited regional congestion mitigation plan. (5:43:25)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said CDOT service has declined, citing slow pothole and sign repairs and poor communication. (5:46:26); Asked how long eliminated vacancies were open and whether CDOT has a hiring plan. (5:47:50); Asked about alley grading equipment and green alley requests by ward. (5:49:09)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said CDOT spends tens of millions on outside contracts and requested an in-house versus contractor breakdown. (5:58:32); Said private developers often make inadequate street repairs. (6:00:17); Asked whether CDOT will address large e-bikes in bike lanes. (6:00:58)
Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Asked the size of CDOT's budget reduction and what efficiencies would offset it. (6:07:19); Said in-house construction cuts will lead to more constituent complaints. (6:10:43); Asked how collector streets are allocated and why resurfacing takes three to five weeks. (6:11:45)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Said sidewalk inspection requests average 940 days and called it an equity issue. (6:18:10); Asked whether CDOT would use a grid system for inspections. (6:19:45); Said Edgewater was unprepared for traffic from the Ridge water project and asked for coordination with navigation apps. (6:21:44)
Stephanie D. Coleman (alderperson): Said a viaduct street paved with menu funds deteriorated within two years. (6:29:39); Asked why curb and gutter work is not included in resurfacing. (6:31:53); Asked whether CDOT and Water Management coordinate on alley drainage after summer flooding. (6:35:40)
Angela Clay (alderperson): Asked how garbage basket pickups are prioritized. (7:16:16); Asked how many garbage trucks are short daily and about fleet maintenance. (7:18:47); Asked about trash can design and the rodent birth control study. (7:22:17)

Exchanges between members

45:19 Alderperson Pat Dowell underscored Alderperson Michelle A. Harris point about streetscape timelines.
1:00:00 Alderperson Brendan Reilly said his next question followed Alderperson Pat Dowell line of questioning.
1:05:49 Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee thanked Alderperson Brendan Reilly and said she agreed on driveway permit billing.
1:06:34 Alderperson Marty Quinn picked up Alderperson Pat Dowell sidewalk questions.
2:18:13 Alderperson William Conway yielded time to Alderperson Ronnie L. Mosley.
2:23:39 Alderperson David H. Moore followed up on Alderperson Michelle A. Harris questions about cuts.
2:27:58 Alderperson David H. Moore referenced Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee point about technology.
2:30:38 Alderperson David H. Moore referenced Alderperson Pat Dowell concern about delays.
2:31:25 Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee responded to Alderperson David H. Moore by suggesting position shifts.
2:42:53 Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee added a bond request based on Alderperson Daniel La Spata questions.
3:16:09 Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee echoed Alderperson Emma Mitts concern about cyclists.
3:30:12 Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee told Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell his point was well taken.
5:13:52 Alderperson Nicholas Sposato built on Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr. pothole questions.
5:16:52 Chairman Jason C. Ervin said Alderperson Nicholas Sposato raised a point and asked about flashing signs.
5:19:43 Alderperson Anthony V. Napolitano referenced Alderperson Monique L. Scott request for electronic tracking.
5:43:05 Chairman Jason C. Ervin asked Alderperson Brian Hopkins what his question was.
5:43:17 Alderperson Brian Hopkins told the chair he was presenting his question.
5:57:23 Chairman Jason C. Ervin called Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor outsourcing question fair.
6:20:23 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth referenced Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada delivery robot suggestion.
6:33:29 Chairman Jason C. Ervin gave Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman historical context on curb and gutter standards.

Documents

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