Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight meeting, July 7, 2026
- When: Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 11:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1204268397
- Transcript: full text (15,758 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 Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight considered three agenda items: a substitute ordinance to prohibit the use of confidential city information in prediction markets, a resolution urging the resignation of US Attorney Andrew Boutros, and a subject-matter hearing on democracy and election-reform proposals. The ordinance and the resignation resolution were both approved. The hearing concluded without a vote. Two members of the public gave brief comments.
Topics: Prediction market ordinance, US Attorney resignation resolution, Election reform hearing
Agenda items discussed
- 16:38 Substitute Ordinance 2026-0025003 – prohibition of confidential information use in prediction markets (2026-0025003): passed
- 31:20 Resolution 2026-0026273 – call for US Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign (2026-0026273): passed
- 39:13 Subject-matter hearing on current democracy and election-reform policy proposals: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Matthew J. Martin (chair): Called the meeting to order. (8:15); Requested a motion to approve the Rule 45 report. (16:26); Asked for a motion to accept the substitute ordinance. (16:42)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Introduced the resolution calling for US Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign. (31:24); Stated that the resignation is necessary to restore public confidence in the justice system. (31:33); Described alleged misconduct and erosion of trust within the US Attorney’s Office. (31:52)
- Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Presented the Prediction Market Ordinance, explaining its purpose and scope. (17:21); Clarified that the ordinance does not change existing ethics rules but extends them to prediction markets. (17:43); Cited a federal case where confidential information was used for market profit. (18:43)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Moved to allow Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor to attend the meeting remotely under Rule 59. (23:53); Asked a question about how mobile-voting data would be used to address access disparities. (1:16:41); Requested clarification on criteria for targeting underserved neighborhoods with the mobile-voting van. (1:17:00)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Attempted to direct a question to a staff member about enforcement of the ordinance. (24:12)
- James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Moved to approve the Rule 45 report from June 2026. (16:26); Moved to approve the substitute ordinance after discussion. (31:01)
Exchanges between members
- 1:16:41 Alderman Andre Vasquez Jr. asked the Board of Elections (represented by Adam Lasker) how mobile-voting data would be used to address access disparities.
- 1:00:13 Adam Lasker responded with details about data-driven mapping and how the Board would determine locations for mobile-voting vans.