# Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, October 29, 2024

- When: Tue, Oct 29, 2024, 11:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 1103, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/economic-capital-and-technology-development)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928495/video/1024087364
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1024087364.txt) (17,044 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 Economic, Capital and Technology Development heard 15 public commenters, most addressing a proposed property tax incentive for a quantum computing campus at the former U.S. Steel South Works site, with some urging the city to move quickly and others asking it to slow down and tie the incentive to community benefits, jobs and environmental review. The committee recommended a reappointment to the Central Lakeview special service area commission and dozens of special service area budget and service ordinances. It then recommended an ordinance designating the South Works site as eligible for a new Class 8 Micro property tax incentive and authorizing related permit fee waivers, after Department of Planning and Development staff explained that it sets up a framework and does not approve any single project's incentive. Members asked about remediation, power supply, the jobs pipeline, displacement, and minority and women contractor participation. The committee also recommended a Class 6(b) incentive for K-Town Business Center 2 in North Lawndale and a Class 7(c) incentive for a retail development at Belmont and Clark.

Topics: quantum computing campus, South Works site, Class 8 Micro tax incentive, special service areas, property tax incentives, community benefits, workforce pipeline, environmental remediation, power infrastructure, MBE/WBE participation

### Agenda items discussed

- [53:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=3208) Reappointment to Special Service Area No. 17 Central Lakeview Commission: passed
- [54:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=3280) Special service area scope of services, budget, tax levy and service provider ordinances (items 2-9): passed
- [57:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=3433) Direct-introduction special service area budget and service ordinances for 29 SSAs (items 10-38): passed
- [1:01:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=3712) Class 8 Micro property tax incentive eligibility for the former U.S. Steel South Works site (7th and 10th Wards) and related permit fee waivers: passed
- [1:58:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=7122) Class 6(b) tax incentive for K-Town Business Center 2 at 4655 W. Arlington Street: passed
- [2:06:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=7562) Class 7(c) tax incentive for HSG Belmont Clark LLC properties at Belmont and Clark: passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (chair): Asked whether Class 8 Micro projects would fall under the participation reporting ordinance he and Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell introduced. ([1:55:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6907))
- [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (alderperson): Described his family's connection to the South Works site, noting his grandfather led a steelworkers' local there, and the decline of South Chicago after the mill closed. ([1:16:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=4584)); Said speakers who want the project to move quickly and those who want it slowed down share more in common than not and can work together. ([1:18:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=4706)); Described a student event at Bowen High School and a meeting with 25 area principals to involve schools in the project. ([1:19:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=4744))
- [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (alderperson): Echoed Alderperson Peter Chico remarks and asked for favorable consideration of the incentive. ([1:21:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=4916))
- [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (alderperson): Called the project a once-in-a-generation opportunity and asked when it will go to the Plan Commission and whether a cryogenics plant operator has been identified. ([1:46:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6381)); Asked about the project's power needs and whether ComEd is planning a substation. ([1:47:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6477)); Asked whether criteria or community benefits agreements are being developed for awarding the incentive, citing public comments about ensuring benefits flow to the community. ([1:50:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6622))
- [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (alderperson): Asked whether the grounds had been remediated and whether the whole site would be used. ([1:53:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6804)); Said attracting businesses to the city's border areas is difficult and that he supports the project. ([1:54:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6854))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:21:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=4916) Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell said he echoed every sentiment Alderperson Peter Chico expressed.
- [1:46:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6387) Alderperson Nicole T. Lee told Alderperson Peter Chico she was excited for the opportunity for his ward.
- [1:52:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6760) Alderperson Nicole T. Lee praised Alderperson Peter Chico work engaging schools on the project.
- [1:54:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0?t=6861) Alderperson Derrick G. Curtis congratulated Alderperson Peter Chico on the project.

## Documents

- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/d5151715-ea48-4688-9a23-303e5d7b3a4f.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/fc0ef40b-5637-4d9d-87bd-f8d4931a40b7.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/0ad888ac-c0d2-4ded-9067-ca10d24a2b6d.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/6c984254-a8eb-4b9f-9167-a124db5c22ed.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/8c80936d-73e8-43aa-81bd-16efccde22f2.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D4859B34-008C-EF11-AC21-001DD8306DF0 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt