# Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, November 9, 2024

- When: Sat, Nov 9, 2024, 9:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: [Committee on Budget and Government Operations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/budget-and-government-operations)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8925576/video/1027889723
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1027889723.txt) (59,877 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.

On Saturday, November 9, 2024, the Committee on Budget and Government Operations continued its 2025 budget hearings. After public comment, during which one speaker was removed from the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms, the committee heard budget presentations and took questions from the City Clerk, the Office of Inspector General, the Police Board, the Board of Ethics, the License Appeal Commission, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), each preceded by a COFA summary. Discussion covered the Clerk's proposed fee increases and technology upgrades, the effect of the hiring freeze on revenue-generating positions, OIG staffing cuts and its recommendation on extremism in the police department, police disciplinary processes and the lack of a disciplinary matrix, COPA's public statements, budget-floor calculations, and the role of district councils. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed until Tuesday at 10 a.m., with the chair proposing earlier start times for future hearings.

Topics: 2025 budget hearings, City Clerk fees and technology, hiring freeze, Inspector General, police accountability, disciplinary matrix, COPA, CCPSA and district councils, Board of Ethics, budget floor calculations

### Agenda items discussed

- [7:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=442) Public comment: discussed
- [19:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=1195) Budget hearing: Office of the City Clerk: discussed
- [1:49:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=6571) Budget hearing: Office of Inspector General: discussed
- [3:22:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=12146) Budget hearing: Police Board, Board of Ethics and License Appeal Commission: discussed
- [4:08:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=14882) Budget hearing: Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA): discussed
- [5:55:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=21345) Budget hearing: Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA): discussed
- [6:50:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=24631) Committee hearing schedule and start times: discussed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (chair): Asked the Clerk whether ward offices can again print residential parking day passes. ([34:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2092)); Said independently elected offices such as the Clerk should have more latitude over hiring within their budgets and be treated differently from departments. ([1:26:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5189)); Asked about residential parking passes for industries and caregivers and whether vehicles registered outside Chicago could be required to buy city stickers. ([1:34:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5688))
- [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (alderperson): Asked the Clerk about removing CityKey expiration dates and suggested mailing renewal stickers instead of new cards. ([27:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=1636)); Asked about dog license sales and suggested linking city pet tags to rabies tag sales at veterinarians. ([30:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=1807)); Requested residential parking permit data by ward and asked about an analysis of the program's sustainability. ([32:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=1954))
- [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (alderperson): Asked what the Clerk's office does to address people avoiding city sticker purchases, such as registering cars out of state. ([36:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2184)); Asked how much uncollected sticker revenue may be outstanding. ([38:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2313))
- [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (alderperson): Asked the Clerk to detail the fee increases expected to raise about $4 million and to flag other long-unchanged fees. ([41:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2477)); Asked whether growing electric vehicle adoption could affect sticker revenue. ([44:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2692)); Asked OIG about its office relocation, investigations lasting over a year, and the effect of software cuts. ([2:00:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=7226))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Commended the Clerk's ELMS legislative system and asked about the $25 annual residential parking permit fee. ([46:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2776)); Asked how many residential parking passes and city stickers are sold per year. ([1:21:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=4887)); Asked OIG to confirm that the mayor's office declined its recommendation to form a task force on extremism in the police department. ([3:04:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=11049))
- [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (alderperson): Complimented the Clerk for a responsible budget submission with reasonable revenue enhancements. ([47:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2875)); Asked whether OIG's increased ethics enforcement reflects more complaints or more aggressive investigation. ([2:25:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=8751)); Said OIG should not be asked to eliminate positions and urged the budget office to give it more latitude for staffing. ([2:28:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=8926))
- [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (alderperson): Asked the Clerk about electronic record keeping and the security of the council modernization system. ([49:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2966)); Asked OIG to elaborate on its extremism task force recommendation that the mayor's office declined. ([2:58:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=10719)); Said COPA, OIG and CPD should work together to identify extremism and supported forming a task force. ([3:02:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=10953))
- [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (alderperson): Thanked the Clerk's team for responsiveness and CityKey events in her community. ([53:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=3238))
- [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (alderperson): Requested parking pass sales by ward and asked how to expedite equipment so ward offices can sell passes. ([55:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=3345)); Asked whether CityKey could help street vendors who lack work authorization obtain some form of documentation. ([1:01:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=3671)); Proposed that department budget data submitted in July also be shared with the Clerk's office so the council can access it. ([1:02:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=3769))
- [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (alderperson): Asked whether ward office payroll and record keeping could be modernized to fit the Clerk's systems. ([1:06:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=3993)); Asked how new residents learn they need a city sticker and how alderpersons could help inform them. ([1:41:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=6104))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Suggested CityKey kiosks or appointments at City Hall given high demand. ([1:09:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=4183)); Asked about the Clerk's proposed fee increases and what relief is available to keep them equitable. ([1:12:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=4377)); Asked how residential parking enforcement will be coordinated with the Department of Finance. ([1:16:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=4592))
- [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (alderperson): Asked whether more staff would help the Clerk's office increase revenue. ([1:22:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=4955)); Said she understood revenue-generating positions were exempt from the hiring freeze and asked how many of the Clerk's positions remain open. ([1:24:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5085)); Asked whether independently elected officials still have the right to manage their own budgets and said they should not be treated like mayoral departments. ([1:26:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5189))
- [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (alderperson): Thanked the Clerk for advance briefings and called the submission responsible, while noting concerns about higher daily parking pass fees. ([1:29:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5384)); Asked whether residential parking permits are issued for vehicles with out-of-state plates. ([1:30:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5436)); Said parking enforcement is a top complaint and that revenue-generating positions should not have been subject to the hiring freeze. ([1:32:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5576))
- [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (alderperson): Asked OIG about increased training and credentialing costs and whether they will recur annually. ([2:42:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=9723)); Asked about the status and financial implications of addressing CPD employees with ties to extremist groups. ([2:45:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=9947))
- [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (alderperson): Raised concerns about COPA's legal exposure, investigator certification, lack of a disciplinary matrix, and arbitration costs. ([4:15:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=15300)); Said officers lack faith in COPA's impartiality and that this could cause hesitation in life-or-death decisions. ([4:17:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=15424)); Asked how many lawsuits name COPA as a defendant. ([4:19:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=15561))
- [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (alderperson): Said COPA's notifications to him have been balanced and praised its community outreach as critical work. ([4:33:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=16402))
- [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (alderperson): Asked COPA for a more granular breakdown of case outcomes, especially officer-involved shootings. ([4:45:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=17157))
- [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (alderperson): Asked whether district councils can remove people who repeatedly harass members at meetings and what recourse they have. ([6:43:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=24209))

### Exchanges between members

- [47:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2852) Alderperson William Conway yielded his remaining time to the chair.
- [47:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=2862) The chair asked Alderperson Brendan Reilly whether he had questions, and Reilly responded with comments.
- [1:05:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=3906) The chair clarified Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. request for early access to department budget data and said he had challenges with it.
- [1:26:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5202) Alderperson Michelle A. Harris asked the chair whether elected officials' authority over their own budgets had changed.
- [1:26:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5204) The chair replied to Alderperson Michelle A. Harris that independently elected offices should have more latitude over hiring.
- [1:28:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=5296) Alderperson Michelle A. Harris agreed with the chair that elected offices should not be treated like mayoral departments.
- [1:43:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=6205) The chair responded to Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth welcome-package idea.
- [2:11:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=7903) The chair asked Alderperson Matthew J. Martin how long the police staffing study had been pending, and Martin answered.
- [2:14:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=8045) Alderperson Matthew J. Martin offered the chair a point of information about the staffing study vendor and its funding.
- [2:24:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=8650) The chair responded to Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez by cautioning against rules that would restrict protected speech.
- [2:31:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=9091) Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. said he agreed with Alderperson Brendan Reilly support for OIG staffing.
- [2:41:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=9698) The chair joked with Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. about property taxes.
- [3:04:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=11049) Alderperson William Conway followed up on Alderperson Matthew J. O'Shea comments and agreed that trust in law enforcement is paramount.
- [4:31:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=16294) The chair asked Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. whether he had estimated the effect of the fringe calculation on COPA's budget floor.
- [4:38:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=16702) Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez referenced Alderperson Silvana Tabares points about officer frustration with COPA.
- [4:47:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=17256) The chair followed up on Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell request about sustained findings in shooting cases.
- [5:09:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=18575) Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez said he agreed completely with the chair's line of questioning about COPA's statements.
- [6:38:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=23905) Alderperson Nicole T. Lee told Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez that district council members were duly elected and the system deserves more time.
- [6:39:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D?t=23981) Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez agreed with Alderperson Nicole T. Lee that elected members cannot be held accountable for their views but said the framework must work.

## Documents

- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/7ed81711-134f-462e-b02b-7432d767aaac.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/98ee83f7-2b35-412f-8a88-e88f78215462.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/4dd0c4f6-2f68-46a1-afa5-a5857f94a860.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/8282919b-daed-465d-aebd-02518d9f231e.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/b54e658d-6dd9-4680-bdc3-bf754ca12b9c.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D78EB4DA-1587-EF11-AC21-001DD809A88D · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt