# Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, September 17, 2025

- When: Wed, Sep 17, 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/budget-and-government-operations)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8925576?video=1119197575
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1119197575.txt) (49,486 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 Budget and Government Operations reconvened its recessed mid-year budget hearings with public comment from 11 speakers, who addressed violence prevention and the Peacekeepers program, public health and mental health funding, HIV services, the Flexible Housing Pool, shelter accessibility, police vacancy funds, and police drones. Superintendent Larry Snelling and Chicago Police Department staff answered questions on overtime, vacancies, officers on disability, special event staffing, technology, consent decree hiring, and a requested $92 million budget reduction exercise. Briefly during the day the chair convened and recessed the regularly scheduled 11:00 a.m. committee meeting. In the afternoon the Department of Family and Support Services discussed homeless encampments, shelter capacity, outreach staffing and federal grant risks, and the Department of Public Health discussed the loss of one-time federal grants, CARE crisis teams, and disease outbreaks. No votes were taken on the hearing topics, and the hearing was recessed until the next morning.

Topics: police overtime, police vacancies and staffing, special events costs, homeless encampments, shelter capacity, federal grant cuts, CARE crisis response teams, public health funding, violence prevention, budget reductions

### Agenda items discussed

- [11:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=719) Public comment: discussed
- [41:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=2497) Mid-year budget hearing: Chicago Police Department: discussed
- [1:40:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6036) Regularly scheduled 11:00 a.m. Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting (convened and recessed)
- [3:40:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13208) Mid-year budget hearing: Department of Family and Support Services: discussed
- [5:05:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=18336) Mid-year budget hearing: Chicago Department of Public Health: discussed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (chair): Asked what the department is doing to return officers on injury or disability leave to work, including light-duty options. ([48:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=2922)); Said the pension board and the city appear to use different standards to clear officers, leaving some in limbo, and supported more oversight or added doctors. ([52:34](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3154)); Asked whether anyone has evaluated which 911 calls may not require a police response. ([1:14:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4466))
- [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (alderperson): Thanked the police department, citing guns recovered from a house in her ward. ([53:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3234)); Asked about the status of the workforce allocation study and whether it will inform the 2026 budget. ([54:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3257)); Asked what makes up the $5.9 million mounted police reduction proposed by the Fiscal Sustainability Working Group. ([55:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3310))
- [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (alderperson): Requested a ward-by-ward breakdown of major crime categories year over year. ([1:00:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3632)); Asked which crime categories remain areas of concern when data is disaggregated, citing domestic violence. ([1:01:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3666)); Asked about vacancies in CPD civilian victim services and domestic violence positions. ([1:03:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3784))
- [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (alderperson): Said CPD is the best-funded department while other departments face program cuts and federal funding losses. ([1:04:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3897)); Asked how overtime is authorized, noting $100 million was budgeted but about $173.8 million was spent last year. ([1:06:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=3961)); Asked whether some nonviolent calls police respond to could be delegated to care agencies to reduce police expenditures. ([1:10:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4218))
- [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (alderperson): Suggested using AI to analyze call data and asked what CPD is doing with technology for efficiencies. ([1:18:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4718)); Said there are savings in technology and expressed concern that DTI is not working directly with CPD. ([1:20:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4800)); Asked whether retired officers could work special events part time to reduce overtime. ([1:21:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4878))
- [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (alderperson): Requested internal transfer reports, cost-benefit analyses of in-house versus contracted work, and FOIA volume and costs. ([1:24:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5072)); Asked how much overtime has been spent to date in 2025 compared with the $100 million appropriated. ([1:26:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5172)); Asked for data on CPD costs related to ICE incidents and federal agent protests. ([1:27:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5223))
- [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (alderperson): Pointed colleagues to the Inspector General's public safety dashboard for ward-level crime and overtime data. ([1:31:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5497)); Requested the number of vacant consent decree positions and the drivers of overtime reductions. ([1:32:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5544)); Asked whether ordinance changes are needed to reduce police overtime at special events. ([1:33:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5589))
- [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (alderperson): Thanked officers in the 14th District for their work in the 1st Ward. ([1:41:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6113)); Asked how much victim specialist time goes to the needs of domestic violence victims. ([1:42:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6172)); Requested how often the mounted unit is dispatched and how much of its activity is ceremonial versus patrol. ([1:43:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6235))
- [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (alderperson): Asked who caused the delay in posting consent decree positions. ([1:49:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6564)); Asked when the staffing audit will be completed. ([1:50:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6631)); Asked whether CPD has analyzed the cost difference between officers and civilians writing parking tickets. ([1:50:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6654))
- [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (alderperson): Said crime is trending in the right direction and credited cooperation with the State's Attorney. ([1:52:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6725)); Asked whether CPD works with peacekeepers and community pastors. ([1:52:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6765)); Asked whether police suicides are increasing and whether there are enough wellness resources. ([1:54:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6875))
- [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (alderperson): Asked whether it is accurate that the department is doing more with fewer officers than a decade ago. ([1:58:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7095)); Said overtime is sometimes necessary for high-need districts and unplanned events, and that labor costs have risen. ([1:59:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7164))
- [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (alderperson): Asked for the number of authorized, filled, and vacant sworn positions. ([2:01:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7284)); Asked whether the department quantifies arrests and prosecutions involving cameras and license plate readers. ([2:02:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7355)); Asked for arrest, prosecution, and conviction trends over recent years. ([2:04:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7473))
- [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (alderperson): Asked the superintendent to clarify whether crime has actually gone down given media coverage, and noted a colleague's data request. ([2:07:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7652)); Thanked officers for their service to residents, documented or undocumented. ([2:12:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7974))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Said his questions had been answered, praised the superintendent's comments on transparency, and yielded his time. ([2:13:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=8009)); Asked where DFSS would start in closing a gap of about 2,000 shelter beds. ([4:16:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=15366)); Asked whether DFSS has a role in Park District designated campsites. ([4:18:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=15498))
- [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (alderperson): Said his request for crime data was not meant to question the superintendent's work and noted the dashboard is hard to navigate. ([2:14:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=8080))
- [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (alderperson): Thanked police officers and the superintendent on behalf of 45th Ward residents. ([2:18:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=8291))
- [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (alderperson): Requested a breakdown of special events and festivals showing reimbursements and who pays, and praised the reduction in homicides. ([2:19:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=8351))
- [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (alderperson): Praised DFSS homeless services staff for attending community meetings about encampments in her ward. ([3:45:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13529)); Asked how many homeless encampments exist in the city and how many are in parks. ([3:46:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13593)); Said about 25 tents returned to Legion Park after a closure and described safety complaints from parents. ([3:47:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13636))
- [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (alderperson): Asked for the number of domestic violence cases DFSS has encountered in 2024 and 2025. ([4:27:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=16045)); Described a rise in domestic violence cases and a fire in her ward, saying more resources are needed for traumatized families. ([4:29:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=16187)); Raised growing homelessness, mental illness, senior needs, and childcare as challenges ahead. ([4:31:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=16316))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:14:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4464) Rodríguez Sánchez thanked the chair after her questions.
- [1:14:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4466) Ervin followed up on the point Rodríguez Sánchez raised about which calls police should respond to.
- [1:18:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=4718) Villegas built on the chair's point about call data, suggesting AI analysis.
- [1:26:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5172) Vasquez followed up on Dowell's earlier question about overtime appropriations.
- [1:31:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5502) Martin pointed Lee to Inspector General dashboard data on ward-level crime.
- [1:31:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=5502) Martin pointed Vasquez to Inspector General dashboard data on overtime.
- [1:49:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=6566) Waguespack followed up on La Spata's question about hiring delays.
- [2:01:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7263) Ervin responded to Harris's remark about cooking the bread with fewer bakers.
- [2:08:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=7704) Cardona referenced Napolitano's request for separated crime data.
- [2:14:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=8078) Napolitano apologized to his colleague regarding the data request discussion.
- [2:19:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=8351) Taliaferro said Dowell had asked the overtime breakdown question he planned to ask.
- [2:30:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=9022) Vasquez said his question followed the chair's line of questioning on vacancies.
- [2:31:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=9066) Ervin responded to Vasquez about how settlement and overtime costs relate to appropriation lines.
- [2:34:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=9247) Ervin thanked Vasquez for his questions.
- [3:51:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13893) Nugent asked the chair to bring the Park District in during budget season about approved campsites.
- [3:51:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13905) Ervin said he shared Nugent's interest in the approved campsites issue.
- [3:52:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=13979) Ervin said many share Nugent's concerns about encampments.
- [3:54:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=14094) Nugent responded to the chair that the code does not allow tents in parks.
- [4:06:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=14786) Lee added to Rodríguez Sánchez's training suggestion by proposing a handout for ward offices.
- [4:16:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E?t=15362) Lee turned the floor over to Conway for questions.

## Documents

- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/871fc3a8-c663-4b09-b7fe-d63aa2371b4e.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/bf5595fc-bb4e-48f9-9e3c-ee87b3376abb.pdf)

---
Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E51F22CA-0A89-F011-B4CB-001DD806D27E · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt