City Council meeting, September 29, 2026
- When: Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Body: full City Council
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/citycouncil?video=1230273462
- Transcript: full text (16,243 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.
At the September 29, 2026 City Council meeting, eleven public commenters spoke, mostly about the competing Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) and FAIR ordinance, as well as criticism of the mayor and city government. Under unfinished business, the Council approved SO2026-0025407, the parking meter concession ownership transfer, by a 46-3 roll call after debate: opponents cited the absence of independent analysis and of minority-led firms, and supporters described the negotiated $75 million payment, 5% profit share and other terms as an improvement on the 2008 deal. The Council also passed Alderperson Marty Quinn ordinance requiring a three-fifths vote for bond and debt ordinances, 32-15. Alderperson Gilbert Villegas did not call the PRO or FAIR ordinances for a vote, to allow more time for compromise, and the next meeting was set for October 14, 2026.
Topics: Parking meter concession, Debt ordinance supermajority, Protecting Renters Ordinance, Minority contracting, Pension funding
Agenda items discussed
- 32:16 Public comment period: discussed
- 1:03:31 Acknowledgments of Dr. Peggy A. Montes's 90th birthday and the late CFD Battalion Chief Sean Kevin: discussed
- 1:09:34 Agreed calendar: passed
- 1:10:01 New business introductions
- 1:13:03 Substitute ordinance approving ownership transfer under the Chicago Metered Parking System Concession Agreement (SO2026-0025407): passed
- 2:09:29 Ordinance requiring a three-fifths vote for bond and debt ordinances (O2026-0026270): passed
- 2:17:51 Protecting Renters Ordinance and Department of Buildings residential standards ordinance (not called for a vote) (SO2026-0026554)
- 2:18:31 Ordinance setting the next meeting for October 14, 2026: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Honored Dr. Peggy A. Montes, founder of the Bronzeville Children's Museum, on her 90th birthday. (1:03:45)
- James M. Gardiner (alderperson): Memorialized CFD Battalion Chief Sean Kevin and asked for a moment of silence. (1:06:14)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Called the parking meter ownership transfer ordinance for a vote under Rule 41 with Alderperson Scott Waguespack. (1:13:03); Said the negotiated deal is far better than the 2008 contract, thanked members and staff who worked on it, and noted MBE/WBE requirements and annual audits in the agreement. (2:02:12)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Opposed the parking meter deal, comparing it to 2008 and citing a lack of independent financial analysis and Council legal counsel and no rate relief for residents. (1:13:51)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Opposed the deal, saying the companies stand to earn billions while the city receives $75 million and a 5% profit share with no rate protections. (1:19:53)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Supported the deal, describing the negotiated $75 million for pensions, 5% profit share, event closure changes, data-sharing limits and worker protections. (1:23:44); Said the September 30 deadline was binding under the contract and that last-minute outside efforts to change the vote were improper. (1:28:36)
- William E. Hall (alderperson): Voted no, saying no African American firm had a lead role as lobbyist, advisor or accountant in the transaction. (1:32:54)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Supported the deal she helped negotiate, citing the profit share and 2% of future sales, and the leverage from concerns about Stonepeak's affiliate. (1:34:37)
- Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Commended the negotiators and the mayor's executive order on minority participation, and called for Black-owned firms to share in large city deals. (1:38:38)
- Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Supported the deal and criticized the administration's undisclosed $3.2 billion bid and non-disclosure agreement, crediting the Finance chair's working group. (1:40:22)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Supported the deal, saying it began as a civil rights concern about Stonepeak's affiliate and secured upfront pension money and future revenue sharing. (1:46:20)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Supported the deal, trusting the colleagues who negotiated it, while saying the city had few choices and she did not share the view that the company acted out of good nature. (1:52:39)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Supported the deal and criticized the administration's use of a non-disclosure agreement around its earlier bid. (1:57:48); Said he would not call the PRO or FAIR ordinances for a vote, to allow more time to find common ground. (2:17:51)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Supported the deal and credited reporting on Stonepeak's affiliate with creating leverage for negotiations. (2:05:43)
- Marty Quinn (alderperson): Called his ordinance requiring a three-fifths vote on bond and debt ordinances for a vote. (2:09:29); Said the three-fifths requirement mirrors the General Assembly and would apply to all future mayors to protect the city's long-term finances. (2:13:17)
- William Conway (alderperson): Supported the three-fifths debt ordinance, noting about $2 billion a year in debt service compared with a $350 million Streets and Sanitation budget. (2:10:03)
Exchanges between members
- 1:19:53 Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López echoed Alderperson Jason C. Ervin comments on the parking meter deal.
- 1:26:16 Alderperson Scott Waguespack credited Alderperson Pat Dowell leadership of the negotiations.
- 1:27:36 Alderperson Scott Waguespack credited Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor for added enforcement staff protections.
- 1:28:25 Alderperson Scott Waguespack cited Alderperson Walter R. Burnett technology ideas in the deal.
- 1:34:51 Alderperson Nicole T. Lee praised Chairwoman Pat Dowell leadership.
- 1:36:20 Alderperson Nicole T. Lee noted that Alderperson Scott Waguespack, a no vote in 2008, helped negotiate and supports the new deal.
- 1:38:43 Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson commended Chairwoman Pat Dowell for her work on the deal.
- 1:43:31 Alderperson Matthew J. O'Shea credited the Finance chair with leading the negotiating committee.
- 1:49:03 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett thanked Chairwoman Pat Dowell for her leadership.
- 1:52:46 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden invited Alderperson Scott Waguespack to correct her account of the 2008 vote.
- 1:53:32 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden thanked Chairwoman Pat Dowell and the negotiating group.
- 1:57:01 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden said she did not share Alderperson Walter R. Burnett view of the corporation's good nature.
- 2:00:43 Alderperson Gilbert Villegas thanked Chair Pat Dowell for assembling the team.
- 2:00:48 Alderperson Gilbert Villegas thanked Alderperson Walter R. Burnett for his industry background.
- 2:03:15 Chairwoman Pat Dowell acknowledged Alderperson Nicole T. Lee work on the deal.
- 2:03:15 Chairwoman Pat Dowell acknowledged Alderperson Scott Waguespack work on the deal.
- 2:04:44 Chairwoman Pat Dowell responded to Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson point on minority participation, citing MBE/WBE requirements and supporting a task force.
- 2:04:44 Chairwoman Pat Dowell responded to Alderperson William E. Hall point on minority participation, citing MBE/WBE requirements and audits.
- 2:06:12 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. credited colleagues led by Alderperson Pat Dowell.
- 2:10:03 Alderperson William Conway thanked Alderperson Marty Quinn for the ordinance and his service.