Daniel La Spata

Daniel La Spata is the alderperson for Chicago's 1st Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward01@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 1958 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago 60647, (872) 206-2685
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, Office 13, (312) 744-3063 / 3074/6813
Website: https://www.the1stward.com/
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1164 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 11
Voted with the majority on 85.7% of 91 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 120 (83 passed)
Most-filed topics: Municipal Code Amendments (40), Alley (23), Signs/Signboards (19), Committee/Public Hearings (12), Budget & Appropriations (11)

Committees

AI profile

AI-written synthesis from this member's votes, legislation, and words in 78 meetings. Each claim cites its source; estimates, not statements of intent.

Alderperson Daniel La Spata represents Ward 1 and holds the chair of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety and vice-chair of the Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity, while serving on eight additional committees. He has a perfect attendance record and has participated in over 80 % of divided votes, filing more than 120 pieces of legislation in the current session. His legislative activity emphasizes pedestrian infrastructure, alley access, signage regulation, zoning adjustments, and ADA compliance, and he frequently engages in procedural motions during council meetings. L3 V1

Priorities

Pedestrian infrastructure: Filed a request for the Department of Transportation to study a pedestrian-focused redesign around Palmer Square Park. L3
Alley access: Filed multiple alley ingress/egress permits, including 2443 W Armitage and 2149 N Milwaukee. L1 L4
Sign permits: Submitted several sign and signboard permit applications for locations such as 2308 N Milwaukee Ave and 2001 N California Ave. L2 L5
Zoning adjustments: Proposed amendments to municipal code sections affecting zoning, such as vehicle speed feedback signs and package-goods licensing. L12 L14
ADA compliance: Called for the City to develop an ADA transition plan in line with federal requirements. L28
Remote participation: Supported motions to allow alderpersons to participate remotely in council meetings. S13 S14

Positions

Tax increment financing for parking facility: Voted no on a TIF agreement for a parking facility with Roosevelt/Clark Partners. V3
Sweepstakes machine prohibition: Voted no on an amendment prohibiting sweepstakes machines. V6
Gratuity allowance for hourly workers: Voted no on expanding hourly gratuity allowances. V23
Cannabinoid hemp product regulation: Voted no on amendments adding hemp product definitions and regulations. V28
Broad municipal-code revenue ordinance changes: Voted no on a comprehensive municipal-code revenue ordinance amendment. V29
General obligation bonds issuance: Voted no on authorizing general obligation bonds for capital projects. V30
Mass-gatherings curfew: Voted no on a curfew ordinance for mass gatherings. V38
Police political activity restriction: Voted yes on an amendment prohibiting Chicago Police Department members from political activity. V10

Approach: In committee meetings La Spata frequently asks clarifying questions, moves procedural motions, and supports remote-participation measures, reflecting an active and procedural style of engagement. S1 S13 S14 S16 S18

What to watch: Given his chairmanship of Pedestrian and Traffic Safety and his recent filings, La Spata is likely to remain active on pedestrian-infrastructure projects, alley access issues, sign-permit regulation, ADA transition planning, and remote-participation policies. L3 L1 L2 L28 S13

Nay votes on key legislation

Jul 15, 2026: Redevelopment agreement with Roosevelt/Clark Partners LLC to provide tax increment financing (TIF) assistance for development of parking facility related to The 78 project, Passed 44 yea, 5 nay
Jun 17, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 4-156 by defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines, Failed to Pass 15 yea, 33 nay, 1 absent
Mar 18, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 6-105-030 entitling employers of occupations where gratuities are customary to an allowance for gratuities as part of hourly wage rate not to exceed 24 percent of minimum wage rate, Passed 30 yea, 18 nay
Jan 21, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 4-4, 4-60 and 8-16 by adding new sections regarding cannabinoid hemp product definitions, regulations, health requirements and hemp product offenses involving minors and deletion of Section 4-4-333 in entirety (Vetoed), Passed 32 yea, 16 nay
Dec 20, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 15, 17 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various departments and agencies (2026 Municipal Code Management Ordinance), Passed 29 yea, 20 nay, 1 absent
Dec 19, 2025: Issuance of general obligation bonds for capital projects and other purposes (2026-2027 General Obligation Borrowing Ordinance), Passed 39 yea, 11 nay
Dec 19, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 14B, 14X and 15 (2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance Alternative), Passed 29 yea, 19 nay
Jun 18, 2025: Mass Gatherings and Curfew, Passed 27 yea, 22 nay
Sep 18, 2024: Superintendent of Police directed to enter into and execute new contract or contract extension or renewal for acoustic gunshot detection technology services, Passed 33 yea, 14 nay, 2 absent
May 22, 2024: Call on Mayor Brandon Johnson to remedy by Ward choice whether to remove Sound Thinking/ShotSpotter surveillance technology with other assurances and advance notifications to affected Ward Council members choosing to retain such technology, Passed 34 yea, 14 nay, 2 absent
Feb 15, 2024: Adoption of arbitration option in certain police disciplinary cases, Failed to Pass 18 yea, 32 nay

Key legislation sponsored

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-7-1506 exempting adaptive reuse or rehabilitated strip centers from prohibitions within Milwaukee Avenue Special Character Overlay District (SO2026-0027187), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-92 by adding new Section 2-92-587 entitled "Civil Immigration Enforcement Disclosure" to promote full disclosure about any companies working with or profiting from immigration enforcement services (SO2025-0021035), Passed Sep 23, 2026
2400 - 2600 W Fullerton (O2026-0025816), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (27.86) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion W Grand Ave (O2026-0027169), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Call for City of Chicago to develop Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan in accordance with requirements of ADA (SOr2026-0023422), Passed Jun 17, 2026
Call on U.S. Congress to pass and President Donald Trump to sign Living Wage for Musicians Act of 2025 (R2026-0024901), Adopted May 20, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-45 by adding new Section 2-45-150 establishing online database to track MBE and WBE utilization compliance (SO2024-0012388), Passed May 20, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 9-108 by adding new Section 9-108-025 establishing public enforcement pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence of covered parking offenses (SO2024-0010993), Failed to Pass Feb 18, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-64-050 to authorize erection of disabled permit parking signs in certain RS, RT, and RM zoning districts (O2025-0019980), Passed Dec 10, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-3-0408 regarding Transit-Served Location (O2025-0019672), Passed Oct 16, 2025
Call for hearing(s) on implementation of gender-based violence prevention services and programming in Chicago (R2025-0017551), Adopted Sep 25, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 by modifying Section 17-10-0102-B to allow minimum off-street automobile parking ratio reduction up to 100 percent for the construction of parking structures near Chicago Transit Authority or Metra rail or bus lines (SO2025-0015577), Passed Jul 16, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Title 9 by modifying Chapters 9-4, 9-48, 9-64, 9-80, 9-100 and 9-108 regarding various parking and standing restrictions (SO2025-0017552), Passed Jun 18, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-244-140 to prohibit peddling on portions of N Milwaukee Ave (O2025-0017550), Passed Jun 18, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-58-030 to disallow BYOB on portions of W Division St, from N Damen Ave to N Western Ave (O2025-0015576), Passed Apr 16, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Ashland Ave, W Division St, and N Western Ave; and to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Ashland Ave, N Western Ave, W Armitage Ave, W Division St, and N Milwaukee Ave (O2025-0015579), Passed Mar 12, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (1.66) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Fullerton Ave (O2025-0015575), Passed Mar 12, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-12-070 establishing maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour on streets, 15 miles per hour in alleys, and absolute statutory nonurban limit of 55 miles per hour (SO2024-0010990), Failed to Pass Feb 19, 2025
Call for establishment of interagency working group to assess and redesign speed limit enforcement structure and practices in City of Chicago (SR2024-0010992), Adopted Jan 15, 2025
Transfer of funds within 1st Ward Wage Allowance/Aldermanic Expense Account for Year 2024 (SO2024-0012985), Passed Oct 22, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 16-18, adjusting Open Space Impact Fees, charges and credits (SO2024-0010158), Passed Sep 18, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 17-7 by adding new Section 17-7-1500 establishing Milwaukee Avenue Special Character Overlay District on N Milwaukee Ave between N Western Ave and N Ridgeway Ave (SO2024-0010154), Passed Jul 17, 2024
Liquor License Moratorium (O2024-0008642), Passed May 22, 2024
Designation of 2000 - 2294 North Milwaukee Ave as Low-Affordability Community (O2024-0008244), Passed Apr 17, 2024
Amendment of 4-60-023 to amend packaged good moratorium for Grand Avenue between Ashland and Wood. (O2024-0006938), Passed Feb 21, 2024

In their own words

Moments from meeting recordings, summarized by AI from the transcript. Each links to the video at that point.

Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Said he would vote yes on the $174 million infrastructure agreement but no on the parking garage agreement, citing DPD revenue estimates and the industrial riverfront. (watch at 2:48:06)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Thanked disability advocates for their persistence in pushing the city toward full accessibility. (watch at 1:50:45)
Jul 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Follow-up clarification request after Anne Zang’s response. (watch at 3:19:31)
Jul 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Asked CDOT about specific Roosevelt Road improvements and bike-lane plans. (watch at 3:19:11)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Declared the meeting adjourned. (watch at 27:06)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Requested a motion to recommend approval of all no-recommendation items. (watch at 26:24)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Requested a motion to accept substitute ordinances. (watch at 26:06)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Requested a motion to recommend approval of recommended items on pages 4-14. (watch at 25:32)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Requested a motion to recommend approval of direct-introduction ordinances. (watch at 20:47)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Requested a motion to approve the June Rule 45 report. (watch at 20:29)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Announced the start of the public comment period. (watch at 14:05)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Declared the ayes have it on the motion to allow remote participation. (watch at 13:56)