Julia M. Ramirez

Julia M. Ramirez is the alderperson for Chicago's 12th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward12@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 3868 South Archer Avenue, Chicago 60632, (773) 475-6783
City Hall: 121 North Lasalle, Room 200, (312) 744-3068/4025
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 97.9% of 1164 key roll calls (24 absent)
Nay votes: 10
Voted with the majority on 86.7% of 90 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 25 (16 passed)
Most-filed topics: Municipal Code Amendments (7), Streets (6), Signs/Signboards (5), Parking (3), Budget & Appropriations (2)

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.

Julia M. Ramirez represents Ward 12 and serves as Vice Chair of the Health and Human Relations Committee and member of several other committees, including Budget and Government Operations and Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. She has a high attendance record and has voted on a wide range of ordinances, most often in favor, including multiple tax-increment financing agreements for redevelopment projects V1 V3 V17. Ramirez has filed 25 pieces of legislation, ranging from honorary street designations to parking-meter adjustments and environmental-justice initiatives L2 L4 L13.

Priorities

Tax incentives: Filed support for Class 6(b) tax incentives for specific properties, indicating a focus on stimulating development through tax credits L6.
Honorary street designations: Sponsored several honorary street naming proposals, such as "Carlos Augusto Lemus Way" and "James T. Bennecke Way," reflecting an emphasis on community recognition L2 L3.
Parking policy: Filed multiple ordinances to install or remove parking meters on streets in her ward, showing attention to local transportation and parking management L4 L5 L8.
Environmental justice: Introduced amendments to create an environmental-justice advisory board, highlighting a priority on equity in environmental policymaking L13.
Licensing reforms: Filed amendments to lift moratoria on tavern and package-goods licenses along S. Archer Avenue, indicating a focus on easing commercial licensing restrictions L14 L24.
Industrial zoning: Filed a municipal-code amendment addressing regulation of last-mile warehouses and e-commerce fulfillment centers, pointing to interest in modernizing industrial land-use rules L9.

Positions

Sweepstakes machines: Voted against a municipal-code amendment that would prohibit the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6.
Gratuities allowance: Opposed an amendment that would allow employers to include gratuities as part of hourly wages for certain occupations V23.
Cannabinoid hemp product regulations: Voted no on adding new sections defining and regulating hemp-derived products, indicating resistance to expanding those regulations V28.
Broad municipal-code overhaul: Rejected a comprehensive amendment package affecting multiple municipal-code titles, suggesting caution toward large-scale code changes V29.
Revenue ordinance: Voted against the 2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance Alternative, reflecting opposition to that specific revenue-generation proposal V31.
Mass gatherings and curfew: Opposed a curfew ordinance for mass gatherings, indicating a stance against imposing such restrictions V38.
Police conduct restrictions: Supported an amendment prohibiting Chicago Police Department members from participating in certain political activities, showing support for limiting police political involvement V10.
Tax-increment financing for parks: Consistently voted in favor of TIF agreements for park improvements, demonstrating support for using TIF to fund public-space projects V16 V19 V21.

Approach: In committee meetings Ramirez frequently asks clarifying questions, such as probing the identification of areas for the Corridor Manager program, and offers to share supporting materials with colleagues S1 S2. She also moves motions to advance proposals, exemplified by her motion supporting the pollinator-garden amendment on the Environmental Protection and Energy Committee S4.

What to watch: Given her voting record on multiple redevelopment and tax-increment financing agreements, Ramirez is likely to continue championing TIF-based development projects and related zoning changes V1 V3 V17.

Nay votes on key legislation

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: 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
Dec 13, 2023: Amended collective bargaining agreement with Chicago John Dineen Lodge No. 7 (f.k.a. Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 7), Passed 42 yea, 7 nay

Key legislation sponsored

Lifting tavern moratorium on S. Archer Ave, from Spaulding to Trumbull (O2025-0016183), Passed May 21, 2025
Calling for hearing and series of virtual trainings for City officials, employees and general public and compile findings and recommendations available for public access to foster collaborative action against incidences of hate and to guide future policies and initiatives (SR2024-0010989), Adopted Apr 16, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (12.285) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Archer Ave (O2024-0007334), Passed Oct 22, 2024

In their own words

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

Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Praised Corporation Counsel Lowry's demeanor and service. (watch at 3:10:39)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Thanked rapid responders for organizing, documenting and mutual aid. (watch at 1:58:29)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Moved to refer the last mile warehouse ordinance to a joint License and Workforce committee, later doing so by amending the committee recommendation. (watch at 4:25:04)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: As vice chair, reported the Health Committee's do-pass recommendation for Dr. Garth Walker as CDPH Commissioner. (watch at 3:34:26)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported the Disability Pride Month resolution and recognized Devices for the Disabled in Brighton Park. (watch at 1:48:26)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Explained that the committee reconvened on May 19 and asked for help distributing the updated committee report. (watch at 4:10:29)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Spoke in support of the AANHPI Heritage Month resolution and cultural exchange between the 12th Ward and Chinatown. (watch at 2:19:15)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Encouraged wards to promote Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Share Our Spare's free book program. (watch at 1:16:57)
May 18, 2026, Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity: Offered to add a copy of the presentation deck to his email. (watch at 1:00:30)
May 18, 2026, Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity: Asked how additional areas could be identified for the Corridor Manager program. (watch at 58:34)
May 11, 2026, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy: Moved a motion to recommend approval of the pollinator garden amendment. (watch at 52:40)
May 11, 2026, Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy: Raised concerns about language accessibility for the native-garden registry. (watch at 52:00)