Brian Hopkins

Brian Hopkins is the alderperson for Chicago's 2nd Ward.

Contact

Email: office@aldermanhopkins.com
Ward office: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, Chicago 60602, (312) 744-6836 / 9867/6213
Website: https://www.aldermanhopkins.com/
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1164 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 20
Voted with the majority on 80.2% of 91 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 83 (54 passed)
Most-filed topics: Municipal Code Amendments (28), Signs/Signboards (21), Alley (6), Streets (6), Committee/Public Hearings (5)

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.

Alderman Brian Hopkins, chair of the Committee on Public Safety, has voted on a broad array of measures, often supporting tax increment financing (TIF) agreements for park and city projects while casting a few notable no votes on a parking-facility TIF and a public-enforcement pilot program V1 V3 V16 V25. He has also filed numerous ordinances covering mobility-device reporting, police video-surveillance safeguards, and honorary street designations, reflecting active legislative work L1 L27 L10.

Priorities

Mobility device regulation: Filed an ordinance to establish complaint reporting and service-request procedures for bicycles, electric mobility devices, and motorized scooters L1.
Mobile food vendor restrictions: Proposed a municipal code amendment prohibiting mobile food vendors on specific streets in the 2nd Ward L2.
Police video surveillance oversight: Introduced a amendment requiring a warrant, subpoena, or other lawful process before police can request video surveillance footage L27.
Alley access exemptions: Filed an exemption from the physical-barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for certain businesses L5.
Honorary street designations: Advanced honorary street naming, including the “Honorary Chilli Pepper Way” designation and related proposals L10 S1.
Pollinator garden plant height: Amended the municipal code to limit non-tree plant height in native and pollinator gardens to 36 inches L19.

Positions

Tax Increment Financing for park improvements: Supported TIF assistance for park upgrades, voting yes on multiple agreements for Hermosa, Avondale, and Clarendon Parks V16 V19 V21.
Tax Increment Financing for a parking facility: Opposed the Roosevelt/Clark Partners TIF for a parking facility, casting a no vote V3.
Public-enforcement pilot program for recorded evidence: Voted no on establishing a pilot program that would allow residents to submit recorded evidence for public enforcement V25.
Police video-surveillance warrant requirement: Supported requiring law-enforcement to obtain a warrant or comparable legal process before accessing video surveillance footage L27.
Alley access physical-barrier exemption: Supported easing alley-access rules by exempting certain commercial driveways from barrier requirements L5.
Honorary street designations: Advocated for and approved honorary street names, including the Chili Pepper Way proposal L10 S1.
Remote participation for aldermen: Moved to allow aldermen to participate remotely in committee meetings, indicating support for virtual engagement S6.
Gun-shot detection procurement process: Questioned the use of a Request for Information before a Request for Proposals, signaling scrutiny of the procurement approach S15.

Approach: In committee settings Hopkins frequently opens meetings, presides over adjournments, and moves procedural motions, such as allowing remote participation for colleagues S4 S5 S6. He also asks targeted questions on technology, procurement, and zoning matters, demonstrating an active questioning style S3 S9 S15 S16.

What to watch: Given his record of voting on and filing TIF-related measures and his sponsorship of police-video oversight legislation, Hopkins is likely to remain engaged on financing of development projects and law-enforcement accountability issues V3 V16 L27.

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
Feb 18, 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, Failed to Pass 16 yea, 31 nay, 1 absent
May 7, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-44 by adding new Section 2-44-170 establishing not-for-profit residential investment corporation with the City's participation in the financing structure, acquisition, ownership, and on-going operations of affordable, mixed-income, environmentally sustainable housing, Passed 30 yea, 18 nay, 2 absent
Apr 7, 2025: Standing Committee member name changes, Adopted 32 yea, 11 nay, 4 absent
Apr 7, 2025: Appointment of Alderperson Anthony Quezada (35th Ward), Approved 32 yea, 11 nay, 4 absent
Mar 12, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Title 4 by adding new Chapter 4-401 entitled "Trade In Fur Products", Failed to Pass 19 yea, 26 nay
Feb 26, 2025: Issuance of general obligation bonds to finance improvements to public rights-of-way, infrastructure and transportation, loans and grants, acquisition of property, construction and maintenance of public buildings, economic programs, lead service line replacements, as amended, Passed 26 yea, 23 nay
Feb 19, 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, Failed to Pass 21 yea, 28 nay
Jan 15, 2025: Call for establishment of interagency working group to assess and redesign speed limit enforcement structure and practices in City of Chicago, Adopted 49 yea, 1 nay
Dec 16, 2024: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 2, 7, 10, 11 and 18 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various departments and agencies (2025 Municipal Code Management Ordinance), as amended, Passed 34 yea, 16 nay
Dec 16, 2024: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 3, 4, 9 and 10 (2025 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance) and Property Tax Levy for Year 2025, as amended, Passed 27 yea, 23 nay
Oct 30, 2024: Jarixon Medina as member of Regional Trnsportation Authority Board of Directors, Failed to Pass 18 yea, 25 nay
Oct 9, 2024: Refunding of General Obligation/Sales Tax Securitization Corporation Bond, Series 2024, Passed 35 yea, 12 nay, 2 absent
Sep 18, 2024: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 5 and 17 by adding new Chapter 5-11 entitled "Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Block (606) District Pilot Program" and by modifying Section 2-44-135 regarding demolition permit surcharge ordinance, and Section 17-7-0590 redefining boundaries of 606 District, Passed 44 yea, 3 nay, 2 absent
Apr 19, 2024: 2024 Affordable Housing and Community Development Borrowing Ordinance, Passed 32 yea, 17 nay
Feb 21, 2024: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 4 and 17 by adding new Article XXXIV and by adding new Section 17-9-0133 both entitled "Small-Box Retailers" and by modifying various sections of Title 17 regarding use group zoning districts, Passed 42 yea, 7 nay
Jan 31, 2024: Expression of support for United Nations Resolution 377 known as "Uniting for Peace", Adopted 23 yea, 23 nay
Nov 9, 2023: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4 and 6 by modifying various sections and adding new Chapter 6-130 entitled "Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance" (Final), Passed 36 yea, 12 nay, 1 absent
Nov 7, 2023: Proposal of new tax rates for Chicago R.E. transfer tax to set aside for homeless housing, Passed 32 yea, 17 nay
Oct 6, 2023: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 6-105 by modifying Section 6-105-030 regarding minimum hourly wage in occupations receiving gratuities, Passed 36 yea, 10 nay, 2 absent

Key legislation sponsored

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 10-32-055 to limit height of non-tree plants in native and pollinator gardens to 36 inches (O2026-0022796), Passed May 20, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (2.206) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portions of W North Ave (O2026-0023807), Passed Apr 15, 2026
Repeal of Taxi Cab Stand No. 710 at 1166 N State St (SO2026-0023068), Passed Mar 18, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-102 by adding new Section 2-102-110 to require City Council approval to close bridges of Chicago for improvement, maintenance, repair or other public work (SO2025-0021022), Passed Feb 18, 2026
Expression of continued support for remediation and reclamation of legacy contaminated waterways like Bubbly Creek, such as Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) efforts and other local, state and national projects (SR2025-0018658), Adopted Feb 18, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (42.215) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of E Huron St and N Lake Shore Dr (O2025-0020642), Passed Dec 10, 2025
Historical landmark fee waiver for property at 310 W Concord Pl (Or2025-0020288), Passed Nov 14, 2025
Expression of support for passage of American Center for Cures legislation (R2024-0011007), Failed to Pass Oct 16, 2025
Call for Hearing on expanding "Angel Shot" Trainings (R2025-0017091), Adopted Oct 16, 2025
Mass Gatherings and Curfew (SO2025-0016732), Passed Jun 18, 2025
Pedestrian Overpass connecting Galter Property and 633 Property (O2024-0009353), Passed Jul 17, 2024
Transfer of funds within Committee on Public Safety for Year 2023. (O2023-0005576), Passed Dec 13, 2023
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 8-4 by adding new Section 8-4-077 entitled "Assault Against City Employees with Enforcement Authority" (SO2023-0003867), Passed Nov 15, 2023
Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 and 4-60-023 to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of various streets (O2023-0004047), Passed Oct 4, 2023
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-025 by restricting additional late hour liquor licenses within 2nd Ward (O2023-0003484), Passed Oct 4, 2023
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (2.203) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Wells St (O2023-0003482), Passed Oct 4, 2023
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 9-68-033 by inserting new section designating Zone 74 nightlife tow area on Division St (O2023-0003479), Passed Sep 14, 2023

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: Dropped his opposition to Foundry Park after CDOT and DPD committed to studying bridge and infrastructure needs. (watch at 3:58:22)
Jul 14, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Moved to reaffirm the committee’s recommendation on the Hub 32 ordinance. (watch at 2:21:08)
Jul 14, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Asked Mr. Eady about grade-four automation technology for transit. (watch at 2:16:20)
Jul 9, 2026, Committee on Public Safety: Greeted the committee and opened the public-testimony segment. (watch at 22:24)
Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Explained that the parental accountability ordinance received a 10-5 do-not-pass recommendation in committee before being deferred and published. (watch at 4:31:44)
Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Moved to allow Aldermen Moore, Cruz, and Lawson to participate remotely. (watch at 24:59)
May 19, 2026, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards: Clarified the difference between PD and PMD zoning to Alderman Bennett R. Lawson. (watch at 1:58:01)
May 19, 2026, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards: Presented a map amendment for a city-owned parcel in the 2nd Ward (A-9092). (watch at 1:43:06)
May 19, 2026, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards: Moved to due-pass an ordinance presented by Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez. (watch at 1:07:22)
May 13, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Expressed full support for the nomination. (watch at 48:17)
May 13, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Praised Cheeks’ qualifications and urged cultural change at CDOT. (watch at 45:32)
May 13, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Invited to ask first questions after the appointment. (watch at 45:21)