Jeanette B. Taylor

Jeanette B. Taylor is the alderperson for Chicago's 20th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward20@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 5401 South Wentworth Avenue, Suite 19E, Chicago 60621, (773) 966-5336
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, (312) 744-6840/5688/7738
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 85% of 1162 key roll calls (174 absent)
Nay votes: 10
Voted with the majority on 90.1% of 81 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 20 (16 passed)
Most-filed topics: Streets (6), Municipal Code Amendments (4), Alley (4), Property (2), Signs/Signboards (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.

Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor voted yes on several tax increment financing agreements, including the Foundry Park project and multiple redevelopment deals, and supported numerous municipal code amendments V1 V3 V5. She recorded ten no votes, opposing measures such as the sweepstakes machine prohibition amendment, a lease agreement with 8700 Building LLC, and a mass gatherings and curfew ordinance V6 V13 V35. During the 2026 session she filed at least twenty pieces of legislation, ranging from honorary street designations to amendments affecting senior safety, signage permits, and alley access L1 L9 L16 L17. In council meetings she frequently asked detailed questions on insurance data, police superintendent recommendations, and city debt, and made motions to approve reports and adjourn meetings S15 S16 S5 S17.

Priorities

Honorary street designations: Filed multiple proposals to name streets after local figures, such as Deon Joseph Williams Avenue and Clark 'Gabe' Williams Street L1 L3 L8 L16 L19
Senior safety and welfare: Introduced a municipal code amendment creating new chapters to improve safety and independent living for seniors L9
Neighborhood development and alley access: Filed plats and alley vacation actions to facilitate redevelopment and improve public right-of-way access L2 L14 L15
Signage permits and driveway access: Approved permits for signage and secured exemptions from physical barrier requirements for commercial driveway alleys L4 L5 L17 L18
Licensing for package goods and liquor outlets: Amended municipal code to allow additional package-goods and alcoholic liquor licenses on specific streets L10 L11 L12
Community volunteer and youth programs: Publicly highlighted volunteer work and youth programs, supporting community improvement initiatives S1 S2 S20

Positions

Sweepstakes machines: Voted against a municipal code amendment that would define and prohibit the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6
Lease agreement with 8700 Building LLC: Voted no on the first amendment to the lease agreement for property at 8650 S Commercial Ave V13
Public enforcement pilot program: Opposed the addition of a new section establishing a pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence V24
Cannabinoid hemp product regulations: Voted no on amendments adding new sections on hemp product definitions and health requirements V27
Broad municipal code restructuring: Opposed a sweeping amendment affecting multiple municipal code titles, departments, and agencies V28
General obligation bonds for capital projects: Voted no on the issuance of general obligation bonds for capital projects and other purposes V29
Mass gatherings and curfew ordinance: Opposed the mass gatherings and curfew measure V35
Tax increment financing for development: Supported tax increment financing agreements for projects such as the Foundry Park redevelopment V1

Approach: In meetings she frequently asks detailed questions on policy specifics, such as insurance data, the source of police superintendent recommendations, and the city’s debt obligations, and she regularly makes motions to approve reports and adjourn sessions S15 S16 S5 S17 S18 S19.

What to watch: Her record of filing and supporting tax increment financing agreements and numerous honorary street designations suggests she will likely continue to pursue similar development financing and commemorative naming initiatives V1 L1.

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
Apr 15, 2026: First amendment to lease agreement with 8700 Building LLC for property at 8650 S Commercial Ave, Passed 49 yea, 1 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
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
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 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 4-60-023 (20.19) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of E 58th St (O2025-0017404), Passed Jun 18, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (20.152) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of S Cottage Grove Ave (O2025-0016506), Passed May 21, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (20.152) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Cottage Grove Ave (O2025-0015979), Passed May 21, 2025

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: Honored Corporation Counsel Lowry as the first Black woman in the role and a trailblazer. (watch at 2:47:55)
Jul 8, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Requested remote participation via Rule 59. (watch at 17:08)
Jun 29, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Requested Rule 59 remote participation for herself and Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes. (watch at 25:35)
Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Recognized the owners of Amazed Cakes as a Black-owned small business in the 20th Ward. (watch at 2:10:49)
Jun 15, 2026, Committee on Finance: Made the motion to approve the monthly Rule 45 reports. (watch at 47:58)
May 26, 2026, Committee on Education and Child Development: Acknowledged Alderwoman Stephanie D. Coleman presence on the committee. (watch at 3:04:44)
May 26, 2026, Committee on Education and Child Development: Yielded the floor to Alderman William E. Hall for his remarks. (watch at 3:04:08)
May 26, 2026, Committee on Education and Child Development: Turned the discussion over to Chief Education Officer Dr. Karima Assaf. (watch at 56:40)
May 26, 2026, Committee on Education and Child Development: Declared the ayes carried the motion, approving Rule 45. (watch at 44:03)
May 26, 2026, Committee on Education and Child Development: Announced the motion to approve Rule 45 moved by Alderwoman Nicole T. Lee. (watch at 43:59)
May 18, 2026, Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity: Was referenced in a complaint about lack of focus on Black women. (watch at 38:20)
May 18, 2026, Committee on Finance: Introduced herself as public commenter Zoe Lee (not a committee member). (watch at 19:11)