Michael D. Rodriguez

Michael D. Rodriguez is the alderperson for Chicago's 22nd Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward22@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 2500 South St. Louis Avenue, Chicago 60623, (773) 762-1771
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, Office 30, (312) 744-9491/9492/3325
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1164 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 9
Voted with the majority on 87.9% of 91 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 50 (39 passed)
Most-filed topics: Signs/Signboards (11), Alley (9), Municipal Code Amendments (8), Streets (7), Budget & Appropriations (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.

Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez of Ward 22 has cast nine no votes while supporting numerous redevelopment and financing measures, such as the Foundry Park tax-increment-financing agreement V1 and the Roosevelt/Clark Partners TIF deal V3. He has introduced ordinances that set parking-meter operating hours L1, create honorary street designations L2, and seek exemptions from physical-barrier requirements for commercial driveway alleys L4. Rodriguez also filed a resolution calling for U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign L5 and publicly supported that call in committee proceedings (S6-S8).

Priorities

Parking: Filed an amendment to municipal code establishing hours of operation for parking meters at various locations L1.
Street naming: Submitted honorary street designations, including "Raquel Luna Way" and "Lula Simmons Way" L2 L7.
Commercial driveway regulations: Filed exemptions from physical-barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley access for multiple businesses L4 L6.
U.S. Attorney resignation: Filed a resolution calling for the resignation of U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and advocated for it in committee hearings (L5, S6-S8).
Immigrant and refugee rights: Filed a call for support of immigrant communities, racial justice, and constitutional freedoms L15.
Waste management: Filed an amendment to municipal code concerning waste-related uses, recycling facilities, and related storage L8.

Positions

Sweepstakes machines: Voted no on an amendment defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6.
Employer gratuity allowance: Voted no on an amendment to allow employers to include gratuities as part of hourly wages V23.
Hemp product regulation: Voted no on an amendment adding sections on cannabinoid hemp product definitions and regulations V28.
Municipal code revenue ordinance: Voted no on the 2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance V29.
Alternative municipal code revenue ordinance: Voted no on the alternative 2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance V31.
Mass gatherings and curfew: Voted no on the mass-gatherings and curfew ordinance V38.

Approach: Rodriguez frequently moves motions and asks clarifying questions in committee meetings, such as introducing the Boutros resignation resolution S6 and requesting definitions of large gatherings (S9-S10). He also supports remote participation measures, having moved to allow remote attendance in multiple committees (S21, S32-S34).

What to watch: Given his consistent affirmative votes on tax-increment-financing and redevelopment agreements, Rodriguez is likely to remain active on future TIF and development projects V1 V3 V5.

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

Key legislation sponsored

Call on Andrew Boutros to resign as U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Illinois and Department of Justice to ensure full review of obligations in matters connected to Operation Midway Blitz, Broadview prosecutions, and other related proceedings (R2026-0026273), Adopted Jul 15, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 17-9 regarding waste-related uses, recycling facilities, container storage, freight terminal, outdoor storage of raw material, composting and manganese-bearing material (O2026-0024064), Passed May 20, 2026
Expression of support for Paul Simon Jobs Corps Center and continued federal funding for Jobs Corps Program (R2025-0018013), Adopted Jul 16, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-64-206 to establish parking meter hours of operation on portion of S Springfield Ave (O2025-0015568), Passed Mar 12, 2025
Transfer of funds within 22nd Ward Aldermanic Expense Account for Year 2024 (SO2024-0013380), Passed Dec 11, 2024
Declaration of October 28, 2024 as "First Responders Day" in Chicago (R2024-0013128), Adopted Oct 22, 2024
Approval and execution of CBA Teamsters, Local 700 (Supervising Police Communications Operators) (O2024-0010070), Passed Jun 12, 2024
Direct Intro Collective Bargain Agree - Illinois Council Police (Aviation Surveillance Specialists) (O2024-0010083), Passed Jun 12, 2024
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) (SO2023-0002980), Passed Nov 9, 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: Raised a point of order to clarify the upcoming schedule of Finance, special and regular Council meetings. (watch at 5:24:19)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Reported the Workforce Committee's Chicago Jobs Plan bid incentive ordinance and a joint hearing on delivery workers. (watch at 4:46:20)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Described two of his staff members being detained by ICE for seven hours and thanked the lawyers who located them. (watch at 2:04:02)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Honored Michelle Morales and spoke about the history of Lawndale and the Little Village Arch. (watch at 1:38:48)
Jul 14, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Requested remote participation under Rule 59. (watch at 14:51)
Jul 8, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Requested a list of housing providers used by the department. (watch at 1:30:35)
Jul 8, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Asked for clarification on tenant-protection vouchers during the Hearts United discussion. (watch at 1:26:47)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation: Moved to table (hold) the Northerly Island naming resolution. (watch at 1:10:29)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight: Described alleged misconduct and erosion of trust within the US Attorney’s Office. (watch at 31:52)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight: Stated that the resignation is necessary to restore public confidence in the justice system. (watch at 31:33)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight: Introduced the resolution calling for US Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign. (watch at 31:24)
Jun 24, 2026, Committee on Workforce Development: Subcommittee on Youth Employment: Requested clarification on the criteria CPD uses for large gatherings. (watch at 2:00:44)