Silvana Tabares

Silvana Tabares is the alderperson for Chicago's 23rd Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward23@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 6247 South Archer Avenue, Chicago 60638, (773) 582-4444
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 200, Office 14, (312) 744-6828 / 5683
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 99.9% of 1164 key roll calls (1 absent)
Nay votes: 21
Voted with the majority on 76.7% of 90 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 84 (80 passed)
Most-filed topics: Restricted Residential Zones (35), Alley (12), Signs/Signboards (12), Restricted Cannabis Zones (6), Streets (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.

Silvana Tabares represents Chicago's 23rd Ward and serves on eight City Council committees, including Aviation, Housing and Real Estate, and Public Safety. She has a 99.9% attendance record and has voted YES on 84% of measures, with 21 NO votes. Her legislative activity focuses on zoning restrictions for shared housing, violence-against-women initiatives, and tax-increment-financing for development projects V1 L1 L2.

Priorities

Housing zoning: Filed multiple Restricted Residential Zone designations to prohibit additional shared-housing units across precincts in the 23rd Ward L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 L11 L12 L13 L14 L15 L16 L17 L18 L19 L20
Violence against women: Filed a proposal to reinstate the City of Chicago Cook County Violence Against Women Task Force for a second phase of operations L1
Honorary street designations: Filed honorary street designation proposals, including "Mamie and E.L. Till Road" L20 L23
Tax-increment financing: Supported several redevelopment agreements that provide TIF assistance for projects such as Foundry Park, parking facilities, and park improvements V1 V3 V5 V16 V19 V20 V21
Public safety task forces: Co-chaired a public safety task force and opened resolution hearings on Cook County court operations S1 S6 S7
Landlord-tenant regulations: Supported an amendment requiring landlords to give written notice before terminating leases or filing eviction actions V14

Positions

Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance: Voted NO on adding a new chapter for the Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance V9
Police political activity restriction: Voted NO on an amendment prohibiting Chicago Police Department members from certain political activities V10
Public enforcement pilot program: Voted NO on establishing a pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence for public enforcement V25
Tax-increment financing for development: Consistently voted YES on TIF agreements for redevelopment and park improvement projects V1 V3 V5 V16 V19 V20 V21
Honorary street proposals: Supported an amendment allowing alderpersons to propose up to four honorary street designations per year V24
Sweepstakes machine regulation: Voted YES on defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6
Taximeter equipment standards: Voted YES on amendments adding specifications for taximeter use and cab equipment requirements V11
Landlord notice requirements: Voted YES on an amendment requiring sufficient written notice from landlords before lease termination or eviction filings V14

Approach: Tabares is an active participant in committee meetings, delivering opening remarks, asking clarifying questions, and moving motions for approval of ordinances, such as the SSA 59 substitute ordinance S1 S4 S5 S6 S7.

What to watch: Given her extensive filing of Restricted Residential Zone designations and the Violence Against Women Task Force proposal, she is likely to continue pursuing housing density restrictions and initiatives addressing violence against women L2 L1

Nay votes on key legislation

May 20, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Title 2 by adding new Chapter 2-200 titled The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance and establishment of The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Advisory Council on Access to Democracy, Passed 42 yea, 8 nay
May 20, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Title 2 by amending Section 2-78-120 (e-5) and adding new Section 2-84-530 prohibiting members of Chicago Police Department from participating in any extremist activity, Passed 28 yea, 21 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
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
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
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
Apr 19, 2024: 2024 Affordable Housing and Community Development Borrowing Ordinance, Passed 32 yea, 17 nay
Apr 17, 2024: Municipal Code Amendment of Scooter Sharing License at Chapter 9-130, Passed 46 yea, 3 nay, 1 absent
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 15, 2023: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 3, 9, 11 and 14 (2024 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance), Passed 40 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent
Nov 15, 2023: Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2024, as amended, Passed 41 yea, 8 nay, 1 absent
Nov 15, 2023: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 18 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various departments and agencies (2024 Municipal Code Management Ordinance), Passed 40 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent
Nov 15, 2023: Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cook County for allocation of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds, Passed 40 yea, 9 nay, 1 absent
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

Key legislation sponsored

Designation of 16th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027278), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 17th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027279), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 27th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027287), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 31st Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027289), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 21st Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027288), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 19th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027284), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 20th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027286), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 23rd Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027291), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 33rd Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027292), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 11th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027273), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 22nd Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027290), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 24th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027280), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 14th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027276), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 26th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027285), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 25th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027282), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 13th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027275), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 12th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027274), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Designation of 15th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone prohibiting additional shared housing units (SO2026-0027277), Passed Sep 23, 2026
Renewal of designation of 4th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 32nd Precincts of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zones prohibiting additional shared housing units and vacation rentals (O2026-0025367), Passed Jun 17, 2026
Liquor/Packaged Goods Moratorium Ordinance - Ward 23 - April 2025 (SO2025-0016579), Passed May 21, 2025
Designation of 10th Precint of 23rd Wrad as Restricted Residentail Zone (SO2024-0011274), Passed Oct 9, 2024
Designation of 10th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Cannabis Zone (SO2024-0011275), Passed Oct 9, 2024
Designation of 4th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Cannabis Zone (SO2024-0012133), Passed Oct 9, 2024
Designation of 9th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone (O2024-0010870), Passed Sep 18, 2024
Designation of 6th Precinct of 23rd Ward as Restricted Residential Zone (O2024-0010356), Passed Sep 18, 2024

In their own words

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

Jul 9, 2026, Committee on Public Safety: Recognized as co-chair of the task force and gave opening remarks for the resolution hearing. (watch at 41:54)
Jun 29, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Stated personal experience as a renter and voiced strong support for the PRO. (watch at 2:06:35)
Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Thanked Streets and Sanitation and the Buildings Commissioner for responding to storm damage, including a school roof that fell on a home. (watch at 4:02:07)
Jun 11, 2026, Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development: Moved to recommend approval of the substitute ordinance for SSA 59. (watch at 1:13:42)
Jun 11, 2026, Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development: Asked the commissioner to clarify whether the discussion pertained to SSA 59. (watch at 1:13:03)
Jun 11, 2026, Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development: Confirmed her presence on the Zoom call. (watch at 46:47)
Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Public Safety: Thanked participants and reiterated the importance of the hearing’s focus areas. (watch at 1:25:25)
Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Public Safety: Opened the resolution hearing on Cook County court operations and outlined focus areas. (watch at 52:05)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Opposed the extremism ordinance, saying it should apply to all city employees or none and that it singles out police and will face litigation. (watch at 6:31:18)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Congratulated Hubbard High School's JROTC cadets for competing in the national championship. (watch at 1:20:55)
Mar 18, 2026, City Council: Supported the Capello appointment, citing her decades of experience in the department. (watch at 3:39:06)
Feb 18, 2026, City Council: With Alderpersons Beale, Napolitano and Lopez, moved to defer and publish the COPA powers amendment. (watch at 3:52:22)