Jason C. Ervin

Jason C. Ervin is the alderperson for Chicago's 28th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward28@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 2622 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 200A, Chicago 60612, (773) 533-0900
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 200, Office 18, (312) 744-3066/3097/3166
Website: http://www.AldermanErvin.com/
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1163 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 12
Voted with the majority on 91.1% of 90 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 143 (116 passed)
Most-filed topics: Signs/Signboards (53), Alley (30), Municipal Code Amendments (26), Budget & Appropriations (11), Streets (9)

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 Jason C. Ervin serves as Chair of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations and sits on multiple other committees, where he has consistently voted in favor of redevelopment agreements and tax-increment financing measures for projects such as Foundry Park and Roosevelt/Clark facilities V1 V3 V5. He also supports a range of municipal-code amendments, including changes to housing debt waivers and street-designation authority V2 V23. In addition to his voting record, Ervin has filed numerous ordinances covering budget appropriations, infrastructure financing, and regulatory adjustments L1 L4 L10.

Priorities

Tax Increment Financing: Filed and voted for multiple TIF agreements to support development projects, including Foundry Park and Roosevelt/Clark parking facilities V1 V3 V5
Municipal Code – Package Goods Licensing: Proposed an amendment to allow additional package-goods licenses on W Roosevelt Rd L1
Honorary Street Designations: Filed an amendment to create the honorary designation "Officer Larry L. Neuman Sr. Way" L2
Infrastructure Financing: Introduced legislation to establish the Chicago Public Infrastructure Trust L4
Budget Appropriations for Public Services: Filed annual appropriation ordinances directing funds to the Department of Public Health and the Chicago Police Department L3 L10
Alley Access Exemptions: Filed exemptions from physical-barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley access for businesses such as American Auto Group, Inc. L6

Positions

Sweepstakes Machines: Voted against an amendment defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6
Employer Allowance Minimums for Gratuities: Voted against modifying timelines for employer allowance minimums in hourly wage occupations receiving gratuities V8
Public Enforcement Pilot for Recorded Evidence: Voted against establishing a pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence V24
Broad Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance: Voted against the 2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance Alternative covering multiple code titles V30
Mass Gatherings Curfew: Voted against the proposed mass-gatherings curfew ordinance V37
Extensive Municipal Code Revisions: Voted against a sweeping amendment affecting titles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 15, and others V28

Approach: Ervin frequently asks clarifying questions during committee meetings, such as querying a redevelopment agreement with Alderman Walter R. Burnett S5, and often requests remote participation under procedural rules S1 S4. As committee chair, he regularly introduces agenda items, prompts motions, and acknowledges speakers, exemplified by his introductions of the finance team and motion prompts on budget efficiency discussions S13 S15.

What to watch: Given his recent filings, Ervin is likely to continue pursuing municipal-code changes affecting video gaming licenses, gas-station permitting, and further infrastructure-trust initiatives L13 L20 L4

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
May 20, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 6-105 modifying timelines for employer allowance minimums in hourly wage occupations receiving gratuities, 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
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
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 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
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
Jan 31, 2024: Expression of support for United Nations Resolution 377 known as "Uniting for Peace", Adopted 23 yea, 23 nay

Key legislation sponsored

Amendment of Municipal Code Title 17 by modifying Section 17-3-0207 to prohibit issuance of permits for gas stations in B3, C1 and C2 zoning districts and by modifying Section 17-9-0109 to prohibit new gas stations within 1,000 ft of existing gas station or on same block face as lot zoned RS1, RS2 or RS3 (SO2026-0024923), Passed May 20, 2026
Call for fixed time and place for public hearing on formation of Chicago Tourism Improvement District (CTID) (SR2025-0021936), Adopted Jan 21, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (28.60) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of S Western Ave (O2025-0015417), Passed Mar 12, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (28.62) and 4-60-023 (28.76) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Oakley Ave (O2025-0014803), Passed Feb 19, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (12.12) and 4-60-023 (28.46) to allow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Cermak Rd (O2024-0014447), Passed Jan 15, 2025
Time fixed for Public Hearing on Executive Budget (R2024-0013547), Adopted Oct 30, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-92-010 regarding Chief Procurement Officer's powers, functions, duties and obligations pursuant to Municipal Purchasing Act (O2024-0010931), Passed Jul 17, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-53-020 modifying term limits and causes for removal of Director of City Council Office of Financial Analysis (SO2024-0008945), Passed May 22, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-74 by adding new Section 2-74-075 establishing hiring preferences for residents of socioeconomically disadvantaged areas (SO2023-0006443), Passed Mar 20, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 7-28 by adding new Section 7-28-445 establishing reward program for information leading to conviction or finding of liability for illegal dumping (O2024-0007734), Passed Mar 20, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 3-50-020 excluding paper or plastic bags provided by shoe repair or shine businesses for customer use from definition regarding Paper Carryout Bag regulations (O2024-0007355), Passed Feb 21, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (28.3) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Lake St (O2024-0007112), Passed Feb 21, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (11.147) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Roosevelt Rd (O2024-0007113), Passed Feb 21, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2 and 6 regarding notification requirements to employers of proposed civil action for alleged paid leave violations (SO2023-0005883), Passed Dec 13, 2023
Support of Class 6(b) Tax incentive for property at 1951 W Hastings St (O2023-0002225), Passed Sep 14, 2023
Amendment to Salary Resolution regarding Chicago Police Department lateral and rehire agreement, health benefits, salary adjustments and salary schedule IT (R2023-0003064), Adopted Jul 19, 2023
Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 2-56, 2-78, 2-80, and 2-84 regarding citation changes from Committee on Public Safety and Committee on Police and Fire (O2023-0003063), Passed Jul 19, 2023

In their own words

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

Sep 29, 2026, City Council: Opposed the parking meter deal, comparing it to 2008 and citing a lack of independent financial analysis and Council legal counsel and no rate relief for residents. (watch at 1:13:51)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Proposed referring both competing renters ordinances to a joint committee rather than deferring them. (watch at 4:31:11)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Disagreed with opposition to the settlements, saying people were tortured in the city's name and deserve compensation. (watch at 4:10:26)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Changed his vote to yes on the Lorenzo Williams settlement after discussing it with the corporation counsel. (watch at 4:06:26)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Thanked Corporation Counsel Lowry for her calm, well-reasoned counsel and global settlements. (watch at 3:04:52)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Repeated that the referendum questions were premature and moved to table the sister agency debt question. (watch at 1:34:00)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Said the corporation counsel's internal walls are why it could not discuss the parking meter deal and that special counsel is available. (watch at 1:24:53)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Argued the Council already can obtain independent advice through its budgets and the Legislative Reference Bureau, and that official representation would require a state law change. (watch at 1:20:11)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Said it was premature to set February referendum questions now and moved to table the monuments question. (watch at 55:29)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported Dr. Walker, citing life expectancy gaps between West Side and North Side communities. (watch at 3:39:54)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Moved with Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López to defer and publish several proposed referendum questions. (watch at 3:13:40)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported The 78 infrastructure funding as a Canal Congress TIF contributor, saying the below-grade site needs access improvements to develop. (watch at 2:32:43)