# Emma Mitts

Emma Mitts is the alderperson for Chicago's 37th Ward.

## Contact

- Email: Ward37@cityofchicago.org
- Ward office: 4924 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago 60651, (773) 379-0960
- City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, Office 45, (312) 744-8019/5686/1454
- Website: https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/about/wards/37.html
- Updates: [RSS feed of votes and legislation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/api/feeds/ward/37.rss)

## Voting record this term

- Attendance: **92.8%** of 1117 key roll calls (80 absent)
- Nay votes: **6**
- Voted with the majority on **100%** of 78 divided votes
- Legislation filed as lead sponsor: **17** (12 passed)
- Most-filed topics: Municipal Code Amendments (6), Streets (6), Budget & Appropriations (2), Reports (1), United States Govt. (1)

## Committees

- [Contracting Oversight and Equity](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/contracting-oversight-and-equity) (Chair)
- [Aviation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/aviation)
- [Budget and Government Operations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/budget-and-government-operations)
- [Committees and Rules](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/committees-and-rules)
- [Economic, Capital and Technology Development](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/economic-capital-and-technology-development)
- [Finance](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance)
- [Housing and Real Estate](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/housing-and-real-estate)
- [License and Consumer Protection](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/license-and-consumer-protection)
- [Workforce Development: Subcommittee on Youth Employment](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/workforce-development-subcommittee-on-youth-employment)

## 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.

Emma Mitts chairs the Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity and serves on eight other council committees, recording a 92.8% attendance rate. Her voting record shows strong support for tax-increment-financing (TIF) agreements and municipal code amendments, with only six nay votes. She has filed 17 pieces of legislation during the term, ranging from senior tax relief to honorary street designations.  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/388C154E-32BC-F111-AAAE-001DD80B58E5)

**Priorities**

- **Senior tax relief**: Filed an amendment to exempt persons aged 65 or older from the checkout bag tax.  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/388C154E-32BC-F111-AAAE-001DD80B58E5)
- **Honorary street designations**: Filed multiple honorary street designations honoring local individuals.  [L2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/9B0BF750-3FA6-F111-B8DD-001DD80AA3CC)  [L3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/33C474E7-2071-F111-AB0C-001DD8007078)  [L6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/BA525DFE-F697-F011-B4CB-001DD83086C0)  [L7](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/938469F4-E581-F011-B4CB-001DD809D5B0)
- **Fiscal transfers**: Filed amendments to transfer funds from the 37th Ward Wage Allowance to the aldermanic expense account.  [L4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/8BF013CE-36DC-F011-8543-001DD80E4A1C)  [L5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/33C59271-BDD6-F011-8543-001DD8066465)
- **Licensing regulation**: Filed amendments affecting package-goods licenses and requiring surveillance cameras at licensed premises.  [L8](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/3FBBDF19-5745-F011-8779-001DD830ABB1)  [L9](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/971F59BA-6E4C-F011-8779-001DD8099E7C)
- **Minority and disadvantaged business support**: Filed an expression of support for protecting U.S. DOT programs for minority, women, and disadvantaged businesses.  [L12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/6BA93D74-57E5-EE11-904C-001DD806E058)
- **Public safety infrastructure**: Filed a vacation of a portion of N. Kostner Ave to create a Joint Public Safety Training Academy.  [L16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E40BBD16-5E52-EE11-BE6E-001DD80970E4)

**Positions**

- **Tax increment financing**: Voted YES on multiple TIF agreements for redevelopment and park improvement projects.  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/9A5E0AD3-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)  [V14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/D102847A-6C62-F011-BEC1-001DD80533F0)  [V16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/843A0148-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)  [V17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/CCED20DF-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)  [V18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/CA29BFC0-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)
- **Sweepstakes machine prohibition**: Voted NO on an amendment defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines.  [V4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)
- **Public enforcement pilot program**: Voted NO on establishing a pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence.  [V22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/54E26C01-5A44-EF11-8409-001DD8306DF0)
- **Social media amusement tax**: Voted YES on an amendment concerning the social media amusement tax.  [V5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/895717BD-4F54-F111-BEC6-001DD80B0E39)
- **Gratuity allowance for hourly workers**: Voted YES on an amendment modifying employer allowance minimums for occupations receiving gratuities.  [V6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/0A9BAABE-DA22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)
- **Taxicab equipment standards**: Voted YES on amendments adding specifications for taximeters and modifying taxicab equipment requirements.  [V8](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/8EF0B273-1F9A-F011-B4CB-001DD80F82AD)
- **Open space impact fee usage**: Voted YES to allocate open-space impact-fee funds for the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial.  [V9](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/61F1F242-0423-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)
- **Landlord notice requirements**: Voted YES on an amendment requiring sufficient written notice from landlords before terminating rental agreements or filing evictions.  [V11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/39807FAB-299A-F011-B4CB-001DD802A35E)

**Approach**: In council meetings she frequently takes procedural actions, such as moving to approve journal corrections and calling the meeting to order for unfinished business.  [S1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FFD2DC30-AFDA-F011-8543-001DD80C6DA5?t=5581)  [S2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FFD2DC30-AFDA-F011-8543-001DD80C6DA5?t=6864)

**What to watch**: Given her consistent support for TIF agreements and redevelopment projects, she is likely to continue engaging on tax-increment-financing initiatives.  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)


## 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC), Failed to Pass 15 yea, 33 nay, 1 absent
- 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/54E26C01-5A44-EF11-8409-001DD8306DF0), Failed to Pass 16 yea, 31 nay, 1 absent
- Mar 12, 2025: [Amendment of Municipal Code Title 4 by adding new Chapter 4-401 entitled "Trade In Fur Products"](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E220093A-5926-EE11-9965-001DD804E9A5), 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B6B7F7E8-5644-EF11-8409-001DD8306DF0), Failed to Pass 21 yea, 28 nay
- Oct 30, 2024: [Jarixon Medina as member of Regional Trnsportation Authority Board of Directors](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/2582508B-FF92-EF11-AC21-001DD804C7AB), Failed to Pass 18 yea, 25 nay
- Feb 15, 2024: [Adoption of arbitration option in certain police disciplinary cases](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/14B7D528-D3BA-EE11-A568-001DD806999B), Failed to Pass 18 yea, 32 nay

## Key legislation sponsored

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (29.1) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W North Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/3FBBDF19-5745-F011-8779-001DD830ABB1) (O2025-0017833), Passed Jul 16, 2025
- [Expression of support for and call on U.S. Congress to protect U.S. Department of Transportation Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs (M/W/DBE)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/6BA93D74-57E5-EE11-904C-001DD806E058) (R2024-0008330), Adopted Apr 17, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (37.18) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W North Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E5BC44AA-07C6-EE11-9078-001DD806E542) (O2024-0007654), Passed Mar 20, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (37.17) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion of W North Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/55845ABA-21AF-EE11-A568-001DD8304B9D) (O2024-0006857), Passed Feb 21, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (37.24) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Division St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/C0D5D6BD-8117-EE11-8F6D-001DD806FC17) (O2023-0002240), 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 23, 2026, City Council: Reported the Contracting Oversight and Equity Committee's veteran business and immigration enforcement disclosure items. ([watch at 4:18:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5F86622E-F485-F111-AB0E-001DD80ED7AA?t=15495))
- Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Recalled working with Lowry on the Walmart issue in 2003 and thanked her. ([watch at 3:23:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5F86622E-F485-F111-AB0E-001DD80ED7AA?t=12238))
- May 20, 2026, City Council: Congratulated William Cheeks Jr. and asked him to prioritize the 37th Ward. ([watch at 4:41:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/CE41BA5E-FF38-F111-88B3-001DD8033B18?t=16881))
- Apr 8, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Moved to approve the Rule 45 report from March 12, 2026. ([watch at 26:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/1C0D3484-6828-F111-8341-001DD80A85F4?t=1578))
- Mar 18, 2026, City Council: Described Rev. Jackson's impact on West Side leaders and residents. ([watch at 1:25:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D73FA92F-100D-F111-8406-001DD80F9592?t=5141))
- Mar 11, 2026, Committee on Budget and Government Operations: Moved to approve the monthly Rule 45 report for February 2026. ([watch at 14:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/D321DF7B-AB18-F111-8406-001DD8131156?t=844))
- Feb 18, 2026, City Council: Honored Buddy Guy and described his significance to her family and the South. ([watch at 1:29:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AADBA854-DDF6-F011-8406-001DD8080DE8?t=5377))
- Jan 21, 2026, City Council: Urged colleagues to press Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act to protect senior funding. ([watch at 2:29:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/50866F51-63DF-F011-8543-001DD80E9311?t=8964))
- Jan 21, 2026, City Council: Honored West Side senior advocate Lillian Drummond, who died at about 104. ([watch at 2:27:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/50866F51-63DF-F011-8543-001DD80E9311?t=8827))
- Oct 16, 2025, City Council: Supported the appointment, citing the department's role with youth, seniors, homelessness and mental health in her community. ([watch at 3:40:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/1BDD5AEB-3B9D-F011-B4CB-001DD80F1323?t=13213))
- Jul 16, 2025, City Council: Spoke about Burnett's loyalty and faith. ([watch at 5:28:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/256D9E41-48D4-EF11-8EEA-001DD804C7AB?t=19738))
- Jun 18, 2025, City Council: Reported the contracting committee's substitute ordinance permanently establishing the veteran-owned business participation program. ([watch at 3:23:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FADA9223-48D4-EF11-8EEA-001DD804C7AB?t=12237))

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt