Samantha Nugent

Samantha Nugent is the alderperson for Chicago's 39th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward39@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 4200 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago 60630, (773) 736-5594
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, (312) 744-7242/7243/3023
Website: http://www.ward39@cityofchicago.org
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1163 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 10
Voted with the majority on 90% of 90 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 40 (37 passed)
Most-filed topics: Alley (15), Budget & Appropriations (6), Municipal Code Amendments (5), Streets (4), City Council (3)

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 Samantha Nugent has a perfect attendance record and has voted on a wide range of issues, including tax-increment financing, public safety, and municipal code changes V1 V6 L1. She frequently supports development-related financing measures while opposing certain regulatory restrictions V1 V6. Her legislative activity includes dozens of filings, notably multiple exemptions for commercial driveway alley access L1.

Priorities

Alley access regulations: Filed several exemptions to the physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access, including for Simple Auto Financing LLC and M&P Vending Co., Inc. L1 L3
Honorary street designations: Submitted multiple honorary street naming proposals such as "Honorary Terry Kath Way" and "Ken Fowler Way" L2 L8
Tax increment financing (TIF): Supported TIF assistance for redevelopment projects, voting for agreements with Foundry Park Properties and Roosevelt/Clark Partners V1 V3
Budget and appropriations adjustments: Filed amendments to the Annual Appropriation Ordinance affecting ward wage allowances and called for implementation of the 2026 budget package L15 L16
Public referenda: Submitted public-question referenda on city issues, including a monument referendum and a pension contribution question L9 L11
Policing and public safety oversight: Voted against a municipal code amendment that would prohibit Chicago Police Department members from political contributions V10

Positions

Sweepstakes machines: Voted NO on an amendment defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6
Police political contributions: Voted NO on a proposal to bar Chicago Police Department members from political contributions V10
Public-evidence enforcement pilot: Voted NO on establishing a public enforcement pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence V25
Gas station permit requirements: Voted YES on removing permit requirements for gas stations in certain zoning districts V26
Religious venue terminology: Voted YES on replacing the term "churches" with "places of worship" in municipal code sections V27
U.S. Attorney resignation: Voted YES on a call for U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign V4
Tax increment financing for redevelopment: Voted YES on multiple TIF agreements supporting redevelopment and parking facilities V1 V3
Honorary street designations: Voted YES on an amendment allowing alderpersons to propose up to four honorary street designations per year V24

Approach: Nugent often participates remotely in committee meetings S5 S6 and uses the floor to request detailed spending breakdowns for city events S8. She is frequently recognized for procedural actions, such as being deferred to on her birthday S9.

What to watch: Given her history of filing alley-access exemptions and supporting TIF agreements, Nugent is likely to continue pursuing similar development-related measures L1 V1.

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 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
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
Apr 19, 2024: 2024 Affordable Housing and Community Development Borrowing Ordinance, Passed 32 yea, 17 nay
Jan 31, 2024: Expression of support for United Nations Resolution 377 known as "Uniting for Peace", Adopted 23 yea, 23 nay
Oct 6, 2023: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 6-105 by modifying Section 6-105-030 regarding minimum hourly wage in occupations receiving gratuities, Passed 36 yea, 10 nay, 2 absent

Key legislation sponsored

Call on Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration to implement Year 2026 budget package (R2026-0023372), Adopted Apr 15, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 18-29-603.3.6 requiring tapping of water mains to performed only by Department of Water Management or contracted licensed plumbers (SO2025-0014865), Passed Feb 19, 2025
Lifting subsection 39.62 (O2024-0013890), Passed Jan 15, 2025
On North Elston Avenue, from West Berteau Avenue to West Montrose Avenue. (O2024-0007693), Passed Mar 20, 2024
Package Goods Moratorium | 4132 West Peterson Avenue (SO2024-0006969), Passed Feb 21, 2024

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: Credited Corporation Counsel Lowry's handling of police case settlements. (watch at 3:17:00)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Moved adoption of the referendum question on withholding funds from sister agencies that do not enforce debt repayment. (watch at 1:33:24)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Moved adoption of the referendum question on independent legal counsel for the Council. (watch at 1:13:16)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Moved adoption of the referendum question on permanent monuments to Chicago's music and arts. (watch at 54:56)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Moved to table one referendum resolution, noting the city is limited to three advisory referenda under state law. (watch at 54:29)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported Dr. Walker, citing his operational experience as an emergency physician. (watch at 3:45:31)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported the disability resolution and thanked Commissioner Arfa for advocacy and education. (watch at 1:53:32)
Jun 29, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Joined the meeting remotely after a motion was passed. (watch at 1:17:20)
Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Public Safety: Confirmed his participation after the Rule 59 motion authorized him. (watch at 1:44:25)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Asked whether the extremism ordinance could be re-referred and sought to appeal the chair's ruling. (watch at 6:20:53)
May 12, 2026, Committee on Public Safety: Acknowledged Alderman Peter Chico request to yield to her. (watch at 55:20)
May 5, 2026, Joint Committee: Budget; Police and Fire: Requested a breakdown of spending for specific events (New Year’s Eve, May Day). (watch at 1:16:38)