James M. Gardiner

James M. Gardiner is the alderperson for Chicago's 45th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward45@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 5460 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago 60630, (773) 853-0799
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 200, (312) 744-6841/5684
Website: http://www.aldermangardiner.com
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1163 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 25
Voted with the majority on 72.2% of 90 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 62 (56 passed)
Most-filed topics: Alley (27), Signs/Signboards (21), Municipal Code Amendments (4), Budget & Appropriations (3), Streets (2)

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.

James M. Gardiner has supported multiple tax increment financing (TIF) redevelopment agreements, including projects with Foundry Park Properties and Roosevelt/Clark Partners V1 V3 V5. He has voted against several proposals, such as a call for the U.S. Attorney’s resignation, a Fair Access to Democracy ordinance, and a ban on police political activity V4 V9 V10. His legislative filings emphasize local infrastructure and commercial permits, notably numerous exemptions from physical-barrier requirements for alley access and a series of sign and signboard permits L1 L16 L2 L3 L4 L5.

Priorities

Alley Access: Filed multiple exemptions from physical-barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley access, e.g., for Epic Health and Little Monarchs Academy L1 L16 L22 L25 L26 L27
Sign Permits: Submitted numerous permits for signs and signboards at various locations, indicating a focus on commercial signage regulation L2 L3 L4 L5 L9 L10 L11 L12 L13 L14 L15
Honorary Street Designations: Filed honorary street naming resolutions, such as "Bernadette Colletti Way" and "Jay Warren Way" L18 L24
Alley Vacations: Proposed vacating public alleys in several neighborhoods, advancing changes to alley usage and ownership L6 L7 L19 L28
Municipal Code Licensing Amendments: Amended municipal code sections to adjust licensing rules, including package-goods licenses and penalties for offenses in public-transportation safety zones L8 L20
Ethics and Government Oversight: Supported oversight actions, moving to approve the Rule 45 report and a substitute ordinance on a prediction-market proposal S1 S2

Positions

Call for U.S. Attorney resignation: Voted NO, opposing the resolution calling for the resignation of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois V4
Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance: Voted NO, opposing the addition of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance V9
Ban on police political activity: Voted NO, opposing the amendment that would prohibit Chicago Police Department members from political participation V10
Public enforcement pilot program: Voted NO, opposing the establishment of a pilot program for residents to submit recorded evidence for public enforcement V25
Formal apology for slavery: Voted NO, opposing the issuance of a formal apology from City Council to Black citizens for historical injustices of slavery V34
Inspector General subpoena powers modification: Voted NO, opposing the amendment that would modify the powers and duties of the Office of Inspector General regarding subpoenas V35

Approach: Gardiner frequently moves to approve ordinances and reports, actively participating in committee work, such as moving to approve the Rule 45 report and a substitute ordinance on a prediction-market proposal S1 S2.

What to watch: His extensive filing of alley-access exemptions and sign permits suggests he will continue to prioritize commercial permitting and alley-use issues L1 L2

Nay votes on key legislation

Jul 15, 2026: 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, Adopted 46 yea, 3 nay
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
Apr 15, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 5-12-130 to require sufficient written notice from landlord prior to rental agreement termination or filing of eviction actions, Passed 46 yea, 4 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
Sep 25, 2025: Issuance of formal apology from City Council to Black citizens of Chicago for historical injustices of slavery, Adopted 43 yea, 4 nay, 1 absent
Jul 16, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-56 to modify powers and duties of Office of Inspector General with regard to issuance of and defense against subpoenas, professional standards and attorney-client privileges, Passed 49 yea, 1 nay
May 7, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-44 by adding new Section 2-44-170 establishing not-for-profit residential investment corporation with the City's participation in the financing structure, acquisition, ownership, and on-going operations of affordable, mixed-income, environmentally sustainable housing, Passed 30 yea, 18 nay, 2 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
Jun 12, 2024: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 8-32-065 by designating noise sensitive zones on portions of specified streets, Passed 41 yea, 4 nay, 2 absent
Apr 19, 2024: 2024 Affordable Housing and Community Development Borrowing Ordinance, Passed 32 yea, 17 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 7, 2023: Proposal of new tax rates for Chicago R.E. transfer tax to set aside for homeless housing, Passed 32 yea, 17 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
Sep 14, 2023: 925 Amendment of 2023 appropriations, Passed 45 yea, 4 nay, 1 absent

Key legislation sponsored

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (45.65) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Lawrence Ave (O2026-0026053), Passed Jul 15, 2026
Condemnation of acts of violence, intimidation or harassment targeting individuals on basis of political or religious beliefs (R2025-0019997), Adopted Jan 21, 2026
LAC Ordinance - 3955 N. Kilpatrick (SO2024-0012214), Passed Oct 9, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (45.38) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Central Ave (O2023-0001720), Passed Jun 21, 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: Memorialized CFD Battalion Chief Sean Kevin and asked for a moment of silence. (watch at 1:06:14)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Wished his aunt Mary Running Gardner a happy 85th birthday on behalf of himself and Alderperson Chris Taliaferro. (watch at 39:01)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Opposed the Boutros resolution, saying the Council should stay in its lane and address the city's Inspector General and Board of Ethics, citing his own case. (watch at 3:20:36)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported the disability resolution and highlighted Vaughn Occupational High School. (watch at 1:56:21)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight: Moved to approve the substitute ordinance after discussion. (watch at 31:01)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight: Moved to approve the Rule 45 report from June 2026. (watch at 16:26)
Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Supported the Juneteenth resolution and praised former Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. as fair to work with. (watch at 2:27:16)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Opposed the extremism ordinance for singling out police and said it should apply to all city workers. (watch at 6:28:22)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Opposed the Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance, saying names are attached to legislation for marketing and calling it poorly crafted. (watch at 3:46:16)
Apr 15, 2026, City Council: Praised the Arab American community's business, arts and faith. (watch at 1:53:45)
Apr 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Explained that the question must be answered through the chair. (watch at 47:45)
Apr 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Stated that a statute could not cure the inadmissibility issue. (watch at 47:24)