Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is the alderperson for Chicago's 48th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward48@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 1129 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago 60660, (773) 784-5277
City Hall: 121 North Lasalle, Room 300, (312) 744-6860/6834
Website: https://www.the48thward.org/
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 100% of 1164 key roll calls (0 absent)
Nay votes: 11
Voted with the majority on 87.9% of 91 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 44 (37 passed)
Most-filed topics: Signs/Signboards (15), Municipal Code Amendments (10), Alley (6), Streets (5), Budget & Appropriations (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.

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth represents Chicago’s 48th Ward and serves on eight standing committees, including Public Safety and Housing and Real Estate. She has a perfect attendance record and has voted YES on the majority of measures, with eleven NO votes on a range of issues from sweepstakes machines to general obligation bonds V1 V6 V30. Her legislative activity includes filing 44 ordinances, notably on environmental infrastructure (paint-and-post, bioswales) and liquor licensing moratoria L1 L2 L4. In committee meetings she frequently moves motions, acknowledges community concerns, and highlights accessibility projects in her ward S9 S6.

Priorities

Environmental Infrastructure: Filed a paint-and-post and bioswale ordinance to improve stormwater management and streetscapes L1.
Liquor Licensing: Filed multiple liquor moratorium measures, including a lift and reinstatement, indicating focus on regulating alcohol sales L2 L4.
Transportation Technology: Requested a public hearing on Waymo technology and its proposed operations in Chicago L7.
Community Recognition: Filed honorary street designations to honor local figures and community contributors L8 L25 L26.
Accessibility: Spoke about accessibility improvements in the 48th Ward and lakefront during a Pedestrian and Traffic Safety meeting S9.
Signage Regulation: Filed a sign order ordinance addressing sign and signboard permits L5.

Positions

Sweepstakes Machines: Voted NO on an amendment defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines V6.
Gratuity Allowance for Hourly Workers: Voted NO on an amendment that would have entitled employers to include gratuities in hourly wage calculations V23.
Cannabinoid Hemp Product Regulation: Voted NO on amendments adding new sections on hemp product definitions and health requirements V28.
General Obligation Bonds: Voted NO on the issuance of general obligation bonds for capital projects V30.
Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance Alternative: Voted NO on a comprehensive municipal code revenue ordinance amendment package V31.
Mass Gatherings and Curfew: Voted NO on a measure imposing mass gathering restrictions and curfews V38.
Police Political Activity Restriction: Voted YES on an ordinance prohibiting Chicago Police Department members from participating in certain political activities V10.
Call for U.S. Attorney Resignation: Voted YES on a resolution calling for the resignation of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois to ensure a full review of obligations V4.

Approach: Manaa-Hoppenworth frequently moves motions, including approvals for remote participation and committee agenda items, and uses committee time to highlight ward projects such as accessibility improvements S6 S7 S9.

What to watch: Given her record of filing numerous TIF-related redevelopment agreements and liquor licensing measures, she is likely to remain active on economic development, zoning incentives, and alcohol licensing issues V1 L2 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
Mar 18, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 6-105-030 entitling employers of occupations where gratuities are customary to an allowance for gratuities as part of hourly wage rate not to exceed 24 percent of minimum wage rate, Passed 30 yea, 18 nay
Jan 21, 2026: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 4-4, 4-60 and 8-16 by adding new sections regarding cannabinoid hemp product definitions, regulations, health requirements and hemp product offenses involving minors and deletion of Section 4-4-333 in entirety (Vetoed), Passed 32 yea, 16 nay
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: Issuance of general obligation bonds for capital projects and other purposes (2026-2027 General Obligation Borrowing Ordinance), Passed 39 yea, 11 nay
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
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

Key legislation sponsored

Liquor Moratorium Lift (O2026-0023801), Passed Apr 15, 2026
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (48.10) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Sheridan Rd (O2025-0021885), Passed Jan 21, 2026
Low Affordability Community (O2025-0015655), Passed Apr 16, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (48.5) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Argyle St (O2025-0014785), Passed Feb 19, 2025
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (48.24) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Clark St (O2024-0008227), Passed Apr 17, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (48.4) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of W Berwyn Ave and W Foster Ave (O2024-0008331), Passed Apr 17, 2024
Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (48.25) and (48.28) to disallow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of N Clark S (SO2023-0006127), Passed Jan 24, 2024

In their own words

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

Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported the Disability Pride Month resolution and honored Constantine Zografopoulos for accessible travel and lakefront advocacy. (watch at 1:39:02)
Jul 14, 2026, Committee on Health and Human Relations: Addressed Dr. Walker with a greeting and expressed willingness to work together. (watch at 50:30)
Jul 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Confirmed remote participation request under Rule 59. (watch at 20:25)
Jul 8, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Moved to allow Alderman Pat Dowell to join remotely. (watch at 2:00:01)
Jul 7, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Moved to recommend approval of recommended items on pages 4-14. (watch at 25:43)
Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Honored Chicago Therapy Collective and a drag performer, noting attacks on library drag story time. (watch at 1:40:24)
Jun 11, 2026, Committee on Health and Human Relations: Moved the motion to approve Kenneth Gunn’s appointment. (watch at 1:43:57)
Jun 11, 2026, Committee on Health and Human Relations: Moved the motion to approve remote participation for Aldermen Quezada and Sigcho-López. (watch at 21:39)
Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Spoke about accessibility work in the 48th Ward and the lakefront. (watch at 1:15:00)
Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Thanked the chair and acknowledged Riley O'Neill’s passing. (watch at 1:14:40)
May 20, 2026, City Council: Opened remarks on AANHPI Heritage Month, honoring community organizers and leaders. (watch at 2:05:01)
May 19, 2026, Committee on Health and Human Relations: Moved to approve the May 7, 2026 Rule 45 report. (watch at 16:12)