# Michelle A. Harris

Michelle A. Harris is the alderperson for Chicago's 8th Ward.

## Contact

- Email: Ward08@cityofchicago.org
- Ward office: 8539 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago 60619, (773) 874-3300
- City Hall: 121 Noth LaSalle Street, Room 200, (312) 744-3075/6825
- Website: http://www.Aldermanmichelleharris.net
- Updates: [RSS feed of votes and legislation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/api/feeds/ward/8.rss)

## Voting record this term

- Attendance: **100%** of 1164 key roll calls (0 absent)
- Nay votes: **8**
- Voted with the majority on **97.8%** of 91 divided votes
- Legislation filed as lead sponsor: **38** (28 passed)
- Most-filed topics: Municipal Code Amendments (9), City Council (7), Alley (6), Signs/Signboards (5), Streets (5)

## Committees

- [Committees and Rules](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/committees-and-rules) (Chair)
- [Aviation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/aviation)
- [Budget and Government Operations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/budget-and-government-operations)
- [Contracting Oversight and Equity](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/contracting-oversight-and-equity)
- [Finance](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance)
- [Finance: Subcommittee on Revenue](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance-subcommittee-on-revenue)
- [Housing and Real Estate](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/housing-and-real-estate)
- [Transportation and Public Way](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/transportation-and-public-way)
- [Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards)

## 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 Michelle A. Harris has consistently voted in favor of tax-increment financing agreements for development projects, such as the Foundry Park and Roosevelt/Clark Partners deals  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941) and has supported numerous municipal-code amendments on housing, licensing and other issues  [V2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/C3D1E408-B569-F111-A823-001DD801DE76)  [V26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/08AD3F58-684C-F011-8779-001DD8069091). She has also cast a small number of dissenting votes, notably opposing a sweepstakes-machine ban and a police-department ordinance restricting officers  [V6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)  [V10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/A834CCEB-EFEE-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9).

**Priorities**

- **Package goods licensing**: Filed an amendment to allow additional package-goods licenses on portions of S Stony Island Avenue  [L4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/D2C176E5-E185-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0)
- **Honorary street designations**: Submitted a proposal to name an honorary street "Honorary Graham Waller, Jr. Way"  [L7](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E36F6AE9-9F7F-F111-AB0E-001DD8015587)
- **Street vacations and dedications**: Filed a vacancy and dedication ordinance for streets and alleys bounded by S Dobson Ave, E 76th St, S Greenwood Ave and E 77th St  [L9](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/FEE87B80-FC0C-F111-8406-001DD80F9592)
- **Committee fund transfers**: Amended the Annual Appropriation Ordinance to move funds within the Committee on Committees and Rules  [L10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F5AD082F-E0D5-F011-8543-001DD8018EAF)
- **Sergeant-at-Arms appointments**: Filed an amendment to the Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms roster for the 2023-2027 term  [L6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/D26CE014-6580-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA)
- **Sign permits**: Filed permits for signage at 901 E 95th St for multiple elevations  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/2A52B303-F3AD-F111-AAAB-001DD80FDA55)  [L2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/08D0376A-3AA6-F111-B8DD-001DD80FDA55)  [L3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/C1E486DB-81A1-F111-B8DB-001DD803894A)

**Positions**

- **Tax increment financing**: Supports the use of TIF to fund development projects, as reflected in multiple affirmative votes on TIF agreements  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)
- **Housing debt waivers**: Supports municipal-code amendments that allow the Commissioner of Housing to waive debts for certain buildings  [V2](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/C3D1E408-B569-F111-A823-001DD801DE76)
- **Sweepstakes machine ban**: Opposed legislation defining and prohibiting sweepstakes machines, voting no  [V6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)
- **Police officer restrictions**: Opposed a municipal-code amendment restricting Chicago Police Department members from certain activities, voting no  [V10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/A834CCEB-EFEE-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9)
- **Package-goods licensing**: Supported expanding package-goods licenses in specific zoning districts  [V26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/08AD3F58-684C-F011-8779-001DD8069091)
- **Gas-station permit requirements**: Supported removing permit requirements for gas stations in B3, C1 and C2 districts  [V26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/08AD3F58-684C-F011-8779-001DD8069091)
- **Remote participation**: Filed a motion to reconsider a prior remote-participation vote, indicating skepticism of remote voting procedures  [S4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=3245)
- **Millionaire-tax referendum**: Called for a pause on the millionaire-tax referendum to allow further deliberation  [S6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=3995)

**Approach**: In council meetings she frequently moves motions, including requests to suspend rules and to reconsider prior votes  [S3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=2324)  [S4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=3245), and she has filed motions supporting or opposing specific measures such as the monuments resolution and the millionaire-tax referendum  [S5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=3388)  [S6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=3995). She regularly participates in remote-attendance discussions, confirming her presence for remote-attendance motions and noting other aldermen's requests  [S16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77DF81CD-3C59-F111-BEC5-001DD803F39A?t=1045)  [S17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77DF81CD-3C59-F111-BEC5-001DD803F39A?t=3654), and she often thanks chairs for ordinance work and raises community concerns during public comment periods  [S12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/39D621DE-1A59-F111-BEC5-001DD80C412B?t=2344)  [S13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/39D621DE-1A59-F111-BEC5-001DD80C412B?t=3326)  [S14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/39D621DE-1A59-F111-BEC5-001DD80C412B?t=3818)  [S15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/3E5CBC21-F359-F111-BEC5-001DD80C412B?t=7200).

**What to watch**: Given her pattern of supporting TIF projects and filing numerous municipal-code amendments, she is likely to remain active on development financing and code-change initiatives  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [L4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/D2C176E5-E185-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0)


## 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
- 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/A834CCEB-EFEE-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9), 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](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
- Jan 31, 2024: [Expression of support for United Nations Resolution 377 known as "Uniting for Peace"](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/FD87A2F1-DB99-EE11-BE36-001DD83057A3), Adopted 23 yea, 23 nay

## Key legislation sponsored

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.41(a)) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Stony Island Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/D2C176E5-E185-F111-AB0E-001DD80BE3C0) (O2026-0027472), Passed Sep 23, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.25) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion of E 87th St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/1BE04E10-6B95-F011-B4CB-001DD809768F) (O2025-0019666), Passed Oct 16, 2025
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 3-56-050 by amending Subsection E regarding waiver of fees imposed by chapter](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/532780C2-5A36-F011-8C4D-001DD8309E73) (O2025-0017548), Passed Jun 18, 2025
- [Standing Committee member name changes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/DD540B42-9311-F011-BAE2-001DD8094559) (SR2025-0016380), Adopted Apr 7, 2025
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-244-140 to prohibit peddling on portions of E 79th St and E 87th St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/4124B112-7840-EF11-8409-001DD80490CB) (O2024-0010865), Passed Sep 18, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.7) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of E 79th St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/00131CFE-EEFC-EE11-A1FE-001DD804AF4C) (O2024-0008963), Passed May 22, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.43) to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Stony Island Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/CB7E4483-E7FC-EE11-A1FE-001DD804AF4C) (O2024-0008959), Passed May 22, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.41(a)) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Stony Island Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F9107FAF-EEFC-EE11-A1FE-001DD804AF4C) (O2024-0008962), Passed May 22, 2024
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (8.65) to disallow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of E 87th St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/3B27F131-025F-EE11-BE6E-001DD8306AD0) (O2023-0004822), Passed Nov 15, 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: Honored Dr. Peggy A. Montes, founder of the Bronzeville Children's Museum, on her 90th birthday. ([watch at 1:03:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E9154AB7-96B7-F111-AAAC-001DD803894A?t=3825))
- Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Praised Corporation Counsel Lowry as a scholar and leader who gave the truth by law. ([watch at 2:41:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5F86622E-F485-F111-AB0E-001DD80ED7AA?t=9669))
- Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Presented the Committee on Committees and Rules report, including proposed referendum questions and a tribute to Sam Sianis. ([watch at 3:09:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DF5C52EA-0D6B-F111-A823-001DD8019941?t=11340))
- Jul 14, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Moved to approve remote participation for Alderman Jason C. Ervin. ([watch at 41:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7885112A-5D76-F111-AB0C-001DD80EDD69?t=2508))
- Jul 14, 2026, Committee on Transportation and Public Way: Moved to approve the Rule 5.45 report. ([watch at 41:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7885112A-5D76-F111-AB0C-001DD80EDD69?t=2478))
- Jul 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Moved to allow remote participation for Alderman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez. ([watch at 20:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/46526B3A-3D79-F111-AB0D-001DD8066831?t=1242))
- Jul 8, 2026, Committee on Budget and Government Operations: Moved to amend the Rule 59 motion to add Aldermen Farrow and Quezada. ([watch at 17:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/C462FEBC-A474-F111-AB0C-001DD81325B3?t=1058))
- Jun 29, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Joined the meeting remotely after a Rule 59 motion. ([watch at 1:17:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E665005F-5B6E-F111-AB0C-001DD8007078?t=4625))
- Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Thanked Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard and staff for storm cleanup on the South Side. ([watch at 3:56:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/73347594-0E55-F111-BEC6-001DD80B0E39?t=14187))
- Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Supported Kenneth Gunn's appointment, citing 35 years of working with him. ([watch at 3:09:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/73347594-0E55-F111-BEC6-001DD80B0E39?t=11362))
- Jun 17, 2026, City Council: Honored educator Dr. Noble L. Pierce for Juneteenth. ([watch at 2:02:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/73347594-0E55-F111-BEC6-001DD80B0E39?t=7326))
- Jun 10, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Raised concerns about lighting and pedestrian safety near the terminal. ([watch at 2:00:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/3E5CBC21-F359-F111-BEC5-001DD80C412B?t=7200))

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt