Anthony Beale

Anthony Beale is the alderperson for Chicago's 9th Ward.

Contact

Email: Ward09@cityofchicago.org
Ward office: 34 East 112th Place, Chicago 60628, (773) 785-1100
City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 200, (312) 744-6838 / 3061
Website: http://www.Ward09.com
Updates: RSS feed of votes and legislation

Voting record this term

Attendance: 99.9% of 1164 key roll calls (1 absent)
Nay votes: 26
Voted with the majority on 71.1% of 90 divided votes
Legislation filed as lead sponsor: 25 (16 passed)
Most-filed topics: City Council (10), Municipal Code Amendments (6), Budget & Appropriations (3), Alley (2), Illinois, State Of (1)

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.

Alderman Anthony Beale has a near-perfect attendance record and participates in a wide range of votes, most of which he supports, including multiple tax-increment financing (TIF) agreements and municipal code amendments (e.g., V1). He has also cast a few notable dissenting votes, such as opposing a police-related restriction V10 and rejecting a multifamily housing bond issue V22. His legislative activity includes filing 25 pieces of ordinance and rule proposals during the session (L1-L5).

Priorities

Tax Increment Financing: Beale consistently votes for TIF agreements that fund development projects and park improvements, as shown by his YES votes on several redevelopment agreements (V1, V3, V5, V16-V21).
Municipal Code Reform – Sweepstakes and Gaming: He supports defining and prohibiting illegal sweepstakes machines and regulating video gaming tax matters V6 V7 S6 S13.
Housing and Landlord-Tenant Regulation: Beale backs amendments that increase landlord notice requirements before evictions and expands honorary street designations V14 V24.
Public Safety and Emergency Response: He voted for a citywide curfew on mass gatherings and praised efforts to improve police and fire response times V38 S12.
Zoning and Land Use: Beale has moved to adopt zoning amendments and signage changes, and advocated for leadership changes on the Zoning Committee S7 S8 S22.
Fiscal Oversight and Budget Procedures: He seeks greater flexibility in council meeting rules and remote participation, filing rule-change proposals and requesting Rule 59 participation L3 S1 S15.

Positions

Tax Increment Financing: Beale supports the use of TIF as a financing tool for development and park projects (V1, V3, V5, V16-V21).
Police Restrictions: He opposed a municipal code amendment that would limit Chicago Police Department members from certain activities V10.
Multifamily Housing Bonds: Beale voted NO on issuing tax-exempt revenue bonds for a multifamily housing project V22.
Sweepstakes Machines: He endorsed legislation defining and prohibiting illegal sweepstakes machines and called for a separate forum on enforcement V6 S6 S13.
Video Gaming Tax (VGT): Beale presented data suggesting VGT could add $60‑$100 million to the budget while also citing analyses that question its net benefit S5 S4.
Zoning Amendments: He moved to pass specific zoning and signage amendments, indicating support for targeted land-use changes S7 S8.
Remote Participation in Council: Beale requested Rule 59 remote participation for himself and confirmed virtual attendance, showing support for remote meeting options S1 S15 S16.
Response-Time Improvements: He thanked council chairs and highlighted the importance of improving police and fire response times S12.

Approach: In meetings Alderman Anthony Beale frequently asks detailed questions, moves motions, and requests procedural changes, such as remote participation and rule adjustments S1 S2 S3 S7 S15. He also thanks chairs and acknowledges colleagues' contributions, indicating a collaborative style S10 S12.

What to watch: Beale is likely to stay active on video gaming tax revenue discussions, enforcement of illegal sweepstakes machines, and leadership matters within the Zoning Committee, given his past statements and votes S5 S6 S22.

Nay votes on key legislation

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
Mar 18, 2026: Issuance of tax-exempt multi-family housing revenue bonds to support development of Morgan Park Commons Phase 1 project at 11400-11458 S Halsted St and 800-912 W 115th St, Passed 49 yea, 1 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
Oct 16, 2025: Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-3-0500 by designating 4400-5099 N Broadway as Pedestrian Street - App No. A8986, Passed 45 yea, 2 nay, 2 absent
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
Dec 11, 2024: NW Side Housing Preservation Ordinance Amendments, Passed 48 yea, 1 nay, 1 absent
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
Oct 9, 2024: Issuance of City of Chicago Second Lien Wastewater Transmission Revenue Bonds, Project and Refunding Series 2024B, Passed 44 yea, 4 nay, 1 absent
Apr 19, 2024: 2024 Affordable Housing and Community Development Borrowing Ordinance, Passed 32 yea, 17 nay
Feb 21, 2024: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 4 and 17 by adding new Article XXXIV and by adding new Section 17-9-0133 both entitled "Small-Box Retailers" and by modifying various sections of Title 17 regarding use group zoning districts, Passed 42 yea, 7 nay
Jan 31, 2024: Expression of support for United Nations Resolution 377 known as "Uniting for Peace", Adopted 23 yea, 23 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 9, 2023: Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4 and 6 by modifying various sections and adding new Chapter 6-130 entitled "Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance" (Final), Passed 36 yea, 12 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
Sep 14, 2023: 925 Amendment of 2023 appropriations, Passed 45 yea, 4 nay, 1 absent
…and 1 more

Key legislation sponsored

Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 4-156 by defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines (SO2026-0024076), Failed to Pass Jun 17, 2026
Call on Chicago City Clerk to provide Illinois Gaming Board with certified copy of Council ordinance allowing video gaming terminals (R2026-0022536), Adopted Feb 18, 2026
Prohibition of cannabinoid hemp products Pullman-Roseland-Lake CalumetArea (SO2025-0014904), Passed Apr 16, 2025
Modification of City Lots for Working Families Program for fee reductions and waivers regarding redevelopment agreement for Reclaiming Roseland Project (O2024-0009638), Passed Jun 12, 2024
Sale of City-owned property bounded by E 116th St, E119th Pl, S. Michigan Ave and South Shore Railway Line to Hope Center Foundation for construction of affordable family homes (O2023-0005850), Passed Apr 17, 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: Offered a substitute setting the next regular meeting for September 29, citing the parking meter deal timeline. (watch at 5:19:43)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Moved to defer and publish two CHA appointments, saying appointees would not commit to keeping the new CHA CEO. (watch at 4:26:10)
Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Said he has known Corporation Counsel Lowry for 28 years and described her as a quiet storm. (watch at 2:42:56)
Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Raised a point of order that Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López 41 notice was not filed in time and moved to table it. (watch at 1:43:17)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Offered a substitute setting the next Council meeting for July 22 and sought to move up deferred and published items. (watch at 5:03:34)
Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Supported The 78 agreements, saying porting funds from healthy TIFs before a year-end sweep is what TIF is meant for. (watch at 2:30:03)
Jul 13, 2026, Committee on Finance: Requested remote participation for himself later in the meeting. (watch at 1:28:55)
Jun 24, 2026, Committee on Workforce Development: Requested a separate forum to discuss illegal sweepstakes machines. (watch at 1:46:51)
Jun 24, 2026, Committee on Workforce Development: Presented data suggesting VGTs could add $60‑$100 million to the budget. (watch at 1:44:35)
Jun 24, 2026, Committee on Workforce Development: Cited a CCA analysis that found VGT benefits to be negative or only marginally positive. (watch at 1:43:24)
Jun 24, 2026, Committee on Workforce Development: Asked the CFO how the city could compare VGT revenue to Bally's casino revenue without an operational VGT in Chicago. (watch at 1:42:52)
Jun 24, 2026, Committee on Workforce Development: Called the hearing a waste of time and agreed with Silverstein that the committee lacks jurisdiction. (watch at 1:41:48)