[remote or in person] City Council
Chicago City Council
Politics
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023
10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. CST
121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)
City Hall, 2nd floor, Council Chambers
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Jordan Anthony
City Council rolls back rule to limit public access to meetings.
Live reporting by
Kaelyn Robinson
City Council rolls back rule to limit public access to meetings.
Kaelyn
@Kaelynski
Hi! The Chicago City Council is having their regular meeting today starting at 10 am. I will be covering things for @CHIdocumenters today at 121 N LaSalle #CHIdocumenters
09:35 AM Dec 13, 2023 CST
You can stream the meeting online at - once the meeting begins, there will be a link to the livestream.
chicityclerk.com
The agenda is here - find the files tab and you will see a pdf of the the agenda for today
chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meeting/?meeti…
Lots to find out today, y'all. There is an action by the public supporting an effort by Ald. Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez @RossanaFor33 to call for a Ceasefire in Gaza, although that legislation got delayed in the rules committee and won't be voted on today.
And another public action to urge Alders to vote against police arbitration. That issue came out of committee as "do not pass" last week.
Our meeting happens on the heels of back-and-forth about public access to council meetings. Johnson decided late yesterday not to enforce a policy that required an ID and a reservation days in advance to gain entry. See @MariahWoelfel for the Sun-Times
chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2023…
What else? So much. We have police misconduct settlements, an expanded Hate Crime definition, reauthorization of the Flexible Housing Pool, streamlined zoning processes, there's movement regulating buses coming to Chicago from out of town. Follow along with me.
Long lines for public comment and general entry. As far as I can see, no one has been let into council chambers yet. We are still in the lobby. Stay tuned!
It seems that some of the folks in the lobby are blocking the line to try to attend the meeting.
Things are getting started in council chambers. It is unclear if anyone hasbeen let up.
I'm still downstairs, and was informed that they are letting people in two or three at a time.
Back in Council Chambers there is a group of public school teachers and students being recognized.
My line just merged into the Rally for Palestine. Headed to find a quiet spot to tune into the stream. Feel free to join me at
chicityclerk.com
Speaking now: Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th). She is speaking in support of the proposed hate speech ordinance. See Heather Cherone for WTTW
news.wttw.com/2023/12/08/com…
"May the menorah's light cut through all the darkness." Ald. Silverstein finishes her remarks by wishing everyone a Happy Hanukkah. Voting has begun.
Ald. Silverstein is dedicating the ordinance to her father, who passed away just last month.
We move now to the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. This committee is Chaired by Ald. La Spata. He speaks to the recent meeting, wherein an ordinance to amend the city code so that the city may seize and impound certain buses coming to town from outside Chicago.
Here is that legislation, which did pass the full council. Bus seizure was added to an ordinance for "intercity bus travel." Any bus loading or unloading passengers not at a proper bus stand or station may be seized and impounded by CPD.
chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matter…
The next committee to report is the Finance Committee, Chaired by Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd). There are dispositions of TIF funding and a loan modification agreement for affordable housing.
Finance report continues with settlements agreed to by the Department of Law. These are settlements for police misconduct. Here is the relevant page from our Agenda.
One settlement in particular is contentious. See @HeatherCherone for WTTW
news.wttw.com/2023/12/11/cit…
@HeatherCherone Mr. Darius Cole-Garrit was murdered by officers of the Chicago Police Department. And was shot in the back, though officers say they were threatened. Ald. Conway speaks to the ambiguity that led to this settlement being rejected by one vote Ina prior meeting.
The third settlement is being discussed now. Ald. La Spata is speaking that the "justice of this settlement is indisputable."
He is speaking to the multiple settlements that the city has been paid for domestic and gender-based violence.
This is the FOP contract. See @GeoffreyCubbage for The Better Government Association
bettergov.org/2023/12/12/hid…
@GeoffreyCubbage This huge contract was approved in committee without providing a copy to the public.
@GeoffreyCubbage Chair Rodríguez continues with the Arbitration ordinance. This came out of committee as a rare "do not pass." Ald. Rodriguez asks his colleagues to overcome this recommendation by bringing it to the floor.
@GeoffreyCubbage Ald. Tabares is speaking now. She is bringing up a state law that she says guarantees police arbitration already. She is arguing that "defying" state law by not passing this ordinance will cost the city in legal battles. She continues that a vote in favor of this is pro-union.
@GeoffreyCubbage Many unions disagree that police union negotiations are part of the labor movement, as police are members of the state and given broad authorities not afforded to other working people.
@GeoffreyCubbage Tabares continues, saying we must not allow "those who make the law, break the law, in order to punish those who enforce the law."
@GeoffreyCubbage There is an uproar in the chamber. Mayor Johnson thanks the crowd and asks for order.
@GeoffreyCubbage Ald. Napolitano is speaking now. He is in favor the ordinance and compares this contract to police misconduct settlements, saying we should save the city money on legal costs.
The public in the room is speaking out.
The public in the room is speaking out.
@GeoffreyCubbage Ald Napolitano responds to protests from the crowd by saying he wishes they cared so much about the 25,000 people who he agrumes have been shot in Chicago. This is quite a thing to say to people in chambers who are focused on police accountability and transparency.
@GeoffreyCubbage Ald Napolitano finishes by obliquely calling for a "blue flu" or police sick out, if this part of the contract is rejected by council. These are strong comments @aldnapolitano41
@GeoffreyCubbage @aldnapolitano41 Ald. Hadden is speaking to the transparency issue. She says that if we want people to trust and support police, we cannot put accountability behind closed doors. "It's worth the fight that people have spent decades fighting for."
Ald. Beale is next. There are chants and banging in the chamber, I believe. The Mayor is asking for the Sergeant at Arms to restore order. Reminder that these are the few who were allowed in. Ald. Beale says people should be arrested.
Mayor Johnson is asking the Sargeant at Arms to remove people banging on the glass partition that seperate the chamber from the third floor gallery above.
While we wait for the removal of some members of the public, it seems right to hear from Anthony Driver the chair of the board of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Mr. Driver advocated last week for the workforce committee to vote this down last thurs
We are back in session. @Alderman_Beale is speaking that the council is not empowered to make this change. He speaks to the hard work of police and agues that police are necessary in our community.
@Alderman_Beale Ald Byron Sigcho-López (25th) is next. He asks for a moment of silence for violence in the city. Sigcho-López is speaking against arbitration, recognizing Anjanette Young in the chamber (there is loud cheering for Young, whose home was invaded by a wrongful police raid).
Ald. Sigcho-López @SigchoFor25 is saying that we have the ability and the responsibility to build trust through accountability. He says, "We have to stop the broken system here. Today."
@SigchoFor25 Ald. Sigcho-López is expressing his frustration with the lack of accountability in the system now. He says incredulously, "And you want less accountability? Less?"
Ald. Jason Ervin is next to speak @AldermanErvin He says, "We talk about the law... Sometimes the law doesn't get it right." He mentions slavery, segregation and voter suppression has been légal When it wasn't right.
@AldermanErvin He continues that the council has heard from the city's lawyers, and that in this instance he argues that Alders have a duty to their constituents to "be what is right" in the City of Chicago. He finishes that the fight is worth having.
Ald. Lee @ald_nicolelee is next. She says this vote is a burden that weighs on her more than any other. She says she also has questions about the rest of the contract that already passed. Ald Lee says that accountability can happen one-on-one as police engage with community.
@ald_nicolelee Ald. Lee continues that public safety is a big issue and, "there's a lot more that we need to do." Lee says that one contract can't do all of that work. She starts talking about Chicago being a "labor city."
@ald_nicolelee Ald. Lee says she wants to fight to change the state law. "Laws are made to be amended." She says she is a yes on arbitration, with a continued push to change things in Springfield.
Ald Fuentes is next to speak. She wants to push back against conflated narratives that drive fear and confusion. That don't serve us. She speaks to the violence, and says that council members voting no still care about violence.
Fuentes speaks to attending many funerals as a school administrator. She says that we can have public safety and support from emergency services along with not having arbitration behind closed doors.
Ald. Chico is speaking as a police officer and the toll the job takes mentally and physically. Ald. Chico says he is voting yes as a way to advocate for "worker rights."
Ald Taylor (20) @taylorfor20th begins her comments, "Forward ever. Backwards never." She says that police advocates say there are 9 levels of accountability, and yet the city is still paying millions of dollars in settlements every month.
@taylorfor20th Ald. Taylor mentions Black women who have mistreated and killed by police. She says, "I am not voting to have nothing going on behind closed doors." She calls out those of her colleagues who talk about workers rights, saying they are acting foolishly.
Ald. Waguespack (32nd) @ward32chicago is next. He starts his comments with, "Gee, thanks." This appears to be in reference to not wanting to follow Ald Taylor's empassioned comments.
@ward32chicago Waguespack says that crime is a problem and puts blame on prosecutors and judges, who he says haven't been "helping." It is unclear what this signifies. The Ald comments that seperating arbitration out of the rest of the contract hasn't been done since the 80s.
@ward32chicago It sounds like he is talking about the legal cost of fighting against arbitration. This feels very disconnected from the issue at hand. He is now comparing the Mayor's decision to half eaten cake. He then says he is a no? Which is different from his comments?
Ald. Vasquez (40th) @Andrefor40th is next to speak. Vasquez is speaking in favor of police relations. He says that we need to lead negotiations with our goals. He is also speaking against the process of having the rest of contract, specifically highlighting @BetterGov 's coverage
@Andrefor40th Vasquez is going back to arbitration. He is saying that he appreciates the labor movement. He is calling out the difference between the FOP and other unions. He says, "a plumber can't arrest someone."
@Andrefor40th The Ald continues that transparency benefits the public, police operations, and by extension, the working life of police officers themselves. Vasquez says we need to take this fight on.
@Andrefor40th Ald. David Moore (17th) is next. h
He says this decision is already made by people who he says are, "smarter than us."
He says this decision is already made by people who he says are, "smarter than us."
@Andrefor40th Ald. Moore says that the police officers in his ward that he spoke to want more transparency. Ald. Moore continues that there is a racial component. He says that he is a no, that we need to fight this fight.
@Andrefor40th Ald Yancy is next. He is speaking as a union organizer, saying that people talking criticize unions by saying unions protect bad workers. He continues that he feels this clause "does just that." He brings up speaking to survivors of police torture from John Burge.
@Andrefor40th Ald Yancy says we have the opportunity to do the work of the people and have functioning public safety in the city.
@Andrefor40th Ald Sposato (38th) is next. He asks for another moment of silence for Israelis who have been kidnapped and killed. He says that he isn't going to change anyone's mind.
@Andrefor40th Sposato is continuing by naming police officers, I believe, who have been injured in the line of duty. I'm not sure on this, y'all, sorry. He finishes by saying he is a yes.
@Andrefor40th @RaymondALopez He is calling his colleagues hypocrites for supporting police settlements, but not arbitration. He says that this is about a "political assassination of our police officers." Lopez continues by talking about union organizing and is now comparing the CTU conflict dispute agreement
@Andrefor40th @RaymondALopez He is now comparing police brutality with educators who have mistreated or abused students. He is claiming that there is "no" public push for accountability for them, only for the police.
@Andrefor40th @RaymondALopez That is factually incorrect. There have been many people calling for transparency and accountability from the schools on this. And Lopez here ignores the level of coordination between policing and schools and the school to prison pipeline.
@Andrefor40th @RaymondALopez Ald Lopez now says the name Orwell, the prolific satirist who wrote the novel 1984.
@Andrefor40th @RaymondALopez Ald Mike Rodríguez, the Chair of the relevant committee. He is concluding remarks, saying that Arbitration is the law of the land. He says that there could be a compromise between the police board structure and arbitration which he argues could be public arbitration.
@Andrefor40th Ald Mike Rodríguez is urging his colleagues to vote to bring this vote to the floor. Mayor Johnson is clarifying, saying a no vote leaves the item tabled in committee and a yes vote brings it the issue before the council. (So not the final vote for the contract).
@Andrefor40th One note is that Ald Gardiner recorded his vote aloud and isn't reflected in the image above. He voted yes.
@Andrefor40th The next section of the meeting is resolutions. The first is to commemorate the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, who is celebrating their 40th anniversary. @AldLawson is first to speaks in support, saying that the Chorus shows people joy and represents "communities like mine."
@Andrefor40th Alds Knudsen, Manaa-Hoppenworth and Hadden also speak to the strength of the Chorus in building community and "serenading" the city throughout its history.
@Andrefor40th Mayor Johnson: "We celebrate this milestone and we celebrate the work that you will continue to do for the people of Chicago." @Brandon4Chicago
@Andrefor40th @Brandon4Chicago Next is the 20th anniversary of of the Chicago Dragons rugby football club. Ald Lawson is back. He says he is "honored to rise" in support of this resolution. He speaks warmly as for many years he was their bartender, and commends their camaraderie through sport. @AldLawson
@Andrefor40th Alds Sposato, Manaa-Hoppenworth, Lee, also speak in support. Johnson: "We are certainly rooting for you...This team demonstrates the inclusive values that our city is known for."
@Andrefor40th The last resolution is for recognizing HIV/Aids Awareness Month. @AldLawson is inviting everyone to visit Aids Garden Chicago, dedicated to the people who fought this fight. He comments that historical context is important here, and government failed them because they were gay.
@Andrefor40th @AldLawson Lawson continues that new HIV infections are at the lowest level since the late 80s.
@Andrefor40th Ald Vasquez @Andrefor40th is next. He is calling us to remember how horrible it was when the epidemic was new. He said people afflicted went through so much in their illness, and in the blatant homophobia and discrimination they faced.
@Andrefor40th Ald Lopez is next @RaymondALopez He is discussing the racial disparity in diagnoses for black and brown. He says that he disagrees with Ald Lawson in the use of Prep, and says we should focus on getting cases to zero. He calls for "simple programs" of free condoms and abstinence
@Andrefor40th Ald. Hadden is next. She is speaking that the messaging around prevention can be better targeted to the diverse communities that are most impacted.
@Andrefor40th Ald Robinson is the last to speak. He is speaking that improvements in the HIV rate haven't gained ground in the Black community. He says that there is finally the will and determination to refocus on this fight and to bring new cases to zero.
@Andrefor40th Mayor Johnson is shouting out the state football champions, Mt Carmel. Ald Yancy is acknowledging this program, excellent players and the school who educates them.
@Andrefor40th Ald O'Shea is an alum and is speaking to the leadership lessons they learn at Mt. Carmel. Ald Chico is offering kind words to the principal who he says is a childhood friend and the coach as well. Alds Napolitano and Moore also speaking in support of these students and coaches.
@Andrefor40th Ald Robinson is also an alum. He is speaking to his personal experience in this environment, even as he lost his father, that the school wrapped its arms around him and provided support. Alds Sposato, Nugent and Hall also speak in support.
@Andrefor40th Ald. Mitchell moves that resolutions be passed with the omnibus and that the council will return to regular order.
@Andrefor40th Next up is communications, where different ordinances are introduced and referred to committee.
@Andrefor40th There were ordinances for a contractor pool and contracts for special service areas, the sale of city owned properties at 3109 E 92nd street and others, including adjacent properties, MOPD coordination with the Chicago Housing Authority
@Andrefor40th There was also introduced gun violence reduction ordinance as well, referred to committee.
@Andrefor40th Ald Mitts has reports for the contracts committee, and Ald Villegas has some for the Committee on Economic Development, including a joint effort on the lead service line replacement to get the lead out.
@Andrefor40th Next is a report from the Committee on Ethics and Governmental Oversight. Chair Ald Matt Martin presents.
@Andrefor40th Ald Vasquez is next with the committee of Immigration and Refugee Rights. There is an item asking Biden to extend worker right's to different groups. Ald Sigcho-López is speaking in support of this resolution, saying that immigrants are being dehumanized and used for policies.
@Andrefor40th Sigcho-López says this is a simple solution and can expand work permits for people who are essential workers who have been dealing with family separation.
@Andrefor40th Sigcho-López continues that policies have been designed to punish undocumented people, and he argues we should be moving in the opposite direction, and embracing the humanity of these residents and neighbors.
@Andrefor40th Ald Raymond Lopez now rises to speak. He is reading from the ordinance, and is now saying that the asylum laws are being misused by people coming for, he says, dubious reasons. He doesn't present any evidence that asylum seekers are lying or mischaracterizing their claims.
@Andrefor40th López continues by saying that he is speaking out on behalf of other immigrants who are "respectful and kept moving forward" to become citizens. Lopez is not saying how any migrant in town is being disrespectful by making a claim of asylum.
@Andrefor40th Ald Raymond Lopez is leaning on a well worn trope that new folks arriving are somehow cheating or skipping the line.
@Andrefor40th Mike Rodríguez is next. He is pushing back on his colleague immediately. He says that we should not fall into that trap, "We need to live in abundance! And not in scarcity!" He says that no one else's liberation takes away from his own. He is in favor of this resolution.
@Andrefor40th Ald La Spata is next, saying he is favor. He has heard business owners saying all they is to hire folks. And a quarter mile down the road, he hears migrants saying all they want is to work. He says let's fix this problem.
@Andrefor40th Ald Andre Vasquez is back. He is calling out Ald Raymond López for creating barriers between people and using policies that harmed his family to continue that harm for others. He calls it, "More BS." He then apologizes and says he doesn't want to go that far.
@Andrefor40th He says, "I don't care what red hat people want to put on" we can't stand for it. I would guess he is referring to a MAGA hat here. This could be a reference to Ald López appearing on conservative programs such as Sean Hannity's show.
@Andrefor40th Ald Ruth Cruz is next and says that our neighbors are deserving and should be allowed this respect and opportunity.
@Andrefor40th Ald Fuentes is speaking to the diversity of undocumented communities, who have been suffering without their rights. Fuentes continues that these cherished residents are our family and they need President Biden to make good on his promise to be a president for everyone.
@Andrefor40th Ald Taliaferro is now presenting for one item from the Committee on Police and Fire. New Police Board Member has passed.
@Andrefor40th Ald Bennett Lawson, Vice Chair of Zoning Landmarks and Building Standards is presenting the reports for his committee.
@Andrefor40th Lawson is reading his reports which include an ordinance for expanded outdoor dining for industrial areas, including breweries, many of whom operate in these areas.
@Andrefor40th La Spata wants to be recorded as a no for a map amendment that Ald Beale asked for, which downzones a property from a shopping center to single family housing. Ald Beale called it "routine." Alds sometimes change zoning to allow them to have more say over what is in their ward.
@Andrefor40th New Business is next. This is where Alders can introduce ordinances. We heard the mayor's ordinances introduced during the communications part of the agenda. Matt Martin asks for comprehensive staffing assessment for the police department.
@Andrefor40th Alds Villegas and La Spata want hearings for a wrongful conviction database. There is an ordinance from Ald Ervin for removal of Kenneth P Williams from his position in city government.
@Andrefor40th Among other things. Ald Lopez wants procurement officer Elaine Velasquez to submit reports on migrant spending. Ald Dowell wants hearings for the marginalization of migrants by the city.
@Andrefor40th The next item is approval of the journals. So approved. The next item is unfinished business.
@Andrefor40th Ald Beale moves to suspends rules to asks for immediate consideration of a referendum asking voters whether Chicago should remain a sanctuary city. This was originally scheduled as a special meeting for Thursday.
@Andrefor40th Ald Beale informs the body that he may be unavailable tomorrow because of a family health issue, and asks the council to vote on it today instead, that it may be an "olive branch."
@Andrefor40th There is some discussion on the dias. I'm not sure yet whether they have decided to take this up.
@Andrefor40th It's possible I have shared this resource before, but here is @HeatherCherone for WTTW last month on this issue
news.wttw.com/2023/10/20/wha…
@Andrefor40th @HeatherCherone Cherone writes, "Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city does not require it to encourage immigrants to move to Chicago nor does the Welcoming City ordinance obligate officials to use taxpayer funds to care for immigrants in Chicago."
@Andrefor40th @HeatherCherone Ald Beale has withdrawn his motion, this vote will in fact happen as scheduled, tomorrow.
@Andrefor40th @HeatherCherone Ald Mitchell moves to adjourn and the meeting has been adjourned at 3:30 pm.
@Andrefor40th @HeatherCherone This concludes my coverage of the Chicago City Council meeting for Wednesday Dec 13th. For more coverage of public meetings, I uge you to visit . Thanks y'all. I will amend with corrections if needed.
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Agency Information
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago and consists of the Mayor and Aldermen elected from each of the City’s fifty wards. Source
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See also: “What to Expect at a Meeting of Chicago’s City Council” via the Better Government Association.
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