[remote or in-person] City Council

Politics

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024
10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. CDT

121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

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Other notes and pre-research resources

Meeting details page: https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Legislative-Body-Details/?bodyId=BAA9B630-573B-EC11-B6E5-001DD804D4DD
Be sure to check the “attachments” tab for the meeting agenda and other documents. You can access more information about items on the agenda at https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/. You can search keywords or click the “Show more filters” button and enter the legislation number (i.e. [O as in Ordinance][year introduced]-####, [R as in Resolution][year introduced]-####).
Chicago Councilmatic: This civic data org’s website has a lot of the information that can be found on the city’s database in a more user-friendly format, as well as context on City Council and alders.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Jerry Winn

Council voted and passed O2024-0011032 to enter into a new contract with ShotSpotter. Mayor Brandon Johnson had previously expressed his intention to veto this vote.

View notes

Live reporting by Ahmad Sayles

After a lengthy debate, Ald. Moore’s Shotspotter reconsideration ordinance O2024-0011032 passes.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles

Good morning! I’ll be live-tweeting the Chicago City Council’s regular meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. 🧵

09:55 AM Sep 18, 2024 CDT

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 2/32

Agenda here: …storagev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachm…

…storagev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachm…

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 3/32

The rules of conduct have been read. Mayor Johnson calls the meeting to order. A quorum has been reached. The pledge of allegiance is being recited.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 4/32

An invocation is delivered and the public comment period begins.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 5/32

The first public speaker is Jody W., from the Chicago Alliance for Animals. The CAA is urging the city council to ban the sale of new fur in Chicago.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 6/32

The next speaker is Patricia Tatum from the 20th ward. She's advocating that the vacant lot on 63rd and Blackstone be used for affordable housing. She wants a right to return for displaced neighbors, a tenant's right to refusal, ordinances passed to stop gentrification.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 7/32

The next speaker wants the city to incentivize the building of data centers.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 8/32

The next public speaker is Frank Chatman. He’s thanked the city council for passing the community commission for public safety and accountability. He says that civilian control of the police is crucial to prevent a police state. He's also advocating against Shotspotter.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 9/32

The next speaker is Sean Campbell, he commends the CPD for protecting the city during the DNC. He's also advocating for the city to renew the Shotspotter contract.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 10/32

The next speaker is Ja’Mese Plesant from the 5th Ward. She's advocating for the South Shore CBA ordinance, homeowner repair grants, tax relief, and for the city council to address the lack of affordable housing.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 11/32

The next speaker is speaking for the United for a Better Chicago PAC. He wants the mayor to be recalled. He accused the mayor of maligning his character by saying he wasn't a Chicagoan. The gentleman used a swear violating the rules of conduct and Mayor Johnson threw him out.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 12/32

Some in the crowd attending started heckling and Mayor Johnson called the meeting to go to recess until the removal of people who violated the rules was complete.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 13/32

Mayor Johnson calls the meeting back to order.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 14/32

The next speaker is Minnie Hill from the 29th Ward. She's a survivor of the flooding on the west side of Chicago last year. She wants the city to spend more money to provide relief for homeowners whose basements were flooded.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 15/32

The public comment period is over. The next item on the agenda is resolutions and acknowledgments. The first resolution is to celebrate the city’s efforts in hosting the DNC earlier this summer.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 16/32

City council members are thanking the mayor and CPD Superintendent Snelling for their leadership during the DNC.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 17/32

The next resolution is recognizing the retirement of long-time Chicago Dept. of Streets and Sanitation Deputy Commissioner Josie Cruz. City council members are now thanking her for her service.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 18/32

Mayor Johnson returns the meeting to regular business.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 19/32

Communications from the City Clerk have been delivered. Now on to reports of standing committees.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 20/32

Ald Dowell, Chair of the Finance Committee recommends passage of the items from the committee. Below are details from the Department of Housing and the Department of Law.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 21/32

Reports from the Committee on Aviation and the Committee on Budget & Gov Ops are approved.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 22/32

Ald Harris (8), Chair of the Committee on Committees and Rules recommends passage of the items reported. One of the items passed was the submission of a public question by referendum to voters to change the CCPSA membership from 7 to 11 members.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 23/32

Reports from the Committee on Contracting Oversight & Equity, Committee on Committees and Rules, and Committee on Economic, Capital & Technology Development are passed. Included in those reports was the appointment of Sharla Roberts as Chief Procurement Officer for the city.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 24/32

Reports from the Committee on Environmental Protection, the Committee on Housing and Real Estate, and the Committee on License & Consumer Protection are passed.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 25/32

Appointment of Angel Rubi Navarijo as a member of the CCPSA passes, 31 -14 in favor.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 26/32

Reports from the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks & Building Standards include the “Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Block (606) District Pilot Program” aka The Northwest Preservation Ordinance. The ordinance attempts to protect 2, 3, & 4 flats and ensure affordable housing.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 27/32

The ordinance passed after debate and a vote. Historical landmarks for the Ramova Theatre, St. Adalbert Parish Complex, and Jackson Storage and Van Company Warehouse passes.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 28/32

Mayor Johnson acknowledges Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. who’s in attendance.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 29/32

Mayor Johnson opens the floor to discuss the ordinance introduced by Ald Moore (17) which would direct Superintendent Snelling to enter a new contract with Shotspotter.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 30/32

After a lengthy debate, Ald. Moore’s Shotspotter reconsideration ordinance O2024-0011032 passes. The next City Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 31/32

With no further business before the council, the mayor adjourned the meeting.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 32/32

The Chicago City Council regular meeting ends at 4:20 p.m. This ends my coverage for @chidocumenters, find more information through Jerry Winn’s notes at chicago.documenters.org

chicago.documenters.org

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Agency Information

Chicago City Council

chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov

(312) 744-3166

@ChiCouncil

See Documenters reporting

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

If you attend a meeting in person, be prepared to go through a security checkpoint and show photo ID.

Meetings are also livestreamed at https://www.chicityclerk.com/.

At this link, scroll down to “Meeting Notices.” Look for “Watch now” and click on the link with the meeting title to go to a livestream page. If you don’t see a link for the meeting, you may be early or the meeting may be starting late. Wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.

Recordings of past City Council meetings may be found here: https://vimeo.com/user100351763/videos/sort:date.

See also: “What to Expect at a Meeting of Chicago’s City Council” via the Better Government Association.