City Council
Chicago City Council
Politics
Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Rocio Villasenor
Affordable housing requirements overhaul, St. Anthony development in Little Village
Live reporting by
Megan Wadin
Affordable housing requirements overhaul, St. Anthony development in Little Village
megwadin
@megwadin
Public Comment - Deborah Hawkins: resident of 7th ward for over 33 years. Speaking today to voice concerns of General Iron's relocation to South Side.
12:18 PM Apr 21, 2021 CDT
Concerned that 'South Side of Chicago is considered a dumping ground.' Criticizes prioritization of North Side for businesses, leaving only pollution & compromised air quality in South Side.
'The potential relocation of General Iron would be akin to environmental racism'.
Public Comment - Ekaterina Denia: speaking on behalf of Chicago Alliance for Animals. Since August 2020 the Animal Protection Society has investigated validity of animal rescue claims.
Investigations found that the animals are, in reality, sourced from organizations that do not meet animal welfare standards in Chicago. We have worked to shut down such facilities.
Public Comment - Jose Perez: live in 31st Ward @AldermanCardona. Volunteer at Chicago Animal Care & Control, serves as shelter and rescue center for animals.
As a volunteer, I work with animals at the center who are euthanized if not adopted. You can support these animals by adopting rather than purchasing from breeders that may be sourcing animals through puppy mills.
Public Comment - Lucky Komargo: Oppose transfer of public land located at 31st and Kedzie, known as former site of Washburn Trade School.
In April 2019, neighbors began to engage with CPS, the Board of Educ, and Chicago Dept of Development & Planning to demand 11 acres of public land remain public
@ChicagoCPS
@ChicagoCPS
Spoke with Maurice Cox from Dept of Planning, assured that development strategy focused on acquiring small lots and the department would not acquire the 11 acres of land for a private hospital.
WGN report announced that this was not the case, and the the land would be reallocated for private hospital project. The Alderman neglected to communicate with 22nd ward residents on the impacts the new development would have.
Komargo argues that the development would accelerate gentrification, Little Village suffers from stark inequality, this development would displace families and accelerate pollution and environmental degradation.
The private hospital would not serve the local immigrant, lower income community. Preserve the land as public & instead build publicly funded initiative to provide workforce training for local community.
Public Comment - Moises Moreno: Executive Director of @PilsenAlliance. Speaking on behalf of those fighting for police accountability. Supports ordinance to highlight need for community oversight of @Chicago_Police
Advocates that funding be re-allocated to schools and mental health services, want to give communities power they deserve. Community oversight of police is important step towards reform and justice for the death of Adam Solero.
Reports & Communications from Mayor - Commissioner of Housing: request to issue tax exempt bond for development of WHP/IID LLC
Reports & Communications From Mayor - Commissioner of Planning & Development, request ordinance authorizing sale of Ramova Theaters adjacent parcel to Revival Chicago & associated TIF agreement
Reports & Communications from Mayor - requests authorization to execute neighborhood opportunity fund with South Oakley Venture LLC.
Reports & Communications from Mayor - requests authorization of execution of inter-governmental agreement with @ChicagoParks and Cook County Forest preserve to support Neighbor Space
Reports & Communications from Mayor - requests authorization of execution of concession agreement, recycling services at Millennium Park
Reports & Communications from Mayor - Appointed Mamadou Diakhate as Executive Director of Animal Care and Control
Reports & Communications from Mayor - Appointed Christopher Owens as Commissioner of Human Resources
Committee Reports - Committee on Finance: requests authorization for amendment to require Dept of Finance to publish reports of certain revenues. @AldermanReilly
speaks to show support for ordinance. Ordinance is voted on and approved.
speaks to show support for ordinance. Ordinance is voted on and approved.
Committee on Finance: allocation of 400k in TIF funds to support field improvements at Jacob Beidler Elementary School. Approved.
Committee on Finance: move to execute an order for inter-governmental agreement to use 200k TIF funding for improvements at Steven K Hayt Elementary School. Approved.
Committee on Finance: move to execute an order for inter-governmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for use of $9.2 million TIF funds for major reconstruction at Kenwood Academy High School. Approved.
Committee on Finance: move to execute an order for inter-governmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education of 550K TIF Funds for improvements at William Penn Elementary. Approved.
Committee on Finance: move to execute an order for inter-governmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education of $2.5 million in TIF funds for major reconstruction at Wendell Phillips High School. Approved.
Committee on Finance: move to execute an order for inter-governmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education of 200k in TIF funds for improvements at West Ridge Elementary School. Approved.
Committee on Finance: final items - monthly settlements with law department & payment of small claims with city. Approved. Authorizing type A permits for ALS Foundation & ACLU. Approved.
Committee on Budget & Government Operations: recommends passage of substitute ordinance for annual appropriations for Dept of Access, Info & Services & Chicago Fire Dept. Approved.
Committee on Committees & Rules: Chairman Harris reporting on items regarding Police Super Intendant David Brown,& proposed transfer of funds from @Chicago_Police to Dept of Family Services. No proceedings have been conducted to date on these matters.
Committee on Economic, Capital & Technology Development: Chairman Viega; noted new appointments to SSA's. Supports Class B Tax Incentive & 2 Class 6B Tax Incentives for 3 properties. Approved.
Chairman Viega closes: March 2021 unemployment rate in Chicago was 7.7% a sign of recovery as compared to last year which surpassed 14%. Priority to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. Proud of emphasis on equity.
Committee on Health & Human Relations: Chairman Sawyer, recommends passage of approval of 9 appointments to Board of Health. Approved.
Issues condemnation of US Representative Mary Miller's comments at Mom's For America Rally. Approved. Also moved to vote for substitute ordinance banning retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits. Approved.
Committee on Housing & Real Estate: Chairman Osterman, recommended passage of redevelopment projects - including new St Anthony Hospital Facility. Alderman Rodriguez: voices support for hospital serving minority and low income populations on Southwest Side of Chicago.
Committee on Housing & Real Estate: move to amend municipal code; 2021 affordable requirements ordinance. Task force created to establish increased affordable housing units, incentivizes new and increased subsidies for family units. Will lead to centralized leasing of units.
Above ordinance 'does not solve all affordable housing issues, but remains important tool in our toolbox'. Alderman Burnett, co-sponsored ordinance, integrated communities of different incomes through efforts. Provides flexibility to provide more housing & fund existing.
Alderman Ervin: Proud new ordinance recognizes we have transition areas. 'Old adage was to wait until change has passed'. Now addressing gentrification & pricing out before it advances.
Alderman Moore: Echoes sentiments of Ervin, priority to sustain affordable housing, should work to bring back funding that was previously allocated to CHA in addition.
Alderman Lopez: living conditions in many communities in South, Southwest, and West side are dire. Many. developers pay cash for properties and have questionable practices. City's job to provide stability for our communities, disappointed that developers aren't held accountable
Lopez: new ordinance does not address all current issues, despite rhetoric, not all families are accounted for. Too often we allow special interest groups define our agenda. Hopes that the Council will continue the conversation to work towards progress.
Alderman La Spata: happy to support inclusionary housing ordinance & this represents remarkable step forward to hit 20% of total. Must work 60 hours a week on minimum wage in Chicago to afford affordable housing.
La Spata: agrees with Lopez that the challenge is still around multi-bedroom housing. In Logan Square studios and one-bedrooms are the norm, larger family homes are not accessible for working families.
Alderman Ramirez-Rosa: in support of ordinance, yet more is needed to reverse history of housing discrimination. Commend hitting 20% target of affordable housing. More work to do on family size units. 20% should be floor not ceiling, yet progress is encouraging.
Alderman Maldonado: need to understand solution to affordable housing crisis will never be comprehensively addressed. Only solution is to address incrementally. Supports provision to allow for fees to be exported into gentrified communities, rather than kept within 2 mile raidus
Alderman King: ordinance not a perfect solution, but a strong step. Affordable housing is responsibility of entire City.
Alderman Rodriguez: support ordinance, congratulated Commissioner Navarro for work & communication on this major piece of legislation. Family size issue remains significant, yet progress is commendable.
Chairman Osterman: comments reflect broad consensus on this ordinance. Affordable housing is a top priority, especially as we come out of COVID.
Committee on License & Consumer Protection: Chairman Mitts, approved acquisition of RCN as subsidiary to continued licensed operation for City area 1 & 2 as TV & communication service provider. Approved
Committee on License & Consumer Protection: Prohibiting cannabis distribution in designated precincts of second ward.
Committee on Pedestrian & Traffic Safety: Chairman Burnett, 172 routine items passed. Approved.
Committee on Public Safety: Chairman Taliaferro, amendment to municipal code regarding fines & penalty's regarding non-highway use vehicles. Approved.
Committee on Public Safety: amendment to include immigration status and gender identity as protected classes under hate crime legislation. Approved.
Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs, & Recreation: Chairman Sposato, recommends appointment of Brooke Flanagan to Advisory Council. Approved.
Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs, & Recreation: redefining traditional parade as 5 year consecutive event, 2020 and 2021 are counted as exceptions to former rule. Approved.
Committee on Workforce Development: establishment of COVID-19 vaccination rights for workers and protections against retaliation by employers. Workers rights amendment placed on ballot for 2022 IL General Election.
Committee on Zoning, Landmarks & Building Standards: demolitions ordered & fee waivers given to historical landmarks. Zoning map amendment document requested to 4758-4760 Milwaukee, requested postponement. Alderman Clark calls for roll call vote today.
Mayor Lightfoot reminds Clark that procedure is to hold vote as requested by Chairman Tunney. Motion remains pending until next month's Committee vote. Roll call vote is taken to approve motion to postpone.
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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