[remote or in person] City Council
Chicago City Council
Politics
Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023
11:00 a.m. — 3:00 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
Live reporting by
Kaelyn Robinson
Bring Chicago Home will be on the ballot this spring, allowing Chicago voters to finally decide the fate of the long-fought-for proposal to guarantee funding to address the city's homelessness and housing crises.
Hey y'all! There is a Chicago City Council meeting today, at 11am. I'll be covering the goings on for @CHIdocumenters Follow along with me as we break down what is being considered, what is the context, and what strategies are being employed. #CHIdocumenters
11:06 AM Nov 7, 2023 CST
There is so much going on, gang. It's the $16.6 billion dollar budget. It's the Bring Chicago Home vote. It's another chance to vote for acquiring land for a migrant camp in Morgan Square. It's the fallout from a special meeting to consider a referendum on Sanctuary City status.
There is a rally for Bring Chicago Home (BCH) outside the Thompson Center. https://x.com/ChiHomeless/status/1721915616011997309
The budget made it through committee with minimal fuss yesterday. See #CHIdocumenters @KateLinderman4 coverage https://x.com/KateLinderman4/status/1721602727153745998
Last week, @RaymondALopez called a meeting to try to bring a vote on a referendum to ask Chicago voters if we want to remain a Sanctuary City. This designation does not have any official impact on migrants being buses to town.
But it does ensure that the city does not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), so that routine traffic stops do not become the site of déportations and other harmful immigration actions. This meeting tried and mostly failed to reach quorum on Thursday.
However, there were some heated moments as members on either side of this issue tried to either reach or prevent the quorum from being established. Allegations were made around threats and intimidation. See Heather Cherone for WTTW news.wttw.com/2023/11/06/und…
news.wttw.com/2023/11/06/und…
The live feed will be posed at . Right now, there is a rules committee meeting. chicityclerk.com
chicityclerk.com
The agenda can be found at chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meeting/?meeti…
chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meeting/?meeti…
I want to highlight a post from The Daily Line's @erin_hegarty showing possible repair from some of the events last week https://x.com/erin_hegarty/status/1721929579802099942
@erin_hegarty Right now, the rules committee is standing at ease while the Sargeant at Arms clears the room. This is at the request of rules committee Chair Ald. Michelle Harris (8th). There were folks in attendance speaking over Ald. Anthony Napolitano.
@Tessa_Weinberg has some good reporting on the referenda fights for WBEZ wbez.org/stories/chicag…
wbez.org/stories/chicag…
@Tessa_Weinberg Chair Harris has returned with a motion to recess the rules committee meeting until Thursday, Nov 16th at noon.
@Tessa_Weinberg I am not sure what if anything was decided in rules. I heard Alds Beale and Napolitano discussing that special meeting last week, where a quorum was not reached long enough to move for a vote on the proposed referendum.
@Tessa_Weinberg One issue was whether folks who attend remotely can be counted toward quorum. Corporation council clarified that remote attendance must be allowed through a vote. This means that there needs to be an in person quorum before remote participants can join and be counted as present.
@Tessa_Weinberg So the committee on rules has recessed and the full council meeting is gearing up as we speak. Don't worry, your clock is correct, it's 49 minutes after things were scheduled to start in council chambers. Stay tuned!
@Tessa_Weinberg One quick correction, Chair Harris does not appear to have had a motion for placing the committee in recess. Here's Geoffrey Cubbage of the Better Government Association https://x.com/GeoffreyCubbage/status/1721944742403977525
@Tessa_Weinberg These procedures should be used consistently to ensure that the city's business is being conducted with the consent of the members present. Alders are instead leveraging the procedure or outright ignoring it as it suits their interests.
@Tessa_Weinberg One thing that passed out of the rules meeting earlier is a substitute referendum, instead of a question about mental health clinics, it changed to a wild ride about migrant spending. We *could* see a full vote on whether to get this question on the ballot https://x.com/erin_hegarty/status/1721934409723511273
@Tessa_Weinberg Mayor Brandon Johnson has called us to order after moving folks up to the third floor gallery in order to participate in public comment.
@Tessa_Weinberg The roll has been called. We have a quorum and have added three Alders joining remotely.
@Tessa_Weinberg The invocation is being delivered by Leverette Bryant @LeveretteBryant of the First Timothy Baptist Church. "Lord, we need you to bring your angels of peace in this chamber...Let the world declare that we got it right because we were challenged by our morals."
@Tessa_Weinberg @LeveretteBryant We have over 500 people viewing the livestream in addition to those in the chamber. Public comment starts now.
@Tessa_Weinberg @LeveretteBryant Public comment, according to the rules, can only last 30 minutes even if there are more than ten folks who want to speak. George Blakemore is first. Mr. Blakemore is discussing Ald Rosa who held on to the arm of Ald Mitts last week, equating the interaction to battery.
Next to speak is Isabel Dobbel, for the Chicago Federation of Labor. She is speaking in favor of the ordinance for paid time off. "This ordinance directly lifts up working people."
The next to speak is Cata Truss, Austin community, she is speaking about the divide between black folks and latine folks in the city. She continues that, "We are tired... We see that you don't have our voice." She wants more conversations around usage of parks to have migrants.
Howard Ray, West side, is asking about what the Mayor's priority, what is the council's priority. He brings up bringing migrants to Mccormick Place and to another location, possibly a prison? Not sure. Mr. Ray ran against Ald. Mitts in the 37th ward in the last election.
Next to speak is Andre Smith, he is asking for the Sanctuary City referendum. Mr. Smith also ran for City Council in the 20th ward. He is now speaking against Ald Carlos Rosa, saying he doesn't deserve to have a name, and asking for text messages. Things are getting more chaotic.
I missed the next speakers name. But they are accusing migrants of stealing identities to rent housing. There is some truly troubling misinformation being repeated here.
The next speaker is Brad Tietz from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. He is speaking against the paid leave ordinance. His comments are that he believes the process is rushed and the policy is badly written, and doesn't carve out small businesses.
This concludes public comment. Ald Mitts has been recognized to speak on a point of personal privilege.
Ald Mitts is saying that the situation between her and Ald Rosa is unfortunate and uncomfortable. She also said that this situation has been resolved by Rosa resigning his leadership positions in the council.
She is reading a text from @CDRosa telling Ald Mitts that there wouldn't be a quorum at the special meeting, and she can feel free to focus on issues in her ward instead of attending. She says she was already on the way.
@CDRosa She is recounting interactions between herself and Rosa during the meeting. Her comments are that Rosa came to her multiple times to try to get her to leave, variously advocating for migrants, and calling on her as a chairman.
@CDRosa Mitts says that Rosa told her she can't go into the meeting. She is disputing the characterization that Rosa "manhandled" her. She says, "I wouldn't call it that." But she is saying that the Alderman was making continuous comments and assertions to try to convince her to leave.
@CDRosa She continues, saying it felt like she was back in the South, and thanks her colleagues in the black caucus for standing with her. She says she didn't know if she could do her job anymore. She calls herself a strong black woman who is proud to tell the people what happened.
@CDRosa She has a statement for the press. She says, "We should be about the business of this city." She says that she wants to talk about that, but instead is here, discussing this situation. She thanks the mayor for allowing her to speak, saying that there was a time when she couldn't.
@CDRosa Ald. Mitts also thanks Ald. Rosa for the apology. She says she is looking for the actions that speak louder than words going forward. She says, "I willing to work along with you."
@CDRosa Rosa: "I dramatically overreacted to the intensity of the moment." He says there is no excuse and apologizes to Ald Mitts, as well as Alds Lee, Taliaferro and Cardona, who he also spoke with around this quorum. "I commit myself to do the work... I'm going to make amends."
@CDRosa There are 693 folks watching the livestream. That is a lot more than you often see. Committee on Finance is next.
@CDRosa Chair Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) of Finance is moving to defer and publish the two items from her committee.
@CDRosa Next is the Committee on Budget and Governmental Operations. Chair Ald Jason Ervin @AldermanErvin is moving to defer and publish the first 7 items.
Next is Ald Maria Hadden (49th) on the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy.
The next committee is the Committee on Workforce Development. Chair Ald. Michael Rodríguez is presenting the ordinance for paid leave.
Several things were added to the omnibus. Ald. Villegas lifted up a guest in attendance from Bulgaria. The mayor compliments his tie.
New business proposed and recommended to respective commitees. The journal has been approved. We now move to unfinished business.
Ald Hadden is bringing back a referendum on the real estate transfer tax. This is the funding of Bring Chicago Home.
Ald. Moore speaks in support. He is discussing conversations he has had with local folks, including in real estate, who support this even though it would cost them money. Moore continues that the money needs to go directly to address homelessness.
Ald. Moseley is asking for a substitute ordinance for the Morgan Park, but he is early to speak, as there is still a discussion around the tax referendum.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) is now speaking. He begins with a joke, you're welcome, I broke my microphone. He brings up the meeting that could not reach quorum, and then brings up money already being spent on homelessness prevention, saying that the city needs to focus that money.
Lopez: "The issue isn't the money, Mr. Mayor. It's the execution." He is speaking on unspent funds, and saying that the city needs to prove it can spend wisely.
Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) is next. She is acknowledging the coalition that worked to get this before the council for many years. She continues that there are also issues in the real estate industry, and that stability in that industry will bring higher revenue through this tax.
Ald. Hadden says that there will be continuing engagement on this issue, and is thanking speakers for their comments, saying we will take this to the voters. She is responding to Ald Lopez' characterization that the city isn't doing the work or spending the money.
Hadden on Lopez' comments: "We are not going to let lies be told on the floor of City Council."
Ald. Hadden is back for another item that was previously deferred. This is another referendum around a flooding mitigation plan.
Ald. Moore is speaking that this referendum is being used to displace the Sanctuary City referendum. He is calling it disingenuous and says he will vote no. Hadden is saying there is room for both referendums.
Ald. Beale is next to speak. He is recommending we hold this item, so that it can be negotiated with the last two referendums. He is advocating a compromise. Ald. Ervin is speaking to what folks went through on the west side. He says this is an important issue for voters.
Ald Napolitano is next, he says he supports flood mitigation as a concept, but not as a referendum. He says the council can act on it right now, and that putting it on the ballot is intended to crowd out another proposed referendum.
Ald Reilly chimes in to agree with Napolitano and Beale. Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) says that we cannot allow bigotry to dictate what happens in the City of Chicago. Sigcho-Lopez continues that flooding and migrant issues need to be addressed at the federal level.
Sigcho-Lopez says that we should focus on resolutions that solve problems, such as the flooding plan. Not demonize people and pitch one against the other.
@SigchoFor25 Sigcho-Lopez is continuing that these solutions need to be addressed, regardless of what he says his colleagues who don't have to deal with these issues.
@SigchoFor25 Ald. Hadden withdraws her motion, saying that she wants to work on a compromise for the last two referendum.
@SigchoFor25 Ald. Sigcho-López is next with the migrant shelter vote. He says there is a substitute that includes community input, as well as a commitment to release the land to the Morgan Park Commons after its use as a shelter.
@SigchoFor25 I believe this is what Ald. Moseley brought up earlier, and Mayor Johnson says there is new language saying the city will vacate the land by November 1st. Not sure, but presumably this is 2024.
@SigchoFor25 Ald. Moseley begins his comments, "I like it when we work together." He continues that the project on this site is a regional development project. He is thanking council members supporting him and the Mayor for meeting with his constituents.
@SigchoFor25 Ald. Raymond Lopez @RaymondALopez is next. He says that he supported his colleague (in the 21st ward) in opposition, but now that Ald. Moseley supports it, his concern remains. He is concerned with language that prohibits amendment on the timing of that deadline.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez He is attacking the process, and says "he would love to support this item," but is a no.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez Ald. Ervin is next. He is calling out Ald. Lopez for not standing with his colleague consistently. He is saying this process is fair because it is within the current term, and will not bind others.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez Ald. Fuentes agrees, and says that making commitments to the community is a good practice.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez Ald. Villegas (36th) is speaking in support. Ald. Lawson (44) is asking about the legality of the language Ald. Lopez mentioned. The mayor says he has heard from corporation council. Alds Dowell, Napolitano, and Vasquez are in support and want to commend the negotiations.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez Ald. Vasquez says that this may help encourage other Alders to find more solutions, more sites.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez Mayor Johnson calls for a vote, item passes. Ald Lopez wishes to be recorded as a no.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) @scott4Chicago is next. He is rising to bring a vote to censure Ald. Rosa for his behavior last Thursday. He says that the council should ensure accountability and punishment for non-compliance.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Waguespack is alleging that Ramirez-Rosa's actions rise to the level of intimidation, and brings up allegations that the Alderman was threatening to withhold progress on zoning matters.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Hopkins is now speaking to rule 50, which governs this type of censure. He says that it is out of order. His point is that the behavior occured outside the chamber and during a time where a meeting was not being conducted. Hopkins says this would set a bad precedent.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Lee disagrees, and says she was threatened in the chamber.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Jessica Fuentes (26th) is speaking about restorative justice, saying, "A public reprimand does not help us." she continues, saying the process of healing can be best served without censure.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Lopez is speaking in support of censure. Ald Lopez' comments on the interaction between Ald. Mitts and Ramírez-Rosa have been widely reported. He has said that Ald. Ramírez-Rosa has committed assault, extortion. Ald. Lopez is now launching allegations against other members.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Lopez, "You have to be willing to repent for what you did."
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Sigcho-López (25) is next to speak. He is commending Ald. Mitts for helping to heal divisions. He is also commending Ald. Ramírez-Rosa for the actions taken to heal and turn the page.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) @ald_nicolelee is next. She says that Ramírez-Rosa stepping down from leadership is the right decision. She continues that censure is the one way council has to say that certain behavior is unaccessible. She says she supports this censure.
@SigchoFor25 @RaymondALopez @scott4Chicago @ald_nicolelee She says that her vote will be for herself and she encourages her colleagues to also vote this way, not on behalf of her. She says that she appreciates the discussion around d healing and says that this vote is a part of the healing for her.
Ald Andre Vasquez @Andrefor40th is next. His comments are that council is broken and has been for decades. He brings up the trial for former Ald. Ed Burke, who he says has mentored some members here. He does not support censure, but is committed to making a bigger change.
@Andrefor40th Ald. Félix Cardona, Jr. (31) is next. He says that he was threatened by Ald. Ramírez-Rosa and that his peace was taken from him. Cardona continues that coalition building is important to him and he treats his colleagues with respect. He says that we have to have order.
Ald. Nicholas Sposato (38th) is next. He says that showing forgiveness is important, and he is satisfied. He is a no on censure.
Ald. Napolitano (41) rises in support of Ald. Waguespack. His comments are that Ramírez-Rosa is being treated with favoritism, even with the censure. He says, "not all of us are on this inside."
Ald. Hopkins is calling for other means to assess the situation. He brings up the Ethics board, the Office of the Inspector General. Ald. Hopkins says that he renews calls for this vote to be ruled out of order.
Ald. Reilly is next. He says that the seriousness of the situation calls for the council to make a "historical note," this censure even if it is unprecedented.
The Mayor thanks the room, saying he feels it is important to have a robust discussion on this serious issue. He thanks Ald. Mitts, who he calls his neighbor, for her efforts to bring people together.
Johnson continues that sometimes situations call for grace, which can be hard. He says sometimes it can even feel unnatural. Johnson says that rule 50 stipulates that censure is reserved for a time during the proceedings. He says that this is not the same meeting.
Ald. Johnson says that this is the reason that he says the censure vote is improper.
There appears to be reaction off mic. Mayor Johnson calls on the Sargeant at Arms to restore "order." Ald. Monique Scott (24th) is speaking. She says that it is hard for someone being harmed, to not have their concerns acknowledged, and is incumbent upon us to lift each other up.
Ald. Lopez wishes to appeal the decision of the chair. Mayor Johnson is saying that the rule stipulates that censure be used for "current proceedings." He says that the rule has been improperly applied. A roll call vote is now being initiated to sustain the chair decision.
A yes vote here says Mayor Johnson is correct. No means that the censure vote is proper.
The mayor asks whether Ald. Scott Waguespack wishes to continue with his motion. There is a substantial pause where Ald. Waguespack seemed to say, "um." Mayor Johnson says that the meeting will stand at ease for five minutes.
Johnson calls the meeting back to order. Ald. Waguespack's motion will be taken. The motion is to censure Ald. Carlos Ramírez-Rosa for his behavior last week. A roll call vote will be taken.
Alds. Lopez and Reilly are saying that Ald. Ramírez-Rosa, being the subject of the censure, cannot himself vote.
Ald. Reilly says that the city council's lawyers are in conflict with the Mayor's lawyers. Mayor Johnson reads the rule. Ald. Reilly says that, as Ald. Lopez previously stated, for any rule that isn't called out, Robert's Rules of Order should be used.
He continues that the same rules would allow Johnson himself to cast a tie breaking vote. It does look like the final vote was 25 nays, with Sposato.
Mayor Johnson says that in the spitir of collaboration, and modeling good behavior, he agrees that Ramírez-Rosa'vote be struck. This moves us back to 24-24. Mayor Johnson then says he is ready to cast a vote. He votes no.
Ramírez-Rosa has avoided censure by a single vote, with Ald Jeannette Taylor (20th) not present, Ald. Ramírez-Rosa himself not voting, and Mayor Brandon Johnson voting to break the tie in favor of his former floor leader.
The next meeting has been set for Thursday, November 9th. Mayor Johnson has adjourned the meeting at 3:45pm.
This concludes my coverage of the Chicago City Council Meeting today. Thanks for following along with me. For more super local coverage of public meetings, visit . Documenters.org
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Attachments
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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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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.
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