[remote or in person] City Council

Chicago City Council

Politics

Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024
10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. CST

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121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

Chicago City Hall, 2nd floor, Council Chambers

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Meeting details page: https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Meeting/?meetingId=44F9FD07-049A-EE11-BE36-001DD83057A3
We expect there will be a vote on the resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, which may shape public comment and attendance. More context at https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2023/12/18/24007183/chicago-city-council-ceasefire-resolution-gaza-israel-hamas-war
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 Rob Reid

Alders were set to vote on a resolution supporting a cease-fire in Gaza and a resolution that would enable serious police discipline cases to be decided by arbitration, but neither were voted on.

View notes

Live reporting by Kaelyn Robinson

Alders were set to vote on a resolution supporting a cease-fire in Gaza and a resolution that would enable serious police discipline cases to be decided by arbitration, but neither were voted on.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski

Good morning, beautiful people! Today is the January regular meeting of the Chicago's City Council. I'll be livetweeting the goings on for @CHIdocumenters They are scheduled for a 10 am start. #CHIdocumenters

10:01 AM Jan 24, 2024 CST

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 2/62

Here is the agenda this morning:
We could see some interesting things come before the body: Police misconduct settlements, dollar store regulations, accessibility in public housing, the police contract is back with arbitration on the agenda again.

chicago.documenters.org/documents/agen…

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 3/62

Follow along with me.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 4/62

There was a proposed ordinance for a Ceasefire in Palestine. But, some Alders thought it would conflict with honoring Holocaust Remembrance, though activists disagree the two are incompatible. “The legacy of the Holocaust compels us to call for a ceasefire." -@IfNotNowChi

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 5/62

See Mariah Woelfel for WBEZ

wbez.org/stories/city-c…

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 6/62

And see @MariahWoelfel in the lobby of city hall, just now, too.

https://twitter.com/MariahWoelfel/status/1750184082942611487?t=GMlx21iGEO-vBuN89PXpsw

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 7/62

@MariahWoelfel Here is some of that advocacy for a Ceasefire in front of City Hall.

https://twitter.com/uspcn/status/1750164313304641854?t=vwYsYrrkh78p-xTebgjRyg

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 8/62

@MariahWoelfel The livestream inside council chambers is up at
Things haven't begun just yet, so stay tuned!

chicityclerk.com

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 9/62

@MariahWoelfel Open meeting regulation watch 👀@_ToniaHill reporting that press can no longer bring backpacks to council meetings

https://twitter.com/_ToniaHill/status/1750183866281669068?t=xOHw1kSZGH05TmGTJl4Fng&s=19

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 10/62

The livestream is at 299 viewers, plus everyone inside the building. No official business has been conducted just yet.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 11/62

Okay, public comment has begun. The speaker is advocating a Ceasefire. "The only way to stop the war is to stop the war."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 12/62

Next speaker is @QueenAdesuyi from Color of Change. She is discussing an error in the judge's ruling that the FOP has a legal right to arbitration. She is discussing a law called the PLRA, which provides consideration of the circumstances that can preclude private arbitration.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 13/62

@QueenAdesuyi Next speaker is speaking in favor of a ceasefire. They are discussing misinformation, and the support of Jewish organizers. They say, "The safety of one people cannot depend on the obliteration of another."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 14/62

The next speaker is Sophia Perez from Subject to Change. She are advocating against arbitration. She also speaks in solidarity with the ceasefire coalition. She speaks to the urgency of the situation, and says, "The people have spoken. And they demand a ceasefire now!"

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 15/62

Fred Hamptons words ring out in the chamber. "All power to the people."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 16/62

The next speaker is Omar from the United States Palestinian Council. He is speaking against arbitration for the Chicago Police Department. He is speaking to the urgent need to secure a ceasefire.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 17/62

Denise Yvette Serna, of the 11th ward, is advocating jointly for a ceasefire in Gaza and a no on arbitration.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 18/62

Our next speaker is connecting the IDF training police forces, saying that it is telling that these two issues: Police misconduct, and Israeli aggression, are not isolated from one another. They are also saying that a ceasefire is the bare minimum of what we must do.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 19/62

They conclude, "Stand on the side of Justice and Self-Determination."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 20/62

This is the end of public comment. Chair Brandon Johnson is moving briskly to resolutions. The Lane Tech Girls Flag Football Team won the state championship, and there is a resolution to congratulate them.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 21/62

Look out for that special whiplash that comes from the conversations that the public is asking for, and the studied indifference those conducting the meeting that follows. Ald. Matt Martin speaks first. Alds Moore, Lee, Napolitano speak as well.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 22/62

Alds Sposato, Vasquez and the Mayor speak as well. Brandon Johnson invokes the Bears, saying, "Thank you for bringing a football championship back to the city of Chicago."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 23/62

Next resolution, this one is to honor Pastor Reginald Wayne Sharpe, the father of Pastor Sharpe of Fellowship Chicago, who passed away. Alds Moore, Dowell, and Robinson speak in association. The Alders are giving condolences to Pastor Sharpe.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 24/62

There is a rising vote, and electeds stand in support.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 25/62

The last resolution is to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. Ald Silverstein starts us off.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 26/62

Ald Silverstein @50thWardChicago "They saw the destruction of their entire world. Yet they had the courage to build back a life for themselves."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 27/62

@50thWardChicago Silverstein is speaking about a teacher in the concentration camps who hid and saved children's art, which survives.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 28/62

@50thWardChicago Ald Silverstein is speaking against the comparison of the Holocaust with "current events." There is noise in the chamber, and the Alderwoman says, "I will have order."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 29/62

@50thWardChicago The next section of the Alderwoman's speech repeats, "Never again." The crowd upstairs is speaking up again, trying to express their dissatisfaction with the way the Alderwoman is trying to compare their movement to antisemitism.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 30/62

@50thWardChicago The mayor is asking for decorum, appealing to people's "decency." Ald Sposato speaks in favor, saying that he is there for his colleague.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 31/62

@50thWardChicago Ald La Spata, 1st ward, is next. He is a cosponsor of the Ceasefire resolution as well. He quotes the Talmud and calls on us to see God's face in all of humanity. Ald Lawson is next, and speaking of Danny Wolf (sp?), a Holocaust survivor who came here from Czechoslavakia.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 32/62

@50thWardChicago Alds Napolitano and Lopez also rise in support. Lopez is asking Brandon Johnson to "remove the individuals" that, in his view, aren't maintaining "decorum." They mayor says, "Please continue, Alderman."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 33/62

@50thWardChicago Ald Lopez says, "It is obvious when we have to stand up," appearing to say that the council should not stand for those upstairs to come and speak up to try to end the genocide in Gaza. That those who speak from Palestinian liberation are somehow calling "a people...evil."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 34/62

@50thWardChicago Ald Vasquez (40th) is next. "When I hear never again," he says, we need to foster an environment that does not seek to marginalize people.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 35/62

"We are not different." He says that one way to remember is to act.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 36/62

Next to speak is Byron Sigcho-López, 25th Ward, is next. As he is often seen, the Alderman is wearing a keffiyeh today. He says that we must prevent atrocities. He says, "It is not antisemitic to stand up for human rights."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 37/62

He is speaking against the rhetoric being parroted By some of his colleagues, saying we should stop funding war and despair.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 38/62

Ald Moore, 17th, is next. He is rising in support, saying that conversations are so important and that silence cannot be the way forward. He says, "Let's not rewrite history."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 39/62

Ald. Villegas, 36th ward, is next. He is speaking about the horrors of Aucshwitz and ends with, "today and everyday, we remember."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 40/62

Mayor Johnson is speaking now, "We are honoring the memory and the legacy of Holocaust Survivors."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 41/62

Ordinance passes. The next item is communications. This is the Mayor's opportunity to introduce legislation, which will be referred to the relevant committee. Many of these are for TIF use and land sales.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 42/62

There are a couple of appointments as well. Tom Carney for Transportation, Jose Tirado for the Office of Emergency Management, and couple others.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 43/62

The clerk is also discussing publication of documents as required, which are available at the city council.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 44/62

Committee reports are next. Finance is first. Chair Pat Dowell is reading her report.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 45/62

There is a roll call vote, unanimous in favor of items that were voted for in committee.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 46/62

The next item is for a Settlement for Police Misconduct for $300,000 for Brown V Bryant.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 47/62

A roll call vote has been called for. Item passes, 33-16.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 48/62

The next settlements for $375,000, $2M, and $5M all pass, with a couple of dissenters for each, notably Ald Conway.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 49/62

Many of these settlements are for misconduct by the same officers over and over. See Jared Rutecki and Heather Cherone for WTTW

news.wttw.com/2024/01/22/rep…

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 50/62

The next committee to report is Chaired by Gil Villegas, the committee of Economic, Capital and Technology Development. He is introducing the appointment of Ciere Boatwright as head of the Department of Planning and Development.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 51/62

Ald Moore is standing in support, saying that Ms. Boatwright is "pro-development" and that he wants to be a part of a city that builds things and provides jobs.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 52/62

Ald Ervin is next to speak. He says that he feels that communities will get opportunities to move things forward. He says the new commissioner has a sense of urgency around breathing new life into communities that have been waiting for investment.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 53/62

Ald Beale is next, speaking to Boatwright's history with CNI (the chicago neighborhood initiative). Ald Sposato speaks in favor.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 54/62

Ald Lopez says that if we have friends in common, "you are all good with me." The thread seems to be relief that the previous DPD head, Maurice Cox, was criticized for moving too slowly. We have heard many pro-business sentiments from many pro-business Alders here.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 55/62

See David Roeder and Fran Spielman for the Sun-Times

chicago.suntimes.com/business/2023/…

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 56/62

Alds Conway and Gardiner chime in. Gardiner commends the mayor for bringing local people into these positions of power.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 57/62

Ald Mike Rodríguez, Ald Coleman also speak in support. "We look forward to cranes in the sky."

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 58/62

Alds Fuentes, Clay, Lawson speak in support. Lawson says being pro-growth and pro-equity are not in conflict, and that he is glad the Commissioner agrees.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 59/62

Alds Hadden, Dowell, Curtis, Vasquez, Manaa-Hoppenworth rise in support. There is more enthusiasm for getting to work. For local power. Black women in power. For the vision for the city - development that is creative and builds equity. This is a lot of support and expectation.

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 60/62

Alds Robinson, Mosley, Hall, Burnett rise in support. One example of, not DPD inaction specifically, but a lack of investment in the building stock here in town. Here is Mick Dumke @mickeyd1971 for Block Club

blockclubchicago.org/2024/01/11/the…

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 61/62

And we are going to a roll call vote here. And one correction. I have been misspelling Commissioner Boatright's name. There is no w. Apologies!

Kaelyn @Kaelynski 62/62

It is unanimous in favor. Ciere Boatright is now the council confirmed commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development and a member of the Community Development Commission.

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Attachments

Meeting details

By India Daniels 1/24/2024

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

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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.

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