City Council - Regular Meeting

Good morning, members of the City Council. The meeting will begin shortly. Please remember to log into your devices. Thank you. Good morning, members of the City Council. The meeting will begin shortly. Please remember to log into your devices. Thank you.

Good morning. The council will come to order. Madam clerk, please take a quorum roll call.

The quorum is now open. The quorum is now open. Please use the device. The quorum is now open. I will now take a voice vote that has not used the E device. Alderman LaSpada. LaSpada is present. Alderman Hopkins. Hopkins is not present in Chambers. Alderman Dowell. Oh, Hopkins is present in Chambers. Alderman Dowell is present in Chambers. Alderman Robinson. Robinson not present in Chambers. Alderman Hall, Hall is not present in chambers. Alderman Mitchell, Mitchell is not present in chambers. Alderman Beall, Beall is present in chambers. Alderman Lee, Lee is present in chambers. Alderman Ramirez, not present in chambers. Alderman Coleman, not present in chambers. Alderman Moore. Alderman Moore is present. Alderman Curtis. Curtis is present. Alderman O'Shea. O'Shea is present. Alderman Tavares. Not present in chambers. Alderperson Fuentes. Present in chambers. Alderman Burnett. Burnett present in chambers. Alderman Cruz. Cruz present in chambers. Alderman Wagaspak. Wagaspak is present in Chambers. Alderman Quezada. Quezada is present in Chambers. Alderwoman Mitts. Mitts is present in Chambers. Alderman Sposato. Sposato is present in Chambers. Alderman Vasquez.

Present virtual.

Oh, I'll come back to you. Alderman, not present in Chambers. Alderman Riley. Riley is present in Chambers. Alderman Lawson. Lawson is present in Chambers. Alderman Gardner. Gardner is not present in Chambers. Alderman Clay. Clay is present in Chambers. Alderman Manahoppenworth. Not present in Chambers. Alderman Haddon. Haddon is present. Your Honor, we have a quorum.

Very well, there are 41 members present. A quorum has been established for reasons stated in rule 59. The following members have requested to participate in today's meeting remotely. Alders Ramirez, Coleman, Tabarez, Mana, Hoppenworth, and Vasquez. Madam clerk, could you confirm their attendance online?

Alderwoman Ramirez. Present. Ramirez is present. Alderwoman Coleman.

Present.

Coleman is present. Alderman Tabarez. Present. Tabarez is present. Alderman Vasquez.

Present.

Vasquez is present. Alderwoman Mounahappenworth.

Present.

Mounahappenworth is present.

Very well. All members have confirmed their presence online. All those in favor of the motion? I'm sorry. Can I get a motion for the approval of those members? Very well. It's been moved. All those in favor signify by saying aye and opposed say nay in the opinion of the chair. The eyes have it. Please add those following members who have verbally confirmed their presence remotely as a part of the quorum roll call. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please remain standing for our invocation, which will be delivered this morning by Reverend Stephen Thurston II from New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.

Let us pray. Gracious God, we gather in this chamber where decisions are made, not in isolation, but in echoes. We recognize that decisions made today will reverberate through classrooms not yet built, through neighborhoods not yet imagined, and lives not yet born. Grant these leaders wisdom that runs deeper than consensus, wisdom rooted in conscience. In moments when political pressure whispers in one direction and their moral compass points another, straighten them to trust their inner north star. But Lord, remind them that this compass points not just to principle, but to people. Help them lead with emotional intelligence and open hearts. And set up situations, God, where the adversary across the aisle, who's carrying wounds we don't even see, transitions into an ally. I ask that you'd employ grace to foster understanding, to crack open what argument never could. Bless their service and their sacrifice. Sustain their mental health during the seasons of criticism and critique. Guide them through this sacred complexity of serving the 2.7 million residents whose lives they shape with every vote, every moment of courage. As they deliberate and decide today, remind them that they represent possibilities, that they carry forth the dreams of those who built this city and the hopes of those who will inherit it. God, thank you for making Chicago the best freaking city in the world. Now help us prove it through our words and our works today. Amen.

Amen. Thank you. You may be seated. All right. This is the portion of the meeting for public comments. Mr. Clerk.

The council now begin the public comment period, which is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. Speakers cannot yield or transfer their time to another speaker. Any written comments that have been submitted will be posted and made available for automatic review. Our first speaker this morning is Sam Toya.

Please press star six to mute.

We can hear you.

Welcome. All right. Good morning members of the city council. I'm Sam Toya, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. I'm here today to express my support for the proposed ordinance regarding hemp products. I'd like to start off by thanking Alder Quinn for bringing the hospitality industry to the table on this matter. I always say I'd rather be at the table than on the menu. He worked with us to craft an ordinance that benefits all parties. Under this ordinance, bars and restaurants will still be allowed to serve hemp beverages, while hemp sales will be restricted to those 21 and older. We're keeping hemp out of the hands of children while preserving an important source of revenue for many members of the hospitality industry. This is especially important as our industry has struggled in the last few years. Wholesale food prices have increased 38% since the pandemic, and labor costs are up 35%. According to the Wall Street Journal, there were more restaurant bankruptcy in 2024 than any year since 2020. And in Chicago, 496 restaurants closed in the first half of 2025 alone. These closures affect more than just business owners. They're also hurting service, bartenders, cooks, bussers, everyone who plays a role in the hospitality industry. Due to surging costs, many restaurants and bars have been forced to cut employee shifts, introduce new technology that reduces the need for employees or even lay off workers entirely. Allowing restaurant and bars to keep a lucrative source of revenue, especially as people are ordering fewer alcohol drinks, keeps owners from having to make these tough decisions. Having hemp beverages on the menu made it the defining factor that allows a bar or restaurant to keep its stores open and its workers employees throughout our 77 communities. I would also like to thank Alder Quinn for the guardrails that will ensure these drinks are limited to those ages 21 and older. We don't want to see hemp beverages ending up in the hands of children or teens. Restaurants and bars staff are already well-trained at carding patrons who want to purchase alcohol, and we're ready to do the same thing with hemp beverages. This ordinance preserves a crucial source of revenue for good actors while also making sure kids can't have a hold of hemp beverages. For that reason, I encourage members of City Council to vote yes on this ordinance. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Arnold Bradford.

Good morning, City Council. Good morning, Mayor Johnson. My name is Arnold Bradford in the neighborhood they call me Mr. B., I'm an active senior currently serving as executive director of the Crossroads Collaborative and as a member of the South Works Coalition. As a resident of the South Chicago community and the 10th Ward, I'm here to ask the Chicago City Council and my alderman, Peter Chico, to support a community benefits agreement. We want this agreement for the South Chicago community because of the contamination and the work being done at the former US Steel site on the lakefront. Our coalition currently supports clean development on that site. And we've been doing it for over a decade, but without resident displacement. We don't want to lose our homes because we can't pay our bills. I think most of you understand that. Bills are going up. Taxes are going up. You know it. We don't want resident displacement. We don't want increased electric bills, utility bills. We don't want increases in our data rates, because that's coming. And they haven't told you the whole story. Now, let me just say one more thing. I have a list of things that's so long, I didn't bring it with me. But I just have a few bullet points, if you'd bear with me. We are asking you, that's the council, and our other elected officials, to protect us from a century of accumulated poisons and pollutants. You say, wait a minute now, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is already doing that for you. Oh, no, they passed the buck because you are the ones that do permitting. You are the ones that control construction in this city. And you've been doing it since I was a baby. So let's get on it. I'm sorry. Sometimes I get a little excited, Mayor. We want you to monitor the fast-track permitting process, the construction process. You know what fast-track means. Somebody slipped it through. You understand that. We know it's important to the state. We agree with that. It is important. But let's do it the right way to protect our children, families in adjacent neighborhoods, schools and parks. We want to do that. for them near our quantum site. The quantum site, for those of you who don't know, is between 79th and the Calumet River. It's a huge site. It's going to affect all of us. It's on the lake, people. And we want you to protect our health. Don't we have a health department here? We want you to watch and observe and monitor. We found, as residents, fugitive dust being produced by the construction.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Zoe Lee.

Happy New Year. My birthday is Friday, Aquarius season. I just came back from Atlanta. That's where I came from. before I started this fight with my friends. And I was at this event, and a couple of my guys was like, yo, y'all may are doing good. And I'm like, Brandon Johnson? You know, and I had to like break it down to him. But for me to come back and you banned my whole group, except for me, for 60 days, It's wild because I want to know why December 11th, 2025, because we're in a $1.5 billion deficit. So I had to tell my homeboy, like, anyway, you gave Trinity United Church Child Care Center $16.5 million. Then when I started going and looking, It's like $4 million, $5 million, $6 million, $9 million. But property taxes is through the roof. People are losing their properties. They're losing their equity in their properties, all of this. And y'all keep talking about Trump. Trump don't got nothing to do with you giving that money to Trinity United Church child care centers. We cannot pay taxes. I wouldn't pay no tax, honestly. Like even the little taxes that they have, like when I receive, I just get a restaurant cash. Because we need a forensic audit. OK, we need the Department of Justice to come in here. OK, because you have a spending problem where you have a stealing problem and the and the and the legislative body. Y'all let it happen because y'all stealing, too. And then y'all can't tell on nobody because y'all do stuff like what Michael Scott Jr. just did to Andre Smith. Y'all are, like, y'all just, it's just sad. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's just sad. I said that for my new year, I wasn't going to curse. Like, I'm not drinking no more. So I'm not going to do that anymore. But I just had to let Atlanta know that you are a 6.6, a mayor. Okay? And they also are losing. So Andre doing something wrong down there, too. Because y'all are like this.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is John Strachura.

Thank you very much for listening. What I have to say, millions of words. Basically, what I'm proposing is that I've been in software for 62 years. I started programming the day after Kennedy got shot. 30 years ago, my partner and I, Paul Tedesco, who is now deceased, founded Cognitor Incorporated, which was an AI company far beyond what we have today, as a matter of fact, but not for PCs. I've worked with software in the city and voting and census in a lot of different government departments. Folks, this is 2025. What I propose to do is set up the AI so it's like a little Pac-Man. Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp. It speaks 192 languages, plus all the software languages. So if I tell my little Pac-Man, translate this into Java or whatever, it'll do that. And within a very short period of time, the whole software systems will be redesigned into a unified set. I have it all defined in this book I published. From Dystopia to Utopia. It's at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. And it's also my life story as to how I learned what I learned and why I learned. The whole idea is that we're all one family, whether we like it or not. I've traveled the world. And I know that if I got cut in Africa and I needed blood, I would never ask. Whoever donated the blood to replenish me, what color their skin was. Folks, we're all blood brothers and sisters whether we like it or not. It's a stupid ego attitude. The gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme. The fearful one that they're going to lose something they never owned. None of us own anything. As soon as you say you own something, it actually owns you, your spirit, part of your spirit. You give it up in order to say, I own that. Folks, we're all one big beautiful picture. Da Vinci said it. Learn to see everything is connected. The law of karma, as Isaac Newton is saying, for a reaction there's an equal and opposite reaction. Let's throw out some compassion. Let's throw out some love out there. Let's pick up a homeless person for a Sunday dinner. Give of yourself, you'll gather much, much more than you ever imagined. That's my message.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Prosperity Group.

Thank you.

Hello, and I'm going to jump right in. This is for you, Brandon Johnson, Isaiah 10 and 1. Woe to those of you who enact unjust decrees and write grievous laws that were not given by God. Think about it, your executive orders and all these other things that you do out of spite to hurt the American citizens, preventing us from getting our federal funding from Donald J. Trump. to give to the illegal aliens, the ones that you won't call out when you went down to Washington, D.C., when all of those congressmen called out that name and you said not a word, just sat there with your mouth muted. Interesting. But then you can jump on one of the journalists, Mark Armstrong, for saying that word. Interesting. You pick and choose who you want to jump on, do you? OK. And let's go now to my next bullet point. Alderman Hall, though none of you all accept that agreement that he wants to sign into an ordinance for giving laws, fines, and fees to the social media platforms because he outright didn't tell the truth. He started off talking about the black communities. And saying that the money was for them, but then he didn't want to appropriate it directly for that funding and said it's for all. Lies! Tired of the lies. That's what frustrates me. Watching this BS go on down here and no one that has a right mind will generally have to say too much because they might get punished. We know all of you who do stand up and we know all of you who don't. Your names are on the list of the do's and the don'ts. So don't think we don't know. But you who stand up for us, thank you. For those of you who don't, get a life. Get out of the position. Get out of your roles because you're not needed. Now, let's also go to my next point that you black people who are still on the plantation, I'm just going to bring it to you. Y'all need to get a life. Get your new master a God and not man who runs your life. Because you need to understand where you're going to have to answer to when it comes to the end. For those of you who turn on us, who are black Americans, calling yourselves the tethers of this world, forget you all because we don't need any of you. So I'm just going to keep it real with all of you. You all need to get this stuff cleaned up down here because it is raunchy. $200 million to illegal aliens to service them. Brandon Johnson with property taxes hitting the black communities south and west side. Oh, you will have to answer to that to God. I'm letting you know that. You heard it. It's going to be recorded, documented, and played back by the time you go to answer to judgment day. Have a good one.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker.

Thank you, sir. Would ask that you refrain from the...

Out, Burrs. Sergeant-at-Arms, please restore order.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... We need justice, and we want it now. We want justice, and we want it now. We want justice, and we want it now. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to tell you something.

If you continue to make an outburst, I'm going to ask that you be removed as well. Thank you for restoring order. The sergeant at arms to clerk. He's continued.

Our next speaker this morning is life beyond limits, Inc.

God bless everyone. I want to honor you, Mayor Johnson. I honor the council on today, and I honor all of the organizations that I represented. I want to say to the council on this morning, and I want to just dispel the myth of black people are angry. What we just saw was a black mother that's hurting. I had a teacher by the name of Lou Myers, who was one of the best civil rights attorney of our time. And one of the things that he taught me, he said laws are made for the people who make them. And nothing ever happens until it happens to the people who make the law. And so Mayor Johnson, there was something that stood out to me that you said. You talked about, my condolences to you, but you talked about having a brother by the name of Leon, and you talked about how the funding was cut from the federal level. You talked about mental health and addiction. Well, I want to say to you, just as you have a brother by the name of Leon, I have a brother by the name of Kevin. And he died from fentanyl. So when I'm out in the street advocating, you know, for the things that we have going on in our community, it's because just like you, I'm out there and I see the real issues of the people that are hurting in our community. We just had a young lady over in Woodlawn, a mother of five, shot in an alley. We just had a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King. I want to say to the council, I know that Dr. King probably would be proud that we have a black mayor, that we have a black Cook County president over the board, that we have a black police chief, that we have all of these different black aldermen and all the churches on every corner really in our communities that are black. But I think that he would not be happy with all of the violence, the murders, the shootings. And even when we have things going on in our community, where's the outcry? Where are the pastors and leaders that get all of this funding? They come and they sit on boards. They have all of these connections to you. But when all of this stuff is going on in our communities, where are the pastors and the leaders? They are nowhere to be found. I can't even count on my hand 10 churches where we have pastors and leaders that actually go in the community where these young men are in poverty, killing each other to really bring about solutions. And so I'm saying to you, as I've been saying, as I come here, you have authorized. I mean, you have a lot of pool as the mayor. We can bring truces to the city of Chicago. I think that you can make one phone call. You can call G Herbo. You probably can call Oprah Winfrey. I see all of these people that come and they get the red carpet treatment. Mayor Johnson, they take pictures with you when it benefit them. But where are these people when we have all of this violence and killing going on in our communities? And so it just it's time for change. We got to change the system because the system is flawed. And I say this respectively to you.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Esme Marcos.

Good morning, everyone. My name is Esme. I'm proud to be part of Chaitiva Cafe, where I've dedicated the last two years promoting the benefits of hemp in our city. We provide a safe space for adults to explore hemp's benefits, helping our customers and community thrive. When I joined Chytiva, I was homeless, sleeping on couches, and prior to that, I was sleeping in a tent in a forest preserve. I was excited to be part of an innovative and sustainable business, not only to serve my community, but to help rebuild my life. However, recent developments have put all of that at risk. Alderman Marty Quinn has introduced a new ordinance that, rather than genuinely regulating, seems to be a power grab. Many remember Mr. Quinn's history dating back to the Mike Madigan days, a time filled with questionable decisions. This ordinance is presented as a means of safety but feels like a way to control our industry. The heavy restrictions threaten to stifle local businesses like ours and local livelihoods like mine, prioritizing power over support. Instead of fostering responsible practices, it creates fear and barriers. I urge all you to stand with me, Chytiva Cafe, and the rest of our industry. Let's push back against the misuse of power and advocate for fair regulations that truly support our community and entrepreneurs. Together, we can ensure our voices are heard and our stories are acknowledged. We deserve an industry that thrives, not one stifled by political maneuvering. Thank you for your time and support.

Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker is Glenn McElfish.

Mayor Johnson, Alderman Quinn, and Alders of the City Council. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Glenn McElfresh, and I'm the CEO of Plift, a Chicago-based hemp beverage company, a co-founder of Perfectly Dosed, the leading hemp beverage ingredient company also based in Chicago, and a board member of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, and perhaps most importantly, I'm also a proud resident of the 50th Ward. I'm here today to show my strong support for Alderman Quinn's Hemp Regulation Ordinance. I'm deeply grateful to Alderman Quinn and the City Council for creating a pathway for responsible hemp beverage businesses like Plift and Perfectly Dosed to operate in Chicago while putting an end to the unsafe hemp products found across the city. This ordinance is a step forward for Chicago. I'm happy to be a resource for anyone on the council, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to testify today. I respectfully encourage all of you to vote yes on Alderman Quinn's ordinance today. Thank you, Alderman Quinn. Thank you to the council, and thank you, Mayor Johnson.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is George Blakemore.

Listening to the speakers, and I say, now, what are you going to speak on, Mr. Blakemore? You deserve the government you get. All you black ones deserve the government you get. You deserve the ghetto. You deserve your people, youth, 12 years in school and reading on a fourth grade level. You deserve these no good black ultimates. You deserve these no good white ultimates. You deserve the Hispanic and the Asian ultimates. You deserve what you get. You deserve a non-functional government here. You deserve that. So you're getting exactly what you deserve. Outrage. Something stinks here. Something is funky here. Something is un-American here. Maybe it's America. This country was built on fighting and misery and pain of the black man. The black man. And the black woman was enslaved in America. So if our ancestors could see us right today, we deserve this. You deserve these big head white men telling you what to do. You deserve being enslaved. You deserve a corrupt government. You deserve a food desert. You deserve no economic development. So you get exactly what you deserve. You get it? Because you deserve it. You got to do what you got to do to empower you. You got to become selfish. Not go red. Not go blue. But to your black bitch, you got to be true on this new plantation. You deserve this man here. You deserve us and the deal.

You deserve all of them.

All of them. That's why you got them. That's why you got them. You deserve bitches. You deserve all these non-functional people here. You deserve exactly what you get. And you get what you deserve. And if you don't use what you got, you don't need what you got.

Look at it now.

And the bill. Look at it. Look at it. Look at all of this. You got all these black faces in high places.

And you deserve it.

You deserve exactly what they're giving you. Look, Mr. Hall, how you doing? Sit down. You deserve it. All of them. All of them. You deserve all of them. Everyone, sit down. You deserve all of them. All of them. Don't get mad at them. Look in the mirror. You don't have to have your big nose and your black hole, all right? Be selfish, black men. Be selfish, black women. Birds of a feather flock together. You deserve the government you get. So you deserve all these.

Thank you very much for your comments. Our next speaker this morning is Charles Wu.

Just a second.

All right, very well.

Can you guys hear me?

Yes, we can. Please.

Morning, Mayor. Good morning. And members of the council. My name is Charles Wu, and I'm here on behalf of the Illinois Hemp Business Association. I'm also here as the owner of Shytiva. We operate two retail hemp storefronts in Wicker Park and the South Loop. More importantly, I'm here on behalf of my two employees who are here with me, Mariah and Esme. You heard Esme, she's a little passionate. And right now, the economy is tough. And after hearing the story of Esme, what you didn't hear is she was complaining to me this morning that she's now in a higher tax bracket. And that's a good thing. But all this will disappear if the Quinn ordinance passes as written. Now about us. We do not allow people under 21 onto our premises. We card and ID scan every customers. Our products are tested. We pay taxes. And many of you have met me because I've been advocating to ask to pay more taxes to the city because we are not a bad actor. We've been asking to be regulated, even on par with the cannabis industry. And that's what's important, because the Quinn ordinance is not about safety. This ordinance is about economic favoritism. I am not part of the alcohol industry, nor as I am influential as the Restaurant Association. I am just a small business owner with a standalone hemp business that isn't given a seat at the table. With this ordinance passing, I have no way to comply, and I will have to shut down. I will have to lay off Esme and Mariah and our other employees, and they will be out trying to fend for themselves. Additionally, this favoritism creates issues that exposes the city to unnecessary litigation. If intoxication is the concern, that concern does not disappear in a beverage. If safety is the concern, banning storefronts that are 21 and only that card and rigorously test their products makes no sense. And if fairness is the concern, we should all be given a seat at the table. Alternative ordinance language has already been circulated, language that maintains strict standards on testing, age limits, labeling, enforcement, and licensing, while also ensuring parity across industries. I am not here asking for special treatment. I'm asking for clear rules, consistent enforcement, and a path to compliance that applies equally to everyone. Please consider the proposed regulatory alternatives and work with operators like me to build a framework that protects consumers, supports small businesses, does not pick winners and losers and keeps the market transparent and accountable. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Your Honor, there are no further speakers who have time to sign off for the public comment.

Very well, this completes our public comment portion of the meeting. Before we get to our resolution, there's one acknowledgement that Alders Lawson and Robinson would like to make a memorializing of the life of Mr. Rick Garcia. Chair recognizes Alderman Lamont Robinson.

Mr. Mayor, thank you very much. it is, uh, weighing heavy on my heart as Ottoman Bennett takes his seat. Uh, as we recognize the memory of Rick Garcia trailblazer and the LGBTQ plus community. Often we think about a city that is accepting of everyone, Mr. Mayor. But this work was shaped by Rick and others. And unfortunately, as we look at the world today, particularly with the headwinds that are coming from Washington, D.C., Rick's work is still necessary in 2026, unfortunately. And so, on behalf of the LGBTQ Caucus, and if I may, Mr. Mayor, the City of Chicago, I am sending today to thank Rick Garcia for his work. and to continue his legacy that is much needed as it relates to not only the city of Chicago, but the United States. And so I want to thank my colleague, partner in crime, Alderman Lawson, for drafting today's resolution. And Mr. Mayor, I want to thank you for your continued support of the LGBTQ plus community. And lastly, as I've stated before, there are 50 wards in the city of Chicago and 77 neighborhoods. Understand that in all 77 neighborhoods, undoubtedly, there is a member of the LGBTQ plus community. And we are looking for continued support, not only from you, Mr. Mayor, but from every member and this council. Thank you very much. Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Lawson.

Thank you, Mr. President. I apologize that I stepped out. I am proud to be able to bring this resolution honoring a real trailblazing leader in our community who passed last week. Rick Garcia was an activist from high school on. Where he saw injustice, he spoke out with a sharp tongue, usually. and a great wit that had a way of bringing people in around him. He was part of the gang of four that lobbied this body to pass our Equal Rights Bill in 1988. Half of them are now gone. John Henry Damski and Rick Garcia, Laurie Dittman has retired from city service, and Art Johnston, of course, still runs sidetracked. But it's amazing to think what they had to do then and who the opponents of equality were. It was the parish priest. It was the local business. It was the labor union in some cases. And all of that has changed thanks to the leadership and work of Rick Garcia. I got to meet him when I was a very young man starting out in politics working the state's human rights bill. I worked for State Senator Carol Ronan who carried the bill in the Senate. And Rick was the chief lobbyist. And so we would do a lot of roll calling. That's probably where I learned how to do it. And he had the angle on everybody. How do we get to this person? Well, she's got a lesbian sister. She's got, you know, her pastor is good with it. We can get to her. Labor came in for equality and that changed the game. But he knew what everyone's angle was and he knew how to talk to everybody and to get to everybody and to put things together. And that's a skill that we admire. And it really takes somebody who's dedicated to what they're doing. Rick wasn't afraid to say something a little controversial every now and then. He could go viral before you could go viral and was good at it and brought awareness where otherwise we may not have had it. And so I thank him for the work that he did on behalf of our community, the groundwork he laid that makes our nine-member caucus possible today. And we can invite every member here to co-sponsor this resolution. I know Richard Streetman is here, who is here on behalf of the family. And so we send our deepest consolances on behalf of a grateful city for a life well lived. Thank you, Mayor.

You're welcome. Thank you, Alderman. I do want to acknowledge and thank the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, celebrated 118 years of service to all humankind on January 15th. Delta Sigma Theta commemorated 113 years of sisterhood on January 13th. And Zeta Phi Beta, who celebrated 106 years for finer womanhood. We extend our sincere thanks for their enduring service, leadership, and commitment to our city. Alderman Mitchell, for a motion for the temporary suspension of the rules so that we can take up for immediate consideration this resolution.

Before I do that, please like to be counted as present for quorum.

Please add Alderman Mitchell as part of the quorum roll call. Alderman Mitchell.

I move that for the temporary suspension of the rules.

Very well. Hearing no objections, so ordered. In the interest of respecting people's time, we will forego reading the resolution and go straight to the remarks of the City Council. This resolution commemorates the International Holocaust Day of Remembrance. Chair recognizes Alderman Silverstein.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I don't believe the copy of the resolution was passed out to my colleagues, so we're going to get that. Okay, thank you. esteemed members of the Chicago City Council, and distinguished guests. Today we come together to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day set aside by the global community to remember one of the darkest chapters in human history and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to confront hatred wherever it appears. As we reflect on the Holocaust, we remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators, along with millions of others targeted because of their identity, beliefs, or perceived differences. The Holocaust stands as a chilling reminder of what happens when antisemitism, bigotry, and dehumanization are allowed to grow unchecked. Remembrance, however, is not only about the past. It is also about the world we are living in today. Antisemitism is not a relic of history. It is a present and growing threat. Here in Chicago, anti-Semitic hate crimes increased by 58% last year, a staggering and deeply troubling statistic. My community strongly felt this reality when a Jewish member of the 50th Ward was shot recently while walking to synagogue on the Sabbath. Around the world, we are also witnessing a shocking rise in antisemitic violence and rhetoric, including the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, which killed 15 innocent people and injured another 40 who had gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. These acts remind us that the lessons of the Holocaust are not abstract and not relegated to the past. They are urgently relevant today and right here in Chicago, which is why it is so important for us to recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day and to learn more about the horrors of the Holocaust. I am grateful to my colleagues who will be joining me tomorrow on my yearly delegation to the Illinois Holocaust Museum. And for those of you who have not yet RSVP'd, you are all still invited and would love for you to come. It is a unique honor that we are joined here this morning by our Holocaust survivor, Yvonne Aronson. It is truly a privilege to have you with us. We do not take lightly the courage it takes for you to share your story, nor the responsibility we bear as listeners. Your presence is a living testament to resilience, to survival, and to the moral obligation we all have to remember and to act. Hearing directly from a survivor is a profound gift and we are grateful beyond words that you are willing to share your experience. I also want to recognize and thank all of our distinguished guests who are here today and whose work ensures that the memory and lessons of the Holocaust endure. Besides Ivan, we have from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Bernard Cherkasov, Amanda Brederman, Alison Satir, and board members Andy Lowenthal and Ari Saget. And from the Jewish United Fund, the Jewish Federation of Chicago, We have Daniel Goldwyn, Eric Sedler, Natalie Glick, and Jane Charney. And we also have Jesse Held from Stand With Us. He's here. And Allison Slovin was here from the Simon Wiesenthal Center as well. Thank you all for your leadership, your advocacy, and your unwavering commitment to preserving the memory and lessons of the Holocaust. On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, let us recommit ourselves to the promise of never again. Let us honor those who were lost, stand with those who survived, and resolve here in this chamber and beyond to confront antisemitism and hatred wherever they appear. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. And I now move that Yvonne Aronson, our Holocaust survivor, be granted leave to address the body.

Alderman Silverstein, if we could reserve that moment for the end to give Alders an opportunity to speak, we're happy to grant that leave, right? Okay. Are there any additional Alders that wish to speak to this resolution before we grant leave? Chair recognizes Alder Haddon.

Thank you, Mr. President. Now, our guests can make sure to you get to wrap everything up for us. We can be lengthy sometimes in our comments. I want to thank Chairwoman Silverstein for bringing this resolution and our guests and the survivor here today. I have enjoyed the annual visits that you've done. I've been able to go a couple of times and visit the Holocaust Museum. And this week and this year, as we acknowledge Holocaust Remembrance Day and talk about the commitment for never again, I can't help but think about what's happening in Minneapolis, what's happening in Chicago, what's happening in other cities across our country. We are. meant to hold our histories close so that we can learn. I have a tattoo on my arm that you can't see because I'm very respectable during city council meetings, of course. And it's a Sankofa, which is a West African symbol. It comes in a couple forms and it largely encourages us to return and get it. So it's a symbol of a bird. It's reaching back over its back. And it's about learning from our history and bringing that forward. for our future. So the bird's feet face forward. Holocaust Remembrance Day and the visits that I've gone and all the efforts for lifting up the stories of the survivors and of the people who didn't survive. I think our core to the American experience that I have as well, because as a black American, we are always looking to our past to center ourselves in the fights that we also still face. And right now in our country, as we think about the extremes of ethnic cleansing, anti-Semitism, anti-blackness, xenophobia. We're seeing that carried out from the halls of our highest office. We have a president in this land that is demonizing people that don't look like him. We've seen that before. We've got armed troops without the authorization of Congress acting on American soil, breaking down doors of homes and stealing people out of their houses. I've heard these stories before. I've heard these stories before. They've happened here, especially to black Americans. They've happened to Jewish people around the world. They're happening now. And so I appreciate this Remembrance Day and also that lesson of never again and about us taking action and encourage all of us in this moment, in this body, in this audience to be aware to do your homework, to pay attention to what's happening, because it's happening now, and it is upon all of us to take action. We have our history. We know the lessons. And right now, we have ethnic cleansing, xenophobia, anti-blackness, anti-poverty happening and being carried out by our government. They are acting against us. They are stealing our people. They are kidnapping them and they are trampling our rights. And what's next? From the stories that I've heard of survivors like Ms. Aronson, we know what's next and it's ugly and we don't want it to happen ever again. So Mr. President, thank you for allowing me to speak. and to my colleagues, pay attention, heed what's happening, and let's work together to protect Chicagoans and to take action for our country.

Thank you. Are there any other alders that wish to speak to this? The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez.

Thank you, Mr. President, and good morning, members of the city council. Good morning to all of our guests and to whom we're going to hear from shortly. I rise in support of this resolution and in support of our Jewish community, as Saint John Paul would call them, our beloved brothers and sisters. We oftentimes hear the saying that we can never allow the Holocaust to happen again. And as we have seen unfold, October 7th happened again. Bondi Beach happened again. And even in discussions here in our own city, with our own Commission on Human Relations, which held hearings in this body, in this room, excuse me, discussing, as our colleague from the 50th Ward said, the 58% increase in Jewish hate crimes in the city of Chicago in the year alone, last year alone, we continue to have issues with calling out the origins, the inklings, and the initial acts of Jewish hatred in our own city. We allow public spaces to become breeding grounds of hatred. We allow demonstrators to burn in effigy those who would stand against the very beginnings of what we saw happen decades ago. We continuously ask those of us that care, how is it something so horrible can happen in modern times? And yet we're living it every single day. It's easy to fall back on generational tropes that victimize one group, point the finger, play stereotypes, but it's much harder for us to educate our own families, our own communities, to stand up and say, this is wrong, to remind people that our faiths that we claim to care so much about says this is wrong. I've had to witness friends of mine, both in this room and out, break down because they don't know how to walk out the door, head held high in their own heritage without feeling the fear of being attacked. Most of us have never felt that way. Some of us can never stop. The Holocaust was not a singular event, ladies and gentlemen, because it exists in the hearts and minds of so many, both the victims and families of those who survived and who are here, but also those who seek to perpetrate it again, who deny that it even happened or question what we all know was one of the darkest chapters in human history. This isn't something we just remember in January. It is something that we should fight against every single day in everything that we do. And yes, we can recognize that there are communities who feel and have been victimized, who've been tortured, who've been the targets of racism and oppression. But we cannot dilute. what we know is overwhelmingly going on in our city right now as we speak. We have to continue to be the bearers of light so that we never allow the memories of those who perished to be extinguished. This is something that transcends all of us. Many of us who say we have faith and practice it, your faith commands you to stand up to defend our dear beloved brothers and sisters. And I'm glad that we have the chance to hear from one today. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Are there other members of the body that wish to speak to the resolution before we provide leave for Ms. Aronson? Very well. There are no other hands. And let me just again thank Alderwoman Silverstein, all of the guests that are with us today, Yvonne Aronson, Bernard Cherkasov, Alison Satire, Andy Lowenthal, Amanda Friedemann, Ari Seget, Jane Charney, Eric Sedler, Daniel Goldwyn, David Golder, Natalie Chicago is home, as we all know, to a very proud Jewish community whose rich culture and heritage has greatly contributed to the fabric of our beloved city. The Jewish community has deep, profound impact on our entire city. The Jewish community, of course, deeply affected and harmed and brutalized by the Holocaust, with many residents being direct descendants of Holocaust survivors, victims, or refugees. January 27th was designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the United Nations as a day to remember, recognize, and honor the millions of Jews killed by the Nazis and their collaborators in concentration camps. Through the horrors of those camps 81 years ago, we are seeing, sadly, a dramatic increase in hate crime and outright violence against the Jewish community. Now more than ever, it is important that we fight back against the actions of anti-Semitism, Holocaust deniers, and racism and hatred against any single group of people. I do want to thank the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, the Jewish United Fund, and 3G Chicago for their ongoing efforts to educate people about the Holocaust as well as to honor the legacy of Holocaust victims and survivors. This administration is committed to making Chicago the most welcoming city and show the world that it is no place for hatred, discrimination, or Holocaust denial. That is why I'm proud to stand with you all to recognize and celebrate the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. And with that, leave from this body to allow for Ms. Yvonne Aronson to speak. All right, leave is granted. The floor is yours.

Good morning, Mayor Johnson and members of the City Council. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you, Alderwoman Deborah Silverstein, for the honor of inviting me to speak today. My name is Yvonne Aronson, and I am a Holocaust survivor. My world and that of my family forever changed in May of 1940 when the Germans invaded and occupied Belgium, a neutral country. Soon after, my father, who was originally from Austria and not a Belgian citizen, was rounded up and sent to a forced labor camp in southern France. My family had celebrated my first birthday just a month earlier. My mother, great grandmother, great aunt, and I remained in Brussels, the Belgian capital. As conditions for Belgian Jews deteriorated and deportations began, we went into hiding in a convent. After a time, my mother grew concerned about our safety in the convent, and we returned to our apartment in Brussels. When my mother became seriously ill, our local pharmacist, at great risk to himself and his family, took us in and hid us in his cellar while my mother recovered. Once she did, with help from the Belgian resistance, my mother... located a kind widow who agreed to take me in. I lived with her under a false identity for three years until the war ended and the danger had passed. Belgium was liberated by Allied forces in September 1944, but the war did not officially end until May 8th, 1945. Following the end of the war, known as Victory in Europe or VE Day, my mother came to the widow home to reclaim me. I soon learned that my great grandmother and great aunt had also miraculously survived, also with the assistance of the brave non-Jewish Belgians who risked themselves to help my family. I was six years old and began school, while adjusting to being reunited with my family. We would soon learn that my father, tragically, was among the nearly 25,000 Jews deported from Belgium who were murdered at the killing center at Auschwitz-Birkenau. In March of 1947, just weeks before my eighth birthday, my mother and I immigrated to the United States. We settled on the south side of Chicago, and I became a Chicago public school student. enrolling at Kenwood Elementary School, now Kenwood Academy. Gradually, I learned English, made friends, and began a new life as an American. People have asked me why I share my story. Some have asked me why I think my story is important for people to hear. When I wasn't imprisoned in a concentration camp or, according to them, didn't really suffer. To those I say, rather than attempt to compare or quantify the suffering of others, we must empathize with it and learn from it. My father was taken from me when I was just a year old. I was separated from my remaining family as a toddler. Three years later, my familiar routine was disrupted again as I was returned to my family members. I barely remembered. Their survival and mine were nothing short of miraculous, but the upheaval was difficult and confusing for a young child. Soon after, our lives were upended again, as my mother and I began our lives over yet again, this time in a place where we did not speak the language and knew no one. And why did all of these things happen to my family? Why was my early childhood so different from what we think of as normal? Not because of anything we had said or done, but because of who we were. Because my parents, grandparents, and countless generations of my family were Jewish, we were targeted. We were taken from our homes or forced into hiding and separated from our loved ones. Anti-Semitic hatred was allowed to grow and spread unchecked. My family was in some ways luckier than many. Even so, we were targeted and victimized because of who we were while the world stood by and watched. Please learn from my family's experience. Remember what happened to us and so many others. And think about what you can do to prevent something similar from happening to someone else. Thank you.

Thank you. Alderman Mitchell, can I get a motion for the passage of this resolution?

Mr. President, I move, passage of this resolution now moves.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. Thank you all again for being with us today. Thank you. Alderman Mitchell, a motion to return to the regular order of business.

Mr. President, I move that we return to the regular order of business.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. Communications.

Will the City Council of the City of Chicago. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Comptroller, I transmit here with an ordinance approving the 2026 Municipal Depositories. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Comptroller, I transmit here with an ordinance amending the Municipal Code regarding the publication requirements for rules proposed by the Department of Finance. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, the request of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of an amended redevelopment agreement with BR Congress Owner LLC and Congress Seater LLC. Your paper considers this ordinance so we appreciate it very much. Yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, the request of Commissioner Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of agreements and instruments necessary for implementation of Section 108 Housing and Urban Development Loan for the Congress Theater Project. Your favorable consideration of this ordinance will be appreciated. Very true. Yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor for the Committee on Finance. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of Commissioner Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the sale of city-owned property located at 1014 South California Avenue in Good Company, Chicago. Your favorable consideration to this ordinance will be appreciated. Very true. Yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Housing and Real Estate. Ladies and gentlemen, I request that the Corporation Council transmit herewith an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to provide clarification regarding the sports wagering license. In favor of considering this ordinance, we appreciate it very truly. Yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Licensing Consumer Protection. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit here with an ordinance authorizing the expenditure of open space impact fee funds for outdoor space improvements at Disney 2 Elementary School. For favor and consideration of this ordinance, we appreciate it very much. Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs, and Recreation. Ladies and gentlemen, with the request of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the expenditure of open space impact fee funds for the development of a turf field at Riley Elementary School. With the consideration of this ordinance, it will be appreciated very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs, and Recreation. Ladies and gentlemen, I request the Commissioner of Transportation to transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the subdivision of land to facilitate the development of residential properties. With the consideration of this ordinance, it will be appreciated very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Ladies and gentlemen, at the request of the Commissioner of Planning and Development, I transmit herewith an ordinance authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental agreement with the Regional Transportation Authority of the Belmont Blue Line Equitable Transit Orient Plan. The available constitutional ordinance will be appreciated. Very truly yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Ladies and gentlemen, I transmit herewith appointments to various special service areas. Your favor consideration of these appointments be appreciated. Very true yours, Brandon Johnson, Mayor, for the Committee on Economic Capital and Technology Development. I, City Clerk Anna Valencia, hereby inform the City Council that the following documents were filed in my office relating to the respective subjects designated as follows. Notification of sales to the Chicago Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, Indian Trails Department Project Series 2026. Office of the Inspector General's Fourth Quarter Report for Year 2025. I, City Clerk Valencia, informed the City Council that all those matters which were considered by the City Council at the regular meeting held on December 20, 2025, which were required by statute to be published in book or pamphlet form on one or more newspapers, were published in pamphlet form on January 21, 2026, by being printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the journal proceedings of the City Council of the City of Chicago. I, City Clerk Valencia, also informed the City Council that all those matters which were considered by the City Council at the regular meeting held on December 29, 2025, which which are required by statute to be published in book or pamphlet form or one and more newspapers were published in pamphlet form on January 21st, 2026 of being printed in full text and printed pamphlet copies of the journal proceedings of city council city of Chicago. I, City Clerk Valencia, also transmit here with the following miscellaneous communications reports requiring City Council action. Zoning reclassifications of particular areas referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Claims against the City of Chicago were referred to the Committee on Finance. Recommendation by Commission on Chicago Landmarks for designation of original Providence Baptist Church at 515 North Pine Avenue as Chicago Landmark was referred to Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Incorrection of December 19, 2025 City Council Journal and Proceedings was referred to the Committee on Committee's Rules. Round of that concludes the reports and communications to the Mayor and other City Officials.

thank you madam clerk for our committee reports we will begin with the finance committee chair recognizes chairwoman dow thank you mr president and members of the city council reporting for the city council's committee on finance which held a committee meeting on january 14 2026 the following items received they do pass recommendation from the committee item number one is the substitute ordinance executing a tiff redevelopment agreement with 30 North LaSalle MF redevelopment LLC and downtown Chicago neighborhood council NFP for the property at 30 North LaSalle street in the 34th ward and an amount not to exceed 57 million. Mr. President, unless someone wishes to speak on this, I move passage of this item by roll call vote.

Hearing. I see no hands. Members, please use your E vote application to record your vote at this time.

The voting is now open. The voting is now open. Please use your E device. The voting is now open. I will now call on those who have not used their e-device and those virtual. Alderman Hopkins. Hopkins is a yes. Alderman Hall. Not present. Alderwoman Ramirez.

Yes.

Ramirez is a yes. Alderwoman Coleman. Yes. Coleman is a yes. Alderman Moore. Not present in chambers. Alderman Rodriguez. Yes. Roddy Rodriguez is a yes. Alderman Tabaras. Yes. Tabaras is a yes. Alderman Rodriguez-Sanchez. Not present. Alderman Conway. Not present. Alderman Vasquez.

Yes.

Vasquez is a yes. Alderman Knudson. Not present. Alderwoman Mata Hoppenworth.

Yes.

Manna-Hoppenworth is a yes. Anyone else I missed? Alderman Hall? You're a yes. Alderman Hall is a yes. Alderman Moore? Moore is a yes. Anyone else walk in? All right, the voting is now closed.

There are 47 yeas, zero nays. This motion passes. Alderman Mitchell, a motion to reconsider? Vote to reconsider the vote. All those in favor of reconsidering of this vote signify by saying aye. Any opposed say nay. This motion fails. Chair recognizes Chairwoman Dowell.

Item number 2 is a substitute ordinance approving the first amendment to the tax increment financing redevelopment agreement and the amended city deed covenants with sign I health system at 1500 South Fairfield Avenue to convey the property at 3100 through 58 West Ogden Avenue. and at 3142 West 16th Street to 1 Lawndale Children's Discovery Center in the 24th and 28th wards. I move passage of this item by the first most favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance report and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Alder Rodriguez-Sanchez.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to be added as a yes to the first item on finance. Please.

Very well. Clerk, please add Alder Rodriguez-Sanchez to the yes vote on the first item. Chair recognizes Alderman Knudson.

Mayor, I'd like to be added as yes on the first finance item on roll call. Thank you.

Do that as well. Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right. Hearing no objections of this second item, so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President. Item number three is the substitute ordinance authorizing the submission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 108 loan application for the rehabilitation of 2135 North Milwaukee Avenue, better known as the Congress Theater, in the first ward in an amount up to $25.25 million. I move passage of this item by the same motion.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item number four is an ordinance introduced by Alderman Samantha Nugent of the 39th Ward amending Article 26 effective dates of the 2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance Alternative. I move passage of this item by the same motion.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item number five is a substitute resolution introduced by Alderman Jason Irvin of the 28th Ward, calling for a public hearing on the formation of the Chicago Tourism Improvement District to be held on February 27th, 2026 at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers on the second floor. I move pass it at this item by the same motion.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item number six is a communication transmitting reports of cases in which verdicts, judgments or settlements were entered into for the month of November 2025. And this item will be placed on file with the clerk. Item number seven is a communication transmitting reports of cases in which verdicts, judgments or settlements were entered into for the month of December 2025. And this item will also be placed on file with the clerk. Item number 8 a is an ordinance authorizing the corporation Council to enter into an execute a settlement order in the case of Nicholas sent toast versus city of Chicago case number 21 see 5327 in the amount of a 162,500 dollars. I move passage of this item by the same motion as was applied to item number 2 with the exception of alderman David Moore and all the woman Jeanette Taylor who both wish to be recorded as voting no on this item very well division so ordered item number 8b is an order authorizing the corporation council to enter into and execute a settlement order in the case of tim anderson at all versus david brown at all case number 1 23 cv 2245 in the amount of $875,000. Mr. President, I recuse myself from voting on this matter during the January 14th Finance Committee meeting, and I'm recusing myself today during Council from voting on this matter under Rule 14 of the Rules of Order and Procedure out of an abundance of caution, as the plaintiff is a constituent of the Third Ward, and I have had interactions with the plaintiff regarding matters in and outside of the ward.

Well, thank you very much. Chair recognizes Alderman Lopez. Oh, to make the motion already did not. Apologies.

I move passage of this item by the same motion as was applied to item number two, with the exception of Alderman Hopkins, Quinn, Lopez, O'Shea, Scott Cardona wagons back Riley and Silverstein, who all wish to be recorded as voting no on the item.

Very well. The chair recognizes Alderman Villegas. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that was satisfactory. Just a second. Alderman Lopez.

Thank you, Mr. President. And again, good morning, members of the city council. I rise in opposition to this settlement. As we discussed in committee, a settlement for 21 individuals, only two of whom made reports to COPA, none of whom could identify actual police officers and none of them who could identify their injuries. We talk constantly at nauseam about settlements that we can win, about settlements that we should fight and defend the city from, and settlements that reward bad behavior. This is the epitome of all of those. We must reject this settlement. We must fight when we are right because it sends a strong and clear message that our check writing days are coming to an end. And for that, Mr. President, I'd encourage all of my colleagues to vote against it and ask for a roll call vote on this settlement.

Chair recognizes Alderman Politano.

Thank you, Mr. President. I agree with my colleague full heartedly. For years now, 11 years in my short term, I feel like we come down here and we look at these cases and a lot of times it's looked at the amount that is requested and how much it's going to hurt the city in the long run if it's prosecuted. And a lot of us come down here and say, well, let's take a look at some of these cases from a broader view and see if we actually can put our legal teams to work and try some of them instead of just settling it. Because the settlement in some cases is a payout to people in here, but in other cases, it's an assumption of guilt to a department. without even having their day in court. So to make this as short as possible, I think we should start looking at some of these cases and finding a way to put our legal team to work. They're getting paid, they're on salary, and pushing some of these cases so that we can close the city checkbook because everyone knows it's called the city lottery. You give a shot at it, there's a great chance you're gonna get paid out. And if it's below a certain number, there's an even greater chance that you're going to get paid out. So for that reason, I, too, would like to be recorded as a no, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this, Mr. President.

Very well. There's a roll call vote that's been requested for item 8B. Madam Clerk, if you can make the e-vote application available so that members of this body can record their votes at this time.

The voting is now open. The voting is now open. Please use your E device. The voting is now open. I will now take a roll call, a voice vote for those who not use their e-device or online. Alderman La Spada. Not present. Alderman Hopkins. Oh, did it not go through? Oh, there it is. Okay. Alderwoman Ramirez.

Yes.

Ramirez is a yes. Alderwoman Coleman. Yes. Alderman Coleman. Alderman Tavares. No. Alderman Tavares.

No.

Tavares is a no. Alderman Talaferro. Not President Chambers. Alderman Rodriguez Sanchez. Not President Chambers. Alderman Conway. Yes. Conway is a yes. Alderwoman Nugent. Nugent is a yes. Alderman Vasquez.

Yes.

Vasquez is a yes. Alderwoman Haddon. I'm sorry. Alderwoman Mana Happenworth.

Yes.

Mana Happenworth is a yes. Alderman Talaferro. Talaferro is a yes. Anyone else walk in? Okay. The voting is now closed.

There are 31 yeas, 16 nays. This motion passes. Alderman Mitchell on a motion to reconsider. Reconsider vote. Those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye. Those opposed say nay. This motion fails. Chair recognizes Chairwoman Dowell.

Thank you, Mr. President. Item number 8C is an order authorizing the Corporation Council to enter into and execute a settlement order in the case of Orlando J. Ramirez and Jesus Alvarez-Vasquez, and as joint special co-administrators of the estate of Angel E. Alvarez-Montesinos, deceased, versus City of Chicago, Michael Spolatro III, Eric Arroyo, John Does, individually and as agents of the City of Chicago, case number 2023L010164 in the amount of $22 million, $20 million by the city and $2 million by the city's insurance. I move passage of this item by the same motion as was applied to item number two.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item number nine and 10 consists of orders of authorization for the payment of various small claims against the city of Chicago and the denials of payment of various small claims against the city of Chicago. This was a direct introduction. And if there are no objections, I move that these items be placed for passage in the omnibus. And Mr. President, that concludes my report.

Hearing none, so order. Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee on Aviation. Chair recognizes Chair O'Shea.

Mr. President, members of the City Council, reporting of your Committee on Aviation, which held a meeting on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026. The Committee recommends passage of the following item, Ordinance 2025-002-1682, an amendment of the Municipal Code, Sections 10-36-351 and 10-36-355 through 10-36-352. 358 adding provisions regarding fines for violations. Occurring at both Midway and O'Hare international airports. Well, I move passage of this ordinance by the first payroll call roll call vote of the committee on finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider hearing no objection.

So order

Mr. President, this concludes my report.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee on Budget and Government Operations, Chair recognizes Chairman Ervin.

Thank you, Mr. President. Reporting for the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, which held a meeting on January 15th, the Committee has a series of reports recommending passage of the following items. Items one and two are communications recommending the appointments of Jacqueline Rosa and John Dale Van Slyke, each as a member of the Chicago Public Library Board. I move passage of these items by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item number three is a communication recommending a proposed ordinance concerning an annual appropriation ordinance year 2026 amendment within Fund 925. I make the same motion if there is no objection.

Hearing none, so ordered.

Item number four is a communication recommending a proposed ordinance concerning an annual appropriation ordinance year 2026 amendment shifting appropriation code for CVI funding and CDPH, which moves funds from one account to the proper account 929E community violence intervention program and also puts the project administration position back in the CDPH from the Department of Environment. I make the same motion if there is no objection.

Hearing none, so ordered.

Items five and six were transfers of fund ordinances within wards 16 and 39 for years 2025, respectfully. I make the same motion if there's no objection.

Hearing none, so ordered.

Mr. President, that concludes my report.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the Committee on Economic Capital and Technology Development. The chair recognizes Chairman Villegas.

Good afternoon, Mr. President, members of the City Council. Reporting for the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development, which met on Tuesday, January 31st, the Committee held a meeting to recommend paths of the following items. Item 1 on the report is an appointment with Sergio Candelaria to the Community Development Commission. I move for paths of this item by the first favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item 2 through 4 under report are appointments of Ivy Speck and Jennifer Deeds to SSA 17-2025, the Central Lakeview Wrigleyville Commission, and the reappointment of Eve Moran to SSA 16, Greektown. I move for pass of these items by the first favorable roll call of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Items 5 and 6 on the report are ordinances designated to Greater Southwest Development Corporation as their interim service provider for special service areas number 3 and number 59-2022. I move for passage of these items by the first available roll call of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item 7 and 8 on the report are ordinances to approve Class 6B property tax incentives for properties located at 104-59 South Muskegon Avenue and 1532 West Fulton Street. I move for pass of these items by the first failover roll call of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes my report.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the Committee on Education and Child Development, Chair recognizes Chairwoman Taylor.

Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council. I'm here reporting on your Committee of Education and Child Development, which held a meeting on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026. The Committee had one item to report. One appointment for the Board Trustee for the Community College, District Number 508, 82025-002-1675. The appointment of Fernando Diaz is moved for passage by the first labor roll call. of the Finance Committee, along with the Associated, on a successful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

That concludes my report. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. For the Committee on Housing and Real Estate, the Chair recognizes Chair Ciccio-Lopez.

Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the City Council reporting for your Committee on Housing and Real Estate, which held a meeting on January 14, 2026. The Committee has a series of reports recommending passage of nine ordinances that include one right of entry agreement and various land sales. Item number one is from the Department of Fleet and Facility Management, Ordinance 2025.002518, Second Amendment to Right of Entry Agreement with Columbia Yacht Club for renewed access to city-owned parking lot located under northbound lanes of South DuSable Lakes Short Drive north of East Randolph in the 42nd Ward. I move passes of this item by this first most favorable roll call vote on the Committee on Finance and associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so order.

The remaining items from the Department of Planning and Development are grouped together for convenience. Item two through six. are for the sale of city-owned property through DPD's missing middle infield housing program in the 6th, 7th, and 21st wards. The ordinances are Ordinance 2025 does 0021-685, 0021-687, 0021-689, 0020-977, and 0021-688. I move passage of these five items by the same motion. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Item 7, Ordinance 2025.00021684, sale of city-owned property at 6421 South Lawrence Avenue through the Chike Block Builder Open Space Land Sale Program to Blacks in Green, Big NFP. This land sale will facilitate the creation of the Teal Mobile House Museum Garden in the 20th Ward and will add to the Teal Mobile house museum adjacent to the open space land. I defer to Chairwoman Taylor to say a few words, and then I move passes of this item by the same motion.

Very well, thank you, Mr. Chair. The chair recognizes Alderman Taylor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Too often we forget about this history's past. And Emmett Till was a young man who actually lived in Woodlawn. And it's important that we honor his legacy. He is not the first nor the last person to be lynched. And the system failed Emmett Till and his family. And so it's important that a community organization that exists in the community, Blacks and Greens, is able to revitalize not only the home but the yard next to it to allow our community to honor our past. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Alderwoman. There's a motion on the floor for the passage of this item. Again, hearing no objections, seeing no other hands, so ordered.

Thank you, Mr. President. Item 8, Ordinance 2025-0021-698, sale of city-owned property at 3717 and 3713 West Chicago Avenue through the Chike Block Builder Open Space Land Sale Program to Blocks Together NFP. This land sale will facilitate the creation of an open public community space in the 27th Ward adjacent to the main offices for Blocks Together NFP. I defer also to Alderman Red Burnett to say a few words, and then we can move Passage on this ordinance.

Very well. Thank you, Chairman. Chair recognizes Alderman Burnett.

Thank you, Mr. President. It's another great initiative by the committee on getting green space in the 27th Ward and allowing the community to activate land that hasn't been used in the proper way. So super excited to excited to have this move forward and for the community process to proceed. Thank you.

Thank you. On your motion.

Thank you. Yes. So move. So move on this item by the same motion.

By the same motion. Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item 9 is Ordinance 2025-0021-685 is for the market rate sale of city-owned property at 2503 through 2563 West Lake Street and 2522 through 2568 West Maple Avenue to Commonwealth Edison Company in the 27th Ward. I move passage of this item by the same motion.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Finally, the committee held a subject matter hearing with the chief homelessness officer, Sandy Soto, on the five-year blueprint on the ending and preventing homelessness. Because the draft plan is up for review on the mayor's office and homelessness website and open for the public comment until January 30, 2026, under the Get Involved tab, I encourage all to review and comment on this important report so we can all participate on the changes we'd like to see throughout the city. Mr. President, this concludes my report.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. The Chair recognizes Chairwoman Silverstein.

Thank you, Mr. President and members of the City Council. I am reporting for the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. We held a meeting on January 13, 2026, and the following items were passed by the Committee. Five ordinances regarding liquor moratoriums in the 14th, 16th, 27th, 35th and 48th wards. 02025-0021701. and others, 0021772, 0021326, 0021699, and 0021885. Mr. President, I move that the City Council concur with the recommendations of the License Committee of the same roll call as item number one of the Committee on Finance report and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

Mr. President, that concludes my report.

Thank you, Madam Chair. For the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, the Chair recognizes Chair LaSpada.

Thank you, Mr. President. Reporting for your Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, for which a meeting was held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Before the committee, there were 340 routine traffic items, all of which passed. If there are no objections, I move passage of these 340 routine traffic items by the first most favorable roll call from the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider the vote.

Hearing none, so ordered. That concludes my report. Thank you. For the Committee on Public Safety, Chair recognizes Chairman Hopkins.

Thank you, Mr. President, reporting for your Committee on Public Safety, which held meetings on Wednesday, January 7th and Tuesday, January 20th of 2026. Committee recommends passage of the following items. Item one, approval of the November Rule 45 report. Item two is Ordinance 21898, amending Municipal Code Section 181622 regarding declaration of time and site curfew for mass gathering and custody procedures. We have a substitute for that matter, which is before you now. I would move to accept the substitute at this time, following which will provide an explanation.

Farewell. There's a motion on the floor to accept the substitute to the second item. It's been moved. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Any opposed say nay. This motion passes. Chair recognizes Chairman Hopkins.

Thank you, Mr. President. The first change that you will note is in the title. All the appropriate sections remain the same, but the title has been changed from a time and site curfew for mass gatherings to a declaration of disruptive youth gatherings. That's significant because the problem with the time and site gatherings is endemic in the name, time and site curfew. The weakness of that proposal is simply this. If you declare in advance a curfew that applies to a specific time and a specific site, and the teen trend decides, as teens often do, to change the time or move the site, the entire curfew application is voided at that moment. I'll give you a specific example which actually happened a couple of summers ago in Alderman Robinson's ward. There was a teen trend that was advertised for 31st Street Beach. The teens got there and for whatever reason decided later to go to 35th Street. If you had a curfew that was a time and site application for 31st Street Beach, it would be null and void and could not be used by the police for its intended purpose at that new location. Obviously the same thing would apply if the teen trend is advertised at 6 p.m. and everybody's late and it doesn't start till 8 p.m. you have a different time than what was announced in the time inside curfew, it would be unable to be used. This new ordinance avoids that entirely, and it does so in a way that I would argue is better than the original proposal because it avoids any constitutional questions that were raised under the original curfew ordinance. By utilizing authority that the police currently have The Chicago police currently have the full authority to issue disbursement orders for illegal gatherings or for gatherings that become disruptive or start to break out into chaos and violence. They don't need to have that authority given to them by this ordinance because they already have it. There's no question about that and there's no constitutional issues about that. What this new ordinance does is allows that tool to be applied to specific teen gatherings and to disperse those teen gatherings with two methods. The first method was successfully employed on New Year's Eve to communicate the fact that we are aware of a planned teen gathering and will not allow it to occur for all the reasons laid out in the curfew ordinance because of the potential for violence, which we've seen. A life was lost just last month because of the potential for criminal activity and chaos and disruption. If we have reason to believe that the superintendent can then declare that we will enforce the existing laws for dispersing large gatherings. The second piece of that is if the large gathering occurs anyway, the superintendent and his designated officers using the rank of sergeant and higher can order a dispersal of that crowd and anyone who fails to comply with that order can be taken into custody. If they are minors, they will be taken into custody similar to curfew custody Exactly the same way we do it now. They'll be brought down to the station and released to a parent or guardian. No arrest, no mug shots, no fingerprints, no booking. Exactly the same way that it functions now. This is a vastly superior tool to the one that was initially proffered. It avoids the constitutional questions and it gives the Chicago police maximum flexibility to respond to events as they occur. and to not be locked in to enforcing dispersal orders at only a specific time and only a specific place. I would move approval of this substitute at this time if no one wishes to speak, but I see someone does.

Okay, the chair recognizes Alderman O'Shea.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'm uncomfortable with what's being put before us here on the fly. What I just heard sounds like we're opening up the city of Chicago for more litigation. If we've got a situation downtown like we did a few weeks ago where a child went to the morgue instead of going home, what does this do to prevent that from happening? It would appear to me what I'm reading is that this is just something to placate. What does this do that gives the Chicago Police Department a tool to help them prevent another kid from getting shot and killed in a gang conflict downtown Chicago? The superintendent's dispersal order? That sounds to me like, go to the corner, young man, for the rest of class today. I'm uncomfortable with it. Is anybody else uncomfortable with this? What we clearly have is a very serious public safety crisis downtown repeatedly. This came out five minutes ago. When every one of us talks repeatedly about what are we doing to protect children in our city? I'm not comfortable with this. And the rest of us shouldn't be either.

Does that complete your comments? Thank you, Alderman O'Shea. Are any other alders interested in speaking to the motion on the floor for the substitute ordinance to item number two? All right. The chair recognizes Chairman Hopkins.

Yeah, thank you to close. And I will respond directly to my colleague, Alderman O'Shea's question. What would this do? This would do exactly... the same thing that the curfew ordinance would have done in that scenario. In the December scenario where the young 14-year-old lost his life, we had advance warning. We knew that that teen trend was publicized on social media. Under the curfew ordinance that was substituted for, we could have in advance declared with a 12-hour advance notice that Chicago police would be on scene attempting to prevent that event prospectively and proactively. This dispersal ordinance does the exact same thing. No difference. The second piece is if the violations occur, if you declare a curfew starting at 8 p.m. and at 8.01 p.m. the crowd is still there, the police are allowed to move into that crowd and begin making curfew apprehensions, not arrests. Again, that's an important point to make for the youth advocates here. But curfew apprehensions, it's for their own safety. If 14-year-old Imani Floyd had been taken into protective custody, he would be alive today. Unfortunately, we did not have that tool. This tool would function exactly the same. A dispersal order for a targeted group of youth would be for their own protection as much as for the protection of society at large. This is a superior tool to the curfew ordinance, and it will function exactly as the curfew ordinance was intended, only with greater flexibility. Thank you. I move approval of the substitute.

The chair recognizes Alderman O'Shea.

We're calling this an apprehension? So we're taking children. and we're putting them in a police station and we're making their parents come and get, what about unlawful detainment? What about the lawsuits that we continue to have meetings on and settlements and tens of millions of dollars in settlements? What happens when something goes sideways downtown and we apprehend a group of teenagers down there looking to create conflict but they're held against their will for a parent that doesn't show up for 12 hours or 18 hours, because that's what's happening a lot of times. An apprehension, that sounds like litigation. We got plenty of lawyers in this room. Doesn't that sound like litigation that we're opening ourselves up for, for more settlements when the police department is just doing what legislation we're passing?

Thank you, Alderman O'Shea. The chair recognizes Alderman Nugent.

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank Alderman Hopkins for his work on this tirelessly over the last few months. However, as this version is different than what was moved out of committee, I would respectfully request if my colleague would perhaps give us a little more time to review this before moving it today. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Chair recognizes Chairman Hopkins.

Yes, as the motion to substitute has already passed and the matter is pending, I will hold it for the time being and revisit it at the next meeting.

Farewell, the chair has decided to hold this item. Is there any other business in this committee, chairman?

Yes, Mr. President. Item number three is ordinance one nine nine eight four amending municipal code chapter six ten by modifying section six ten and six twenty to include anti-Semitism and discrimination in the Chicago City Council Declaration of General Rights. If no one wishes to speak, I move passage by the first most favorable roll call of the Committee on Finance, an associated motion to reconsider.

Seeing no hands, hearing no objections, so ordered.

Item number four is resolution R1997, calling for condemnation of acts of violence, intimidation, or harassment targeting individuals based on political or religious beliefs. If no one wishes to speak, I move passage of this resolution by the first most favorable roll call of the Committee on Finance, an associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Chair recognizes Alderman Gardner.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I first introduced this resolution in September of 2025, roughly four months ago. I'm happy to see that it was presented, passed through committee. For those who didn't get a chance to see it or read it, I will briefly go over some of it. And it basically says that we, as Chicagoans, We celebrate our diversity, our freedom of expression. We celebrate the expression of political or religious beliefs that is protected by our Constitution, that we forbid harassment, intimidation, and violence directed towards individuals based on their political or religious views, which have become, unfortunately, increasingly common across our nation. It's very ironic that this resolution is finally in front of the full city council. In this resolution, I talked about how important it is, the urgent need to reaffirm that disagreement must never escalate into harm. That condemning such violence is not an endorsement of any particular viewpoint, but rather a defense of the right of all people regardless of ideology or creed, to live and speak freely without fear of harm. We condemn the assassinations of Republican and conservative influencer, Charlie Kirk, and Democrat and former Minnesota House Speaker, Melissa Hortman, as well as all that acts of violence, intimidation, or harassment, targeting individuals on the basis of their political or religious beliefs. That is upholding our constitutional rights of free speech, peaceful assembly, and religious liberty for all Chicagoans. This resolution does not limit your First Amendment right. It uplifts it, which includes the right to worship whichever God you so choose without fear of harassment and intimidation. Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, what we witnessed on Sunday in Minnesota was a total disgrace at City's Church, and it was a violation of one's rights as Americans, as Christians, or any other religion you so choose to follow. We can agree or disagree on the immigration problem in this country, but what we cannot and will not tolerate are people trespassing in the houses of worship, and berating worshipers, including women, children, elderly. And the reasoning? The pastor has something to do with ice. That was the reasoning. But instead of organizing a protest on any of the other six days of the week, we decided to do it on the day that they worship, during the hour that they are worshiping. And we don't wait outside the building. We go inside the building and be as disrespectful as possible and get in the faces of these people as they're worshiping their God. One of these renegades, goes by the name of the woke farmer, William Kelly, felt it upon himself to call these God-fearing churchgoers white supremacists. Even Don Lemon got into the act. And then doubled down on his lawless act by stating he was being singled out because of his race and sexuality. The ironic part about all this, many of these worshipers actually helping these migrants or immigrants or people who are here illegally. In Proverbs 28 states, those who forsake instruction praise the wicked. but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Anyone who truly believes in a higher power knows that what those agitators did was wrong. It was evil. I ask you to join me in condemning that type of harassment, regardless of your political stance. And as leaders within this city, take a stand. Take a stand against these type of acts. It's okay to come out and talk about it, even if your political party says, don't talk about it. And if you stand against these acts of violence and harassment, please join me. Please join me as a co-sponsor. Don't be afraid. Be as bold as a lion. Come out and talk about this and say, that's wrong what they're doing. That's evil what they're doing. You come in and you get into faces of women, you get into faces of children, and you think somehow you're fighting for justice. You're not. You're not. It's wrong. I ask you to join me in condemning this behavior. Thank you. Thank you.

The chair recognizes Alderman Laspada.

If I may just say, because I'm trying to hear this resolution out, But as long as we're talking about it, I do remember going to church and hearing about someone who went into the temple and knocked over tables to protest the invasion of capitalism and the corruption of that temple. I remember hearing that story. I hear it frequently. And I do know that there are churchgoers who are also white supremacists. And so I just want to acknowledge the truth that exists and the haziness in all of this. I cannot listen and ignore the cognitive dissonance that I'm experiencing hearing these points. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Hopkins on your motion again for the passage of item number... Apologies. The chair recognizes Alderman Haddon.

Thank you, Mr. President. I apologize. I will pose this question to you. I, similar to my colleague Alderman Laspada, am a little confused on the sponsor and what kind of, what does a positive vote for this condemn? Because are we condemning discrimination? Are we condemning attacks on immigrants? Are we condemning attacks on people based on the color of their skin? Or are we condemning First Amendment speech for people speaking out against white supremacy. So I know in committee, I supported this because I thought that it read for what it was on its face, but in hearing the chief sponsor clarify, and speak on his convictions, it sounds like a vote for this is a vote for condemning people standing up against fascism in their city while their neighbors are being pulled out of the street, or fighting against ICE officers who have been repeatedly violating First Amendment rights in due process, which is what we've seen upheld in the courts. So maybe some clarification from the sponsor, if the chair would allow, would help me to determine whether this is a resolution that reads on its face, or if the sponsor is imbuing some additional context to this that maybe is not in alignment with what I know the constituents of the 49th Ward are fighting for.

Very well. Just a moment. The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez.

Thank you, Mr. President and now good afternoon members of the city council. I rise in support of the resolution written and presented and passed out of committee because as the resolution states clearly that we are condemning assassinations of Republicans and Democrats. We've seen lawmakers gunned down in their homes with their spouses. Our neighbor in Indiana just this weekend had a superior court judge and his wife shot in their homes. This is what we all should be concerned about because as people express their constitutionally guaranteed rights, their opinions on what we do, we have folks here who come here every meeting to express their rights. That is an... and shrine doctrine in our Constitution that is worth absolutely defending, which this resolution specifically mentioned. But when you take words and turn vitriol into murder, into anger that is designed to intimidate and harm elected officials, I don't care who you are in this room, That is never acceptable. 100%, whether you are to the left of me, to the right of me, above me, or below me, none of you should feel threatened simply because you think differently from individuals expressing their views. That is what this resolution calls on all of us to reaffirm, to commit to. I'm reading and taking at face value all I can do, everything that's presented to us to answer my colleague behind me's question. What you infer from it, I'm looking directly at what it is saying that we are resolving ourselves to do. It says that we are condemning political assassinations, that we are upholding constitutional rights of free speech, peaceful assembly, and religious liberty. by way of hands, who's against that? That is what we are here for, that we are continuing constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement, and that we should share this with others throughout our city. That is what this resolution as presented before this body from this committee says. And in that spirit, that is what I think all of us who co-sponsored it with our colleague from the 45th ward believe in, and what all of us, all 53 of us, need to reaffirm in here in the city of Chicago. Thank you.

Thank you. I have Alderman Sposato next, and then if the chief sponsor wishes to offer up some clarification, as his colleague has requested. Chair recognizes Alderman Sposato.

Thank you, Mr. President. Pretty simple to me what he's saying. Maybe it's not simple to everybody. I don't mean that as a knock to anybody. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I should say, this ordinance was before what happened on Sunday, the deplorable actions that happened on Sunday. I mean, they could have stood outside with their signs. They could have done a lot of things, but to go there and storm the gates with women and children and trying to intimidate them, that's just despicable. That's unacceptable. That's something we need to speak out against. I want to share something, what happened to me in 2020 out of the blue. I got a Facebook message from a guy who I don't know, from the 47th Ward. Nothing against you, Matt. I just, I don't know what this guy was thinking. This was months after I called the, I called the savages, savages that attacked the police at the Columbus statue. And he out of the blue sends me this text that says, I think we know who the savage is, you deplorable shitbag. Then I respond to him back, thanks, Timmy. His name was Tim Jipping. Thanks, Timmy, parentheses, keyboard warrior. What would you refer savages to that try to kill our main police officers? He responds back to me, go F yourself. The pigs are savages and shitheads. Who's the keyboard warrior now? Let's go. I have guns. Okay, I didn't know what to do. So I reach out to the police officer. They have a department, a cyber department. They took this pretty serious. They got a hold of the guy. Of course, the guy was dying and everything. He don't have guns. He didn't mean anything, blah, blah, blah. What do you want to do? They wanted to arrest him. I let him go. I said, if he apologizes, We just happened to have one common friend on Facebook and he was from a local union. I said, if your union president and a friend asked me to forgive you, I'll forgive you to ask me. I forgave him. But this is this is this guy doesn't even know me. I mean, I don't know if he was serious. I don't know what kind of a nutcase he is. I don't know anything. This stuff is is terrible. And we saw what happened to Hartman and we saw what happened to Kirk. This stuff is deplorable. I don't understand what this world is thinking nowadays. I understand 100% what Jim is saying. We shouldn't be allowing this stuff. You want to protest? I think everybody here is for First Amendment rights. Go stand outside. Do what you want, but intimidate women and children and crash a church service. To me, that's unacceptable. Jim, I'm with you 100%. I know exactly what you're saying. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Alderman. Alderman Gardner.

Yes, Mr. President, I'm going to clarify so everybody is, we're all, I'm going to make it as clear as possible. In here, it says condemning such violence is not an endorsement of any particular viewpoint, but rather a defense of the right of all people, regardless of ideology or creed, to live and speak freely without fear of harm or harm. In August 27th of 2025, a man broke into a Catholic church, ironically, in Minneapolis. Shot multiple people, killed two children, a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old. Wounded another 30 children, I believe. And this is the same city. These individuals decided, and again, I want to make this crystal clear, this is not... condemning people who want to protest. You have that right as Americans, right? We celebrate that. We see that endlessly. You can protest as much as you want, right? But there should be boundaries on where you're taking your protest, when you're taking your protest. Again, You could have protested on any other day of the week. You had six other days to do it on. You had 23 other hours to choose from on that day. But you chose, these individuals chose the day to go in while these people were worshiping. Again, I wrote this four months ago in September. So I had no idea. This was just after the shooting occurred in Minneapolis where two children were killed, another 30 wounded. And these individuals now, just on Sunday, took it upon themselves. They thought it was a good idea. And you could see from the video where they come in and they plan, they strategize in the parking lot. And then they walk in and they storm in. And they start berating these people and calling them all types of names. It again proves the validity of this resolution by we as leaders in the city of Chicago, in this great city, that we should come together, whether Democrat or Republican or Independent, Black, white, green, Christian, Jew, Muslim. Stand against that. A house of worship? I don't care if it's a synagogue, if it's a mosque, if it's a church. You don't go into somebody's home, their house of worship, during their worshiping hour, and berate them. If you can't understand that, I don't know how else to explain that to you.

Thank you, Alderman Gardner. All right, there's a motion on the floor for the passage of item number four by the most favorable roll call vote in the Committee on Finance in the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider. Hearing no objections, seeing no other hands, so ordered. Chairman Hopkins.

Thank you, Mr. President. That concludes the report of the Committee on Public Safety.

Very well. Chair recognizes Alderman Conway.

I was remiss in saying I'm a little bit tardy, but I could be added to the first most favorable roll call vote on finance.

Thank you very much. Very well. Please add Alderman Conway to the most favorable roll call vote in the Finance Committee in the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider. For the Committee on Transportation and Public Way, the Chair recognizes Chairman Mitchell.

Mr. President members of the city council reporting for your, for your committee on transportation and public way, which held a meeting on January 20th, 2026, the following items with a pass by the majority of the members present pages two through four included 21 ordinances from miscellaneous items introduced by the local Alderman from wards one, two, 10, 16, 22, 25, 28, 29, 39, and 45. Pages 5 includes items Ordinance 2024-0021967, a street opening for a property located in the 4th Ward. If there is no objection, I move passage of these items by the first most favorable roll call vote of the Committee on Finance and the associated unsuccessful motion to reconsider. Hear no objection, so order. Mr. President, that concludes my report.

Thank you very much. That completes our committees. Alderwoman Mitz would like to make a couple of acknowledgements. Can I get a motion to suspend the rules? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Very well, this motion passes. Chair recognizes Alderwoman Mitchell. I'm sorry, Alderwoman Mitz.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to acknowledge the fact that For the Westsiders, Ottoman Irvin, Ottoman Talaferro, Ottoman Scott, and Ottoman Burnett, Mr. Mary herself, we lost a Jew on the West Side who lived in Ottoman Talaferro's war. But she was so well known that 102 or 103, which one is four? They tell me, 104 years old. We've celebrated her birthday for many years, and she was one that would not let you forget that it was her birthday either. So I wanted to recognize her because she was not just known on the West Side. She was known throughout the state of Illinois. You talk about legislation that's been passed. I've watched Ms. Drummond, Lillian Drummond, take on every governor that went there if you started messing with the seniors, and particularly being on a LIHEAP program. Helped many seniors. Anybody from Westside knows Ms. Drummond. But she fought a good fight. She left a legacy that all of us could look back on and say, hey, I hope I can do that. She worked past that 100. until she just couldn't work no more, and then she would work from her home still. That tells us that we need to get that strength together, because when you find seniors who are still working because they love helping others, and that's what she loved doing, helping others, even though she were a little weak, at times, she still wanted to help others. You all get me? I want you to feel me here on this because our seniors are very important to the city, the state, and this country. Now that brings me to another point that I want to talk about, which is the oldest American act. The reauthorization of the 2025 bill, Senate Bill 2120, that has been reintroduced through the House and the Senate. But guess what? They did pass the House, didn't pass the Senate. Now we're up January this year of 31. that bill do not get passed, we'll have our seniors out here who are gonna lose that funding, that care, caregivers. When we start neglecting the seniors, what gonna happen to the rest of us? Because we're trying to get to be there. So I urge us to make sure that we stay focused, calling our senators, Congressman, to make sure this bill, whatever we need to do, sometime we got to be bipartisan, cross some lines to help other folks. It ain't about just us. We need to make sure we save this program so that our seniors would not have to live in poverty. And I know if Ms. Drummond was alive today, she'd be one in the front line fighting this fight. But because I'm here and I'm getting in that age, I'm there at that senior age now. I want you all to recognize that you got to travel in the footsteps that we are going through if you live that long enough. But you better do the right thing. And the right thing now is to fight while the blood is running warm in your veins. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Alderwoman Mitts. Alderman Mitchell on a motion to return back to the regular order of business. I move return to the regular order of business. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Very well. And now back to the regular order of business for the agreed upon calendar. Alderman Harris.

Mister president, um, I have 132 I've received from the clerk, uh, Andrea in Valencia, a toll of, um, 132 items proposed for the green calendar consisting of congratulatory commemorative tribulatory resolutions from the following alder persons. Alderpersons Robinson and Lawson. Alderperson Chico, Alderperson Coleman, Alderperson O'Shea, Alderperson Mosley, Alderperson Tavares, Alderperson Talifario, Alderperson Lawson, Alderperson Gardner, and Alderperson Clay. I move these in the omnibus, sir.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. Now for new business, the clerk will call the awards beginning with the first.

zoning amendments which are referred to the committee on zoning landmarks and building standards traffic regulations traffic control signals and traffic signs which are referred to the committee on pedestrian and traffic safety exemption from physical barrier requirements for commercial driveway alley access which is referred to the committee on transportation and public way Alderperson LaSpada has a proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-156-305 to exempt public places of amusement from license requirements if one or more video game terminals is present, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Robinson has a proposed order for a historical landmark fee waiver for a recertification of the property at 4543 South Ellis Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Alderperson Mitchell has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code chapter 4-4 by adding a new section 4-4-325 to prohibit issuance of additional beauty supply store licenses in the seventh ward, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Mitchell also has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code chapter 4-4 by adding a new section 4-4-326 to prohibit issuance of additional convenience store licenses in the seventh ward, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Mitchell also has proposed orders for amendment of MISPA code section 4-64-515 by prohibiting issuance of additional new or renewal retail tobacco dealer licenses in the seventh ward, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Mitchell also has proposed orders for amendment of municipal code section 4-108-080 by replacing in its entirety to prohibit sale of convenience items and motor fuel at filling stations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the 7th Ward, which is referred to the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Alderperson Beal and others have proposed a resolution to call for the city clerk to provide Illinois Gaming Board with certified copies of the city council ordinance allowing video gaming terminals, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. All the person Gutierrez has a proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-60-023 to allow additional package with licenses on portion of South Pulaski Road, which is referred to Committee on License and Consumer Protection. All the person Gutierrez also has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-60-023 to allow additional package with licenses on portions of West 51st Street, which is referred to Committee on License and Consumer Protection. All the person more has proposed orders for amendment of municipal code section 4 dash 60 023 to allow additional package with licenses and portion of South Racine Avenue was referred to me a license consumer protection. All the person more also has proposed orders for amendment of municipal code section 4 dash 60 023 to disallow additional package with licenses and portion of West 69th Street which is referred to me a license to protection. Alderperson O'Shea and others have proposed resolution to call for hearings on the city's cash flow situation as described by members of the press, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. Alderperson Scott has proposed ordinance for an honorary street designation as Carol Robertson Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Burnett has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at various locations, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Alderperson Burnett also has proposed ordinance for support of a class six B tax incentive for the property at 404 North armor at armor street, which is referred to the committee, economic capital and technology development. Alderman Telefiero has proposed orders for amendment of municipal code section 9-64-170A to allow parking of taxi cabs on residential streets within the 29th Ward, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderman Telefiero also has proposed orders for the issuance of permits for signed signboards at 1619 North Neva Avenue, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. All the person tell if you're also has proposed orders for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance the transfer funds within the committee on police and fire for the year twenty twenty six from the commodities and materials and supplies to personal services which is referred to giving on the budget and government operations. All the person tell if you're also has opposed orders for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance the transfer funds within the committee on police and fire for the year twenty twenty six from from the. it from the contractual services, the personnel services which is referred to me on the budget and government operations. All the personal fear also has proposed or is for member of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds within the committee on police and fire for the year 2026 from the miscellaneous fund to personal services which is referred to the committee on the budget and government operations. All the person wagons back has proposed order for the issues of permits for sign sign boards at 2500 North Elston Avenue which is referred to committee and zoning landmarks and building standards. Alderperson Conway has proposed orders for amendment of municipal code sections 8-32-060 and 8-32-120 to replace the word churches with the words places of worship in noise sensitive zones, which is referred to the committee on public safety. Alderperson Sposato has proposed an ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 38th Ward automatic expense account to the wage allowance account for the year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. Alderperson Nugent has proposed an ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 39th Ward automatic expense account to the wage allowance account for the year 2025, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. All the person the politano has posed orders for honorary street designation is Judy McIntyre way which is referred to me on transportation in public way. All the person the politano and others have opposed ordinance remember municipal code section 2 dash 8 040 allowing all the persons to propose up to 4 honorary street designations per calendar year which is referred to me on transportation and public way. All the person Riley has proposed orders for the issue of permits for sign sign boards at various locations which are referred to me and zoning landmarks and building standards. Alderperson Lawson has a proposed ordinance for amendment of the annual appropriation ordinance to transfer funds from the 44th Ward Alderman Expense Account to the Wage Allowance Account for the year 2026, which is referred to the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations. Alderperson Lawson also has a proposed ordinance for amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-7-0574 to replace in its entirety regarding additional dwelling units allowed in RS areas, which are referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. All the person Lawson also has proposed ordinance for amendment of municipal code section 4-64-206 to establish Sunday parking meter hours on non-residential streets, which is referred to committee on finance. All the person Lawson and others have proposed resolution for amendment of the city council rules of order and procedure for the 2023 through 2027 term to appoint new chair and vice chair of the committee on zoning landmarks and building standards, which is referred to the committee on committees and rules. Alderperson Gardner and others have proposed orders for amendment of municipal code section 2-156-385 regarding inspector general's investigative reports and probable cause findings, which is referred to the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight. Alderperson Gardner also has proposed orders for an honorary street designation as J. Warner Way, which is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Public Way. Alderperson Silverstein has proposed order for the use of permits for signed signboards at 2553 West Devon Avenue, which is referred to the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Alderperson Villegas and others have proposed ordinance amending municipal code section 2-32-392 regarding wage garnishments for municipal debt, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. Alderperson Irvin has a proposed ordinance concerning the establishment of the Chicago Tourism Improvement District, which is referred to the Committee on Finance. Your Honor, that concludes the presentation of automatic introductions.

Thank you for the approval of the adjournal. Chair recognizes Alderman Mitchell.

Mr. President, I'm not aware of any corrections to the journals from the December 20th, 2025 and December 29th, 2025 meetings. I move that they be approved.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. For unfinished business, Alderman Mitchell.

I'm aware of one piece of unfinished business, which was filed by Alderman Quinn, so I defer to him.

Very well, thank you. The chair recognizes Alderman Quinn.

Pursuant to Rule 33 of the City Council Rules of Order, I move to accept a substitute ordinance for 02025-0021018, which was previously circulated to the City Council by a majority vote.

Very well. There's a motion on the floor to approve the substitute. Is that correct for item 0021018? All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Any opposed say nay. This motion passes. Alderman Quinn.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I rise today in full support of a compromise hemp ordinance that will ban dangerous and unregulated hemp products citywide. After last year's discussions, I recognized I had to make some changes to the original ordinance. I'm proud to say we've reached a compromise that protects our city's kids. How did we get here? We did the lake work. required to reach a compromise. We looked at a problem and asked ourselves, how do we solve it? I personally contacted every alderman in this body. And for that, thank you. I appreciate your patience. I appreciate your feedback. We heard each other out and had open and honest discussions about how to move forward. I'm also pleased to say this new ordinance takes into account nearly all of BACP's issues and concerns. The compromise before us today allows for hemp beverages, allows for hemp additives. We've included a carve out for the hemp topical industry. We also have a carve out for hemp products intended for animals. We've changed the effective date to April 1 of 2026. And effective immediately, you have to be 21 years or older to purchase. I think we found a path forward that ensures our kids are protected and safe. And that's the bottom line. The fact of the matter is, I successfully banned these businesses in the 13th war. And since then, many colleagues have asked me how they can do the same in their own wards. There is a strong coalition behind this compromise ordinance that can move it forward, which is why I present it today. We believe this is the right move for the city of Chicago and could be a model for the state as they also work on this issue. Mr. Mayor, I ask for a roll call vote after debate. Thank you, sir.

You're welcome. Chair recognizes Alderman Beal.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I rise to support this compromise and would like to congratulate my colleague on doing the hard work in order to reach this compromise. This has been a hot topic within the city of Chicago to make sure that we protect children. And that's what this has been all about from the very beginning, protecting our children and keeping them out of harm's way. And so listening to the industry, listening to your colleagues, listening to everybody to come up with this compromise, again, I commend my colleague for continuing to move forward, working together so we can do what's best for the city of Chicago. So thank you so much, and I'll be supporting this resolution.

Chair recognizes Alderman O'Shea.

Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, stand in support. I'd like to start out by thanking my colleague from the 13th Ward, strong leadership on this, Alderman Quinn. You brought parties together, business affairs, the business community, colleagues that had concerns. And it has been stated multiple times here, this is about protecting children. I support this. I'd ask that everybody else consider supporting it. Nice work. Oh, one more thing. I'd also like to recognize Sam Toya, who helped broker some of these meetings and bring people together. Nice work.

The chair recognizes Alderman Conway.

I became very interested in this topic and the story I've told before, where my five-year-old wanted to buy Jolly Ranchers laced with hemp, thinking that they were normal candy. And there at that point in time, I was certainly in favor of regulation, but I was concerned about this ordinance when it first came up. I thought it was perhaps too broad. So I actually voted no on this in committee at the time, which it passed through. And then Alderman Quinn came to me and asked me a question that we don't often ask each other. He said, Bill, what can I do to earn your support? And I said, well, Marty, we're on a first-name basis. I said, well, I think you should exempt lotion and beverages. I think you've got to make it over 21 plus. And I think you need to change some language on enforceability. And on behalf of BACP, you probably ought to back up the effective date. Those are the four asks I had. i obviously as alderman quinn said all of those things were done so i really i am in in favor of this ordinance and i want to thank you personally alderman quinn for your for your statesman-like action and behavior in putting this forward thank you very much chair recognizes alderwoman silverstein thank you mr president um i too want to congratulate my colleague marty quinn

This ordinance passed through the license committee and the original version we knew had some issues. And I had lots of discussions with Alderman Quinn and he said to me, please, let's pass it out of committee and I give you my word that I'm going to go back. and make some changes and talk to people and listen to people. And that's exactly what he did. He made the correct changes while still protecting our children. I want to thank you for that, Marty. And you have my full support.

Chair recognizes Alderman Haddon.

Thank you for the support, guys. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in opposition to this ordinance, but I, too, want to actually commend our colleague, Marty Quinn. So I appreciate we spoke on multiple occasions. He reached out early. We were talking even yesterday. And I just want to lift that up as how we legislate in this body. So I very much appreciate that. I also appreciate being able to have conversations and discussions and disagreements on an issue with people that didn't end in, like... somebody sliding somebody's character or somebody leaving a caucus or a body. This felt really nice to just have disagreement on some policy things and try to solve some problems. So I appreciate that, Marty, and everybody who worked on this. My opposition is based on feeling like we're not quite there on hitting some of the protection goals that I know my colleagues had and wanting to keep certain products out of the hands of bad actors, unregulated businesses, and some of the things that we've seen create safety risks for not just children, but even adults who are unknowingly maybe ingesting edibles or products that they don't know might have some intoxicating components. I will say that we've also got a small business industry that has really done that thing that a lot of us love in Chicago. They have been clever, they have been creative, and we've had strong entrepreneurs build whole businesses around CBD and hemp products, especially a lot of minority-owned businesses that were shut out by the larger cannabis space. So from small events companies little coffee shops to specialty spaces. There are businesses in Chicago that self-regulate, that sell to 21 and over, that are good actors, and I'm afraid that this version of the ordinance is going to harm them right now while trying to do some good. You know, so my opposition, I wish we had a little bit more time. I wish we could work a bit more with our kind of entrepreneurial, locally-based businesses hemp industry folks. I don't think they were given much voice in the conversation. And I'll say, as a CBD, right, consumer, I don't find those non-intoxicating kind of health benefit-based things at dispensaries, right? Because the answer, that's what it's going to be. If you take a CBD gummy or edible for inflammation like I did, you guys know I came back from medical leave. I've been living with endometriosis. I'm not a recreational cannabis user for recreational purposes. but CBD and the broad spectrum products do have a lot of healing benefits for people. So whether it's for anxiety, whether it's for PTSD, whether it's for inflammation, there are a lot of products. I'm not a smoker, not gonna smoke it. There are additives and those beverages that we have allowed for carve outs for, those are recreational. Those are recreational in the way that we might use alcohol. They're not necessarily the types of products that really fall into the medicinal category. So it hurts me to see us cutting off an avenue for healing, for health, but also for kind of small businesses that are really the backbone of our local economy. So stand in opposition to this. I hope my colleagues will join me in opposing it so that we can work to find a better solution for all Chicagoans. Thank you.

Thank you. Alderman Napolitano.

Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, rise in support of this ordinance, and I'll make it quick. I just really have to tip my hat to Alderman Quinn, who did his due diligence to make sure that everybody kind of had a say or had a seat at the table when it came to something like this. My Neighboring Ward, 45th Ward, we had a problem with this, and we too, like Alderman Quinn, had banned it from our ward. But I think the matchable part about this that Alderman Quinn is using that we're using down here and on behalf of my colleague is we have the ability to amend as we go. So the process, the wheels are turning. hopefully this ordinance gets passed today, but as colleagues who are all talking about an issue that could benefit the city on revenue side, but can hurt children, and there's that fine line, we have the ability to use this right here to amend it. and make it better for the city but also to protect children and i think that's what we do best um there's a lot of us that have a saying down here that you know when when you ask somebody to sign their ordinance you say this is the best thing i'm putting forward right now but as as as colleagues we can make it better in the future or the very next city council and i think that's why this is this is a great step forward and taken over by alderman quinn And I appreciate all of you to support it because I think we do have to put the negative side to this ahead of the benefit side right now because the negative is affecting a lot of children. And it's kind of, in a sneaky way, it's done. So I really appreciate those who are supporting it. And those who aren't, let's find a way to make it better that it accommodates your awards and the whole entire city of Chicago as well. But thank you, Alderman Quinn, for a great job. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. President.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alda Rodriguez-Sanchez.

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to echo the comments of my colleague Maria Haden, but I also want to say that I wish that in this body we spend more time looking at best practices, looking at research, looking at creating evidence-based policy. Bans don't discourage people from seeking these products. they just put them in the black market they just they are still going to be accessible you are not necessarily protecting children just because you banned something people can still have access what you are doing is impeding these products being regulated right and i need us to think about that because it feels like in this council we do this so often we want to look busy doing something we want to tell people i am i'm doing this because i hate that kids are being targeted but the reality is that people are going to access these products we just we're just not going to have control over it um so i'm very disappointed i'm going to vote no on this item and i really hope that we do better in this council chair recognizes alderman riley

Thank you, Mr. President. And I wanted to join the chorus of aldermen who are complimenting Alderman Quinn on the workmanlike fashion he went about collaborating. It's a word we use here a lot, collaboration, but Alderman Quinn actually exemplified that here. I was one of the aldermen who also had some concerns about the initial proposal, perhaps being a bit too broad. And I do think that the general consensus here is we don't want these types of dangerous products falling into the hands of kids. And when you have laced Doritos and gummy bears and gum and all these sorts of things, bright colored packaging available unregulated in our corner stores and our gas stations, that's a real concern. And I think that Alderman Quinn has done a good job narrowing the focus here while also listening to concerns from members of the restaurant and hospitality industry and others. about keeping beverages available topicals many of the cbd products that my colleague mentioned are exempted here because there are health benefits that are associated with them even for our pets and so as alderman napolitano said there is certainly opportunity as we move forward to make tweaks and adjustments to this as we see fit But I do think this is a good start as far as the regulatory regime goes. I think it does, for the most part, help us in our effort to keep these types of products away from kids that don't know better. So thank you, Alderman Quinn, for the work you've done on this, and I appreciate you soliciting my opinion and the opinion of others here on the council. I'll be voting yes. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman Sposato.

Mr. President, congratulate my colleague. I originally, like my esteemed colleague from the 34th ward who I affectionately call bill. I was also against it. Um, everything I have to say was already said, but I'm going to say it again. Anyways, uh, Marty, you came up with a blueprint for all of us. Uh, Been here 15 years, started with you, and this was a great job working with everybody. So maybe you could print it up and give it to everybody, and for our next 16 months together, maybe we could all work together a little bit better. I hope to learn from what you did. And just a reminder to everybody, too, I mean, this is a working document. I'm willing to talk to some of these people. For every action, there's a reaction, and there's certainly no doubt that some people are affected by this. negatively, but I think the positive is more than the negative. But I'm willing to hear from those of you that say we're doing the wrong thing, and I know Marty is. So just a great job. I support it now. Was a no, and now I'm a yes. But thank you very much, Mr. President.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Alderman LaSpada.

Thank you very much, sir, Mr. President. Alderman Quinn, I want to say, as others have, I cannot compliment you more in the process that you've gone about this with. I think you've been exceptionally collaborative, really open to feedback on this, even when we disagreed on the feedback. I think everyone in this room would agree that these products should not be sold to miners, that they should be regulated, that there should be responsible dosage limits on this. I think that the challenge for me was, and again, like all the women hadn't spoke to this, but I'll speak to it from my perspective, Talking to small businesses that sell infused baked goods, products that you eat, and soliciting their feedback on this, they are not the problem businesses in my ward. The products that they sell, they endeavor to regulate, and they want to be regulated. They have been consistently safe and responsible in my community, and I didn't know how to square with them that if you... Because it's all about ingestion. We talked about this earlier. It's all being digested, but it's legal if you drink it with a straw, and it's illegal if you chew it with your mouth. I can't square that. What makes eating illegal and drinking legal? And I'm glad that there's the carve-out for the beverage industry. I couldn't square the rest. I could not square why I would take responsible, safe actors in my community and put them out of business. And again, as someone who uses a hemp-derived CBD product for going to bed and actually having healthy sleep habits in my life, I could not square how that decision should be made illegal. So again, like I, I appreciate everything that you've brought forward in the manner that you've done it. I can't support this ordinance for those reasons. Thank you, sir.

Thank you. Are there any other Alders that wish to speak to this item? The chair recognizes Alderman Lopez.

Thank you chairman and good afternoon members of the committee of the council. Excuse me. I rise in support. of this and many individuals have said that thanks to our colleague obviously for his collaboration, but I did listen to my businesses. And the problem that I had was that when I challenged my businesses and said, what amendment can we make that you can live with? No one gave me an answer. When we talk about the bad actors and the good actors, and there are plenty of people who are doing responsible things in there, but plenty of people who are not, we cannot forget that BACP during hearings said that they've had zero enforcement actions, zero when it comes to cannabis. You say that we can regulate this and do things better? We can't even do it right now. This measure, in my opinion, as I told my businesses, gives us a clean slate. Is it perfect for keeping good actors whole? No. But does it address the large scale bad actors that we see? Yes. That's the starting point we need, in my opinion. I believe, as many of my colleagues have stated, that there are benefits to what is legally and helpful and responsibly obtained, yes. But we have to figure out what that looks like because in the, okay. Because in the absence of leadership, in the absence of enforcement, we have to take measures into our own hands. And that's exactly what we're doing today. And as we hear now that possibly Congress was gonna push back the date another year, I don't wanna go back to my neighborhood saying I did nothing to protect children or to try to clarify bad actors from good or to help elevate a growing industry from those who would take advantage of our inaction. That's what we're doing today. And for everyone who says that we need to use metrics or evidence-based, whatever you wanna say, where's the resolution or ordinance that shows exactly that what was introduced by that person? We can't complain and then do nothing. We can't argue against something without putting pen to paper and writing something because that's what got us into this place and got us to this place in the first place. So we have a choice to start fresh, and that's exactly what Alderman Quinn's ordinance allows us to do, and I urge everyone's support of that. Thank you.

Very well. There's a motion on the floor for a roll call vote. Madam Clerk, would you make the e-vote application available? Members of this body, please record your vote at this time.

And the e-voting is open. E-voting is open. Please use your e-device. The e-voting is now open. All right. I will now take the e-voting or voice votes for those who don't use the e-vote or the folks online. Alderman Hall. Not in chambers. Alderman Ramirez.

No.

Ramirez, they know. Alderman Coleman. Yes. Coleman is a yes. Alderwoman Tavares. Yes. Tavares is a yes. Alderman Conway. Conway, not in chambers. Alderman Sposato. No. Sadoway, yes. Alderman Vasquez.

Yes.

Vasquez, yes. Alderman Manna-Hoppenworth.

No.

Manna-Hoppenworth is a no. Anyone I missed? All right. The voting is now closed.

There are 32 yeas, 16 nays. This measure passes. Alderman Mitchell on a motion to reconsider.

Who to reconsider the vote?

All those in favor of the reconsideration of this vote signify by saying aye. Any opposed say nay. This motion fails. Alderman Mitchell, are you aware of any other further... Because I am not aware of any more unfinished business. Very well. For miscellaneous business, Alderman Mitchell.

Except for the ordinance set in the date and time of the next meeting. I'm not aware of any further miscellaneous business.

And for the date and time of the next meeting.

I handed up an ordinance to the clerk set in the date and time of the next meeting.

Madam Clerk. Please read the ordinance.

Being ordained by the City Council of the City of Chicago, Section 1, the next regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chicago shall be held on February 18, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber on the second floor in City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois. Section 2, this ordinance shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage. Gregory Mitchell, Alderman, 7th Ward.

Very well. Alderman Mitchell.

I move passes in the omnibus.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. For the omnibus, Alderman Mitchell.

Okay, Mr. President, I move that matters in the honor of this be passed by the first most favorable roll call vote by the Committee on Finance and the unsuccessful motion to reconsider.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. Alderman Mitchell, on a motion to adjourn.

There being no further business before this body, I move that we adjourn.

Hearing no objections, so ordered. The meeting is adjourned.