City Council

Details on how to watch the Chicago City Council meeting virtually can be found on http://documenters.org. There you will also locate a copy of today’s meeting agenda. #CHIdocumenters

The city council comes to order at 10:10 a.m. Roll is being taken to determine if a quorum has been achieved to allow the meeting to proceed in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

Voting is now closed. All city council members present have been recorded. A quorum has been achieved by members of the city council. https://t.co/H8wDYuwSsX

The Pledge of Allegiance is recited by members of the city council. An invocation is given is shortly thereafter.

Next up is public comment, which is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes.

Each speaker has three minutes to make remarks at the meeting.

The first speaker comments in support of the new casino development.

The second speaker says the City of Chicago must act now on the casino to create opportunities for immigrant workers, like herself.

The third speaker says he is opposed to the casino and the lofty aspirational theory that opportunities will trickle down to Black folks.

The fourth speaker supports the development of a new casino.

The fifth speaker says she hopes the city council votes in support of the casino’s development.

The sixth speaker would like the mayor to put the “Bring Chicago Home” question on the November ballot.

“Bring Chicago Home” aims to raise the real estate transfer tax to fund housing and services for Chicagoans experiencing homelessness.
https://www.bringchicagohome.org/what-is-bring-chicago-home/

The seventh speaker expresses support for the new casino development.

The eighth speaker says she hopes the city council votes in support of the casino development.

The ninth speaker comments on the landmarking of Catholic church.

With that, the public comment section of the city council meeting is now closed.

There are no resolutions on today’s meeting agenda.

A summary of reports and communications is given by City Clerk Anna Valencia.

With that, the council moves forward to vote on finance committee items.

First up is a vote on multi-family low-income bonds for the purchase and development of 3737 W. Cortland St. by Encuentro Square II LP, Encuentro Square II GP, Latin United Community Housing Association. https://t.co/lkfhhua1sS

A motion to reconsider the multi-family low-income bonds was proposed but it failed to garner the support of city council members. The motion stands as approved.

Subsequent finance committee items are motioned for passage. Hearing no objections, the mayor stated, “So ordered.”

Next up, the city council will review the committee on aviation agenda items.

Concession agreements at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for individual leasing and licensing with Host International, Inc.; MRG Chicago LLC; and Chicago Hospitality Partners LLC are moved for passage.

A separate remote web platform license agreement with Grab Chicago JV LLC for concession delivery services is moved for passage.

With that, this concludes committee on aviation agenda items.

Next up, the city council will review the committee of budget and government operations agenda items.

First up, the mayor accepted the Monthly Rule 45 Report.

All committee items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on economic, capital and technology development agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on environmental protection and energy agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on health and human relations agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on housing and real estate agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on license and consumer protection agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on pedestrian and traffic safety agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on public safety agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on special events, cultural affairs and recreation agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Next up, the city will review the committee on transportation and public way agenda items.

All items requiring passage received it.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot advised the council to skip the items related to the special committee on the Chicago casino. That panel is expected to meet today at 1 p.m. sharp.

Lightfoot directed the city council to enter recess until today at 3 p.m. when the panel will reconvene.

I am signing off, for now. The city council meeting entered recess at 11:41 a.m. I will not be returning at 3 p.m., when the panel is expected to reconvene.
But @CHIdocumenters has you covered with the Special Committee on the Chicago Casino. Stayed tuned! #CHIdocumenters.

@CHIdocumenters A list of ordinances, appointments and resolutions for this meeting can be found here https://chicago.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=925558&GUID=273587A8-237F-43D2-AD38-AF084BFFEA23&Options=&Search=

You can also watch the meeting via this link
https://livestream.com/accounts/28669066/events/8800236

The time is 10:10 am, Mayor Lightfoot calls the meeting to order.

An Invocation by Rabbi Shoshana Conover, she calls the city’s council the foundation of power and potential healing in our city.

The public comment period now begins. Shenika Tori is a room attendant of the Hyatt regency McCormick place and a union member.

She says too many people in her community need more opportunities like the one she has. She hopes the council will support the Chicago casino.

Next, Elizabeth Moreno worked at the Plaza Hotel for 23 and is a proud union member. Thanks to her union she was able to buy a house and make a better future for her daughter.

Immigrant workers, she says like her deserve jobs like these, and the casino will make those positions available.

Blake Moore says he advocates for the casino to be put in a black ghetto, that this is how trickle down economy works. He says that the casino will only help with gentrification.

Esther Morales is a room attendant at the Plaza hotel and a member of Unite Here Local One, She lives in little Village with all of her family scattered among three apartments in the same building.

Thanks to the union she has a job that helps her support her family, but the pandemic threatens to stop others working.

Felicia Smith works as a barista at Starbucks in O’Hare, she is grateful for her union membership. She thinks her neighborhood will be safer with more union jobs.

Dr. Saba Aman Malloy, President of the Interfaith council, asks for the council to change the system. She says that the city should strive for prosperity for everyone.

Yolanda Gardunio lives in Little Village, works as a room attendant and has been for 15 years. As a member of Unite Here Local one, she is treated like a human being at work.

Her dream is to make sure that all jobs in Chicago are well paid and that those who lost jobs in the pandemic get them back. The casino will offer a job that gives them dignity. She hopes the council votes yes.

Fabiola Rivera from Albany Park, has worked at the Westin River North for 15 years. Her dream is the American Dream to get a home for her and her children. If more people had a job like mine, she says, people wouldn’t have to leave the community.

Paula Schnecky inquires about the land marking of her church. St Michael Archangel was closed in 2021. the church hasn’t been deconsecrated. The interior items are being removed. She recommends the church be landmarked.

The property can be taken over by another religious order, this way the church can still be open without the Archdiocese of Chicago.

That ends the public comment period. There are no resolutions on the agenda. Now communications from the Mayor which includes multiple ordinances that use TIF funds which you can find here https://chicago.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=925558&GUID=273587A8-237F-43D2-AD38-AF084BFFEA23&Options=&Search=

Committee Reports begin with Chairman Waguespack from the Finance committee. Item 1 is a proposed ordinance issuing low-income housing bonds for the purchase and development of 3737 West Cortland St in the 26th ward. The motion passes.

Item 2 is Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for renovation and facility addition of developer-owned property at 5100 and 5112 W Harrison St as youth community center with sports and fitness components. The motion so moves.

item 3 is a Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for new soccer, track, softball and lacrosse fields at Northside College Preparatory High School, 5501 N Kedzie Ave. The motion passes.

Item 4 is Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for reimbursement or allocation of eligible Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for turf field replacement at Peter A. Reinberg Elementary School, 3425 N Major Ave. it passes.

Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of eligible Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for new soccer field and asphalt parking lot at Theodore Roosevelt High School, 3436 W Wilson Ave. Speaking on this is Ald. Rodriguez Sanchez.

The Theodore Roosevelt High School student population is 98% minority. The principal talks about their field which becomes a mudpit with the rain. They have to transport children to parks in order to practice and come home late which affects their safety.

The answer to support Chicago’s youth is in front of us. Build safe spaces.

Item number 6, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for turf field replacement at Salmon P. Chase Elementary School, 2021 N Point St. The motion passes.

Item number 7, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to replace high pressure steam mechanical system at Albert G. Lane Technical High School, 2501 W Addison St. The motion passes.

Item number 8, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to replace fire alarm system and reduce height of chimney stack at John Marshall Metropolitan High School, 3250 W Adams St. The motion passes.

Item 9, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to construct new playground and sports field and upgrade of building automation system at Phillip Murray Elementary Language Academy, 5335 S Kenwood Ave.

The motion passes.

Item 10, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to reduce chimney structure height at Phillip D. Armour Elementary School, 950 W 33rd Pl. The item passes.

Item 11, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to reduce chimney structure height at John Milton Gregory Elementary School, 3715 W Polk St. It passes.

Item 12, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to reduce chimney structure height at John D. Shoop Math-Science Technical Academy ES, 11140 S Bishop St. The item passes.

Item 13, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to reduce chimney structure height at Simpson Academy High School for Young Women, 1321 S Paulina St. The motion passes.

Item 14, Intergovernmental agreement with Chicago Board of Education for allocation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to reduce chimney height at John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School, 1900 W 23rd St. The item passes.

Item 18a, Settlement agreement regarding case of Daniel Taylor v. City of Chicago, cited as 14 CV 0737. The item passes.

Item 18b, Settlement agreement regarding case of Brunilda Torres, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Jose Angel Felipe Nieves, Deceased v. City of Chicago, et al., cited as 17 C 88 for 1.89 million.

Item 16 and 17 are claims against chicago and claims paid. The items pass. Chairman Dowell will speak on the committee on budget and government operations.

item 1, Redevelopment agreement including Neighborhood Opportunity Funds and Build Community Wealth Bonuses with Bubbly Dynamics LLC to renovate 1400 W 46th St into kitchens for food service incubator businesses. The item pases.

Item 2, Amendment of Neighborhood Opportunity Fund redevelopment agreement with Ogden Washtenaw JV LLC. The item passes.

Item 3, Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2022 amendment within Fund No. 925 for Department of Family and Support Services, Office of Public Safety Administration and Department of Water. The item passes

Item 4, Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 11-12 by adding new Section 11-12-212 regarding Voluntary Water Meter Installation Program

The motion passes.

Appointments include: William J. Shepard as member of Special Service Area No. 8, Lakeview East Commission

Allan O’Brien as member of Special Service Area No. 18, North Halsted Commission

Reappointment of Kearby J. Kaiser as member of Special Service Area No. 18, North Halsted Commission

Appointment of Daniel Ju as member of Special Service Area No. 26, Broadway Commercial District Commission

Appointment of Omotola F. Akinbiyi as member of Special Service Area No 31, Greater Ravenswood Commission

Reappointment of Nora A. McCarthy as member of Special Service Area No. 29-2014, West Town Commission

Reappointment of Steven E. Tobiason as member of Special Service Area No.29-2014, West Town Commission

Committee on Health and Human Relations, Chairperson Sawyer. There are several appointments to the Advisory Council on Equity, Advisory Council on LGBTQIA+ Issues, Advisory council on Veterans, Advisory council on Women.

One role of note is the appointment of Janet Y. Lin as President of Board of Health.

Next is a resolution for expression of support for protection and expansion of abortion rights, it passes despite a nay from ald. Nick Sposato.

From the committee on public safety, Nick Sposato speaks. Item 1, an Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-80-040 regarding age requirements for certain commissioners of Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. It is so ordered.

item 2, the Amendment of Municipal Code Section 8-16-020 regarding curfew hours for minors.

Committee on Special Events, Cultural Affairs, Chairman Nick Sposato speaks. Item 1 Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds for environmental clean-up costs in development of access point park at 1807-1815 N Kimball Ave. It is so ordered.

Item 2, Expenditure of additional Open Space Impact Fee funds for reimbursement of environmental remediation costs associated with Garfield Park Eco Orchard on vacant City parcels on Fifth Ave between S Kedzie Ave and S Mozart St and at 3013 W Fifth Ave. It is so ordered.

Item 3, Expenditure of Open Space Impact Fee funds for expansion of Chicago River North Branch Wild Mile Floating Boardwalk and Habitat including floating gardens located at Eastman St north toward Weed St. It is so ordered.

Pause on committee reports, matters on the agreed calendar which include 44 resolutions that are recognitions, congratulations and tributes.

Ald. Mitchell moves that journals be approved and it is so ordered.

Unfinished business, there is none. The council will recess until 3pm. The casino committee meeting will be at 1pm.

I will be reporting on the Casino Committee meeting and this concludes my city council reporting.

Special Committee on the Chicago Casino, Ald. Tunney reports the two items, an ordinance An ordinance amending Titles 2, 4, B and l7 of the Municipal Code regarding o casino in the City of Chicago (02022-131ó) (Direct introduction to the Committee on 5-9-221; and

A resolution concerning the development and operation of a casino in the City of Chicago. (Direct lntroduction), both were moved by a roll call vote.

The next meeting will be Wednesday May 25th at 10am CST.

Ald. Mitchell moves to pass the omnibus. It is so moved. Ald. Mitchell motions to adjourn. The time is 4:01PM this concludes my reporting.