Anjanette Young settlement, COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten appointment, Glenstar O'Hare, Austin collapses
Good Morning! I’ll be live-tweeting today’s Chicago City Council’s regular meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be held remotely.
09:40 AM Dec 15, 2021 CST
Chicago City Council will review and vote on legislation advanced by committees in the past month, including the #AnjanetteYoung settlement and sportsbook ordinance https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/12/13/settling-the-anjanette-young-botched-raid-lawsuit-will-cost-city-2-9-million-top-city-attorney-calls-it-right-and-just/
Pledge of Allegiance recited. Invocation delivered. The public comment period begins. The first speaker is George Blakemore. Mr. Blakemore wants black Chicagoans to advocate for themselves in city council meetings. The next speaker is Anna Burke.
Anna Burke is disappointed in the city & federal government’s response to COVID-19.
Tom Ricketts - Chairman of the Chicago Cubs speaks in favor of the sportsbook ordinance. Mr. Ricketts says sports gaming will increase the revenue of Chicago’s sports teams and help them put out more competitive teams. Promises a diverse workforce for the Cub’s sportsbook.
The public comment period ends. Resolution honoring Timuel Black is before the council now. City Council members are now sharing their admiration for the Chicago historian.
Dr. Timuel Black is being heralded for his political activism and wealth of knowledge. We lost the great Chicagoan this past October.
Mayor Lightfoot moves on to a resolution that honors CPS student-athletes for their accomplishments.
Both resolutions passed. Mayor Lightfoot Resumes regular order of the meeting.
Committee on Finance Chairman Ald. Waguespack (32) moves for passage of proposed settlement orders. https://t.co/7aU4S00fhw
Ald. Lopez (15) says he’s a no vote on the settlement order to Pedro Rios’ family. Pedro Rios Jr. was killed by a CPD officer in 2014. https://news.wttw.com/2021/12/13/aldermen-set-pay-22m-settle-3-police-misconduct-cases
Mayor Lightfoot points out that Pedro Rios was 14 years old at the time of his death. He was running away from the police when he was shot and killed. She also points out the treatment of the deceased by the CPD officer.
The settlement orders Scott v. City of Chicago & Rios v. City of Chicago passed.
The settlement order #AnjanetteYoung v. City of Chicago passes, the settlement amount is 2.9 million dollars.
Chairpersons of the city council committees are now introducing reports. Check out the agenda here: https://chicago.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=906438&GUID=40556A8C-D9C3-41EA-98EC-C7A29C2892EB
The appointment of Andrea Kersten as Chief Administrator of COPA passed. The appointment of Ryan Z. Cortazar as member of the Board of Ethics passed.
The appointment of Kenneth Meyer as Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection passed.
The City Council meeting has been paused due to a medical emergency involving Ald. Austin (34).
Mayor Lightfoot resumes the meeting. Prayer is being held for the health of Ald. Austin (34).
The regular order of business resumes. Appointments of Steven Block and Mareile Bayard Cusack as members of the police board passed.
The appointment of Erin Harkey as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events passed.
Reappointment of Mayor Lightfoot, a member of the Public Building Commission passed.
Ald. Napolitano (41) opposes the affordable housing proposal in his ward. Says the residents of his ward oppose the proposal also.
Mayor Lightfoot says that affordable housing and the history of segregation in Chicago are related.
The zoning proposal for affordable housing near O’Hare/NW Chicago is passed with a 33-13 vote.
The next City Council regular meeting will be held Wednesday, January 26th, 2022.
Omnibus passed. No further business or miscellaneous business before the council.
Chicago City Council’s regular meeting ends at 2:00 p.m. This ends my coverage for @CHIdocumenters find more information through @chisuci7 Susan Carlotta Ellis’ notes at http://documenters.org