Chicago City Council, demystified


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Chicago City Council consists of 50 elected alders and meets monthly to shape the city. The council works with Brandon Johnson, the Mayor, and Anna Valencia, the City Clerk.

Chicago Councilmatic tracks all things related to Chicago City Council:

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Note that while the official term for a City Council member is “alderman,” Councilmatic uses “alder” for both brevity and gender neutrality.

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Citywide issues

The Mayor proposes most city-wide policies. These include business transactions, changes to the municipal code, bond issuance and appointments.

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Local issues

At the local level, matters like land use, signs, street parking, business permits, and other residents issues require the local Alder's support.

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Upcoming Meetings


Next City Council meeting

Mon 12/02/2024
10:00a.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
121 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL

Details

Committee meetings

Thu 11/21 - Committee on Finance

Thu 11/21 - Committee on Finance

Thu 11/21 - Committee on Budget and Government Operations


All upcoming events

Latest Council Meeting

At the latest City Council meeting on Nov 14th, council members took action on 5 pieces of legislation, including 4 that are non-routine.

One of the more unusual aspects of Chicago City Council is the volume of ordinances that are introduced and passed every month. Most of these are routine items like sign permits, damaged vehicle claims, sidewalk cafe approvals and honorifics.

To help sort through all of this, we classify all legislation and tag it appropriately. If something doesn’t look like a routine piece of legislation, we tag it as Non-Routine to make it easier to discover.

Non-Routine Activity

Communication F2024-0013849 None

Call for Special City Council Meeting on November 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM regarding immediate consideration of O2024-0013679

11/14/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Council Matters Call for Action

Communication F2024-0013875 None

Call for Special City Council Meeting on November 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM regarding immediate consideration of O2024-0013679

11/14/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Council Matters Call for Action

Ordinance O2024-0013679 Failed

Levy of real estate taxes for Fiscal Year 2025

11/14/2024 - Failed to Pass
Non-Routine City Matters Finances Taxes

Ordinance O2024-0013679 Failed

Levy of real estate taxes for Fiscal Year 2025

11/14/2024 - Failed to Pass
Non-Routine City Matters Finances Taxes

Since the last council meeting

After Nov 14th, City Council introduced 321 new pieces of legislation, including 18 that are non-routine.

Non-routine legislation introduced

Ordinance O2024-0010070 Passed

Collective Bargaining Agreement with International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 700 (Supervising Police Communication Operators/SPCSOs) and City of Chicago

12/27/2030 - Signed
Non-Routine City Matters Labor Agreement

Ordinance O2024-0013800 Active

Traffic direction at S Indiana Ave from E 83rd St to E 85th St - One-Way southerly

12/02/2024 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Traffic Direction

Ordinance O2024-0013800 Active

Traffic direction at S Indiana Ave from E 83rd St to E 85th St - One-Way southerly

12/02/2024 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Traffic Direction

Communication F2024-0013867 None

Commission on Chicago Landmarks disapproval of Permit Application No. 101052125 for demolition of building at 2347 S Michigan Ave in Motor Row District

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013858 Active

Transfer of Funds within Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights for Year 2024

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Council Matters Transfer of Committee Funds

Ordinance O2024-0013865 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 4-60-022 (11.81) and 4-60-023 (11.81) to allow additional alcoholic liquor and package goods licenses on portion(s) of S Wallace St

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Ward Matters Land Use Liquor and Package Store Restrictions

Ordinance O2024-0013870 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022(35.18) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of W Armitage Ave

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Ward Matters Land Use Liquor and Package Store Restrictions

Ordinance O2024-0013890 Active

Correction of Amendment to Section 4-60-023 of Municipal Code to allow additional package goods licenses on portion(s) of N Pulaski Rd, from W Argyle St to W Foster Ave

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Ward Matters Land Use Liquor and Package Store Restrictions

Ordinance O2024-0013916 Active

Amendment of Annual Appropriation Ordinance for Year 2025 regarding funding for acoustic gunshot detection technology

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine City Matters Annual Appropriation

Ordinance O2024-0013921 Active

Prohibition on sale of retail hemp products in City of Chicago to persons under 21 years of age -- Tomasz Gliszewski

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013917 Active

Transfer of funds within 45th Ward Aldermanic Expense Account for year 2024

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013920 Active

Imposition of three percent tax on gross receipts from sales of all hemp products sold at retail by retail hemp stores, retail tobacco dealers or retail vape stores in City of Chicago -- Tomasz ...

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013957 Active

Traffic direction at W Barry Ave and N Austin Ave - One-Way easterly

12/02/2024 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Traffic Direction

Ordinance O2024-0013957 Active

Traffic direction at W Barry Ave and N Austin Ave - One-Way easterly

12/02/2024 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Traffic Direction

Ordinance O2024-0013922 Active

Transfer funds within 48th Ward Wage Allowance Account for Year 2024

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013923 Active

Transfer of Funds within 40th Ward Wage Allowance/Aldermanic Expense for Year 2024

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013926 Active

Transfer of funds within 4th Ward Aldermanic Expense Account for Year 2024

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2024-0013960 Active

Transfer of funds within 10th Ward Wage Allowance Account for year 2024

12/02/2024 - Introduced
Non-Routine Unclassified

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