Chicago City Council, demystified

Search Chicago legislation

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

Chicago Councilmatic tracks all things related to Chicago City Council:

the legislation introduced and passed
its various committees and the meetings they hold
the alders themselves

Engage City Council

Citywide issues

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

View citywide legislation

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.

Find your alder

Upcoming Meetings

Next City Council meeting

Wed 4/19/2023
10:00a.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
121 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL

Details

Committee meetings

Thu 04/06 - Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

Tue 04/11 - Committee on Housing and Real Estate

Tue 04/11 - Committee on Health and Human Relations

All upcoming events

Latest Council Meeting

At the latest City Council meeting on Mar 30th, council members took action on 5 pieces of legislation, including 5 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 F2023-25 None

Call for Special City Council Meeting on March 30, 2023 at 9: A.M. for purpose of consideration and vote on resolutions establishing Rules of Order and Procedure of City Council for 2023-2027 ...

3/30/2023 - Placed on File
Non-Routine Council Matters Call for Action

Resolution R2023-502 Passed

City Council Rules of Order and Procedure for 2023-2027 term

3/30/2023 - Adopted
Non-Routine Council Matters City Council Rules

Resolution R2023-502 Passed

City Council Rules of Order and Procedure for 2023-2027 term

3/30/2023 - Adopted
Non-Routine Council Matters City Council Rules

Resolution R2023-503 Passed

Establishment of Chairpersons of City Council standing committees for Years 2023-2027

3/30/2023 - Adopted
Non-Routine Council Matters Committe Appointments

Resolution R2023-503 Passed

Establishment of Chairpersons of City Council standing committees for Years 2023-2027

3/30/2023 - Adopted
Non-Routine Council Matters Committe Appointments

Show more Show fewer

Legislative topics

Since the last council meeting

After Mar 30th, City Council introduced 27 new pieces of legislation, including 3 that are non-routine.

Non-routine legislation introduced

Report F2023-22 Active

Inspector General's report on Advisory Concerning Interdepartmental Coordination and the City's Administrative Officer Position

4/19/2023 - Placed on File
Non-Routine City Matters Special Funds Inspector General

Report F2023-24 Active

Issuance of multi-family housing revenue bonds Series 2023A and 2023B to Churchview Homes Project

4/19/2023 - Placed on File
Non-Routine City Matters Finances Bonds

Report F2023-23 Active

Tabulated Statement of Returns and Proclamation of Results of Canvass of Election Returns for February 28, 2023 Municipal General and Alderperson Elections held in each Precinct in all Wards in ...

4/19/2023 - Placed on File
Non-Routine City Matters Elections