Chicago City Council, demystified


Search Chicago legislation

Chicago City Council consists of 50 elected aldermen 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:

Read more about how City Council works » More on how City Council works »

Chicago's 50 Wards Chicago's 50 Wards

Engage Chicago City Council 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 Alderman's support.

Find your alderman


Upcoming Meetings


Next City Council meeting

Wed 1/15/2020
10:00a.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
121 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL

Details

Committee meetings

Mon 12/09 - Committee on Finance

Mon 12/09 - Committee on Committees and Rules

Tue 12/10 - Committee on Public Safety


All upcoming events

Latest Council Meeting

At the latest City Council meeting on Nov 26th, council members took action on 158 pieces of legislation, including 50 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

Ordinance O2019-9237 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 17, Central Lakeview (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9238 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 45, 103rd Street/Halsted (2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9240 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 48, Old Town (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9239 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 47, Cottage Grove/47th Street (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9243 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 62, Sauganash (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9242 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 56, Bronzeville (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9241 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 52, 51st Street (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9245 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 72, The Village: Austin Chicago Ave Cultural Corridor (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9244 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 63, West Humboldt Park (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9247 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 73, Chinatown (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-106 Active

Reappointment of Sheldon K. Rice as member of Special Service Area No. 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9248 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 42, 71st /Stony Island (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-110 Active

Reappointment of Anastasia Makridakis as member of Special Service Area No. 16, Greektown/Halsted Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-107 Active

Reappointment of David R. Supanich as member of Special Service Area No. 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-109 Active

Reappointment of Frank J. Caputo as member of Special Service Area No. 16, Greektown/Halsted Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-108 Active

Appointment of Nicholas G. Kriarakis as member of Special Service Area No. 16, Greektown/Halsted Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-114 Active

Reappointment of Dean E. Lane as member of Special Service Area No. 1, State Street Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-111 Active

Appointment of Pasquale Roberto as member of Special Service Area No. 44, 103rd Street Beverly Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-113 Active

Appointment of Mark C. Anderson as member of Special Service Area No. 1, State Street Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-112 Active

Appointment of Eric A. Finnegan as member of Special Service Area No. 1, State Street Commission

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9236 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 8, Lakeview East (Year 2020)

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9252 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-8-050 to allow expenditures from aldermanic expense allowances for publication of annual calender regarding citywide and ward specific information, events ...

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-9253 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-3-0503-D by classifying portion(s) of W Belmont Ave as pedestrian street

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Land Use Pedestrian Street

Ordinance O2019-9255 Active

Termination of Harlem Industrial Park Conservation Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Area

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Tax Increment Financing

Ordinance O2019-9256 Active

Termination of Irving Park/Elston Redevelopment Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Tax Increment Financing

Ordinance O2019-9258 Active

Termination of Pershing/King Redevelopment Area Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Tax Increment Financing

Ordinance O2019-9257 Active

Termination of South Works Industrial Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Tax Increment Financing

Ordinance O2019-9260 Active

Negotiated Sale of City-owned property at 4624 W Huron St to Abelardo Perez Garcia

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine City Matters City Business Getting and Giving Land

Ordinance O2019-9259 Active

Negotiated Sale of vacant City-owned property at 2512 W 59th St to Felix Santoyo and Maria Dolores de Paz Rodriguez

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2019-9267 Active

Negotiated Sale of vacant City-owned properties at 4842 S May St and 4844 S May St to Adrian Delgado

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2019-9299 Active

Sale of City-owned negotiated vacant property at 5600 S Maplewood Ave to Gabriel Lopez and Angela Lopez

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2019-9300 Active

Negotiated Sale of vacant City-owned property at 6929-6961 S Kenwood Ave and 1348 E 70th St to The Rebuild Foundation

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2019-9302 Active

Negotiated Sale of vacant City-owned vacant property at 4942 S Halsted St to Chicago Land Trust No. 8002365955 dated September 12, 2014

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Unclassified

Ordinance O2019-9303 Active

Sale of City-owned property at 9921 S Ewing Ave and 9925 S Ewing Ave to Maria Luz Gomez

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine City Matters City Business Getting and Giving Land

Ordinance O2019-8407(v1) Active

Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2020, as amended

11/25/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Annual Appropriation

Ordinance O2019-8927 Active

Implementation of financing plan to provide for refunding of all or portions of outstanding city bonds or trust notes

11/25/2019 - Passed
Non-Routine City Matters Finances Bonds

Ordinance O2019-8520 Active

Property tax levy for Fiscal Year 2019 - revised

11/25/2019 - Passed
Non-Routine City Matters Finances Taxes

Ordinance O2019-8521 Active

Property tax levy for Year 2020

11/25/2019 - Passed
Non-Routine City Matters Finances Taxes

Ordinance O2019-8527 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 17 concerning various business regulations, fees and taxes (2020 Revenue Ordinance)

11/25/2019 - Passed
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-9246 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-68-020 regarding use of residential zone parking permits

11/25/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-8407 Active

Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2020, as amended

11/25/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Annual Appropriation

Ordinance O2019-8518 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 4, 7, 8 and 9 regarding cannabis-related penalties

11/25/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-6943 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-84 by adding new Sections 2-84-501 and 2-84-502 to regulate gang designations and sharing of related database information

11/25/2019 - Add Co-Sponsor(s)
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-6935 Active

Estimates on totals of tax increment financing (TIF) contractual obligations and City surplus funds to be posted on City website prior to next calendar year

11/25/2019 - Add Co-Sponsor(s)
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Tax Increment Financing

Ordinance O2019-8537 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 concerning various department functions and duties (2020 Management Ordinance)

11/25/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-8825 Active

Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2020 - Corrections and Revisions

11/25/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Annual Appropriation

Ordinance O2019-8406 Active

Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2019 - amend

11/25/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Annual Appropriation

Appointment A2019-104 Active

Reappointment of Ruby A. Gonzalez as member of Special Service Area No. 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-103 Active

Reappointment of Susana D. DeSantiago as member of Special Service Area No, 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-105 Active

Reappointment of William W. Jackson as member of Special Service Area No. 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Show more Show fewer

Legislative topics

Since the last council meeting

After Nov 26th, City Council introduced 323 new pieces of legislation, including 22 that are non-routine.

Non-routine legislation introduced

Ordinance O2019-9307 Active

Enlargement of boundaries, imposition of tax levy, approval of budget, extension of tax levy period and execution of service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 50, Calumet ...

12/02/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9308 Active

Enlargement of boundaries, imposition of tax levy, approval of budget, extension of tax levy period and execution of service provider agreement for Special Service Area No. 51, Chatham/Cottage ...

12/02/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9309 Active

Scope of services, budget and management agreement for Special Service Area No. 45, 103rd Halsted (Year 2020)

12/02/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-97 Active

Appointment of Claudia P. Rodriguez as member of Special Service Area No. 25, Little Village Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Ordinance O2019-9121 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-8-050 to allow use of aldermanic expense allowance funds for hosting of paper shredding or recycling event

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-9121 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Section 2-8-050 to allow use of aldermanic expense allowance funds for hosting of paper shredding or recycling event

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Appointment A2019-98 Active

Reappointment of Alicia T. Garcia-Abner as member of Special Service Area No. 42, 71st/Stony Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-100 Active

Reappointment of Caroline O. Shoenberger as member of Special Service Area No. 48, Old Town Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-102 Active

Reappointment of David J. Maletin as member of Special Service Area No. 60, Albany Park Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-99 Active

Reappointment of Judy Erwin as member of Special Service Area No. 48, Old Town Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-104 Active

Reappointment of Ruby A. Gonzalez as member of Special Service Area No. 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-101 Active

Reappointment of Jim Janas as member of Special Service Area No. 59, 59th Street Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-103 Active

Reappointment of Susana D. DeSantiago as member of Special Service Area No, 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Appointment A2019-105 Active

Reappointment of William W. Jackson as member of Special Service Area No. 3, Southwest Business Growth Area Commission

12/02/2019 - Recommended to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Special Service Area

Order Or2019-511 Active

Settlement Agreement regarding case of Donna Gillespie, as guardian for Shaquille Gillespie v. City of Chicago, cited as 17 L 2447

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine City Matters Settlement Agreement

Order Or2019-510 Active

Settlement Agreement regarding case of Alma Benitez v. Paul Bar, Frank Castale, Thomas Curran, William Davis, Salvador Esparza, Daniel Gallagher, Roberto Garcia, Anthony Glaviano, Richard Hagen, ...

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine City Matters Settlement Agreement

Order Or2019-512 Active

Settlement Agreement regarding case of Janet Godinez, Deceased v. City of Chicago and Chicago Police Officers Keith Lindskog (#11533), James McAndrew (#83737), Rodrigo Corona (#7852), Manuel ...

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine City Matters Settlement Agreement

Order Or2019-513 Active

Settlement Agreement regarding case of Tammi Jones, as independent administrator of the estate of Tevin Jones-Rogers, deceased, v. City of Chicago and Thomas Fennell, an individual, cited as 17 L ...

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine City Matters Settlement Agreement

Order Or2019-514 Active

Settlement Agreement regarding case of Gertrude Matanky v. Phillip Flannagan and the City of Chicago, cited as 17 L 011571

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine City Matters Settlement Agreement

Claim CL2019-2123 Active

Denial of various small claims

12/08/2019 - Referred
Non-Routine Small Claims Settlement of Claims

Order Or2019-516 Active

Payment of various small claims

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine Small Claims Settlement of Claims

Order Or2019-517 Active

Issuance of Tag day permit(s) for Greenpeace

12/08/2019 - Direct Introduction
Non-Routine Unclassified

Show more Show fewer

Part of the Councilmatic family. Proudly brought to you by