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:

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

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

Chicago's 50 Wards

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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.

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.

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Upcoming Meetings

Next City Council meeting

Wed 10/23/2019
10:00a.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall
121 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL

Details

Committee meetings

Mon 11/04 - Committee on Transportation and Public Way

Tue 11/05 - Committee on Enviromental Protection and Energy

Tue 11/05 - Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development

All upcoming events

Latest Council Meeting

At the latest City Council meeting on Oct 16th, council members took action on 73 pieces of legislation, including 9 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 O2019-5291 Active

Redevelopment and financing project agreements with Parkside Four Phase II, LP, Parkside Four II LLC, and issuance of Mortgage Revenue Bonds and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance for low ...

10/15/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine Ward Matters Economic Development Tax Increment Financing

Ordinance O2019-5591 Active

Amendment of Municipal Code Title 3 by adding new Chapter 3-94 entitled "Fallen Heroes Property Tax Abatement"

10/15/2019 - Passed as Substitute
Non-Routine City Matters Municipal Code

Ordinance O2019-5555 Active

Establishment of Chicago Community Land Trust Affordable Homeownership and Housing Pilot Program to preserve affordable housing in gentrifying neighborhoods using Affordable Housing Opportunity ...

10/15/2019 - Passed
Non-Routine Unclassified

Appointment A2019-63 Active

Appointment of Guacolda E. Reyes as member of Chicago Plan Commission

10/15/2019 - Approved
Non-Routine City Matters Appointment

Claim CL2019-1926 Active

Various small claims

10/15/2019 - Failed to Pass
Non-Routine Small Claims Settlement of Claims

Ordinance O2019-6508 Active

Traffic direction at N Mulligan Ave from Armore Ave to R Rosedale Ave - One-Way Southerly

10/15/2019 - Passed
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Traffic Direction

Ordinance O2019-6512 Active

Vehicle weight limitation at S Karlov Ave from W 31st St to W 33rd St - 5 tons

10/15/2019 - Failed to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Vehicle Weight Limitation

Ordinance O2019-6511 Active

Vehicle weight limitation at S Komensky Ave from W 31st St to W 33rd St - 5 tons

10/15/2019 - Failed to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Vehicle Weight Limitation

Ordinance O2019-6513 Active

Vehicle weight limitation at S Kedvale Ave from W 31st St to W 33rd St - 5 tons

10/15/2019 - Failed to Pass
Non-Routine Ward Matters Traffic Vehicle Weight Limitation

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Legislative topics