City Council Meeting July 28, 2011

Readers:  This is from today's City Council Meeting.  If you click on the blue print, you will be linked to the official press release for the specific ordinance.

City Council Meeting

By Jessen O'Brien | Published July 28, 2011

Chicago City Council

A series of ordinances were introduced in Thursday’s City Council meeting, including the following:
-Mayor Emanuel introduced eight ordinances supporting economic development and affordable housing for seniors and low-income renters.
According to the Mayor, “Our goal is to foster the development of neighborhoods where commercial and affordable housing, jobs and open spaces contribute to continued growth and vitality. Facilitating investment in our communities is essential to the future economic healthy of our city.”
-Mayor Emanuel and Ald. Ameya Pawar introduced an ordinance to support and expand urban agriculture and community gardens.

Ald. Ameya Pawar

The Mayor commented, “This ordinance is an important component of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate food deserts in Chicago while creating jobs. By making it easier for communities to turn vacant lots into urban farms, we can help transform eyesores into engines of local economic activity that will supply fresh fruits and vegetables to the neighborhood.”
“By revising our zoning code, we can remove serious obstacles that have hampered the development of urban agriculture in Chicago,” said Ald. Pawar. “Passing this ordinance will unleash the full potential of Chicago’s urban farmers and community gardeners, expanding access to fresh, healthy foods in neighborhoods throughout the city.”
-Mayor Emanuel also introduced an ordinance to increase pedestrian safety by requiring drivers to come to a complete stop when pedestrians are crossing an uncontrolled crosswalk and by maintaining temporary awareness signs within the public way.
“My Administration is committed to making our streets safer for pedestrians,” said Emanuel. “The ordinance introduced today will clarify our safety laws to better protect pedestrians and support a vigorous, creative public awareness campaign to help educate all who use our roads about pedestrian safety.”
-City Council approved an ordinance enabling the City to enter a Concession Redevelopment and Management Lease Agreement with Westfield Concessions Management, LLC.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

“This agreement will bring 280 new jobs to Chicago and improve the travel experience of Chicagoans and visitors from around the world who fly through O’Hare International Airport,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The new concessions program in Terminal 5 will reflect our City’s world-class shopping and dining experiences, featuring local, national and international brands.”
-The City introduced an ordinance that authorized the final acceptance of funds from the Settlement Agreement among the City, the Attorney General’s office, the Citizens Utility Board, and Peoples Gas.
The City will receive up to $5 million a year for 6 years, money which will be designated for energy conservation and weatherization projects.
- Finally, the Department of Law and the Chicago Police Department together introduced an ordinance to amend the City’s gun range ordinance.
“Chicago’s gun ordinances continue to be the target of legal challenges,” said Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton. “These revisions to the recent gun range ordinances will help to further ensure that it can withstand legal challenges while still protecting the safety of Chicago residents.”