Autonomous vehicles, the future of transportation, and how legislators should respond to the rapidly shifting transportation landscape was the subject of a Daily Line panel discussion Tuesday night at Hotel Monaco. You can hear the full conversation on this Friday’s episode of The Aldercast.

After the morning’s consent calendar consideration, a group of commissioners backing a beverage tax repeal–Sean Morrison (R-17), Richard Boykin (D-1), John Fritchey (D-12) and Jeffrey Tobolski (D-16)–will join “hundreds of Cook County residents, consumers, retailers, restaurants, employees and business owners” at a pro-repeal rally in the Thompson Center plaza at 10:30 a.m.

The City Council’s Zoning Committee approved a controversial downzone of a four-story building in Wicker Park that once housed the Double Door nightclub despite accusations from the property owner and his attorney that the move was “vindictive” and “personal.”

The Chicago Board of Ethics announced settlements Friday with Ald. Howard Brookins (21) and the former Commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services, Evelyn Diaz. Brookins agreed to pay a $5,000 fine for failing to keep accurate employee timesheets–including for his Chief of Staff at the time, who was later convicted and imprisoned for bribery. The board fined Diaz $1,500 for negotiating for her current position as President of Heartland Alliance while still at DFSS, which had ongoing contracts with the non-profit.

78 agenda items are up in City Council’s Zoning committee Monday. If that wasn’t enough to exhaust land users, the committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday. Aldermen are expected to consider a new apartment building near O'Hare Airport that local alderman Anthony Napolitano (41) is opposed to, two new libraries in the 50th and 45th Wards, and the rezone of a building that's set off a lawsuit against Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1) and the city. 

Last winter, it seemed for a time that maybe Chicago Public Schools wouldn’t start on time. The school district projected an operating deficit of hundreds of millions of dollars, state payments were half a year behind and the Illinois legislature seemed unlikely to kick forward the millions of dollars CPS needed to stay open. But this week CPS leadership took a victory lap, as classes started on time and the school district touted rising graduation rates and improving test scores.

Wednesday’s City Council meeting was either a paradigm of consensual legislating or yet another episode of aldermanic logrolling, depending on your perspective. But either way, with little debate and a series of unanimous or near-unanimous votes, Chicago City Council approved a sweeping wage floor and labor peace agreement for 8,000 airport workers, one of the city’s largest police settlements, a new electrical construction code, and resolutions supporting abortion rights in Illinois and so-called DREAMer immigrants.

Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF), designed to spur economic development in commercial corridors on the city’s South and West Sides, will get an influx of $3.5 million pending full City Council approval. Aldermen on City Council’s Budget Committee voted to increase the NOF’s funding limit to $6.5 million.

City Treasurer Kurt Summers faced tough questions from aldermen Tuesday about the fate of $57 million in unexpected investment returns he touted this spring.

Ald. Rick Muñoz (22), who called for $25 million of that money to be spent on anti-violence programs across the city this past summer, accused Summers of lying about what funds were available and demanded to know where the money ultimately went.

City Council will meet twice this month. Wednesday’s meeting will have a light docket of the usual city business, including a new airport contractor licensing agreement that includes a labor peace agreement and $13.45 wage floor for workers, a ban on late night sales of 40-ounce malt liquor and new rules to more tightly control stolen cell phone fencing. Llater this month, Council is expected to schedule a second meeting to begin annual budget hearings.

License Committee Meeting

The Chicago Cubs, pushing to remain at the top of their division through the end of the season, will come back from a Pittsburgh Pirates night game to meet the 2nd place Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. So they can get some rest and keep their 3.5 game edge, the Cubs have asked to change their previously scheduled 1:20 p.m. afternoon game to a 7:05 p.m. game. With that in mind, License Committee Chair Emma Mitts (37) will convene her committee before the full City Council meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to pass a change in the Cubs scheduling agreement allowing an additional night game for the season.

Following is a rundown of the significant items expected to be voted on in Wednesday’s meeting.

Money For Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF), designed to spur economic development in commercial corridors on the city’s South and West Sides, will get an influx of $3.5 million pending full City Council approval. Aldermen on City Council’s Budget Committee voted to increase the NOF’s funding limit to $6.5 million on Tuesday via O2017-5506.

“Technical Changes” To Catalyst Fund

Described as a “fund of funds” dedicated to attracting other investors who will hopefully provide three or four times as much money as the city, Treasurer Kurt Summers introduced a group of what he called “technical changes” to the Chicago Community Catalyst Fund in O2017-5550. The goal of the fund is to bring gap funding to businesses in struggling communities on the South and West Sides.

Chicago Development Fund Governing Board Expansion

The Chicago Development Fund, which has both a governing and an Advisory Board, will be expanded from seven to nine members, adding the chair of the Advisory Board and a member of the Department of Planning and Development appointed by the commissioner. The change found in O2017-5507 aims to help the board could hit quorum.

New Airports Licensing Agreement

Over 8,000 workers for airline support services companies at O’Hare and Midway Airports would receive a wage hike and new training as part of a new, proposed license agreement with the City of Chicago. The 30-page agreement covered in O2017-5553 would force companies that provide food, cleaning, security, baggage handling and myriad services for airlines to accept a labor peace agreement and wage hikes.

40 oz. And Tall Boy Ban

Package stores would be banned from selling beer containers smaller than 41 oz. and wine or liquor containers smaller than 25 oz. after midnight as the result of a new ordinance sponsored by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2). Ordinance S2016-7589 targets sales of “forties” and “tall boys”, a favorite of revelers with little pocket change looking to keep the party going.

Secondary Cell Phone Market Rules

Directly introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, SO2017-5552 would regulate secondary cell phone markets. The issue gained the Mayor’s interest after his son, Zach, was robbed of his cell phone near his Ravenswood home in December 2014. The ordinance directs pawn shops and phone resellers to check the national Stolen Phone Database at stolenphonechecker.org and prohibits resellers to purchase phones with serial numbers that match the database.

Dealer Key Lock Boxes

Introduced by Alds. Pat O’Connor (40) and Harry Osterman (48), SO2017-3222 would require all dealerships, showrooms and rental lots to store car keys and dealer plates in lockboxes to deter theft. The measure was held in committee on July 18 because businesses operating around airports wanted a carveout. Meant to address carjackings at dealerships and rental lots in Chicago, the ordinance especially impacts rental car companies around O’Hare and Midway airports which can have over 2,000 cars out at any given time.

Settlements

Jose Lopez v. Chicago Police Officers & City of Chicago – $9.5 million – Chicago paramedics were attempting to assist Jose Lopez in June 2011, who had complained of chest pains. Lopez, was refusing treatment when Officer Stevan Vidljinovic claimed Lopez took a swing at him. Vidljinovic then tased Lopez, which caused him to fall and hit his head. Lopez’ attorney says he now cannot talk and can only move a little. The case went to trial but before the jury determined damages the city settled.

Alexander et al v. Zinchuck et al – $395,000 – This settlement is the result of a suit by a group of 2008 election night revelers who say they were pepper sprayed and beaten by Chicago Police on the West Side while they were celebrating Barack Obama’s presidential victory.

Appointments

A2017-74 – Juan M. Calderon to Board of Health

A2017-77 – Alexandra Holt to Metra Board

A2017-78 – Philip K. Fuentes and Sarah Pang Board of Directors of Regional Transportation Authority

A2017-79 – Thomas J. Kotel to Board of Directors of Regional Transportation Authority

A2017-80 – Alexander Theoharis to SSA16, Greektown/Halsted Commission

A2017-81 – Ceasar J. Melidis to SSA16, Greektown/Halsted Commission

A2017-82 – Anastasia Makridakis to SSA16, Greektown/Halsted Commission

A2017-83 – A.Thomas Paspalas, Greektown/Halsted Commission

A2017-84 – Mark Zipperer to SSA18, North Halsted Commission

A2017-85 – Randy L. Shingledecker to SSA18, North Halsted Commission

A2017-86 – Amy L. Novotny to SSA27, West Lakeview Commission

A2017-87 – Kathryn Romanowski to SSA54, Sheridan Road Commission

A2017-88 – Stephanie D. Fishel to SSA60, Albany Park Commission

A2017-89 – Alfred M. Klairmont and Robert J. Smith III to SSA62, Sauganash Commission

The Chicago Development Fund, which provides investment capital for low-income communities and residents, is up for governing changes in a joint Budget and Finance Committee meeting Tuesday morning. The changes are necessary to continue qualifying for the Federal New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC) with tax-exempt status. According to its website, the fund has been awarded $356 million in NMTCs by the federal Treasury Department since 2006, and has helped fund the construction of Great Central Brewing, the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, and the non-profit UCAN.

The first influx of funding for the city’s new Community Catalyst Fund–$50 million–is one of the Finance Committee’s biggest agenda items Tuesday. Aldermen are also set to consider one of the largest single payouts for police excessive force in recent history.  

Police Settlements Totaling $10.2 Million

The committee’s supplemental agenda includes $10.2 million in legal settlements,the bulk coming from a $9.4 million settlement to Jose Lopez and his wife Sandra Cardiel. The plaintiffs alleged excessive force by Chicago Police, who tasered Lopez. Lopez fell, hitting his head, leading to a coma. Lopez’ friend called an ambulance when Lopez said he was having chest pains walking down a sidewalk the night of the incident. Police said he resisted help and swung at an officer.

A $395,000 settlement is also on the agenda for 2008 election night revelers who say they were pepper sprayed and beaten by Chicago Police on the West Side while they were celebrating Barack Obama’s presidential victory.

Changes to the Catalyst Fund Ordinance

The committee will consider changes to the Community Catalyst Fund ordinance and its initial funding round of $50 million. The Catalyst Fund, brainchild of Treasurer Kurt Summers, has been on hold for some months and no appointees to the Fund’s board have yet been named. Many of the ordinance amendments move enactment dates.

Summers heralded the move in a July statement. “Today marks another important step by securing the initial funding of $50 million towards solving a multi-generational economic problem by investing in sustainable economic growth. I look forward to September’s City Council meeting when we can finalize the creation of the Catalyst Fund.”

Three aldermen voted against an ordinance that contained the fund’s creation, citing transparency concerns over appointments to the fund’s board, investment returns, and whether the fund’s activities would be subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the state’s Open Meetings Act, and oversight from Inspector General Joe Ferguson.

The three aldermen–Rick Muñoz (22), Scott Waguespack (32), and John Arena (45)–were quick to reference the shortcomings of the Chicago Infrastructure Trust (CIT) and the city’s Tax Increment Financing system in the hearing at the time.

Per the changes, money for the fund would only come from the Corporate, Service Reserve, or Concession Fund “which are not subject to Other Investment Restrictions as determined jointly by the Comptroller and the Treasurer,” and cannot include debt obligation proceeds or money from the Enterprise Fund.

Those eligible funds would start flowing in 2020 instead of 2019. The changes also include amendments to the start dates of the first appointees, procedures for filling vacancies, and some perplexing conflict of interest changes.

The amendment defines financial interest as “an interest held in an Affiliated Entity by such Voting Member or Advisory Board Member that is valued or capable of valuation in monetary terms with a current value of more than $1,000.”

Voting members and Advisory Board members serve as fiduciaries to the Catalyst Fund “and accordingly are strictly prohibited from making decisions or recommendations on behalf of the CCCF for personal financial gain.” But “other investors” who contribute personal money to the overall investment vehicle are exempt.

The changes also give the mayor power to determine when and how big money transfers to the fund would be. The liquidation, merger, sale, or bankruptcy of the fund would be subject to a City Council vote, and the ex-officio members (the treasurer, chief financial officer, and planning commissioner) will decide where the books are kept.

County Assessor, Board of Review Reforms

Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios remains in the spotlight, as the committee considers a resolution from Ald. Anthony Beale (9) calling for the city’s Law Department to file a complaint against Cook County. The goal is “to revise any real-estate tax under-assessment which entails more than a seven percent (7%) negative variance from the market value of the property.”

The resolution, R2017-661, also asks the Assessor and Board of Review to present “proposed Revised Rules to address and resolve the inequities associated with the current assessment system” before November 30, 2017.

Berrios, and to a lesser extent, the Board of Review, have been under scrutiny since the Chicago Tribune’s series, “The Tax Divide,” suggested the county’s assessment system unfairly burdens homeowners in poor areas.

Landmark Tax Break in (No Surprise) Fulton Market

A Class L property tax incentive for renovation of a former meatpacking building in Fulton Market (933-943 W. Fulton Market) is on the agenda, O2017-5782. The $10 million investment is part of a larger land buy in the neighborhood by New York-based Madison Capital and its partner, ASB (MC ASB 939 Fulton, LLC).

The Class L is a 12-year tax break intended to encourage the preservation and rehabilitation of landmark properties. Owners must invest at least half the value of the landmark building in an approved rehabilitation project.

New Fees for Multi-Year Vacant Properties

Ald. George Cardenas’ (12) proposed ordinance, O2017-3889, on the agenda imposes climbing fees for owners of properties that have been vacant for multiple years. Fees to renew vacant building designations “shall be based on the total number of years that the property has been vacant from the original registration date.”

The schedule:

• $500 for properties that are vacant for at least one year but less than two years


• $1,000 for properties that are vacant for at least two years but less than three


• $2.000 for properties that are vacant for at least three years but less than five


• $3,500 for properties that are vacant for at least five years but less than 10


• $5,000 for properties that are vacant for at least 10 years, plus an additional $500.00 for each year in excess of 10 years.  

Letting City Employees Donate to Red Cross via Payroll

Chairman Ed Burke’s (14) resolution,R2017-668, urging the City of Chicago to allow its employees to donate directly to the American Red Cross and other blood donation groups through automatic payroll deductions is also on Tuesday’s agenda. Doing so would add organizations such as the American Red Cross to a list of 30 approved organizations to which city employees may designate donations from their paychecks.

The blood shortage in Chicago and in Illinois “mirrors a nationwide drop in supply that has left it 61,000 donations short of what it has needed to keep up with demand for the past two months,” Burke’s office said in a release.

The resolution also calls upon the Chicago Department of Public Health to appear before the Committee on Finance “to address current or potential efforts to combat the blood donation shortage.”

Two anti-theft measures will be considered by Public Safety Committee Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

License Committee meets Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 201A to resolve a plethora of packaged good store bans, some new car booting operations rules and new limits on when packaged goods stores hours.

Juan M. Calderon, the Chief Operating Officer of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center and Director of the Center’s HIV prevention program [LinkedIn], is Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s pick [A2017-74] for the city’s Board of Health. His nomination will be considered in Wednesday morning’s meeting of Council’s Health and Environmental Protection Committee. The advisory board made up of health and insurance professionals meets once a month to advise Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita and mayor on health policy and priorities for the city.