Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) speaks during a rules committee meeting Tuesday. [City of Chicago livestream]

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) defended his proposal to change how proposed legislation can be introduced directly into committee at the last minute as a way to bring transparency to the legislative process and ensure that aldermen and the mayor’s office are held to the same standard.

But after about two hours of contentious discussion, aldermen in the City Council Committee on Committees and Rules voted 24-17 against Reilly’s proposal, citing concerns about potential lawsuits and ensuring that the measure will not be reported with a favorable recommendation during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.