An overwhelming majority of the Chicago City Council voted Thursday to declare its independence from whomever is elected the city’s 57th mayor in just five days.
Both candidates for mayor — Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson — have said they favor an independent City Council, empowered to legislate on behalf of the entire city.
In an initial proposal, Moore was in line to chair a newly created Human Relations Committee. However, his opposition meant that gavel will now go to Ald. Monique Scott — assuming she wins on Tuesday against rival Creative Scott to hang on to the 24th Ward seat she was appointed to by Lightfoot.“I ain’t no prostitute,” Moore said.
Lightfoot, who will leave office in 46 days and played only a ceremonial role during Thursday’s meeting, urged members of the City Council to show a “modicum of decorum.” Including Taylor, five Democratic Socialist members of the City Council are set to lead committees starting in May,. Currently, no members of the Democratic Socialist Caucus are committee chairs.
In all, Chicago’s 2023 budget earmarked $5.6 million for the operations of 19 City Council committees. Adding another nine committees would likely cost the city an additional $2.8 million at a time when the city’s budget forecast estimates a shortfall of at least $473.5 million in 2024. “Having a robust legislature has a cost,” Ramirez Rosa said. “For too long, that capacity has only existed in the mayor’s office.”
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