Closed session items

Criticized the city's infrastructure neglect, urged settlement of flood claims, opposed the Cook County amicus position on gun regulation, and claimed storms were 'weaponized weather.'

Supported the amicus gun-case participation, urged a public process on utility undergrounding, and asked for softer negotiations on flooding litigation.

Commented on all six closed session items, urging settlement of flooding claims, support for the amicus gun case, and public participation in safety.

Echoed support for the IBA's independence and transparency, and asked for more detail about a pedestrian accident involving a city vehicle.

Spoke on all closed session items, supporting firefighters and lifeguards, and later gave a strong 'no' on the budgetary principles, arguing the city isn't seriously addressing its structural deficit.

Defended the sanctuary-city litigation as a decent-values argument, urged council members and the mayor to take voluntary pay cuts to build public trust, and raised concerns about retaliation within the police department.

Supported federal deportations, opposed the lawsuit against the Trump administration, and urged layoffs of higher-paid employees instead of raises, criticizing the pension system and DROP program.

Noted federal courts have been blocking the grant freeze, questioned how many other duty-of-care obligations the city is falling short on, and asked for transparency on how labor settlements affect budget priorities.

Urged the council to roll back the trash fee to the original ballot-measure amount and criticized rising fees and city negligence in litigation matters.

Thanked the council for joining the pharmacy and Discover Card litigation and urged diligence on fees and storm drain concerns.

Urged equity in parking ticket collections, supported tiered water rates helping low-income residents, and asked for clearer public explanation of sea-level-rise issues at Midway Rising.

Offered direction on each closed session item, urging systemic safety planning for stormwater pipes and questioning why an anticipated-litigation item was on consent.

Questioned the number of canceled meetings and suggested the city could save money by reducing attorney staffing and redirecting funds to road paving.

Urged the city and January 2024 flood plaintiffs to settle reasonably rather than escalate, and criticized reliance on representational procedure over open participatory democracy.

Argued city staff improperly interpret council policies and urged a rules committee review of lease and property-use policies, including insurance and profit-sharing requirements.

Criticized the city's road maintenance, called Prop 218 implementation unconstitutional, and blamed city failures for repeated litigation costs including the sewer spill.

Asked why the Brasil trip-and-fall litigation has taken over seven years to settle, and urged negotiators to approach labor talks like a family balancing a budget.