League Project Inspires Proposed Change to Increase Transparency

By Priscilla Mims, LWV Chicago City Government Committee

Crediting the League, Ald. Reilly (42nd) has recently filed a proposal that would enable the public to see “direct introduction” items proposed by the mayor and city departments. These proposals currently are not available to be read prior to a City Council Committee taking action. Watch for more information soon as to how members can show their support.

In the meantime, here is some information to bring everyone up to speed.

The Problem

Normally, legislative proposals are introduced at the end of a City Council meeting and referred to a committee, which will usually meet the following or even subsequent months. These proposals are given a number by the city clerk’s office, and the text is posted on the online Legistar system for the public to be able to read. Thus, the alders and members of the public have time to read and consider the proposals before action is taken by a City Council Committee, and later by the full City Council.

Rule 41 of the City Council’s Rules provides for an exception to normal procedures by allowing the mayor and City Departments to submit “direct introduction” proposals directly to a City Council Committee for consideration. Direct introduction proposals are usually not assigned a number, nor is the text posted for the public to see. Instead, these proposals are submitted directly to a City Council Committee for consideration.  

In the League’s Zooming with the Aldermen interviews, we asked the alders about this and found not only that members of the public cannot see the text of direct introduction items, but committee members themselves often do not get the text until shortly before a meeting is set to start.  

Obviously, this is the opposite of good government and transparency!

The Solution

Having observed this process directly, members of the LWV Chicago City Government Committee inserted a question about it during their Zooming with the Aldermen interviews. Alders were asked whether they would support a change to City Council Rules that required all such “direct introduction” proposals to be posted prior to a committee meeting—as is required of all other proposals. Alders generally responded “yes!”

Following his recent interview, Ald. Reilly took action by sponsoring a change requiring, among other things, that direct introduction items be publicly posted 48 hours prior to a meeting, consistent with other posting requirements.

See item R2022-687. This proposal has been referred to the Rules Committee for consideration.

Ald. Reilly credits the League as the impetus for him and his co-sponsors to propose this rule change. The co-sponsors are Alders Tunney (44th), Osterman (48th), Waguespack (32nd), Vasquez, Jr. (40th), Taliaferro (29th), La Spata (1st), Hadden (49th), and Martin (47th)—all of whom have been interviewed by the League. Go to www.lwvchicago.org/aldermen to see their interviews.

The City Government Committee is talking with Ald. Reilly to learn how and when League members can effectively show our support. Stay tuned.