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CHICAGO — Victims of domestic violence, identity theft and other hardships would get a 50 percent break on the additional costs city officials add to city debt, including for parking tickets and sticker violations.
Authored by Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), the chairman of the City Council’s Latino Caucus, the measure (O2018-8115) has the backing of Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st); Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd); Ald. Chris Tailaferro (29th); Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30th); Ald. Milly Santiago (31st); Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd); and Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th). It is on Tuesday’s Finance Committee agenda.
The city’s ticketing rules have been in the spotlight since an investigation from WBEZ and ProPublica found that thousands of mostly black and low-income motorists are filing for bankruptcy to cope with the consequences of unpaid parking and automated-traffic-camera tickets that often lead to license suspensions and vehicle seizures.
As part of the city budget, aldermen are set to approve City Clerk Anna Valencia’s proposal to create a $29.28 four-month city sticker, give drivers a 15-day grace period and offer a month-long amnesty. In addition, aldermen are set to forgive ticket debt for some city motorists, but only those who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
A separate measure to “conceming provisions regarding debt and drivers’ license suspensions” is set to be introduced on the floor of Monday’s committee meeting.
The committee is also set to consider three re-appointments to the Chicago Infrastructure Trust, which will oversee the development of the tunnel Elon Musk’s The Boring Co. plans to build from O’Hare Airport to Downtown. Ventas CEO Debra A. Cafaro, Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services Chief Administration Officer Carl G. Lingenfelter and Miguel Zarate, a managing partner for Marquette Associates, are set for re-appointment.
Five measures to use city funds to improve parks across the city are also set to be considered. They are:
- O2018-8112 — A proposal to use $350,000 in funds from the 43rd and Cottage Grove tax increment financing district to add a walking path, landscaping, drinking fountain, workout stations and benches to Sumac Park, 4201 S. Champlain Ave.
- O2018-8114 — A proposal to use $10 million from the North Pullman TIF to construct an indoor track and field facility in Gately Park, 810 E. 103rd St.
- O2018-8116 — A proposal to use $400,000 from the Archer/Western TIF to develop a dog park at McKinley Park, 22l0 W. Pershing Road.
- O2018-8117 — A proposal to use $3 million from the Clark/Montrose TIF to renovate the fieldhouse and athletic center at Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland Ave.
- O2018-8119 — A proposal to use $6 million from the Western Avenue South TIF to renovate the field house at Revere Park, 2509 W. Irving Park Road.
Aldermen are also set to consider a $2.5 million loan (O2018-8859) to preserve and renovate the 122-unit Greenwood Park Apartments in Kenwood. Ninety of the units would be leased to tenants earning up 50 percent of area median income and 32 units would be affordable for incomes up to 80 percent of area median income, and the federal government would provide rental assistance for 50 units, according to the mayor’s office.
The committee will also weigh proposals to restructure its loan agreements (O2018-8763) with Montclare Englewood, LLC and (O2018-8238) Midwest Limited Partnership.
