The meeting is starting late because the zoning meeting is running late.

The zoning committee elected to meet tomorrow morning to complete their business so they have adjourned and the Rules committee meeting should begin shortly.

This is the agenda for todays meeting: https://t.co/YMZQ28pu3W

Meeting has been called to order chaired by Ald Michelle Harris.

Motion made to approve the July, 2022 Monthly Rule 45 Reports for the Committee on Committees and Rules. Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Motion made to approve assignment of Timothy Knudsen to the Committee on Committees and Rules. Vote is unanimous. Knudsen is welcomed to committee.

Agenda item two is brought up which is the Resolution of Amending Committee Assignments based on the New 43rd Ward Alderman appointment.

There is discussion about how these assignments are delegated. Aldermen Sposato and Vasquez remark on how with at least 21 departures from the Council and 21 new members that it seems that newbies are getting a lot of the assignments that perhaps more senior aldermen might want.

Ald. Scott replied that the mayor said that she would take on the committees that her predecessor had been assigned to.

Ald Scott added that she believed that with 21 Alderman resigning there would be a lot of opportunity for being assigned to new committees

Ald Cardenas welcomed Ald Knudsen saying that he has no doubt that the new ald will be able to take on all the responsibilities he will be assigned.

Ald Cardenas added that he believes that Ald Knudsen will be particularly helpful on issues related to zoning, finance and will generally be able to help people with the problems they report.

Ald Cardenas finished by saying that he is one of the Alderman who will be leaving at the end of this term.

Ald Sposato spoke again stating that he didn’t mean any disrespect to any of the newly appointed aldermen but that he was trying to protect them. He said he didn’t want any of the “newbies” to feel overwhelmed by committee assignments.

Ald Sposato reiterated that he believes the manner in which committee assignments are decided needs to be looked into. He added that he does support the resolution and new ald assigned to committee.

Ald Hadden spoke up to say that he supports the resolution. He also welcomed Ald Knudsen to the committee.

Chairwoman Harris called for a vote on the resolution. It passes unanimously.

There being no other business to consider, the chair asks for a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourns at 3:00pm.

Here is and example of how Mayor Lightfoot fills vacant council member positions: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2022/july/43WardVacancy.html

Here is an article about what is being called “The Great Resignation” of city alderman: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/06/will-more-aldermen-step-down-lightfoot-expects-more-announcements-as-city-hall-faces-great-resignation/

Here is some general information on the Chicago City Council: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/council.html

Here are some of the aldermen who have resigned. (According to Ald Scott there have been 21 or 22 resignations out of 50 aldermen at the time of this meeting.) https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/a-rundown-of-the-city-council-members-not-seeking-re-election-in-2023/2934837/

This concludes my coverage of todays Committee on Committees and Rules meeting. Any comments on the current state of the Chicago City Council or anything else mentioned here are welcome. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org.