Divided Council Gives Mayor Emergency Powers Amid Coronavirus

CHICAGO — In a split vote Friday, the City Council approved an ordinance temporarily expanding Mayor Lori Lightfoot's spending authority due to the new coronavirus crisis until June.

Council consideration of the so-called emergency powers ordinance — which Lightfoot said allows her administration to quickly enter into contracts for services and supplies during the coronavirus crisis and her opponents called a "power grab" — was delayed two days when five aldermen on Wednesday used a parliamentary procedure to block a vote.

The ordinance allows Lightfoot's administration to change how city funds are allocated and enter into contracts of less than $1 million related to the city's coronavirus response without City Council approval. After hearing aldermanic objections to her original proposal, Lightfoot amended the ordinance to provide the City Council with weekly spending reports and end her extended authority in June.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Roza, one of Lightfoot's most outspoken opponents, criticized the mayor for being unwilling to guarantee in writing that she will distribute emergency funding through an "equity lens" that benefits African American and Hispanic neighborhoods.

The ordinance was approved in a 29-21 vote.

On Wednesday, Ramirez-Roza argued the City Council's ability to meet virtually with 48 hours notice during the stay-home order provides plenty of time for aldermen to vote on emergency spending proposals.

Lightfoot disagreed, saying that during the pandemic her administration needs to act quickly to purchase things such as personal protective equipment, which is in short supply nationally.

"We don't have 48 hours when we're trying to get vital services that are necessary to support our health care workers, tests and other things that are critically important to fight this pandemic," Lightfoot said. "If we wait, we lose. We can't afford to lose. Our residents lives are on the line ... 48 hours when we see the level of competition for basic supplies is an eternity."