City Council approves historic settlement, housing plans and other items

CHICAGO — Summer has officially come to an end and City Council was back in session Thursday afternoon and evening, discussing several big topics.

Thursday’s meeting was a long one, with aldermen gearing up to discuss several big agenda items, including police settlements, the Obama Library site and video gambling in the city.

Police misconduct settlement

During the marathon meeting, City Council approved a historic $90 million settlement to resolve nearly 200 federal civil rights lawsuits over the conduct of disgraced former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts.

“This is a huge win for the city and I wanted to make sure corporation counsel and her team and acknowledge her work,” Ald. Gil Villegas (36th Ward) said.

Under what’s referred to as a global settlement, each plaintiff will receive between $150,000 and $3 million. The city estimated settling each one individually could cost up to $500 million.

“This is the deal of the century,” Villegas said.

Originally, Chicago’s Department of Law proposed a $90 million settlement to resolve dozens of lawsuits against the city connected Watts, who pleaded guilty more than a decade ago to stealing money from an FBI informant.

The remaining 176 lawsuits were filed by people who allege their convictions were based on fabricated evidence from Watts and his team.

Their convictions have since been vacated, and nearly all plaintiffs were granted certificates of innocence.

Housing Protections

Council also approved two revised measures designed to improve housing affordability in the city.

The first targets the neighborhood surrounding the Obama Presidential Center.

The Jackson Park Housing Pilot reserves city-owned lots for affordable housing and creates a property tax relief program as home values and rents in the neighborhood increase.

“This Jackson Park Housing Pilot is an incredible testament to how we are building safe and affordable communities,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

The other is the long-debated so-called “Granny Flats” ordinance. Compromise got it passed 46-0 and it legalizes “additional dwelling units” like basement, attic and coach house apartments in all multi-family residential and commercial districts and allows for those units in single-family districts if their alderperson opts in.

“This supports multigenerational living. It helps stabilize our neighborhood, helps people pay property taxes, pay their bills,” Ald. Bennet Lawson (44th Ward) said.

Chicago Fire FC’s new stadium

After the meeting, development can begin at The 78 site in the South Loop as City Council approved Chicago Fire FC’s plans to build its estimated $750 million, 22,000-seat stadium.

Team owner Joe Mansueto is funding the stadium privately and the team said the stadium is on track to open for the 2028 season.

Chicago Fire FC President of Business Operations Dave Baldwin issued the following statement after council’s approval of the stadium.

We’re grateful to have received City Council’s approval for our new stadium, a transformative project that will anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, The 78.

This will be the first major stadium built in Chicago in three decades, and it’s being delivered entirely through the private investment of our owner, Joe Mansueto. His vision and commitment will give our Club a world-class home while creating a year-round sports and entertainment destination for the entire city.

Beyond Chicago Fire matches, the stadium will attract global concerts and events, creating thousands of jobs, fueling economic growth, and driving new energy into the South Loop. We’re grateful to the residents, community members, and public leaders whose support and input have shaped this project. With their partnership, we remain on track to open in time for the 2028 MLS season.

This is more than just a stadium – it’s a catalyst for the growth of both our Club and Chicago. We look forward to taking the next steps in this exciting journey and continuing to invest in the future of our great city. We’re just getting started.