CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago City Council wrapped up its latest virtual meeting Wednesday, taking action on, among other things, measures related to the COVID-19 outbreak, and a big project going forward despite the crisis.
Among the new measures, one that prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who enforce the health guidelines aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
Mayor Lightfoot said other measures provide relief for affordable housing developers.
"This relief will be tailored to the businesses themselves, many of whom are among our city's small and diverse entrepreneurs through rent defferals, the relaxation of operation space requirements, along with other measures," she said.
Alderman Raymond Lopez was the only no vote on that, but wanted to make a point.
"I am not against efforts to help people staying in their homes. What I am against is what seems to be a $3 million bailout to developers, when money could be spent better, getting it directly into the hands of tenants, who need it the most," he said.
Another new measure? No fines on businesses whose licenses expired after March 15.
And while the Chicago City Council approved a number of ordinances designed to help businesses and working people suffering economically through the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s initiatives got sidetracked.
Mayor Lightfoot introduced Wednesday an ordinance that would triple — to 90 days — the amount of advance warning landlords would be required to give tenants whose leases are not being renewed.
Several progressive aldermen complained that the measure does not go far enough, and they moved to have the ordinance referred to the Rules committee, a place where some ordinances go to die.
The Mayor said she expects it to eventually pass, and City Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara said it’s just a first step.
"We believed that we would step out and begin to work and begin to hear from people and organize and work overtime on a series of reforms; and so, it would be a mistake to consider this a one and done approach," Novara said.
And the Mayor will ensure the ordinance gets another try.
The City Council also approved plans for Tribune Tower East, a gleaming structure expected to become Chicago’s second-tallest building. Downtown Alderman Brendan Reilly said the project includes a hotel, residences and mandated minority business participation.
The aldermen also approved a resolution asking state lawmakers to block anti-union right-to-work measures in Illinois.
At nearly the end of the virtual City Council meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Lightfoot paused to reflect on her first year in office, which she said has left Chicago more fair and transparent than it was when she was elected. But she acknowledges the COVID-19 pandemic has made it a most challenging year for all of them.
"This stage of our journey together has left us physically apart to keep our residents safe and with widespread job loss, hunger, and uncertainty of our future. But it is because of the gains we made to raise more voice and lift - truly lift - our communities that we have as a city and as a governing body been able to face this moment with strength and conviction," Lightfoot said.
The Mayor also highlighted the dozen freshman alderman elected with her and their achievements.
The next City Council meeting will be June 17, and could very well be virtual too.