Mayor Brandon Johnson asking the crowd to behave with proper decorum during the duration of the Oct. 13 special meeting as public commenters discussed a resolution pledging Chicago’s support of Israel. | Chicago Mayor's Office / Facebook
Mayor Brandon Johnson asking the crowd to behave with proper decorum during the duration of the Oct. 13 special meeting as public commenters discussed a resolution pledging Chicago’s support of Israel. | Chicago Mayor's Office / Facebook
In response to repeated outbursts from people attending Chicago City Council meetings, Sergeant-at-arms Alvin Starks has issued new rules aimed at maintaining order. The new rules require meeting attendees to remain seated unless they're participating in the public comment session of the meeting.
“I am doing my best to make sure that this public debate is allowed to happen,” Johnson told the rowdy public during the Oct. 13 meeting. “I do not wish to clear this public space.”
“I would respectfully ask again that we allow real public debate. If you could not adhere to those expectations I would ask Sgt-at-arms to remove you and if I had to do that many times, I will clear this room, that is not what I want to do.”
The regulations state that cellphones must be silenced and handheld electronics must only be used while seated and may not disrupt others from hearing or seeing the meeting. Starks also established a ban on the use of vulgar, abusive, threatening, or disruptive language. Demeaning, harassing, or discriminatory actions or words are also prohibited under the new rules. Banners, flyers, or signs have been banned from meetings as well.
The list of City Council meeting contraband has been updated: backpacks, large bags and sharp objects, food and beverages, and metal water bottles are no longer permitted inside the premises. Only clear bags smaller than 12-by-6 inches will be permitted inside the venue. Those bags will be subject to search.
Violation of these decorum rules could result in removal from the City Council viewing gallery as reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
The introduction of these measures was necessitated by recent incidents during City Council debates on controversial issues such as terrorist attacks in Israel and Chicago's migrant housing crisis when boisterous protests resulted in a premature end of a meeting according to Chicago City Wire.
One notable incident occurred last week when protestors opposing efforts by agents of Mayor Johnson's administration created such chaos during a council meeting about a proposal for a referendum on whether Chicago should keep its sanctuary status, that the meeting had to be adjourned abruptly according to a report from Chicago City Wire.
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