How to Submit Public Comment to Chicago City Council

What public comment actually does

When Chicago City Council votes on an ordinance, alderpeople are supposed to know what their constituents think. In practice, most of them hear from lobbyists, developers, and advocacy organizations. Public comment is the mechanism that puts your voice into the official record alongside theirs.

Written comments submitted to the City Clerk's office are distributed to all 50 alderpeople before a vote. They are also entered into the Council Journal, which is the permanent legislative record of the city. This is not a suggestion box. It is a legal record, and elected officials are aware that their response to public comment, or lack of response, is documented.

When to submit

Submit your comment **before** the scheduled vote. Comments submitted after a vote still enter the record, but they cannot influence the outcome. City Council meets roughly once a month; check the City Clerk meeting schedule for exact dates. Committee hearings, where most of the real debate happens, are listed separately.

For maximum impact, submit at least **48 hours** before the committee hearing where the ordinance will be discussed. That is when staff are compiling briefing materials.

How to write it

Keep it short. Three to five paragraphs. Open with who you are and where you live. Your ward matters because alderpeople pay the most attention to their own constituents. State the ordinance number or title. Say whether you support or oppose it. Give one or two specific reasons why. Close by stating what you want your alderperson to do.

Do not use form letters if you can avoid it. Staff can tell. A two-paragraph comment in your own words carries more weight than a five-page template.

Where to send it

**Email**: Send to your alderperson directly (find them at Ward Office Finder) and CC the City Clerk at officeofthecityclerk@cityofchicago.org.

**In person**: You can also deliver written testimony at the committee hearing or full Council meeting. Sign up to speak during the public comment period, and you will usually get two to three minutes.

What happens after

Your comment is entered into the Council Journal. If you emailed your alderperson directly, their office may respond. If you submitted through the Clerk, it goes into the public record but you probably will not receive a personal reply. That is normal. The record still matters.