Chicago City Council passes Gaza cease-fire resolution as Johnson casts tie-breaking vote

[David__77]

Chicago became the largest city in the nation to demand a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, thanks to a symbolic resolution approved by a divided City Council Wednesday at a raucous meeting that, once again, forced Mayor Brandon Johnson to cast the tie-breaking vote.

Johnson helped deliver the 24 to 23 vote by personally lobbying fence-sitting alderpersons on behalf of the resolution championed by his handpicked Human Relations Committee Chair Rosanna Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd) and breaking the tie after a 23 to 23 deadlock.

The meeting was so raucous, Johnson was also forced to clear the Council chambers, resulting in a delay of about an hour.

At first, Johnson had admonished the jeering crowd to “demonstrate some restraint” and warned that, if they didn’t, he would have no choice but to clear the chambers as he was forced to do last fall, when a divided Council approved a resolution condemning the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the war.

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https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2024/1/31/24057161/mayor-brandon-johnson-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-raucous-debate-clears-chambers

[ProfessorGAC]

1. They Have Bigger Fish To Fry

Symbolism should be around priority #750.
This vote isn't going to change anything.

[David__77]

2. It's a good message, in my opinion.

Often, local government entities make statements of position. It could potentially have implications for other city business, I suppose.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. We'll Disagree

10,000 cities could do this & I see nothing changing.
Netanyahu doesn't care what Chicago alderman think.
Oh, and it didn't pass unanimously, which I think further pushes the symbolism toward irrelevance.

[The Magistrate]

4. They Do Have Better Things To Do, Sir

Virtue signaling gets right up my left nostril.

[David__77]

9. I suppose one could say the same thing about their resolution in October condemning the attacks on October 7.

The idea of resolutions as statement of position does strike me as a bit antiquated perhaps.

[The Magistrate]

10. I Quite Agree

I give the views of the city council no weight whatever when carried much past zoning variances, the various tax-skims by TIF, maintenance of the schools and pavements, and who mans the trucks for streets and san.

[ripcord]

3. Just a feel good vote with no common sense behind it

Hamas won't be swayed by this and they are the ones refusing to honor a ceasefire, not surprising since they broke the last one.

[Captain Stern]

5. That City Council should have the decency to be embarassed by having a vote on this.

What a bunch of clowns they are.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. More Palestinians live in Cook County than any other county in the nation.

[Sympthsical]

8. The recent Tinley Park murders were a Palestinian family

Where the wife and three daughters were killed by the husband/father.

The south suburbs have a pretty active Muslim community, particularly around Orland Park and Bridgeview. My mom used to take us into Bridgeview during various festivals to experience the food. Knew nothing about the religion back then, but I remember the food being excellent.

City council is still wasting its time, however. But we're a performative people now. It's just what we do. It's almost just as good as actually doing something. Almost.