CHICAGO — At its first meeting presided over by new Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago City Council on Wednesday approved his first major piece of legislation: a council reorganization.
The plan, unveiled last week by Emanuel, reduces the number of council committees to 16 from 19 and is expected to shave 10% off the $4.7 million now annually spent to support council committees.
Alderman Edward Burke, who supported an Emanuel opponent in the mayoral race, remains at the helm of the Finance Committee.
However, some of the committee’s responsibilities over matters like development projects will move to a new Audit and Workforce Development Committee led by Emanuel’s close ally, Alderman Patrick O’Connor. Burke’s committee will still hold sway over the city’s bonding proposals.
The 50-member council, which includes more than a dozen newly elected members, also adopted new rules, including an Emanuel-sponsored ban on floor lobbying by former aldermen convicted of felony crimes.
Burke presented Emanuel with a welcome gift on behalf of the council — a gavel.
Following Emanuel’s Monday inauguration, he signed a series of executive orders that were entered into the record at the meeting Wednesday. The orders bar city appointees from lobbying the city for two years after their departure. Appointees of former Mayor Richard Daley are exempt if they leave by Nov. 16.
Lower-level employees would be banned from lobbying the agencies or departments where they worked. Appointees to boards and commissions are banned from lobbying the board or commission on which they sat. The orders also bar city lobbyists from making political contributions to the mayor, and political contributions from city employees to their superiors are strictly limited.
Emanuel also introduced his cabinet and other top appointments that must be approved by the council. He is seeking approval for Lois Scott’s appointment as chief financial officer, Alexandra Holt as budget director, and Amer Ahmad as comptroller.
Emanuel on Tuesday announced $75 million in cuts and other measures to achieve budgetary balance in the 2011 spending plan. The city faces an estimated $587 million to $700 million deficit in 2012.
“The serious challenges ahead cannot be overcome by one alderman, one committee, or one mayor,” Emanuel told council members Wednesday. “All of us have a role to play in securing Chicago’s future. So join me in partnership as we bring change to City Hall and results to the people of Chicago.”
