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Public commenter George Blakemore tells Cook County panel zoning 'harms the Black community' and alleges 'pay to play'

Cook County Zoning and Building Committee · March 11, 2026

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Summary

George Blakemore used the public‑comment period to accuse zoning processes of favoring developers and harming the Black community, and urged the committee chair to enforce decorum. The transcript records the allegation and no formal response or committee rebuttal.

George Blakemore addressed the Cook County Zoning and Building Committee during the public‑comment period and accused zoning decisions of disproportionately harming Black residents.

Blakemore said zoning is often applied in ways "that is negative to the black community" and alleged that decisions can reflect "pay to play" practices. He urged the chairman to enforce respect for the public and criticized what he described as a lack of checks and balances in the zoning process.

The committee's secretary reminded Blakemore of the rules for public comment before and during his remarks. The transcript records no formal response, rebuttal, or follow‑up action from committee members in the recorded segment.

Blakemore's remarks were delivered during the public‑comment portion of the agenda and the committee proceeded with its scheduled business after he finished speaking.