September 26, 2025
RESOLUTIONS CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND COUNCILMEMBER RUE LANDAU’S FAIR CHANCE HIRING BILL APPROVED
The third City Council session of the Fall term was a spirited one this week inside Philadelphia City Council Chambers.
Approval of several resolutions voicing concerns about President Donald Trump’s administration was front and center this week.
Council approved by an overwhelming voice vote Resolution #250776, introduced by Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At-Large) on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District), that condemns Trump’s recent efforts to whitewash, suppress, and rewrite American history by removing slavery-related content from national parks – including an exhibit at Independence National Historical Park honoring the nine individuals enslaved by President George Washington, developed by the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, thereby attempting to erase Black history from the national narrative.
Resolution #250776 opposes the Trump administration’s threats to the President House Site exhibit comes after word emerged that the U.S. Department of Interior is ordering alterations to the President’s House and the alterations could happen at any time
In the early 2000’s, historians and citizens pushed the National Park Service to acknowledge the connection between slavery and the Liberty Bell site. Philadelphia’s Avenging the Ancestors Coalition was created to push for a plan to recognize the lives of the enslaved.
It took years for the President’s House Site at 6th and Market Streets in Old City, near the Liberty Bell, to become a reality but it was officially dedicated in December 2010. Within less than a decade, the National Park Service had pivoted from rejecting any mention of slavery to accepting a plan that puts the experience of the enslaved at the forefront.
The President’s House Site’s outdoor exhibits examine the paradox between slavery and freedom in the new nation, In the 1790s, at the President’s House, Presidents George Washington and John Adams lived and conducted their executive branch business.
Although the house was demolished in 1832, stories are preserved today through videos shared from the perspective of the enslaved individuals that lived and worked there, and text panels that shed light on everything from visiting tribal delegations to the work of the executive branch.
Council also approved Minority Leader Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large)’s Resolution #250788 that condemns the Trump Administration’s deployment of the National Guard to American cities and calls on leaders across the country to defend democratic governance and civil liberties through every lawful means. An overwhelming majority of the speakers during public comment this week spoke in favor of Brooks’ resolution.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (10th District), the lone Republican on Council, was the only no vote against this resolution.
City Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At- Large), Isaiah Thomas (At-Large), Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) and Nicolas O’Rourke (At- Large) were on official leave of absence from this week’s Council session and did not vote on any bills or resolutions.
Nine other resolutions that were on the September 25 final passage calendar for consideration were approved. They are Resolutions #250731, #250733, #250751, #250775, #250777, #250779, #250780, #250785, and #250791.
Resolution #250303 was held for possible consideration during the October 9 Council session and Resolution #250732 was withdrawn from consideration.
COUNCILMEMBER LANDAU’S FAIR CHANCE HIRING BILL PASSED BY COUNCIL
It was Bill # 250373-A, introduced by Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large). The bill, approved by a 13-0 vote, will amend Chapter 9-3500 of Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards,” to amend definitions, add clarifications, and enhance remedies.
Councilmember Landau’s updates to the Fair Chance Hiring law will make Philadelphia’s workforce more just and more competitive by shortening the lookback period for old misdemeanors, aligning city law with state law on minor summary offenses, and ensuring employers follow a fair, transparent process when considering applicants with records.
Philadelphia was one of the first cities in the country to ban employers from asking about criminal records up front, opening doors for tens of thousands of residents to rebuild their lives. But with more than 300,000 Philadelphians carrying a record, many from mistakes made years or decades ago, barriers to employment keep too many people out of the workforce.
Before Council started this week, Landau held a press conference in City Hall about the legislation to highlight what the changes mean for job seekers, employers, and the city’s workforce. Attending the press conference was Council President Johnson, Councilmember Brooks and officials from Community Legal Services, the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, the Clean Slate Initiative and Unite Here.
Bill #250373-A will now go to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker for consideration.
ADDITIONAL BILLS WERE INTRODUCED IN COUNCIL THIS WEEK
Councilmembers also introduced a dozen bills during the session. The legislation are Bills #250800, #250801, #250802, #250803, #250804, #250805, #250806, #250807, #250808, #250809, #250810, and #250811.
Bill #250805, introduced by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District) would exempt pharmacies from the Business Curfew Law (Bill #250292) scheduled to go into effect on November 10. The Business Curfew Law only impacts parts of the First Council District and the entire Seventh and Eighth Council Districts.
Bill #250800, introduced by Councilmember Anthony Phillips (9th District), would amend Title 14-602, entitled “Use Tables,” by prohibiting drug paraphernalia sales in certain industrial districts.
According to Phillips office, this ordinance would clean up Philadelphia’s Zoning Code by eliminating an outdated loophole that technically allowed drug paraphernalia sales by right in I-3 Heavy Industrial districts. Under current law, these sales are already prohibited in every commercial zoning district, and this measure brings industrial zoning into alignment with the rest of the Code. It provides clarity and consistency by making clear that drug paraphernalia stores are not a permitted use anywhere in the City, except as accessory to a licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
All of the bills introduced at this week’s Council session will be referred to the appropriate committee for a hearing.
Council also approved 10 additional resolutions that were both introduced and approved on September 25. They were Resolutions #250813, #250814, #250815, #250816, #250819, #250821, #250822, #250824, #250825 and #250826.
For a link to all the bills and resolutions approved or introduced this week, visit to City Council’s Legislative Information Center. The site provides quick and easy public access to information concerning Philadelphia City Council bills and resolutions.
CITY COUNCIL HELD NO COMMITTEE HEARINGS THIS WEEK DUE TO THE ROSH HASHANAH HOLIDAY
A Public Health and Human Services Committee hearing and a Rules Committee hearing, originally scheduled to happen on September 23, were cancelled out of respect for the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
The next Council committee hearing will be the Committee on Streets and Services on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 1 p.m. The Streets Committee has more than 20 bills up for consideration.
Council will also hold a Public Health and Human Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. The committee will hear testimony on Resolution #250362 which looks at the policies of the Philadelphia Department Human Services regarding child welfare protections.
CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, REBUILD PHILADELPHIA AND MAKE THE WORLD BETTER CELEBRATE NEW TURF FIELD AT VARE RECREATION CENTER IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA
Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District), the Philadelphia Eagles, and Make the World Better Foundation joined together this week to celebrate the recently completed turf field at Vare Recreation Center in South Philadelphia. Vare is in President Johnson’s Council District and Pennsylvania State Rep. Jordan A. Harris’ 186th State House District.
The field renovation was supported by a $250,000 contribution from the Philadelphia Eagles and was part of a larger $21 million transformation of the entire facility through the City’s Rebuild program.
As part of the celebration, the South Philly Sigma Sharks youth football program led a youth football clinic with support from Philadelphia Eagles player Nakobe Dean. The clinic provided training and skill development opportunities for young athletes.
Vare Recreation Center, which has been operating in South Philadelphia for more than 100 years, was closed for several years for Rebuild renovations but reopened in November 2024.
The facility is a nearly 19,000 foot recreation center that includes an indoor basketball gymnasium with spectator seating, gymnastics gym, multipurpose room that can be converted into two classrooms, a computer lab equipped with high-speed fiber optic internet, new bathrooms with indoor and outdoor access, two new outdoor basketball courts, outdoor plaza and performance space, new sprayground, outdoor playground designed with play structures for children of all ages and the new football field that was just completed in the past few months.
Rebuild is the City’s historic investment of over $500 million in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia. The program began under former Mayor Jim Kenney and continues under Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
COUNCILMEMBER RUE LANDAU IS LAUNCHING A DIAPER DRIVE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30
Councilmember Landau (At Large) is collaborating with Cradles to Crayons to collect boxes of baby diapers for use by Philadelphia’s children. Donations are accepted in front of Councilmember Landau’s office, City Hall Room 592, between 9 am-5 p.m. Monday-Friday until September 30, 2025.
Your contribution will help improve access to clean diapers and other necessities required for all babies to thrive and reach their full potential. The following items are welcomed:
- Diapers (all sizes, including pull-ups)
- Baby wipes
- The public can also donate directly to Cradles to Crayons by going here.
Cradles to Crayons is a proud member of the National Diaper Bank Network, which connects and supports community-based diaper banks that collect, store, and distribute free diapers to families experiencing diaper needs. As a diaper bank, Cradles to Crayons works with an extensive network of Service Partner agencies, such as the School District of Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Methodist Services, who are the critical connection to families and children who receive the clothing and essentials they distribute.
In 2024, Cradles to Crayons provided over 3.1 million diapers to a network of 130 Philadelphia agencies!
For additional information, contact Councilmember Landau’s office at 215-686-3420.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER JIM HARRITY AND DBHIDS TO HOST A WELLNESS EXPO ON SEPTEMBER 27
Councilmember Jim Harrity (At-Large) is partnering with the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) to host a Wellness Expo on Saturday, September 27th from 11:00am-3:00pm in the City Hall Courtyard in Center City. It is free.
September is National Recovery Month in the United States. National Recovery Month is observed to raise awareness about substance use disorders and promote recovery. It aims to highlight the importance of treatment, support, and recovery for individuals and families affected by addiction.
For more information, contact Harrity’s office at 215-686-8295. Philadelphians can also take advantage of services offered by DBNHIDS by going to their website https://dbhids.org/
COUNCILMEMBERS ANTHONY PHILLIPS AND ISAIAH THOMAS HOSTS PHILLY AFTER SCHOOL HYPE ON SATURDAY, SEPTMBER 27
We’ve heard it for years: ‘There’s nothing for young people in Philly.’ Philly After School Hype is bringing together over 100 after-school and youth organizations together on Saturday, September 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to show families and students just how many opportunities exist across our city.
Philly After School Hype will take place at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center located at 4250 Wissahickon Avenue. It is free.
Join Councilmembers Anthony Phillips (9th District) and Isaiah Thomas (At Large) along with Philadelphia Youth Basketball, Influencing Action Movement, and the School District of Philadelphia, for the largest after-school fair in the city.
What to Expect:
- Discover top after-school programs in Philly.
- Enroll students on-site (Grades K–12)
- Attend powerful, life-changing family-centered workshops.
- Enjoy live music, giveaways, food & fun.
- Walk away with real resources, real connections, and real options.
For more information, contact Councilmember Phillips office at 215-686-3455.
SATURDAYS WITH CITY COUNCIL WILL BROADCAST LIVE FROM THE PHILLY AFTER SCHOOL HYPE EVENT ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Tune in and listen to the next Saturdays with City Council show on September 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eastern Time for Saturdays with City Council on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1 FM) or online at wurdradio.com
The show will broadcast live from The Philly After School Hype fair taking place at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center located at 4250 Wissahickon Avenue.
The show is hosted by Council Communications Director Vincent Thompson and features interviews with Councilmembers and a deep look at the issues facing City Council.
The Saturdays with City Council shows in October will air on Saturdays, October 11 and 25, both days from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on WURD Radio.
NEXT COUNCIL SESSION IS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
City Council will not hold a City Council session on Thursday, October 2 out of respect for Yom Kippur.
City Council’s next Stated Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 9 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Philadelphia City Council Chambers, Room 400 (Fourth Floor), Philadelphia City Hall.
The public can watch City Council sessions live in Philadelphia on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40, streamed live at PHLCouncil.com/watch or heard on WURD Radio (900 AM/96.1FM) from 10a.m.-1 p.m.
Note: Thank you to the Offices of Councilmembers Rue Landau, Anthony Phillips, Isaiah Thomas and Jim Harrity for contributing information to this edition of the Weekly Report.
