Several Black aldermen and clergy members rallied ahead of the meeting to urge the council to vote down a proposal from Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) to ban new fur from being sold in the city.

Aldermen voted 26-19 against the fur ban proposed by Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), after impassioned pleas from critics who said it would harm Black entrepreneurs, and that a decision on whether or not to buy fur products should be left up to individual consumers.

Alderpeople rejected Ald. Ray Lopez's proposal to ban the sale of new fur products by a 19-26 vote. Local fur shop owners said the ban would have forced them to close or leave the city.

Heeding opposition from Black clergy and the Black Caucus, the City Council voted 26 to 19 not to impose a ban on the sale of new fur products in the city.

Supporters of the ban said it would strike a necessary blow against animal cruelty, while opponents said it would harm Chicago businesses.