CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago City Council will meet for the first time this year and the agenda is packed.

During Wednesday’s meeting the council formally approved almost $40 million in settlements.

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Settlements

The three biggest cases are tied to former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara, ex-CPD Sergeant Ronald Watts and former commander Jon Burge.

The largest involves former Detective Guevara. It’s a $17.6 million settlement in the case of Thomas Sierra, the council approved it.

He served more than 20 years in prison for a 1995 murder. Prosecutors dropped the charges in 2018 after a judge ruled Guevara lied on the witness stand.

The council approved all settlements on the agenda, including:

Mark Marxson was granted $8.75 million, Ben Baker and Clarissa Glen will be awared $7.5 million, the family of Lakisel Thomas will receive $4.5 million in one of three settlements, the family of Jose Luis Carranza Chacon will receive $975,000 and Jos Weems will receive $130,000.

Welcoming City Ordinance

The council will also take a closer look at the Welcome City Ordinance.

It currently bans Chicago police from cooperating with federal ICE agents to deport someone living in the U.S. illegally.

Alderman Ray Lopez wants to tweak the law to make an exception for criminals.

Lopez said it would allow CPD to work with federal agents and arrest undocumented immigrants who have committed specific crimes.

He hopes this will better protect law-abiding non-citizens in Chicago from deportation under the upcoming Trump administration.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has already stated Chicago will remain in compliance with the Illinois Trust Act.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling is not in favor of this proposal.

More items on Wednesday’s agenda also include efforts to reduce the city speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour.