Cleveland City Council is the legislative governing body of the city. The 17 members are elected to four-year terms, unless appointed to fill a mid-term vacancy. Each Council member represents about 25,000 people. Council members serve two roles in their duties: to draft and enact legislation for the city of Cleveland and act as ombudspersons for their constituents.

Signal Cleveland reporters and Cleveland Documenters report on and explain what is happening. From our meeting briefs to a closer look at issues before Council, we inform Greater Clevelanders about information that is important to them and their neighbors.

Most Recent News

Half of Cleveland’s marijuana tax money should go to neighborhood projects, Council Member Richard Starr says

Starr his legislation was about sharing the opportunity created by voters’ legalization of recreational marijuana.

by Nick Castele April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

More Cleveland City Council news

Cleveland schools missed out on nearly $41.5 million from tax abated property last year

Weekly Chatter: Plus, Cleveland City Council — yes, that Cleveland City Council — takes a stand for civility in government.

by Nick Castele April 6, 2026

‘Corridor of Darkness’: Stretch of West Boulevard without street lights

Cleveland City Council Ward 12 Community Meeting, March 24, 2026. Documented by Tucker Handley.

by Cleveland Documenters April 3, 2026

‘Worst of the worst’: Some West Side streets that haven’t been resurfaced in decades to be repaired this year

Ward 14 Community Meeting, March 19, 2026. Documented by DaQuavion Roston.

by Cleveland Documenters March 31, 2026

Vacant industrial site wins Cleveland tax increment financing deal — with several City Council defections

Weekly Chatter: Five council members voted against a tax-increment financing deal for the Westinghouse buildings, an unusually large number of opponents. Plus, Mayor Justin Bibb has a new neighborhood.

by Nick Castele March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

The 216 explained:

People who have lost a loved one to violence have rights. Here’s what to know

by Frank W. Lewis April 9, 2026

More news

Cleveland City Council approves $2.3 billion budget — and debates a new City Hall coffee shop

Before council members OKed the city’s annual spending plan, they turned their attention to Cleveland’s brick-and-mortar projects.

by Nick Castele March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

Mayor Justin Bibb joins Third Way summit for moderate Democrats in South Carolina

Weekly Chatter: Plus, the final word on Cleveland City Hall’s spending on office chairs.

by Nick Castele March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Rules proposed for Airbnbs, Vrbos and other short-term rentals in Cleveland

City Council is reviving its effort to tamp down on the use of short-term rentals for neighborhood parties.

by Nick Castele March 5, 2026

Mayor Justin Bibb’s travel spending questioned at Cleveland City Council budget hearings

Weekly Chatter: Last year, the mayor’s trips cost $120,000, according to employee travel logs given to City Council.

by Nick Castele March 2, 2026

Everything you missed from Cleveland’s 2026 budget hearings

Cleveland Documenters had near wall-to-wall coverage as Cleveland City Council and Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration hashed out the 2026 budget, which pays for salaries and public services such as trash pick up.

by Cleveland Documenters March 2, 2026March 11, 2026

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