 On December 3 , 1987 16 of the parcels were sold to private bidders at Cook County 's annual scavenger sale , and Langer and partnerships Langer controlled bought 13 of the parcels . On December 9 , 1987 , at the first regular business meeting of the City Council after the death of Mayor Washington in office , Washington foes brought the proposal out of committee . Alderman Bernard Stone joined Alderman Osterman in blocking the agreement , saying Shiller 's " arrogance prevailed and that arrogance has to be answered on this floor . " The Council rejected the consent decree 29 @-@ 17 . 
