Good afternoon.
Uh, the committee on budget
and Government Operations will come to order.
See that we have alders, uh, Irvin Lee,
LA Spota, Yancy Ramirez.
Quinn Lopez, Moore. Rodriguez.
Cardona, spaza, NuGen Napolitano, Nuon Martin
and Manhattan, as well as Nonmember Hall Chico.
Curtis Lawson, Howorth. Did I miss anybody?
Altman Riley, alderman Conway.
Miss anybody else? osha.
Okay. All right.
Um, we'll now have a public comment.
Uh, first off for public comment, uh, Zoe Lay.
Good afternoon, Ms. Lay.
Good afternoon. I went over to my, um, land yesterday
to do my press conference
because I'm trying to figure out
how this government run grocery store is still gonna be on,
on my, my land.
And you guys have this gate that's on part of my land
that still belongs to me as well.
So I need to know what criminal.
I just need somebody gonna take that gate off,
like the city need to come take
that gate off the rest of my land.
I got my land right here that the building I knocked off
that, that we're currently in, uh, court for.
And then I gotta deal with this deal with this gate
and this government run grocery store on the other side.
That doesn't make any sense as well.
And it's all because you guys are funding it,
even though y'all are a billion dollars in debt.
And y'all owe us for knocking down our building over here
with illegal imminent domain.
And then I got looked to the right of my, of my land
and I gotta see a government run grocery store
that y'all are, that y'all stopped working on,
but y'all are trying to work on.
It doesn't make any sense.
Like none of this makes any sense.
As you know, it's 14 days into the election, the city
of Chicago is going to flip red.
And everybody knows that
because you, the Democratic Party in the city
of Chicago runs on corruption
and has been running on corruption.
That's all y'all know how to do.
I have to come out here and speak to all of us
because I have an incompetent alderman who I can't speak
to in the 17th ward, and I can't get his ass out until 2026.
So I'm still here. I'm gonna continue to be here.
But can somebody please tell my alderman in the 17th ward,
David Moore, that there's a gate
with this government run grocery store on my land?
I need it to come off.
So use your $1.5 million that you get in every, uh, uh,
every year for, for the, for the 17th ward
that you do nothing for, except f*****g sell us out.
As usual, I need you, Ms.
Lay, Baltimore slave. Ms.
Lay please with the, with the language please.
Y'all corrupt. All y'all do, y'all corrupt. Okay?
That's super corrupt. You corrupt your wife. Corrupt.
Alright. She just had a,
she just had an event the other day.
Okay? Right. I went to that event. It was so ghetto.
She, she stole all the money, all them,
all them sponsors that y'all had.
Verizon, you only, you only, but Wells Fargo.
I don't even know why Wells Fargo is even
sponsoring anything for Black Americans as much as,
as much land and illegal foreclosure they have
done in the black community.
Okay? Should I go on all those,
all those sponsors that your wife had at that event
and it was no chairs, but we continue to allow that.
But it's all right because I wrote every sponsor
and let them know that this doesn't make sense that the city
of Chicago has all this money
and y'all keep bringing these, these, these events to us.
That doesn't make any sense. 'cause none of that stuff.
All for our votes. All for our votes. I'm trying to
Thank you Ms. Lay.
Uh, we'll add, uh, alderman Scott
and c Lopez to the quorum roll call.
Next up. Uh, Mr. Blakemore,
I haven't recovered from the last budget
hearing that you had.
It was terrible. I was traumatized. I couldn't believe it.
But you are learning. We making, we are teaching you how to,
to behave this time.
You didn't do this. You had a courtroom this time
before you called the public speakers.
You thought you was going to bully us.
And then you told this man, ma'am, Mr.
Taiwan, uh, uh, to, to leave.
And Sergeant Obama, we, we are teaching you,
it is a new day here.
We are teaching you how to behave
and this little old mess that you have transferring, uh, uh,
funds from one account to another.
I never did like this.
I don't, I took an accounting course
and I don't know if I made a CLD or was,
but I, it wasn't an A, but anyway, it's not good.
Transferring money from one account to another,
that's not good government.
So again, it's very important
for concerned citizens to show up.
And these concerned citizens mostly have
been black citizens.
We are here. Can't you see that? That the seats are empty?
Evidently the white folks are liking what you are doing.
They're not complaining.
Seem like you are upsetting the black people with,
with this shenanigan.
Did you think we was a foolish people?
We were gonna let you get away with that.
Did you think that?
And I was just cursing you
and using all kind of profane language
because what you, you made, you are making us hate you.
We are making, we got black faces in high places
and you are making us hate too.
You look like us. Your hair is nappy, your nose is big,
your lipstick and the other is black.
But what you said on, but you acting against our interest
and you acting against the interest of good government,
black faces in high places.
I was here. I couldn't, I was traumatized.
I was traumatized for your behavior,
but you not doing it today.
So evidently, sir, that's white man. Stop.
Both of you. Turn around while I'm talking.
I what the
hell you think you are?
I'm talking to you and the other and you doing this.
Thank you Mr. Blakemore. Our final, final speaker.
Me, uh, Mr. Taiwan Sims.
So one of us, so we just had a past meeting in this
chamber, but it was something left out
Familiar with the fact that the state is getting ready
to invest a billion dollars in prisons.
I'm asking, oh, I'm,
I'm waiting for you to finish your question.
That's the question. Are you aware of the fact
that the state, we are, we are aware
that education needs to be prioritized.
Sir, we are aware of that.
I ain't know that they, I ain't know that patient needs
to be prioritized.
But y'all was aware of the fact
that they were investing in our children $1 billion in
prisons, a billion dollar shortfall on account of what?
The new arrival initiative on the account of
what y'all put all the resources into illegal people
that have just gotten here.
But y'all wanna write our children off?
Mm
mm I don't know where to start.
I had so much to start. It says she who, who do we blame?
She Sanders or Martinez? The CEO.
The president or the superintendent or the school board.
Which one? Who takes this hit? Mr. Williams.
You might got some answers for us
because we are black Americans under this administration
are dead in the water.
The Democratic Party for whatever reason, or these people
or the, I don't know who it is, to blame
David Vasquez.
All of you all in this room have surely it says
black students success.
Black students experience all these things for people.
They 400 and 400
and something million dollars have been earmarked for
black Americans learning their, their first language.
They say that's the only game
that has been made here in the school board
or in the school system.
Black Americans learning how to speak English.
We went up six points.
I guess y'all mistake, uh, those, um, Latinx.
Those Venezuelans, a bunch of 'em look like black people.
Those the people y'all marking up.
So in light of this, how do we get to the bottom of it?
Let's stop pointing fingers.
How y'all gonna mend this in black America when you wake up?
Uh, I, I know. Just keep ignoring it. Keep ignoring it.
But I'm asking y'all, how are we going
to amend this in our children?
Y'all not gonna sell our children out.
Y'all don't get the luxury of that.
Y'all been doing it for years.
Y'all did it even to me in 1995 when y'all took away
all the afterschool programs.
Midnight basketball. Y'all did this.
I sat in jail as an automatic transfer.
That means an automatic transfer.
I was, I was a a a child in jail as an adult.
Y'all don't get to do it now. Not under my watch.
I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for bringing me in this room.
Y'all going to pay? Y'all gonna pay. That's Jeanette Taylor.
You, you what?
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Sims.
Um, pursuant to rule 59,
I want to add Alders.
Do Paris Mosley. Am Mitch, is there a moler?
Is there a motis? Is there a motion?
So moved by Alderman Rodriguez.
All the favor Sigma was saying. Aye. And any opposed?
Any penez ayes have it.
Please add Alder Dow Harris Mosley admits, uh,
to the form.
Mr. Uh, Sims, if, if you do not Okay,
could you remove Mr. Sims please?
Sergeant at arms please. Please remove the gentleman.
Alright, uh, item number one on the agenda
is a communication.
Recommend the adoption of the annual appropriation
ordinance year 2024.
Yes. Oh, can I, can I finish? Hold on. Say, okay.
Before us is item number one, the communication recommended.
The adoption of an annual appropriation ordinance.
Year 2024 Amendment within fund 9, 2 5.
As a direct introduction,
will you remove the gentleman officer?
Will you remove the gentleman
Of proper development?
Anything?
Okay. Uh, alderman Silverstein.
Thanks, chairman. I just wanna be recognized for quorum.
I recognize you. I, uh, my apologies.
Uh, recognize Alderman, uh, Silverstein
and Talia Farrell for our, uh, quorum, uh,
both Uht Farrell and Silverstein.
I miss anybody I add Scott, did I?
We added Scott La spot already had you. You good? Okay.
Alright. Item number one is a direct introduction
to committee, uh, for the adoption
of the annual appropriation ordinance.
Year 2024 member within fund 9 2 5. Chloe, please proceed.
Uh, today we are introducing, uh, an amendment
to fund 9 2 5 for the Department
of Family and Support Services.
This is a total appropriation request
of $20 million 633,000.
The first, uh, request is for a pass through grant, uh,
from the federal, uh, department
of Homeland Security from IDHS for the shelter
and support, uh, service program.
This is 9.6, uh, $9,633,000.
Um, this will support, uh,
the new arrival's mission in reimbursing the corporate fund,
um, for mission related expenses.
Uh, the second, uh, grant is for, uh, an increase of,
of $11 million from the Illinois Department of Family, uh,
department of Human Services
for the Asylum Seeker Shelter and Support Program.
Uh, this $11 million from IDHS will also support the new
arrivals mission and reimburse reimbursing corporate
for mission related expenses.
Thank you.
Any questions? Vice Chair
Lee, follow bottom and Lopez.
Thank you, chairman. Um, so I get both
of these are for reimbursements.
Can, do you have a total number so far of what's been spent
and how much we've been reimbursed in total?
Just in the aggregate. Do you have that information?
Um, for 2024,
we have spent $119.4 million on corporate, um,
and our total grants spend,
um, I can get you through the chair.
Okay. So that's 119.4 million net
of any reimbursements
That is inclusive of reimbursement. Okay.
So that's what's on the books
to date of money out the door. Yeah.
That to date, we have spent 119.4 million on corporate.
So will the 11 and the 9.6 then go to offset the one 19?
Correct. Okay, great.
Um, yeah, I'd, I'd love to know how much we've, uh,
we've gotten reimbursed so far.
'cause then we'll have a better idea of the total dollars.
That was my only question. Thank you, chairman.
Thank you. Vice Chair Ottman Lopez.
Thank you Chairman. And good morning.
Members of the committee, why was this
as a direct introduction, if I may ask, as opposed
to just introduced at the last meeting meeting,
There was an item introduced at the last meeting, uh,
which is currently in rules.
Uh, this item is different from the item that is in rules
and thus was submitted as a direct introduction.
Okay. And the 20 million total
that's being reimbursed from the state
and the federal government, that is for
items already spent, correct?
Correct. And this will be going to back
to the corporate fund,
Correct.
To be used for the current deficit
of the 2024 fiscal year.
So
The, uh, reimbursement here was inclusive
of our defi, uh, deficit number.
So, I'm sorry, can you repeat that?
Um, when we did the deficit calculation,
we assumed these revenues were coming.
How many more assumptions are in that deficit
based on anticipated
reimbursements for the remainder of the year?
I would've to get that through the chair.
Okay. Are we expecting reimburse more reimbursements
through the end of this year?
I would've to get that through the chair.
So in addition to
what my colleague from the 11th ward asked about, which was
from the total that we spent this year, the amount
that we have been reimbursed year to date, I'd also like
through the chair the applications for, uh,
for additional reimbursements from state
and federal partners, uh, that we anticipate getting
for fiscal year 2024.
Um, and if they have already been
calculated in the projected deficit,
um, because I think it's important for all of us
to have an understanding on whether
or not we are counting the same money twice
or if we're making projections based on things
that we don't already have.
You know, learning that we have this today when we know
that we have already used it.
It's the second time I've heard that in this chamber.
Um, and it's a trend I don't like.
So I'd like to know what else we can be braced for, um,
and what we're planning on,
because it, it's not fair to any of us
to make these decisions with assumptions
that you guys are making in quietly
without telling the rest of us.
Thank you Chairman.
To confirm, we do not expect any additional, uh,
grants in 2024.
We do not expect any additional state
or federal grants in 2024.
So if I may, chairman,
so then this is the last reimbursement from the state
or the federal government, or
That we communicated with them?
Yes. So then we'll see
how much we've gotten up to year to date.
Yes. I can get you year to date. Okay. Thank you.
Okay. Any other questions in relation to the 9 2 5? Uh, re
Thank you chairman. Uh,
I'd like all that information as well.
I, I assume the entire committee will receive it. Yes.
Great. Um, couple of questions for the department,
and many of mine have already been covered,
but is there a general percentage of costs reimbursed
by the state versus the federal government?
Is there an equation that's applied
or do we hit a pin pinata at the federal
and state level to see what falls out?
H how do you, how are they calculating
what we are owed back?
Um, I assume someone knows how we get reimbursed
Umalthough. This is for
the record. Matthew Schmitz,
managing Deputy Budget Director,
office of Budget Management.
Um, yes. All it.
So throughout this mission, we've been working closely
with our partners at the county
and the state on a cost model based off anticipated number
of arrivals and, uh, all the costs that go to support them.
So shelters, finding space, supporting them at
what services, uh, and, and feeding them.
So, um, in that time that we work with them, um,
there's different opportunities
that are offered at the federal
and state level in terms of funding opportunities.
And so we put together applications
and we essentially negotiate with our partners kind of
what makes sense based off the eligibility rules
of any one specific grant program.
Uh, what costs to apply for that specific opportunity.
So, um, in the case of Cook County,
we negotiated specifically
to reimburse the city for food costs.
Um, in the case of a lot of our federal
and state grants, um, it was a, a mixture
of different shelter services
and then actual cost to, um, procure the space.
So it depends on a case by case basis,
but, um, we're always at the same table with our partners,
figuring out what that cost share is.
But, uh, okay, but, so there isn't an actual
formula in place to determine this percentage
of local costs are covered by state versus Fed versus pass
through grants from Fed to county?
We don't that that doesn't exist.
It's, it's, it's truly a negotiation on,
on each grant that's applied for. Is that,
Uh, yeah, I would say it's, um, for the, for the money
with the state and the county, it was more negotiated
upfront, kind of different shares of how we say it.
But for the federal government, a lot of it was based off
of, you know, availability
of funds at the congressional level
and then how much that Congress decided to either give
to New York or Denver
or, so that was really more of, you know,
as we factored into our model,
what we anticipated on getting,
and then we would readjust based off of okay,
were the levels that came out,
uh, for different cities. So.
And have you received any guidance from the feds and
or the state related to fiscal year 2025
and what local governments can expect in support for
these types of programs focused specifically on housing and,
and feeding migrants?
We have not. So potentially
there may not be in place the same programs
and opportunities next year that we have this year.
Is that possible?
Yes, that's possible. And given the fact we have a
pretty important and impactful federal election in a few
weeks, a different administration could do away
with it altogether, correct?
That is correct. And
what is the local plan to manage?
I assume we have a contingency plan being developed, um,
because this election is literally a tossup,
and it is just as likely Donald Trump has elected president
as it is that Kamala Harris is at this point.
And depending on who you listen to,
it's more likely Donald Trump will be elected.
So being a good and responsible, shut up George,
being a good and responsible local government,
we should have a plan in place for the worst case scenario.
And everyone has a different
opinion on who should be the president.
But in the, in the case of the city of Chicago
and getting federal support for programs like this,
I think we know what the worst case is.
And so, um, I hope,
and maybe you you can answer this in a moment, that
that contingency is being worked up
because we are depending on the federal
and state grant monies in the amounts of tens of millions
of dollars, and local taxpayers can't afford
to continue these programs without that help.
Some would argue we can't afford them now.
And so, um, I guess I'll stop talking and, and,
and ask you to answer that question.
Are you working up a contingency plan
predicated on no federal
or state support for migrant housing and care?
Um, the mayor will present his budget
to this body next week.
Great. Okay. Well hopefully his budget presentation
includes that very likely scenario that the state
and the feds will not be there for us with migrant support,
and that'll be reflected in his budget submission.
Thank you, chairman.
Thank you. Uh, Altman.
Riley, any other questions for the 9 2 5,
uh, Altman Lopez?
I was seen if anybody else before you went
again. Go ahead. Al Lopez.
Thank you, chairman. Actually, excuse me,
I just wanna follow up on what my colleague from the
42nd Ward mentioned.
Um, with regards to next year, this morning,
the mayor announced that Chicago will no longer shelter
migrants, um,
and that they will all be put into the city's homeless, uh,
sy unified homeless system.
Um, is that exactly what you're anticipating when it comes
to dealing with the migrant asylum seekers moving
forward and why?
We're not saying that we're gonna
be looking for money next year,
So I will, I'll let, um, my part idea of assess, uh,
talk a little bit more about that,
but as, as is by, as well aware,
the administration's been shifted to a one system, um,
solution to house be unhoused.
And so any money we're working on
with our partners next year will be towards that.
So I just, I just wanna make sure that we're understanding
that by now calling migrants unhoused,
you're basically calling them ho whoever
shows up here is homeless.
So is that because we're not anticipating money to,
to address the issue since we've only have a projected
$150 million in the budget for next year.
So are we just simply going to be changing semantics so
that they're just put into the homeless system next year
as opposed to specifically as a migrant issue?
So I'll let the s talk a little bit more
about the one shelter plan.
Uh, yeah, I, I, Danny Castaneda, deputy Commissioner
for New Arrivals with the Department of Family
and Support Services, uh, it's hard to say
what we can expect from the federal government.
I think the state, uh, has committed,
obviously they're on a different fiscal year.
Uh, but the state has committed to continue
to be at the table with the, with the city, um, so
that we are sharing in this new, uh, one shelter system.
Obviously the state is invested in that, um, as is the city.
Um, so they have committed both financial
through their current fiscal year
and to explore, um, into their, to their next fiscal year,
which obviously overlaps with ours.
But yes, all, all services
and costs will go
through the one shelter system and homeless services.
Okay. I just wanna make sure that my colleagues are clear
that when we talk about the, uh,
70 per 75% eviction rate of the 2,700 migrants
that we currently house, that we now officially refer
to them not as migrants,
but as the homeless, which is why we're putting this
emphasis on this new system so that it could be dealing
with the same problem just under a different name.
Thank you, chairman.
Thank you Altman. Altman Nugent.
Thank you Chairman. Um, Danny up.
I see Danny up there with D-F-S-S-I,
I'll be supporting this today,
but I am, I'm waiting on more information on the One shelter
program, but I have, I have some big concerns about how
and what this is gonna look like moving forward as somebody
who has, uh, a migrant shelter in their ward.
And I have been very vocal about an encampment in Gompers
Park where the city repeatedly tells me that, um,
they cannot come out and help me because of equity issues.
And so I will be supporting this today,
but I would like follow up from budget DFSS
and the mayor's office because my
encampment continues to grow.
Um, and I'm told that we just can't help, uh,
with an accelerated moving event in rapid rehousing,
which is the most humane
and appropriate thing to do, um,
for these folks experiencing homelessness in Gompers Park.
So I'd appreciate follow up from the folks up there.
I, again, I will support this as I've continued to support
our initiatives surrounding homelessness,
our initiatives surrounding new arrivals.
But, um, my community is being ignored right now,
and so I'd like to put that into the record.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you. Uh, Altman new to any other questions related
to the 9 2 5.
With that being said, the Alderman Martin has the
most moves to pass.
All in favor, Sigma saying aye. Any opposed?
Independent of chance ayes have in this matter will be
reported out at our next City council meeting on
October 22nd.
Also, uh, pursuant to Rule 59, alderman Greg
Mitchell's asking for remote participation.
Uh, all in favor Sigma a, uh, alderman Yancy, uh,
uh, has a motion to allow for, uh, alderman Mitchell
to participate remotely.
All in favor, SMA for saying aye. Any opposed?
Chair ayes have, alderman Mitchell will be added to the role
and allowed to participate remotely.
Uh, now we will consider items two through seven
of the agenda, which are all transfer of fund ordinances
for automatic award accounts and or committee accounts.
Substitutes are proposed for four
of the six transfers awards,
1 41 Committee on Zoning landmarks and Building Standards,
and the Committee on Health and Human Relations,
which have all been sent to, uh, committee members.
Do we have a motion to accept the four substitutes?
So moved by Alder Manhattan.
Um, all in favor smar for saying aye.
Any opposed any opinion chairs?
Ayes having now substitutes are before us.
Uh, items two through seven again are communications
regarding proposed transfers concerning, uh, transfer
of funds within the first ward, the third Ward,
the 13th Ward Committee on zoning, landmarks
and Building Standards Committee on Health
and Human Relations and the 41st Ward.
Is there a motion to, uh, pass those items?
So moved by Alder Manhattan. All in favor signal saying aye.
Any opposed? And opinion chair? Ayes have it.
And the motion, uh, passes. Any ordinances are approved.
These matters will be reported out at the next regular
meeting on the 22nd.
Uh, seeing no further business,
can we get a motion to adjourn?
So move alderman y. Y'all in favor Sigma for saying aye.
Any opposed independent chairs?
A ayes have it and we are adjourned. Thank you.
See you tomorrow.