Aerosol.
Arrows.
Following.
A.
A slightly boring in a way.
Wait.
And it's called. Yeah. So
13 miles, stay overnight. And
Night.
I need.
It's actually.
Oh yeah.
All right.
Okay.
Something.
Ormond Robinson, we will be with you shortly members of the
public. We will be with you shortly.
Oh yeah.
The.
the meaning of your committee on pedestrian and traffic,
safety is
Safety is now caught order for July 21st 2025. We will now
have a roll call to establish Quorum, chairman Lepa
president.
president, vice chair Cruise, almond Hopkins,
Ottoman, Robinson with you in just a moment.
Almond Robinson with you in just a moment. Almond jansy.
Ottoman Chico.
Alderman Quinn.
Alderman Moore.
Alderman. Curtis Vice.
Alderman. Curtis vice mayor Bernett almond.
Ottoman kutson. Al
Ottoman kutson Alderman. Lawson Ormond, Martin.
and Order woman Mana hoppenworth
we have 8 members present, we have
We have 8 members present. We have a quorum uh, Committee
Member uh, Robinson has requested to participate in this
meeting. Remotely pursuant to rule 59.
Alderman, Robinson confirmation.
I'm here chairman. Thank you, thank you very much, sir.
I'm here, chairman. Thank you. Thank you very much, sir.
Uh, can I have a motion to allow all
Uh, can I have a motion to allow order? I mean, Robinson to
participate, remotely.
Almond. Uh, Irvin
Almond uh Irvin so moves all those in favor. Say I
All those.
All those places say nay in the opinion of the chair, the
eyes.
eyes have it Alderman Robinson is present with us here
today by video conference and will be counted accordingly.
today by video conference and will be counted. Accordingly
for the roll. Call at this time we will begin
for the roll call. At this time we will begin the public
comment period out of respect for everybody's time. Each
speaker is limited to 3 minutes.
speaker is limited to 3 minutes speakers in accordance with
the rule 58 of
the rule. 58 of the city council Rules of Order. Please
refrain from profane language, obscene conduct or disrupt?
disruptive comments?
our first speaker is,
Our first speaker is W, Robert, Schultz III.
Test.
Test test. All right, good afternoon. Chairman
Test test. All right, good afternoon, chairman laspada,
members of the committee on pedestrian and traffic safety.
Thank you for another thoughtful subject matter hearing
this time.
this time on Chicago sidewalk Network.
this time on Chicago sidewalk Network, we appreciate the
work to produce this hearing.
work to produce this hearing as well as many other subject.
matter hearings conducted by this committee. Your committee
is exemplary in its formal queries into how Chicago's
residents navigate the city.
I am W. Robert. Schultz III, call me Robert.
I am W. Robert, Schultz III, call me Robert. The campaign
organizer at the Active Transportation Alliance. I am also
the co-chair of the advocacy committee,
the co-chair of the advocacy Committee of the
transportation Equity, Network, or 10.
I'm sure you're aware.
I'm sure you're aware of active trans work to advocate.
I'm sure you're aware of active trans work to advocate for
public transportation and bikes. However, since everyone is
a pedestrian walking on, our sidewalks is also 1 of our
concerns, the transportation.
concerns, the transportation Equity Network, 10 is a
coalition of community-based organizations that work in
marginalized communities, on Chicago's, South and West
sides.
sides, and we work to build power in.
sides, and we work to build power in communities of colors,
and transportation decision.
and transportation decision-making. It's not uncommon to
use.
use the body as a metaphor for Chicago. We say the loop is
the Heart of the City.
City. We call our main roads, Fullerton, Stony Island, Etc.
City. We call our main roads, Fullerton, Stony Island, Etc,
arterial streets sidewalks.
arterial streets. Sidewalks are the capillaries of
Chicago's.
Chicago's neighborhoods and business districts, but
Chicago's neighborhoods and business districts. But like,
blood circulation system, there are clots in Chicago
sidewalk Network. Intersections,
sidewalk Network, intersections, where pedestrians
literally fear to walk?
fear to walk 6 corners on the northwest side.
fear to walk 6 corners on the northwest side, 79th in Stony
Island on the south side.
Stony Island on the south side in the 35 years. I lived in
Chicago. I can't recall Crossing Pulaski on the far south
side, I do it a lot on the North side but
side. I do it a lot on the North side, but on the far south
side, there's a local group called the Southwest.
side, there's a local group called the Southwest Collective
that has worked to come vehicular.
Collective. That has worked to come vehicular traffic. I
understand that there are areas like in the Greater altg
Community that has advocated for years for a side path.
along 130th Street. We know, uh, that the search is on for
new leadership is C dot, we like what they're doing? So
far with the bump outs and pedestrian Islands, we
Far with the bump outs and pedestrian Islands. We want to
see um the uh concept of complete streets. It's a Northstar
for pedestrian safety. And um, we
for pedestrian safety and um we want to see continued
efforts around Vision zero.
efforts around Vision zero um and we'd like to see more
things like raise crosswalks accessible pedestrian.
things like raise crosswalks accessible pedestrian, signals
and cover bus shelters.
and cover bus shelters and more. Uh we need a holistic.
approach to um our sidewalks and most important part of
that is lowering.
that is lowering the speed limit universally,
Thank you very much, much Mr.
Thank you very much. Much Mr. Schultz. Our next speaker is
Kyle. Lucas
oh,
Oh, by the way, alderwoman manah hoppenworth with us.
Oh, by the way, alderwoman manah hoppenworth with us for
purposes of quorum.
Good afternoon committee. Thank you so much for um the
opportunity to speak today. My name is Kyle Lucas. I am the
executive director of better Street Chicago.
executive director of better Street Chicago, and this body
has heard a lot from our organization, over the last few
years about sidewalks and I'm
years about sidewalks. And I'm really excited that today,
we are having a hearing
are having a hearing to talk all about sidewalks
specifically sidewalk
Specifically, sidewalks are the Cornerstone of how people
get around our city in Chicago, but we know that Chicago,
has a lot of work to do to ensure that our sidewalks are
accessible. Um, and that they are even reach.
accessible, um, and that they are even reaching every
Community. We know there are a lot of communities in
Chicago.
Chicago that still just don't even have sidewalks.
And that's really.
and that's really critical that we address that and make
sure that we have the funding necessary to um, to provide
every Chicago and with that access to, um,
every Chicago, and with that access to, um, just to be able
to walk around their Community. Um, I also want to just
speak to the fact that um, the way
speak to the fact that um the way that the city currently
addresses, um, repair on sidewalks is um, insufficient and
it's also inequitable, um, the oig recent
And it's also inequitable, um, the oig recently released a
report talking about 311 requests,
report talking about 311 requests as being in an equitable
way to respond to sidewalk repair and leaves. A lot of
communities. Just
communities just behind in terms of actually being
represent.
represented it within that data to ensure that it um, that
they are getting the repairs that they um desperately.
need. Um so we really urge
Um, so we really urge this body to explore Alternatives,
um, to
Alternatives. Um, to addressing sidewalk repair. We've seen
a lot of great.
a lot of great success with a programs. Um, like, which
a lot of great success with a programs. Um, like which what
DSS has done with switching to a grid?
DSS has done with switching to a grid-based approach for
tree trimmings and
I think that that could be.
I think that that could be an interesting opportunity to
think about for sidewalks as well.
think about for sidewalks as well and ensuring that we're
not just doing a patchwork but that
not just doing a patchwork. But that if there's a stretch
that needs fixed that we just do all of it.
that needs fixed that, we just do all of it, all of it at
once. Um, so we're really excited.
once. Um, so we're really excited to hear about all the
different ideas. Um,
different ideas, um, that this body has on how we can
address sidewalks. I think that
sidewalks. I think that this is an opportunity for us to be
creative and
us to be creative and to ensure that we ensure access for
every single Chicago and um, to be able to get around their
communities. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Mr. George
Blakemore.
Maybe I'll protest.
Maybe I'm protesting in traffic.
and,
And this is know what will be taken.
Far.
Walk repair.
Now.
I don't have to.
I don't have to be able to read.
Or write.
But I can see.
Who is working?
Who is working on this? The sidewalks?
I don't see black people.
I don't see, but I'm
Comfortably when I go to.
comfortably when I go to these various meetings, I
emphasize
Blackness.
And a white man's world.
when I go to the ghetto,
Up to a black neighborhood.
I expect to see black.
I expect to see black men working.
On these.
On these sidewalks.
when I go to,
When I go to the street, the alley, anything
Within uh, prepared and worked on. I expect to see black
folk
I'm hung up. I'm tangled.
I'm hung up. I'm tangled up in my blackness in a racist.
I'm hung up. I'm tangled up in my blackness in a racist
country.
and,
And a racist.
City. That's 99% Democrats.
so, I always use
So, I always use the race card.
And I'm looking.
And I'm looking around here now, and I don't see many black
people here.
We got to.
We got to use the race card to make if anybody.
We got to use the race card to make if anybody work.
It should be black people.
It should be black people working. It's especially in their
neighborhood.
neighborhoods, so that's why it's very, very important of a
man of my high.
man of my High Caliber to attend these meetings.
But we have black faces.
But we have black faces ultimates in high places. I want to
see black men working on these sidewalks.
If if
if if they're on the up in the north side, east side,
if if they're on the up in the north side, east side west
side, South Side, I want to see my people working
side, South Side. I want to see my people working and when
I don't see my people,
I don't see my people working,
I I play.
I I play the race card.
and,
And it's nothing wrong with me. Using this card.
And it's nothing wrong with me, using this card in a racist
system.
Black people.
Why?
why walk and talking and working on the
Why walk and talking and working on these sidewalks? I want
to be able to see them.
Thank you very much.
We, we came.
We we came a long ways but we got a long ways to go.
We we came a long ways but we got a long ways to go, racism
is still alive.
is still alive in the city of Chicago, with the Democrats
99% of them,
99% of them are Democrats. So I went and read all my way to
blackness.
Thank you.
Thank you, sir. Our next speaker is Austin Bush.
Hello.
1 of my.
1 of my neighbors, down the street requires a wheelchair to
get around actually.
get around actually several of my neighbors do but 1 C the
attention of a local journalist. The sidewalk at either end
of our block was broken or misaligned impeding safe
operation of a wheelchair, my neighbors living in the
middle of the block couldn't make it out without a curbside
van pickup.
See last year, after 8 requests for inspection.
See last year, after 8 requests for inspections were sent
through 311 and our aldermanic office.
through 311 and our aldermanic office, it took an article
in Block Club Chicago to finally get C dot to make the
needed repairs to those sidewalks.
needed repairs to those sidewalks and literally today Water
Management.
Water Management. Doug a slot on every lot and filled it
with an uneven AG.
with an uneven aggregate.
Let that sink in my neighbor.
Let that sink in my neighbor was trapped in his home until
a journalist started asking.
a journalist started. Asking the right people, the right
questions that should never have been needed. And here we
go again.
We need a transportation department.
We need a transportation department, the proactively
identifies and repairs. These sidewalk issues, particularly
where the most vulnerable rely on it. Utilizing a
grid-based system as streets. And sand has begun for tree,
trimming and garbage collection.
trimming and garbage collection would ensure state of good
repair, inspections are completed.
repair. Inspections are completed in a routine, consistent
manner across the city. Our complaint-based modus operandi
is not cutting it.
a dedicated funding source is
A dedicated funding source is also required. Current
repairs are most have mostly come from menu funding and the
shared cost program.
shared cost program, but the shared cost program
prioritizes.
prioritizes wealthier areas and is still underfunded
compared to the demand, it meets menu, funding is
compared to the demand. It meets menu funding is often
split between other priorities though. I must commend all
Alderman clay for her commitment. This year.
Alderman. Clay for her commitment. This year to dedicate
the majority of her Wards funding to sidewalk.
the majority of her Wards funding to sidewalks and I asked
that maybe you consider the same
Our city is about to spend billions of dollars. Connecting
all Guild, Gardens via the CTA red line, and yet,
all Guild, Gardens via the CTA red line. And yet the
community is still not connected to its neighbors with
side.
sidewalk access. This is a clear indication of our
priorities and those priorities need to change.
priorities, and those priorities need to change without
doing so, the city will be liable.
doing. So the city will be liable in a civil rights lawsuit
under title 2 of the
under title 2 of The Americans for Disabilities. Excuse me.
Americans with Disabilities Act for discriminating against
individuals.
individuals with disabilities in access to Transportation
as with the recent court order mandating accessible
pedestrian.
pedestrian, signals be installed across the city, the city
may be,
may be required by federal courts to make these repairs. We
cannot afford in action on this issue. I know.
cannot afford in action on this issue. I know the topic of
this hearing may sound pedestrian.
this hearing may sound pedestrian and I promise you it is
that and so much more sidewalks are not a neighborhood.
amenity. They are a Lifeline for residents to access vital.
amenity. They are a Lifeline for residents to access vital
services.
Find the problems.
Find the problems fund the problems, fixed the problems.
Find the problems fund the problems. Fixed the problems.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Uh, counting Alderman Curtis with us.
Thank you very much uh counting Alderman Curtis with us for
purposes of Quorum. Good to have you sir and
for purposes of Quorum, good to have you sir. And our final
speaker is Hugo Corrin.
speaker is Hugo Coronado.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon members of the committee. My name is Hugo
Coronado, I work with the Metropolitan plann.
Coronado. I work with the Metropolitan planning Council.
We are a regional nonprofit.
We are a regional nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity
in the build environment.
in the build environment and we urge the city of Chicago to
prioritize.
to prioritize the development of new accessible sidewalk.
INF
infrastructure. That will improve the freedom and the
mobility for every chicagoan and enhance the
mobility, for every chicagoan and enhance the economic
activity and vibrancy of our neighborhood.
The urgency of this issue is evidence.
The urgency of this issue, is evident by multiple recent
large legal settlements.
large legal settlements with president that have trip and
fallen in broken. Sidewalks, we encourage the city to both
change how it assesses sidewalk conditions and more rapidly
fix broken sidewalks.
There should.
there should be a proactive Citywide program to complete an
accessible sidewalk versus the current reactive.
accessible sidewalk versus the current reactive program,
Which is less efficient that it could be.
We also urged the city to develop.
We also urged the city to develop and publicly file an ADA
transition plan.
transition plan as required. By the American with
Disability Act,
Ada. Transitions plans, provide an
Ada transitions plans provide, an inventory of barriers and
obstacles to mobility and help prioritize Improvement.
Every.
Every trip begin and ends with walking. And by ensuring
access for those who need it. The most we improve.
access for those who need it. The most we improve Mobility
for all residents nearly every person in Chicago region or
someone they care for
someone. They care for will experience a disability that
affects their Mobility.
affects their Mobility at some point in their life.
MPC is ready to work with this committee and relev.
MPC is ready to work with this committee and relevant City
departments to help advance.
departments to help Advance this critical role. Thank you.
Thank.
thank you very much if public commenters that I had a
Thank you very much, if public commenters that I had a
secret love of puns and extended metaphors. They thought
rightly, um, this concludes the public comment period. The
committee also received 8 written comments that were
emailed to committee members,
moving on to items before the committee today we have
moving on to items before the committee today, we have 1
item a subject matter hearing on traffic stops per hour.
we will have representatives from the Chicago Department of
Transportation, the Chicago metropolitan Agency for
planning.
planning access living, the CTA add
planning access living. The CTA Ada advisory committee and
project side.
project sidewalk Comm committee members. I would ask you to
reserve all questions until after speakers have gotten
through.
through their testimony.
Speakers, thank you for being.
Speakers, thank you for being here today. And please be sure
to state your name and organization. When you're speaking,
I I will say before
speaking. I I will say before we get
Going our, our public.
going our, our public commenters, did a great job of
speaking to the multifaceted nature of this conversation.
I will only.
I will only add that there's 2.
Peculiar, uh, particular aspects of this.
Peculiar uh, particular aspects of this, I feel it. Make it
very relevant at this time.
it very relevant at this time. Number 1, this
Notion of the.
notion of the universality of use of our sidewalks. We've
talked about this.
a bit, but we some folks,
like,
Like some folks Drive, some folks take the bus, all of us.
like some folks Drive, some folks take the bus. All of us,
Austin, you spoke about this, The Pedestrian nature. All of
us. Walk on our sidewalks.
us. Walk on our sidewalks, need our sidewalks regardless of
age or ability and so there's a university universality of
need and accessibility of our sidewalks that is worth
highlighting.
But the also concern is it is
but the also concern is it is the only aspect of our public
way that has this consistent.
shadow of potential litigation for
Shadow of potential litigation for city council, and we've
seen this several times.
seen this several times over the last couple years in
particular.
The notion that a failure to make.
The notion that a failure to make sidewalk repairs.
the notion that a failure to make sidewalk repairs can
result in often costly settlements for the city council
settlements that everyone.
settlements that everyone in this room has really wrestled
with and want. Understand better. How do we get out in
front of them? So whether you're concerned is simply
fiscal, whether it's related to accessibility
fiscal. Whether it's related to accessibility or seeing us
use our infrastructure dollars.
use our infrastructure dollars as efficiently and
effectively as possible side.
effectively as possible, sidewalks impact all of us and
effectively as possible sidewalks impact, all of us. And so
thank you again, for everyone's time and Pres.
thank you again, for everyone's time and presence. And
curiosity, we will begin with the Chicago Department of
Transportation. We have with us acting commissioner Craig
Turner and Deputy Commissioner of engineering and Zhang,
thank you.
Thank you both so much for being with us today. Thank you.
Good afternoon.
Uh, chairman of laspada and and the committee.
Uh, chairman of laspada and, and the committee. Uh, my name
is Craig Turner and I'm the active.
is Craig Turner and I'm the active commissioner of the
Chicago Department of Transportation and thank you for the
opportunity to speak with you today about infrastruct.
opportunity to speak with you today about infrastructure,
that impacts every Chicago and which is our sidewalks
Let's see. So begin with the big picture context Chicago.
Let's see, so began with the big picture context. Chicago's
pedestrian infrastructure network is vast.
We manage over 7,400.
We manage over 7,400 miles of sidewalk touching every
neighborhood in the city.
regardless of where you live, or
Regardless of where you live, or your, or your preferred
mode of transportation.
mode of transportation sidewalks are essential for
navigating and connecting.
and connecting to our cities. What is leaving from your
house going?
house going to the train station or you know, uh,
house? Going to the train station or you know uh walking to
the corner store.
Well.
Well, maintain sidewalks are not only critical for
Mobility.
but also for fostering, a vibrant, pedestrian experience.
And see that we made Investments through.
And see that we made Investments through our complete
Street framework building more.
Street framework building more curb out curb, bump outs or
curb extensions.
curb extensions, pedestrian Refuge islands and raised
crosswalks than ever before.
These improvements are essential.
these improvements are essential for enhancing pedestrian
safety and our
safety. And our key part of our broader strategy to reduce
crashes,
crashes and support walkability across Chicago.
Furthermore, we incorporate elements like tree planting.
furthermore we incorporate elements like tree planting to
provide shade reduce Heat and
provide shade reduce heat and approved the storm water
management.
Many of our.
Many of our projects include benches, lighting and other
public.
public amenities that significantly Elevate The Pedestrian.
public amenities that significantly Elevate The Pedestrian,
experience and contribute to you. The identity of the
neighborhood.
Maintaining a side.
Maintaining a sidewalk network of this amen. Scale is no
small task.
C. Dot employees are comprehended. Comprehensive strategy.
The strategically combined major capital projects dedicated
sidewalk program.
sidewalk programs and response, responsive repairs.
sidewalk programs and response, responsive repairs based on
residents requests.
This is a multi-prong approach to design to.
This is a multi-prong approach to design to designed to
ensure we are effectively addressing solid.
ensure we are effectively addressing solid, walk needs
across the entire city.
I like to briefly walk through the different types of
sidewalk elements. C dot delivers.
Our our strategy is fundamentally broke now, broken.
into 3, main interconnected areas.
into 3, main interconnected areas Capital project
integration.
integration Target investment and customer-driven
Investments.
Let's start with the capital app.
Let's start with the capital approve. Capital project
integration.
this is,
this is our, this is, this involves our Capital, our major
capital,
capital projects such as large scale streetscapes, and
capital projects, such as large scale streetscapes, and
comprehensive Street reconstructions.
These project.
these projects just don't replace sidewalk, they
These projects just don't replace sidewalk. They
reconstruct them often in making them better than before.
For instance, like the Chicago Avenue,
For instance, like the Chicago Avenue streetscape in Austin
and the Grand Avenue reconstruction.
Austin and the Grand Avenue reconstruction in the West
Town, both deliver brand new sidewalks.
Town, both deliver brand new sidewalks significantly, widen
pedestrian space.
pedestrian, space and install new, Ada ramps. And
pedestrian, space and install new Ada ramps and added
Street trees for both shade and comfort.
Beyond these large scale efforts, our Capital program.
Beyond these large scale efforts our Capital programs such
as the WPA streets reconstruction.
as the WPA streets. Reconstruction program also rebuild
sidewalks where areas where? None? Previously exist.
Our.
Our arterial, resurfacing program is instrumental in.
delivering thousands of new Ada ramps City.
delivering thousands of new, Ada ramps Citywide.
further enhancing accessibility
moving on to the Target Investments.
A key component. Here is the C dot uh, over
A key component here is the C dot, uh, overseeing shared
call sidewalk program. This program initiative allows a
city and a residents,
city and a residents to share the cost of sidewalk
Replacements directly.
Replacements directly outside their homes.
This program repres.
This program represented significant dollar, annual
investment?
investment, which helped us construct approximately 800 to
1200 sidewalk projects each year.
and we,
and we also work with the city council on delivering,
sidewalk improvements to the automatic menu program.
Finally, we had a customer.
Finally, we had a customer-driven Investments, which we
call the review and response.
C do actively.
C do actively respond to uh evolving sidewalk conditions by
by directly addressing hazardous hazards by
directly, addressing hazardous, but hazards by uh the
public.
When a side.
When a sidewalk is just submitted through 3111.
The following process occurs.
Um, to briefly explain the customer service request.
process, which is how our response repairs are.
process, which is how our response repairs are initiated.
Residents can report a concern?
Residents can report a concern often through 311 based on
observation.
C dot, then conducts an inspection
C dot then conducts an inspection to uh to check the
locations conditions.
this leads to a determination where we
This leads to a determination where we review the condition
and decide on the appropriate outcome.
And based on this, we moved to programming.
and based on this, we moved to programming which involves
necessary funding,
necessary funding of uh and program application, finally,
we
reach Implement Implement implementation.
we reach Implement Implement implementation, through the
issues of work orders to ensure.
issues of work orders to ensure the repairs are carried
out.
Across all our work c.com.
Across all our work C. Do constantly strive to deliver
sidewalks that are not only safe but also wide enough to
exceed current Ada accessibility requirements our
overarching.
overarching aim is to provide comfortable public space.
Thoughtfully designed to provide Vib.
Thoughtfully designed to provide vibrant Public public,
life and false, economic opportun.
life, and false, economic opportunities.
While it can be challenging.
while it can be challenging to precisely quantify the total
number of s side. Sidewalk miles improve across our diverse
program.
programs, due to the various scope from
programs due to the various scope from Full reconstruction
to Target repairs. We can certainly highlight our
significant financial commitment
from 2020 from
From 2020 from 2020 to 2024, C Dot.
From 2020 from 2020 to 2024 C dot has directed at least 170
million dollars specifically.
million dollars specifically to our sidewalk and pedestrian
infrastruct.
infrastructure.
These Investments have.
These Investments have collector resulted in over 15,000
work orders.
work orders addressing sidewalk and pedestrian needs.
It's important to note that these figures does.
it's important to note that these figures does not include
sidewalk reconstructions as part of larger capital projects
like streetscapes.
like streetscapes arterial. Reconstruction was further
expands the reach.
expands the reach of our investment.
Furthermore.
Furthermore, in 2024 C Dot and awards part.
Furthermore, in 2024 C Dot and awards, part partnered to
invest a uh, 30% of the total
invest a, uh, 30% of the total value of the automatic menu
program directly into sidewalk.
program directly into sidewalks and pedestrian. Work
demonstrating a strong collaborative commitment.
And thank you again for the opportunity to present today.
We are deeply committed to work and collaborative with the
committee.
committee and the communities across the city to make our
city more.
city more accessible and better for all pedestrians. Thank
you.
Thank you very much commissioner. Um, if I might ask you to
stay as the the rest of the panelists join us that all
stay as the the rest of the panelists, join us that. All
right. Sure, thank you sir. Um, our
right. Sure. Thank you sir. Um, our next speakers we will
hear from Victoria Barrett.
hear from Victoria Barrett and Jules Voight from the
Chicago, metropolitan
Chicago metropolitan Agency for planning.
Okay.
Oh wait, wait.
Oh wait, wait sorry.
There we go.
Okay.
Good afternoon committee members. My name is Jules voy and
I'm a planner in the accessible communities program at the
Chicago.
Chicago metropolitan Agency for planning otherwise known as
cmap. I'm joined today by my colleague Victoria. Barrett,
who is the lead for cmap, Safe Systems program.
who is the lead for cmap Safe Systems program. Together, we
will be sharing some of what cmap has learned about.
will be sharing some of what cmap has learned about the
important of proactive planning to address.
important of proactive planning to address accessibility
safety and Mobility.
Cmap is the federally designated.
Cmap is the federally, designated Metropolitan planning
organization, and the state.
organization, and the state authorized Regional planning
Agency for Northeastern Illinois, state law gives cmap the
responsibility.
responsibility to effectively, address development and
transportation challenges.
transportation challenges in Northeastern Illinois through
streamlined.
streamlined Consolidated, Regional planning and integrated
plans for land use and transportation.
as part of our
As part of our work, cmap's accessible communities program.
equips local, governments with resources to improve.
accessibility and comply with the Americans with
Disabilities.
Disabilities Act known as the Ada,
We offer.
We offer Ada trainings research and data on accessibility.
We offer Ada trainings research and data on accessibility in
our region and technical assistance projects to create.
our region and technical assistance projects to create Ada
transition plans.
I'd like to First Define some key terms.
I'd like to First Define some key terms and requirements to
help frame this presentation.
help frame this presentation, the Americans with
Disabilities Act is a federal civil.
Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights. Law passed in
1990 in essence,
1990. In essence, a prohibits discrimination against people
with disabilities. And
with disabilities and ensures that people with
disabilities. Have the same opportunities as others. The
Ada is organized into different.
Ada is organized into different titles with each applying
to different kinds of entities.
Title 2 is related to public entities.
Title 2 is related to public entities and it works to
ensure that people with disabilities have an equal
opportunity.
opportunity to participate in public services.
opportunity to participate in public services, programs and
activities.
and lastly,
And lastly, I'll highlight the public right-of-way
accessibility guidelines other.
accessibility guidelines otherwise known as proag which
specifically addresses.
specifically addresses accessibility in the public, right
of way.
Proag was.
proag was recently adopted by the US do and when
Proag was recently adopted by the US do. And when proag is
adopted by the US Department of Justice, it will be the
federal standard.
Under Ada title 2 for municipal.
Under Ada title 2 for municipalities of 50 or more
employees. There are 5 administrative requirements.
These are to post an ADA notice, which notifies the public.
about their rights under the Ada,
Design.
designate an ADA coordinator, whose individual who is
responsible within a public agency for ensuring compliance
with the Ada.
Develop a grievance procedure.
Develop a grievance procedure, which outlines how to
process and resolve comp.
process and resolve complaints relating to the Ada.
Conducting.
Conducting a self-evaluation, which is a public.
Conducting a self-evaluation which is a public entities
comprehensive assessment of everything incl.
comprehensive assessment of everything, including its
programs services and activities FAQ
programs services and activities facilities, including
sidewalks and current policies.
sidewalks and current policies and procedures.
The self-evaluation ident.
the self-evaluation identifies any barriers to access that
are inconsistent with its title to requirements. And
finally create a transition plan, the transition plan is a
living planning document that builds upon the
self-evaluation.
self-evaluation to strategically outline how in the long
term, physical barriers will be remedied, or
term, physical barriers will be remedied or removed to
achieve ADA compliance
So these are the admin.
so these are the administrative requirements that are part
of the law, but what is the impact? Why do these
requirements matter?
According to the Center for Disease Control and prevention
or the C.
or the CDC over 1 in 4, people have a disability
In our region that translates to over.
in our region that translates to over 2 million residents,
and in Chicago alone, that's
and in Chicago alone. That's 680,000 people with a
disability.
the most common type of disability is difficulty, walking
that could include people that do use a wheelchair, but it
could also include people that use Walkers or cane.
could also include people that use Walkers or cane but who
need to be careful about trip hazards in Chicago.
need to be careful about trip hazards in Chicago Mobility
difficulties affect 16.
difficulties affect 165,000 people or 6% of Chicago's
total.
difficulties affect 165,000 people or 6% of Chicago's total
population.
We also know that our region is Aging in 2010 adults.
We also know that our region is Aging in 2010, adults, aged
65, and older constituted, just over 10% of our regional
population. But by 240 that shares expected to double to
20% the significant share of older adults will further
Drive the need for accessible facilities.
As.
as my colleague, just explained the disability Community is
large and diverse in our city and region. Now, I'm going to
share some facts about how this translates to our
transportation Network.
transportation Network and how the travel needs and travel
challenges.
challenges of the disability Community intersect with those
of other Travelers Victoria. I hate to interrupt, but if
you would just say your name for the record. Yes, my name
is Victoria.
is Victoria Barrett. I am the programme lead for Safe
Systems at the Chicago. Metropolitan Agency for planning.
Thank you. Thank you.
according to the US Department of,
According to the US Department of Transportation about 1,
third of Americans, do not drive that translates to about.
900,000 City residents, who may not drive the reasons for
not driving vary. Of course, there are licensing.
requirements that prohibit children under the age of 16
from driving? But did you know that a quarter of the
people?
Over the age of 65, don't drive due to age.
Over the age of 65, don't drive due to age-related health
issues.
Together those age groups.
Together those age groups capture about 700,000 people
within the city of Chicago. These are people who cannot be
licensed to drive.
For some people, the cost of owning.
For some people, the cost of owning operating and storing a
car are prohibitive. The
car are prohibitive, the Automobile Association of America
estimates that the average.
estimates that the average cost of owning a car exceeds
$1,000.
$1,000, a month now. And this number is increasing,
$1,000, a month now. And this number is increasing in the
city of Chicago 3001.
city of Chicago 301,000 households, do not own a vehicle.
More than 370,000 Chicagoans.
more than 370,000 Chicagoans choose to walk bike, or take
transit to get to work either. Um, by either
transit to get to work either. Um by either by necessity or
by choice, these Travelers depend on.
by choice, these Travelers depend on public investments. In
sidewalks Transit stations and
sidewalks, Transit stations and bicycle infrastructure for
their daily needs.
The.
These non-driving Travelers along with much of the
disability Community faced increased risks. When it
disability Community faced increased risks when it comes to
traffic safety.
Disabled. People are 5 times. More. Likely to be injured.
Disabled, people are 5 times. More likely to be injured as
a pedestrian than non-disabled people.
Large and heavy vehicles are a growing.
large and heavy vehicles, are a growing threat to people who
walk in bicycle as our drivers who
walk in bicycle as our drivers. Who speed. We also know
that crashes with pod
that crashes with pedestrians are more likely to go
unreported than crashes. Involving only Vehicles, which
makes proactive safety efforts that much more critical. As
we are missing an estimated 40%.
we are missing an estimated 40% of crashes with pedestrians
and bicyclists.
I'll close with the opportunity here.
I'll close with the opportunity here whether the
conversation centers on disability equ.
conversation centers on disability Equity, children older
Americans or just providing safe travel choices
accessibility improvements.
accessibility improvements, done proactively benefit, many
Chicagoans
On top of the safety benefits from any Travelers.
On top of the safety benefits from any Travelers with a
proactive accessibility program. It is important to
recognize the risks associated with, non-compliance
recognize the risks associated with. Non-compliance, we
know that proactive accessibility planning is.
know that proactive accessibility planning is the right
thing to do and centers, the needs of vulnerable.
thing to do and centers, the needs of vulnerable
populations. Conversely cities are financially exposed when
they are non-compliant and it is worth noting, that
compliance can be understood.
compliance can be understood as a plan and a process.
When it comes to liability, it can be beneficial for
government.
governments to undertake a transition plan on their own and
make a good.
make a good faith, effort to implementing it as
and make a good faith, effort to implementing it as opposed
to reacting to lawsuits, which often come with significant,
to reacting to lawsuits, which often come with significant
settlement costs and external control of the timeline for
making improvements.
After.
After years of working to advance safety and Mobility
equity. And accessibility with the region our agency has
identified.
identified, the following list of benefits of this work.
First, gaining a comprehensive view of side.
first, gaining a comprehensive view of sidewalk assets can
help agencies understand, not only the presence of sidewalk
infrastructure but also the quality.
infrastructure but also the quality and condition of those
sidewalks. This provides many insights into programmatic
decision-making including the
decision-making, including the level of funding and
resources required.
Data that indicates both presence and condition of
sidewalks.
sidewalks also helps agencies to prioritize specific
location.
locations and location types for improvements.
This prioritization can address.
This prioritization can address disparities. Fix the
biggest barriers first.
biggest barriers first and justify systemic approaches such
as improvements near.
such as improvements near schools, parks and Transit
stations.
A proactive approach allows in.
A proactive approach allows intentional coordinated project
deliver delivery.
deliver delivery so that needs related to Traffic Safety.
UT
utilities streetscapes and other maintenance can be
integrated.
integrated into project pipelines potentially saving time.
and money and minimizing construction disruptions.
Proactive planning, enhances legal protection.
Proactive planning, enhances legal protections, such as
reduced liability and less harsh.
reduced liability, and less harsh mandates during
litigation transparency.
litigation transparency, and good. Faith efforts can
protect against expensive processes.
protect against expensive processes that threaten the
benefits discussed today.
And finally, we talked about the shared benefits to all
travelers.
travelers who use public sidewalks shared Mobility goals
for people who do not drive our Equitable and
access to jobs schools and a higher quality of life.
Finally.
I want to leave, uh, you today with this Slide. The last
thing.
thing, the curb cut effect, the curb cut effect refers
thing, the curb cut effect, the curb, cut effect, refers to
the beneficial impact of ADA improvements for the greater.
the beneficial impact of ADA improvements for the greater
population and refers to all types of.
population and refers to all types of EX accessibility
improvements. For example, curb cuts at sidewalk Corners
are intended for people using wheelchairs. Yet, they make
trips easier for parents.
trips easier for parents with strollers. Delivery people,
rolling carts.
rolling carts and people Wheeling luggage.
closed captions are intended for people with a hearing
disability but how many of us
disability, but how many of us use them to enhance our
understanding of language on our the shows we enjoy.
when we make accessibility,
When we make accessibility improvements, they don't just
benefit those with disabilities. They benefit all of us.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker will be lore Saltzman
who will speak on behalf of both Acts.
who will speak on behalf of both axis living and the CTA
Ada advisory committee.
Thank you. Sorry, Laura, no worries. Um,
um, my name is Laura Saltzman, I'm the senior policy
Analyst at access living, and the CTA. Uh, Ada advisory
Analyst at access living, and the CTA. Uh Ada advisory uh
chair of the CTA. Ada advisory committee.
uh, chair of the CTA Ada advisory committee. Um, in Texas
living is Chicago Center for Independent Living. I very
much appreciate the committee holding this hearing, and
especially during disability pride month as honored by the
council and the mayor
council. And the mayor just last week. This month is the
35th anniversary of the Ada passing
as previously.
as previously, noted accessibility is not just a nice thing
to have,
to have it is required. It's not just a nice thing to have
or something to aim for in the future. It is required
accessible. S.
accessible supply box and Care brands are a necessity, and
we need a better system.
we need a better system to, for maintaining them.
I talked to too many res.
I talked to too many residents, who are isolated or can't
go. Where non- Mobility.
go, where non- Mobility users can because of inaccessible
sidewalks.
I,
I want and I want to had something off at the pass.
There is nowhere in the city, where sidewalks are good?
There are only places where sidewalks are rather.
I have heard complaints from people about every word in the
city.
Including downtown just last week.
Including downtown. Just last week, I was talking to
someone who developed permanent physical disabilities due.
to falling through a sidewalk hole at wacker.
I was a friend of mine damaged their school there after we
left.
left city hall because of a bad curb ramp a couple blocks
away from here.
And yet still, these are the conditions.
And yet still, these are better conditions than many parts
of the city.
I know.
I know too many people forced to roll down dangerous
streets in particularly on the south and the west side
because of how broken sidewalks are.
And so I was heartened to see.
And so I was heartened to see the city honor disability
pride month after the years after the Ada passed and here a
number of Alders including those in attendance. Speaking
about it,
Alderman. Ervin. I
Appreciate that your comments in.
appreciate that your comments in particular regarding
increased awareness of the need for accommodations. And a
key part of that is accessible sidewalks for their own sake
and because the unite and accessible transportation system.
And when I talk about accessible sidewalks, I mean,
And when I talk about accessible sidewalks, I mean the full
path of travel.
Much like roads. If
Much like roads If part of the sidewalk is accessible. But
there is a broken.
there is a broken part, it is not, it is not usable, it is
the same way if if a street was broken in the middle of the
street.
the street, you could not drive down, it it's the same way
with for a sidewalk. So I just wanted to, I think that
sometimes that is lost. Um, when discussing sidewalks, um,
and so today,
And so today. Sorry, my brain is a little cooked from the
CTA being in the sun a little bit too much today. Um,
today in my capacity yet, um,
today in my capacity yet um at access living but also as
chair of the CT Ada committee I was at the ribbon cutting
for the new accessible stations.
for the new accessible stations on the red line.
billions of dollars, billions of
Billions of dollars, billions of dollars of state federal
and local money have been poured into these projects.
and local money have been poured into these projects and it
is unconscionable if this that the
is unconscionable. If this that the city might not spend
enough money to make sure on accessible sidewalks to make
sure that people can use the system.
It is Penny wise and pound foolish. Um,
there are bus routes, there are accessible bus.
There are bus routes. There are accessible bus routes in
the city that still don't have sidewalks and and these are
in areas with disproportionately high numbers of people
with Mobility Des
with Mobility disabilities.
They're accessible train stations, within accessible.
sidewalks around them.
We need, I walk.
We need, I walks improved everywhere because disabled
people deserve to be able to go everywhere.
And we need a new way of handling sidewalk maintenance. The
current system is not accessible.
I say that with a lot. The current system is not
acceptable.
Which is why the city continues to pay out millions of
dollars.
dollars in sidewalk injury lawsuits every year.
and as I was just,
And as I was just speaking today with Karen tamley, who's
the CEO of access living and as you may know, spent over a
decade with the city as mopd.
decade with the city as mopd, commissioner
She was worried, we were talking.
she was worried, we were talking about her concerns that if
we do not address sidewalk accessibility the city,
we do not address sidewalk accessibility, the city is at
risk of once again, falling out of compliance with the Ada.
For those who are now aware, the city has already been.
forced to pay over 50 million dollars in Remediation in a
previous Ada sidewalk and curb ramp lawsuit. And this is
unconscionable that the city may have.
unconscionable that the city made have to do that again.
A new system means not.
A new system means we're not relying on complaint-based
requests, money money and the shared cost.
requests, money money and the shared costs cyber program
for assessment and repairs.
We know that.
We know that the 3111 complaint based request system has
flaws.
Who chooses to file complaints? Who knows about it?
Who chooses to file complaints? Who knows about it. Um, and
who responds to it? The oig.
who responds to it? The oig filed. The advisory concerning
the city's complaint-based.
the city's complaint-based, approach to City Services
report, detailing the inequities and inefficiencies
inherent to this practice.
And disabilities and bad sidewalks are.
and disabilities and bad sidewalks are not equally
distributed throughout the world by every Ward menu, money,
just truly
menu money just truly is not the appropriate way to deal
with it and for the shared cost system, not everyone can
afford to.
afford to Shell out thousands of dollars for sidewalks and
for the adjacent. No not
um, this
Um, this is just not an expectation made of the street, we
just fix it.
Um, and the sidewalk is no less.
Um, and the sidewalk is no less a public way, we should not
treat it as lesser.
So I appreciate the committee for having this hearing and
hope we can find a way.
hope we can find a way to make a better more accessible
system.
and I'm sorry for a little bit of this was jumbled, but I
yeah, I really do. And I think this is an
yeah, I really do and I think this is an opportunity to fix
this. It's an opportunity for my friends to be able to get
around and use the city the way folks.
Who do not use Mobility AIDS. Do.
Thank you very much. Our final speaker is yohai essenberg.
Uh, who is here from Project sidewalk?
Just pull up the presentation.
Just pull up the presentation here.
Set.
Open. Yes.
This is the second 1.
Okay.
Okay, good afternoon. Uh, thank you very much. Uh, for this
opportunity. My name is yohai Eisenberg, and I'm an
associate professor.
associate professor at UIC in the department of disability
and human development.
and human development, uh, and excited to introduce to you
today about project.
today about project sidewalk and how it is. An example of
the data, we need to improve pedestrian infrastructure
access.
accessibility,
so, if we were to take,
so, if we were to take a snapshot of what accessibility
looks like in Chicago, and
like in Chicago and most other cities, uh, what we would
see is probably something like,
see is probably something like this uh, a patchwork of
accessibility
Accessible sidewalks and curb ramps.
Accessible sidewalks and curb ramps shown in green, our
intermixed with inaccessible side.
intermixed with inaccessible sidewalks and curb ramps,
shown in yellow and red, which is
in yellow and red, which is a result of how cities have,
you know, not looked at sidewalks as an asset, um, in a
pro.
proactive way this leads to many issues including
proactive way, this leads to many issues, including uh,
Falls and losses, as we have talked about
Falls and losses. As we have talked about and importantly
in, uh, affecting the perceptions of unsafe walking and
Wheeling by rezz.
Wheeling by residents. In this last part is critical for
people with disabilities who are most effective by
accessibility barriers.
accessibility barriers that limit mobility and
participation.
So, how do we address this?
Well.
Well, 1 way is to start recognizing that. Uh, the problem
is not just the lack of accessible sidewalks, but it's also
the lack.
the lack of data on which sidewalks are accessible or not.
Most cities in the US. Do not have this data on.
Most cities in the US. Do not have this data on sidewalk
accessibility, uh, and that's an issue.
Um,
and then, um, so
and then um, so I skipped a slide but um, part of the key,
is having this data to get us going to have a, a holistic
understanding of the problem. Uh, and that can lead to more
proactive planning.
So, how do we do this? Um,
So, how do we do this, um, collecting data?
Is traditionally done via.
is traditionally done via on-site audits field Crews go out
and uh while this data can provide uh high quality
data, um, this efforts are often laborious
data. Um, this efforts are often laborious expensive
infrequent and top-down and it's unclear where the data
goes. And so essentially,
goes. And so, essentially, we're paying a lot of money
towards collecting data versus actually fixing the
inaccessibility of sidewalks.
so, to address, uh, this problem and the need for data,
and to offer cities a
And to offer cities a scalable approach. Uh, we developed
And to offer cities a scalable approach uh we developed uh
projects sidewalk through a grant from the National Science
Foundation.
Foundation and have deployed it in over 21 cities.
Foundation and have deployed it in over 21 cities across
the world.
Project. Sidewalk is a free online tool that
Project sidewalk is a free online tool. That combines
online imagery from Google Street View.
online imagery from Google Street View with a remote
crowdsourcing interface that allows users to label and rate
sidewalk accessibility
This information then, supports Urban.
this information then supports Urban accessibility analysis
and visualization tools that
and visualization, tools that you can't you can't do unless
you have this data.
unless you have this data, right? It's just not possible to
do this kind of analysis.
Um, which then improves ultimately.
Um which then improves ultimately City Planning and
government accountability. It's really, you know owning
what what the data is showing.
what what the data is showing, um, our tool also supports,
uh, crowdsourcing
Which helps in development of community.
Which helps in development of community scientists and
promotes education and advocacy.
so, if we were look at our
So, if we were look at our Chicago region, um, this is a a
map of the work done in Chicago. Uh,
Through project sidewalk. Uh, we've had numerous types,
Through project sidewalk. Uh, we've had numerous types of
Engagement, a lot of it is organic. Um,
Engagement, a lot of it is organic, um, and we've had
different efforts to community leaders.
different efforts to community leaders, Alderman's offices,
schools, universities, and more.
as a snapshot from last week, these
As a snapshot from last week, these this efforts, have
resulted in 54.
resulted in 546. Miles of roadway audited, which is about
13.5% of this of the city of Chicago.
13.5% of this, of the city of Chicago, over 350 users. Um,
the accuracy of the rating has been over 90%.
the accuracy of the rating has been over 90% And the median
image age, which which
image age, which, which has been rated is about June 2022.
Which is you know relatively new in terms of sidewalks and
how often they change.
What is the data showing?
so, in terms of curb ramps, what we see is that of the over
28,000 curb ramps that have been audited, uh, 23.4% have
some type of accessibility barriers such as a a missing.
detectable warning or are broken or too narrow.
Um, that could be shown by the image.
Um, that could be shown by the image in the top there of a
a missing detectable.
a missing detectable warning.
and then, um, 4% of those are high severity or, or are
missing a curb ramp completely, which is seen in the
bottom, uh, right there. Um, and we've seen that these
missing curb ramps seem to be more common near alleys.
missing curb ramps seem to be more common near alleys and
but that's still part of The Pedestrian infrastructure,
right? You have to cross the alley to to be able to use it.
Uh, Auditors have identified over.
Uh Auditors have identified over 6,000. Surface problems on
sidewalks themselves. Um and 15% of these were
sidewalks themselves. Um, and 15% of these were rated as
severe. Uh, so as you can see in the in the image here,
this is a sidewalk uplift, clear.
this is a sidewalk uplift. Clearly a severe problem and
tripping hazard.
tripping Hazard. Um, that would be an example of this.
Obstacles are also identified over.
Obstacles are also identified over 2700 obstacles in the
path of travel were identified. Uh, here we have an example
of, uh, in the top, a, a poll that became an obstacle. When
there was a sidewalk cafe and then on the bottom, a poll
that's just in the middle of a sidewalk and is really quite
impassable for for anyone.
um, wanted to share briefly about Ward 40, which I think is
a great case study of Alderman's offices using project
sidewalk uh in this case, it was Alderman Vasquez and
sidewalk. Uh, in this case, it was Alderman Vasquez and a
team who wanted to take a different approach than strictly
relying on consumer requests.
Uh, a DED.
Uh, a dedicated team of residents mapped the whole Ward.
All
all the streets in the ward and this map shows,
all the streets in the ward, and this map shows their
efforts, which shows several thousands of labels of
efforts which shows several thousands of labels of curb
ramps, crosswalks surface problems,
ramps. Crosswalks, surface problems, missing, sidewalks and
obstacles.
Um,
and then,
and then on this map, um,
What I'm showing.
what I'm showing is that, that all that data, filtered to
just sidewalk surface issues and mapped over.
just sidewalk surface issues and mapped overlaid with
resident requests.
Now what you can see, when you look at these, I've
highlighted them in this.
highlighted them in this orange uh Brown Circle 3 Brown.
highlighted them in this orange, uh, Brown Circle, 3 brown
circles. Um, is that there are areas with lots of severe
surface issues that we identified in Project, sidewalk?
surface issues that we identified in Project sidewalk um wi
with little to no complaints, right? And and what does that
mean? Essentially means that there's a geography or a
pattern that are different from these.
pattern that are different from these 2 sources, right? And
I think that that difference,
I think that that difference really highlights the need to
reexamine. How uh, deck,
reexamine how, uh, decisions about sidewalk infrastructure
are made,
in this case, uh, in word, 40, they they use the data to
help in prioritize which of
in prioritize which of the data from Project sidewalk to
prioritize. Where
prioritize where specifically to make these sidewalk
improvements.
so, um, several people have talked about the
so um several people have talked about the limitations of
Resident requests, I think the the maps highlight
Resident requests. I think the, the maps highlight this,
um, but additionally, I think the
but additionally, I think these uh, F resident requests.
requests fail to provide a holistic, understanding of the
existing barriers, and they build upon existing inequities.
And then continue this Patchwork of accessibility
Um, project sidewalk provides.
um, project sidewalk provides an equitable approach that
could provide decision.
could provide decision makers with a complete picture of
their Community to better prioritize.
their Community to better prioritize infrastructure
improvements.
All.
all this data can be overlaid with with additional uh,
information such as how close are each of these surface
issues to schools to hospitals.
issues to schools to hospitals to CTA stations and how it
can
that be used to further prioritize which improvements come
first because
first? Because, as we know, there's a lot of improvements.
The um, see that explained? How vast the
the um, see that explained how vast the network is what's
critical is to prioritize.
critical is to prioritize, what's needed to do first and
do. So in a strategic comp,
do. So in a strategic comprehensive way,
So, thank you very much. I have
So thank you very much. I have uh, some some links here to
our website and and happy.
our website and and happy to answer questions um after
this. Thanks.
thank you very much to all of our
Thank you very much to all of our presenters. I would ask
all of our speakers today to come back up to the proverbial
box and we will open member questions with
box. And we will open member questions with Alderman. Matt
Martin.
Thank you, chair, and good afternoon everybody.
Thank you, chair. And good afternoon everybody. Um
Professor, I'll start with you because
I'll start with you because you are the only 1 who's
currently seated. Um, I was hoping you could explain a
little bit more about 2 issues. 1 is how community
engagement operate in practice. If say, we're looking at
just the 40th Ward by way of example, is that something?
where you worked with students and members of the community
that were sent your way, including by the Alder person,
that were sent your way, including, by the Alder person's
office. Did you ask that? They
office, did you ask that they spearhead engagement with um,
with residents volunteers and then share data with
with residents volunteers and then, share data with you and
your colleagues at the University and then second
and your colleagues at the University? And then second, I
was wondering if you happen to know how the 40th Ward and
any other Ward. Ugh.
any other Ward, uh, uh, took that data and ran with it,
once it
it was compiled and analyzed by you and your colleagues
sure. Yeah.
sure. Yeah, definitely. Um, so the community engagement
process was pretty organic. I think the the team
process was pretty organic, I think the the team uh in
Alderman vasquez's office found out about
Sidewalk. And they had, uh, a subcommittee like a safe
Street subcommittee. I think
Street subcommittee, I think. And so that committee decided
that they wanted
they wanted a new approach to having this data and to be
used,
used for, I think participatory budgeting. So,
be used for, I think participatory budgeting. So, um, they,
we train them on using the tool. That's part of the
service, we provide is training, but the tool itself is
open and free. The data is open.
open and free. The data is open and free as well. And so
they once they were trained, they
they once they were trained they went out and they went on
their computers and rated uh all the um streets in the
ward.
um, and then they um we helped them to kind of learn
um and then they um we helped them to kind of learn how to
use that data, um and and filter it and do things like that
and then they honed in on some
that. And then they honed in on some, um, specific streets
where there were a lot of sidewalk surface.
where there were a lot of sidewalk surface issues.
This was, you know, the the data that we provided is
through Google Street View. So to verify it they went out
Google Street View. So to verify it they went out and had
some interns go and take pictures to confirm that those
were still issues which I believe most of them were and
then
and then they uh, made a they worked with that.
and then they uh made a they worked with that committee and
I think they had open open open.
And I think they had open open, open meetings to help
select the specific streets that
select the specific streets, that would get improvements.
Um, so overall, it's, it's a lot.
Um, so overall, it's, it's a lot of Community Driven
process, but in this case, the community was
process but in this case, the community was the Alderman's
office and the, the subcommittee that
and the the subcommittee that that really worked on that.
Got it. So you can start with Google.
got it. So you can start with Google Street View and then
supplement.
supplement that with them in person. Um, yeah.
supplement that with them in person um conservations. Yeah.
Yeah. We tend to try to talk about it as like
Project. Sidewalk is a great screening tool especially for
big cities or big communities where there's so much
infrastruct.
infrastructure. It helps you get to where are the hot
areas?
infrastructure. It helps you get to where are the hot areas
where we need to focus on and then most cities go.
where we need to focus on and then most cities go in person
to do further inspection to confirm and and then to you
know, plan out some of the construction details
know plan out some of the construction details Etc. That's
great. Um, my other
great. Um my other uh several questions I'll direct to you
Comm.
direct to you, commissioner. Um, and uh, if this is
something,
something that's best to just, uh, address through the
chair. Um, uh, that's fine. Um, 1 to start is around, uh,
surveys.
surveys my understanding and talking with some of your
colleagues at C dot was that,
colleagues at C dot was that earlier this year. Um, we had
a little bit of a backlog.
a little bit of a backlog that the department was working
through, um, in terms of survey requests, um, and I know,
through, um, in terms of survey requests. Um, and I know
some of those deal with sidewalks, of course, not all of
them, because our menu reports touch upon a lot of issues.
I was wondering if to start, especially as we head into
budget season.
budget season if you, uh, can provide either now or through
the
how many, um, people
How many um people work on the survey uh Inspection Team?
How many of them are? Uh uh
How many of them are uh uh city employees versus anyone?
Who's not in-house and then
Who's not in-house. And then how many vacancies um uh
Who's not in-house? And then how many vacancies um uh uh so
is that something I'll just stop
is that something? I'll just stop there and let you answer.
That's a loaded question. But um, I think that's probably
better through the chair far as like
better through the chair far, as like um the Staffing
levels um, because I'm still
levels, um, because I'm still by being acting. I still have
to get it. I'm still
Just it. Yeah, yeah, that sounds great. Um,
Just it. Yeah yeah that sounds great. Um second question. Uh
well maybe
Uh, well, maybe in related to that, if also through the
chair you can just note.
chair you can just know any progress. C dot has made in
terms of working through that back.
working through that backlog. Because part of what I'm
interested to know is was that
I'm interested to know is was that backlog due in part to
maybe a higher vacancy percentage than its normally the
case and that when we head into our budget,
case. And that when we head into our budget season, we want
to be mindful of that and not cut off our nose to spite our
face. If we want to make sure that we are embracing
embracing thoughtful efficiencies, but not ones that are
going to negatively.
negatively impact services, like our our surveys that
that are prerequisite for improvement. Yes, we we have a
prerequisite for improvement. Yes. We we have a backlog and
we're working through it, but some of the problems
problems that are or issues with our like the surveys and
everything,
everything may have been corrected through projects that I
mention.
mentioned before and they just need to be cleared out. So
it's still a little scrubbing and it needs to happen. But
there is a process that, you know, we have to go through
and um, you know, the Deferred to, you know, to clear all
that out because this we get, you know,
Requests and we have to investigate every single 1.
Requests, and we have to investigate every single 1 of them.
And therefore it may be some uh, duplic.
and therefore it may be some uh duplicates in there or it
may be some that are um like I said are already been
cleared up through projects or other repairs great. Um,
second to last question I was hoping through the chair uh
you can.
you can provide over the last 3 years approximately
Uh, you can provide over the last 3 years approximately how
much money C dot has spent, whether it's
how much money C dot has spent, whether it's City funds or
other funds, um, to do, uh, repairs and Replacements of
sidewalks.
sidewalks annually. So, annual number over the last 3 years
through.
through the chair would be great. Um, and then my last
question is my recollection, is that?
question is, my recollection. Is that c dot does Proactiv
surveys.
surveys of streets. So not sidewalks alleys. But
surveys of streets. So not sidewalks alleys, but streets,
uh, to determine which ones might be repaving candidates.
Um, if my recollection,
Um, if my recollection is correct, I was wondering if you
might be able to shed some light on how C dot conducts,
those proactive surveys. Is it, uh, for example,
individuals, in cars or trucks that are just making
Notice they're driving. Hey like this.
Notice they're driving. Hey, like this hits a particular
category or their other tools that are used
Take that 1. Yes. Uh yes. Primarily uh our surveys.
Take that 1. Yes. Uh yes primarily uh our surveys for
streets are through individuals. Um
streets are through individuals um conducting infield
surveys um and
surveys. Um and that's for our resurfacing projects. Got
it. Um
I'll just ask a similar to my.
I'll just ask a similar to my first question around um,
surveys. Uh the survey team, if you can note, how many
people approximately throughout a year? Um, do those surve
people approximately throughout a year? Um do those surveys
when it comes to our road conditions? Uh how many of them
are in-house versus contractors? And then finally, any
vacancies
that's,
That's all I have for right now.
Thank you, chair.
Thank you very much, almond Martin. I will uh,
Thank you very much, Alderman. Martin I will uh, go now to
alderwoman manah hoppenworth.
Thank you, chair.
I,
I appreciate everyone being here today. Uh, I had a
question for Access living since we were just together.
question for Access living since we were just together and
And and we chat sometimes.
and and we chat sometimes as we are finding each other
running into each other on on the sidewalks in our
neighborhoods.
and um, with the opening of our new train,
And um with the opening of our new train stations, can you
just give examples specifically?
just give examples specifically in Edgewater and Uptown
wherein? You think that?
wherein? You think that we could do a better job providing
access?
access to our public amenities, such as our public transit?
systems?
So, we'll say something. I
So we'll say something I have appreciated is CTA and C have
been working more together.
been working more together on the most recent station.
through ASAP being making sure that the sidewalks right
around. Them are accessible. Although I will note
to my
To my knowledge and none of them have API so accessible
pedestrian signals. So that's 1 thing that is needed that's
not sidewalk maintenance.
that's not sidewalk maintenance but I feel the the need to
mention that for so blind people.
mention that for so blind. People can get to the train and
the bus safely. Um but even I think um Berwin and Winthrop
their sidewalks are there like
Winthrop their sidewalks are there like right by and right
on the same block as the newly accessible, where the
wheelchair entrance is, um, the sidewalks are, there are
some broken sidewalks, I know.
broken sidewalks I know where there is construction around
there but it is gravel. It is gravel and then extremely
broken sidewalk. That you could not wield down. Um and it's
just I think like sorry I'm I'm very bad spatially so even
even though I'm a, I tend to be around that area. Um,
though I'm a I tend to be around that area. Um there's just
broken sidewalks wherever you go like and and this is
despite the fact that
um, you
Um, you Alderman austman and like Alderman clay prior.
Um, you Alderman austman and like Alderman clay, prior, I
think, you know, prioritize iwalk accessibility and where
those sidewalk.
those sidewalks are better maintained, its just that is why
I think there needs to be a grid-based approach because
like there are broken ones everywhere. And I will say last
week or last year, I I herniated the like a disc in my neck
tripping.
tripping and falling on the sidewalk. I caught myself, but
tripping on a sidewalk.
myself, but tripping, on a sidewalk by the, uh, Wilson
train station on the way to the
on the way to the Wilson train station. So you know it's
there are problems everywhere but that's kind of why I
There are problems everywhere, but that's kind of why I
really think. The 311 approach doesn't work because it's
you have to have you know, you have to have a grip. You
have to have an approach where people are dealing with it
and because like, especially for folks, I know who are
Mobility Aid users they'll just
Mobility Aid, users, they'll just stop going down certain
routes, right? Or they'll make assumptions. I have you
know, friends that
uh, for
Uh, for their, you know, for the jobs work. Uh, their jobs
are off some green line, stations are accessible, but
because so many of the sidewalks around, there are broken.
They just have to rely on par Transit. Um,
They just have to rely on par Transit um, or the right to
access program because they can never consistently.
access program because they can never consistently get to
their clients.
Thank you for.
Thank you for that.
I, I'm really fascinated with.
I, I'm really fascinated with the uh, project sidewalk
program. So,
program so I would love to get more information on that.
program. So I would love to get more information on that at
the 48th word. So I'd appreciate some
the 48th word, so I'd appreciate some follow-up there
um, Laura I I want to say that it's it's um
Um, Laura, I I want to say that it's it's um, it's also
interesting to me.
interesting to me a geographically. We're not 1 of the
bigger Wards. We're we're pretty Consolidated and yet I
noticed there's some parts of the war that really have been
neglected and not sure if it's because their lack of, you
know.
know, public engagement in those areas to call in.
know, public engagement in those areas to call in 311. And
so that, that's really what I worry about.
so that, that's really what I worry about that. Some some
places will just fall into disrepair because of neglect and
so I'm wondering from the the commissioner's side. What hi.
so I'm wondering from the the commissioner's side. What hi
are you? Um, I I was curious to hear what you thought of a
grid.
Based approach such as the ones people have been.
Based approach such as the ones people have been mentioning
today. Um, similar to our our tree trimming programs, have
you, have you thought of that and welcome? Yes. Actually we
have thought about it and we're starting to look into it
because if we're chasing,
because if we're chasing SRS driving across the city, we
spend more time looking at the windshield instead of
actually doing more work,
so the grid system, we are looking at it but it's like
So the grid system, we are looking at it but it's like um,
trying to group them and find out.
trying to group them and find out where we're going to go,
how long we're going to be there. And
how long we're going to be there and also um you know,
where we can make the most impact.
where we can make the most impact with the with the
resources that we have.
Thanks. And then speaking of, um,
of resources, you know, we we, we
of resources, you know, we, we, we get discretionary funds
and we, we do PB
and we we do PB. And again, um, we will hear from
and we, we do PB. And again, um, we will hear from those
who are really very much engaged in the neighborhood. Not
everybody is
um, so I I Look to ways that we
Um, so I I Look to ways that we can make our systems more
Equitable for for everyone. Um, and then regarding
The best.
The best process for for equity.
The best process for for equity in sidewalk repairs. We
have it seems like we have a couple different systems. We
have our, um, aldermanic menu. We have 311
have our, um, aldermanic menu, we have 311. We also send
Some.
Some uh, concerns directly to the sidewalk.
Some uh, concerns directly to the sidewalk inspector and my
office. At the 48th ward has has done all.
office. At the 48th ward has has done all 3 and I'm
wondering how how
wondering how, how is it that we all can help to
prioritize. Um, Ada ISS.
prioritize. Um, Ada issues. Um, especially I mean, we're
thinking about it now because it's, um, disability pride
month. But but truly, uh, Edgewater and Uptown have
month. But, but truly, uh, edge water and Uptown have a, a
large number of folks who have um, mobility issues. You
know, I
know. I, I'm also somebody who have used
know, I, I'm also somebody who have used Mobility devices
because of surgeries that I've had on my hips in certain
years. And so I understand how how
years. And so, I understand how how difficult it is to get
around. And so, can you,
around. And so, can you like, how, how can we
How can we prioritize those issues? Um, better
well first, I mean with the
Well first, I mean with the um, inspections are requests
that we get we have to prioritize.
we get we have to prioritize them, by the order they come
in. And then from once we
and then from once we get our determinations then we can
prioritize.
prioritize based on that prior geographically.
we can prioritize based on that prior geographically um or
just the severity of some of the repairs.
or just the severity of some of the repairs. So I mean it's
more once we have our determination because
it's more. Once we have our determination because as you
stated like, you know, goo Google Earth,
stated like, you know, goo Google Earth is or, or um,
street view.
It.
It gives you a false sense of security because you you think
that's what it is.
think that's what it is, but it could change. So putting
eyes on every um, Sr that's out there.
eyes on every um, Sr that's out. There is very important,
so you won't get false readings.
So you won't get false readings or false data from just
looking at street view. So, uh, and also like, with our SRS
we
SRS, we, you know, it could have been repaired already from
a previous.
previous project. But once we have a determination, our
engineers
Engineers review it, then we can prioritize it. So um and
then we have to look at it from this whole city Side.
then we have to look at it from this whole city side or
Citywide as far as like, where we see issues at to kind of
Max.
maximize our resources.
Thank you for that. And then the last question I had was,
um,
how can we get?
how can we get cost sharing done quicker? Is there?
Is there a way to improve those systems?
Is there a way to improve those systems because people
people do want to not everybody.
people do want to not everybody can but for those who who
want to participate,
who want to participate in that, how can we make that
better?
uh, can you
Uh, can you clarify your question far as like cost sharing
for sidewalk?
for sidewalk repairs? I get the program. I'm just talking
about like the efficiency.
about like the efficiency or you're like, I don't make it
happen, quicker. Or
happen, quicker or yeah. Um, because every time I believe
and correct me if I'm wrong, when we get the request, we
still have to send people out in the field to do.
still have to send people out in the field, to do the
evaluations to determine the
evaluations, to determine the scope of work, and also come
up with the costs. And then it has to go to the residents.
Um, for them to agree and accept it.
Um, for them to agree and accept it and then make payment.
so, it is a
So it is a process as far as um increasing it. We can look
at ways.
Maybe to.
maybe to probably get like a, um, you know,
look at the ones from the previous years and see if there's
Look at the ones from the previous years and see if there's
um way we can use data.
um way we can use data from the previous years to kind of
come up with the estimates a little bit quicker. But other
than that, um, we we're, we're open.
than that, um, we we're, we're open to ideas terrific.
Yeah, I I would love to work together
Yeah. I, I would love to work together with you on that
because there are folks who want to go through the program.
But it seems to be, um, like, how can
But it seems to be um, like how can we streamline it, um,
and explain it to them. So that they, they know that it's,
um, progressing and this is something that we can move
forward on and then
forward on. And then there's a limited amount of money
that's available for their
that's available for the program. And then also the, um,
the amount
amount. Even if we increase it, it's always, it comes down
to resources.
to resources to get the the number bodies out.
to resources to get the the number bodies out there to
actually do the work.
so even we, we
So even we we can have a limited budget.
To do, you know?
To do you know and get a planned out. But if we don't have
the resources, it whether its in-house or the
the resources it whether its in-house or the Consultants
because the Consultants are a limited number of Consultants
out there and all and they're getting pulled in all
different directions. Um, from the land service line
replacement those, we we share Conte
replacement those, we we share contractors for the most
part. So this all comes down to the availability of
resources.
Thank you, commissioner. Thank you, chair.
Thank you order woman. Uh, we will now go to Autumn and
Derek Curtis
Chairman.
you know, uh, first I want to say, uh,
This is a great.
Great.
Conversation.
Conversation Piece and and what I wish.
that, um,
We had more.
Orders here.
To discuss this.
to discuss this and talk about it because it is
A pressing issue. All.
a pressing issue all over the city. I every picture of the
city.
I love your analysis, uh,
I love your analysis. Uh, and and I and I wrote it down
there this.
there. This is no place.
Uh, what's that box is?
Uh, what's that box is good. It's just what's sidewalks.
Awesome statement. Uh, commissioner
Is it is this your first? Uh,
Hearing like by yourself.
Great job. I just want to say that.
Awesome job. Um, I I I know. Uh, you have
Awesome job. Um, I I I know uh, you have an awesome
background from uh, when you first started, uh, without
lighting program even uh, with Cod uh,
uh, before coming on board and
Uh, before coming on board and you have a vast knowledge.
Uh,
uh, of
what's going on, and
What's going on? And uh, and we got to give you time, like
you said, to work this stuff out because
Just got to this.
Just got to this position and and it's a lot.
To cover, believe me out of out.
To cover, believe me, out of out of the 30 plus years that
I've been in government. I spent 11 of them, uh, with
streets and sanitation,
um,
Where where we, we?
Where where we we cover?
A lot. Uh, I was the war superintendent in to your
Question to the commissioner.
question to the commissioner of how
we could.
we could, uh, identify
uh, some of, uh,
these issues, I think and what we've been trying to
These issues I think and what we've been trying to do for
such a long time.
such a long time is give more
Jurisdiction.
Jurisdiction to more superintendents.
uh, to do things like that, we've part
uh to do things like that, we've partnered uh, when I was a
superintendent to exist, done a whole lot.
Different because we wasn't.
different because we wasn't in a great system, um, and and
we did,
we did a lot of this stuff.
uh, a lot of sea lot work also,
Uh, a lot of sea lot work. Also, uh, together.
um,
partnering the streets and saying.
partnering the streets and saying and Department of
Transportation.
Uh, becoming transitioning.
from uh,
From uh, War superintendent.
To an awl.
To an ultimate. I really can't cut off.
Being.
Being a a war superintendent. I can't cut it off, so I put
a lot of work into
uh, my war and, um,
There's a lot of things. Uh man, I would like to say and
again.
we need to have more authors, so we can
We need to have more authors, so we can have a robust
conversation about this. Especially I think this is the
best time.
best time and I'm glad to see the people that's here.
that's concerned about this.
because,
Because this is budget season.
because this is budget season and we're getting ready to go
into and uh I don't see no better time.
to tackle this now, um,
There are.
um,
the biggest elephant in the room, uh,
The biggest elephant in the room, uh, commission. I like
what you said about, you know,
again, with with a lot of
Again, with with a lot of offices, different from me.
because,
because I can if you just give me an address and I'll tell
you exactly what it is, what's there?
you exactly what it is, what's there in my community? Just
by an address.
but, uh, Google Earth which I
But uh, Google Earth which I use every single day.
Helps.
Helps give me.
uh,
a good idea of what a res.
a good idea of what a resident is coming in and talking
about
and, and those sidewalk
is.
Issues. This is, this is really, really a big.
thing to talk about, um,
And so many factors come into it. Uh, especially when uh,
chairman when you talked about last year about, uh, the
shoveling
silent program, which I knew would
Silent program, which I knew would never work.
and and, and, and
And, and, and, and I only say that because
We have to get the right Administration.
In the room.
In the room to talk about real issues.
like this, when we talk about budget,
because every war is
Because every war is different.
Everyone has a different side.
Um, 51 Wars, everyone is divided up into 50 to 60 thousand
people. Some
people somehow
a small War because,
a small War because they're more dense have high rises
other
Other Wars are single family. Home stretched out
Other Wars are single family home stretched out. So
That menu money.
That.
That every war gets when we're talking about.
Uh, that 1.5 million dollars.
Uh, that 1.5 million dollars that don't go a long way.
Those are the funds.
Some State funding.
Some State funding, some Capital funds, some federal
dollars.
dollars that we probably won't even get this year.
dollars. That we probably won't even get this year. Those
are the the dollars.
Uh, uh, that that that comes.
Uh, uh, that that that comes in.
That.
I know that our commissioner will need.
To help in.
To help in this endeavor.
when it comes down to,
sidewalks even, um,
some, some
Some some some sidewalks are man. I can go all day.
Some some some sidewalks are man. I can go all day talking
about this kind of stuff.
because it's important, because
To your point.
To your point someone else is well, brought up.
To your point. Someone else is well, brought up the fact
that um,
That.
that our residents even when we get into the share cost
program.
Sidewalks that.
you know, a lot of people afraid to say, things like that
that don't really belong to the resident that actually
belongs to.
belongs to the city.
It's hard to.
to uh,
Ask.
A resident.
A resident that's on a fixed income. Most of, and maybe we
need to get that data too.
Uh, some
uh, some of the residents that come in to talk about,
uh, fixing their side.
Uh, fixing their sidewalks are getting on the shared cost
program can.
program. Cannot afford it because they are seniors.
program. Cannot afford it because they are seniors already
on a 6 income Rhett.
on a 6 income retired and um some
on a 6 income retired. And um some can't afford to do it.
Uh I have spent
uh, I have spent a lot of my money trying
Had.
To do that.
But again.
Some areas.
In the city of Chicago.
uh,
Uh, um.
Can't.
Can't afford it. Even without 1.5 million.
Can't afford it. Even without 1.5 million because we still
have streets.
That.
That has to be.
repaired because you have to get down the street to get
where you're going, but you definitely have to get
To where you.
To where you going on the sidewalks. In our
To where you going on the sidewalks in our 88 program is a
awesome help.
awesome help 4-Hour menus.
because,
Those 88 rounds cost.
Those 88 rounds cost at about 7 Grand a piece. Something
like that, correct? And and and if, if those are done
before we even think about doing
uh, um, you know, sidewalks we might do
All.
All sidewalks. I mean, personally, I don't even do
All sidewalks. I mean, personally I don't even do entire
sidewalks anymore.
Go.
Go and fix what needs to be repaired because it's cheaper.
um,
I,
I would love to sit with you. Uh, commissioner, if
I would love to sit with you. Uh, commissioner if you ever
want to put
I committed to.
I committed together and we talk about things like this.
Um,
um,
it's it's it's it's really interesting.
it's it's it's it's really interesting because
uh, it's
Uh, it's best to do it that way everybody want.
the sidewalks done because they all look new even
the sidewalks done because they all look new, even though
theirs is not
broken in.
Broken in the front of their houses, eventually. It's going
to turn the same color.
but,
when you go in,
when you go and and and work with different, or
when you go and and and work with different orders,
uh, if I could 2-hour definitely
uh, if I could 2-hour, definitely will to assist in helping
you because
You save more money.
you save more money if you can do what needs to be.
You save more money if you can do what needs to be done,
especially once.
The worst and I know you asked that question.
The worst. And I know you asked that question. Um, uh, H
worth about, uh, how do you prioritize that?
uh, and and and the commission
Uh, and and, and the commissioner answered was, you know,
we'll try to take those old 333111.
Complaints.
which um,
sometimes, that's not even the answer because
Taking care of those old complaints.
may not look like some of the
Sidewalks. That was pictured in the slide.
Sidewalks that was pictured in the slide with with a a big.
Crack that.
Crack that went from a crack.
To probably.
To probably about a 10 inch diameter. Now a broken
sidewalks. And if we have a blind person, if we have people
in a in wheelchairs, there's no way they can get
Uh, we could call That Sidewalk accessible.
Uh, so again, I can go on for years with this. So I'm not
even going to talk anymore about it. I guess somebody else.
even going to talk anymore about it. I guess somebody else
the opportunity but I think this should be
Champion.
championed by the entire city council because
You have to come down to.
uh, the fact and the reality as commissioner said, even if
he had the revenue to do this,
uh, these projects and and and he
Uh, these projects and and and he'll love to do.
Any complaints that comes.
Any complaints that comes in.
but,
but uh,
the reality of it.
the reality of it, he can't because when he talked about
the reality of it he can't because when he talked about the
resources,
We already.
we already have the resources of
Uh, the city.
Higher higher, uh, contractors. That's trying to keep up
with the entire city.
with the entire city of Chicago.
and then, when it comes,
and then when it comes down to doing, you know, the side,
sidewalk projects, you know, uh how many
sidewalk projects, you know, uh, how many of those uh,
Open resources.
that we
That we have left to do the Savage.
uh, at a, at a, a decent price to
Uh, at a at a, a decent price to even cover that. So I mean
it's it's
mean, it's it's a hard, um,
Taking.
Taking, I would say and you you have a huge job.
Taking I would say and you you have a huge job in front of
you. Uh, I'm willing to help where I can
uh,
I, I'm
seems to know everything, but I know,
Seems to know everything, but I know a lot about this.
Uh, so
uh, I I really think that
Uh I I really think that this is the perfect time to talk
about it.
about it because we, we're right here at budget season.
uh, we have to
uh,
come up with.
The right.
right way to, to all
right way to to allocate funding, uh, dealing with
Right way to to allocate funding uh, dealing with automatic
menu when it comes down.
menu when it comes down, the entire city of Chicago.
Chicago. Because, again, when we're fighting,
Chicago. Because again, when we're fighting and some of
these small Awards,
Uh, their Community fighting over the Beautiful.
Uh, their Community fighting over the beautiful lights with
the piggy backs.
Where a lot of us are.
Where a lot of us are fighting over getting sidewalks and
streets done.
streets done because their Wars are covered when it comes
down to
Uh, the minimum some War.
Uh, the minimum some Wars may not need that much money that
can go.
can go to a war that that that's a massive war that that
could.
Be uh, use some of that money.
Be, uh, use some of that money to fix the entire.
City in Chicago, instead of just that 1.
City in Chicago instead of just that 1 community.
so, I hope I
So I hope I talk too much.
Thank you, Jim. You welcome. Sir. I heading into the
August.
break. I mean, we want to get our points in and points
made. Uh, I feel like Alderman, Curtis, gave the room, a
lot to respond to do. We have responses from the panel,
oh,
Oh, and I do.
and my
so, we do have work with
so we do have work with cmap. I'll say we have a
Uh, in the 18th War. I
Uh, in the 18th War I asburn uh uh public.
Uh, in the 18th War. I asburn, uh, uh, Public Safety
steering committee, but we do work with cmap.
committee. But we do work with cmap to deal with not just
accidents.
uh, but we also deal with a little bit of what's
Uh, but we also deal with a little bit of what's safe and
what we could do better. So thank you.
what we could do better. So, thank you cmap. Also working
with us on that project. Thanks.
in terms of,
in terms of responses, um, 1 thing that your comments made
me think of is the
me think of, is the role of communication in regards to
sidewalks both.
sidewalks both in terms of sidewalk problems. But also
fixing sidewalks.
fixing sidewalks and I think cities often take this for
granted but communicating about where, uh, changes.
improvements have been made specifically on maps and where
they will be made is is something that many cities forget
to do.
to do, but can go a long way towards this broader approach.
to proactive planning and to communicating what what
process is, what the system is when is this problem?
process is, what the system is when, is this problem that
I'm facing today? When is it going to be fixed?
something that we could have the data and and process.
something that we could have the data and and processes to
communicate to Residents, um, by having an integrated
system like this. I encourage you to look at the City of
Austin has a pretty robust
Austin, has a pretty robust system for this and have Maps
out for 30, 60 90 days of when sidewalk improvements will
happen, uh, which is a great way of, you know, improving
this relationship with residents.
this relationship with residents and the city, right?
That's what this is. Comes down to it.
What is that?
What is that relationship with a person in their city? And,
and these tools that are available, you know, can can
easily help communicate that
yes, Laura so um 1 I appreciate your nth
Yes, Laura. So um 1 I appreciate your enthusiasm on
sidewalks. Um and always happy to talk.
sidewalks um and always happy to talk further and um by the
accessible sidewalks.
accessible sidewalks I would also ask the Alders in the
room um, if you want to share with your
room. Um, if you want to share with your colleagues who
aren't here about the importance of this issue and like,
aren't here about the importance of this issue and like the
importance of pushing the string budget season, um,
importance of pushing the string budget season. Um, I also
wanted to note or raise the
easy critique for me to say,
easy critique for me to say harder if you to deal with,
which is if we have given that we there are limited
constraints on dealing with sidewalks and then you know,
I'm building more capacity on fixing sidewalks I think
building more capacity on fixing sidewalks. I think 1 thing
would be um more coordination.
thing would be um, more coordination on repairs to make
sure there isn't a sidewalk that's fixed. And then 3 weeks
later, there's planned construction, which you know I've
seen in my work.
seen in my work, I think everyone has seen and I know this
is like you are. This is
is like, you are. This is not a situation you created. This
is a this is a
This is a, this is a long running issue, but I do think
that that there is maybe an opportunity there like, I look
at how the
Dig ticks dig ticket system works. You get if you if you
want to do that. There is a ton of information. Um,
if you want to do that. There is a ton of information, um
and I do think that that is M there is maybe an opportunity
and again,
opportunity. And again, I realize that that is an easy
thing for me to raise when I don't have to implement it. So
I I fully realize that
I, I fully realize that, but given that, if there are
constraints on the amount of money,
constraints on the amount of money we have, and on
contractor capacity, then ways that we can, at least make
sure that if
Installing something it doesn't you know, water. Mains break
things happen, but there's nothing.
break, things happen, but there's nothing planned that, you
know,
um, to answer your question, we do have a office called
project coordination where we do have
project coordination, where we do have all the projects in
our system that we do coordination.
our system that we do coordination for res restoration,
where we coordinate with.
Where we coordinate with different stakeholders as far as
like pgl water so that we can get in there um, to do
once. So, sometimes we asked like,
once. So sometimes we asked like, what, like we just had a
resurfacing project on the south side.
resurfacing project on the south side where we Gap the
intersection because water was coming through and water is
going to do the intersection to prevent what you just said.
Uh, for them to cut right through some brand new.
Uh, for them to cut right through some brand new asphalt.
So we do have that in place and then some of the the cuts
that you may have seen that may, um, is is could be
emergency repairs.
emergency, repairs also. So, like water main, um, the last
service,
service line leaks, there's leaks and breaks all over the
city, and we're working with dwm to um,
city, and we're working with dwm to, um, to, you know, to
work with them to, to, to
work with them to to, to do some of these things. Because
some of what happens in the midst of our construction
project,
projects, and we pause our construction so that we can
these repairs before we put
make these repairs before we put down the final surface or
repair the sidewalk to make these. So that we want to go
back in or have it.
back in or have it cut it in twice. So, again, back to you,
Alder.
Alderman, I'll look forward to working with you and
everyone on the board.
everyone on the board on, um, the committee to kind of, you
know, come to a resolution because sidewalks are important
to the city and
to the city. And is also very important to see that
and more importantly, it's important to myself because I do
have elderly parents that have mobility issues. So I'm very
aware of it and and sensitive of it.
aware of it and and sensitive of it also. So that's my I
will look forward to working with you guys for on that.
Thank you.
Thank you, sir. I have a a couple quick questions to close
but before
close, but before I do Alderman, jansy, any uh, parting
comments.
and questions.
Uh, just thank you for this really important.
Uh, just thank you for this really important conversation.
I um,
uh,
Uh, in another life was an organizer with SEIU Healthcare
and worked a lot.
and worked a lot with access living and understand that.
you know, these barriers to um safe and accessible
sidewalks um our significant
sidewalks. Um our significant for members of our community
particularly as our community is aging.
community, particularly as our community is aging and aging
in place. And I think that this is a
and I think that this is a prime opportunity for us as a
council to kind of get our stuff together and make sure
that we're working with C Dot and with the community to
make sure that we're you know, approaching this in.
right way. I think that there were a couple statements that
were made today particularly around um frankly the cities
lack of preparedness.
lack of preparedness when it comes to supporting this work.
And um,
this work. And um, you know, I could probably speak about
the disparities that
disparities that likely exist in black and brown
neighborhoods comp.
neighborhoods compared to others. But I think that, um,
this conversation is the beginning of, uh, what I believe
is.
is, you know, a chance for us to get it, right? And I'm
looking forward to working with the, my colleagues and
Council and then others who
Council, and then others who presented today, to make sure
that we're doing our best.
Appreciated tremendously sir. Uh,
Appreciate a tremendously sir. Uh, I will just ask you a few
quick questions to close number 1. I appreciate everyone's
time.
everyone's time everyone here in the room.
More.
More than I can say, is informed.
My thinking helped evolve my thinking on accessibility and
in and infrastructure. And I'm very
in and infrastructure and I'm very grateful for that. I
won't even go into the whole presentation that cmap and
excess living.
excess living gave on proag and Ada standard.
excess living gave on proag and Ada standards down at the
ride wall conference. If there's a way for you to look,
ride wall conference. If there's a way for you to look that
up,
it made me, uh, Angry and motivated at the same time which
I think is
think is what Advocates are supposed to do for folks in
government. Um, so a few quick points, uh, number 1, I was
really curious
When an inspection does?
Take place. What are our in?
Take place. What are our inspectors looking for?
from an
From an objective perspective are there current Ada
standards.
standards have we preemptively. Um,
standards have we preemptively um, taken on the pro wag
standards when they go out. How do they determine whether
this is going to be a repair done through. Um,
CIP process or like, share it to the shared sidewalk uh
program.
When the inspectors go out, they pretty much.
when the inspectors go out, they pretty much just take
pictures of the entire site for a holistic appearance
because it can be a hazard for various different reasons. I
mean, it could be you know if it's night time
mean, it could be, you know, if it's nighttime and the
trees are blooming.
You know, the light it.
You know, the light, it may be an issue with that. I mean,
so it's a lot of things that we take pictures of and then
they bring it back in, whereas,
they bring it back in whereas evaluated, by an engineer and
that's what it dterm.
And that's what it determination is made as to what repair
needs to be done,
needs to be done. So, I mean, if it's a like a, you know, a
grind, we can send it over to in-house Construction.
grind, we can send it over to in-house construction, uh, to
get in their queue to do the grinding or a small patch to
make the repair, or if it's something more
make the repair or if it's something more major, that's
when it gets routed to um, either share.
when it gets routed to, um, either share costs or the menu.
Or we also look
we also look and see if it's uh going to be a part of
or we also look and see if it's uh, going to be a part of,
uh, another project, uh, you know, a capital Improvement.
project and going to be captured in their
so that's the that's how we, you know, do the inspections
on them.
And are there?
And are there when the engineers review those photos, or
are there object.
are there objective things that they're, they're looking
for to make that deter?
to make that determination? Well every situation or every
scenario is different so they look at different
scenario is different. So they look at different. Um,
you know, different like if there's a like of course, if
there's a differential or something like that,
there's a differential or something like that because even
what a hazard can be anything from even like a the smallest
because it's based on the individual, that's
traversing That Sidewalk that
Traversing That Sidewalk that can be a hazard. So like what
could be a hazard for me? May not be a hazard for you so
it's a lot of things that goes into play with that.
I, I hear where you're coming from. Um,
I have a thought on that.
I have a thought on that but I'll share the thought to
close. Um,
close um currently. So when the inspections go out,
Photos taken engineer.
Photos taken engineered as inspection. Um,
do the results of those surveys get shared with Ward.
offices and if so, what is the process for sharing that?
with them? Uh, the process for sharing is when we recommend
it for, like, the share calls or your menu, uh,
it for, like the share calls or your menu, uh, during CIP.
Briefings, we make wreck we could make recommendations as
to where we getting the most, uh, csrs and also, um,
know, that's when we present those on the maps.
know, that's when we present those on the maps to you.
but we also through our main award liaison, we can also
You know.
You know, present the information.
I appreciate how that information.
I appreciate how that information gets to us, do the CIP
briefings I think
briefings, I think if there's ways
For that information to get to us in closer to real.
For that information to get to us in closer to real time
just so we can communicate expectations.
Just so we can communicate expectations more clearly with
our constituents. That would be helpful for us. Sure. Um,
when the Dieter
when the determination is made,
That this side.
That this sidewalk is has hazardous that it needs to be
either repaired.
either repaired or replaced.
Understanding the reasons why we're not putting.
Understanding the reasons why we're not putting out an
objective timeline right now still, what is the
objective timeline right now. Still, what is the internal
process that goes from identification?
To repair or replacement.
so, you're asking,
so, you're asking once the determination and we route it to
the particular projects, then it goes into the another
bucket for the repair a it goes to the share costs.
bucket for the repair a it goes to the share costs whereas
routing out, or goes to menu for
whereas routing out or goes to menu for menus to approve it
and it's
it, and it's or are we checking against other projects? And
then we can uh just you know, once this that project is
completed.
then we had to go back and find all those Sr numbers to
close them out, all those inspections and
close them out all those inspections and when it's
determined that it's going to be closed out through not
through menu or shared but through like,
through menu or shared but through like what C dot does um
internally external to those programs.
contractors identified like,
Do you see where I'm I'm getting?
A knot. That's all right, let me.
A knot. That's all right. Let me, I'll be more.
Explicit. When
explicit when it's not being handled through shared
sidewalk, or
sidewalk or through menu. When it's identified. This is a a
hazard
Both to the public and also.
both to the public and also exposes uh potential.
Uh,
lawsuit liability to the city when it's deter.
lawsuit liability to the city. When it's determined we we
need to address that through like a c. Dot contractor. Um,
It gets routed to that Kant.
It gets routed to that contractor. What what should the the
the ward office? The constituent expect to see happen.
Well, when it gets routed to the contractor, that's when
it's it's it's in their queue for repair.
And so you're are you asking about the communic?
and so you're are you asking about the communication back
and forth between I think so and is
and forth between I think so. And is there
is there a conservative timeline that
Is there a conservative timeline that we can say for seeing
that repair?
that repair take place uh, far as like a timeline?
that repair take place uh, far as like a timeline is hard
to say because of the the, the volume and
say because of the the the volume and resource that amount
of resources.
That it takes.
that it takes to do to go do the inspections and
That it takes to do to go do the inspections and everything,
okay? So and also just the resources that in-house
construction and also the um, the resources for the
contractors.
so it's hard to put a a timeline on
So, it's hard to put a a timeline on when repairs are going
to happen.
I appreciate.
I appreciate that sir. So
I would say to,
I would say to close.
I appreciate your your work. I want to say because I bought
this up last.
this up last Wednesday.
I think.
I think 35 years is too long to wait for an 88 transition
plan. It's a point that I intend to press with my time and
my role.
my role in this office.
I appreciate.
I appreciate your conversation around. Accessibility what?
is accessible to me to you?
is accessible to me to you to my daughter to people's
grandmothers?
All very differently.
but I think,
But I think ex we need to look at what is the lowest common
denom.
denominator for accessibility
Which is this? The
Which is this the standards that have been does discussed
through the present.
through the presenters here today. And finally, I want to
say,
say the I I'm going to say the private part.
say the I I'm going to say the private part public, which
is that sir I want you to call us out.
that sir I want you to call us out, I really want you to
call us out and to making sure that you have the resources
that c dot needs to be successful. Because when you have
the sidewalk in,
the sidewalk inspectors that you need to be successful, it
lowers our litigation risk. When you have the
infrastructure,
infrastructure dollars, that you need to be successful.
It Low.
It lowers our infrastructure, our litigation risk.
it lowers our infrastructure, our litigation risk or
arguably, there's few places where we have more of a fiscal
responsibility, a fiduciary responsibility.
responsibility, a fiduciary responsibility to see success
happen then in the success,
happen then in the success of the C dot team,
so I, I
So I I wanted to say that out loud know that we have your
back.
back and if you don't feel like there's another 21 folks
who have your back know that you got, you got a small
platoon here, that's ready to get to work. Um,
platoon here, that's ready to get to work. Um yes sir, yes
sir. Um,
Yes, sir. So
um,
To the Commissioners, the fence.
to the Commissioners, the fence and, and, and to the
question that that you asked,
is very, very difficult because the question you actually
asked him was
Once.
once the person called 3111, they haven't in the system.
Once the person called 3111, they haven't in the system you
want to him. And then
when it go past the automatic menu,
when it go past the automatic menu and the share cost, you
want to know when does the City,
Department of Transportation. Take a buck.
Department of Transportation, take a bucket of money and
just fix that.
just fix that particular problem, right? So we don't have
any liability or lawsuits anything and it's hard for the
commissioner.
commissioner to answer that question. Because again,
commissioner to answer that question because again, it all
depends on
What someone may feel?
Is.
a a a
A a, a small fix no matter what year it came in.
Or.
A detrimental fix.
That may.
That may have just came in.
because,
um, once
Um, once again.
um,
We have.
we have if if if another study
We have, if, if if another study that I would like somebody
to even look at. If you look
to even look at, if you look at an automatic menu,
um,
Before I say that I want to go.
before I say that I want to go finish what I was saying
about his question. It's hard for him to say, well, this
will be done next week.
It's impossible to say that.
it's impossible to say that because when it comes to me,
it's impossible to say that because when it comes to me as
an Alderman and a and a resident comes,
an Alderman and a and a resident comes to me, and I got so
many of them.
many of them especially on Corner houses.
When you?
when you got the front and the side,
And, and that side is to walk to their garage.
And, and that side is to walk to their garage, but it's
still bad.
um,
You have to determine.
do you have even have the money because 1,
Do you have even have the money because 1 to share cost
program?
once you put that in, and they get the estimate,
once you put that in and they get the estimate back and
their estimate probably going to be their portion and like
5 grand.
um, they're going to say,
Um, they're going to say I don't have any money like that
so autumn please help.
so autumn please help me. But then when I look at my menu,
Uh, and that, that was my second.
uh, and that, that was my second thing I was going to say,
there's a lot of altars
and, and we can look at
And and we can look at this at any given point. I will
guarantee you out of the 50.
They don't.
They don't look so much of the sidewalks.
They don't look so much of the sidewalks, then they do the
actual streets.
Daughters, that's it. I mean, what do you agree?
Daughters, that's it. I mean what do you agree? I agree. Do
you agree? No.
You look.
You look at sidewalks or Street first. I think they're
both.
both, they are both important but that my question.
both, they are both important but that my question was
which 1 a good system? Exactly, we're enough.
which 1 a good system, exactly where I would guarantee?
Is.
is is is really difficult because the amount
Is, is is really difficult because the amount of money that
we're getting is hard.
we're getting is hard for us. The auditing to say, you're
going to get this.
This year.
this year and and to the
This year and and to the support of the commissioner.
When, when he
when when he asks, for our menu to be
Done. And in,
Done and in their office by March.
done and in their office by March the 1st so they can plan
out the entire season.
When?
when they plan out the entire season for the entire
When they plan out the entire season for the entire water
Chicago, all 50.
Chicago, all 51 of the pie,
Is really hard.
To break that off for them to meet their.
To break that off for them to meet their goal to satisfy.
everybody in the city of Chicago, get a piece of the pie.
everybody in the city of Chicago, get a piece of the pie
and break that off to say, You're going to
and break that off to say, you're going to get
that sidewalk right there.
That sidewalk right there, done.
Because again,
Because again all sidewalks are different because now you
have some sidewalks are in good shape but they're sucking
in the ground.
and,
And when they sink in the ground, you just as a hazard.
you have a big hole of it, ottoman, Curtis I think.
you have a big hole of it, ottoman, Curtis. I I think to,
like to condense what you're saying,
You know, that there's so many only so many slices of pie.
out there, exactly right now we're determined.
out there, exactly right now, we're determined, does that
Pi go to the roads? Does it go to the sidewalk? I'd say we
need to figure out how to bake a bigger pie. Exactly. And
the only way to do that chairman,
We have to have a bigger.
Automatic presence.
and uh, and
And uh, and uh, the administration together.
And uh and uh the administration together to make those
decisions. Um,
where are we going to put more?
Where are we going to put more money into the Department of
Transportation?
Transportation to handle these issues? We might have to
take something.
take something away.
From something that might.
From something that might be a little less important.
To give it.
To give it to something. That's a little more important.
to give it to something, that's a little more important to
make sure that
um,
the people that's walking down the street, the 88
Uh, uh, issues.
Uh, uh, issues are handled because we have that.
uh uh issues are handled because we have that problem that
we're going to have to address.
as a body in the city council that
as a body in the city council to say,
um, where we put
Um, where we put in funds at the end of the day, I hear you
sir. Uh I'm actually going to toss the aldwin. Why for a
final question.
a final question, Barry, I will be very, very quick. Um, is
there a sense of how much work?
there a sense of how much work the department has the
capacity to do?
capacity to do versus what you have identified as the knee?
I mean, I think, about years ago, when
knee? I mean, I think about years ago, when um, the city
switched to a grid for tree trimming,
switched to a grid for tree trimming and, you know, at
least by their own reports
own reports, they've been able to be I think 3 times as
successful in the work.
successful in the work than they have been um with their
previous system.
previous system because you know and then I know this is
kind of looking at the cities on analysis. I do understand
that others unders unders have identified a
that others, unders unders have identified a a more
significant need, then we need in this need that.
significant need. Then we need in this need that that we
have identified in the city but is there a sense of like
what you can do?
what you can do versus what needs to be done?
Well, just going back to my experience.
With street lights. Okay. So um, technology.
With street lights, okay? So, um, technology and data is
the answer as far as
answer as far as like knowing where our repairs are
geographically to reduce the windshield.
geographically to reduce the windshield time that our crews
are driving across the city making repairs. That's where we
can get more efficiency, but far as capacity once.
can get more efficiency, but far as capacity once we
See where everything is geographically.
See where everything is geographically, then we can
determine our capacity of them.
So I mean, but uh, you know, I see.
So I mean, but uh, you know, I see that we, you know, we we
suffer like a lot of departments do
we suffer like a lot of departments do with retirements and
everything.
uh, the AG
Uh, the agent Workforce. So therefore we you know, every
day we we anybody can walk over to
day we we, anybody can walk over to the Retirement Board
and retire and it makes it that
retire and it makes it that harder to kind of predict what
our uh, you know, what I staff looks like on a on you know.
Going, you know sometimes it like around June, I think.
Going, you know sometimes it like around June. I think it's
is it June and also January
it's is it June and also January? That's when we see the
biggest hits to our Workforce
So, it sounds like they quit before the heavy.
So it sounds like they quit before the heavy work or after
know I think it has something.
know I think it has something to do with the. Well I'm I'm
joking. No. But I do want to just share that, you know,
this the
the 4 4 of us, the 4 of us that are left like we're fully
the 4 4 of us the 4 of us that are left like we're fully in
support. I mean for me it's helpful to have a former Ward.
soup.
say the stuff that he said today, because it helps
Say the stuff that he said today because it helps us it
helps me as a newer Alderman understand.
helps me as a newer Alderman understand what some of the
things that I consider barriers are.
things that I consider barriers are are really just kind of
the nature of the Beast and uh, yeah.
the nature of the Beast. And uh, yeah here to help wherever
I can.
Thank you.
I appreciate all more than I can say, uh, but for this
moment and
and I'm sure we're going to continue these conversations.
briefings through August.
In public in.
In public in September ottoman, Curtis you sussed out that
there.
there was a reason to have this hearing in July, rather
than September.
September. Uh, but with there being no further business
before the committ,
before the committee, may I have a motion to adjourn.
ottoman jansy. So moves all of those in favor, signify by
Ottoman, jansy. So moves all of those in favor. Signify by
saying, I
We are adjourned. Thank you all.