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But I can say that I saw them.
Good morning is the comedian immigrant and Refugee Rights
will now come to order today, we will having it a hearing
discussing the city of Chicago's response to the new
arrivals and a vote, but we are to have the resolution will
begin. Roll call to establish a quorum vice-chair Taylor.
All right, show me down. In Auburn. Rodriguez, alderperson,
Fuentes Alderman, Taliaferro.
All.
Older women cruise, I saw earlier.
I'll
Alderman. Cardona I also saw earlier.
Alright, presents.
Arturo Rodriguez, Sanchez.
On.
Alderman Ramirez. Rosa.
Older women are helping words.
Right Auto on Manhattan and myself.
There are seven members present. We have a quorum
yeah, I got you think you turned and then to figure out,
You.
Your chairman, I'm I'm, I'm, I'm present pinned in your
motion to allow me to thank you, Sharon virtual option it
for Committee. Hearing a tendency to extenuating
circumstances. In accordance with rule 59 of the city
council Rules of Order and procedure with subject
subsections. A through D of section, 7 of the open meetings
act and I get a motion to allow other person Taliaferro to
attend this hearing virtually moved so ordered, thank you.
At.
At this time we will begin the public comment period either.
Is limited to 30 minutes out of respect everyone's Time.
Each speaker is limited to three minutes as of 10 a.m.
Wednesday July 25th 2023. No collar has requested to speak
at the committee immigrant and Refugee Rights so we will
move on to in-person speakers. Our first speaker will be at
my hell. I can't read the last name.
Thank you. Make a Hallelujah. Greetings, Angel, Nubian.
Y'all like Hallelujah. And thank you. Everybody has a
little trouble with that. Is a slavery crimes against
humanity, descended. And Jim Croce. Genocide Survivor, I
have rice.
Acai.
Aside.
Asylum. Seekers immigrants. Who are not citizens and
refugees have privilege.
Iced.
I stand in opposition to the statuary lost although Harold
Washington created. It and started at he was not a perfect
man and this law has is not fair because it puts
non-citizens white privileges over the rights of citizens
who vote these elected officials.
Open to offers.
Open to office. Still not put into office by people who
have privileges. They are put into office by people who
have right and what is going on at Walsworth senior citizen
show. Largest voting box are being attacked. These migrant
coming from walls with the first school, I attended when my
family migrated from Arkansas in the mid-50s are attacking,
they won't stay in the area. They are in the senior
citizens, there's a grammar school next to it and a vacant
lot and they are wreaking havoc, they are beating up
citizens, causing them to have to pull a gun selling the
committee that the Bloodshed is going to be on their hand.
It was over 200 police officers out there battling with the
migrants because they had reach Ali-A shirts, because they
couldn't drag race and, and and park all up in the senior
citizen building.
And they.
And they have to have a padlock on their door to keep the
Invaders out, and this is just fundamentally unfair and put
them Above the Law and citizens beneath the law and that is
in violation of the 14th Amendment. Now, you would think
that they would be blowing, a marijuana smoke into. This is
the space, you would think that they wouldn't be physically
beating them up causing them.
Have to pull a.
Kapulaga.
Have to pull a gun to defend themselves. This is ridiculous.
We are being invaded and HUD is federal property and Ice
Jewish kitchen, or should have jurisdiction on its own
Federal property. We are not happy with this and what you
are doing to this. Senior citizen building Milton Harris.
That is named after Milton Harris that sits on the Chicago,
c h, a board. And this at the stop the newspaper people are
not covered it. They were asked in the sixties not to cover
the largest because they were creating problems. So I guess
somebody has met with them and say don't cover. What is
happening to the senior citizens who are being attacked.
And if one senior citizen building the president of that,
senior citizen building,
Rappers. That
Rapper says 18, senior citizen building. So what is
happening? There will be happening at the Democratic
National Convention to every single senior citizen building
in the city of Chicago, because we comprehend. What is
going on?
Thank.
Thank you very much for your comments. The next speaker is
Admiral. Andrew cm and Nelson.
When?
Grand Rising everyone. I'm Andrew Nelson Bay. My political
Mentor is Harold Washington, Protege, Build That Wall. So
when 2007 told me the Chicago mayoral T is more influential
than is the vice presidency of the United States and office
to, which I'm about to answer. So help me God.
I'm a 2024. Republican US presidential candidate Trump
Nelson. 24, get the picture.
Tuesday 6th, June 2023.
Dear mayor, Brandon Johnson thanking you in advance for
your appointing. Me Chicago, deputy mayor for finance and
revenue generation. Please call me at 312-632-9644 and give
me your business card with your Gmail address. Thanks
respectfully. Admiral angelsim, Nelson Bay. Now, I surmise
from my executive assistant, just District, who was here
several weeks ago that The Honorable mayor Brandon Johnson
handed him a business card vicariously for me, which was
purloined by of his hand. So I'd like to hand this card and
Leather.
Leather to someone here for the mayor and be on my way
please.
and,
And thank you.
God bless.
Thank.
Thank you for your comments. Our next speaker is Jackie
Paige.
Hello. I am a resident of the fourth ward. And there is a
migration Center down the street from me. So, this is very
personal to me, it's only two blocks away. And I when I
heard about what happened at Wadsworth, I was very troubled
because I was seeing something similar happening or not
you're doing. It didn't get as violence, but they are
hanging out there taking over spaces that are not
designated for them. They took over the lot across the
street, from the woman's teachers Academy, and they're
playing basketball. And that they seem to take over
whatever space is in communities that they go in, and I'm
just baffled at the nerve that they have. They're not
afraid of being deportation, they're not afraid of the
police. And I wonder what give them such a surance. What
are there being told?
That we're not being told.
That we're not being told because they're not afraid of
anything. And when you get somebody, who's coming into a
country and being Lawless, then, what can we expect, how
can we manage them? These people should not be here there.
They're supplementing, circumventing the law. They came to
this country illegally, no matter what you try to call
them. They are illegals and they are getting things. There
are getting houses and jobs and they are public charges.
They are not supposed to be public charges, this is against
the law. You people are breaking the law and I believe, the
only thing that you all understand is lawsuits, I think
that this has become a business. People are getting paid on
immigration and The Business of immigration is trumping,
Public Safety. And
The draw.
The drugs. Why isn't DEA involved in drug dealing? Why
aren't the city involving those agencies that can help you
with this? They and, and gun? Why isn't the ATF involved
the other agencies in and get their assistance? This is out
of hand, these people are Lawless and what about the
wedding? That's these people. They're moving.
Her.
Car.
Cartel members are acting like organized crime.
Why should anybody come here legally? When when you come
illegal you get so much more resources. They get to
circumvent. There's no wedding date. Get ready. Made jobs.
They get a income. I mean they get a address for them to
use for the immigration process.
Why should anyone follow the law? When it's more
advantageous to breaks a lot and you all are helping that
and I believe you should be punished at the post.
Thank.
Thank you for your comment. I'd like to note for the record
that alderperson Fuentes, and all the women Gutierrez are
here for ten in a quorum of there. Being no more speakers,
the public comment period is concluded. I will begin with
the routine matters of the committee committee members. You
will see a copy of the July 1445 report in your packet. Can
I have a motion to approve? The July rule, 45 report,
Thank.
Thank you charm. Del Sol moved hearing no objections. So
ordered
We were.
We will now begin to subject matter hearing regarding the
city's Emergency Operations in response to our new arrivals
fellow committee members in continuance of our series of
hearings to discuss the city's response to the humanitarian
crisis where hundreds of asylum-seekers, including women
and children are sleeping at police stations, across the
city and thousands more in shelters all over town today.
Our committee will be hearing from our deputy mayor of
immigrant migrant and Refugee Rights from the office of
emergency management and Communications from the Department
of Family Support Services and from Chicago public schools,
and ensuring that we truly live the values of the welcoming
City. We Proclaim to be, I believe it is imperative that we
are transparent and accountable as Government. So that
together we can make the necessary changes and investment
to improve outcomes. Not only for our newest neighbors by
for the communities that are providing shelter to them with
an Administration that has been in office for 72 days. And
a w man who has been on the job, all the 23 days, it is in
the public interest that we discussed a
I'm just,
I'll just be.
I'll just be a
We are seeing the steps that are being taken and the
progress being made in between each monthly Committee
hearing we have and will continue to send a form out and E
form to the Alders, to submit questions and following this
meeting will be sending out the answers. We received from
the Department's, I asked our committee members and all the
others continue to submit questions so that we can have
them answered expeditiously. I'm confident that through
your engagement and Leadership and the help of the public
at Large.
Give me.
Give me to overcome this challenge as one Chicago, just as
we have overcome so many in our City's history.
They?
Thank you very much. I'd also like to note that this
committee receive one written public comments, these
Britain public comments have been sent out to the committee
members via email and are within your printed packet. We
will now have testimony regarding the subject matter please
reserve your questions and comments until after the
conclusion of the presentation joining us today will be
better at least once a day on. Deputy mayor for immigrant
migrant and Refugee Rights within the mayor's office City
of Chicago. Brandon kanazi. Commissioner of the Department
of Family and support services for the city of Chicago.
Newcomer services manager from Chicago Public Schools Gmail
Chambers city council liaison in our government Affairs for
Chicago Public Schools, Sydney Morris Chief of Staff to the
chief education officer, Chicago Public Schools, Matt Dowdy
manager of Emergency Management Services office of
emergency management and Communications city of Chicago,
Are we were?
We will begin with Deputy Mayor about the East Ponce De
Leon. You'd like to start morning. Good morning everyone.
My name is Anthony and I have shared. I am the deputy mayor
for immigrant migrant and Refugee Rights in the city of
Chicago. It is truly a privilege and an honor to be in this
role. This is
First time that our city.
First time that our city, a city of immigrants, have
someone in this position. So I want to acknowledge and
thank mayor, Brandon Johnson, for having the vision, and
The Valor to appoint and create this role at this moment
that we're living in our history. I also thank you for
being on this committee for the work that you're doing. And
the way that you are partnering with the mayor, and the
city to welcome our, our many new new neighbors to Chicago.
That I just tell you a little bit about my background and
introduce myself so that, you know, we get to know each
other. I know that over the next weeks and months, we will
be working together on these efforts
I am the daughter of immigrants. I was born here in Chicago
and I'm the in that at a hospital called Mother Cabrini. My
parents liked to tell the story of that they came from what
I want me try calling Mexico, 1967. I was born the next
year and in my, in the early years, we lived in the
Lakeview area, or my parents tell a lot of stories of being
part of a multi-ethnic immigrant Community. They were
friends with people from Italy, there were Greek immigrants
Germans, and some Mexicans, and they have a lot of stories
of looking forward to helping each other and learning from
each other. We moved to the South side and I grew up in
canaryville. I don't know how many of you are familiar with
canaryville but people there,
Fiercely proud of.
Fiercely proud of being able.
Fiercely proud of being Irish and it was clear that
ethnicity and immigrant Roots matter to people in in
Chicago. I remember my classmates always asking what's your
nationality and they asked each other cuz it was like, are
you polish? Are you Irish? Are you Italian? I learned a lot
of lessons in canaryville about race and class. Canaryville
is sandwiched between Englewood Back of the Yards and then
the Dan Ryan and across the street where the Robert Taylor
homes and you know growing up being one of the very few
Mexican families in that small community. I think I just
became aware of in a race of ethnicity and of class are in
in a lot of different ways. My parents like most parents
really stressed education and I was fortunate to have gone
to the good schools and to be able to
I don't see the curry.
I don't see the career path. We also were always taught to
stand up for what we believe in 2 to look at what is fair
and what is just and to find ways when whatever kind of
work, I chose to make the world a little bit better. I
think that's something I saw my parents do everyday and the
way that they interact with others. In my career, I have
chosen to be an advocate to be a coalition Builder, to be a
planner. I change my
Iran.
And a public servant I have most. All of my work has been
in the nonprofit or government sector. A couple of big
things that I was involved in over the years is I was able
to lead a group called generational is an initiative to
work on the banding equity in education and we were a
coalition of parents students teachers community members.
Some Civic leaders and we focused on how to strengthen our
neighborhood public high schools. I think that effort
really began to change the narrative on how our city was
looking at an investing in neighborhood. Public Schools.
Also for many years, I led the Bible ad in World Language
initiative at CPS in which we again, it was a coalition. A
multi-sectoral coalition of people working language access
and language parody, we saw that family is one of their
kids in a world language program. But then there was stigma
around being in, bilingual education.
That.
That your commission was able to significantly invest in
our dual language program, helping to put Chicago Public
Schools as a leader, and into a language across the country
and also putting another shining a spotlight on our
immigrant students and their families earlier. In my
career, I've been an advocate for adolescent health and
mental health rights for including immigrants. In our
children's health insurance insurance program. Looking also
at immigration policy,
An.
and,
And four programs that invest in our most disinvested and
marginalized communities. I've been a part of some work
with the list new communities program, in which we did
quality of life, plan in Little Village and do some Chicago
community in the West Lawn Community. All along in that
work. I think what I've been good at doing is helping to
bring people together from different sectors with different
agendas to work on a common cause and then to implement
some of those program and I've been able to help Advocate
and make changes at both program-level state and federal
levels. I said, all that to say that I think the role of
this Deputy Mayor is to bring people together around this
issue of how do we support our current immigrant population
and this influx of asylum-seekers that we are experiencing,
but also how we live our
To being.
to being a walk.
to being a welcoming City. This is a new role and it is
also a new office. So I just want to go quickly to say that
as I get to know our team, the amazing gray ones has been
our first deputy and really being an incredible job on the
ground in the field with our community groups and also,
strategizing at the mayor's office, we have her food. The
total who's on the team and load up idea who recently moved
on. I mean,
Mall in my
Small and mighty team and they have been able to help
filling gaps and also to help lead. As we do this work, the
vision I have for our office is that this new office of
immigrant migrant and Refugee Rights will work on providing
strategic leadership for the asylum-seeker response effort.
We are in the mayor's office directly working with the
mayor's cabinet. Our commissioners are City department
leaders. And I think it's important to have to have this
this representation and his boys. At that table. We are
also going to be taking strategic planning a long, how we
look more long-term and integration of immigrants migrants
and refugees and how we operationalize are welcoming city.
Ordinance across the agencies that will take additional
coalition-building, it'll take Investments it'll take some
men and will be working on that hopefully with all of you
and many others and we want our
New.
New off.
New office to be a hub for resources and information.
People turned to this group and to the mayor's office for
expertise on immigration policy on immigration intubation,
an immigration reform. And so we are going to invest some
time and doing that work, and then building a
Communications effort around it.
I will.
I would I just want to take us back to the beginning. That
Chicago is a welcoming City. Chicago is a city of
immigrants. I think if you go into any neighborhood and you
see five Catholic churches, one was polish one was Irish
song with check. We get the sense of our immigrant
backgrounds and I I like to remind folks that we were
founded by a Haitian immigrant who was of both African and
European the sun. John, Baptiste, DuSable came here.
Looking to expand his is trading work. His business, he
became a partner with some of the Native American
communities that were here. And eventually, he married a
Native American Potawatomi woman and they were the first
family they settled, where the Chicago River meets? The
lake, that is what we are founded on. And I think that it
is a great beginning to how Chicago has evolved. We've been
the lead on the settlement houses in terms of integrating
all kinds of immigrants over the years. Originally your
pain in the,
Pan and then eventually Asian and Latino Mary Hill
Washington and someone mentioned open the door Paving the
way to becoming a welcoming City by the executive order
that he be made, which really did two things. But one was
to Halt, the city's Corporation, City agencies Corporation
with Federal immigration authorities. And finally, we've
seen over the years. Many Chicagoans, not just letting you
know not just immigrants come together.
Organized in.
Organized, in support of immigrants. We experienced
tremendous immigrant marches in the early 2020 issues,
arise. Chicago is always present. I know that in the last 3
or 4 years, we have also welcome to other groups of
refugees and asylum-seekers. We, we had a significant
effort to welcome Afghan and ukrainians most recently, and
now this South American Community, it is tough being a
welcoming city is not an easy thing and is you look around
the country. When there are a few cities that call
themselves welcoming City, I am proud. That Chicago is one,
I'm proud to be a part of the effort and to be working on
that. With all of you I want to remind us that
he's a
These other folks that were talking about sometimes in
committee meetings that I've been a part of or in the media
or Justin talking to people be kind of lump them all
together. You know the migraines. It's like there a problem
there are new since we forget that they are human beings.
Just like all of us, they're looking for a decent life.
They're looking for a place to be saved and they have to
come here. They have the right to seek Asylum. Every single
one of us in this room has a right to seek Asylum and that
is what they're doing. I think this is bigger than the
Chicago issue. It's a federal issue related to policies
that the US has had in Latin American countries but also
related to our
Broken immigration system. So what we have is people coming
to Chicago. Now in large groups, and Chicago has to
respond. And we've been stepping up and doing that in this
photo, you also see a couple of people with bag. They are
the, some of the many, many volunteers, and organizations
that we've been partnering on. We are fortunate that people
are coming together and trying to figure this out with us.
Really want to go.
I want to give you a kind of just kick off the presentation
with more details. About what we're doing is our senses. As
of yesterday, we have welcomed over eleven thousand, five
hundred asylum-seekers to Chicago since August of last year
and I think that the number is even closer to twelve
thousand. Now, that is an incredible number. I mean, when
we think of the waves of immigrants who come from other
countries, it wasn't always smooth. It took a while. People
didn't want the Irish are then they didn't want the
Italians and they didn't want you know, other groups have
came in in math. But over time, they became part of the
fabric of what Chicago is right now. We have 12 supposed to
12,000. People that have arrived that are making their way
through our city, that eventually will be contributing
They're call.
their culture there for
Their culture, their food, their talents, their skills and
their flaws because they're human and they're not perfect,
so they will be part of our community. As of yesterday,
5445, North rivals in our city shelters. That's a 43.5%
increase from January. So just from January to today, we
have seen an increase of 43.5%. Yesterday, we had 941 new
arrivals waiting and police stations, for shelter. The
mayor has said like, in phatic Lee just yesterday, I heard
him again, our highest priority is to move people out of
the police station into a safe and decent shelter, and it's
all hands on deck to get that done. We've had 68 bus has
arrived here, since January, they've averaged about 50
people per bus, but since this Administration took over in
May 16th buses have arrived. So 60 of those 68 change.
May.
May we inherited applied approach to this Mission and in
the last one is under 90 days. That the mayor has been in
office that this team has been in office. We have been
working to to welcome 60, buses of folks coming in and that
doesn't include people that are coming by plane and in
other ways,
Again, they're from all over the majority is Venezuelan and
Columbian, but we have seen people come from a range of
countries including Russia, Haiti Ethiopia and Mexico. And
here's a quick Journey map. You know, these he was little
boss because they're coming on buses. But again, people are
also coming by playing. I think Max and talk a little bit
more to that. OMC is the first point of contact. They have
a team that means some the figures out what the immediate
needs are and that finds places for people to to be
sheltered right now, it's police stations at the police
station to PG has been an incredible partner, not perfect.
But a good partner, and and opening their doors and having
people there and keeping them safe, as well as the
residents are using the services of the police department.
OMC is on site and we just have a multitude of mutual Aid
and volunteers. Some of them are formal ccbo, some of them
are churches. Some of them are just into the
people.
people that want to help and we have a couple of incredible
healthcare partners that are out there doing Health
screenings and taking chair from a public health
perspective of any immediate needs from PlayStations. Our
goal is to move people into shelter and that's where the
FSS has stepped up to the plate and has done an amazing job
of opening. Shelters of moving people into existing shelter
and trying to do the best to keep them safe with food with
the basics that they need.
I guess.
again, we have
Again, we have Partners there for healthcare and Percy
videos. And the ultimate goal really is to help people be
subtle. Just like my parents did overtime making Chicago,
their home. We are there. We are in deep appreciation for
the state because they have made funding available for
rental assistance, so that people have an opportunity to to
move into apartment. And then from there, move out on their
own Ida has been a partner DHS. That there are Department
of Housing gfss and into major organizations Catholic
Charities and doing significant work, and housing case
management and New Life community centers, have been
essential in moving. Physically, moving people with moving
trucks, then, you know, about a 2 to move the longings.
Again, this is an all-hands-on-deck effort, the city,
couldn't do it without everybody involved, and we
appreciate all of the support.
and,
And just I think different from possibly. The last hearing
and things that are evolving. Now, that we are meeting the
most basic needs, we really see the need to bring our
Community Partners and organizations that know how to work
with immigrants and refugees. So the Illinois Coalition for
immigrant and Refugee Rights with funding, from the state,
and our Illinois welcoming centers, would do an amazing job
of serving all all immigrants and refugees, they will be at
our shelters now,
I'm doing some more rap.
I'm doing some more wraparound case management and it also
doing workshops and talks and working with the residents
and the staff. So that people who are being housed at
shelters, understand what it means to be a good neighbor,
understand what it means to to live in the shelter. With
some rules to be good, neighbors to the surrounding
communities. We haven't done enough of that. And we are
seeing that in places like Wadsworth we haven't done enough
bridge-building between the local resident, and the people
staying in our shelters. And this is, I think I very
significant next step in our approach to making sure that
when we open a shelter, the residents of that shelter are
good neighbors and that they are welcome there and that
they are not. So you know causing disturbances and changing
that community in significant ways that are that are not
being welcomed by the existing Community resident
And in many ways.
And in many ways Madison to share some, some events around
that and we have we have the intent to start a volunteer
program and are exploring how to do that. I will talk a
little bit about Federal advocacy. I think I was just say
this till the end but we know that we can't do this without
changes at the federal level. So we've been talking with
our Chicago delegation. We we have been meeting regularly
with the White House and the three things that were
calling.
Are a?
Are expedited work authorization support for housing
assistance because we settlement is our final goal, and
then more flexible funding streams that we can use. Not
just towards resettlement but potentially to bridge the
gaps in other areas, like the work that we're doing to
support our unhoused population.
Thank.
Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to
getting to know you and to work with you in the coming
weeks and months. And I now passing over 20 Yancey.
Thank you, baby. Good morning, everybody.
Upcoming.
I'm going to do a quick overview of what we had at OMC are
doing with our partners were and take a look at our current
Sheltering operations as well. Of course, we host of the
city's emergency Operation Center which has been more or
less activated going back to last September, where we
perform coordination and planning with various Partners
associated with the mission. So, I'm going to give him day.
We have several partners with us, including vfss, Chicago
Department of Public Health, Chicago Police Department,
even our County Emergency Management Partners. We also
someone operate in a virtual environment as well. We have
so many people out and about that. We all meet on a daily
call, as well as various other meetings for planning and
strategy. And coordination. We are responsible for his
side, identification assessment and start.
so, we've had a
So we've had a wide variety of facilities that we explored
over the last eleven months that could potentially be used
as shelters. So involved that initial exploration phase. If
we determined that it wants that we can Center pulmonary
assessment, team out there we will, and then we'll work
with IGA in the Otters and everybody else that's involved
in getting a shelter site, stood up to be allotted to. We
are providing a reception team at Union Station. Every time
that we received intelligence that one or more buses are
arriving. So, typically will have a less than 24 hour.
Heads-up notice. So we will begin to mobilize a team as
well as some buses to stay at Union Station. Some of the
arrivals that come their have their own plans and do not
need our assistance with others too and we do our best to
get those folks to eat.
Shell.
Shelter beds or in the case of the last month or so police
stations, we've developed a logistics and resource
management process going back to last fall. But of course
anytime you stand up a shelter and bring new people in.
There's a whole slew of logistics that goes along with that
including all the feeding transportation to and from
Healthcare screenings, providing laundry service. If they
don't.
Laundry at the Shell.
Laundry at the shelter, in all the various shelter supplies
that are needed to stand up a shelter or develop. We're
working on planning and guidance documents including the
plan that we put together in anticipation of title. 42
ending back in May every day were producing situation
reports that give up basically a summary of the last 24
hours and on a weekly basis were developing incident.
Action plans, which basically gives the rundown of our
goals and objectives for the next seven days as well as you
all the organizational assignments, associated with the
mission are also doing a lot of data analysis, looking at
Trends, filter in Chicago, and along the border, trying to
turn those stat analysis into actionable operations that we
can perform.
Okay going back like out last August, we have established a
total of 31 shelters and to airport staging areas important
to note that not all of those shelters are currently
active, some of had to return to their original use and
that's why it we are continually hunting for new shelter
space. Ideally, we as we've mentioned before we want
shelters that are large, congregate spaces. Of course, are
suitable for habitation. We won.
Are there space for eating?
Are there space for eating ideally. It'd be great if they
had showers. But first, we've had some shelters. Were we
brought in shower trailers, including the other new one at
the nearest, South Health Center that we opened last week.
Novice, we want to make sure the building itself is up to
code and passes. All safety tests. We've had a lot of
well-intentioned offers of facility space over the last
eleven months, that doesn't necessarily mean that the
building is ready to go. In fact, many of these facilities
that we look at, require a lot of repairs and everything
from boiler, repairs to asbestos abatement to Plumbing were
costly repairs that typically take many months to engage
in. So therefore, we have limitations, as to what we've
been able to find or facility space, one of our
limitations, at least you're in the city is every one of
our shelters has been within City Limits. We have explored
other shelters outside of city limits.
But of course, involves engaging with that municipality or
County, we're going to continue to do that. But that is
another step in the process that we need to engagement. And
obviously we need to stay involved in that discussion as
well and of course, as we all know that we do not have a
disaster. Quit presidential disaster, declaration
associated with this Mission there for funding is limited
as compared to a traditional disaster.
An old.
One of our chief Partners in mascara, Red Cross, their
frankly, Limited in what they can provide for us because
this Mission does not meet their threshold for their
typical mascara assistance.
It's been.
It's been a busy April in the middle of a very busy 8th
day. In regards to meetings and new shelters on July 19th.
We held an online meetings, the 40th Ward to start
discussing the Broadway Armory, this past Friday. We had a
successful community meeting near the former American
Islamic knowledge to talk about our plan moves into their,
we alerted to this on July 25th. We have a community
meeting near, Wadsworth to discuss concerns of the
community has their of course, we're right in the middle of
our Committee hearing on immigrant Refugee Rights today and
we have a plan Broadway Armory to meeting meeting schedule
for tomorrow night to talk about that movie as well. We've
had several shelter openings. Either this past week or
upcoming, including the nearest South Health Center at 35th
and Michigan.
which we
Which we are starting on the 20th. We started moving single
men in to that facility. On the 24th. We opened up or
latest shelter. Former Super 8, Motel 7300, North Sheridan.
We've identified that spot for families. So basically we've
repurposed at space, in order for it to become a legitimate
shelter. And of course, coming up on the 28th, we have, the
former American Islamic college or Immaculata on West
Irving Park, Road. This is a unique one because it's
occurring right around the time that we are required to
vacate two of our other shelters Wright College on the
northwest side and the gym at Daley College on the south
side because those facilities need to get back to their
intended purpose. So really what we're doing is it's a
transfer from those two facilities over today, I see
through start with roughly those
600.
600 clay.
Six hundred clients eventually going to get up to 800
clients at some point, by early September. So that's that's
a big move coming up for us.
Any.
And there's just a quick look at our census as of
yesterday. We're currently add 14 shelters, across the
city. New Life Church is on her. But actually, we
decompressed new life church yesterday to move clients into
the the Super 8 Motel, you can see we have a wide range of
sensors.
We?
We have 40 at the.
We have 40 at the new life church, but I can go all the way
up to 1457 that we currently have it in of Chicago. And of
course, it is imperative that we separate our single adults
from families. So as always, we're designating one or the
other for each of our shelters and really just said our
shelter locations have been very geographically diverse.
They've been as far north as Rogers Park as far, south is
Rosalind and everywhere in between your sister. Could look
how spread apart they are in the city. Of course, our two
largest shelters are in the loop and the River North
neighborhood. Currently
Good mixer for the record that we have noted, that that was
mad. He manager of Emergency Management Services of OMC.
That was speaking. I'm also wanted to know for purposes of
Quorum automated Mike, Rodriguez, and other women had
dinner here as well as other women lie on his teacher Lopez
and Riley and not too many members. Also, for the record, I
will have been checking out of your. Next up, we have asked
him, he can have the commissioner of the Department of
Family Support Services. What was that next?
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you, share and good morning members of the committee.
I'm Brandy kanazi commissioner for the Department of Family
and support services. So now I'm going to talk to you all
about what we've been doing at the shelters really grateful
for the support from the nearest office and the resources
that have started flowing in the last two months. And so,
the list of services that we provide first is out migration
through Catholic Charities but go here is really when
people get off the bus instead help them quickly connect to
family and friends across not only Chicago in Illinois but
other cities. And so we work really diligently to quickly
within 48 to 72 hours, figure out. Is there somewhere else
or family or friends that they came to the US that we can
connect them. With s is resettlement. We have been working
with Catholic Charities, the Illinois, Housing Development
Authority, and new lifers, to help individuals get
connected to housing. We'll talk about it on the next
light. But we started these resources in April with a
$4000000 investment from the Department of Housing.
and a
and if
An additional funds from the Department of Human Services
and we've been able to get people signed up either with
Lisa's or actually move out. Next is legal services which
started about a month ago with the Metropolitan Family
Services, Legal Aid Society. The goal here is that they
work with the network of legal organizations and we really
want to help connect people who are coming up on their
one-year, Mark for being in the US that needs to file for
their Asylum papers to quickly do that. So they work with
Prosecco,
Next stage.
They do counseling for some people. They do representation
depending on what those needs are. Additionally, in
partnership with the Department of Public Health, we work
with acute Health needs. A when people come, and they
arrived on the bus and they're at the shelters were able to
quickly connect and make appointments with Cook County help
their able with their centers to quickly. Assess the people
need vaccinations. Maybe they lost their medication during
their trip to Chicago there, quickly able to do that. And
then we also work with cdph, to have clean coordinating
organizations on site at the shelter. So if something comes
up during the week, they have a healthcare provider on
site. We also have City key with the clerk's office.
They've been very, very good gracious. With being able to
give us a cheese bites, me know that? That's really
important. As a lot of individuals don't have IDs. We also
work with the Illinois Department of Human Services, their
victims of trafficking torture or other serious crimes. And
that's really about Publix.
It's the
it's so,
It's so when you think about new arrival than phylum
speakers, they're not eligible for federal programs like
link. And so this is a state program that helps connect
them to public benefits, Medicare as well as cash
assistance, so that they can have some of their own
resources. And then last week we work with Chicago, public
schools around coordinating for school enrollment, and be
able to talk about that and during her presentation. So,
youth programme this summer of the team has been really
busy. We've been working closely
With CPS, and so, nearly two hundred young, people are
either enrolled in summer school or in after school
enrichment activities. Through CPS, we also have 25 young.
People enrolled in our head start and Early Head Start
program. Me really working to support mom and dad with
letting their youngest Learners. Go to check out here, so
that they can actually work on putting on their case
management Services together. We have Partnerships with our
enrichment program. So what we trying to do is leverage the
youth program that we have in front of your BFF and
assholes organizations, to either come into the locations
that we are for shelters or allow young people to go. So,
we looked at, where did they have under enrollment? And we
tried to make connections that way to get young people into
programs, and will continue to do that, is a partnership
with the Chicago Public Library. They're coming into
shelters in during Story Time, on a weekly basis. And so,
that's been really popular at the end of Chicago. They've
also had dance time with actress.
No matter.
Matters. We also have licensed therapist that are coming in
and doing skyart. I think it's just really important to
note that you, but young people that we have in the
shelters there really resolved yet, but we also want to
make sure that we give them the normal, see that they need
in order to, you know, just living drive. And then, lastly,
we are working with our partner, all of our Early Head
Start in Head, Start agencies with a shelter and so we are
having those agencies come out and work on Fall enrollment
as we
ready for a
Ready for the fall semester and so they're doing 90 minute
counseling sessions with Mom and Dad said, and the child to
say, here's what's socialization means, you're the benefits
of putting your child in Early Head. Start in these are the
benefits to get Mom and Dad used to. I'm sending their
child, especially when you have a young child to school
next client. So the resettlement efforts again. We started
resettlement in April, with a $4000000 investment from the
Department of Housing and that supported 1000 family,
people not households, but family people at the end of
Chicago, which is our family shelter plus with money from
the Department of Human Services and Ida. We were able to
support 400 single that had come to Chicago between August
31st and October 31st. So that translated to roughly 1,400
people of those 1,400 people, 553 have find Lisa's + 348.
Look out.
Out. And
Look out and those are actually household. So that
translates to about you started with 1,400 people of those
about 1340, have actually signed leases. A fraction of
those has moved out and I'm working with Catholic Charities
on the numbers and all those 340 have moved out. So good
news is, it's working, right? People are moving out. 23%
have a signed release since June. I think what we also know
is that more people have come when you listen to mad and
You know.
You know, the but number of buses that we've received since
May really makes it challenging to have a finite population
because the ball in the goal keeps moving every day, but
there is a 25 million dollar investment from the state to
continue in fy2014. The state's fiscal year, starts July
one. So good news, is there still money flowing and as
Catholic Charities in New, Lex build capacity, we're going
to continue to move people out and help them with
resettlement support. I think the other thing just to know
is having New Life as a partner is really important because
they're able to go out, do the housing assessments. We
don't want to put people in a place where we get them in in
2 weeks later. Their life isn't working in the water is not
hot or there's rodents, whatever the case may be. So they
do that walking with them. And then they also works with
the furniture Bank to help individuals get furniture to.
The lot of people are starting their, like, imagine being
out of college and having, you know, not a lot of resources
stuff. It's just really am.
Going to have.
going to have our
To have all.
To have all of these various connections next case
management. So, within the shelters, we provide case
managers on over the last two weeks, the state has provided
funding for us to bring either into our I'm shelters and
sell the Illinois Coalition for immigrant and Refugee
Rights works with a number of Community Partners through
their Illinois. Welcome center and they're really able to
support and be more robust and the case management that we
support, so they meet with ended.
Call Dan at all the shelters to make sure that they're
connected to public benefit. If they're not already working
at CVS to get their kids and roll their following up and
saying, hey are you doing the plan that we stacked? The
other thing is, they're really able to support us with the
cultural norms. We talked about, you know, just the
understanding of hail ordering outside is not really cool
and we've got to be respectful to our neighbors or what it
means to have when they get into a jam and they just need
someone to talk to you. So they're helping us reinforce the
shelter rule there helping with the be a Good Neighbor
policy. But then there are also able to accompany
individuals to their medical appointments. And so it's
really a holistic support to really rotten and enhance the
work that we're doing at the shelters with that. I think
it's important to know some of their Community Partners
that they work with, are the Brighton Park. Neighborhood
House, Erie House, North Side, Community Resources Rincon,
and the Honda Center. And so, I think just having that Reba
but robust gets
Do some?
Will someone I'm to talk to you and some make sure and I
think this also affects individuals up as we prepare them
for resettlement in life, after shelter, it gets them
ready. And the support is also with them when they move
into their housing resources.
So a lot of people have asked about the partnership of those
for ESL classes in those who are limited English speakers.
And so we started a partnership with city colleges and I'm
really excited about it. We're one we have kids at college
and so at Daley College we have eighty two young people
that has signed up for the summer for the ESL class, but
we're not just limited to our youngest people. We're also
making sure that adults have it as well. So, / 227
individuals adult have find up either through daily, right
or kennedy-king, what myself and the dean are thinking
about other ways to connect. I know from talking to shelter
staff individuals feel like they don't have time to go to
school because they need to go to work and they got to make
money to support themselves. And so, we're having
conversations about, can we do digital learning to help
people learn English, as well as can we also have GED
classes and so, I think this partnership will continue to
the
I'm as we really go through it. The other thing is they
have Partnerships with four individuals who can't come, so
their college specifically. They have partners and off B
and soul with Concord Missionary Baptist Church, which is
associated with wadsworth's, there actually a site and so
that's another partnership and ways were thinking about how
to support this across the entire system, since we have 15
shelters that were operating. So just takes planning and
coordination in terms of thinking and maintenance. Thank
you. We were
closely with
Closely with the Chicago Police Department a is and other
City. Departments CPD has deputy chief Chang who is in the
EEOC and Arlie is on juicy Peach. Where do we sleep at the
EOC in his honor daily calls? And then also support, we
work closely with cpg and they've been able to add a number
of resources, including special attention to our shelters
detail. Cars to particular shelters, where we've had
concerns, they support us with the traffic enforcement and
also narcotics, I think there have been narcotics sales at
around the shelters in, so just making sure that we're
keeping people safe. The other thing is the no parking,
right? Where people are parking. We're making sure we're
working with the Department of Finance to ensure that
people are part correctly, also enforcement of vendors, who
are not properly licensed. And so we work with the ACT to
make sure that people who are not licensed vendors.
Appropriate credentials. We also make sure that our shelter
is, we're doubling down on the curfew it's 11. And so
individuals, who break, curfew two, or more times are
removed from the shelter. We also work with our team and
our staff at the shelters. They go out and pick up trash,
I'm not with the residents on a daily basis to make sure
that we're also being a good neighbor inside the shelters
there postings on Cheers. How inappropriate disposal of
your trash is and here's what
I'm disposable of your.
I'm disposable of your trash looks like and I think it's
just a constant reinforcement of that messaging.
And neither is also supporting us with that. In terms of
the pivot to wish video shelter, model next month, we will
be releasing an RFP that will take us from having a
contractor staffing agency to a nonprofit's, being able to
manage the shelters though, they'll be eight facilities
that we currently run in the fights that we provided
earlier that will be up for RFP. And so, we have two
proposals for that. One is for an operator to take over the
existing, shelter spaces, or one of those eight they can
apply for one some or all. And then the second model will
be for nonprofit stupidly able to pitch the shelter that
they run and their own space and they'll be responsible and
not only providing the space button and the staff but also
the food and other supports that go along with that space
and so that RFP will be released next month. And the goal
is to have it operated before the winter.
and,
And we'll pass it to me now.
It.
It would be passing it to CPS, but why would you want to do
that? I'd like to mark for attendance for versus Corn. We
have Alderman ramirez-rosa here, as well as Autumn and I
lost and who's not
Thank.
Thank you. Jamie. And so, we will have beate arceo and
Jamel Chambers from CPS to present on the following sides,
that would come up.
We are good morning, I sure, woman Taylor members of the
committee on immigration and Refugee Rights. I, my name is
our mayor of a city council liaison for Chicago Public
Schools. I'm enjoying I just work a senior adviser to CEO.
I'm Sydney Morris Chief of Staff to the chief education
officer Orlando, where girl from my office of student
health and wellness, antibiotics are all your help, you
short moments, and thank you all for inviting us to be here
this morning. Chicago public schools have been enrolling
students from around the globe for over a century today, on
Chicago, CPS students speak more than 150 home languages
and we are proudly serving the unique educational needs of
over 77,000 English learners
We are now.
We are nasty.
We are national leader in bilingual education in our budget
investments in that area. Helps us to continue to build on
that success.
as a
As a sanctuary School District in the sanctuary City, we do
not track students country of origin or immigration status.
This for the protection of our students and for the
protection of our families. Our chief concern is their
needs as learner's for the Debbie support for students. In
temporary living situations, place in student English
Learners and Bailando, or dual-language programs, or
entrusting, their social and emotional needs of our
students. Why we cannot provide the exact number of new
arrivals. The golden, our number of English, Learners over
the past Academic Year from 72029 to 77395 provides the
best estimate dacian. However, that 5366 student increase
does not include newcomers will not English Learners and
includes English Learners who are not refugees or Asylum.
Seekers the team here has been leading this important work
for CPS and walk you to the CPS enrollment Pathways with
particular attention on how we have adapted to the
increase.
a, a
Numbers of real.
Numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers family over the past
year, thank you. And with that, I will pass it to my
colleague Fiat, 20, who has been a true champion, this
effort to walk into the CPS presentation.
Good morning. My name is Beth are so and I am newcomer
Services specialist for Chicago Public Schools, working
directly for office of Language and Cultural location based
on that federal law, Supreme Court decision from 1980 to
all children are entitled to enroll in public schools,
regardless of their national origin, citizenship of or
immigration status. As my colleague mention, we have
represented 157 languages in our school district. And we
are reflection of the city of Chicago, as you can hear my
accent. I am a most immigrants. And this country this city
and Chicago, Public Schools gave me an opportunity to
learn.
How do?
howdy and work and I am very grateful for
you.
You might hurt the news recently about our new welcome
center, but I want to tell you that. In fact, all our
schools are welcome centers in my 20-plus years career, in
Chicago Public Schools, we have welcomed students were
arrived as a result of different conflict crisis and
migrations, I still remember refugees from war, in Bosnia
conflicts in Congo, Somalia has the war in Syria conflict
in Palestine Authority, evacuees from Puerto Rico. After
Hurricane Maria devastated, the island unaccompanied
minors, from Central America,
Finger family from Burma refugees from Afghanistan, very
recent refugees of the war in Ukraine and now migrants from
South America. Each time. Our city faces a crisis, we are
proud to be the response team together with the city will
respond with a joust and we stay flexible in our approach.
A situation is changing every year, every month, every day,
every week 24% of our population are English Learners, and
this is a very diverse Dynamic and resilient population
with different needs expectation. And challenges. Students
are new disappears for variety of reasons. They can they
can come as immigrants, refugees international student
exchange students. And some of them are seeking Refuge here
in our city, then diagram on the bottom of the slide.
Is meant.
It's meant to represent the some of the students can the
English Learners or students living in, temporary living
situations, or both. In this diagram, they're also
newcomers and coordinate English learner. So, as I
mentioned, this is a very diverse population. No matter the
circumstance. Our job has always been to provide enrollment
support and ensure any student in our city has access to
the best possible learning environment that needs their
needs.
Next slide.
Next slides, I will walk you through How We Do It.
From our experience, we know that understanding the needs
of new students to be able to respond to their educational.
Needs is essential to their long-term success. That's why
we designated I win. Romans process to do just exactly
that. As soon as the students needs and make sure their
place in the best possible learning environment
neighborhood, School enrollment is the first message. I
will discuss and all students. I will repeat all students
are welcome to enroll in their neighborhood schools. This
has been through, for decades and this has been also
typical path for most of our cpl's students at the school
level in Roman clerics. Contact the registration process.
Each school has a student a living situation coordinator.
Many children from newly arrived families, qualify for SBA
status. Granting them access to various benefits. Like
Transportation uniform School shop.
Hi.
Hygiene kits and also referrals to Community Resources,
confidential interviews are conducted with the families to
determine eligibility for and provide access to STL as
resources. Families are offered medical information,
including Medicaid and other public benefits, that may be
eligible for as well as connections to Medical Care and the
resources in each school, English language program teacher,
conducts, language screening to ensure students receive
appropriate academic and linguistic learning opportunities.
What are some social workers at the school? SCS students,
social emotional, needs connect families, with Community
Resources, and come back, social work, the results of all
those of various screenings. Determine eligibility to
receive services like bilingual education services, which
is very important for many of my grand and immigrant
students this health insurance.
signs for
Sign school has the resources to meet the student needs is
the neighborhood. School cannot provide require your
services for English Learners or for diverse Learners
principles. Contact office of Language and Cultural
education or office of Darth Vader dies with a learner's or
network sheets and employees of the network to find the
closest school with the required services and transfer to
student there.
The.
The second in Roman metal type of this cars is enrolling
student living in shelters. So we call a right on this way
to DSS. We collaborate to enroll students stay in the
shelter's. This is a process that includes input from other
people Network. She's principles and other stakeholders, we
discussed all of those placement in Romans with our Chiefs
and principles because we would like to avoid and prevent
overcrowding
CP.
CVS central office receives information on a school-age
youth from vfss. And we determine placement recommendations
based on access to bilingual education. Overall enrollment
of the school infrastructure capacity and proximity of the
schools will remain flexible in this approach the same
Services as we discussed on the priors lights out. Also
provided here, including the various screenings and
connections to resources and support their academic
linguistic, and social emotional needs, the third and final
option which we developed recently. It is enrolling. New
students through our new pilot, welcome center located at
Clemente High School was designed for centralized
registration process and streamline. All of the support we
have previously discussed
Missile pilot, Welcome Center SS, his family's for multitude
of needs and accommodations and a mattress students to
schools that have capacity and proper support.
The pilot Welcome Center handles the enrollment process and
we have also orientation for the families, how to navigate
the system of Chicago public schools and what are the
rights and responsibilities of parents and students. And we
contact screenings at select a school that has existing
capacity and resources to meet the needs of the student.
All of those Services as a Welcome Center are also
available at all schools, Community, Health Partners like
Erie and simper also are helping by connecting families
with medical care, providers, Welcome Center pilot, Welcome
Center. It serves just as one stop for a provisioning, all
of the process that has been distributed across all our
schools chief of staff. For chief officer is Sydney Mars.
Good morn.
Good morning everyone. So finally, I want to speak briefly
about some of the support that we provide to schools and
teachers to ensure that they can serve the new arrival. We
have allocated additional funding resources for teachers,
teaching positions and miscellaneous staff. We have made
training available for teachers and counselors and clerks
as well as providing sensitivity training. And of course,
our main goal is to ensure that students are connected with
SEL support social, emotional learning, bilingual programs
when needed and resources, for those in temporary living
situations. I now turn it over to my colleague, Jamel
chamber.
Thank.
Thank you. Cindy. It's part of the city's effort to support
new arrivals and asylum-seekers on Chicago, public schools
have been asked to support. Chicagoparkdistrict programming
at Park locations, that I've been used its soldiers for
programming. So this slide next light.
Yesterday, this life is an overview of the process of CPS
undergoes, when I'm selecting and I didn't find CPS sites
to serve Orchard support Park programming. I'm so the first
up consist of determining park locations on this is led by
the city of Chicago, in Chicago Park District. I'm here
play, Mary Park District. Location list is shared with
Aunt, to CPS in the middle fierstein. I'm in this place is
a sin.
Lee on the list.
Lee on the list of park locations are going to be used as
shelters. We will be shifting Park programming from that
Park location to CPS schools. The second that consist of
reviewing potential school will host its led by CPS IGA
team and CPS office in network support. Here are network
Chiefs and deputies are informed of the potential sites.
Programming schedule hours in logistics. This information
is provided to us from Chicago Parks. I'm there after
never, cheat, and deputies prepared to give you locations
with respect this on principles. And it's a very important
because we want to ensure that before we identify your
school to support program. You want our deputies to ensure
on three things, one that we are identifying school. So I
think that are within close proximity of the park location
to minimize on participants, commute to that, the school
has the space to accommodate such programming and three
that we are disrupting. The current flow up ongoing program
program at the school.
there's,
On Thursday up is school approval. This is led by CPS,
office in network support and school administrators. I'm
here than ever, she said, deputies, actually meet with the
principals to review. The programming hours and Logistics
are we also include Park on staff in this meeting as well
to answer, whatever questions at the school at, man, I'm a
half before. Stuff is a site review. On this is led by a
Chicago Park, District's DPS, IGA and CVS office of Safety
and Security. Are we can do a walk-through of the potential
CPS site or excuse me of the GPS on a cruise site.
I'm here, we also a
I'm here. We also engage in conversations with the respect
of all the men to ensure they are oppressed and aware of
the transition of programs is going to take place to the
CPS school. I'm there after a safety plan is and two
together for the school and all Park employees are required
to complete background checks before prior to entering CPS
buildings in beginning programming, the last and final step
is execution on. This is led by Chicago Park District, CVS,
IGA and CVS real estate team. And this is essentially just
the finalization of the mou agreement between Chicago
public schools and the park district. I want the mou was
signed communication sent out to the community and park has
the green light to complete to begin on programming. I do
want to say that I we do it have appreciate the
collaboration across the sea agencies as well as the
advocacy from Alderman administering that CPS has been
support providing support to our newcomer families. I know
this is an unprecedented time but I think we should look
Says no.
This is not a.
Says another or weather. And we are able to provide support
to newcomer families as well as continuing to provide
support to our own current students within the district. To
ensure that all students across the board has access to
high-quality public education that prepares each for
success in college career and Civic life. So we look
forward to the continued collaboration and partnership with
Austin city agencies in ottoman. As we continue to welcome
new students, I'm into our district. Thank you.
They?
Thank.
Thank you very much to all of our prisoners. We will begin
open of questions. I will begin. I asked that people who
are answering State, their name and title when answering
the questions. So, I have all three questions to ask. This
would be for either deputy mayor or commissioner, can I
see? So we've heard different numbers about lgbtqia, plus
new arrivals, and wanted to know what percentage of the new
arrivals are lgbtqia is the city tracking these numbers and
are there plans for a specific services or a shelter for
folks who are lgbtq II Plus? Thank you. So in our homeless
system we don't track individuals by lgbtqia. I think in
conversations that we've had, I think we can definitely
look to see if there's a shelter that we can open for that
specific population. Are we do, have you shelters that
focused on the l g, b, t q? I
so, I think they,
So I think that's something that we can look into on the
board for the presentation. This one to be anyone, but I
think Matt was when presenting on it. And he mentioned that
Chicago is engaged in other cities as it pertains to
shelter. And kind of figuring out those Partnerships who
from the city, who from Chicago is charged with engaging
with those other cities and what cities have been engaged.
Navigate.
How do you get reduce yourself?
I V.
I will say the car, we really only take a look at them when
I get up to see if you can come up to this.
More.
Morning again, Matt. Doughty OMC. I will send us far. We
have only looked at site visit and we've only perform safe
as it's at several other municipalities including most
recently Berwyn, and Aurora, explore that those sites for
feasibility. But we have not yet gotten to the point yet
where we engaged with that specific, municipality to
discuss license agreements or them taking on that role will
be charged to do that. Any gauges conversations? I've got
concerned cuz we kind of get into the winter months and try
to figure this out that we're not exploring. It is much. So
just bring get information as it progresses. I appreciate
it on and Lassie. Yeah. You know, we saw some of us may
have seen it yesterday news about the DNC at having an
agreement with the labor unions and figuring out plans
going forward, I've got General concerns
Seems like almost a bus a day. Currently that bad numbers
going to exponentially, increase the closer we get to the
DNC. So, what's the plan for the DNC? 2024 is there a task
force? Who's having conversations about preparations for
that and maybe other large that convention? Knowing that
we're getting some of the buses from the Republican party.
And I can see that increasing as soon as you get closer and
who's the who's tasked with discussing that and is our
plan.
I do know as today. The I emailed Illinois. Emergency
Management agency has hosted one or two meetings, with the
city, including some of our Public Safety Partners. I'll be
honest, I don't think we've specifically addressed the
asylum-seeker issue. It's been more about the event itself
and everything that goes along with it. So admittedly, I
was now that meeting but I don't believe we've gotten to
that point yet, he hasn't subsequent hearings having him.
He's devoted to that to make sure Chicago has a plan, so I
appreciate that. I will now go to our vice-chair to ask
questions.
Ice.
Aye, sir, Taylor.
I sure Taylor. Thank you, chairman. So y'all had the people
from the DNC here and nobody bothered about discussing
with, by knowing that Administration about the issue that
we're having with the shelters in the Asylum. Seekers
Anybody could answer that. I don't believe that was a topic
of discussion presentation and make this sound pretty and
it's not it it's not. None of this is pretty. Now this is
beautiful and all of this energy that y'all have now why we
didn't have it last year in October.
I'm literally getting dragged in my community for a
decision. I didn't make. And now we're having conversations
about where we're going to put them. I don't know why
everybody is not made to have one. I don't know why. We
haven't had an emergency meeting with the entire city
council about this issue. It makes no sense. Cuz now we're
shuffling people around and makes no sense. We got folks
that have been kicked out the shelter that y'all have no
plan on where, where is the governor? Where are the
congressman? Where are they? I'm confused.
I'm on, I'm really going to
I'm on, I'm really confused, and it's always the folks who
already get the lease that are made to say, wait again. And
so, my community is dragging me and rightfully so.
Wife.
Rightfully. So, we don't want this. This is not a plan. Now,
we're going to do an RFP for seabios. What is how did y'all
even get these groups in that? Nobody ever had a
conversation with us about the organizations that are
currently in there? Cuz the one that's in Waze work does
absolutely nothing. Neither does the security company that
a is higher. And so I'm left with a mess and nobody is
saying anything. But it's okay. And it's not, you're talkin
about people who are seeking Asylum.
There are six about 583 people in the wise work building,
tell them to part with their only using two floors when
it's three floors.
Tell.
Tell me a show about the people who are outside
threatening, tell her about the sex trafficking that's
happening the drug-dealing. That's happening. Y'all done
made this beautiful presentation and it does not paint the
picture of what actually is happening. And so I'm
rightfully pissed because we should have had this
conversation last year in October, and we still be how we
still won't do it in the committee meeting. You don't see
all our co-workers hear the city should have a special city
council meeting. What we figure this out in the public? We
cannot continue to have these side conversations behind
closed doors. They do us no justice and it's not doing us
any good.
I thought nothing in.
I thought nothing in the presentation about how much money
we're spending that slide. I guess got lost. And the
thought that y'all making all these accommodations for 4
and y'all not talking to people, it's not good cuz it's not
working. We do got some lawlessness going on. In 20th, for
that Community organization has no clue on what kind of
community that actually is. And then I will be giving a
story but now we got to do. Or are y'all doing? Alright,
you when y'all put them in there, I saw none of the
contract. When they went on that, I wasn't even asked nor
was my community. But now we're going around a community,
y'all impose this on a lot of us. And so the thought that
y'all came here today with the fancy presentation with,
really, no answers. Just it doesn't sit well with me. And I
can't continue to say that I'm a support. Something that a
I'm not a part of and B, it ain't all hands on deck.
It is now.
It is not it is not I don't see when I'm standing out there
I'm going to watch or three times a week. It's usually me
and maybe somebody from the mayor's office and somebody
from see. And it's the b c PD. And why did y'all not bring
CPT here? Makes no sense whatsoever. That's cuz we trying
to paint a picture and it's not good. Y'all think the deals
DMC don't come here. Y'all know what that don't do that.
Don't shut it down and rightfully so rightfully. So
Right.
Rightfully, so we are not perfect. We aren't prepared for
any more buses and so what is the plan to say? We cannot do
it anymore.
And I want it and I want if it's not one in, so I'm sorry.
I can't I cannot continue to be supportive of something.
That is not all hands on deck.
I'm a.
I'm looking at them now, go back to the map. Somebody do
that for me. Let's go back to the map.
How many shelters are there 16?
Look up.
Look, what are you are?
That's why you didn't even leave that thing. Been Fair.
let,
let's,
Let's call a spade a spade. Y'all asked some of my white
co-workers, did they want it in their water? And they told
you, no one, it didn't happen.
What?
What happened? Now, how what happened? To anytime Ray Lopez
office to get one of his Ward? We definitely got a problem
here. We got a problem and I want to thank him and aldermen
Beth cast for coming to the community meeting where I got
dragged for things. I had no control of
What is?
What is the plant?
What is the plan to get people moving and going and I want
to make this quite clear. The people who are keeping up the
mess, don't live in the shelter, the majority of those
folks actually work. It's the phone that been shipped out
for reasons. Unknown, I still don't know. The reason why
they kicked out, I still haven't seen the list and I still
have not seen a plan of what we actually do.
Miss.
Mr. President mr. Governor
How?
Congressman Jonathan Jackson. Congressman, what is her
name, Slenderman, what are y'all doing? What are y'all? Cuz
y'all know?
This.
This is not figured out, it's so please don't invite me to
another meme or we just going to flop each other y'all
wasting our time. I got stuck in my community, I need to
do.
I,
Are you?
I appreciate us having a conversation but let's have a
conversation in transparency and true and nice fancy glass.
Don't tell you what I'm living through every day. I live
five blocks away from the Shelf,
Nobody could explain to us and with all due respect, I'm
not going to be this disrespectful to you commissioned to
come out of it because I feel like you've been the Fall Guy
but let's not act like the little lady that used to be on
the 5th floor. Didn't create this message, just left us to
dry but it's y'all time now. It is time to say, what is the
real plan for what we doing? How we get people moving and
y'all talkin about census numbers?
Remind.
We might be.
We might be out the more money.
If?
And so I'm irritated and I'm aggravated as hell about. I
like actually listening to the community that young lady is
absolutely, right, that she is right behind a senior
building where they sit every day. Well, they didn't took
down the sign that we put up in Spanish that say Do not
trespass. They are not cleaning up around the community.
They are not doing any of your things that y'all said in a
little plan to stay at the presentation.
Yeah.
Y'all said about superintendent wallet cuz he asked me when
it's all one.
He?
He came to that shelter at night and so please somebody
please because the blood that's going to be shattered. That
was a gentleman who said he pulled out a gun on a mic and
why I don't agree with him doing that, that's what's going
to happen. If we don't have a real plan for what happens
with people and don't get me wrong, I am I have been
sensitive and I am sure the people who are seeking Asylum,
but people who break the rules. Cuz if I break the damn
rules, I'm going to jail, what happens to them? Nothing.
And then they don't know anywhere to go out, understand why
they out there because they don't know anything else. So
they are hanging around the shelter because they don't have
anywhere else to go, we should have been picking a plane
and I ain't saying that we got to love the thought that we
use the police, but we already short style. With y'all
already said to be
Y'all put?
Y'all funny y'all really are its is this is almost comical
at the end of the day. I'm asking in a public forum that we
have a special city council meeting that everybody.
Martis.
Participating in that access. What is the point I want to
have? No mean about nothing. That we can't even talk about
budget.
Because we have not taken care of this. I mean, where is
the money coming from? Have we being random reimbursed? Are
we having those conversations with the community?
Ask.
Absolutely not.
It's
Install, Mister chair.
I'm asking for special city council meeting because this
cannot continue this way, and it actually has to be all
hands on deck. That means every city Department, it ain't
just on DSs, no EMC. It's on everybody. See that CPD.
Everybody should be here and CPS
It's, it's great that you all got these programs, but y'all
better have the same energy.
Yeah.
Y'all better when we talkin about, y'all about all these
missing young people that we don't have, it's great, I'm
glad that you're. So I don't want those young people to be
out of school. I don't mind Community has ultimately
stepped up and provider resources. They've asked for help
and so y'all moving a little bit too slow with all his
hands on that stuff is so, imma get off my back, but I must
say this. Y'all are not going to be satisfied. To something
truly bad happens because that was just an incident of
fighting when we left on. What was that Monday? That was
six cars of other folks in the community outside of their
shelter. The only reason why they didn't go at it because
you had news cameras outside and you had a few elected
officials, the city workers out there but they were about
to go at it.
Three years ago, in my water, had a 4 year old get killed.
Guess what? That four year old was doing, sending the
living room doing absolutely nothing. Had nothing to do
with him. He doesn't even live here.
We?
We can't figure out who did that. Y'all think that's going
to be different. Y'all think that's a haven't seen your
food and gained a life sucks. Let's remember we are here
because of the elders. I think we forget that far, we are
hearing. So in my retirement, he is, I got a I'm scared to
go in my house. They outside smoking weed a outside having
whole party right in front of the sink.
And the police was gay and lesbian, cuz you got two cars
sitting out there who you. Nothing until I drive up and
say, hey, they can't stand it, and don't get me wrong.
There are some people that just don't want them here at
all. Let's be honest, that's what it is. Cuz if even if it
wasn't him some people just don't want them standing
outside. But how can I help? And I remember quite clearly
asking y'all last year in October. How can we help? What's
going to go on and nobody said nothing. And now we here.
Yeah.
y'all at the end of the day,
If?
if I'm seeking Asylum.
and,
And I'll come here shame on us cuz it's the worst
conditions I ever say they say the food bad, they not
treated, right? People don't know how to talk to the staff
and there is nothing wrong with it so it ain't just don't
want you to a one-sided. It's on both sides and so what are
we going to do? Different is what I want to know and I'm
sure nobody has the answer and right now I can't even hear
it but I want.
How to hear me loud? And
How to hear me, loud and clear. Imma be the first person
next year. In October. Say, y'all told us, two years did
shelter, should be cleaning. Thank you, mr. President,
America, share. And normally, I'm not a fan of people
getting on pedestals. But I make an exception for
everything. You just said, I'm hoping to retire anytime
soon and I'll join you on call a special meeting cuz we've
been asking for some of these answers as well. We still
haven't gotten a line item on what's been spent we've asked
for a one pager so that the others understand what it looks
like when you're surveying in the area and what have
process looks like to actually bring a shelter online, we
have not received that yet either. We've been asking for
language, access support to the city. Still hasn't figured
it out. We have no answer there either. I'm so we will be
joining you and calling for it for purposes of attendance.
I want to note that ottoman Hall and all the ring. Can you
send her both here? And now we will go to questions. Thank
you. Madam Vice. Chair up. Yep. We'll go to Alderman Road.
All right. One of those start my line of questioning around
the CPS, first of all, be out of. Thank you so much for
your for your words and emotions brought to your
presentation. And I know first-hand in dealing with our
Network Chief. You know, when when we first started housing
families, at Petrosky Park in Little Village in the 22nd
Ward.
One.
One of the first thoughts from our Collective group that
had an organizing on this issue was around the young people
there and whether they would be get able to get in school
or not. At that point, it was only 2 weeks left of school.
I think our Network Chiefs, ask you and others and
Leadership at CPS.
What?
What should we do with these young people? There's only two
weeks left of school and I think your answer was kids
belong in school is very simple answer and it was a clear
answer and I just want to say that, I thought that type of
leadership was important subsequent to that. We had the
number to 11 children enrolled in early childhood 9 went to
high school. In 69 went to four different grammar, schools
around Petrosky Park and had those last two weeks of
schooling. So I thought that worked and I thought that
engagement was important particular. We consider the fact
that my schools after Decades of enrollment increases have
experienced enrollment decreases to the extent that we've
lost millions of dollars in fines particular, because of
the enrollment funding formula, we want these migrants to
come to our city and be integrated into society in part of
that starts.
We?
With CPS and the school is being welcoming someone to thank
you for that leadership and that kind of Engagement Jamel.
Thank you for your presentation as well. I did have a
question around the tracking of origin country and I hear
you 5366 more English language Learners is that when you're
over the next is that during this square, is there, is
there a color that and also, just a question around
tracking country of origin? Doesn't make sense to me? That
I would think that would do track that. So, to the first
question, that's that number to find 5026 is the gap with
an increase. From 1/20 day from school year, 2223 to the
end of the school year. 2223,
So we started the school on 20th, day of school year 2023.
We started with Tim 2029 eimeo students by the end of the
school year that number grew to 77395 Yost and was there a
significant increase in any point in the school year. You
are you asking like for us to take the specific month or
something here, that work should be doing a lot of this
increase to the arrival of migrants and we know at a
certain point, you know, we just talked about, you know, 60
bus is arriving since this Administration took over. As
soon as he PSR, we have no ride was coming from all over
the world and because we are at Sanctuary City that's going
to be a 16.
Redistrict. So I we do not track country of origin for
immigration status. We welcome all students who come to CPS
looking for a Roman into our schools that are able to
accommodate their needs based off seats video support. And
I got the second part of that. I think the first part is, I
want to know if there's a significant increase in. We saw a
more migrants coming, more families coming, my name is
Charles swersky, senior advisor, the CEO in a normal year.
On average, I think before covid, we would see two to three
thousand a year, just for a context, so you could do the
math and see the difference there, okay? That makes sense.
They are obviously migrants coming from the South of the
Border, but this is also post covered migration out of
people postpone, their, their, migration to United States.
So, this is a combined
And we do.
And we do not strike a country of origin for quite a few
years, it was removed, during the administration of Chief
Jackson vacations. Sorry. Autumn Rodriguez, can you stay
for the record? Why you don't track immigration status,
just to make sure people understand why that's not the
case.
SS School District in sanctuary City. We do not attracted to
protect the security of a sentence strikes. Muzo this, you
do track students that are engaging in English Second
Language. So there can be some inference here to the new
arrival engaging, the school,
When?
When our numbers come from every every migrant family
coming to Chicago public schools to complete, something was
called home language survey. And based on that home
language survey, we know that those students qualify for
services on bilingual education. So our numbers of students
are those students who do not speak English at home. So
that's, that's how we are able to provide the numbers that
we are providing to you. Transparent Leon books been asking
us for number for a very long time. So this was the best
estimation we could come up with to give you
I did.
I did have a question for one of my from from one of my
organizers in my community around CPS materials being
translated. You know, I know my community we already have
your learner's so it's probably a lot easier to integrate
into the schools and in to get those those those classrooms
I'm just curious throughout the rest of the city. We might
not have that extra seasonings to the school's. How is that
being Incorporated in those translation?
Are they?
Are there transition materials are there? Staffing that's
being coordinated to at the meet the needs of different
areas in the city of Chicago? Is it on those teachers
themselves? Translate materials? What's that process look
like?
So I would say half of our schools really have bilingual
programs and they are using curriculums and books and
materials which are already translated because they are
purchased from from editing companies already translated.
And they are, they are meeting the standards of bilingual
education. So many of the schools already have them. I
would you are probably talking about is the curriculum that
we are preparing in Chicago public schools, that is is in
the process of translating it into Spanish, but they are
really many sources off of materials, instructional
materials in different languages that bilingual program
have access to in the next month or so we're going to have
a massive like
In.
Engagement effort with migrants and getting it to schools.
Is my assumption. How does that look like in? And how do
you ensure that they're going to schools that have the
capacity to take them particular given the language
barriers. So it doesn't process is very simple. Really when
we received a list of my daughters are from DSS that the
numbers we are and analyzing analyze, making sure that each
student is assigned to the ride great. And then based on,
on that those analysis, we know really how many students we
have and what grade level, and we engage with, with a
conversation, with network juice, with the principals
finding out in proximity of the shelter, how many schools
we have that has capacity to serve those students. So they
ate they have a space and they also can provide services
afford those particular students.
Thank you.
Thank you for.
Thank you very much. I just a couple couple other lines of
thoughts. One on the Park District. You know, we'd we
opened up a shelter Petrosky Park and we received a number
of commitment in the Park District, as far as the build-out
of its base to make sure that it's even better condition.
After our Asylum brother and sisters are gone and I will
commence Park District for coming through with a
significant portion of what they said they would do it.
At.
At my Park.
At my Park and have given me a timeline timeline for
outstanding items. So I just always loved to put stuff on
record and make sure that we're holding folks accountable
to doing what they say they do. But so far so good on that
end of things. As far as the RFP that's coming out. I know
last month's committee meeting, I expressed to Deputy Mayor
as soon as is my concern, particularly around the fact that
the current operator is paying significant amounts of money
to favorite for each other staff. People that are working
significant hours and Staffing locations throughout
throughout the whole day throughout the whole week. And I'm
just mindful, I'm supportive of the fact that we want more
of these dollars to stay in our community and also to have
local expertise in the field. I I I think that's the
waiting to
Waiting to do. However, I am a bit concerned about that
move. The fact is that I know for myself, in the places
that I've been, we have a hundred percent, bilingual staff
or almost there. Many of which have social work degrees
that are doing this work. I'm just worried that, you know,
we're going to potentially take a step down in
Effectiveness in engaging. Even at what could be
questioned. Believe. I'm going to my colleagues. You know
some
It's already.
It's already not up to par, right? I just want to make sure
that we're mindful of that sand. Just curious as to how we
were thinking that through. So we're moving to a hybrid
approach. When the humanitarian crisis started, it was
something that none of us had planned for. It wasn't
anything that was on our radar and so we had to move
expeditiously. The former mayor didn't sign the emergency
declaration Until the End middle of May. And so we have to
do in city government procurement processes. And so we
leveraged estate contract and they had favorite because if
we didn't have a contract for emergency managers and so if
we had to do an RFP go through Beatty ask, if you take
upwards of a year, the thing we didn't have on our side was
time and then we were trying to build the infrastructure as
we're flying the plane. And so the best option at the time
was to leverage the contract. That favorite that favorite
hat.
I'm with the state and state was also using them for their
own, my shelter. So that was why they were selected. I
think over the course of time is trying to stabilize the
mission, right? Cuz you're trying to figure out they said
over thirty soldiers, have been stood up that's a lot. When
I only received three new staff in the budget that are
specifically dedicated to the migrant Mission. So that's
just respect it, right? Not saying, right or wrong. Just
saying this is where we are and we're using the resources
that we have, which
So the RFP will go out for 8 locations in those are
locations that are City fights, right? The school's, the
locates, the park district. Buy trimino will be at for a
little while. We didn't want to necessarily go for a space
is really saying that those leases may be over at the end
of December because by rpr goal is to have that in place by
November. So part of the criteria that were using its
Community involvement, with all of our fees we have section
that the respondents will need to apply for. And do we tell
them what the evaluation criteria is? The categories are
Community involvement and so, that's their understanding of
the population. How familiar are they with the people that
they're serving or that particular Community strength of
the proposed program, right? You have to be able to
demonstrate. You have the capacity to wear with all the
knowledge to withhold and ups. And that program, we don't
want to put people in here. Like I never run it over
before. Third is Pro.
a for
In performance at GFS. As we look at outcome, we look at
measures. What's your successful? How successful have you
been with connecting people? Not just being present and
there but actually helping people move on organizational
capacity, right? So we look at what your Staffing model
that you're proposing at the office as we have. Like, I'm
Matrix that you have to do a shelter in the Box, there's a
basic standard and then depending if it's congregate, or if
it's individual rooms, we slept up or down and then lastly,
like their budget, right? Are they
Moss Regional.
Pause reasonable. Do they have?
Pause reasonable. Do they have the fiscal capacity in the
Capitol? Because sometimes they may not be paid every 30
days. And so that's what we'll be looking at. In evaluating
when we put our fee out model is a cover model for
coverage. Could shelter is 24/7. It's not. We have very few
shots with only a handful that are 12 hours in our regular
homeless system. But we moved best practice when covid at
the National Zoo open for 24/7. So that will be this model
we will still use icer to do case management and have them
inside. We will still provide the Lee coordinating Health
Organization to help the health, Oregon sites for shelters
that proposed their own site. They will be responsible for
providing the food from making sure they pay their least,
we won't take that on for the sites that we have that are
City. Run better city owns or spaces or lease spaces will
be sober providing the food. Like I said, I said we'll
still be there with you still do the trash and stuff like
that. And as far as
so, I'm glad
So, I'm glad we've got these real guards in and we're
insisting 24/7. I just want to be clear about security for
me, Securities. Much about securing, the safety of our Mike
and brother and sisters as it is our our, our residents, as
well. You know, they come very much in handy with my local
community. I'm assuming that's also part of an RFP,
Depend.
depending on the
Depending on the site. If it's city property sometimes we
use a is on and they're contracted vendors in terms of this
RFP. Now, I don't want to tell a lie more can use more
saying yes, security is included in it.
Couple.
Couple more things and I'll be done chair. Thank you for
the time. I just want to raise up the group's working on
this effort. You've mentioned a couple of groups that are
you know, that that I wanted. But I've been working with
this well and I think about any given week New Life, doing
fifty thousand Euros a day or a week across a ton of, you
know, location, you know. Right now there are going to be
up to capacity of 150 families a week, I believe
resettling. Hopefully, we'll get them there quick. You know
that the greater food depository Gene cone, other entities,
all coming together on this. I do believe that the all
hands on deck approach is very important. I understand some
of my colleagues, don't. That's happened. So we got to get
there across the city but I know my community. I feel very
comfortable that we do. Have that happening, it could
always be better and I'm very mindful chain.
you know, the
you know, this is
You know, this RFP piece, I think it's we have to do it, but
I am also in a very worried about what the end product is.
So I'll be, I'll be staying on top of it, but like I have
to raise up the great work that's going on. Particularly
also, just want to mention that the CPS in Rome pieces,
while it could be key over the next month. I think that's
all. I have very much. Next, we have older woman hadn't
followed by other women Rodriguez, Sanchez.
Thank.
Thank you sir. Good morning, everybody. Be nice to meet you
ran into a great last night and I said great things to say
about you.
I want a wild woman Taylor had said had to take off but
just want to underscore. I I get a lot of these
conversations. I know, maybe other Alters do as well then
aren't always in the public. But you know this is a very
tense situation. I appreciate this being like our second
hearing on it and appreciate I think a lot of the progress
that's been made in a broader approach to services and the
foundations of some of the long-term strategies and
solutions that we need to just want to lift up an echo, you
know, Autumn. And Taylor's comments that.
where,
We're still not where we.
We're still not where we need to be and it's difficult
because I don't know if we're going to get to where we need
to be without Federal support. Like I don't know if Chicago
can do that alone as it is. And so we're going to continue
to live in a lot of that tension for a while. I think a
special city council meeting would be great. And I've even
proposed. I don't know if we can do a chair. We need some
of our Congressional, Delegation to come and sit with us. I
know they've met with the administration. I feel like they
really need to hear from their public and their
constituents about the real challenge is that we're facing
and the imperative to come up with some better Solutions
and resources for us. So I'll I'll sign on to that too and
maybe we can coordinate that. I've got some questions
around a CPS enrollment, so hello CVS friends.
Jamel. Thanks for the call the other day. I know the
enrollment and Outreach work has been ramping up over the
last few weeks and I'm just wondering if you could speak a
little bit and I stepped out, so I might have missed this.
So I apologize if it was in your presentation as CPS is
identifying some of the schools in our war. Against our, we
want to enroll students are there. I guess are there. Any
additional resources are
Hershey PA.
Rcps, having to work with the resources currently available.
and,
and that's for any of anybody from CPS who would like to
respond
Hello Sydney Morris cheapest tablets cheap education
officer. So we mentioned that there were some supports for
the school's already and some of those are professional
development, sensitivity, training additional positions,
additional miscellaneous positions, and teacher positions.
We've also made sure that we have counseling support SEL
support for those are some of the things that we've heard
from the schools that they say that they needed, and we
make sure that we have funding and resources, and training
available for those needs. Thank you for that. One thing,
I'll ask in this is to thinking about the adult. So, if you
think about the adults, both adults who don't have
children, and the ones who do I know we have people who
are, who are out, who are seeking work, I'm wondering with
in CPS, I know we got some great parent Mentor programs. So
I'm wondering what kind of thoughts have been putting maybe
to some of the opportunities.
At least.
At least in Rogers Park schools. I know our parent Mentor
programs tend to be ESL spaces. They've been really great
ways to connect our parents to our schools. So wondering if
there's some thoughts around that and then not a CPS
question, but I'll toss this back to the rest of the team.
Similarly wondering if we had conversations with city
colleges around adult education. Sub CPS question first,
We?
We are utilizing a universities for training and
programming for the for the adults even if they don't have
kids. So that's computer programs and all sorts of things
that you a better list, but three freezing. Diversity
University at Eugene Field. And so, as as you guys are
working on, that may be done through the chair and maybe
when I see you in two weeks, that's something that we can
kind of, I'd love to get more information on how we can
help maybe connect with some of our local community groups
that are working with the new arrivals to make sure that
they're aware of the different ways that they can kind of
enrolling those programs after school because they actually
wrote the book on this card Refugee high. So this great
work being done in your words, obviously on this and we're
paying attention to that as well. So thank you,
Polygraph eyes, you counsel that we are in. Our schools is
required to have bilingual advisory committee. So, and also
said that, it is Created from Pair of parents, who had
children inviting both programs, they meet a white Austin
at the school level and discuss issues regarding their
children education. They also receive information on how to
navigate Chicago public school system and president of
those local schools. And a v, a c, a r groups. Also meet on
the network level so that they can exchange their their
experiences from all different schools in Ten Network on
the on the network level and they meet also every quarter
and also discuss things and
it was here.
crr. So is a community Representatives that work and
support parents. Usually invite also experts from you, no
different offices to make sure that parents already
understand what is happening next. If you have a child who
needs CDL Services, how do you really navigate that? If you
have children to do, they need to be enrolled in early
childhood in bilingual education. If there is a time to
apply for a high school, then also experts are coming in
teaching and going through steps and teaching parents, how
to do it. And then additionally, there is one more level to
it all the BAC in the networks have set.
White, the council, which they are electing members to the
council and this is a big console, which usually meets also
every quarter. And then, there's the whole Citywide
discussion about migrants immigrants issues children in
bilingual programs. You know, they have open microphone
when they can address all the problems and other issues
that they are, they are facing so. So that there is a quite
a large organization of parents for parents because parents
are mentors to other parents at through that, through that
system off of a bilingual advisory councils.
Thank you.
Thank you for that and then Yap city colleges other adult
education engagement so we are working with city colleges
that's part of the ESL classes that were doing so
conversations. We've had with the dean is to think about
what those adult education programs are that we can offer,
how we can do digital remote learning and in person. So I
think that's part of the face that they're really working
through Danny's meeting with them. I believe, it's either
next week or the week after I would have that. We have had
some more brainstorming preliminary about identifying what
types of professional backgrounds people come with. We know
that there are people there who are teachers, who worked in
other fields and how city colleges could potentially
support them in getting their degrees.
Play.
Native here. And when there are able to work, being able to
join our Workforce,
The last note on this and there may not be an answer to it,
but as we continue to add more services and work to help
people kind of in a great and working towards her
settlement, I'm wondering and this may be controversial,
but how many of our kind of programs and things were
setting up are required. So as we think about agreement,
since you think about some of the community tensions that
other woman, Taylor mentioned, what's the agreement, right?
That were operating with with our new arrivals, right? So
are there, are there?
You know, rules of behavior or agreements, or some kind of
consent. What's the agreement that they are signing with
the city of Chicago? And I asked that because I know
through the months of working with folks in our community,
it's a huge cultural shift, right? And there have been told
so many so many different lies and misinformation all on
their Journeys from before they reach, the southern border
to the southern border to the Texas government. Put them on
the bus and we're dealing with people who have a lot of
baby, mismatched expectations. So, they how are we
communicating that and then if the city of Chicago,
That's what kind of laying out all these Services. What
what is that look like? And how are we formalizing those
arrangements as I don't think we've had this and in our
area but I know other women Taylor mention some people
being kicked out of shelter. So if someone could speak a
little bit so what that looks like so far how that might be
involved in. So when new arrivals come in their shelter
rules that they have to find Ray and their list of rules
and all that more and Danny talk about it. I will save that
you're right that I think sometimes when people come, they
hear from their friends or their told, let's go back to.
When they're in the various cities in Texas, they're told
if you go to Chicago, they will help you and give you
resources, they will give you your own hotel room, they'll
give you XYZ. And so when they get into a place and they're
like, oh, it's a congregate setting in a gym, they're
frustrated and I think folks are expecting and they have
ideas in their mind about what it means to come to the
United States.
The car.
Chicago and I think good news is we've done a really good
job of trying to do the best we can with what we have
right? And making it work. But what happens is on the
WhatsApp Network individual share that, right? And so
people have ideas, right? It's just you're dreaming, right?
You're dreaming of a better life and that's okay. But we
have to find a balance that with what is reality and what
does it mean to come to a shelter in the US and that takes
coaching. And I think that happens a lot on the ground in
the police stations with
Can you do a workers that D works with? It happens a lot
with the case managers of like, okay? We know you're upset
that you had, you know, whatever happened along your
journey, but you're here now and let's deal with the
present. Why don't you all talk about what that intake
process was like in the documents that they sign before
they do that. I'm sorry to skip around when people break
rules you have issues with that. So during the holiday
right we had a shelter where people were partying in the
shelter and drinking and the shelter manager found them and
it was 1 in the morning and they woke Destiny up and those
people were removed because it's not just the safety of the
residents. That's there is the safety of the staff is the
community, right? We want to stay. It's the same thing. We
do with our homeless shelters. We work with you on, we have
to have that and so individuals can be removed. It could be
for threatening someone. It could be for violence there.
Different levels in the
Situation.
Situation with wives, were that 17 people were removed from
Wadsworth of those. Four people were banned from
system-wide. So migrant no tears, as well as our homeless
shelter. Then, I think we have to protect the Integrity of
the shelter system because we can't have chaos. We can
connect them to shelters. We don't fund Pacific Garden
missions. But we've also told security that is on site. If
they come back there, trespassing, write, the the tension
that sometimes exists is with
CPD.
Dpd needs a reason. So if they're not on the property then
they can't arrest them. But I think we have to stay there
because if we allow bad behavior to come, it'll fester and
grow and that just won't work. When you've got that many
people in a building and then you walk and talk about the
intake process.
Going to turn it on.
Hello. Okay. First time Danny casteneda director for the
new arrivals response with the homeless services division
at the FSS so just to speak briefly because I think
commissioner covered a lot of it. So upon the intake. So
you know within the first few minutes at arriving at the
shelter, the case managers do an intake. And a lot of that
is just collecting very basic information on who the person
is with the family is, and then also setting expectations
about the shelter rules, specific rules to the internal
behaviors in the misconduct process for how someone is
expected to reside in the shelter, respect to space respect
each other, how to seek assistance, if they, if they need
assistance whether that's for healthcare other needs. But
then sort of those talking points and how they should sort
of navigate to Neighborhood around them. Loitering,
littering, and Etc. I think that the biggest thing is that
shelter staff had been bearing the brunt of that. So I
think when you have someone,
Yo, telling you rule.
Yo telling you rules 1 through 24, you know, maybe four,
five, six months. I think some of that just isn't
necessarily Landing in many cases. And I I do want to say
that the vast majority of residents are doing exactly what
we expect them to do both in the shelter and outside of the
shelter in the community, I think that the challenge and
the folks that we're trying to solve around and support
more, it's certainly the minority group within the 50 or a
hundred or so people that were currently Sheltering a new
arrival shelters. And I think what it would be years is
expanded case management support with icer and their CBO
Partners. Many of which are Illinois welcoming centers. I
was just actually reviewing the presentation and a lot of
information that they're going to be sharing again. It it's
coming from a trusted partner and a partner that residents
have not necessarily heard from yet. And so leveraging,
those trust a relationship that they will be building with
the new arrivals and shelter up to sort of reinforced not
to shelter rules, but really the cultural norms
I'm in the you.
I'm in the US and I'm in the city of Chicago.
I'll do.
Baldwin had an owl. Just add that the shelter policy that
we adapted in October November, at the beginning of the
mission, we have to revise and really rethink the shelter
policy and manual for the staffs at DSS, in the shelter,
managers through favorite staff because it's been so
different than how we've imagined. And it's more from even
January to now, and
I think they,
I think that just constant revision and enhancement, like,
we're getting better everyday and we're trying to adapt to
what we're facing on a daily basis, but that Manuel is a
lot more robust than when we started based on the needs
that we're seeing in the resources, now that we have to go
with the needs. I think that's the other difference of
resources really have just started flowing. Thanks to Mary
Johnson in his administration.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I'm also given the time
constraints want to make sure that if we can keep some of
the answers a little bit tighter. And for some of the
elders, if you have questions, as we submit in between
meetings, please send me those questions to us as well, so
we can get those answers. I only say that as we have eight
other folks to go, so I'll do women Rodriguez Sanchez, I
will be as brief as I possibly can. I do want to thank
everybody who has been working on this crisis. I know that
everybody's tired. I know that people jump in at any point
of the day that extends of course to everybody in the
administration that is working on this, but also our
communities, that people that have stepped in the people
that have organized themselves in order to provide support.
Start.
Solidarity is hard, sometimes studied already cost us a lot.
And this city has decided to be a city that extends
solidarity to people who need it. I need order to be able
to practice that solidarity. We have to get uncomfortable,
a lot of times. So I would say that as Leaders it in our
community, I would invite all of us as other people to make
sure that we are opening our doors and our space to the
helpers for the people who want to express that solidarity,
I do believe that there's a lot of people in the city that
want to help and do not know how to. And I think that it is
and,
In the band.
In the Bennett.
In the benefit of everybody that we tried to create those
channels, I know that that is not the reality necessarily
everywhere, but I do think that we should be also creating
that culture in our communities as as we can. I am not
saying there's the possibility everywhere but wherever
there is a possibility I think that it is it is in a
benefit of everybody for us to to try to encourage that
culture and create space for it. I want to particularly
thank play one, says who started working with community on
the ground from day. One, trying to make sure that there
was a lot of communication between the administration
asked. We were transfer
Listening, and the air.
Listening and the efforts that were taking place on the
ground and I want to thank my community and all of the
mutual Aid efforts that have been created there.
Community Care Collective in my community has done
incredible work. Trying to make sure that we wrap around
not only the police station in District 17 but also our
shelter in Bronx Park and we have been able to create
organizational structures that have helped us create safety
and as far as already so I am very grateful for the work
that everybody has to end. Now, in that vein, I would like
to ask about how those efforts are evolving, how are we
collaborate in West Community and ask it pertains to the
RFP that we have been talkin about which tvo's? I do know
that there is a lot of people that are willing to do this
work that have already been doing the work. I have the
experience to do the work and I want to know how we are
planning alongside the scipios to make sure that we are
hiring and it rain
Shooting people in the community.
Shooting people in the community that are doing the work. So
with the RFP, we still have to follow the delegate agency
procurement process. The organization's will have to be a
501, c 3 and have insurance. We will broadcast it broadly
because we want as many organizations as possible to apply,
not just existing shelters that we have for the homeless
system but also new organization. As we always always want
to bring in new partners to provide bed because they're not
as many as we need to meet the demand. They will be in
orientation after the RFP is released. So organizations
will be able to ask questions that they read will clarify.
If we need to do an addendum will do that. They'll also be
fight visit on multiple days to the different shelters. We
want people to see what you're putting in your proposal.
I got.
I would add that there, I think the efforts I see emerging
and that are our team and including the amazing Ray who has
done just the word that you were describing. And more is to
really stay connected to those groups to understand who is
involved to support them as much as we can to learn from
them. And as we do, our community engagement, when we are
going out, and I'm potentially opening new shelters, I
think doing that earlier, and getting people on on board,
and in dialogue, and communication is going to
Import.
Important. I mean, I
Important. I mean I do have to just reiterate that this
Administration has been in for less than 90 days and that
we inherited something that wasn't working well, they were
doing the best they could at that time, municipalities are
not used to having so many asylum-seekers arriving all at
once. It's really a federal role to do that. And so Chicago
has stepped in and stepped up and is is doing the best that
we can. Someone mentioned earlier, I think, was on the
tailor about our, our federal response. And I just
encourage all of you to, you know, continue that advocacy
with us. We need support for work authorization, we need
support for flexible funding that we can use in this effort
and also to support this resettlement efforts in the
housing efforts because the city alone, you know, will
continue to struggle to do that. If we don't get that
Federal support, I don't know Ray, if you wanted to add
anything else about working with mutual Aid,
I can punch a touch on a couple of points here since July
1st and July 6th. Actually we have been coordinating with
mutual Aid leads across Ola Police District stations that
are hosting families. Right now what we've been doing is
getting dinners, delivered to the police district stations
for context, a mutual Aid, and volunteers have been
covering three meals. But as of now
You.
You know.
You know, we with this attitude Porter, which is a
collaboration between the greater Chicago Food depository
and Tricare, are women able to deliver dinners to our
Police District station since the beginning of the month?
I'm in addition to that the greater Chicago Food depository
is also going to Police District stations, and delivering
on non perishables and water when gaps emerge. We also
communicate the meat relay people communicate with us and
then we erase it to the greater Chicago Food depository and
just confirm that they are on schedule. That things are
getting delivered. Additionally, we have now weekly as
well. As much as we can are trying to have weekly meetings
with mutual elites on Thursdays. I'm in during those
meetings we give up. We give a lot of the update Simon.
Also get a lot of feedback in terms of how things are
happening on the ground. More recently in the last couple
of weeks I've been working directly with William, C and
Logistics whenever there's a bus arrive.
I love.
I let people know when there's going to be moved to
specific. Police is fixation that information gets relate
to the mutual a volunteers to help us one for them to
coordinate to let people know that the bus is arriving so
that they don't miss the bus. When people do miss the bus
with coordinate with the FSS and try to work something out
and then additionally to I think like the big piece of
collaboration that we've been having me with mutual Aid has
been sharing information and also tried to squash
misinformation. So they
Batman.
In many instances now where people do have a specific
expectation of where they're going to be taken. I'm in. So
just having those really honest conversations with people
on the ground. I think has helped greatly as well as we re.
If you could state your name and title for the record
please.
Array wentz's pronounce bade, a deputy for immigrant
immigrant and Refugee Rights and I can't stress enough how
sophisticated these models of support have become in my
community, we have agreements with Swedish Covenant,
Hospital and have volunteers that are transporting migrants
in need of healthcare to the hospital, and getting medicine
and getting clothing and organizing donations. And at some
point preparing meals, when they were no meals,
appointments with immigration workshops about workers
rights, the list is, unless the work that communities have
been doing,
Is it?
Is is really incredible and I'm very proud of it. I wanted
to ask about the alternate shelters at some point churches
in my community. And another Community started taking in
Asylum Seekers because the police stations were overcrowded
and we had nine month old sleeping on floors. And now those
people live in this churches and again the mutual Aid
efforts have wrapped around this institutions but they need
support and they also want to know that there will be
eligible for whatever process with the settlement is going
to take place. So can you can someone stick a little bit
about how we are looking at those faces and the people that
are leaving there?
so, we
Oh we've had conversations with idhs about how churches and
organizations who are not affiliated with the city can
support resettlement. I think those are still ongoing
conversations with idhs of how to bridge that gap between
government, and those agencies. It's simplified for
agencies that are actually part of the city city shelter.
It's a little bit more complicated for those that are not
and I think we just have to have continued conversation. Is
there any possibility through the RFP process for churches
who are your beliefs?
Also.
Also nonprofit organizations to be able to participate of,
of the RFP process. So that they can also be sort of
legitimate III, they have to have the appropriate space,
right? We're having conversations with the zoning. So
confirm, do they have to be Zone because in my regular
shelter system, they do. And so we're just trying to make
sure we don't have any issues after the words that I want
to go through this process and then it's Nolan void. That
would be terrible for everybody. And so those are
conversations were having with loss zoning and everyone
else to make sure we are all clear about what are the
requirements to receive funding because where it's mixed,
right? It's not just one source its federal dollars if they
dollar that's local dollars and we want to make sure we
don't do anything to have to pay $2 back to those entities.
If we don't use them appropriately, not off the table but I
think it's still I don't have a final answer. Thank you.
And thank you so much. Where commissioner thank you for
answering the phone at all.
Stay.
Say I agree with the with the idea of having a special
council meeting. I also think that we should bring the
Congressional, Delegation to do visits, like, site visit,
so that they can actually see with their own eyes. What is
happening in different parts of the city and and, and the
urgency for, for support. So we could probably add that to
a request that the committee could make to the
Congressional Delegation. And I'm sure that at least my
congresswoman, they let him meet us with
Happy tooth.
Happy to delete something like that and lastly, I just want
to reiterate or else. I'll ders reaching out to the mutual
Aid groups that are in your area. Making sure that you open
a line of communication with them and try to support those
efforts. As much as weekend is going to have impact in the
situation that we have right now. Thank you sir. Yes sir.
Thank you very much. We also planned in September to have
more a hearing with covers more than Mutual Aid work cuz I
think we all know without the mutual Aid being done to see
what being a different situation and our hope is that when
we have books by President, Biden coming in for fundraiser
to stop at a police station. Thank U. Next, we have Autumn
and Riley. Followed by ottoman CHR Lopez.
Thank.
Thank you, chairman and good morning. Commissioner and
others. As was mentioned during the presentation, a very
large. Number of, migrants are housed in the 42nd Ward, by
far the most, in the city. And is someone who supports
Chicago is welcoming City. I'm glad for that. However, I
got to tell you. It is not working. Well, Jeanette, Taylor
previously spoken in the sushi spot on the money 100%. So
it's not a matter of neighborhood of geography. It's the
program itself and I can tell you, I'm living just a few
blocks away from the Inn of Chicago. I'm passing by the
sight on a
The bass.
the basis both during the
The basis both during the day and at night and certainly
the conditions are different based on on the time of day.
But based on my personal experience it's obvious that the
majority of the migrants housed at the end of Chicago are
playing by the rules that we expect them to live there and
respecting our local laws. Many of them are young families
and and they're doing the right thing as residents of the
end. But when you have 1,400 people located in one
building, and not all of them families, there are plenty of
people that are breaking the shelter rules and our city
laws in this is making both the end of Chicago unsafe for
its residents, but also putting the streeterville
neighborhood at risk as well.
Auto.
Autumn autumn and Taylor is absolutely correct that the
system is not working. Despite the fact you, do you think
it is, it doesn't seem to be working for the law-abiding.
Migrants. We're living at the end of Chicago. Many of these
families appear scared, and it certainly isn't working for
the thousands of neighbors that I represent an ottoman
Hopkins represents within a block or two of the site.
God knows.
God knows how many migrant families are fearing for their
health and safety in the end and on a daily basis. There's
no rule of law on that block and especially after 10. P.m.
just this morning, I was sent photos by a constituent
walking her dog who often walk past this site is a group of
60 kids. Many of them with guns in their waistbands,
consuming alcohol and marijuana on the public right-of-way
unchecked. And this is not a one-time occurrence, this is
on the regular. I sent a letter to the mayor. The interim
superintendent had the streets of Sanitation and others
about this issue and I want to thank the commissioner for
responding and if everything that was in the response
letter had been carried out, we were not a few we saw last
night.
Your prom.
You're promised more regular patrols on this block, we were
promised to have beat officers tour. The building at least
check in the lobby once or twice a day to have the Beto's
on that. I just had installed on the Block, to end the
curbside, partying, and curbside drug dealing, and drug use
to have that tow Zone, actually, enforced and car is towed.
Still haven't seen that and I could tell you my experience
the only department has really been responsive. Here's been
Streets & Sanitation. Cleaning up the bottles the marijuana
but the garbage the human feces from these blocks. That's
it.
I'm in.
and I can tell you for the
And I can tell you for the Neighbors, it's frustrating to
see, I can tell you that the vast majority of the Neighbors
in streeterville are very supportive of the migrant
families living here and give them the delivered food and
supplies to help these. Folks, there is great sympathy here
but the conditions are unacceptable and so I have a couple
questions not just going to give a speech. We were told
that that CPD would be issuing tickets for loitering and
other illegal activity at and around the end of Chicago.
How many loitering citations have been issued a Sinclair in
Ohio so awesome and I don't have the statistics from CPD. I
can tell you that what I've asked for is that they write a
novel that they told individuals who have cars that are not
registered with the proper state state state bags. We did
ask for special attention yesterday or 2 days ago, my team
sent me pictures of drug dealers that were outside by the
Can.
condone.
can donuts and standing in front of the in. I did send
those pictures to see PD and then I asked that their
narcotics and their Vice teams also do surveillance at that
location.
We also met we meet monthly with the commanders that have
shelters in their districts because I want them to hear
what I see. And I also want them to tell me so that we are
coordinating appropriately and that there was not silos and
that last meeting that we had our second meeting. It was
Monday. Well I could tell you my office on the regular with
with 18th District in in the deputy chief downtown and
again I'm not putting this on the police department. The
city is leasing that facility that is upon the city. And I
would say that the, this, the lack of security in that
facility, but the city is paying for his pathetic, I'm CPD
is stress them, and they're barely making calls for service
in the 18th District. Now, there are hundreds of officers
short
so,
set a
So they expect them to babysit one block, in the middle of
my word, I think is unrealistic. And I have not seen any
attempts by security at this building to handle the
curbside. Know we require businesses hotels restaurants and
other bars to take responsibility for their Frontage. If
you have a license, you have to take care of your front of
your requirement. I'm not sitting out here. I'm seeing,
well, let's see if the cops show up, they can make this
call for service. This facility needs to be secure and not
just on the curb for the neighborhood residents and
visitors. But also has to be secure inside the four walls.
For.
1400 people.
1400 people who live there and I have no confidence, that
is existing condition today, so I'm not just worried for my
constituents. I'm worried for the migrant families that
live here and again for mr. I want to thank you for
responding to my concerns. I'm thank you for reporting the
ones that you see. But we need to take this all more
seriously, and there has to be some implicit understanding
somehow. Security will be administered at all of these
sites, not just the ones in my ward, I just happened to see
a larger microcosms is 1400. Folks, wished into this
building and basically, an island of skyscrapers without a
lot of public, amenities for families to enjoy nearby easy
to find. So I'd also like to get stats and we can get these
the chair please on the number of cars that have been
towed. Since I installed the new toes on. I think I know
the answer. We're also seeing a disproportionate number of
younger males, especially in the last few weeks with with
War.
Warm.
Warm weather and especially on the weekends all of his
mostly after 10. P.m. at night brandishing weapons guns
there. A lot of guns on the two blocks around this site
suddenly and and that is a significant concern for everyone
in the neighborhood. We are having people call 911 to
report this. We're having called 911 for the consumption of
Narcotics. Not just smoking marijuana but heroin and crack.
We're at.
We're asking ever.
We're asking everyone to, please be our eyes and ears, but I
can tell you, this is a symbol of failure for this program.
We should not be proud of what's going on at the end of
Chicago. Everyone involved deserves much, much better. I'd
also like to ask for statistics on the number of illegal
Firearms, recovered on this block any citations for drug
dealing and use or solicitation. Also came about teenagers
allegedly being sex trafficked here in the curb cut. That's
unconscionable.
Any.
Anyway, I could go on and on and on but I can tell you
this, a lot needs to change at this site in particular, but
across the program, I think that there has been a night and
I do not blame this Administration to try it. One much of
this was set in motion by the last failed Administration,
but I could tell you the lack of coordination communication
with local communities. And their elected representatives
is disappointing. We, as welders are the closest to our
communities. We hear that from them most directly and I
think that our constituents get frustrated with us when
they know we're listening and they know we're reporting and
there seemed no change in Behavior or any new action. And
so, I do share and an ottoman, Taylor's frustration.
Because again, I think most of us, if not, all of us in
this chamber want to be support,
These.
These migrant families but we need to do a much, much
better job. We need to set the bar, much higher have a
greater expectation for the security safety, while being
not only of the migrants, but also the communities that are
hosting them. So, thank you Sharon. But I do, I will join
Autumn and Taylor and request for a more public
conversation on how to improve this program and get the
desired results. I absolutely think you are. I will also
added one. Thank you for asking for those to the chair. I
also asked for agreements with favorite Staffing or the
management of the shelters to see what the expectations are
as well as the RFP on because of your point. It's also
figuring out what the expectations are with those
organizations, when you're thinking about the protection
and the safety of the migrants that are in the building. So
absolutely. We also plan on our next Hearing in September
to bring the police department to talk to your dad, as well
as I can do visas and other situations are going on, but
thank you for your questions Alder and Cesar Lopez followed
by.
All the women.
All women crew.
All women Cruise.
Thank you.
Thank.
Thank you, mister.
I will.
I want to burst.
Thank.
Thank they, many volunteers across the city of Chicago, a
neighbor's baby buddy. Who has being willing to help us
clear that we have a
Can we fix?
horrific situation in hand any particular because of the
neglect of the issue under the previous administration.
Precious time to when was lost and that is where we are
today. I personally deliver three letters to Mayor life it
in her office or mail. I fit, we did not even get a
response.
To the letter.
Do the letters urgent letters that were sent. So first,
let's make sure is clear.
Be.
Big.
because the perm things, then later will
Look.
Luchador.
Linda.
Limitations that we have right now to blame Danielle
ministration. So I want to be clear with that cuz precious
time was lost or no coordinating or responding to an issue
that went from bad to worse. I need of course not only they
making you know, of having a plan but we also got to see
that the city continues to
At least remember. This is the police station that comes
from continues bossing.
It's my
Especially for Republican states.
With zero coordination or even heads up.
I think.
I think it's important that we put into context the
magnitude of the problem.
Be.
Big.
Because we have a new Administration.
And a pint of nutrition at the cedar levels doing all
weekend, but I'll be in home.
I'll be dishonest characterize that support from the
federal government as adequate.
Does.
That's a pearl, just a little as adequate because it's not
As.
I'll be.
As we Face these issues, we right now and he's a probably
call. And I second I'll do I'll do women Janay Taylor on a
special city, council meeting to discuss this
I think.
I think that is clear that our institutions of the sea
level are overwhelmed.
Trying.
Trying to respond to a much bigger problem.
The demons.
Federal.
Federal intervention why we have seen is the complete
opposite. I find an unquestionable is even thinking about
suspending Fox 4 News registration on new registrations on
the public health system.
I need.
I need a political move to try to please reactionary
agendas and I find that unacceptable because it makes our
job even bigger the task. That is already taken something.
There are things that the state can be doing. I hear of
course that there's not enough resources to why why the
state does not consider the disaster declaration, so that
we can start getting some funds for this.
Because these are poor communities. That's why
Be.
Because if it would be shopping elsewhere, we would not be
having this kind of challenges.
because a black neighborhoods in this neighborhood for
continuously bearing the cost and the birdie
Oatmeal.
Old Miss managing and bad decisions.
We're.
We just got to be a President Biden.
What is the federal delegation actually doing that? Is my
question. I just was like saying that we're collaborating,
what is that collaboration? Look like
big.
because I think other women Taylor is correct and how
volatile the situation is.
I like a.
I like and I think everybody here.
We're all doing trying to a to-do.
but,
But the reality is that this situation has gotten from bad
to worse and will get worse if we continue in this spiral.
When the state institutions instead of shopping or
expanding the support, he's literally cutting and other
mental health, that is critical.
I can.
I condemn that.
I think.
I think that the other thing that is critical in terms of
Public Safety.
it is very clear that or institutions have no experience
dealing with humanitarian crisis of this Nature has become
evident and council members have talked about this, I think
and I think another call that I do think that as we bring
to this a special meaning
Or her Representatives because I tell you again, starting
this position to set up Emergency Shelters because
initiation was neglected in the middle of the winter time.
To characterize this as successful is just a disservice to
our committee.
A few.
I think that our representative Scott being absent with
very few exceptions and I don't need, nobody calling her
names but actually calling, to come to city council to
testify on the actual efforts to make sure that we allocate
enough funding for the multiple issues that we have. I
walked him in this Russian. Profit is a thing work permit.
I think it is it something that we need? Why are
asylum-seekers. Coming down from the double South Ukraine
and cheese?
Is a double standard. So there is a way to do this, but it
started like having the right people to the council,
starting the city council. And I have to walk all the women
TaylorMade, the special city council Moscow to represent.
Because the last time when we deliver the same letter to
Mayor Lightfoot said that they don't want to accept the
letter.
That's what?
That's what is connected. Some of these Federal officials
are not the one that I would Nation. Because unacceptable,
not to even be informed about the conditions on their own
constituents. Do the Philippines on housing tomorrow, we're
going to come a hearing on housing and the need, of course,
to Paradise housing in the city of Chicago, when we have
tremendous challenges with climate change by the door, the
same reactionaries, the like the bus people and humanely
But we got to understand what his what is his origin dating
because a humanitarian Crisis Intervention and federal is
not only about his lost but changing our foreign policy
toward some of the countries of origin. I would like to add
as well as that we invite the consuls of Latin American
governments were here who can have pissed of the issues
that we have to start looking at the countries of origin on
to the beginning. Assessing the magnitude of this problem
because we're dealing with reactionary agenda, sabotaging
Sanctuary cities, who are receiving a welcoming rightly. So
human beings, when they're being, you know, being bus and
neglected and dehumanize at the border and separating
families. I know the disasters that we do continue to do
But I think the pizza special hearing is truly necessary,
and if you would like to add that, we need also a state
representatives yet.
Under governors.
And the governor's office.
Be.
Big.
Because our communities are getting Beach against each
other and I tell you, I might want to come in for the
airport. I think I can see a change in approach in the
business tration, where we actually talked with the minute
he's communicating with communicating with council members
and the response was received very different. I welcome the
new approach but we cannot do it alone. It's just
impossible. And I think that this is a team the time for a
special meeting. Cuz I think we can go on all these issues
of safety and detentions in many other structures,
but I
but if
but I tell you,
But I tell you that for I, to look at these systemically
what was going on at the core of the countries of origin to
change of foreign policy to start, looking at how we
address this humanitarian crisis learning from the
expertise of countries that have been destabilized by by
policies. I really proud of the seat of Chicago for what
we're attempting to do, it is a shame of what happened, you
know, in the last 2 years ago, instead of 42 was around to
delete the two years ago. There's not any reason then I'd
let the dehumanization and what does what is on the west
side? Right now we have twelve thousand homes were flooded
Immediate assistance. So I do think the
Immediate assistance. So, I do think that this disaster
declaration theater by the state, or by the federal
government will be crucial, because we are in an eminent
risk for being in a volatile situation. Nobody wants no one
can remember. I think I already tried to help, but this is
his stomach. And I welcome chair. That's in the Coffer
special meeting. Thank you. Absolutely. Thank you. I want
to commend you on your hearing for bring Chicago home cuz
it ain't worth what we're talking about. The funds that we
need as a city. That's not something that's going to hold
this to your for a month or two. We need a long-standing
revenue stream and we need to stay to be involved. Also
wanted to commend our mayor. I know the prior to having
the, the setup on the different committees we were going to
have a state federal legislation legislative committee. So
I'm glad that we have this committee to continue. I make
sure that those I was a government also held accountable
because right now we're the ones taking it on and we're
very clear and understand as the ones taking it out of me,
state and federal support as well. So thank you for the
comments.
Thank.
Thank you all for your comments. I came from the state. I
worked for the assistant director of family community
services. And in that role, I oversaw the five offices that
do grant-making for welcoming centers, as well as for the
shelter and housing work that the state that DHS supports.
I know that there are efforts to bridge those Resources
with the city. And I think that there's there's a tie
Is there a?
Is there I do? I
Is there? I do want to clarify that there is a state of
emergency declared in Illinois. It's been be renewed every
month and that, and able to stay to get some new funding to
bring in resources when they were housing. People in hotels
last year and also to move more quickly through the
procurement process. So, I think at the state level that is
in order, Chicago should have something similar that we can
use to really hasten, how we bring a new contractors and
partners into the work. But thank you. Thank you for your,
for your words. Thank you very much. I next, we have all
the women Cruise followed by alderperson blind test.
Thank.
Thank you, sir, Percival Vasquez. I also want to Echo some
of the statement that my colleagues had made it and one. I
want to express my appreciation to all of our volunteers at
police stations. We often hear about Respite Center,
shelters staff. That is there two are being paid to make
sure that they help out on migrants. But let's not forget
about our volunteers and those police station these our
volunteers. If they are not only for a couple hours or one
day, these are volunteers, are there for 7 days a week. Are
not getting any support their driving from one station to
the other they're paying for their own guys that they have
to run to Target to make a quick purchase for our migrant
families that are using the
Her.
Personal money. They also need their help. They are also
getting tired. There's times. And some of these groups
said, one of the lead person. Take takes a break, so the
other one can come in, because it is a, the are exhausted.
So, I want you to keep in mind of all of our volunteers and
how we're going to support them. Because we have staff,
there's money that's been paid for these individuals to
work at the IRS percenters again, I like I said, let's not
forget about volunteers at these police stations. I'm also
with with that I want to make sure that I highlight that
Ray has done already. Once it has done a great job
communicated with some of our volunteers at police stations
but we want to make sure we can. She knew the communication
that we've been having and I can speak on behalf of the
25th district volunteers that I have been in contact with
one, I was able to speak with her this morning.
We do how?
We do have questions and we want to make sure that we are
getting out a couple recommendations. Well, one of them is
make sure that Deputy Mayor, they don't sell the Leon, we
want to make sure that I am asking you, what do a meeting,
where you bring all of our volunteers together from all the
different Police District in would create a plan of
communication, we're not being consistent of the plan.
some weeks, we get a
Some weeks we get updates on weeks are volunteers, don't get
updates and I'll give you an example. One of them is a
buses that come and pick up our migrants from police
stations, to go to shelters and all these migraines are
relying on those volunteers, they will not get on those
buses. A volunteer, doesn't say it's okay for you to go on.
But also to have that communication cuz I'm all these
migrants have gotten those buses with the expectation of
their going to a shelter, and then out to not to be there,
go to another police station, these migrants, call our
volunteers and say you lied to me, you told me to get on
the bus but I was sent to another place. Why are tears are
there, and they don't have any answers. They, they take
this very personally because they're like, I did not lie to
you, that's the information was given to us. So for me is,
Whatever.
What are we going to do to support our volunteers at police
stations? Do we have a plan? When are we meeting with them?
How we're going to provide support for them? Even financial
support to them as well. So, do you have a plan? How to
support our volunteers?
Thank.
Thank you for that question. We do not have a full plan
right now. We are working on a plan. Ray has been the lead
with mutual Aid and volunteers. I've been in this role for
just about three weeks. And it is definitely a priority for
us about how to work more efficiently and have better
communication with mutual Aid and with the volunteers. So I
will take back your suggestion and
Happy.
Happy to pay.
Happy to follow up as we move along. Perfect. I know you
say. Volunteer program is just getting all of them together
and you'll have one. Also. The next one is what is a
communication plan for those buses. I know it has been
about roughly 22 weeks. The 25th district volunteer in
group haven't been receiving much updates regarding the
buses. They do show up, but before there was a really good
communication between, hey, they're coming in this day and
this time, what is the plan? I mean, I'm not sure who want
to answer it right. One to answer to continue communicating
with the 25th district, one thing that I do, take the
feedback and I want to work with OMC and their Logistics
team to improve. Because one of the things that I have
noticed is that sometimes this information that I share
those, not actually include everything.
All.
All the Moon.
All the movies that are happening that they sow to the
point around the communication, we do need to improve our
internal communication, and make sure that whatever the
mutually volunteers are getting it. Explains explicitly.
What are all the movies that are going to be seeing coming
in to the, to the police station. They're supporting?
What?
What are? So then my father will be how would MC will be
working with radar, just with the whole department Ray on
regular basis. We recognize it's a process that
Could.
Could stand to be fine-tuned a little bit at. There's so
many moving Parts on any given day of bears transports. And
just in time to see Asians and perhaps things are occurring
at the last minute that we don't have much control over. We
do feel like we are improving that process for continuing
to work with Ray for the breakfast is that something is
implemented across the border. I know again, we go back to
25th, district struggling with getting food. Is that a
plan? That means this everyday, cuz we don't see it as a
consistent plan.
So in terms of the food distribution, we have been talking
with the greater Chicago Food depository about the
potential expansion of supporting with meals. Do the police
district station so far. What we have been doing since the
beginning of the month is delivering dinners. We use the
DMC Logistics team to help us deliver those when they have
not been available because they have to pay for it and
support with other deliveries. Do I open up shelter
We?
We have to.
We actually gives me that activated the Caps members and
work with deputy, chief Chang to activate them and so for
about Sunday, through Wednesday of last week, we were using
that I added support but I do. I do hear and understand
that they're especially in the 25th district. I think you
maybe he's talking about Nicole. I have been in
conversations when they call about how she actually also
has to step down and it's added support. So I'm bag also
try to plug in other other Mutual Aid networks. Support
example in the in the 19th District, trying to leverage
weather maybe they can support at the 25th. So I've been
trying to do some of that mapping in addition to that in
terms of meals I just want a name that I think it has to be
a parallel strategy where we are. We leaving the mutual
Aid, volunteers by providing meals and at the same time
that we all are also improving its shelter.
Emil to the shelter, be
Emil to the shelter because one unintended consequence that
could happen is that again, people feel like they might not
want to leave the police district stations because they're
getting better food for them, and they would be at a
shelter. So just need me some of that. It has to be a
parallel. I think strategy to ensure that people are also
encouraging people to go into the shelter and I just ain't
got the police district stations. Yeah, I agree off him.
Any of them say they're they're happier and the police
station but again, I just
Make sure they.
Make sure that I can.
Make sure that I keep advocating for volunteers in the
police stations. And again I have to forget about them
because they're critical to all of this making a success
and making sure that help is provided and also all the
things to think about and I'm pretty sure you all have been
thinking about this. Winter is around the corner.
Fortunately, and a lot of these migrants take the
opportunity to go outside because of, you know, they're in
rooms are very small police station. We have 35 of 25th
district with small rooms and right now is summer so they
have the ability, you know, to be outside but went around
the corner and what we're going to do, I know we have
shelters are coming up there going to be open but we're
moving from individuals, from example, from Wright College
into the shelters. Still leaving those at a police station,
but again, I appreciate the time.
I know the
I know this.
I know this is we're all trying to work as well as new as
any other and I understand some of these parts that we're
all coordinated, but I can appreciate the time. Thank you
very much for that. Also a dime and we're putting a
committee together. We also hire somebody started this
week, this week about to be kind of our engagement person
with the mutual Aid groups to make sure that whatever they
are experiencing is informing policy. We have the lion
Elena Perez here with us will be helping at that, and I
just wanted to note that was just for the record raise
carrying a lot. And I think it's clear to what's going on
here that we need to expand the capacity of what's going on
as far as the office as well as all the different folks.
Helping you in.
Helping even at the city level because they're carrying a
lot to prepare for hearings are going to public meetings
and they're not able to execute to the best of their
ability cuz they're having to carry all of the above. So I
really appreciate you. Raising up the focus on the mutual
Aid. Groups are making sure we expand their capacity to do.
So I think you are next year older person went has followed
by other women, Gutierrez and other one and leave.
Awesome. Thank you, check. I know we've been here for a
while, so I want to think the folks in the box and soaps
that are up here with the chair for Baron's, the amount of
minutes and hours. That you have to answer these questions
that the first comment that I do want to make is I want to
thank the administration and the mayor of a really taking
this on and making it a priority, we have all been on the
job for 72 days now and this committee has met more times
than the committee under the last Administration met in an
entire fiscal year. And so we must acknowledge that work is
happening here and I we are doing the best that we can
with. That being said in order to get this right, while we
have to continue to be an uncomfortable dialog, right?
Because that criticism and self-criticism is what's going
to allow us to build a process and a program that usually
works for migrants as we seek to live up to being a c.
let,
Larry's.
Larry City in this country also want to acknowledge that we
should be bringing our state legislators and our federal
elected here for a hearing to respond. I will also did
knowledge meant that a lot of our Congressional folks. My
Congress woman in particular, D'Elia comedian is doing
everything that she can, while Republicans have the gavel
in the house and it is a very difficult space to being an
advocate for migraines and making sure that we can get the
adequate funding to provide the resources that we know.
They so desperately need when we do not have the support,
what we need is an executive order by the president and we
have not received that and we should consider what type of
hearings and public meetings. All we have is we lead up to
the DNC
I'll
I also want to make several comments. I am responsible to
the mutual Aid. He's in my community as several of them.
Also work for me in that we have received several comments
on treatment, and some of the shelters are why some of the
families have left shelters and return to police stations.
And many of those complaints are attributed to the food
that they are being fed the hours in which they received
the food. Are, the food is not culturally responsive to who
are people are often hold still too spicy.
and,
And we need to be able to provide food that our families
can eat. But more importantly, make sure that their
nutritional, we have several families with children, who
spent weeks months, traveling to arrive here. We already
have several vitamin deficiencies and when they arrive
here, we have a moral obligation to make sure that we can
get them as healthy as possible and that includes the food
that they consume. So my first question is, is there any
consideration of getting another favorite to get a contract
to provide the food for our shelters stuff? Because what we
currently have is just not working, but we have to provide
shelter, is one is the right, one is open kitchen. After we
release the shelter, operations are P, the next one. The
next draft will be releasing is an RFP for food operation.
Thank.
Thank you for the other comment is that we are not a
monolithic group of individuals. And what we've been
hearing is that the treatment that is taking place in the
shelter is treating each family and individual as a
monolithic group. We know that there are many different
experiences for families that come from different parts of
Latin America and we have not been able to get folks
working in our shelters that are culturally competent and
won't understand.
What is the?
What is the training?
What is the training and vetting process for the folks that
are currently working in our shelters and servicing our
families? So in the family shelters, individuals have to be
background checked. We requested that individuals be
bilingual. Number of individuals have run because this
isn't working as a shin that familiar with disasters. A
number of individuals have work along the border in
shelters doing this, then I won't tell you that everybody's
perfect, right? I think I would tell you a shelter, is a
microcosm of what we experience in our city. Got some good
actors and you got some bad apples. We have had to mobilize
individuals working in the shelters for an appropriate,
behaviors for incident report. I'll have our team talk
about that of what that vetting process. Looks like in the
training that we give. I know one of the trainees that's
coming on board will be for the mental health of shelter
providers because right now these individuals work 12 hours
a day for 30 days a week. And that's a lot right? When
you're receiving
As.
as a key.
As a caregiver, even get your you're still taking care of
individuals. The second piece I will say, is that the
support of icer and the state allowing either in the
shelters as another layer of accountability and support to
treat individuals. I think, when we did our cash assistant
program, I think, every time we do social service programs,
we learn about the culture and the individuals. I think the
folks that we're seeing now from October,
I'm September.
I'm September and October, it's a lot different than folks
that were receiving. Now I think that needs are higher. A
lot of people that came earlier on, have more resources,
these individuals are more high-touch. And so I think it's
just a constant balance pivot and deal with what you're
facing then if you want to talk about the onboarding for
the team,
Danny casteneda director of the new arrivals team at the
homeless services division at the FSS. So when folks are,
when we have new staff starting their oriented, with their
specific role, and even actually before they let me take a
step back, there are qualifications, depending on the road,
right? We are project managers shelter manager is
residential, AIDS case manager, supervisors security. So I
think that's really the end in janitorial to. So those are
all of the roads that we have across the shelter's between
day and night shift. So there are qualifications that the
contractor needs to ensure that there that there meet
again, my gum all the memory drink as much. And there are,
you know, license social, social workers. And many of these
roles, many of them are coming from Border City. So, they
have a lot of experience in. Emergency shelter, in
providing, emergency shelter in very different settings.
I'm not necessarily in urban areas like city of Chicago.
but then, so was
But then, so once they're with us, then they get oriented
with her specific roles of the roles and responsibilities.
Whether they're residential later, case manager excetera,
and then we train them on our shelter, standard operating.
I would just the commissioner previewed earlier today. I'm
really just went under a robust revision to really be
encompassing of both the growing Mission but the evolving
Mission. How different took to ensure that were covering.
I'm all shelters. You know, we're currently and I think we
took fifteen or sixteen shelters. Eat shelter is very
different just given the facility, given the population
given the size of the facility and not to the laid out. So
that's sort of the, the onboarding process. So there's
qualifications, they have to meet on the back end. And
then, once they're with us, they get oriented on their on
their specific role and responsibilities and then trained
on our standard operating guide, which is really are our
go-to for our policies and procedures for the shelter.
Operation side is that in our regular homelessness and we
have 50 shelters.
3000 lb support. Go to RFP in some nonprofits. Run them,
right? They hire the staff. They train the staff. They do
everything. This is a totally different model that we have
never done. And so we have three DFS staff. Plus a detail
staff that are setting the policies training individuals.
And so again we build in the plane as we fly it and the
fact that we have 5,400 individual in 16 shelters with our
specific dfssf leading. It is very challenging.
Really, why?
Really want?
Really want to add really quick.
Really want to add really quickly because we do have a
grievance process both for residents to file grievances
against have to file grievances. So if you are here and
then people have used their residents, have used it to have
have used it, if you're hearing of something, if you're
hearing it through, volunteer through me trade group really
having been lead into our grievance process so that
residents can Elevate their Grievances and then we can
respond accordingly, grievance process, all olders please.
My next question is there has been several reports on
police. Misconduct are particularly in our police stations
by CPD officers towards migrants that are currently resting
in their vestibules. We know that CPS teachers vfss workers
and several Respite Center. Employees are receiving
sensitivity training, what are we? Providing police
officers across the city. I'm sorry. Sweetie PD Officers
across the city.
Spanky.
Thank you.
Thank you for that question. I wish they could do. We're
here to 2. I know that investigations are underway for
places where there have been accusations of misconduct. I
am not familiar with what else we're doing for CPD officers
across, but we will get that information to the chairman
and Deputy Mayor. I will make this my last question cuz I
know we've been here for a while and I'll submit the rest
of my questions via airtable. Sherman Vasquez Pooja, thank
you for putting together at
Is that really a centralized has a lot of our concerns and
questions to make these more effective meeting? We have
about six thousand people right now, waiting for housing,
as a relates, the migrants about 2% of our City's
population and we've been making significant amount of
investment in temporary shelters renting. Space is standing
up, new show renovating spaces, getting beds has there been
conversations and Deputy Mayor. I believe this is a
question that you may be able to answer. Has there been
conversation of a more permanent loan Solution on how we
are going to address not just a housing crisis of the city
of Chicago album. Now had how that that has been layered
with migrants who have come to Chicago. I was thinking
about a vacant lot across the city of Chicago and building
infrastructure that can really house, not just my friends
that are on house, Neighbors,
City Chicago 90, we have a housing hearing tomorrow and
bring Chicago home. The are there additional conversations
about how we have more permanent Solutions? I have not been
apart of this conversation of the Arts. As I've just, I'm
new to the team but I know that the intention is that we
can do both, right? We can address our housing problem in
terms of finding better support solutions for people who
are currently on house and that we can possibly use this
opportunity of the challenge.
Reese.
reset a
Resettling asylum-seekers to to work on that housing
strategy together. I don't know if Brandy is having those
conversations and doing that ideation, I don't think
anything has actually surface, but I know there was tiny
homes with put on the table. You know, it's always both in
right? And you got to be able. We know, we have a homeless
population. We know we have a new arrival population.
It's some point where the, you know, both populations are
coming together and so, definitely on the right track at
the state level, with the home, Illinois program, and the
funding that is being released, the state is able to make
those Awards more rapidly because they have pilot status
for those programs. And we can also potentially use the
emergency Proclamation. I believe that that the state is
also thinking about how to bridge those, bring those two
needs together and is in conversation with Chicago about
that. Thank you. Deputy Mayor. Also, for the record, I want
to say that the 26th Ward is ready to stand shelters, both
are migrant population and are on house neighbors as a
temp. Populations in Humboldt Park, continue to grow every
day and again, we must continue to have uncomfortable
conversations are so that we get this, right? I think that
there has been a culture that when we are in debate and it
when we are,
It must mean that we are not friends. And that is just not
true. All right. I I respect the mayor. I admire his
administration Deputy Mayor. Thank you for entering into
this road with Grace and having a sense of urgency that
this city still needs. Thank you. Thank you very much. Lord
knows Family. Squabbles tension is necessary to move us
forward, so thank you for that. I next all the women that
are has followed by other women lie and then all the women
IHOP in
Thank you.
Thank you, charm.
thank you charm. A
Thank you, German. And I just wanted a few questions as
well.
Easy.
Did you all know I was in support of our helping the
families to relocate into Daley College? So now they've
been asking me a community members. What's the plan for the
kids at Daily college? Is it is still the August 1st. Stop
using so building, 500 and 600 will remain. Open. Only the
gym will close, they'll still have access to the showers in
the gym. So the eso classes that they started, those will
continue. CPS is receiving an, a, a list of the names of
the children in the gym that will be transferring to the
former American Islamic college. So that they'll be able to
enroll them in school. Are those kids going to schools
around Daley College? Or are they going to some other
communities?
So if the families are relocating to different shelter,
we're looking for the schools in proximity to the shop.
Thank you so much. And when you were telling us sometimes,
when I see him secretly not follow the protocols and they,
they are removed. So what happened to them? If, if a male
is the one that get in trouble, but then they don't. The
wife or the kids are still in the property's, only the male
to get removed through the whole family, can you please
elaborate a little bit more? Depends on the situation. So
we've had situations where maybe there was a domestic
violence situation and so we will remove the perpetrator
but allow the individuals that remain in the family to
stay. I think it just really depends on each situation.
Danny, do you want to talk through the protocol and some of
just the different criteria of like you're banned from an
individual shelter versus all of the new arrival shelters
or all of the city shelters all together?
Yeah, I think I am in most cases if someone is being
removed or discharged from a shelter, the vast majority of
cases are still able to seek shelter elsewhere, our primary
goal and I think we have a responsibility to assist them in
seeking shelter elsewhere. I think sometimes when we are
removing someone from a shelter there,
Made.
Maybe less than cool.
Maybe less than Cooperative. So then they're not going to
wait around for transportation to the next shelter. So
instead we ask them to follow the process that everyone
else would would follow is go to the police station called
311 and then wait for shelter placement there. But
otherwise like the inside the instant that commissioner was
mentioning about domestic violence, like our first and
foremost. Our approach is to engage the family. Like we
don't want to read traumatize. I'm a Survivor or family and
we are, our goal is to keep families together. So in many
cases, we Engage The Survivor in extreme cases. And
luckily, we've had very few of these. We will remove the
perpetrator just for the safety of the family and others at
the shelter. But in most cases, we engaged the family, you
both Survivor and perpetrator separately. And then family
together to ensure that the understand that, you know,
we're going to respect your decision if they want to remain
together at the shelter. But ultimately, if it does, you
know, if it's a repeated Behavior than Altima,
Bonita.
No need to make.
No. Need to make a decision to keep the family safe and to
keep all their family safe. But in many cases the vast
majority of them. You will assist folks in shelter
elsewhere
and,
Thank you so much and when I was asking about CPS, I'm
sorry I feel to also ask is there an effort to hire more
bilingual teachers? Cuz I know there's some hiring coming
up but yes, we are constantly looking for new teachers and
we're looking for bilingual teachers. We also organized
cohort,
With.
With our partner universities to allow other teachers who
don't have it yet by Timbaland training and endorsement to
engage in discovered program. So they will have vinyl
endorsement and they would be able to teach in bilingual
programs is so early. Last year, I believe it was around
300 teachers of who received endorsements through those
cords. And if you can, please share that information about
the hiring. So we can also sell them and put it out there,
so we can help out in that process as well. Thank you very
much. I have a bunch of 50s friends, for my former previous
days that we can let them know, it's all in the whole city
as well, my last question, I know what they are species
that are coming.
Is.
Is that going to be part? Also, of hiring also Personnel
for the shelter's cuz I know the agency that it's right now
hired have people out of the state are. We now hiring local
people? So they do have we do push for local hiring for the
current contractor. That's, and the shelter that manages
the Shelter Systems begin. The RC that goes out will be for
approximately eight shelters or cbl's to run one. Multiple
are all and there is a criteria that they miss me to do
that. I said it was the last question, but I actually have
a last time and I know you are an early stages of planning
also permanent housing. And
Another shell.
Another shelters. I know they're being some concerns with
some of my colleagues when those early early planning,
when, when they come to communities. And sometimes, I know
and understand that it's early stages. But if you can,
please let us know. So, we can also be part of that, a
physician that decision making, we can also help you look
for places work together but also we can communicate that
to our constituents. Cuz, you know, anytime they see
something happening in our communities, the first person or
the first off, if they contacted us and sometimes
unfortunately we don't have the information. So a Eco on
the sentiment of my colleagues when we need to be informed
involved and the ones like myself are willing to help out.
We can do it as well and I just want to come in all of you
for your hard work. I know it's not been easy, but you've
been working so hard towards this and also wanted to give a
shout out to all my community organizations volunteers and
Community itself that are really
The grunt work in District, 8 in District 9, in my 14 Ward,
I really appreciate all the hard work and let's continue
cooperating and working together. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you for the ask for a one pager so that the elders,
understand what the process looks like. When the surveying
properties, they know what it's supposed to be like, is
there have been even in this time miscommunication between
the others in the department and rather than having the
ambiguity having a burnout, make perfect sense. I'm also
just would like to request of the chair.
Audit security contract with skytech and thinking about the
migration and what that looks like. I'm also very concerned
that if you what we're saying is that if there is an
incident and a migrant isn't asked to leave. And to go
elsewhere, there isn't an elsewhere because they're here
trying to find shelter and to ultimately that will lead to
larger problems I believe. Cuz I'm either going to come
back to try to figure out specially if it's a family. So
just just something to think you would have further
conversation about a solution can look like an extra
vawter. Womanly. Followed by other one may not happen with.
Thank.
Thank you, turn.
Thank you, chairman and Allah will thank you again for
holding these committee hearings. I'm not a member of this
committee but obviously has an older person in this city
and as we see every day I drive past the 9th District
police station every single day on my way to work. So I see
I see where we are. Just from that little perspective. I
know there's so much more going on. Deputy Mayor. Welcome,
I'm really happy to have you on board with your expertise
and commissioner kanazi for for all you're doing and
Massimo MC as well. This has been a yeoman's work here and
then some and I think we have a long way to go. I get asked
all the time about like, what, what's the plan forward and
when is this going to stop? And we don't know that, right?
We know that night, I know that, that's what we're all up
against. At this point, five million questions. I won't ask
them all. I'm going to just try to send her these and a
couple of areas.
Be.
Because school is start.
Because school is starting soon. Go starting Stone and I
know you've addressed the, the daily College in Truman
College questions already. And I appreciate that. There is
a plan to move those migrants into another shelter with the
welcoming Center at Clemente. That's awesome. That's great
in school, starting on August 21st. What's the plan for
that welcoming Center once school starts again?
The.
At the Welcome Center. It was created to, to help schools
with massive enrollment, is it? We do not want a cleric
sometimes, the only one in the school, I just felt was only
on the rolling, the students or or a English. Learner
teacher testing is Southern leave for the student at 1. So
we are helping schools and this is an intake Center and we
will be enrolling at the center schools in the area
proximity of the of the, of the shelter. That's how and
also providing additional Services there because we have
four rooms in the center and in each group of parents
receive different different services in different
referrals. So we will be helping with the enrollment of all
those newcomers students to different schools all around
the city.
That's great.
That's great and what happens?
That's great. And what happens when school starts and
Clemente students? Come back? That was more of my question.
Yeah. So, so that the area, the area of the Welcome Center
is is separated. There is a, we have really a system
separate door and the ring and, and security officers and
all of that. So that would be no disruption. Thank you for
that. And thank you for all that you're doing as well. I
think I've asked this question before I just can't
remember, it seems to me, that's so much of what we what
were challenged with as a city here is when people arrive
and I think one of one or more of you said it, this is the
migrants have been lied to. They've been told a story about
what they're going to receive when they get here and they
get here. What information are we providing to them at the
outset? Like I'm really and I'll give you the contact, an
ally. You guys to answer the question.
Are we telling them exactly certain like welcome to
Chicago? Here's what we're willing to offer you. Here's
here's where your next steps are. If you choose to come
with us on this because I feel very strongly and I know
that there's a there's choice in all of this. As I've seen
people go back and forth to different places and how much
collaboration or connectivity do we have with your
migration Folks at the federal level? Because I know that a
lot of folks that are sent here, they're silent. Earrings
are not here in Chicago. What's happening with that? How is
that being communicated? And how are we try? This is a
million questions at once but they're all around the same
issue.
at the end of
At the end of the day, I think.
At the end of the day, I think we were going to create an
even bigger problem if we don't think about it. And then
you may have already sought through this, it would just be
great to have this conversation. Is Howard. How were
helping to prepare people, ultimately, if they do when
their Asylum cases to settle in a place on and do they know
what those next steps are? So when the arrivals come, they
are given at the police station door at the shelter's cuz
you could go. If you can have either pair of like what you
can expect, right? And part of that is, if you're in a
police station about, how long can you, wait? I think a few
months ago, we were able to kind of ballpark how long it
could be. But as you can see, now we're at nine hundred and
fifty people in police station. So it makes it a little bit
more challenging when we're trying to figure out, how many
people are leaving, because they signed the lease and we
are like, okay, how much me bed? Will we have open up? So I
think Matt's team tries to do some forecasting but it's a
little you can just imagine you get a bus everyday.
What's?
It's hard.
It's hard to keep those forecasts, right, right. But we
talked about gears, what time's right? I think the work
about, if you go to shelter every shelters, not the same.
And so we have that really do a good job of explaining to
people of what that was syrians will be like his not every
shelter, as they said summer, like Hotel, some our school
like everyone is different. Some urge in the eyes or case
management is really important because that helps prepare
peep
For what happened?
For what happens now that you're in shelter, in before you
get to do your housing assessment with Ida and Catholic
Charities because that were real, like, how are you getting
ready? How are you planning? Because once you move into
that apartment, that rental assistance is only 6 months.
And so what are you going to do to be able to carry
forward? And so the fact that the case management stays
with them while they're in that temporary housing
situation. I think is really important. You know,
communicating at the border is also really important about
what to expect. I think Matt tries to tell his colleagues.
Hey, we're full, right? So tell people that they can expect
to wait a long time because we're opening shelters but
we're not opening shelters as fast as the people are
coming. Sometimes I think we're really fortunate in the
last 2 weeks. We stood up a number of shelters, but the
buses keep coming but I'd like to have them both the city
and the state have provided access to Legal.
Services.
Services of
Services that people know their rights in terms of the
Asylum process and other you know of certain legal rights
and obligations that they have some. It's not that and it's
not that they're intentionally getting this information but
I think a lot of it is word-of-mouth. So they've heard
that, if you come to Chicago, you might be in a hotel
because that happened last year with the state and that,
that type of information has gotten out there. You
mentioned that people have choice and they do and they
don't
I mean.
I mean they're being bossed by the governor of Texas to
Chicago. So they they don't have a choice in that regard
that they came across the border and then they're being put
on buses. Some of them are choosing Chicago Without Really
knowing what Chicago is about. And we are not on the
border, you know, giving out flyers telling people not to
come here or giving people information about what can be
expected, either the state or the city is doing that. And
so, whatever information they're getting coming up, is
really just from what they hear word of mouth or from the
cbl's, and the agencies that are that are assisting people
as they cross and come over come over. I appreciate that.
And I think that's just, it's such a big challenge, right?
Cuz you heard from my colleagues earlier, and I've heard
the same things in my district, where Mutual Aid,
volunteers will provide information and then the the the
information that turns out to not be accurate and then
there's there's a trust that is, you know, torn apart at
that point.
I didn't.
I think we're doing everything that we can at this point is
to try to remedy some of that. I just encourage you to
continue with whatever consistent communication you can
provide Ray. Does an amazing job on appreciate everything
that they do to support our mutual Aid groups. In to ensure
that we're being responsive real time. I do have a
suggestion for you on food in the in the whole main of
keeping it in the in the family here, in Chicago, with the
city ever, consider allowing
They're to be.
There's to be an RFP for just small business owners,
restaurant owners, because that keeps it in the right
Community is culturally competent and then we're supporting
local businesses straight away. I think that we don't have
to have massive catering agreement for every single shelter
and you know, we don't need one provider for all of them.
Maybe it's, you know, a couple of restaurants are in the
even if it's getting them in the rotation. Look, I'm from
I'm from the 11th ward. We got a lot of Chinese food there.
I think I've got people that are like willing to help out
with this and I've heard anecdotally from usually
volunteers that they really like rose Cantina. And I got a
few places that could do that. So I think we need to think
about that. And I think it's also a way to introduce our
new neighbors, to their new city. So, think about that. I
think working with some Chambers, we could probably get
that done and I think even, if organizations aren't willing
to be the lead provider, right? They could also consider
Partnerships
I think.
I think the D.
I think the details of how many organizations will be
selected like will we divide the city into regions? I think
we haven't got that far, but I would still say I like if
you're not ready to be a lead, you can still say, can I
partner is a contract under a prime right now that's great.
Chinatown is already supporting the 9th district with the
lunches every single day, for, for the, the group that is
at the 9th district. And I know that they're supporting
some on the 25th Ward as well. There's lots
there's,
there's lots of people pitching in a
There's lots of people pitching in and, you know, I think
that we we've got to give them some relief and I know that
that's coming with your of keys and everything nobody
thought it was going to last this long and every time
someone asked me, now I'm stuck I cannot there's I'm not
even going to speculate because we don't have any control
over what the buses are coming in and that volume my last
question and I'll submit everything else through your
table. Thank you very much for that. I know he gets very
excited when I say that.
As you.
As you may.
As you men.
As you mentioned, commissioner can I see we have Bad actors
in some cases and we have mostly for the most part people
are following the rules when people are not. And if you
know what I think Danny, you said you know, if someone has
been has been put out and like, banned from a particular
shelter, the cycle of this, the process is that they go to
a police station, wait for another shelter. And I think in
normal times that works fine except we have families at all
of these police stations that then are then put at risk at
the same time. So, I would welcome the opportunity to talk
to CCD and others about how we come up with a slightly
better plan than throwing them into a mixed. We're even if
they're already in a volatile state, they're being thrown
in with a group of 60, people only have 40 of which are
families with little kids.
How is how old is any of that information being
communicated to immigration officials? Because if someone
is arrested for something, I got to think that's a
violation to there and you know, to the conditions of their
Asylum case. So if someone's in, you don't have to answer.
If you don't know the answer through the chair would be
great. I think it'd be great to understand what that what
that process is like the more that we can do to just be
more informed about these things. This I'm not going on a
Witch Hunt or anything like that but if I'm asked the
question is flat-out is, especially if there's if there's a
behavior that's happening at a police station, let's take
is what we've been talking. A lot about shelter's today,
mostly and that's great. And I know that, you know, we
haven't talked about police stations as much. That's a real
problem. You know, we have, I have more families than, I've
had this entire time and while it's warm, it's okay,
they're outside. But they're they're sitting on the curbs
and it's very dangerous there on Halsted Street. And if
someone's not paying attention, they want to park the car
in front of the potsticker house.
They can run.
They can run a.
They can run over a child. So, you know, I would encourage
gfss if you're not already to provide the same type of
communication at the police stations, even if it's just
flyers or handouts to say, here's how it, here's how you
can best be respectful of the community and be safe while
you're here at the police station. So I think those same
rules. Apply or the same thing should apply while they're
you know whether being sheltered at the police stations.
I'm going to stay.
I'm going to stop now, but thank you. I appreciate it. I
appreciate it. Thank you very much. I will follow up on a
number of questions that you ask, please submit all the
ones that you have and will continue to follow up. Thank
you. And then other women when I hop in words,
Thank you, cheer, and congratulations. Thank you for being
here. Deputy Mayor. I appreciate all your time. And helping
me a also a new person.
Are also want to thank OMC, and you have a sense for
helping us to navigate these Waters. It's very difficult
time for everybody. But I want it for my commitment that
the 48th Ward as watering anderson-dolan Uptown leaves in
the mission of the city to be a welcoming City. I'm a
daughter of emigrants and my word is very diapers, are
public schools. The five of them have over 40 languages
spoken. We also have three strong Chambers of Commerce. We
have 12 activelock clubs. We have an ice water Historical
Society who loves to document history? And we are very
active group. Many of us are voters, which they like to
remind me of every day as a new elected official. Also,
I think in the Box CPS and the FSS and for being available
to someone like me trying to absorb all of this information
also communicated out to my constituents. Again, that's
really what it's about is communication coordination with?
Not only two departments here, but also people who have
been as we said over and over again volunteers and mutual
Aid groups with the rising up to this moment because they
exist because government can't do everything. I want to ask
a couple questions and then I also wanted to invite all of
you to invite our federal
Agencies, and also our Representatives, including Senator
Durbin. And my representative in the 9th, congressional,
district, antique house key to come to our meeting on
Thursday at 6 at the Broadway Armory, which is being
considered as a new temporary shelter. In the 48th Ward, I
have asked them, but sometimes it matters, who asks,
I also want to acknowledge and thank the chair for wanting
to have a special hearing as other women, did it Taylor,
asked, and others there is, it's exam. We are past the time
of an acute problem is the chronic condition. And so, we
need to figure out sustainable ways to welcome, new
arrivals, as we expand our services to those who have been
waiting in line for too long. And I will ask if I could get
a commitment from you to ask the Department of Housing and
also see if you need so that we can address the Safety and
Security issues that we all brought up here.
I'll do want to ask the chair of first commitment to bring
up, you visas at the next hearing so that we can address
the denial of certifications. For people who
We cannot continue to keep traumatizing people and ask them
to be traumatized in order to get Services. It's wrong.
I was.
I want to know I want on a little bit of explanation on this
idea of 30 days after people are in our shelters, can
somebody explain it to me. So in the last Administration,
there was a 30-day policy. However, there was a stay at so
we are not doing 30 day policy is, there is no time limit
on how long individuals can remain in the Asylum Seeker
shelters.
Okay, there's no yeah, the goal is right now to quickly get
work with our partners, Catholic Charities and knew I had
to get people into housing. Yes, cuz that that really is
what we're talking about here is to get people an address
so that they can get an ID so that they can get stable
housing so that they can get work and and and can we bring
up that graphic that you created it and I really appreciate
it because it's helped me but it also really does point to
the deficiencies in the second to the third step. And what
it really means to go from shelter to housing.
And that I need.
And that I need an explanation for so that I could bring
back to my constituency because what they really want is to
see people house and not on the street or the new arrivals.
In April, we received four million dollars from the
Department of Housing and that supported 1000 family.
People at the end of Chicago, to be connected to a rental
assistance, and housing support in. So, we also at the same
time received dollars from the Illinois Department of Human
Services and development. Housing Authority, from the state
to support four hundred singles across. I shall tear his
wives were in a Chicago, a couple of social club in a
couple others. And so, all of that 1400, 1340, people have
been have signed leases and or moved out the
Pacific.
Pacific's go.
Specifics goes about housing for me.
Come back. Hold and the 348 have permanently moved out. So
that's that roughly 1340, they're still 60 people.
That initial.
That initial group.
That initial group that they're still working with to find
housing that they want. Because again, people have choices
about where they want to live in the city, some people have
friends or relatives, they want to live near the big house,
little house. We maybe if you're a single, maybe your
partnering with someone you met in the shelter, there's
just a lot of different variables. I would say that the
Partnerships that are enabling us to do this are Catholic
Charities, they do housing case management and New Life in
their hands on with residents, helping them identify
Apartments the whole move. And we are also just the
struggle of finding landlords willing to rent. Knowing
that, it's a six-month rental assistance. But a lot of
people have stepped up and are doing it. But that all of
that comes into play for how quickly people are actually
finding their own spaces. And I've heard more and more that
because folks have found jobs
As we?
As we soar.
as resourceful as immigrants, always are, they have found a
way to find work and some are moving on their own when
they're ready about 6,000, people have left the shelter
system since we started and that's either through the
housing resettlement out-migration, or they found their own
housing, he had people who left before we started that were
finding a way to the deputy mayor. Yeah, thank you for
that. I haven't
My in-laws.
My in-laws in Colorado are housing, a family from Venezuela
and the fact that they have to drive down to Chicago to get
their hearing and then drive back, it's very difficult to
know where you're hearing is going to be. I want to
acknowledge that the 48th. Ward has one field house and it
is the Broadway Armory. It's one of the largest Park
District buildings in their stock of buildings. It. It's
also a building that is not empty. It's well used. It has
not only programming and 1,600 people using it every week,
but it also has a senior center that is ran by DSS. A
trapeze School of theater and others who rented including
the chamber's. Also,
Ignore.
Eggnog.
Acknowledge Alderman Rodriguez and get a commitment from
the city that the building will be restored to its original
condition. After it is, inevitably going to be used at the
temporary shelter.
Yes. Ma'am. Much like any other shelter that we had to
vacate for several reasons. So the last of the months we
work together with a is who brings in the cleaning service.
We make sure that we leave it exactly. As we found it, we I
know we even had one shelter Barbara required some repairs
that, you know, of some damage and may have happened while
we were there. We, we managed to make those repairs as
necessary as well. So we're absolutely committed to that.
Are we?
We have a, a well-loved senior center. It's if you don't
know, the history of the Broadway Armory, it was unused.
And I'll run into Kathy, Osterman brownies our community to
Dave. We should use this as a park and so it worked with
the city to stand it up and Through the Years, seniors have
also organized so that we have the senior center in there,
which is again. Well, well, use well-loved a people walk
there and find their way there 5 days a week or maybe
they're only hot meal that day and share a meal with those
that come off of the street. And those are who are on house
and so they want to know if there's a commitment from the
city to ensure that they will not lose their senior center
as we welcome people in.
so, I was
48 work. So I'll tell you, you know, new arrivals came to my
front door, step, 1 through the homeless division but also
through our senior services division. And so I tell people
this is hard on all sides of my team and City departments
as well as Alders. And just you know, resident. I had new
arrival real living across the street from my mom. So
specifically for the senior center, it's not going to
close. We are still going to be able to have the downstairs
as well as access to upstairs the congregate dining. So hot
meals will remain. The only thing that we will have to I'm
not have access to is the computer lab, as well as the ping
pong room. So we really try to preserve the milk cuz I know
65 to 70 new. I'm seniors visit that location every day and
you're absolutely right. Hot meals are really important in
Milton General. We saw that during the pandemic and that's
why we've expanded our meal program for older adults.
I want to share something that I heard the mayor say
yesterday.
Is our highest priority is to move people from the police
stations in to shelter, and the city is looking at every
possible location, that that might work out, starting with
city-owned properties, because it's just going more
responsible, we already on them. And, but
It has.
It has already been.
It has already begun to also leased properties and to
pretend to lie, purchase properties. So we really are doing
what we're looking at. All the opportunities, all the
possibilities, and take very seriously when we have to
disrupt programme, like a petrowski, or at right and daily
and, you know, that the Armory and potentially other parts
that might come online. I think some of the, the things
that you're requesting in terms of, in a better
understanding the impact of the programming on some of the
constituents or the park users, as well as making sure the
facility is returned in good condition and we have talked
about, this is for a 6-month. At that point, we will
re-evaluate what the need is. So those are things that the
mayor's team is committed to working on as we moved, you
know, towards the opening at the armory.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I just had to
Does a bear.
Just a plain question and I understand what you're saying
about that. That we don't want to separate families, but I
do want to get clarity. Is it is it, is it true that we are
separating young teenagers from their families for some
reason? So, no family shelters in the policy across all of
the shelters, new arrival and homeless. Shelters is
families, are consists of children, 18 and under. And so we
do keep those families together. The other thing that we
really work to do sometimes there may be older relatives
that I have a 19 year old and so would be allowed to that
family has a child with a three-year-old and a
nineteen-year-old. We do try to keep in most cases, will be
able to keep them together. That's our goal.
Thank you for the clarification. So what if that family
didn't have a three-year-old, if the family didn't have a
three-year-old then there would be an adult shelter because
they're over 18, that's very concerning to me as a mother.
I don't.
I don't know where to go from there and turns up. That's,
that's very concerning. I think we'd like to see do the
chair kind of like the policies and that any parent and
also if there are any instances where it like that
decisions have been made because perhaps that the children
are over 18,
Yeah, if you could identify yourself inside a managing,
Deputy Commissioner at Dieppe SSO in that. I just want to
clarify to make sure it was clear. If there are if there
are parents with a, you know, child over the age of 18,
they would go together to a single adult shelter. They
would not be split up so they may not be in a family
shelter but they would still be together just a moment.
Thank you. Thank you very much for the clarification.
So they would so they would go to a hybrid shelter or we
would go to a shelter that house is mostly men. We have
shelters that house single men and single women in so they
would be in the same shelter.
Yeah, I mean, I like, none of this is good. I just wanted
to point that the, you know, what we want to do is find the
most humane way to, you know, find the solutions for all of
us and really think about how this all Impact families,
especially mothers, young women, so and
If?
if this is not easy at all, but what I will ask is that if
we just continue to
Help me, somebody who's knew who really wants to support
the mission of the city and also communicate to my
constituencies, what we're doing? How are you doing it? And
why in the most transparent way? I don't know what that
looks like. I know that in covid times he was great like
one link that people love to point to you and also to
judge, I don't know what it looks like for the city now.
I know the
I know that the briefings happened, then they can come out
every Friday or other people but it's on us again to
discern what parts of that PDF is publicly facing or not,
because it does say clearly don't share this with. You
don't know, why did shareable was not and Howard
coordinating across agencies and with our community
organization. So that we could do this in a way that is
transparent for all to see. I look forward to the next
hearing with all of these other agencies, including, you
know, Public Safety is at the top of everybody's minds and,
and the perception of Public Safety is really important to
Let's out the 40th.
Includes.
Inclusive 20th.
Inclusive 20th and 24th police districts and the 20th is
one of the safest in Chicago.
if you have any change in that statistic people will notice
and so we just want to, I want to understand what we were,
what we are doing to make sure that all of us are safe, not
only those who are newly arriving but also of course, the
people who are generally impacted
A row.
Around the Armory including small businesses who wanted to
older women. These point. They do really want to help so I
will just do that again. They just don't know how, people
don't know how.
I would I would highly encourage for all the different
situations, right? Cuz each other has different questions.
Submit them all to your table and the ones we get answered
back. We're going to be fully transparent and share those
out with neighbors that everyone has the best answers. That
that the department can provide. We want to continue, not
only have that, be kind of a funnel of questions, but also
that we were able to hold you departments accountable to
answering them. See, I want to make sure because the
situations are different. There's different subject matter,
to be frank, we want to make sure all this questions even
if it's something that a neighbor is raising up to the ward
office to send those right away. So we get answers for you
to be clear. You know, we really want a holistic land and
includes all of the things that we talked about.
So, how long?
So, how long is hearing was we have to push all of that into
a you know, a 90-minute meeting on Thursday and that's
another thing that we need to work on as well as putting
all of the 130 questions that we got on Zoom. Last week we
had a zoom meeting. The 48th Ward. 600 people registered
for 100 people showed up, 130 questions. So I have all of
that to put in your air table, as well as other questions
that people have asked and also on answer questions from
here. So that's a lot of work for somebody who only has,
you know, so many hours and her day, as well as the number
of staff that I have. And it's all a lot. Yeah, if you got
those spreadsheet, Word document, anything at all, send the
130 will start move in the morning.
Engaged.
Engage me.
Engagement rate as soon as that work on putting those
meetings together. The agenda for those meetings, I would
love to have those questions from that meeting as soon as
possible so that we can get working to answer them and and
at the meeting we do bring the whole team cpb will also be
there. And, you know, we will make sure that we are
prepared to answer all the questions related to the park.
Thank you, thank you, I appreciate that.
Last.
lastly, I just want to reiterate that we again
What?
48th Ward very diverse.
And very much in favor of finding a path forward or we can
welcome. You people in ideally, I would love to have 500
new people in my ward and it's for our five public schools
to have more students in the ward, but we need to
understand how we're doing it in a way that is Dave.
And centers, the humanity of this position that were in.
It's
And sometimes going fast is not the best.
Sometimes.
Sometimes we have to hit pause and actually listen to each
other and really listen to the community because oftentimes
they have the answers
Thank.
Thank you. We are at, we are working on that and I sent
you. And humanity is is exactly what this Administration is
trying to do with how we are receiving welcoming Sheltering
of asylum-seekers and having almost a thousand people in
police stations is not the best solution. So, we're working
very diligently to find alternatives to that and to move
people through to shelter as quickly as possible. Thank
you. I appreciate that. I'll say, one last thing for the
teenagers and in the ward, who will be displaced because
their field houses is going to be used as temporary shelter
but they want help you.
and,
and they also need programming cuz otherwise,
The alternative is that they get blamed for everything and
I don't want that either.
I mean,
I've been in Commerce.
I've been in conversation with Deputy Mayor John Johnson
and Rosa is Karina from the parks, and they're working
diligently to figure out the alternative sites. I know that
you've offered some resources in your community, there are
churches and other spaces and groups that are interested.
And we know that for the fall, that some of those things
still need to be determined. So very ready to meet and
continue that conversation to figure out what other
resources are there. I believe your mail wants to add on a
week met with Parks is what is the principal of them
saying? High School, Swift elementary school, ready willing
to accommodate programming. I believe at Swiffer going to
be starting on August 21st and then Christian High School
program will begin on September 5th.
Thank you. I really appreciate that coordination with CPS
with our principals at Swift. And Son also want to point
out that they also have their own students to accommodate
and so that it has an impact on them and that is not the
solution is.
To me, I don't understand how it's going to be sustainable.
That's what we are asking for the Same Book Solutions where
a predictable, which is why we need to continue to
coordinate and continue to talk to each other. Because
right now, people are not getting all the information that
we have right now Quicken up at Broadway, Armory. Most of
the students who are participating in their programming.
There are actually students at Swift elementary, so makes
it a bit easier for us to accommodate programme shifting to
the school, because a lot of students already in Road
Elementary on, for the program, is going to take place
that's in high school. Is going to be on after school
hours. I'm in, this, not interfere with them ongoing
program at high school, and we've already confirmed this
with the principal, as well as the park staff.
Thank.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
As.
Has there any further questions or any final questions from
the again?
I was.
I want to again, understand.
How are we going to use this moment?
George.
Children are already broken system.
Which too often affect those on the South and West sides of
Chicago.
because of,
Jack.
Deca.
Decades of disinvestment.
I'm
I want to understand that.
Because from the 40th Ward, we want to be helpful.
But staying that we're going to restore the Broadway Armory
to its original position. Did not make sense or
wadsworth's, they need more than that. So I will advocate.
And we figure out a way to address and fix those systems as
well. We have an opportunity to leave and I know that you
are working so hard and I thank you for that, but what
we're doing is not enough. So we have to figure out ways to
do something exceptional.
Thank.
Thank you.
Thank you, thank you very much. I do remember now hopping
with, are there any other further questions from the
committee?
Okay, I'm not hearing any copies of the presentation and
written, public comment will be provided in the summary
document on the Elms or Elms site. After this meeting me to
share. Follow us will be sent to the Alders, as well as
follow-ups for any of the ear table questions. I want to
thank everyone who has presented here and our committee
members and anybody watching as far as the public. I mean,
it's clear that the task we have ahead of us is Herculean.
I want to commend you all for the work you're doing. It's a
lot of work with little capacity and we have our commitment
to have a special meeting and to figure out how to expand
capacity, so we can address the issue. So I want to thank
all the Departments and our Deputy Mayor. Thank you all,
thank you, the panel for answering questions with there.
Being no further business before the committee, may we have
a motion to adjourn.
alderperson, Frankenstein movies, hearing no objections to
order the meeting of the committee on immigrant Refugee
Rights is now