Good morning. This is Mike on to morning.
The committee.
The comedian morning.
You better make sure.
That I might check. We got going on.
Good.
Oh good morning Mike. The committee on immigrant and
Refugee Rights will now come to order. Today we will
continue our hearings discussing the city of Chicago's
response to the new arrivals focusing on the operational
updates led by the mayor's office police department and
volunteers across Chicago. Mutual Aid care Network's. We
will begin with a roll, call to establish quorum.
By.
Vice-chair Taylor.
Turn.
Turbo Man doll.
Alderwood.
Order one.
Alderwoman Gutierrez.
How to make a?
Auto mechanics in.
I'll
Alderperson Rodriguez.
All the person Flynn says, thank you.
Auto.
Older women Cruise.
Thank you, order me Cardona.
All the Roman Rodriguez Sanchez.
Ice.
I see Alderman Taliaferro.
Thank.
Thank you all Alderman Ramirez, Rosa.
All.
Older women that happened with other women hadn't.
I myself on Rebecca's, I seen on members present, we've got
watermelon, Sparta and other womanly.
And they.
And then I'll remind as well.
Who do we have on Virtual?
Okay, but are there other ways besides business group older
person's Rodriguez, sposato?
I am so.
I am sorry. I'll remember Annette also here.
B, r Burnett when you left. Right B, Manor. All the persons
Rodriguez, pizzato hadn't and Rodriguez. Sanchez, have
requested a virtual option for Committee hearing attendant
extenuating circumstances in accordance with rule 59 of the
city council Rules of Order and procedure. And with subject
subsections, a through D of section, 7 of the open meetings
act, can I get a motion to allow other person's Rodriguez?
Sposato hadn't and Rodriguez Sanchez to attend this hearing
virtually. Thank you so moved.
Are.
You're?
Are in a.
Colonel Jackson, so ordered.
at the,
At this time we will begin the public comment period. The.
Is limited to 30 minutes out of respect for everyone's
time. East speaker is limited to three minutes.
as a
As of 9 a.m. Thursday September 28th, 2023, one person has
requested to speak virtually at the committee on immigrant
and Refugee Rights. Our first speaker will be Susan Avila.
Good.
Good morning, I am here today, speaking for the
collaborative for Health Equity, Cook County with a
statement, submitted to your committee signed by over 50.
Local public health Advocates and organizations, including
health and Medicine policy, research group, mobile, migrant
health Team, radical public health, and noon, ET La Vita.
It is impossible to talk of immigrant health and well-being
without connecting it to the fundamental Public Health
mandates to insure health. And wellbeing for all this
City's, immigration policy must be consistent with a
concept. That housing is a human, right? The crisis of the
on housed, whether they have lived in our region for
decades or have newly-arrived is not a new policy issued to
this city or county.
The alarm.
The alliance to end homelessness.
The alliance to end homelessness Suburban. Cook County
reported in 2021 a 27% increase in homelessness over a
1-year. The recent Chicago Tribune op-ed by Chicago, Faith
leaders reported that 75% of Chicago and to experience
homelessness are African-American. When we purposely ignore
the rights of immigrants and leave tense as the best
option, we are setting an unacceptable standard for the
rights of the on house. In our city, we are denying the
right that all Chicagoans have to Affordable, healthy,
accessible, safe and decent housing. A failure to address
the needs of the on house, guarantees that rents will
continue to climb and single-family housing will continue
to become Out Of Reach.
From.
from the
For many in Chicago, we supposed to call from Faith leaders
asking that the table immediately be set together, experts
and Advocates, where we holistically, find a path to
Affordable and permanent housing in Chicago. We join with
those pushing. For Progressive immigration policy,
recognising that they are here because Corporate America is
there.
Housing.
Housing is a human, right? And the streets and Tents are
unacceptable. Thank you.
Thank.
Thank you, Susan. We will now move on to in-person
speakers. Our first speaker will be Jr. Fleming
All that song again, Jr. Fleming
Next up, we have rev dr. Beth Brown.
The more.
Tomorrow.
Good morning, everyone. I'm the pastor of Lincoln Park
Presbyterian church and in early June with the help of the
sanctuary. Working group, my congregation launched, what's
been called? The faith community initiative.
Before I get into that, which I'm going to get into in a
minute. I just want to say that I believe is a city. We can
do all the things we can attend to all of the people in our
city, who are on house. There is a full-service shelter. In
the basement of my church that has been in operation for
more than 35 years, that is providing
Fleet Services, Topeka.
Fleet Services to people experiencing homelessness at the
same time. We can also be concerned about immigrants. And
so in early June, we lost the faith community initiative
because since 2019 we've been housing, Asylum, seekers in
our church and so because they can be housed there, we can
then help them with living expenses until they get their
work authorization. So our model is a model that is
encompasses 9 months to a year and helps launch people into
fully independent lives where they are in the community and
working. We've launched three families successfully, we
currently have two families living in our building. So our
effort is trying to get Faith communities all over the city
of Chicago to do the same thing. And while some people can
house, they can't afford the financial part.
And while other
And While others can do the financial part, they can't
house. So we're preparing those groups together and have
had some great successes. I'm standing before you today
because there's some issues. We have a church right now
that is has five different living area, set up, but they
cannot find an insurance company who will insure them. I am
trying to address it on a more systemic level. But we also
need to figure out as a city of
going to,
Going to be doing.
Going to be doing creative long-term, Sustainable Solutions.
How can we get around some of the obstacles that are being
put up? Our church is being insured. But we weren't seeking
new insurance. And this other church is another issue that
has arisen with the folks that we are providing case
management for is that in the lines to get city key cards.
There is violence happen happening. There's also extortion.
So people are getting at the front of the line and then
they are charging every person in line of be for getting
past them. So hoping that we can set up an appointment kind
of system so that people are subject to violence in that
way and I just want to say it. Lastly I know we're going to
hear a lot of things today and I want to remind everybody.
One of the sharpest tools in the tool box of white
supremacy is to pit to oppressed groups against each other.
So they're not looking at the oppressor
Thank.
Thank you very much.
As.
As I see he has returned. I will call upon Jr. Fleming.
Good morning. My name is Willie Jr, Fleming executive,
director of the Chicago, anti-eviction campaign, two-time
human rights, Award winner with the United Nation in the
u.s. immigration at work.
I come here to.
I come here today.
I come here today being unaware that for the last eight
months, the city of Chicago had a crisis with migrants
20 years of activism in the city of Chicago and doing
housing rights.
I was.
I was unaware that our police station was being overcrowded
Again by migrants.
How?
How do you spent 15 years of my life? Doing work with the
United Nations because of Hurricane Katrina, let me specify
Hurricane Katrina during Hurricane Katrina. I worked at an
organization called the coalition to protect public
housing, who helped the US government Department of Hud
deal with the displacement of public housing resident.
After gaining experience, I will come to learn the
international protocols when dealing with displaced person.
In fact, they have a work out IDP and international terms
called internally displaced persons, right? And doing these
protocol. There's a process in which they take people when
they integrate them into new communities, right? They take
these people when they placed him in Basecamp mobile homes,
been housing. The reason why the United Nations has a
process that you see in Ukraine today, what do you crave
refugees? Going to Poland with the Sudanese. Refugees going
to different neighbor and States. They have a process known
as
Fiji Channel.
Fiji channel is to reduce. I may use the term very carefully
history during the civil unrest in the Civil tension that
this issue has called in the city of Chicago, not just
within the black community. I'm asking the city council, to
take time out to reach out to Human Rights. Expressed want
people like myself, who can offer some god's. Second of
all, I have a brother spent 20 plus years in a military
building bass tabs for Halliburton hav are in fact, I sent
this information to some aldeman Cook County Commission and
state representative with an Afghan Rebels. The Afghanistan
refugees came to America because we pulled out of
Afghanistan. They built the baseball Camp Atterbury,
Indiana, the house has 10,000 Mike. The process is simple.
You cannot just Place migration Society because they're not
aware of the American law. And when you look at the police
report or
Jenny.
Generate a report by the state's attorney, it states that
somebody knowingly and willingly broke the law before.
Margaret is not informed of the United States Constitution,
the Illinois constitution, the city of Chicago ordinance.
How can I be in violation of breaking the law to write?
This is why you need a migrant Basecamp 21, informed them
on the laws, in the processes of America. But more
importantly, so that they know how to adjust to the various
subcultures in the city of Chicago.
Thank.
Thank you very much for the comments. Also want to note for
a quorum and for the record Alderman, Cardona is here.
And Alderman. Victor Lopez Lopez. Next up we have Zoe Lee
good.
do more.
Good morning.
I'm staying in the streeterville area and while walking
here at start 13 vacant buildings and that was just on the
miles and miles. Even if it's any more on top of that just
seeing immigrants just laying there. They have no place to
go. Like this is going to get out of hand, it's going to
get worse as making our value. The value of our properties
go down and on top of that you guys, this is a main concern
about finding all this money to house them. But me, and my
mother, my mother is here, as I've been, I've been all
these weeks for a legal eminent domain for knocking my
mother's building down, my mother has a nonprofit called
Notre, Dame affordable housing that was supposed to be for
affordable house, and if City of Chicago, when it knocked
her building down, she probably could have helped you
understand. But you guys
Chicago ain't s*** anyway, but the fact that you guys take
it and screw the blacks and go directly to we have to help
the migrants when we still need help. Like I'm in federal
court right now. Been fighting my mother's vision is messed
up because she's been fighting by herself because the city
of Chicago knockdown her building that was supposed to be
for affordable house, but you guys are sitting here. I see
a lot of y'all y'all phone cuz I really don't give a f***
what we talkin about. What I'm trying to tell you. That
people are now getting involved. OK? And in, and when I
say, we have big voices, it's not about quality, it's about
quality. I do we have to press conference on Wednesday
about five of us out there.
but,
But me and Jessica have powerful voices and we're starting
to get other people involved dressing in the black
community. You guys will be voted out. If y'all do not
start work on us. And when I say us black people and one
being my mother, one of y'all need to start. Y'all need to
somebody to sit and talk with my mother because Mario, and
whatever his name was from, Mom, from mayor's office in
your AC keeps calling me right. Call from an unknown number
and he calls 10 minutes before City of Chicago. It closes
saying that they're ready to meet.
I'm ready to meet with the mayor so they can fix my
mother's situation because this this, this migrant s***. I
don't give a f*** about Zoe I will have to ask you to make
sure
I'll
Also, I'm sorry I want to thank you for your comments and
then and then it doesn't find time to talk to your mother
as well.
Thank.
Thank you, Joey. Our next speaker will be Christian aldana.
Thank.
Thank you, Dionne, immigrant and Refugee Rights. My name is
Christina aldana and I'm a current resident of the 47th
Ward. I lived in Chicago for the past seven years and I've
seen the city welcome immigrants from countless countries.
Some of them being my own students.
As.
as a
As an educator and Community organizer. I've spent the past
several years working directly with immigrant and Refugee
students and their families and I'm deeply concerned about
the city's plans for migrant family. I'm here today to
demand that the city can subcontract with gardaworld a
private security firm with military-style operation. I
recognized that the federal government and Southern
Governors have put us in a deeply complicated an impossible
situation but I believe that this is our opportunity to
live out our values of the city and treat asylum-seekers
and refugees with dignity and respect.
She?
Chicago.
Chicago cannot claim to be a welcoming City and
simultaneously put vulnerable people in the hands of a
company that dehumanizes migrants gardaworld provides
under-cooked. Food has allegations. It is my turn to speak
of sexual misconduct and has a woeful public health record.
We need to invest in brick-and-mortar, solutions, to house
Asylum Seekers and move them out of police stations. A
mutual Aid group, Todo para todos operated, a volunteer-led
shelter with daily mail's immigration support medical
services and School enrollment. They Place. 260 Residence.
Inn permanent housing earlier. This year, they had to cease
operations because of a lack of City support. I recognize
that this is a much smaller scale operation compared to the
current needs, but we know that Mutual Aid works and this
is not the only group that is providing support day-in and
day-out. We need to invest in the infrastructure of these
groups and collaborate with a community-based organizations
because carceral systems have never worked and operate on
fear. I ordered you to take action
Darwin proposed.
Darwin proposed solutions that put communities first. Thank
you.
Thank.
Thank you very much.
I respectfully respectfully, I would ask that everyone
limit, some of the Applause and everything else. You want
to make sure that we can continue to make the most of the
time that we have here to get answers from folks. Cuz ain't
no matter what side people are on, we want to get more
information so I want to make sure we can make the most of
this time. Thank you next we will hear from Anna DeStefano
good.
Good morning. My name is on it and stuff. Know I'm a
current resident of the 25th Ward, and I'm a member of the
Avanti reflective that. The last speaker was just wrap, was
just referencing foto. Para todos, our Collective was able
to house and care for 260 people throughout the summer,
filling in the gaps of the city services. And we
continually ask for support to be able to continue this
work longer-term, but we have been denied City. Support at
every turn which is indicative of the larger problem here
is that we are not investing and Community solutions to
this problem. It is absolutely immoral to take the money
that is for this crisis and send it to gardaworld company
with a record of international human.
Brave.
Braves abuse.
They've come.
They've come on.
They've come under well-deserved hire for their history of
mistreatment, and abuse of people held in Immigration
detention and employment of former Child soldiers, not a
company that we have any business working with. A sanctuary
city has any business hiring to build any kind of shelter
for vulnerable population of migrants.
I'm here just to ask that the city works with the people
that have been doing this work throughout the past, several
months, to find a solution that actually helps people. We
have heard so many times from people who are in the
shelter's about the abuse about the lack of food and water
that they are receiving. And it's unconscionable to turn a
blind eye to what is going on. We need to invest in the
organizations and collectives the nonprofits in the Blue
Shield. Egg groups that are on the ground, providing the
first hand response to the migrant crisis. And when we're
doing so we need to be mindful of the environment in which
we are working and we need to build systems that can help
not only recent arrivals but the current and house
population because there is more than enough, vacant
housing and vacant buildings to house the entire population
is over.
Thank you very much.
Neck.
Next speaker is mr. George Blakemore.
Text Misty. This room is divided the white so over here,
advocating for themselves and in the illegals and there's
the blacks over here advocating you back. When you do, you
take up.
I told you they still my minute. You, these people are
illegal, you have changed the name, undocumented immigrant
and new new arrival. We been here. How did we get here? How
did we get here? Not on. Wait a minute, wait a minute,
that's pawpaws real quick on me now. You black elected
officials, you can't vote, but it says for subject matter.
Only. So when you get time for you all to respond,
Can you?
Can you forget where you are and don't forget where you come
from, you look, you want your grandmother and
great-grandmother and grandfather. They want immigrant you
not a new arrive. That's the crime against humanity. What
is happened to black people? Get 250 out of this s***. You
got the right one at this. Mike you black with you?
She won't let that happen.
Oh you black. Don't represent your PS4, Jet Black Faces in
high places. You are disgraceful. You that's a crime
against humanity. You you where do you hear?
But you represent the Democratic machine because they stated
you. This is a game truck. Rental truck, he'll call you
back. Thank you mr. Blakemore
Again.
Sir.
Search.
Sir.
Neck.
Next speaker is Jessica Jackson.
Again, next speaker is Jessica Jackson.
Good morning.
My thing is the other day, we did a press conference out
front and I made mention that 320 million dollars that have
been earmarked for the Southside in West Side. Had not been
given to the South side and west side and that part of the
press conference got cut and it was a good thing because
apparently the news reporter went back to check that and
when she came back with a fax it was 2.2 billion.
That was supposed to go to the south and west side. Now, we
looking for that money. Alright, we looking for that money.
We?
Whatever both of y'all got going.
Noticed, black, all the men, black, all the women. If your
put your hands up to vote for immigration funding, we
coming for your seats. Begin you out.
Her, we didn't you out.
Call.
Oh boy, sitting right there with that. Life blue jacket.
What are?
What happens name, what's his name?
What is it? All right.
When you try to talk to him about it but he tell me out
front, I know. So you going to mock me, you going to my
call, don't act like you got amnesia. You know what it is?
Do I look like, I don't know what I'm talkin about.
over the
Over there not have Park me being disrespectful, but Tyrone
ask what is the way who said this about Chicago, being the
sanctuary cities? Would you jump to the Gerald Washington?
Hair washing.
Yeah, Washington did not mean that his Spanish could come
here and invade black neighborhoods. Are you manipulate the
Washington? Are you
Like how you manipulated the Fourteenth Amendment
manipulating the civil rights law?
We?
Reach out to y'all right now we block out here, you going
to give us some money. You ain't going to put a stent at
the corner of my house. You ain't going to increase the
value of my property cuz everybody ain't Section. 8
everybody at home. Listen, everybody ain't on on portable
house and everybody and your own that some of us work.
Are you?
Are you at? Don't put no cats over there by my house.
I pray.
I pray for the day that I was young and wake up in a
minute, we see them text coming that way. They handle that.
You all ain't going to disrespect us. A black leadership.
Ain't don't disrespect us. We will see y'all with them
cardboard boxes with the lids on them going like this away.
Thank.
Thank you, Miss Jackson. Next speaker is Denise Gordon.
Thank.
Thank you and good morning. I'm here on behalf of the
homeless vet and right now I live downtown and I see a lot
of tents with a Nevada. So you guys have all this
passionate for new arrivals in, what about the passion for
the homeless vets that serve America sport, thousands of
years? That one thing I cannot stand and had two or three
tours. My son-in-law had two tours over in Afghanistan. My
son is also an Air Force lieutenant,
Who is Sir?
Who is serving the United States Air Force? Where is all
this passion for the homeless veterans. So I stand in
solidarity and hope that you guys will put some of your
passion towards what's going on in the mental health. The
reason why I voted for Mayor Johnson is because of what he
said he was going to do for the mental health, to help
these homeless that get from under the shelter. Under the
Bible on what their size with broken leg broken hands
because it's standing in the streets, begging for money.
And now I also see I guess some of these new arrivals have
wasted their money. So I see them downtown with cuffs still
in water doing all kinds of crazy things. We just like one
of the brothers said you going to have to teach them the
lost because this is not fair.
Paseo.
Does c r?
To see all of this going on, and to see what the money,
where the money is going to help them. Give them benefits,
give them jobs. Why don't you do the same thing with the
homeless. Best, take them from the didn't give them
benefits. Give them jobs, give them a cell phone, do the
same thing with them. I see the invasion is going on.
There's nothing new Under the Sun. Is the Bible says that
had this happened with Charles with a Cherokee.
Change.
Came back, invaded us, and then the pale-faces. Now, 1500
the Choctaw. The Cherokee, some of you would probably know
because you got some highly melanated relatives that were
back then, but now they're pale faces. Thank you very much.
Remember the homeless there.
Thank.
Thank you.
Miss.
May's, goehring
I will.
I would like to note that this committee received $23 in
public comments, these written public comments have been
sent out to the committee members via email and are within
your printed packet. There be no more speakers will begin
with the routine matters of the committee. You will see a
copy of the July rule, 45 report in your packet. Can I have
a motion to approve the July rule, 45 reports,
so,
Some will buy other person, Cardona hearing no objections
to order. I also like to note that we have Alderman kenootz
in here for Coram. Also, we have nine committee members,
Alderman, Robinson and Alderman wax back as well.
Okay.
We will now begin the subject matter hearing regarding the
city's Emergency Operations in response to our new
arrivals.
Good morning, esteemed members of the city council, and
those members of the public who are with us today. I am
honored to have been selected by our counselor, be the
chair of this committee and it is an honor. I do not take
lightly, especially in the moment we find ourselves
I've
I believe it is Central to the mission of this committee
that we remain independent of the executive branch of the
city. Even as we remain an extension of the city council
and the public that Independence allows us to be fair and
bring in transparency and accountability as it relates to
decisions that are being made by mayor, Brandon Johnson,
the Johnson Administration, and the city departments under
their leadership in the time. Since I've been share, this
committee has increased. The frequency of our meetings, I
have been on the ground at Community meetings across the
city.
Yeah.
They're going.
They're going to talk. It doesn't mean we are going to
listen. So in the time, since I've been chair, this
committee has increased. The frequency of our meetings.
I've been on the ground at Community meetings across town.
We have asked a tough but necessary questions and we have
even established a data dashboard. Welcome to Chicago. Org.
So that the information we received from the administration
is shared with the public, I believe it is to that level of
communication
Kenwood. Chicago is across the city that we will find the
solutions to our present challenges together. Even and
especially when it appears that all of the options, we have
our difficult ones.
I see.
I say that because I sit here before this body in before
the public, I find myself conflicted today.
Eva.
Even as I recognize that we have a new Administration that
is operating to the best of its ability under crisis.
and I,
And that there are no easy decisions. I am saddened by the
possibility that we are on the precipice of this
Administration. Moving forward, with building military
grade tent base camps in our great City.
This.
this is,
The Chicago Inn in me that was born and raised here by an
immigrant family finds. It hard to stomach, such a
heartbreaking and horrifying possibility. I have been and
will remain on record as being in disagreement with that
decision.
The elected representative in me on the other hand
recognizes that in order for us to be successful, we have
the municipal government, have to come together to move our
city forward. It is what are constituents and this moment
demands of us. In that regard, I don't have the luxury to
walk away because I disagree, we were selected. We were
elected to lead and we cannot do so by withdrawing to our
separate Corners. We have to work together. To tackle, this
challenge head-on.
Is.
Is also. Why is she
Is also, why is chair? I've organized a weekly working
group so that we can work from the legislative side to
develop the Alternatives that crate capacity opportunities
and different options for this Administration which we
recognize is hindered by a lack of necessary support from
our state and federal government, if the concern of this
Administration is procurement and we should work on it. If
it is, increasing shelter, and housing capacity, we should
work on it. If it's about accountability, with whatever we
contract with, we should focus on it. It's a if it's about
creating shelter for all who need it, whether they are
existing on. How's your new arrival? That is something this
counsel in these members together, we should work on it.
Take on, we need to. And so I invite all of our members in
the council as we organized and work on legislation to join
us to do so. So we can be the legislative leadership that
this city also needs In This Moment.
I've
I want.
I want to.
I want to thank those of you that have spoken truth to
power for your courage, whether you agree or disagree, I
know that there may very well be tensions that are
expressed in our meeting today. And I asked if we create
the space here for everyone to voice their perspectives,
respectfully, I ask that you please be mindful of each
other's time and the opportunity. We have to learn more as
our Witnesses testify today. It is fair and healthy for us
to disagree, but it is equally fair that we allow those, we
find disagreement with the opportunity to share their
perspective and make their case. We all to mately are one
city.
and,
in order, for us to rise,
In order for us to rise, we must do so together.
We?
We will now have testimony regarding the subject matter
please reserve, your questions and comments until after the
conclusion of the presentations joining us and the day is
today will be Christina. Pantheon's is Deputy Chief of
Staff, mayor's office City of Chicago bath responsibility.
Own deputy mayor for immigrant migrant and Refugee Rights
within the mayor's office City of Chicago. Steven Chong,
deputy chief Chicago, Police Department Guadalupe, Mutual
Aid, volunteer.
Set.
Sarah is Gilgo mph. MD, candidate, mygrant, mobile,
Healthcare Healthcare, and joining us in the box. We have a
community-based artist Lee volunteer for 10th District
police station.
Got.
Graciela Guzman.
Can.
Kelly Bauman mph candidate mygrant mobile Healthcare.
Get.
Gary and Gatewood deputy mayor of community. Safety,
mayor's office City of Chicago Ray Wednesday. As far as
deputy mayor of immigrant migrant and Refugee Rights
mayor's office City of Chicago, Glenn Lyman. Deputy
director office of emergency management and Communications
City of Chicago. Kayla lariviere, unified command manager
of Emergency Management Services office of emergency
management. Communications City should
I go.
I go and Robert Bennett Commander, Chicago Police
Department, we will begin with Deputy Mayor about the
responsibility on.
and,
And you.
And get you are, and thank you all for joining us this
morning. I know that there are there. Many, many questions
we wanted to keep our presentation breathe so that we can
we can get to those questions that I will be sharing an
overview of where we are with this Mission and the Via
ministrations Direction. At this point. The first flight
Shows three distinct periods, and this the slide was
developed for us by OMC.
In.
In the, when the first bus arrive to Chicago from Texas,
sentir by Governor Abbott on August 31st of last year to
about June events are January, 7th 2023. That's 130 days
and that. We saw 108 buses arrive in Chicago.
We are.
We opened 14 shelters that help receive those folks. And at
that point there were about fifteen hundred people in our
city shelters that were stood up by the city. There was no
one in the police station because we had enough shelter
beds available.
Acai.
Is that?
The second period is from January 7th to May 8th of 2023 121
days. And that time because of title 42, No Buses came.
We only had eight shelters open and there are about 2,900
people in our shelter system.
Add.
After title 42 changed which coincided with just a little
bit. After the DNC was announced to be come to Chicago and
when this Administration took office from May 9th to
September 29th, to today, 141 days, we have seen just in
this. 186 bus has arrived from the southern border from
several towns in Texas sent here by Governor Abbott. We
have also stood up 21 shelters in this. These are
brick-and-mortar shelters, they are the spaces that you see
across the city. They are our Parks or buildings there,
places that we've leased and there. They are temporary
shelters in shelters that we are standing up and supporting
we currently have over 9300 people in these shelters.
90s.
93. Honda
9300 people, these are individuals that are coming to the
u.s. crossing through the southern border, seeking Asylum,
or coming here for other opportunities, and they're making
their way to Chicago. I want to point out that in the last
10 days. The city has really experienced a tremendous
effort and been able to help transition over 1,500 people
from our police districts into shelter beds, that's it,
that's an incredible feat. We know that police districts
are not a place for people to be there, not a place where
we can provide Humane and safe shelter. It's disruptive for
our Police District station.
At this.
At this moment, our goal is to be able to transition
everyone out of this Police District stations, reclaiming
them for our community, and helping to House people in a
safe and secure manner. Want to share a few more of these
numbers. Because I think it's very telling the situation
that we're in now.
From last year to today. We have now welcomed 294 bus has
36 just in the last week. You think about that? 36 buses
have arrived in Chicago. Justin one week, each boss you
usually has about 40 to 50 people. We've also seen people
arriving at O'Hare and at Midway and especially at O'Hare,
we have not welcomed over 15,000 people.
to the
To the Chicago area, again coming on buses flights and
sometimes independently. We've opened 30 filters that are
21 of those are currently in operation when we look back at
when this Administration took over, this has been at a pace
of one shelter, just about every week, one shelter, every 8
days.
And again, we have 9300 people in our shelter today, with
2,300 people waiting for a bed 2,300, people that are
either at the police stations or at the airport and to give
you a sense of the scale of this operation. We serve 35613
meals every day. Sometimes it's more
I want to show on the map. You can see the distribution of
the shelters.
Our mayor in our city has been in very intentional about
trying to share the responsibility of this operation and
really engaging with all our communities. And we are, we
are deeply appreciative to those of you who have worked
with us with Community meetings, in conversation and have
opened your doors to this mission.
We?
We couldn't have done this without the partnership. In the
support of many, many people. Some of you who are here
today, I really want to take a moment to appreciate the
hundreds of volunteers and mutual Aid groups that sprung
into action on their own when they saw people outside of
police station.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Thank you, sir. I'll need you to respect. We had public
comment. We are now trying to go on with the rest of the
hearing. I just want to share this map again. I wasn't
aware that it wasn't on the screen. But I I want us to see
that the distribution of the shelters is really across the
city.
and we,
And we're intentional about trying to find spaces that so
that it isn't concentrating, folks in one area over
another. If we don't have a police district stations here,
but 21 of our Police District stations are also activated
right now and you see those as well distributed across the
city.
Just taking us back to this. This effort could not have
happened without so many people.
where,
Well.
Who have contributed to this work, including the mutual Aid
groups that are here today but also are our County State
Partners, our federal Partners. So I have to be and
especially the major organizations that have been able to
really quickly, jump into to support this work. I want to
point out that Cook County, Health has provided thousands
of appointments to scream, folks, make sure people are
vaccinated, get them to care that they need. They are at
capacity and other Health Partners have stepped in to do
triage work to support folks. In this, making sure that
they are healthy and able to stay here in Chicago.
At.
At the state level. We have seen Partnerships in terms of
funding with providers that are helping us to do our
resettlement work. Giving people assistance in finding more
permanent housing, apartments, rental, assistance, and
support moving in is really at the core of how we will be
able to move folks through our shelter system and then
helping them understand what it means to live in the u.s.
what it means to live in Chicago. Connecting them to
resources. That will support them. The Illinois Coalition
for immigrant and Refugee Rights, and many nonprofits that
are called Illinois. Welcoming centers also funded by the
state
Open a credit.
I've been a critical partner in the
I've been a critical partner in this. The greater Chicago
Food depository has engaged with other providers, including
tricare's and smaller restaurants and vendors to provide
meals in a way that's affordable and accessible until we're
grateful for all of that. We knew that we know that we need
and can do more and that we need and can do better. I want
to jump to our strategy. Some of you may have seen this
already, and I just want to share, because I think it's
important to Brown's this discussion today and where the
administration is headed, our goal continues to be that we
are welcoming City in a welcoming State, and we will do our
best to welcome people. Humanely to help me very basic,
needs of food, and shelter, and immediate Medical Care, and
to put them in touch with resources. That really put them
on a path to become self-sufficient. And we settle here in
this area, Chicago has become a destination. So a
The board.
border people are arriving and they're being pushed into
the country. Chicago is now a destination. So are we are
looking at this, not only as a humanitarian crisis but
really as a long-term reality for immigrants coming to
Chicago, how is our city responding? What will people say
in 10 or 20 or 50 years about how Chicago handle this
situation? We think that we can, we can do both, we can
welcome new neighbors, we can invest in Ark
Unity, we can work to have a stronger safer and more United
City. So number one, in these priorities, as that we want
to retire, replace the police district stations and one
solution to that is setting up base camps in one or two
locations.
Bass.
Basecamp raised a lot of concerns. I know we will have a
lot of questions about them. I won't go into too much
detail but they are not the only solution. We are still
doubling down. On opening up brick-and-mortar spaces. We're
going to look back at our city-owned property because that
is most cost-effective. We're going to continue to look at
places that we can least. We can enter into agreements with
and potentially that we can purchase because at the end of
all this, we will be able to have spaces that have been
invested in and use for shelter become community spaces. We
will also be able to use some of this shelter capacity to
serve our broader community of unhoused Chicago in. And I
think it's it really important to name that that the work
we are doing right now in creating this parallel system. Is
it is putting us on a path to build our infrastructure and
to create one bigger, stronger more effective shelter
system crisis response.
some are
Some, an affordable housing for all Chicago ones that need
that need those Services, we're operating in a crisis mode.
We're operating and with urgency. But the long game is to
really build that infrastructure and bring those
communities together. Number two is, we know that we need
to look at Community safety, both at individual shelters
and across our shelter system. And our Deputy Mayor Karen
Gatewood and his team are working on that with us.
We?
we are taking a deep dive into what community, safety means
for the residence in the shelter and around the shelter,
and how we can be more supportive and responsive to the
needs of those residents, those Community residents and the
businesses that are being impacted
Number 3, we need to bring our costs down. This is an
expensive Mission. It is a mission that we didn't ask for
and it is something that normally cities, don't take on
immigration resettlement of immigrants. And refugees is a
federal responsibility. Just has come to our doorstep for
other reasons. And we are working to align supports and
resources from an inter-governmental Coalition, but in the
meantime, Chicago is taking the lead and looking at ways
that we can apply some cost-saving strategy. Number one is,
we want to replace our contracts are staffing agency
contracts with our local community based organization.
An RFP out right now. With the FSS we've asked
community-based groups to apply to take over one of these
15. I think of a time, it was 18 shelters. One of the 18th
shelters in operation. So that is an opportunity for our
nonprofit Community to step in to run one of the shelters.
That means resources for them funding for our building, our
strong CBO infrastructure, and also, jobs for Chicago
resident. I do want to say that the Staffing Partners
favorite has done a much better job and hiring locally and
is always looking now, to hire locally. We are trying to
support them in those efforts, we have an RFP coming out
for replacing our food service vendor. So, right now we use
open kitchens, which was a contract that the city already
had, and we had to move quickly, to establish the food
service. We also have our partnership with the greater
Chicago Food depository. That is
ended my
Ended by the state but this RFP will be open to any food
service providers and it is requiring that they work with
smaller entities restaurant Community Kitchens other
organizations by POC businesses. So that again we are
generating business and income for Chicago entities and
providing opportunities for Workforce in those communities.
And we are.
And we are looking to.
And we are looking to release a second or if p in the next
couple of months that will be to open brand new shelters
and that is where we are encouraging our community of
community providers shelter operators and other nonprofits
to begin to, think about that opportunity, and what it
would look like for them to apply.
I'm
Number.
Number for, is that we know, we need to accelerate the pace
at which people are moving through our shelter system and
into their own apartment, the state just recently, gave us
an additional additional funding so that we can through
their contract. They will be bringing bringing in another
nonprofit organization to do housing, case management to
work with individuals and families to help them find
apartment, and move into them. That part of the word is
needs to be accelerated so that our shelter beds become
available more readily. And we are looking there to partner
with neighboring. Municipalities other suburbs in the area
of potentially towns, a little further in Illinois so that
families can move into those communities. And then finally,
we know that we cannot control the number of people who are
arriving to Chicago, but we can work with those
organizations at the border to better manage the those
individuals.
the number of,
the number of folks that I
The number of folks that are coming to have a better
understanding of who's arriving, and when they're arriving
so that we are prepared to do the work of helping to
welcome them, I want to put something into perspective.
Because I think, you know, it's it's a reminder, we don't
always get. Notice of when people are coming yesterday
afternoon, we thought there were four buses on their way by
8 or 9:00 at night. It turned out to be eight buses. We
don't know how many people are on each bus. We don't know
if they're individuals at their families. If there are
babies on board people with disabilities, medical needs,
and our team has to be ready. So every day, when you hear
us, talk about the challenges of this of this Mission,
they're very real. And I ate, you know, I hope that for
those of you who are concerned about us, shooting people
humanely and with dignity that you know, that we are
committed to doing that in as many ways as we can, we just
don't always have all the facts and all the information.
I want.
I want to share a bit about the base camp and then we, I
know there will be questions so I will keep this, keep this
brief, you can see in that photo.
The bass.
The base camp is really more than just a tent structure.
These are prefabricated. They're, they're solid insulator
prefabricated while and then they have the tent Roofing. It
is guaranteed that they can be maintained at 70 to 72°.
Depending, you know, if the weather were to drop
significantly, there are additional generators as backup,
to make sure that they staged vac systems are able to
operate. There is commitment to make sure that the walkways
are clear of ice or snow. There are, you know, canopy is
that are set up to connect these Basecamp facilities with
other. The other structures outside that includes showers,
dining meeting areas in another other spaces. Their ease,
this setup is approved by the American Red Cross for use in
disaster settings and has been used really around the
world.
The provider the vendor that we are engaging with provides
a wraparound complete solution. They can come in stamp it,
set it up. We also have options to bring in our own
partners for different services and we are in communication
with them. Now we know that we want to rely on them for the
physical structure for laundry services. Making sure the
showers are available, just the basic operation but we will
be plugging
and,
Are.
In our local seabios, other partners that are providing
supports wraparound Services case management. We will have
opportunities to connect with medical providers as well
and, and potentially others. And that is something that
we've begun to work on. We will be working with them to
make sure that they hire local staff. Initially, they will
bring a team to get it started, but they're already
opportunities for them to join job fairs, that the city
colleges are hosting and others, and they will be engaged
in doing that so that we hire locally as quickly as
possible. And then this is really important because I have
heard that, you know, people are concerned that this is a
militarized camp that it will be run in, you know, maybe
with armed guards or in a way that is, is about any of
that, kind of reflects, that type of mail to rise
environment, that is not how this will be operated. They
will be using our gfss policies that we are operating
Other.
others.
other cell.
Other shelters that we have set up, there will not be armed
guards. That will be security and it will be really a place
that people are free to come and go. And we have curfew at
our existing shelters, we will have curfew here. But people
will be able to to walk wherever they want. They can leave
the, the site they can go between building, they will be
free free to move and that will not be a militarized set
up. And then finally, I'll show you a few more pics.
Is that just kind of give?
Is that just kind of give you a sign?
Is that just kind of give you a sense of the interior and
around and with that I'll pass it to I believe we're going
to talk about the community safety and I W mayor Jerry and
get well with your weird telling us. Thank you. Good
morning everyone will be briefed on this but really want to
take a moment to talk to some of our community shaky
planning in the committee's. You want to lift up, want to
do this in partnership with your offices that have shelters
in your Wards to want to do this and partnership by one.
Identify who the point person is from your office who the
only person will be from the Department of Family Support
Services. O u m c, c p, d and other entities around the
city streets and saying we know each of the shelter's has
different issues that come up in particular communities.
You know what, example would be one of the shelters in
Alton Robinson or did he see an impact on small businesses?
So how do we make sure when we engage those small
businesses?
just,
Just give.
Those communities around there to ensure the safety.
Secondarily, another example would be on the next last. I'm
going to work. We're going to do with all them at Burnet,
in his war with. He sent a different Dynamic and I talked
about the dynamic, the alderman Robinson's. He's with his
businesses, ottoman bonnetta, seeing a different Dynamic
with Street organization. So how do we work with Community
violence intervention? And in partnership with his office
to make sure we are trying to provide that shaped you
around you and finally what we trying to do internally
Michelle.
The shelter in.
The shelter in Partnership is.
The shelter in Partnership is trying to build stronger
Community connections with community members, shelter
residents shelter employees to really create that mechanism
of collaboration and communication internally. So we can
get a better understanding of what the needs are. Ideally,
we want to set these up in every war that has a shelter.
And we going to do that in partnership with itchy offices.
And with that, I'll pass it back over to you B.
Okay.
Thank.
Thank you very much for the presentation. Next up to
testify, we will have a deputy chief Steven Chong of
Chicago Police
Will be Dodge. Deputy chief Steven showing on the Chicago
Police Department.
Good morning. Thank you for all the members of this
committee for the opportunity to share more about, what the
Chicago Police Department's response to this unprecedented
humanitarian effort.
I'm
I must start by expressing my enormous Pride for the
Chicago Police Department men and women. They've been
cancelled extremely difficult task and really jumped into
this challenge to consistently. Demonstrate that would
patience and respect what they can do. For our new arrivals
like to express my deep admiration, for the for the Asylum.
Seekers, and the journey to Chicago for a better life
Chicago, the city of immigrants and dreamers. And so many
of our families whether they came from China,
Listen.
Mississippi, or
Mississippi or Mexico from Warsaw, or Dublin, made similar
requests that brought us here today.
When I?
When The Silo Secrets began initially arriving in Chicago,
Police Department stations are officers.
Answer.
And support staff, welcome to mall, men, women children.
Since then we've had over three hundred buses carrying more
than 15,000 individuals for City. Many of them receive
shelters within our district, stations are department.
Number saw firsthand the effects of the new arrivals, what
they were experiencing in our new city have gone out of
their way to make sure that these individuals and families
were taken care of, and of the environment that they were
staying in with say,
I'll
Officers. That use their own money to buy soccer balls.
Baseball.
Baseball gloves, happy meals for the children. Diapers baby
wipes medication of the purchase blankets and groceries,
donated clothing, personal hygiene products.
Brawl.
Broad.
For all those ever have been living with an artistic
lobbies. They treated, our silence Seekers, as humans
should be treated with dignity and respect.
When we?
When we say our job is to make sure that everybody safe. We
need it.
Rudolph.
We would also like to thank the Aberdeen Chicago Inns.
let's,
What stopped up with donations and comfort to our
asylum-seekers. These community members saw a need and they
really didn't hesitate to jump in and provide that support.
And it's also important to acknowledge our community-based
organizations are our fellow City agencies government
partners.
where,
Working alongside us to provide the Necessities out to
their Asylum Seekers and help them transition to our new
space.
What?
What's?
What started as a couple dozen asylum-seekers in our police
facilities has quickly turned into a hundred and a
thousand. As of yesterday, there was 2317. Asylum-seekers
awaiting placement within our Chicago Police facilities, as
well as our airports are City. Officers answered. The call
to Serve and Protect each and every day. But the situation
has left many of our officers feeling helpless, just
because of the enormity of the situation.
Where is?
We're seeing asylum-seekers continually arrive or officers
are doing their jobs watching this unfold before them
everyday.
Are all Searcy men and women children sleeping on their
lobbies floors, and it affects them emotionally.
Are all.
Our officers have small children and babies of their own
and having to see this before going on. Duty really in beds
and effect on them. We cannot forget that our officers are
working in highly charged.
In.
It's
Incident already usually responding to these various calls
for service. In addition to this influx of asylum-seekers
within our District's what we're seeing potential health
hazards. Not not only amongst our outside of speakers but
then also for our First Responders,
Where's?
We're seeing all individuals that are coming in for Police
Service, where there were police police reports or traffic
accidents reports or actually specific services.
Hey.
Happy.
Having a Traverse through my grandson are sleeping on the
floor and under blankets, and nose. Have been children and
babies under these blankets. Having a navigate piles of
personal. Belongings are in the front of the station as
well as within the station.
Are stations on Workman for residential living there. They
weren't designed for that R&R. Plumbing within a restrooms
are not designed for that. And in what we're seeing is
we're having issues. Where we have to call out city
services on a regular basis to help us clear out the pipe
store. Or do they seem necessary cleaning to ensure the
health and wellness of our new arrivals as well as our
First Responders?
Some.
Some of these on asylum-seekers have used our electrical
outlets which is fine, but then a lot of them are utilizing
some of our outdoor outlets in, in, in the Warriors that,
if it's overloaded, it creates a condition where it's
literally a public health, emergency, where it's extremely
difficult as you can imagine, with upwards of over a
hundred new arrivals, within our district Lobby space to
see if they Evacuate the Chicago Police Department,
continues to assistant Safeguard everyone within the city,
including our Asylum Seekers are work. It's are working
with our mission of what we ask for, from all our partners
and stakeholders, and across government is to work together
to realize long-term solutions for this problem.
and,
And this crisis that thank you.
Thank.
Thank you. Thank you very much WTF. Sean want to go to
Deputy Chief of Staff Casino Pantheon's is for the rest of
the presentation.
Good.
Good morning everyone. What you're seeing on the slide here
is a snapshot of Investments and expenses. I'll walk you
through it. It's a little bit clearer. What you can see
shaded and blue and actually it doesn't reflect the total
number at this point. But what you can see shaded in blue
is the increase of those who are in shelter that's
technically called the shelter Sanchez, what you see,
shaded and beige or are the new arrivals per month. You can
see a significant increase from April through August. What
you also see is a blue line, that represents the
expenditures that portion of blue is the actuals. What we
have actually spent, what we have actually paid through
invoices, the red lines, show, the estimated expenditures,
and the
Different kinds, right? There's the the the
Different kinds, right? There's the, the, the solid red
line that is not including the base camps, and then, the
dotted Red Line includes the base camps. So, moving down to
the bottom part of that slide. What you're going to see is
the actual numbers. The dollar amounts, right? So, from
August, 22 to December 22, August 22 birthday to the end of
the calendar year which is technically also the city's
fiscal year 17.5. Million dollars was expanded from January
through July of this year. A hundred and fifteen point,
three million dollars was expanded. So from August to
December, the estimate ranges from 186.72 to 30.1 million
dollars, which gives you a grand total of this whole
operation since August of 319.5 million to 362.9 million.
As you can see.
As you can see in that in the, the graph there is a funding
gap between 157 and 201 million based on the revenue that
we have and comparing that against the estimated
expenditures, right? Side of the slide, you'll see the
year-to-date total costs by agency. The first one is City
of Chicago 116 million dollars. The parks is $270,000
because we are using the space, but, however, when you
incorporate the loss of Revenue, year-to-date, that
increase the cost to $300,000, looking at the Chicago
Public Schools, there's been an investment of 1.4 million
dollars.
And Cook County house, has expanded 15.8 million dollars.
They're providing our comprehensive medical services and
coordination and transport to their their clinics. Once
people get into shelter, very important to note and we'll
be hearing from some of the volunteers at our site is we do
not provide the city or nor the county is not able to
provide Healthcare at the police station is due to the
transient kind of nature of what happens at police stations
at best is what by
Centier.
And tears have been able to coordinate and put together
with respect to mobile units, providing triage. But just to
give you a sense and build upon what d.c. Chang, had just
laid out the health conditions of folks that are arriving
and the fact that we have so many individuals and police
stations in O'Hare, has increased the the issues that need
to get addressed. At some point it becomes an ambulance run
and just to give you a sense of the volume in terms of the
ambulances that we have to call on a regular basis for the
month of August, it was 365 for the entire month. Last week
that same amount in just one week that presents potential
issues with Public Safety public health, because our
ambulances are EMTs. Are not able to attend to the rest of
the sea.
because,
Because we're using ambulance as medical transport, and
we're using E R's for regular chronic care right corner
bottom shows you the funding sources. I'm going to talk a
little bit more about that Federal contribution cuz there's
a little bit to unpack there, but what you can see
underneath that FEMA contribution is a Department of
Housing emergency rental assistance program. The city
allocated for
Alien.
Billion dollars 3.6 going to the Illinois. Housing
Development Authority to process six months of rental
assistance in three-month increments and the 600,000 going
to Catholic Charities to be able to do the case management
for housing. Following the folks along the journey doing a
housing assessment. Helping them understand what a lease is
looking for an apartment doing a walk-through signing the
lease and then helping to move into the apartment City
funds, allocated 56 million dollars, year-to-date and then
State funds, 50 million dollars. So
I was.
I want to just take us to this next guy before we get into
the federal Investments so far, you're the date cost from
January through August VR, you're aggregate numbers by
category of Staffing, non congregate rentals food, rental
assistance, facility operations, legal services, and out.
Migration as well, as transportation for a grand, total of
139 million dollars. 850 7321. You'll notice that the staff
is exorbitant. This is precisely why we have been engaged
in two different strategies to reduce our costs. The first
has to do with negotiate
With favorite.
With favorite, I've mentioned before that, the reason why
those costs are so expensive is because this was a
reference contract that we inherited with favorite
Staffing. The state had started it. During the pandemic, it
was it began with the city and September of 22. And we were
able to recently renegotiate those price points because the
price points that we pay have built into them a premium
because they are hiring non locally paying for
transportation, paying for hotel in paying for meals as
well as the cost of Recruitment. And so, as a result, we
have been able to take the following steps. We negotiated a
20% reduction and on, August 7th, bfss met with favorite
and challenge them to move to a more local model of
Staffing with the expectations that the savings this
If?
Driftwood.
Jeff would be passed along to the city and our
Administration we've been able to from August 7th, through
September 15th, increase the local hires from 77 to 265.
Favorite is now going to provide a local Bill rate
resulting in a greater than 20% savings for local
positions. Favorite is proposed to replace 348 non-local
positions with local, which will save the city.
1 /.
One point.
1.1 million dollars a week when fully implemented and
additional steps to control over. Time will save the city
$400,000 a week, so that has not been factored into the
estimates because it is not fully implemented, but that is
one of our cost-saving message and also making sure that
the the Staffing is Chicago and we will be partnering with
alderwoman Taylor and her hiring fairs to make sure that
favorite is present to participate. So that Chicagoans have
an opportunity to be hired by favorite Staffing. The other
piece in terms of our cost-saving measures has to do with
the request. For proposals that Deputy Mayor Ponce de Leon
has put out that we have put out as an Administration
Department of Family Services. Those proposals the first
one, the Sheltering services will be due on October 4th.
Had some.
Had such interest that we had to extend the deadline
because there were so many questions that needed to be
answered. And we wanted to afford people an opportunity to
do to understand what they were signing up for the meal
services. FR RFP will be released within the next week and
that will also afford some additional cost of the moving
along. I want to just point out in terms of what you see
now, he's
Now these are the federal Investments. As was mentioned,
this is purely Federal jurisdiction. When you look at what
the state has contributed over 250 million dollars. What we
have contributed as a city 56 million dollars and then you
see the federal government has contributed 41 million
dollars. If you were to extract, what the state passed
through to us, that 19 million dollars, it would be an
aggregate 21 million dollars from August to today.
Yet. This is precisely the responsibilities that statute
requires them to take.
so, we
so, with that said,
I,
I want to walk you out through the funding specific
request. We are making of the federal government, we need
additional flexible funding streams to address. These
immediate needs with the increased buses. This is a very
different point in this process. Then when I stood before
this committee back in June, we also need this to be able
to sustain our resettlement efforts that are funded by the
state right now. The
The phone.
The Federal.
The federal government requires us to utilize These funds
for only covering the cost of somebody staying and shelter
for 45 days. We're not able to use it for Staffing, we're
not able to use. It's very restricted and that's why we
need this flexible funding. We need to also expand funding
for infrastructure. That benefits all Chicagoans when
Deputy Ponce de Leon went to DC. She spoke with the
Illinois, delegation about the need for additional HUD
Choice. Voucher vouchers for Chicago, in pool for so long
have been waiting on waitlist. And I know all the woman
Taylor understands what that's about the Chicago Department
of Public House because we have significant fiscal cliffs,
in that area. And we're going to need to fill in that Gap.
The Illinois State Board of Education in Chicago, public
schools for additional teacher positions and the students
in temporary living such
patient.
patience.
Patience. As we know there are tens of thousands of CPS
students before new arrivals that were in in stable
housing, condition, as well as Transportation, that's
Transportation infrastructure. Cuz guess what we've got.
Another fiscal cliff coming with the Chicago Transit
Authority. So, these are the ways that we are thinking
about not just asking for funds for new arrivals, but
making sure we are comprehensively expressing and very
deliberate and intentional ways.
Under no certain circle.
Under no certain circumstances that we are not putting out
the full ask policy specific. You all may have heard that
we had a recent announcement last week, around the
expansion of temporary protected status as well as the
ability for work, authorization added to Venezuelan about
75% of our shelter. Population is Venezuelan. This is going
to be a game-changer with respect to sustainability and
being on this path for resettlement. When you are able to
work, you are able to then lessen your dependency on public
dollars. And at this point, we need people to have the
legal ability to work, so that we do not have wage theft,
labor, exploitation, and trafficking, which often happens.
We also need an improvement on the backlog of Asylum
applications as well as this Workforce, authorization,
request. And it totally, we understand that sometimes it
takes a year
We don't.
We don't have that time we needed to happen yesterday and
we also need to waive fees for work. Authorization request
right now. If you were to apply for work, authorization
request, under temporary protected. Status is upwards of
$500. So we need a mass waiver from the federal government
there.
I'm going to yield my time and pass it back to the chair.
Thank you very much.
Or.
Order. Please do want to make sure we make this time so
people can answer questions and whether you support or not
that you have any information you could utilize for
whatever reason you want. Thank you.
Yes.
Yes, I do. Miss the chair. The 41 million 894 in grant
funding, where is that? Reflected on the Investments and
expenses page? It looks like it's not there.
Remind just missing you. So,
So, the 41 million dollars, the state has to pass it
through that, the 19 million. And that is literally
happening this week. I think there was a communication
around that the other, the other pieces should have been
applied in the revenue segment.
Where which is a little small print that. We can't see on
the paper here, the green line,
Okay Mr. Chair, can we get this chart? I I can't read these
numbers cuz they're really, really tiny and they're faint.
So I just want to be able to follow the money, will make
sure to send the digital copies as well. So it could be
expanded to look will email that over as we prepare for the
next presenters, I want you to note for the record, we have
Alderman Conway to here with us on a Committee Member, we
have Autumn and Carlos Ramirez, roast a Committee Member
for Quorum and alderperson, Gutierrez requested a virtual
option Committee hearing attendance, dude. Extenuating
circumstances in accordance with rule 59 of the city
council Rules of Order and procedure and was subsections. A
through d. A section 7 of the open meetings. Act, can I get
a motion to allow older person with the address to attend
this hearing virtually
So, moo by Sharon McDowell hearing no objections. So order.
Next we will have Guadalupe pool, Mutual a volunteer and
Sarah is scared from the migrant, mobile Healthcare to
present.
Okay, we have a point of information for modern Conway, and
I agree agree with the chairwoman that it's difficult to
read. What is the y axis, represent on that, on that chart,
that goes up to 8,000.
That represents the shelter census.
The num.
The number of individuals that are staying in shelter.
okay, so the fill the funding Gap is meant to only
Do.
Do you?
deal with the folks in shelters.
no, no sew the dotted line that the estimated expenses
includes the base camps and the maintenance of our current
shelter brick, and mortar
Thank you. Thank you very much. We will have Guadalupe and
Sarah next weekend. Give me a little room here.
My.
My name is Sarah is Gerald. And I am a second-year medical
student here in Chicagoland area. And I are also the
executive director of the mobile migrant health Team, the
mobile home, I got help team is a organization that was
founded in May of this year and from a small group of
classmates and attending physicians and myself we have
since grown to a network of over 250. Volunteers, we have
completed over 5,000 Health assessments today and we
specialize in this basic Medical Care, Health assessment
and triaging at police districts. All throughout the city.
We have crowdfunded over $30,000 and have been spent about
$20,000 in the first three to four months of are
functioning. If $20,000 does seem like a lot of money to
put this money in the perspective, this is about the same
amount of money that was spent on one week's salary of a
single shelter nurse in December of last year.
How do our health assessments work? You might have heard the
saying that medical students can drink from a firehose and
that means that we are able to take on a lot and do a lot.
And we do every single dollar of the money that we raise
goes directly back into our patient population in the form
of over-the-counter medications prescription medications,
medical equipment, doctor's office co-pays, and similar
costs, and just like every dollar goes back into our
patient population. So does our volunteer time, we are
completely volunteer. In donation-based, we collaborate
with the oemc on a weekly basis and we have regularly
assigned police districts where we visit twice or once a
week.
Ever.
Everything that happens on our team is coordinated by us.
This goes down to even the packaging of individual
medications and the labeling with bilingual labels to give
you a schematic on how our system works for about every 400
patients that are screened by. Our team 100 will ask to
meet with a physician of these hundred patients to 25.
People will be escalated in ambulance or for immediate
shelter. Ambulance reasons include, but are not limited to
active asthma attacks chest, pains hypertensive crisis
reasons to be sheltered. Immediately include and for what
we Advocate women who are pregnant and sleeping on police
station, floors and medical situations that are dangerous
and too complex.
To remain on that blue.
To remain on that police station floor.
To.
225 ambulances are called for this amount of patients that
are seen. Whereas, in a seven-day period this month or
hundred and seven, ambulances have been call to police
stations and I can speculate a little bit about why this is
happening. One of the reasons could be because the amount
of people that are packed into the police stations, is no
longer being conducive to health, people are sleeping on
top of each other and people who just don't have any room
left or having to sleep outside on tarps on cardboard and
intense. Not only that the current protocol in place and
police stations is if there is a health concern to call an
ambulance because there are not enough teams like my own
team to visit all of the district's. So if you have
diarrhea because you just ate some new food and you weren't
used to it and you need a modem, you will go on an
ambulance to the hospital.
We?
We started seeing 50 people in a police station and now we
are seeing regularly 150 to 200 people. We were able to
scale up, but to also give you some ideas on who we are
seeing so they are just not numbers on a graph. We are
seeing children who have been cut up by the barbed wire and
rivers sloppily stitched up in Texas, put on a bus by Texas
and then dropped off and deposited into Chicago police
stations with their Cuts. Infected, we are also seeing
Women.
Women who have miscarried in the Texas detention centers and
are put on the bus still bleeding and arrive in to the
police station still bleeding. And unless my team was
luckily enough to be there and see them. Then, there are
unseen until they are placed in shelter or an ambulance is
called.
We are seeing everyone in police stations, who is on
housed, and this includes people like the little girl who
died last month. The three year old, little girl, who died
on a bus?
What?
Order she died just last month.
and I'm
And I keep thinking about what it what if she had gotten
here? What if my team had seen her, what if we were able to
do something? But I will never forget her and why is that?
Because the oemc sent our team out to screen everyone else
that was on that bus and we had to listen to Just how she
died
The challenges we need collaboration from the city from
that $20,000, that we've spent so far, not a single dollar
has come from. The city has come from other Chicagoans and
good people who also believe in helping the unhoused. There
is a lack of funding but we are all so tired. I can't sleep
at night because my patient spaces are still in my head
because I'm in a bad and my house and there.
PlayStation 4.
Police station floor.
If?
If I ask late someone to the city of Chicago, there is no
guarantee that that person will have care, unless my team
connects them to care of that. Same day, we also take the
responsibility of conducting our patients to follow up on.
We partner with local federally qualified Health Care
Centers. However, there is a limit on the number of new
appointments that we are able to get, and we need help with
this.
Our recommendations and our asks we would like to see
investments in long-term infrastructure for the on house.
In the city of Chicago, we would like to see real
partnership with community-based organizations where we're
not just being used and exploited, but we are also at the
decision-making table.
My organization started in May of this year, we are a baby
compared to some of the organizations that have been in
Chicago for 40 or 50 years doing the work on the ground
with people who are homeless and yet they're not at the
table.
I would.
I would like to see help for people who are in complex.
Medical situations are in are still on the PlayStation
floors. I would like to see beds for people who are
pregnant and on house. I would like to see the special
considerations for housing for people. In the lgbtq
community, we need help with federally qualified, Health
Care, Center's, opening, more appointments. And we need
help installing Public Health Solutions, that will lead to
long-term change. There are ways to reduce the amount of
money that's being spent. And they're also ethical
solutions that are not only creative put the patient first.
And I'm here today to share this with you, because I'm ad
for advocating for this, and hoping that you can hear my
frustration.
because,
Because I am a medical student. I'm in my second year. We
never go out without a doctor but our doctors are tired to.
Our volunteers are tired. It is a lot to put on a small
community-based organization and like it was said earlier,
we're the only ones Us and other providers who put their
volunteer time and money towards those that are doing the
medical care, currently in the police stations throughout
the city.
Thank you.
Nicki.
Thank you very much.
Order.
It's equal time for both whether they are clapping or
booing is equal time for both clapping. You're booing. We
want to make sure we get answers. I do not want to ask
anyone to leave but you will force us to do. So if you are
not allowing people to speak here,
Neck.
Next up, we have Guadalupe puga, a mutual, a volunteer
present.
Yeah.
Yes, you have plenty of information by Audra McDonald on
page 5 year of your deck. You have to point out the
increasing patient populations and District 1. First of all
it's clear. You're doing God's work and I can't thank you
enough for that and
An.
and they stopped but based on that chart in oven freezing
patient populations I noticed you use District 112 + 20
order
You.
You're not being asked to leave.
What?
112 112 in 20. My ward is Parts at 1 and 12 so I creep
appreciate that, but was there a particular reason, you
picked those three. Is that where your primary doing or or
or is that just an example? So to clarify is this, it's
okay. We regular Lisa.
Where do?
We're going to call for a five-minute recess.
Will be.
Will be back in 5 minutes. We are asking folks. We're going
to be disruptive to leave.
24, because the other woman has invited us to
Mike.
Microphone. Can I have your attention please?
Do I have?
Do I have your attention?
The term.
The chairman is trying to conduct his meeting, in an orderly
fashion. You would appreciate your cooperation. Here are
your options, option, one, you can sit here.
and,
And enjoy the meeting. Grasta information is being
distributed option, 2. If you don't choose option, one we
will ask you to leave.
If we ask you to leave and you resist, I will have you
arrested and you can watch the meeting once you bail out
tonight. Now, what is your choice?
Jeremy.
Germany want to resume your meeting if if the chairman at
if the chairman has to ask you.
Two men.
To maintain order. Again, I will ask you to leave the room,
so, I will go to the options, one more time.
Our.
I will go over the options. One more time. Please sit here
quietly and enjoy the meeting or you'll be asked to leave.
Or if you resist, you will be arrested.
Please maintain your order so the meeting can resume thank
you.
Okay, we are now returning to the hearing back from Recess
to present, we have a Guadalupe, a mutual, a volunteer.
After the presentation, we will open up to members for
questioning.
Well, good morning everyone. My name is Lupe puga Guadalupe.
I am a volunteer from the 25th Ward at The District 12
police station, and I'll be talking about the police
station response team.
Do the police station Response. Team began in March of 2023
as a response to meet the needs of residents of all police
districts across. Chicago were made up of community members
in a decentralized. Nine non-hierarchical Network organized
by location, according to the police district stations. We
have also begun to organize as a support network for City
shelters, like the end of Chicago, the Super 8 and the
Walnut shelter that I am a part of myself. Currently, we
have about 2,500 participants volunteers with a base of
about five hundred regular regular active members that
about 20 members per station.
where,
Where else?
We're also getting some support from organizations like
churches, schools and community-based organizations.
I'm here today to kind of explain the why, why did we create
the police response team?
We?
We have seen some failures from the city of Chicago. For
example, police that our task to Serve and Protect have not
responded to mediate needs of people of people that are
Sheltering in their Precinct offices.
OMC, City of Chicago, vfss icer and all other social
services agencies did not activate a sufficient response
system to help these people or any ordinary citizens like
myself who have no prior experience of mutual Aid. Refused
to allow children, women and men legally seeking, asylum in
the United States to starve or freeze on the floors of
police stations. And so regular people have built this
robust Community as a response system, almost overnight.
Do.
So, what has gone into this response system that we've
built a lot of time and money private citizens like
ourselves have paid out of pocket for things like food
medicine, diapers formula, baby food, lots and lots of
blankets. Pillows, sleeping mats are mattresses tents
clothing shoes, cell, phones and SIM cards and school
supplies toys, and books.
We are.
we are taking a
We are taking away from our families. I'm on PTO today, for
my job to be here, we have to accompany people to
immigration. Appointment, do you have to drive people to
their two medical clinics or emergency rooms? We took time
to register children for school. We are always on the
response to mediate conflict in the police station or here,
to counsel and comfort those who have gone through a lot of
trauma, and take time out of every day to escalate
complaints of malfeasance and misconduct.
By.
By any means, is any of this free here. Are some of the
cost estimates that we have gathered from our efforts,
since there are currently two thousand. People living in
police districts, we have accumulated over two million that
we've spent on breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes,
sometimes you get a 5 minute warning that we're getting a
bus to a district. And we have to figure out how to feed
those people on the bus sometimes police officers, drink.
The water that is actually for the residence of the
PlayStation. So we have to backfill that water out of with
out of pocket cost.
Start.
Classifieds, we've all spent a million in Bedding, clothing,
diapers medicine, shoes, and hygiene supplies for everyone.
And again, this is not free. This is labor-inducing. We
don't get a day off as a lead. I don't get a day off. I
could probably check my phone and have probably 50 messages
things that need to get done after this. There are
estimating in terms of Labor almost three million dollars.
If we're working 16 hours a day across, seven days a week
again, we have no days off.
Is not a partnership is not felt like a partnership.
Despite regular communication with the mayor's office. We
have not received at an adequate on the ground,
Communications regarding movement of people to, and from
police stations. We have not received, the stamps has
materials to support at the station, every single blanket
that's been us. We have not received reimbursement for any
out-of-pocket expenses.
We have no.
We have not received the most efficient and timely support
for Urgent Care or urgent. Medical needs of Sarah was
speaking to or mental support and we have not received a
single meeting with me or something.
Be.
Beef.
Be filled out the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Have bet on the wrong Horse, by choosing expensive. Private
companies, like favorite to run and staff these shelters.
And can.
Increase.
In conclusion, we love our newest Chicago and immigration
will always and forever. Be the Bedrock of our community.
Chicago deserves a vision and Oxbow Community investment to
build an infrastructure that should have been built after
the last major, major crisis, and to prepare us for the
next one. Labor must be compensated or labor is being
exploited and that partnership will not endure.
Asylum-seekers are not a money pit.
Can.
Commute.
Community members and local organizations can do it
cheaper, you can do it better and with more respect for
human dignity than any Corporation.
And a point of information show me go. I just want to know
your invitations here today are from the administration or
from the committee that is from the committee to make sure
that we could hear from the mutual Aid groups as well.
Thanks.
Thank you, mr. Trump
play, I
We're not done yet. The titans this is not a long-term
solution, this is not recommended by experts and urban
Refugee and resettlement. It's not sustainable is
politically unpopular
30.
30 million dollars, really?
The.
Does not help Chicago's existing on house population. It
does not support. Public Safety. As we've heard, it's bad
for public health and it does not support human dignity.
God.
got a,
Why the world has documented experience and created in
creating detention centers and committing human rights?
Abuses and financial mismanagement, a sanctuary City like
Chicago, has no business doing business with that. It is
time to invest in Chicago, Inns and Community Solutions.
Thank you.
Thank.
Thank you very much.
I'm a.
I'm astounded at the beginning. We have folks, a different
perspective to me that all agree, but we want to make sure
that the platform is easier for people to voice. Those that
being said, normally I would begin to question from the
check. I'll Reserve that right until the end. I want to
make sure I members have the opportunity to ask all the
questions they have some please I'll now calling all those
four questions. We received one or two questions. Be our
question form from folks which will provide responded to
along with the through the chair questions asked by you
today, you're answering questions from the days or the box.
Please provide your name.
Title before answer.
Title before answering. All right, the first person who
called for questioning
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, B chair. First, my apologies Meister. Meister
Taylor. Thank you. Mr. Chairman
Is.
It is a lot to unpack about what was being said and how I'm
going to make a couple of comments before I ask my
questions?
Peep.
people are pissed because
We?
we are allowing the situation to get out of hand and we
haven't taken care of our own. So let's talk about when
Englewood Barber, took the people in from the cold and the
city through the tents away. But now we've spent $30 on
10th, let's talk about the homeless. People who wanted to
be in the police station but weren't allowed over put out
at a certain time and so, y'all make it special
accommodations for folks. So y'all can see how the
community is 5th and young lady. I just want to say thank
you cuz favorite need to be kicked out and they shouldn't
have been never hired in the first place it. So, I'm
confused how we still using it and y'all can justify paying
$30 to this contact. Because the state you was the man
Jo.
J.r. Smith Jr. Don't always agree, but he surely came up
with a veteran on black business. That wants to hire people
in our community because as much money as we spend, how
much are we really recycling in our own Community? All
wait, we're not, folks, would be pissed. If we was
recycling, we were higher in our own people. Y'all think I
believe in favor know cuz they was part of the last
stretch. It started up damn shelters in the world and I'm
confused, how everybody ain't taking shelter. That's a big
problem for me. People get to when it was happening. 20,
Andre, I'll give you that Byron and Carlos. That's why I'll
give it to there. Were a few people who said know this is
wrong, but the thought that we still giving it to the same
people and not everybody is the BS. That people are
rightfully so miss Zoey, Miss Jackson. I hear y'all. I
understand why y'all are so imma give you that and don't
take my crying for a week.
I want somebody cuz people were rightfully. So did you talk
to Matt about families houses have been taken when the
taxes was paid? And nothing was wrong? We got a cooking
system in, that's what they call it now. So that's why they
upset and I don't agree with the shop now but I get why
they mad, and they rightfully. So please explain to me why
there is not a safety plan. So you heard them say clearly
when you shut up the shop to talk to me, on what's going to
happen.
Build.
Bill will be pulling on the police officers. Again, I don't
know why. Y'all ain't just built the shelter to get them
out of police station. They should have never been allowed
in the first place who made that decision. It was dumb.
Post.
Call somebody on this team, can you tell me? How are we
recycle in these dogs? And I can see how much are all of
these millions of dollars. Then actually came to
organizations in our community, people who cook food in our
community, people who can do this work people are
desperate. People are selling them and rightfully so I'm
not going to miss treat other people that I got morals and
principles. Let me say that for the record. It's all I've
been upset because we are being made to choose one set of
people over the other and it's wrong. You're pretty money
for covid. With money for this and y'all continue to let
the governor get. All these causes people to get off
without doing anything, they've done nothing. But watch, I
feel it's wrong to put these people in these damn fence is
wrong. I'm going to the second district, the Third District
in my ward. They got these steps set up. We should not have
picked but you should be here, but supposed to jail cuz
it's wrong.
and,
and I'm
And I'm okay with calling this way to say no matter who it
is, we got me. But you're taking care of folks and won't
take care of. And I hear that I hear it all day long and
you're absolutely right. It's going to be the black
aldermen. Then take the fall for it. It's also getting beat
up on. I was listening to dance with me. I was listening at
Ronnies me, we are taking a bit off for something that was
not on. It wasn't even on get on the gummy him and the
Nigerian and a Haitian folks that are coming here cuz they
ain't even in the damn conversation with instruction, the
black folks, we all immigrants. Let's stay true. Let's call
it. What it is, everybody but us we import remember that is
so wonderfully, so we would be pissed but also about 3000.
YouTube.
Just won't be able to do that. And I'm a say this cuz I've
been doing this since I was 19 easy for people to talk
about what they going to do. When I'm done for nothing for
the liberation of their own people. It's easy to talk and
so I'm up. It's like everybody hates and I can't see this
pictures that I can see. I can't see none of this. No, I
appreciate you bringing the conversation because let's not
act like we knew any of this before. This do Administration
came or before you was at the committee. We didn't know any
of this. It's always
I have to pee.
Asking people hey can you be quiet? So we can actually hair
and we're trying to ask her a question but Imma need y'all
to not pretend that it's all hands on that cuz it ain't cuz
I ain't got a shelter and probably aren't going to get one
for their own political reasons, which is BS.
Community. I went out weird when I proposed was work to my
ward. I said 40% of my Warriors last name. That's what them
in a community where they're comfortable, where they can
get Mutual Aid, what I can do and I was ignored. Y'all
doing the same stuff, you're not listening and y'all not
making everybody equal here.
Mama.
Lamar Robertson already had a shelter out of the woman that
already had one. Why do we continue to put them in the same
place? And where is a, is the lady was making the decision
Where They At Doe security firm that they hire, which is
doing nothing. Nothing. We spending all this money, people
got the right as a taxpayer, as a person who works here. I
got the right to know where y'all spending my money and if
people doing their job, you're taking Mike Ward
superintendent. And my son hanging to clean up walls were
three times a week.
Now.
Never.
There have to be some give-and-take and the lawlessness is
ridiculous. What do I mean? Nobody wants to address that
people are mad and Ray Lopez and the thing and don't get me
wrong. I don't like it, but something has to be done cuz
those were all the cough drops on the welcome and city. But
see if y'all had a conversation with all of us. We don't
move in that direction, people just want some things in
order and none of this has been an order. Tell me what they
do in the shelter every day, anybody
How do you know why? Cuz there's no way we can take you to
come move in with no plans and went to do you think I'm a
protest with the community? I must tell you all that right
now cuz it's playing what y'all doing. Are y'all going to
start caught on? Y'all going to start a race war? That what
y'all doing? That is exactly what's happening? Never going
to be a White Sox because you're choosing who y'all taking
care of sorry, I'm not supposed to do that on my apologies.
It goes for me as well. I don't see y'all bring it to the
table. People who've been doing this for you. There's a
girl in my voice, my name is Ashley Cochran. Ashley copper
was fired from CHS to try to help me set up. That's that's,
that's
At Walmart. She was fine. I'll try to stop by but you were
a shelter in 2015. Nobody even knew was in the community
because she had a schedule. So I can play TV show. They
understood what it was. We are not doing that. I got to, I
got almost a hundred people who sleep outside to watch work
every day and a black community for years ago. I was doing
nothing. What you think? And then it'll be up against them
and I want y'all to get out of us fighting each other.
That's why do you not answer me? White supremacy, is our
enemy enemy. They are setting this up out of us and we say
we can't take no more. Why won't nobody say that I've heard
enough out of this Administration? We can't keep taking
buses.
How late is the second?
How late is the second thing I ever heard of in my life?
And don't tell me. They did in the Hurricane Katrina. No
choice when I recycling these. We should be bad. He's
making a vacancy. The CIA have somebody else.
Not.
None of my questions.
My first.
My first question was, how many of these dollars were we
cycle in the community that they are sheltered in? So I
know for a fact, there's not one organization or business.
That's in Walsworth. That's from the 20th. Ward, tell me
why not
Casino.
Cuz he I want y'all to know it's about money. They about
like we going to be honest about it. People want to get
paid and I understand it. Clearly. How much are we giving
favorites? Since this started it. I know you just got here.
So in the deck that you had the slide that I had explained
said, how much favorite was getting? It was one of the top
three contractors 56.3 million dollars, went to favorites
January.
or I
Or actually, yeah, January through August of this year, of
this fiscal year.
I was.
I was just going to say, where's favorite from?
And they from Chicago style. Tell story from Texas.
Yeah.
Yeah, they pull from all over the country. This is
precisely why we put out the request for proposals for
Sheltering services so that we could have chicago-based
neighborhood organizations. Do the work same will go for
the meal services. Same goes for why we really impressed
upon favorite that they need to drop the model of
recruiting from all over the country on the west side. It
says investment expenses showed it to me. Can you put that
up on the screen?
The next one.
so,
So, favorite got 56.3 million dollars for what and can you
verify while you're there? Cuz I want to make it plain to
people.
The.
The contract was started under the previous administration,
it was a reference contract. That's what we call that when
you piggyback off of an existing contract, that another
government has started. So, in this case, the state had
entered into a contract with favorite during covid the
state, the states started the contract, previously, the
city piggybacks on it because of our procurement services,
and we've talked about this before. It takes 6 to 18
months, from beginning to end from drafting a request for
proposals to La reviewing it supposed, to hang it to
responding to questions, or give me some process. Exactly
is the way to cut out with minority women and black owned
business. Don't even get me started on
it's a mess, but it
It's a mess but it wasn't done when they started, right?
This was a piggy back and that is a problem. Same thing
with this tech company, I don't care if they work for the
state, look at their history what they've done. Some design
been good to us. Why is it not the people in our community
and folks tablet that are black and brown? Come on, let's
make it plain. So with gardaworld, same scenario, there was
a contract that the state has started. We had to jump on it
because at this point there are no other approved vendors.
Who are also holding a contract right now by the time we
and and just for the record, we did receive the inquiry
about there was an individual and entity that you brought
to us. We looked it up to find out is that person and a
vendor in the city of vendor in the state, are their
existing contracts that we can piggyback off of no.
Bus demo Soto, don't yell. I got y'all don't. Don't do it
just cuz we couldn't do it. Don't mean, it's okay, like
intimate domain just cuz you could do it. Don't mean, we
should be. So this is the problem and you hear everybody in
this audience, black brown and white say no to this
contract, what we even go through it. So it will take
another six to 18 months months. We we make this a crisis
and this is Noah texting. You I know I know we make it a
crisis or we make accommodations we want to we pick and
choose back. So this not this is not a
and I'mma tell you,
And I'mma tell you now in public and I said to you this is
something I'm not going to be able to hold on and I'm sorry
and I'm not trying to hurt anybody. Just take black vs
Brown. This is about, we continue to give me some dollars
to people who missed our community and then y'all tell us
the look the other way cuz they say they saw the state
contract. It's a no. I told you baby should have been gone.
Say I'm not so fast and so what we doing our city, don't
know why. So many people mad because you're MJR on again
because he said when they got off the bus, they should have
been giving the rules. So we got all of this chaos in our
community. I haven't talked to you yet. So I ain't going
Debbie is gay would get on you cuz me and you ain't had a
conversation and I don't make my business. So people under
the bus that you talk to it. So we've been asking for the
safety plan way before. Now, they're still not, once we
still got people sleeping out in the community, we still
are not doing nothing. That's effective, and it doesn't say
the people.
the people who,
The people who actually do this works cuz it's only too.
True to Mutual a group. They are plenty of. Those are the
people we should have been paying first cuz don't the
people from our community. The thought that she got to get
to give a presentation. And she said, out of her own mouth
spray, it ain't did too. We ain't listening. We not leave
this this, not gone. And so I'm asked for a special council
meeting. I have access to stop everything and y'all
continue to move. It's all y'all are perpetuating. What's
happening in the city cuz we won't stop and say.
Hope we won't stop and say.
Hope we won't stop and say we can't take any more buses, we
won't do it at. And why cuz what we doing to people is
inhumane. You got this young lady just talked about the
lady bleeding after she had a baby, I'm surprised.
Like we have to take a phone stop and say what we're doing
is not working. Let's find the experts who live in Chicago,
who from Chicago and ask him. What do we do to make this,
right? Cuz what we doing right now the thought that the
second district got to take a shower outside, it's sick.
it's
If it's a that's a problem those kids even being that it's
a problem with know what type of cold it is in Chicago.
Y'all should have had Englewood Barbie up here. That's what
you should have had cuz she been trying to the houses folks
when it was 0° outside and raise money to get them in
hotels. And I want you to remember all of these
organization that's trying to cuz that's the part. I'll
keep leaving out, we're asking folks in our communities to
help out and they are taking advantage of the situation.
Make sure y'all call it out and remember that, when y'all
giving the money cuz we continue to give people money, you
do is wrong. It's all about that. They got to sit up here
and say we need. We need, they shouldn't
Nothing.
two things, I'd like to say,
About government.
I'm
I mentioned before the procurement system.
It.
It's the way it currently works. It doesn't allow us to
move with expediency. I think a lot of people in this room,
understand that. In fact, the fact that we got a request
for proposals out in 3 months on her toe,
and if
And it's only because we were sitting on top of people
every single day, saying, get this together because this is
not justifiable nor sustainable.
Did.
To give you an example of how long it takes to acquire
property and to actually go from lease Contracting, all of
that, you all have probably heard about the CVS in Little
Village.
That has been under discussion and in negotiation since
day, one of this Administration, we still don't have it.
What?
but,
But y'all turn around and get CVS, the contract to be our
medical people. That's what I'm talkin about. This is a
building. It's a building owned by CBS. It's is a former
CVS building. There's a different owner. Obviously, they,
they they operated it, but it's not the same.
Yes.
Yes companies.
Yes, Kompany. It was whoever the owner is, it's a franchise
and therefore it's it's been a back-and-forth with trying
to get the contract Inked. But I'm telling you, this is
from May and we are here now in September and we still
don't have that up and running.
So there.
So there's something wrong with how this system functions
and so many different ways and the challenges. And I can
tell you, we're up for it because we do have to evaluate
the system and how it has historically harm communities and
kept us out. But at the same time, we don't control the
flow of bus. Is it even if we wanted to say, don't come,
they come in. We got 15 expected this weekend. We have no
bags. We are Sanctuary State. We're not just the same to
every city. We forget, we are Sanctuary state in the same.
People who don't pay the water bill.
Be.
These the same people who always want something from
Chicago. I can't understand this. I'm sorry. I just I can't
and
We?
We need to change out a night. And I'm going to be, I'm
about to be a little messy cuz I can be, I'm going to be
messy. We called a special meeting to make sure we put
superintendent smelly men. We should be calling a special
meeting. So we change that process because of what you're
in the process ain't work for nobody. And people here, been
saying that for years and we have the power to change it.
We are government wieviele, a whole lot of stuff. We, we,
we do stuff when it's convenient for us. We need to do
this. Now, there's something has to be checked. I'm sorry.
May I just four point of information cuz of things you
brought up and also to make sure other members have time
also. But there is no opportunity for any members of the
council to vote on. This is an executive order. Also, going
through the mayor's office, there's not going to be a
chance to vote one way or the other on a contract. But
other thing I wanted to correct for the record to make sure
that are members of the legislative branch of government
understand.
Is.
Is it when we talk about, why aren't we changing it that's
on us as well. We have 50 members of the council to look at
the procurement municipal code, to make changes, as it
pertains to that any executive orders. And only reason I
say that respectfully is because this is our opportunity as
a council to work and do that. So I've been reaching out to
some of our colleagues to start getting that research done
together with the problem of law with the legislative
reference Bureau because here's a reality. We have a new
Administration here that has been your Olive
Vermont.
El monstro.
A month trying their best to figure in a crisis situation
and the reality is, what time are people who I believe are
overwhelmed as any of us would be. And so, I think this is
the opportunity for us at the council to step up and also
do some of that working. So I'm glad that you always have
that same energy sis and we all need it and we all need to
organize and so will be reaching out to members so that we
do some of that work and can present Solutions as well and
just want to thank you for that. I appreciate that. One of
the thing I need somebody in this Administration that is
from the African this faster. This is no disrespect to you
separately because I have mad respect for you but we got
all them and talk about it. We got kids to sit up and
schools that we're asking him to go to who don't speak
Yoruba or any other African descent language. Like let's
make this Fair, that's why people are also pissed cuz they
feel like we're just ignoring other folks. And let's talk
about the African is a Nigerian who ain't even getting on
the bus there, they
do a
To airport and a doubling up in the buildings that are
already existed. In my ward alderman Downs, war in the
South Shore, patients as well. Let me not forget those we
need those people at the tables. They need to be part of
the discussion and the part of the planning. I want you to
look at Ashley Cochran resume. She was literally fire for
trying to help out that's a problem for somebody who ran
the shelter, cuz whoever this whole thing and I'm Joshua
DFS
They should be.
They should be as well cuz they are the person who made the
decision with the previous administration. So I'm confused
on. Why didn't I hear? It's pressing it, please make sure
they had every last one of them needs to be here was 120
days. Have been here. They were there to make the decision
and they said nothing. Thank you mr. President. Absolutely.
And just to clarify, we bring all the Departments, but if
you had them all at once you have infinite presentation, so
we will be having them going forward. We will be talking
about, not only the current crisis but immigration in
general, for example, we got in the same amount of time
that we've seen fifteen thousand men as well. And we also
had twenty-nine thousand ukrainians coming into the
Chicago. A know, Ukranian sleeping on a police for
so,
So that is a decision. The federal government is also made.
So for clarity, we're going to talk about all the above.
And so I'm glad to see where binders. That can you tell me
a solutely? I want, I want to make sure what if they come
from, and we've had a problem with open kitchen four years.
So I'm not, I'm confused why they still cuz they service
our senior and seniors called all the time. You say the
food spoiling his match. So we need to rethink who we
paying and we do that. There needs to be some type of and
we want to see that evaluation and what you doing with
these folks cuz we can all the kitchen 9.4 million dollars.
Deputy Christi.
Deputy Christina kid that here to it we were at we were at
the police station, the Third District they was fighting
over a sandwich.
but,
But we given an app on phone billion dollars.
Add.
I digress. So can I just respond to the? So the open
kitchens that's precisely why we have a meal services
request for proposals. That's coming out next week because
we've heard the feedback, we also know that there's been a
lot of challenges and so we want to reopen it up so that we
can make sure that again, Chicago businesses haters,
restaurants can all compete in this process. We're going to
need the help getting the word out. As you know, we stated
on multiple occasions, We inherited these contracts, we
have spent, while we are addressing the immediate, we are
also putting in place Provisions for cost savings and for
bringing dollars to Chicago, everything from making
favorite hire locally to reducing those cost in the
contract, because locals are being hired to putting out an
RFP for shelter, services are community-based organizations
can do the work to the
Well Service.
Real services are up.
Real Services RFP that's all simultaneous, while taking in
almost 180 buses and opening up a shelter every 8 days. So,
I'm with you in the frustration, I want to address this
structurally because we've got to leave this government
better than what we found it, and it's on all of us to do
that.
I would have in terms of the food. Yeah, we became aware
more and more that at the police stations. As either
volunteers or the greater Chicago Food depository was
bringing meals with Tricare that people were fighting over
the food and we weren't bringing enough for anyone. That
was there. So, we went back to the state, they have the
contract with greater Chicago Food depository, and we asked
them for an additional amount, so that we can deliver meals
a day. I had a second meal because we were only able to
deliver dinner. Now, there will be lunch and it will be for
anybody who's there. So when they take the count that day,
if there are other Chicagoans are that are, are, you know,
waiting for some type of service, they will also get meals
as well. And I think that this is a is a sign of our
efforts to really serve any on House. Chicago and alongside
with our new arrivals the urgency
Which we had.
which we have to stand up, you
Which we have to stand up. These put this parallel system
just required us to focus, but we know that in the long
term, we don't want that. We want one system, a stronger
system, a larger capacity system and we want to do that in
coordination with the State, Illinois is a Statewide effort
that is bringing dollars for shelter for permanent
Supportive Housing, for other supports for on house. I'm
residents of Illinois and we are partnering with them to
make our our setup here in Chicago better in the long run.
it's
It's the program is called home Illinois it's a 350 million
dollar investment to prevent an end homelessness in the
state of Illinois. Chief Christine Haley is is the lead on
that and we are going to set up a similar position in
Chicago. Christina can talk more about that but we are
hand-in-hand with them really looking to the Future to
create a stronger system for responding to any person who
is in need of shelter or permanent Supportive Housing, in
affordable housing to add-on work for on House Chicago. And
you all approved a position that will be filled and we will
be posting and will definitely need some help with
identifying. Somebody a chief homelessness officer, it's a
funded position in the it's Grant find it at this point for
three years. It will be in the mayor's office a direct
report to the mayor similar to the set up a
Stay.
State. This person will be charged with coordinating across
our departments, and sister agencies, all the efforts to
work with our own house Chicago. And so that we can make
sure that they have permanent Supportive Housing and on a
pathway for homeownership. The I just want to kind of give
some highlights in terms of what we currently spend for our
on house population here in the city. The budget for DFS is
65 million dollars with the additional funding from the
federal government. As a result of covid. There was an
additional investment of 117 million. Some of that is going
towards it. Actually, they've already rapidly rehouse 1800
individuals and they're in the process of doing the same
for 1200 individuals and providing the supportive
wraparound Services. Their you, we were looking at two
hundred.
20.
25 permanent Supportive Housing coming out of this
investment + 200 winter, beds and additional low-barrier
shelter. Which means that the requirements for entry is
limited or minimum. We are converting 5 shelters that are
congregate to non congregate setup so that you can apply
the the the supportive assistance. We also receive 60
million dollars from the fed's. This was announced right?
As we came into office and that will
That results.
that resulted we have, some
That resulted we have somebody that is in the FSS, working
to coordinate the data system, convene the stakeholders
work closely with various entities like the Continuum of
Care to ensure that we are on a path. To 770 units of
permanent housing. As Deputy Mayor Ponce, a de Leon stated
the 15 million dollars from the state. You all just
approved, three million of that to go towards Rapid
rehousing. All of this is going to support the efforts of
bring Chicago home. We are building the infrastructure so
that when we do have that permanent Revenue stream, we
actually have a buck stops with me person who can make sure
that we are leveraging, every opportunity from c. T, a c h,
a d o h d, p D & D, F SS, as well as cdph. I know, I just
gave you a big alphabet soup Department of Housing
Department of planning.
Farm and family in.
A family is.
Family and support services, Chicago Transit Authority,
Chicago, Housing, Authority, and the Chicago Department of
Public Health. So, those are the point of clarification in
terms of our, our advocacy, at the federal level. We are
specifically, when we were talking about how HUD vouchers,
it was, it was Boron House, Chicago, and it was not for new
arrivals and back. No Rivals. Cannot utilize
Section.
Section 8, vouchers. So it is for unhoused Chicagoans. It
will be coming back to our communities. We need to continue
to press on that. If the federal government is not going to
support this particular effort, even though it's squarely
in their responsibility, they need to come up on other
sources of funding, for our schools, for our for housing,
for transportation for public health, for violence,
prevention. There's a whole host, a way that you can invest
if you supposedly cannot invest in this particular issue,
which is squarely your responsibilities. I think the last
thing, I'll, I'll, I'll close with in terms of the
advocacy, we're doing at the state level with respect to
additional Investments. You know, as I mentioned before
there had been 250 million dollars and Investments was
primarily was a big portion of that. At the beginning of
receiving buses, the state had operated hotels and had
welcomes people through hotels and provided the case
manager.
As well as.
As well as the.
As well as the rental assistance. It's a very expensive
operation when you worked through hotels, but they were
able to welcome and then eventually transition into
apartments, and that was about a, a population about to two
thousand and some change. Now they are, they are supporting
all of the case management work that's happening in
shelters in the twenty-plus organizations under the
Illinois, Coalition of immigrant and refugee.
they provide the
They provide the case management in fifteen of our 21
shelters and then they also support the efforts. Catholic
charities does with the resettlement as well as the moving
out into apartment with the asylum-seeker emergency. Rental
assistance. However, our new asked and this is where we're
going to need some help with the state is really around, we
are welcoming State. We need to identify additional places
within this state that has culturally congruent
communities, that will be able to respond linguistically
and provide those wrap-around support. So, we have asked
the state to identify those locations, as well as to be
responsible for Sheltering. And, and Staffing, there was an
RFP that one out for her notice of funding opportunity,
that's what they call it at the state that that had went
out to 42.5 million dollars were waiting on some
we're waiting some
We're waiting some a response from from the state about who
was awarded. We we applied for the total amount of funding,
but we understand it is available for the entire state. So
we're waiting word on that one. We have a point
information. Also, we are two and a half hours in and we've
only had one Alder, ask questions. I will ask everyone to
try to tighten up answers and questions as best as possible
that our members can ask them. Autumn and Sharon Rocha. You
have a point of information today, I'm just an old but
thank you so much for that very detailed explanation of a
point of information. So you state that you asked the state
of Illinois to assist with identifying other locations
across Chicagoland, across the state that could open up a
shelter. And then you ask the state to help by opening up
the shelters in operating the shelter's. When was that
request initially made and what has been the state of
Illinois response?
When we first started we were we were talking about just
forecasting, right? So this was in May and that's when we
first made the request about support financially and there
was a menu of things that we could pursue one of the
scenarios that they gave us. That we thought was very
important was investing, not just in new arrivals but also
Chicago's on house and so that was bad.
in May, when
In May, when we said yes.
In May when we said, yes, let's go, let's do this. Then
more recently, when we were starting to see the numbers and
we're getting these clusters of 528 buses daily. We said,
hey, we're likely going to have to move on and opening up
Basecamp, cuz we need to have some expediency while we
continue to open up these brick-and-mortar. I mean, the
fact that we can open one up every 8 days is pretty kind of
unheard-of. There's a lot that goes into that. So we made
the request done about what they identify additional places
for base camps. There had been other enquiries in there
about buildings and spaces that they had, you know, they
had looked at previously and asking for that information.
But, but mainly it's been an ongoing conversation about
trying to identify places and partners where we can do this
work. So point of clarification. So did the state say? Yes,
we will help find other locations to host shelters.
I would.
I would say no I think what they did do though was make
42.5 million dollars available for other municipalities to
apply for funding to do some work and support of new
arrivals. I think that's an attempt to feed you. No efforts
and other neighboring areas, we have sharpened, our ask for
formal resettlement, hubs in one or two other locations in
the states. That would receive more support from the state
to directly do what we're doing here. A smaller version of
what Chicago.
Doing.
I'm doing okay, I do have additional questions about save it
for me. Thank you very much Alderman. Rosa.
Yeah, point of information alderwoman Del yeah, I just want
some clarity on the response though of the 42 million that
was offered by the state of any is have any of these
municipalities made an effort to apply and if so which one
it went to the Metropolitan Mayors, caucus to administer,
they release the RFP, they did receive applications from
several municipalities and then they will be making words.
We don't know what those are words are, but we do know that
there was interest, you know, which
Thank you. Very
Thank you very much. I'm also for the record want to know
that Alderman jensi is here with us as well, for
attendance. Next up we have ottoman Taliaferro
I am with Jeanette.
Agent German, let me let me just really say and I'll be
very brief.
How do?
Old woman, tell her thank you so much for your passion. I
agree with every single word that came out of your mouth.
And so I certainly appreciate your passion and not because
I share a lot of those same views and I spoke to Deputy
Mayor this morning and I, I told you how we're dividing our
communities, and I really see it. And, and I hoping you
guys see it as well.
Are black and brown.
Are black and brown communities of being divided. And it,
we're not paying particular attention to that. It's going
to get even worse and it's going to make those
relationships that we've spent years, trying to overcome
and bring together. Even more difficult, even this this
evening, I'm, I'm having an opportunity to share at the
Multicultural leadership. Academy's graduation with one of
my colleagues were both speaking on that. Very issue. I'm
how the black and brown community at work together, and so
many decades building a great relationship in and that's
being torn apart in so many ways. So, I'm hoping that you
guys can see this and in the placement of migrants, yes, we
have to have compassion, we have to make smart moves as
well, and I don't know whether all the moves that we're
making are unnecessarily. Smart moves. I see a lack of
communication.
that's,
That's putting.
That's putting us at odds with one another or our
communities are being forced into acceptance and that's bad
not to run to a huge degree. There's a lack of input from
this Council and I appreciate the chairman I'm having these
meetings because you even said Deputy Mayor Ponce de Leon
dad that this is a crisis and I don't think personally I
don't think we've handled it as a crisis. I stated this
morning too.
I do.
I don't get information and I'm being very honest with you.
I don't get information into this is the crisis I need more
than just one email from from IGA on Friday if we are in a
crisis and so that lack of collaboration with us as a
council and and
I,
I think it is adds to the negative aspect of this entire
thing. And so I hope that over the next few weeks that we
can get better because I didn't have any input as a lot of
my colleagues into where we're putting shower then and I
don't think there's any Equity of where we are putting
shampoo and I said that this morning we have wards that
don't have shelters and in the end I don't think that
should be the case. And so I asked in a very simply if we
are in a crisis which I believe we are. Let's start acting
like it. Let's start meeting. Let's start talking about it
because we can't have an inner circle. Give all the input.
If we're not putting those shelters in just their Wards,
we're putting them all over the city.
In.
and so, I think if
And so I think every single Albany to have input before that
happens and let's be a part of the conversation. We need to
have a superintendent is Carino in her chair, because if
we're starting to put migrants in our Park District, where
are kids do for recreation and physical health and activity
and are adults and seniors, go there, if we're putting
migrants there, why aren't they at the table?
Why he?
Why haven't we heard from them or from superintendent
escareno? So we're making the situation even worse, you
know? And and this is a question to you for the last four
weekends, in a row, in a 2015 strict, I've called about
quality-of-life issues. I've called 911, I called the
commander, my residents are calling and no response at all.
And so, how are we going to handle an increase in migrants
in our Park District? And we can't even handle the basics
of a quality-of-life call. You know what they're sitting
before us is morning, let's get them out.
Where you at?
Where you put a Band-Aid on a wound, on a owner of a
gunshot wound because now you taking them from the police
station and put them in park districts.
Is.
It's whatever Park District's going to do now you're not
responding at least in the 25th district. You're not
responding to Quality life issues even when the ottoman
calls. And so I can only imagine how bad is going to be.
When we're putting these, migrants will put it in my grits
in our park districts.
so, you
So you at you're not fixing the situation and in fact, I
believe you're making it even worse until I want to ask
this question because it's been my experience and practice
and immigration law. Asylum is is very difficult to obtain.
The USCIS does not approve a lot of Asylum applications.
They do not
I'm so,
I'm so when you have 15,000 people and even more coming,
seeking Asylum, what happens or what's your plan? If you
see, USCIS, the 90's applications are we are we talkin
about that yet?
I'd like.
I'd like to address a few of the points, thank you for for
that, we recognize that we don't have control over the
Asylum Seeker process or the applications control. So
what's your plan? If 15,000 applications are denied. So our
plan right now is to address this humanitarian crisis. As
people are arriving at our doors. Today, there are 9 bus is
arriving. Tomorrow, there might be 10 that is that is
the urgency, we
The urgency with which we have to act to open shelters has
limited our capacity to be able to communicate with you
regularly and bring you in on all of the decision. And I
know that we can do better at communication as we can do
better at transparency, but if we have nine bus is arriving
today and we're expecting 10, which we know, we're
expecting 10 tomorrow, those are people who will be on the
street if we do nothing. So I think that's, that's the
response if we say no we're not going to open a shelter
quickly or no, we're not going to receive the buses, let
them off the bus. We can't turn the bus around. The all of
those individuals will become on House Chicago. And
regardless of, whether we want them here or not, I think
the longer-term plan is recognizing that, not everyone will
get Asylum. But CPS has been extended for Venezuelan. CPS
is also available for Haitians and got our twins, Cubans
and Venezuelan through a separate probe.
Keep you.
GPS has been extended for Afghan refugees who are here.
They were Ukrainian refugees have come with a status that
allows them to settle here and work and dollars that follow
them for their support. All of those. Folks are becoming
part of the fabric of Chicago and our longer-term plan has
to be that investment in our infrastructure investment in
affordable housing. And actually, we have to think of this
opportunity as a city planning effort, because these are
new new phone.
You are going to.
You are going to become part.
You are going to become part of Chicago. What does that?
What does it look like for us to really engage them? In our
communities in a way that is positive and productive in the
long time? So I understand I I do understand the night. I
have compassion just as well as you do and we all do and we
all want to see what's best for them camping. We do but I
think there has to be a way that we go about doing this.
That's good for all of us. You know, we have members not
just hearing it in the council or a dead season behind us.
Today, we have an entire city that in up rage about how
we're handling it. So that should tell you that we're
handling something wrong or that we could be handling, it
better. And that's all I'm asking. When was the last time
you and I talked
We?
We haven't thanked you. So I appreciate you. Don't own me
and it's on you. But we are bringing migrants to the 29th
Ward next week, problem. And you and I have never talked. I
found out this morning. I found out this morning on my way
here and you and I have never talk. That's the problem I'm
talking about, that's lack of communication is lack
collaboration and it goes on to my constituents by finding
out all of a sudden and without having a voice or say and
how we handle that you and I have never talk.
I hear that. And I, I just want to recognize that in the
three months that I've been in this role. I have seen the
number of briefings increase that we breathe this working
group. We also have separate working separate briefings
with smaller. Groups of aldermen older people, we have
attempted to brief the general assembly. You know, we're
bringing information more regular. Wait, we know that we
can do better and we should and we should engage. I just
have to bring this back to. We don't control the number of
buses that are arriving and we have a very limited. The OU
mccsss cpda is there hundreds of people working on this
effort in the mayor's office? I have a team of two and we
know, as a, as a mayor's office staff, we work with me
engagement. I work with the other Deputy mayor's. We're
doing our best to keep up with the urgency of the moment.
So I am
open an
Open. And
Open and willing and interested in meeting and having
conversations with with anyone who would like to share
recommendations who needs more information from us. We
attempt to have Community engagement meetings when we were
asked to do that. I have a couple coming up next week and
How?
Have you all?
Have you all demonic briefings that go out on Friday? So
we're at we're doing what we can to share information we
can and will share more as we are able to and have a
capacity to. And I just you know I asked for your your
patience as we grow into this work and for your
understanding at the urgency of what is happening. Because
if we do not respond to the people that are arriving in a
very practical way, it's not just about being a good person
and being a human, you're having a humanitarian effort. It
is a practical response to provide shelter and basic
assistance to the hundreds and thousands of people that are
arriving to our city, but I think the responsible thing to
do and I'm I'm not criticizing what you've done in. I don't
want to, I want I don't want it to appear as I'm critical,
but I think the responsible thing to do is to get all of us
involved. We cannot as a council be left out in the cold if
we're
Gila.
Dealing with a city Christ and we had a crisis and certain
Wards and I can understand, I may not have a mobile. I may
have valuable input, but there's someone in that in that
position. When that role whose information is probably more
valuable than mine. But this affects the entire city, who's
in, that working group which Alderman in it in that working
group. If this was a work, it just a couple points of
clarification. So we launched the working group,
Enjoy.
in June my first day,
In June, my first day of officially employed was June 12th.
Although I had been straddling both the Senate and this
until June 11th, right? So I I couldn't convene Alders
until I was officially on payroll. So shortly within a week
after that, we launched the working group and it started
first with a conversation with chair Vasquez with chair
doll and with Alder hadn't and it was to say we need to
stand up a regular kind of working group that idiots, that
comes up with Solutions together. But then also can serve
as ambassadors to the rest of the city council to share out
information. One of the things that we have a challenge
with is you if if we are to convene me, entire city
council, then that's a special meeting and it
It mean.
It mean that like is everybody. Okay with coming together
for a special meeting a couple times a week.
Is.
Is a?
If that's what it takes. Is this a crisis? May, I may I have
a couple things. Yes, it is why I oughta wear a copper
special meeting and just for clarification, remembers, it
does not take an Administration to call for a special
meaning it only takes three Elders, so then have it. It
needs to be chaired by either mayor or the temp. Thank you
to our approach approach. A, what is far as the working
group, I will in full transparency, say a couple of things.
It's, it's been a little bit more group and working as of
late. It's people really voicing frustrations that their
hearing from the ground up and us working with the limited
amount of information. We've been getting her example, like
many of the members of the council. We all found out about
the gardaworld contract, you can use. So, some of that
information was not happening in the working group on, but
it's also upon us. Again, I have completed understanding
about the lack of capacity but it's on us to come together
to figure it out. So,
Reaching out.
Reaching out to members, whether they're working, Uber not
to get that done. But I have a question. If if you if I
can. Yeah, yes. We want to make sure we're bringing more
members. Absolutely. If you mind is okay, if I can ask a
quick question of them for 25 caitian. So for a deputy
mayor Ponce de Leon you mentioned, you have a staff of to
correct, how many of the city directly pay for.
I'm sorry, what?
I'm sorry, one.
I'm sorry 11, our first Deputy right. One says and then a
second person has Susan total is an immigration fellow from
the Wilder foundation in the interest of the city council
helping out with the lack of the capacity of team has
knowing we're heading into budget. What is the amount of
staff that you feel should be adequate for your team to
ask? You address the situation and communicate to members
of the council.
I've been.
I think, I'd
I think ideally it would be between 6 and 10 individuals,
we need communication support. We need another immigration
policy. Specialist, we need at least two project. Managers
would have been working on launching a volunteer effort,
and a series of other initiatives and Partnerships. So yes,
if you could
yeah.
Yes. Absolutely. And if the chair, if you can provide a
breakdown of the roles and positions of responsibilities,
you would like for that staff, similarly, to Deputy Chief
of Staff. Pantheon's is if do the chair, you can provide a
breakdown you shared with us as far as the spending that's
gone for homelessness in general. So that way folks have
that as well. I appreciate it. Thank you mentioned. You
know this office the office of immigrant migrant and
Refugee Rights is not just about the new arrivals Mission.
It really is to advocate for and work on integration of all
immigrants, whether they arrived here one day ago or 10
years ago and that mean
Start.
That our team should.
That our team should represent the variety of our immigrant
communities in Chicago. That is definitely something I
would will work towards and would like to do some observing
because I know we have a lot of people that need to speak
up and just write it, if we could get through the chair,
the breakdown of the 116 million words being spent. I asked
them at the last meeting and I don't think I ever got that.
How the money is? Well, who the money is going to? I see
how it's been spent. I want to know who it's going to, and
we did not get that. The other thing with regard to the
pilot program, in Alderman, Burnett's, Ward, and I believe
in Alderman Robinson's ward of community Safety Committee.
If we are going to begin the house migrants in our Park,
District's Sheltering inside of the park district, we need
to make sure that we have a community Safety Committee at
those locations as well.
Agree.
Agree with you fully on that ottoman time. We gave a
briefing to get contact information yesterday from all the
men and all the, all the persons. So you know what the
point of contact was in each office. So we can build those
would be happy to connect with the office as well. And the
park district will be a part of that work to we went to
some of the services and support that were around Gage Park
for example on what the city is funding with the county is
funding and what the state is funding to see what those
resources are, I was still in the early phases of the Moon.
Love to work with y'all for.
Love to work with your office and well, too. Before you
before you put any migrants in any other Park, District's,
I would recommend because we do have children that attend
these parts, as well as seniors that often. Rely on
programming from Auto, Parts Park District. Make sure that
all of them have a community Safety Committee. I'm at those
locations as well. And then lastly, deputy chief Chang your
response time in a 2015, Astro guy like you to look into
that. When it comes down to quality-of-life issues and why
are police aren't responding to calls that are related to
migraine as well as within the district is. So thank you so
much for your time and I apologize for going too long.
Okay, thank you very much. Thank you very much. Also want
to note that ottoman? How has now joined us as well for the
record? Next, we have to join us here that Android so I've
got them as well on the list. Just remember to know, thank
you.
Neck.
Next. Alderman, ramirez-rosa followed by autumn in
st-charles open. I thank you so much, Mr. Chair. I'm I want
to begin by thanking our mutual Aid. Volunteers one for
taking the time to be here with us. Welcome to the city
council's, Bay Rockets but more importantly. And on a more
serious note, I want to thank you all for exemplifying the
best of Chicago. You all have exemplified our City's
compassionate, welcome values. You have done it. Not
because anyone asked you to you have done it often times
with little to no support, but you have done it because you
care about the city, because you have a heart. And I want
to thank you. And I want to thank every single balance here
that has taken time out of their day to help people who are
in meat. We know that some police officers working in the
police station. Have done that. I want to thank some. I
know that Alderman in his body have joined in his efforts
and supported in many instances. I want to thank them.
How?
I'll
I also want to thank our first, deputy mayor for immigrant
and Refugee Rights. Be at the response of the Leon and
first Deputy Chief of Staff, Christina pacioni's is, and
first, deputy mayor for a 250, b r, a wences. You all have
taken on a thankless task and I know that you all have done
it with heart. I know that you have put your all into it.
I've spoken with Christina many times and Ray many times,
very late at night, Sunday at 9 p.m. Sunday at 10 p.m. you
all are
Working.
Working around the clock.
Working around the clock to make sure that our city is
living up to its values as a welcoming city as a sanctuary
city as a city that committed to integrating and protecting
my grace and you all are children of immigrants. You all
are immigrants and you are working hard to make sure that
our City's living up to its value. Since I really want to
thank you all, you know since the city and in mayor,
Brandon Johnson took over the migrant mission on May 15th.
My question is how many total locations has the city
scouted? If you could give me a rough estimate
We?
We've looked at over 250 locations, is the number that I
received from a is most are not suitable for shelter, and
as we look to where shelters can be open, we take a lot of
factors into consideration but the physical space, the
plumbing capabilities, the the safety of the space is his
number one priority because if it's not suitable, then then
we can't move into it regardless of what community it's in.
So over 250 locations have been scouted by this
Administration since May 15th. I can't tell you, the number
of times that I've tried to reach out to a senior official
in this Administration and I've been told they're out in
the field. Looking at a location right now to see if it's
suitable. And I get frustrated because I wonder how many of
Governor JB pritzker, senior staff are scouting.
Keisha.
Stations on a daily basis to make sure that we're living up
to our responsibility as a sanctuary State. There was some
statements that were shared yesterday in the Press. You
know, Governor, JB pritzker said, they hear he had concerns
about the contract with gardaworld and he wondered if the
city had looked at all of the options available to us,
which I said, oh boy miss the governor. Have you looked at
all the options available, it's easy to stand a thousand
feet away and say, hey has the mayor looked underneath that
stone. And have you looked underneath that stone when
you're not looking under any stones at all?
So that we
so that real
So that really frustrated me that really upset me because
our city I know has been requesting assistance. So one of
it, one of the things that the governor's comes press,
secretary said is that the governor has been offering to
open up shelters and the city hasn't taken up those offers.
Can you speak to that claim made by the governor's, press
secretary to the CVS in Little Village. As soon as it was
offered we jump right on it and began negotiations with the
lease agreement color to that. Yeah. So you know as I had
mentioned it was announced that I was appointed to this
position. In April I was still a state senator. I
immediately began meeting with the governor's office
Department of Human Services to talk about what we might be
able to leverage as we were going through the state budget
and starting to close it.
We may.
We met Dale.
We met daily. I gave them any information that I was made
aware of throughout, you know the transition process. It
was actually it was on Mother's Day.
Send.
Sunday morning, 9 a.m.
They presented us cuz it was about to be a break glass
moment. We had started to it, we knew we were getting,
we're going to get slammed, we knew that we still had,
people had almost 1,000 people in the police station and
they had prepared a deck.
That outline for scenarios.
and,
And as I stated before, we picked the scenario that also
took care of on how Chicagoans.
That's when the CVS came up.
It wasn't, we couldn't think it until we were officially in
office.
We?
which,
Which was a few days later and then working groups were
stood up.
Wedding.
That included all the Rodriguez that included community
members in Little Village.
let,
That began a plan for Community engagement and then looked
at the actual space looked at the layout looks at how it
would be staffed.
It was.
It was actually Garda.
Was going to.
What's going to be the Staffing? That's what allowed us to
hop on that that contract cuz it had already been
established.
So on Mother's day of this year, the JB pritzker
Administration approach the Brandon Johnson transition team
and said hey we can open up a shelter at CVS and the
transition team said, yes let's do that but you couldn't
think the agreement until the mayor actually took office.
So then when the mayor took office that agreement was
formalized in the city said yes we want you to orbit
opening up the shelter at CVS and then the state of
Illinois, contracted with gardaworld the staff that CVS
shelter. They had a previous, I think they had a contract
from before. So the state of Illinois already had a
contract with gardaworld to operate that CVS shelter or the
or to assist with admission services and so then that's
when. And so why has that shelter? Not yet opened. Cuz if
the state got the okay, from the city, going back to
mid-may and now it's the end of September. I wondering why
is that CVS shelter? Not open.
it's
It's a really, it's a summer.
It's a really it's a somewhat complicated Arrangement,
right? The state it involves the Lesser and it also
involves the state and the city. So that negotiation
process with also all the legal teams is what actually
taking all the time to get it done. Which the city said yes
to in mid-may months ago as the state of Illinois offered
to open or operate. Any other shelters to assist the city
of Chicago.
I was.
I want that to hang in the air, so let me have one more
time. So other than the CVS location, which the city of
Chicago said yes to admit me has the state of Illinois
offered to open or operate. Any other shelters to assist
the city of Chicago.
No, no, no.
Daddy.
That is shameful. That is shameful because we are a
welcoming State. Because this Governor has said that he
supports migrants that he supports immigrants. But when it
comes to helping this city, in this moment of me and the
city is doing everything that it can with senior staff
working around the clock, to make sure that we are living
up to our responsibilities as a sanctuary City for the
state of Illinois can't help us.
I'm just I'm, I'm extremely upset. I'm extremely upset and I
know look, our mayor. He is the nicest person. He's all
about working with everyone and I and I know why our mayor
has it gone out there and call the governor out. But I'll
do it, I'll do it because I think the truth needs to be
said that the state of Illinois is currently failing, the
people of the city of Chicago, does the state of Illinois
currently failing to make sure that we are protecting an
integrating migrants and immigrants and it has been the
city. It has been this mayor who has been shouldering this
burden alone and let me tell you all you all have been
doing a hell of a job for what you all are doing and what
you are facing alone. The city of Denver run by Democratic
City. Run by Democratic mayor is currently, when people
arrive is saying, we don't have resources for you. Here
would you like to go to a city that dust?
Any.
I need.
And even put people on buses to Chicago, to New York, the
democratic-run city of San Antonio. When people arrive
there, they say, we don't have resources for you. Would you
like to go to a Citibank. And then put people on buses to
the city of Chicago? And when those buses arrive here, what
does the city do we live up to our values? We say welcome.
We're going to try our freaking hardest to integrate you
and protect you. So I want to thank me or Brandon Johnson
for standing strong on our values as a welcoming Sanctuary
City even when there's been a lot of opposition. Even when
it's been very difficult, the state of New York, is it
true?
Anyway.
Anyone awake. But that's because they're under a court
order that they have to shelter, everyone that comes to
their City. This is the only city in United States. With
this mayor has made a political decision to stand boldly
and Progressive balance.
I want to thank him for doing so, and I want to say that
every other level of government. Every other town, every
other place that says that they too are a sanctuary. It's
time for you to step up to the same level as the city of
Chicago. It is time for JB pritzker, to live up, to his
promises, and his words, and to stop lying. Because what
his press secretary said, yesterday in the media was a
bold-faced lie. You heard it right here on the record.
Turn.
During this committee mean.
So, I guess I got on my soapbox.
but I
But I got on my soapbox because we need to do better. And I
know that you all are working around the clock to make sure
that we're helping people. You know, I understand that we
currently have 21 migrant shelters operated by the city of
Chicago and how many microchips are operated by the state
of Illinois.
9.
None in the beginning. They had those hotels that they
operated in and then they work to transition folks into
Apartments, but since I think it was April May was the last
and then they stopped operating. So, the city of Chicago's
operating 21 migrant shelters, the state of Illinois is
operating zero
Z.
Is there?
0 + -10, is that New York state has a agreement with New
York City to reimburse, the city for costs related to the
migrant mission that New York City is running? Do we does
the state of Illinois have a similar arrangement with us
where they reimburse the city for cost incurred by the city
for this? My permission
Is.
It's not a formal agreement. There are currently in the
state budget to existing budget lines, the Illinois
welcoming Center and the other centers. There's 30 or
across the state that go directly to community-based
organizations to provide Immigration Services, Legal
Services, cash assistance, so on and so forth. And there's
a similar budget line known as The Immigrant Family
Services Program. So both of those lines exist, they have
Increase.
And increased over the years, but as far as like an
explicit reimbursement to the city know. Now what I will
say is that there were instances where they at the end of
the fiscal year, had noticed an under spending in those
lines and they were able to transfer the remaining funds
that would have been on spent to the city of Chicago. So
that's why I say it was a less formal agreement and in
frankly you know their role has been since you know we we
took office really about facilitating aspects of our
Sheltering system. I want to clarify that because I think
if we didn't have the support for case management for
housing case management, or the asylum-seeker emergency
rental assistance program, we'd be in far, worse
conditions. There have been a lot of planning meetings. A
lot of project management and support.
That is all.
That is offered there. And so while they're not operating
shelters, I do want it at least acknowledge what the state
has contributed and how that is in a significant part of
our operation. So the state has contributed some money and
I guess through the chair if we could get a accounting of
since, you know, the start of this term, how much money the
state of Illinois has provided to the city of Chicago,
Beak.
Because, you know, the the governor of New York has a
website on the state of New York page, Where She lays out
all of the things that the state of New York has done to my
knowledge of state of Illinois, does not have a similar
page, but I would like to be able to compare and do that
analysis to say, okay, city of New York is receiving this
amount of support from New York State. You know, City of
Chicago is receiving this amount of support from the state
of Illinois. Because I have a strong feeling that the state
of Illinois is not coming anywhere. Close to parity with
New York State. And let me tell you, when people think of
Governor what's-her-name hochul, local people don't think
she's a progressive.
But there.
But this made this Governor sure is quick to tell you that
he's a progressive. So I just want to say again, thank you.
I know that you all are working your damn hard to make sure
that no one sleeping on the floor to make sure that no one
sleeping outside to make sure that people are protected and
safe and that they are integrated into the fabric of this
city and I know that we would be able to do a much better
job if we had support from the federal government, the same
way that the federal government has dollars that follow
Ukrainian refugees, if the federal government provided that
same exact support for Venezuelan in Central American
refugees, but I also know that you all would be able to do
it.
City would be able to,
City would be able to do so much more if the state of
Illinois, started operating some shelters and started
reimbursing cost the same way that the state of New York is
reimbursing cost for New York City, so thank you.
I love.
I'll also have those dollar should follow our Haitian and
everyone else that my Gracie, as well. Also for it, to add
on to the to the chair question, if you could share it, not
just what's been spent in this term but also before and
it's a bucket. So we know the difference to see if the
state was spending more in the prior Administration than
they are now to kind of see that difference as well. Thank
you very much to our members. Just to let you know. We have
a older 60 Lopez doll, sposato Lee waguespack laspada and
Wednesdays and the others who have questions, please raise,
your hand will be looking to end this around 1:31 45ish.
Don't forget your Zoo members. Thank you very much.
That hadn't when I hop in Word.
Thank.
Thank you. And so we will proceed with ottoman, 60 Lopez,
thank you, and thank you to the panelists. Thank you for,
for being here today at 1 also equal mycolic. I'll demand
ramirez-rosa thinking all Chicagoans across the city and
all public servants. That I'm looking at this as a
humanitarian effort rather than playing with people's
lives.
I will.
I want to start by also acknowledging and thinking the
local efforts of the 25th word that has been at the
Forefront of this fight. And their reason, why is my simple
wake up being a port of entry for Generations? I myself, am
I going from the global South
Stomach was proud to raise children in the city of Chicago.
How do?
I had the opportunity to work with wonderful people like
dr. Figueroa and her team. I want to provide for some
contacts because there's some misinformation has been
circulating. I don't think it's important to get some
points of verification so that we can start some important
questions that I think how to reply to fight with
Administration where we are today.
Color para todos for instance and if it is important was an
airport that the 25th ward in Denver given the lack of
response and the lack of plan. The previous administration
had migraines and I will say and I will challenge all of us
to start using new neighbors or new neighbors. They started
arriving in the city of Chicago on August of 2022.
We in repeated occasions and I listen to locations
personally deliver two letters to Mayor Lightfoot. Origin
here to an undeveloped a quick plan given that we all knew
that. Or 42 was going to be lifted it wrong era. Policy
that has we all witnessed separated families committed
member of atrocities and human rights. Violations, that was
set to expire in May 11th 2023.
just,
Just before Mayor Johnson, it started to storm.
there's,
There's some traveling facts here and I think I would like
to really explore and dig deep.
I want.
I want to inspire also on the little village CVS location
because I think that we have to see a little deeper to
understand what happened there.
As the.
As the city fell to have a plan. So I will challenge your
Governor to explain how the three hundred million dollars
will actually allocated to the city of Chicago. Because if
there's one grade meat in the city of Chicago Old, Chicago
Housing, a mental health care,
Despite the rhetoric.
Laugh.
Last winter, winter, winter 2022 has already been so dire
that we did not have any room for anybody who was homeless
for any asylum-seeker December of 2020 to our office. How
to serve in the 25th Ward, as a temporary shelter, for at
least 25 people that was never acknowledged.
When does a failure on 40 Years of neoliberal policies that
this invested in your neighborhood shut down, mental health
clinics, shut down in the city of Chicago, 90% in black
neighborhoods and no wraparound services.
300000.
300000 black wrestlers coming up this year in Chicago. We
must acknowledge that
I'm at the same.
I'm at the same time.
We also must have knowledge.
The.
The big spiders. That's all. I'm concerned. That's all.
and I,
I'm done.
And that's why our office leaving by dr. Figueroa in Little
Village.
Doing the same time and that's what I want to challenge
against the governor or property taxes in our communities
double and triple or Community generous enough. Open up a
shelter. Thanks to a generous local, homeowner for 25 to 30
people in one of the most rigid temperature in December.
I've been you. Continue to grow.
Or.
Or Community was left without any plan or option after
repeated occasions of acting.
Make.
Mayor Lightfoot turned out the way. So I will challenge the
governor to know where the three hundred million dollars go
into the city of Chicago. There was no plan.
I think the facts will come. I will continue to come
what was worse in this situation?
Again.
Again, communities, that are struggling a doubling down in
basement, coach houses.
I do.
I don't talk to you about nor only or Latino Community the
most generous communities in the city, across the city,
South Southwest side have contributed
What are?
What is the state? What is the federal government yet? The
wait.
Talk to CVS location to add, insult to injury in the little
village. And I think it may be classified as a little bit
with a ministration.
Oster Little Village, it was supposed to serve and I got we
got a bunch of Corporations of closing down shop in
Chicago. I'm cool is investing in the city of Chicago, but
it's more businesses, do more neighborhoods.
What corporations clothes, shops? Leave us without
Pharmacies with a food desert.
So that
so, that's a
So that's in your location and I called the governor
listens to me, cuz they're playing politics with this
issue.
that's,
Does CVS location was promised to the discount mall vendors.
Lord by who was shut down. We lost 500 jobs over 500 jobs
for the greedy. One developer.
Down.
Dollar.
Don location and CVS in Sunbury, seen for the states
because that this, vendors will offer another location.
Chota Bheem.
so that people can use that other seven seat capacity or
Community accepted that
Yeah.
Yep. Just come on, down to the Sea, waiting for a solution.
No, you're the governor wants to talk about investment.
You're not even open up a shop at shelter. That did not
even pay rent because he has already complained at least
eight years or rent.
Do something.
Do something so simple. As that shows, clearly where the
priorities of the state are.
So, what?
so, what we want to do,
Is.
Is to make sure that we change that in the city of Chicago.
29000, ukrainians asylum-seekers. And whatever reason have
been welcomed double the amount
Amazon Secret.
Amazon secret from the global South. What is that video of
that?
I'm
I do.
Animal community.
Barry. Jose costs.
All the cost at the same time as the state has the audacity
to say that they invested in our community, Through the
chair would like to see the breakdown.
Be.
Because there's no more important task, that make sure that
people have shelter a mental health care because of the bad
decisions that were made in the past. I tell you
furthermore and I would like to get an answer because the
previous administration receive a plan, no other teachers
important.
but,
By the commissioner, the former Commissioner of public
undercar, Washington, show. Me the plan with us, so that we
prevent
did the ministration receive any reports on.
Don't know.
Turn on already. We never got a transition as we should.
but,
But there were people making political calculations with
all this.
Another chain. That's a shame.
So I would like to bring it back to the doctor, she run the
shelter with 30 people in the summer of this year. After
title 42, predictably is lifted
Anybody can go to the 12th District, Commander Chaucer.
I'll see you.
I see the conditions, the same conditions that we found
last year on May 9th. What we have to open another shelter,
this summer to cover, 60 people,
Are.
80% already re house.
By.
but,
But yet, who deny that application is the state of
Illinois.
To run a shelter that is successful.
The new.
Deny the application.
Daddy.
How do you?
That is the fact.
What is a?
What is investment on Mental Health Care on housing?
All of.
For all of us.
I will.
I want.
I would like to watch Ride.
Under the light for the ministration in 2019, who
Developers?
Booktube.
2.3 billion dollars with a B.
I want to see.
Let me see that you got plenty of money.
2.3 billion dollars in Project are still waiting to be
finished.
Now, the city of Chicago cannot do this alone.
This.
These contracts. And again, the fact is
This contracts are set up at the federal level.
I'm the military budgets and the military tents that we
getting show their priorities of a federal government.
Just this week, we have Republicans monkey in the city.
Nothing on the bus. Stop about you bringing more buses to
the point of chaos and conflict.
We have the responsibility to challenge that notion because
our children are watching. We see what's going on, our
schools.
This.
This contract is an acceptable because the options of the
federal, the state level are unacceptable. So, can we
expect an acceptable outcome?
Are we going to look at the facts?
Are the Falcons?
And the fact of the matter is that these tensions are
rising on the trying to pit us against each other for
political gain. I don't care who they are, but I've seen
the cover responsibilities.
On the bus.
On the president to take leadership on this issue.
Mike.
My question now.
Goes on these contracts are there other man call? My good
friend is around here?
Can.
Can I pissed about contracts? This state is, is providing
rental assistance. What we asking questions about what the
rental assistance is going. You can ask you to do the 25th
Ward, as well, more effectively, more transparently, and we
have the wheeling in the city of Chicago.
where,
Where is the governor of the federal government? That is my
question. They are u.s. representatives in our communities.
We?
We have a need for 120,000 units.
Across.
Across the city.
I'm
And if we don't act,
As adults.
Are there?
As legislators.
What?
What we going to see it scared because K is what they want
and I'm talking about those interests that are sabotaging
total cities like Chicago, Basilica Jackson, Mississippi.
The.
The same interest.
Be.
despite,
I know.
and again, to my brother sister siblings in Chicago by The
Pretenders, all
I'm a.
I'm not talkin to the ministration because we have plenty
to talk about but every one of your friend contract, I
would like to hear from the governor, what is assertive?
I don't want.
I don't want to hear from them, but our government. What is
the alternative?
Be.
Big.
Because to blame an Administration that is developing a
plan and sabotage of Revenue plan.
Anime.
In the midst of this crisis, is shameful.
I'll take.
I'll tell you that there's a little bit of Hope.
Don't.
Sometimes outside and a little bit of History here.
This.
The fight that we fight here today in Chicago, it is the
same fight that people in the Bible. Stop copying fighting.
We?
We want understand where the migration is coming from 50
years ago, there was a democratically-elected government.
A socialist government.
The.
That was literally destabilise.
The president was murdered.
How do?
How do you?
How do you 7 for the singles?
50 years after that represent, what we can sing.
Warrick.
On war conditions.
We?
Willie.
When the most brutal dictators.
Repeat.
When people disappear.
Yeah, probably.
I have a problem with people inside violence.
I love.
all of the careful what we wish for because when criminals
take office,
Then.
Dinner, only burning books.
The bird people.
Do today. What am I asking my Connex?
List.
Nice to look at the big picture.
in a
And it's going to be the word. We we have a meeting on
Monday and I would like to have the administration medical
we can incorporate models like PPT in facilities that are
being proposed.
How?
How do we make this? A real partnership. I hear the
challenges.
which,
We seem everyday. No parents. Want kids intense?
No.
No parent 14 kids in jail for murdering her that she's of
Chicago, but that's exactly what's happening.
Show me.
Show me challenges how to incorporate on challenges
contracts together.
I think it's shameful.
Do.
Don't.
That we are in this position when we pitch him ourselves
against each other.
Be.
Because of telling the Globus how there are not only people
willing to help in Colombia.
Apple descendants are coming to Chicago weekend. I'm going
to Chicago to come to Washington DC, to talk about the new
children's mental health, for all the communities. You
said, a little bleeding.
Where are the leadership of elected officials is today for
all of us Old Chicago's no exception from his owners from
the small businesses and that's why I mentioned the shape
of kids at CVS, when is Avengers, is still out in the cold.
How?
Homeowners repair in the car that still paying the taxes.
What Corporation asleep on Republicans come and Locust.
Today, I asked what my college.
That we consider modifying the shameful contracts.
Practically in Practical terms on the weekends report Air
Force account. I agree with all the women tell you, some of
this come to companies from Texas and Florida, don't care
about our community.
how we going to happen to serve us, so
I'll
I would like to ask directly how we can modify these
contracts so that we can have local support that is needed.
And works, that is my question and thank you for those who
believe.
In.
In a city hall.
Yeah, it's it's, it's in process. So, I think there's a
couple of things just, you know, re-up what we had said
earlier, with respect and modifying contracts, right? So
there's an interim plan, with respect to the existing
contract that we have with favorite right now. There's
about 750 individuals that are employed by my favorite to
staff up the 21 shelters. We had gone through the activity
or the exercise of compelling them to
are locally so that there,
Are locally so that they're not hiring outside of Chicago so
that we can absorb cost-savings, but then also put
Chicagoans to work. So that's one, it's an interim. It's
not like a final solution and that's why the RFP is out for
community-based organization, and social service agencies
to be able to apply to offer shelter services in are the 15
shelters at that time that we had because we can't add any
new ones to that RFP. Because in the process of the RFP,
the people who are responding need to know, what the
shelter is, currently look like the configurations to then
make a proposal that it is actually accurate. So that that
that is an opportunity to replace a favorite with with our
community-based providers. And then I think the the the
longer-term is is what we lifted up earlier in this hearing
and it really having to, you know, as a body. And at
whether it is it's a combination
About the legend.
About the legislative, in the executive branch to. Look at
our procurement. How do we change this, you know,
historically, a lot of the organizations that I think we're
all familiar with really struggle to navigate. The current
system in are, in many ways. Locked out. It's, it's in, in,
in the, in the, in the quest to have process and I can
speak to this, you know, from a state perspective, right?
Data, the government accountability and transparency act,
that was actually pass.
By.
By Kevin.
By Governor Rauner and it created a host.
Abby.
A barrier for nonprofits for very small Grassroots
organizations to ever even bid on contracts and in many
ways, it felt like it was designed to keep folks out. I
think we have to really be thoughtful when we're talking
about process and we're talking about accountability and
transparency. I think we need to. Also, think about how do
we build capacity? How do we invest in our organizations in
ways that they can be able to navigate these finding
opportunities? But then also had a wee streamline. These
funding opportunities to remove barriers that historically
have prevented them from being there. So I think there's,
you know, there's a, there's several pieces that are in
process and then there is the long-term that I think we
need to engage in because 6 to 18 months is an acceptable.
I understand we have to go through legal and I understand
that we have to have a certain amount of time to post, but
there has to be then greater capacity to streamline that so
that we can actually shorten those processes.
You know.
You know what time thank you. I will ask our members because
of time constraints to keep their comments to questions.
And if you are going to will ultimately want to give you
about 5 to 10 minutes, tops for questions. So the other
members can ask question before we run out of time, just
want to level set. So please limit to question so we can
get information as we do have the time to do so, thank you.
I'll next is our woman Del Callao by Autumn is Rosato.
Set.
It's a really hard topic. Today, I want to say outright
that I support our mayor. I think that he is leading with
compassion and as an alderman that also has compassion. I'm
very torn by this crisis, because I think this crisis is
eating away at the Goodwill of the people of the city of
Chicago. I think, the more buses we see, the more anxious
we get and that anxiousness somehow creates that exposes
the disparity that we see in all of our communities,
especially between communities that have been marginalized.
I see.
I think that.
I think that as we are trying to right-size and make our
government systems are corporate systems are business
systems, and processes more Equitable and equal for people.
We have to balance out how we're dressing this issue, so
that everyone who's watching in the city of Chicago and
involved in the city of Chicago.
self-actualize has
and,
and I think in the black community where, you know, I
represent a big portion in the Third Ward. I think we need
a more thoughtful approach to this crisis that takes into
account, the feelings in the tensions that we're seeing in
the African American Community. First off,
Our.
I would like to see this team expanded to include a
perspective that is not represented in the current team
that understands our communities that understand the
different parts of our communities along the whole V
Aspera. Not just the native African Americans who have been
brought over here on slave ships but all
So the Africans in the South Americans who were coming into
this country who have darker skins, the Haitians that
perspective needs to be for included in this team and I
don't see it. I also think that when we open shelters that
we have to open them in all parts of the city of Chicago
not just in 3 4 5, 6. I mean we need to have everyone
represented in being a part of this crisis.
Catholic Charities.
Add.
I thought.
I think we have to address what Catholic Charities is doing
their responsible for providing vouchers for the migrants
and they are putting them in without any discussion with us
or our community, putting them in Ward black Wars, which is
the stabilizing. And we have to address that. I mean, I
would like to see that become you give more attention to
that.
Display.
The spending our communities, and not part of the dollars
being spent on this crises, and I don't see us anywhere.
May.
Making any money. Let's just be real.
this is,
This is about a new business and we want to be part of this
new business.
I'm
I'll
I also think that we have to spend some time talking about
just like we're talkin about the migrant crisis, we have to
talk about the crisis in the black community.
and,
And we have to see the dollars, we need to understand what
the where the dollars are for mental health, or health care
for economic development. We're not that has to be
discussed at the same time that we're discussing, the
migrant issue.
That's what's on my heart.
I'd
I do have some questions about.
What?
What are we doing with the? I want to ask the nurse here are
the doctor sorry. What are you doing about the focusing on
Haitians and the people in me African diaspora? I'm so
happy you're asking about and I see a lot of issues with
how the city is responding when it comes to Black
immigrants. When we see people who are in the police sticks
districts that are from Haiti, they speak Haitian Creole.
We are able to get an interpreter on Arline. However, what
about the police districts who do not have access to that,
dude? They don't have any liaison or people who speak speak
Haitian Creole. The same thing goes for people who are also
in the stations and in O'Hare Airport that speak other
languages like was mentioned earlier Yoruba from Nigeria.
And this is a problem, not only in the police station.
it's
It's exacerbated within the Shelter Systems where are the
people who are being hired from within the city of Chicago
who are not only Chicago and but also Nigerian and Haitian
were able to interpret and would love this type of work. We
also see issues that I think are important to bring up with
people from Haiti, being spread out throughout the police,
stations in the city of Chicago. And that's not only
isolating because of that language barrier, but it's not
conducive to their health whatsoever,
and I,
And I do.
And I seasoned the kinds of things that I want to see our
city government in this moment of Crisis address, the
language access 311, I like the idea of housing them
together about in public health, especially in the city of
Chicago is black mortality. Black maternal mortality a
black mother is three times more likely to die from a
pregnancy-related cause in the United States that a white
mother that applies to two are black, Venezuelan to are
Haitians to our, Nigerian immigrants to are immigrants from
Angola and that's something that we're seeing in the
hospital systems cuz we also do inpatient Hospital
advocacy. That is not being talked about is the resources
that black mothers need. Not only the black Mother's native
to Chicago and police
and that are,
Things that are on house, but also our immigrant population.
Thank you for that. Thank you for that. I wanted to ask you
a question to Christina regarding the services, other than
what, what are the services is the guard of contract?
Require you mention, I heard laundry. What else would they
be concept contractors in for. So we can get a sense of
what might be available in our various communities, so that
the Baseline services and support is sleeping. Quarters
dining quarters laundry, but they provide correct. So my
question is, what would they be subcontracting for? Because
you guys talked about having more local involvement, in
that contract, two ways one, they could provide,
They?
They could subcontract out for case management and
wraparound services. Like what we have already in our
existing shelters brick-and-mortar shelters. Our intention
is to have parity between both of these types of venues.
They could also in terms of how Chicagoans can participate
in this. Usually they start with a core team to set up the
structure to get the systems in place to me.
I'm sure they.
make sure that the config
Make sure that the configuration makes sense. The flow of
the day. Yada yada yada and base after 30 days, a local
project management team has hired. And that's when Chicago
and you know, obviously Chicagoans would be applying before
to be that local project management team and then staff it.
So there is opportunity there to be to have local folks,
staff are our base camp, so it's not really contractual is
more than who they hire there is both. And so there's like,
you know, kind of your typical positions such as, you know,
a site manager, such a shift, managers such as case
management, supervisor security. All of all of those
positions could transition to be local. After those first
30 days after they set everything up and is there, is that
something that your team is overseeing or your
Yeah.
Yeah, I mean that.
yeah, I mean, that we know what being offered to the bid for
So that's once we get a location, everything is highly
dependent on the location because then that'll determine
what the configuration is, which then determine the
Staffing structure as well as the additional service. And
then, speaking of locations for these base camps, how
quickly not quick? What's your deadline on? I know it's
quick. When will we know where you going? As soon as we
find out, they literally are still looking for locations.
Do they have a deadline yesterday?
Can you speak to what you know about Catholic Charities and
how they're giving out vouchers to all started? Catholic
Charities is funded by the state. They came up as a partner
when the state had the hotel operations last year because
they knew that they needed to help people with rental
assistance. And then resettle find apartments and and
resettle. And actually estate is funding the rental
assistance, the case management for resettlement. And then
also, moving support, soap helping people physically move
into apartment with some basic furniture and, and and that
type of thing that I need,
What Catholic Charities.
What Catholic charities does is look for affordable
apartment. So they meet with an individual or family, they
try to follow what that family might want. Still a lot of
times if they've been in a shelter, they want to settle in
that area. But if you look at, if you remember the map of
our shelters, we have a lot on the North northeast side and
as they are trying to help people find places to live that
area is not as affordable. So they were seeing that the
resettlement efforts in the apartment are in other
communities. It's a start of a wider distribution than our
than our shelters are. So what they will do is help them go
and see the apartment and make sure that it's safe and a
decent place and then they work on the lease with them.
but,
But that is the model that they're using, maybe they'll
work with them on the lease they get the lease signed and
they help process, the rental assistance and they work on
these one case, one family at a time, that's not that part
is not true. I don't know what he's referring to back in
the back there, but I know that they're not doing
What?
What order please?
Can you go?
Can you get?
We're going.
I need order. I'm going to have to ask you to leave and I
don't want to do that. I want you to be here.
We?
We will follow up with you, I'm asking you to please be
mindful. I'll follow up with you, so we get that
information from you. I just want to make sure we can
continue. I'm not his case when I'm speaking of
specifically is of them taking buildings taking building
and filling them up with migrants without any conversation
with the community with the Alderman and they need to be
brought Under the Tent that you working on.
Thanks.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next up, is a alderman
sposato? Father by all the women lie?
Thank.
Thank you, Jeremy, and thanking you for letting me a zoom
in, and I'll be on my way to head down there in about 10
minutes for another meeting. So but I promise, I'll be less
than a half hour or what my comment. So,
Most.
Most of my stuff is comments. I have one question in the
clock, I mean, so I'll make sure I keep it fast all just
statements, and just one question at the end. So,
shockingly, everybody, I, I 100% agree with Jeanette and
Carlos, I did text Carlos last night thanking him for
calling and calling her out on what he's doing to us claim
for a sanctuary state in there. Doing nothing or just
pumping it all in the city of Chicago. So I thank you for
all your comments, Jeanette and Carlos
I think.
I think we're creating dangerous situations in the Indies
police stations. I certainly like the nest said, we need to
have a safety plan. These are not very conducive to healthy
situation, very worried about the school thing, others kids
that have been in three different schools are already and
her. Some kids. I'm phone is cool but not leaving the
police station on their school, they're saying last night
so I don't know who's watching out for lead sheet PDF.
I'm a.
I'm, I don't know, everybody thinks that they're bad
internet and you're doing bad things that they really been
stepping up big-time, please have called me to help. As you
know, I've clocked up to both you and Tina and be at rest
about a police officer and it's trying to help out. And and
that's not been able to get any help. If we talked about
that, I do want to read with the little three census record
percent about what the investigation in the end of the 19th
District. So I know everybody was all like the band police
are doing at this time. There is no there is not
sufficient. Objective verifiable information of sexual
misconduct has concluded its investigative effort and the
case will be closed without allocations and financial
misconduct good new material be evidence. Be received, has
the authority to reopen. So all the police, all the bad
things we said about that.
Just the important thing to me.
Some.
some of
Someone just don't have the wrong people. Write some words
are postage stamps or not answer room. I'm just going to
speak about my award. We have no bacon. 2-acre lot of
things running thing like that so I don't know how you
going to be able to put anybody in the 38 court orders, no
realm. Unless you put them in the parks, in the schools and
I certainly would not allow that. So with that, my one
question, my one person, two, maybe three,
3.
Read.
3 meters from the city. I'm going to ask you here right
now. You don't have to answer it, but I know you don't have
to answer, but I asked it anyways. Who makes the decision
and how many people could go to sleep. So, I'm going to use
the 16th Briggs a, we've had up a 92 people, that we
finally have 92, and we go out to 100 and 150. What is the
maximum amount of people could vote in the state and who
set that number? Not the police is not the deputy chief of
staff at the fire department set, the amount of people we
can put a PlayStation
and if you don't answer, that's fine.
Deputy Chief of Staff may be.
Multiply.
Multiplication teaching, or I will say we do not turn
people away. So if if new arrivals arrive at the district
stations, we try our best to provide them. The SR numbers
in an area to, where I spent in shelter, until we're able
to get them into shelter. Generally, when they arrive in
the at the Rival Center, arrival area, we try to look at
this trick that are least populated when we do try to find
them shelter within our district space, but I'll with that
said, a lot of our districts are
I need the number and the capacity was 100 and 200 in their
date. Be shut down. So,
Do.
Nobody's making a decision on the maximum or just saying
you're here, and we're not going to turn it off. I want to
come. And I think the answer is that it's a complex
situation every single day. So if there's a balance of how
many of who is already in the police stations and how many
people are arriving. So there isn't, there isn't an ideal
ratio. We know that there are people sleeping outside of
police stations already but every day the team that is on
the ground and helping to figure out how we will be
receiving the folks coming off the buses has to make some
pretty difficult decision. I want to just give me the
opportunity to come and cheese with oemc and is really
taking on a significant responsibilities and being our
leave. There I am well aware of unhealthy amount of people
Alert police station.
It has.
Craft.
Good afternoon Alderman, Kayla Rivera manager of Emergency
Management Services for l e mc2, deputy chief tongue point
and Dee's point. It is a extremely delicate balance. So
right now we were just made aware, we have nine buses
today. Yesterday, it was 7. It's now nine of the State of
Texas and their level of communication with us has been
rather lacking lately. And there's been a lot of changes at
the borders are understanding. With that being said, we're
at full capacity. Pretty much everywhere. This delicate
balance comes in around, 7 a.m. we work with the police
district.
You're?
You're a.
You're a good.
You work with the police district around, 7 a.m. to see
where we currently stand with her senses at the very
staging locations between the airport and CPD District.
When that happens we evaluate where we have space. If any
our team I will say right now in the past ten days we have
moved a thousand people from police their shirts and O'Hare
into the shelter system. We have a net gain of 215
approximately. On top of that that we add to our total need
every single day. So with nine buses today. Likely double
digits tomorrow, we're just playing the moving game. I
understand the level of coordination, that it takes behind
it and not wanting to go over capacity right now. We are
just truly in need of space. We're at a point where we will
be having to send people knowing that they're going to have
to be outside. And that's an extremely unfortunate
situation for our city to be at my folks on the ground are
trying their hardest to move where we can the very taxing
situation.
Call Dad.
Call Dad and coronations Emergency Operations Center cpdo
mctfs in the mayor's office.
The answer is, there's no incident number of a maximum.
Gwinnett.
That's fine. If that's the answer. I mean I'm fine with
that. I just, I just think there should be and I don't have
the answer. The answer is that I don't want to take him and
I said, I'd be brief and I'm at my phone on for 7 minutes.
I'll thank you for letting me speak. I'll be down there in
about 45 minutes. Hopefully, thank you everybody. Thank
you. Karen. Thank you so much. We have about 30 minutes and
have seven Alder still on Deck. So I will ask you all to go
to straight questions out loud to questions, any questions
above that, after you submit through the chair, and you can
save us Time by saying, why not saying you want to be brief
and just getting to the questions. Thank you all so much.
Next up is autonomy.
Man, did not get under that. That's okay. There's six other
people and I get it and I appreciate care. I'll just make
them look to Thomas. Thank you for having these briefings.
I think that they are invaluable, I would be open to more
meetings about this is, I think we need to have more open
conversation and a dialogue about things that are going on
a second. I do want to take the opportunity to thank all of
the mutual Aid groups that have been from day one doing so
much, including in my own ward in the 11th. Ward at the 9th
District, where we have the distinction of having the most,
Migrants that are.
Migrants at our Police District. So I was going to ask the
same question. That Alderman sposato. Did I appreciate
that? There's we have buses come everyday and exponentially
more. It seems every day and we don't have control of the
flow and since I only had gets you questions, I'm trying to
eat in three. First question is, can we get included in the
weekly briefing? Cuz I think this would be helpful for all
of us. The numbers of people have police districts, even
though, even if it's just a point in time, cuz I know that
everything else is a point in time, but it does. I want to
know a little bit more about what that processes of
assigning because I I do feel like our police district is a
little bit more tax. Do, you know, recently discovered that
we are among the top three police districts from my
capacity perspective and we have a really caring Community
but there's a finite amount of space. I went there a few
days ago myself to try to verify account and was told
Remind.
Myron.
Myron that was there. This is not a good way to do it
because there's a lot of people that are here right now. I
counted 136 people including children and not everybody was
there yet and there was no more space in the police
station. So God forbid, if someone needed to come and file
a complaint or report a crime or something, it's an
unhealthy situation for everybody involved. And I know that
there are no easy answers. So please don't think that I
don't appreciate everything that everybody is doing.
I'm
I would like to know how old were also tracking people. What
what new arrivals are getting to get here? Because they
going over the course of these months, my observation is
that we are not, we're not equipping. And informing our
newly arrived neighbors. Hear about what? What they're
going to be facing here. So when you arrive, what do you
get from? Whoever the person is, what are you told about
the process? Because we also have people who are refusing
to go to shelters when the bus comes to pick them up. And
then we have people that are coming from other police
districts to the 9th district and I know that it's
happening in other places to buy. Think I'd like to know
what we're doing about communication with the with the
migrants and what they know about what the process is going
to be. So I'll let you answer that question and then I'll
go to my second question. I ever can answer it. I'd like to
ask first Deputy of the office for immigrants and refugees,
right? One, cuz if you don't mind taking that and we can
add if needed,
it's a little delayed Communications, my understanding is
that the landing Zone? We have the team as mentioned. They
do get communicated where they're going in terms and they
that get asked to get on the bus. Many of the people that
are
The Landing song.
The Landing Zone say that they have on Iran War movement
but I also want to make a note that we see the numbers
increased at the police station, so that may also play into
some of the disparities around numbers that way. I'll get
reported the other way that we are communicating with the
arrivals when they arrived to the police district station
is through the b, l o m c team. How is now in direct
contact with mutual Aid. They are a haven't asked him for
Mutual Aid. When you arrivals are getting dropped off at
the police district station and then we're in constant
communication with mutual Aid directly. The different
Police District stations where there are people in terms of
food needs medical needs. We have now created a somewhat of
a system in, which means that we do have Point people that
got to be the medical unit whether our food needs, I either
get informed are my colleague. Claudia Guzman at the
community engagement office. Also get them for him about
this.
I'm in the end of constant communication that we do has
been verbal, but can also, we have tried to deploy some
physical Flyers, both to address, issues around that have
come up, like human trafficking gender-based violence
Suicide, Prevention, hotline numbers. So, when we see
things come up, I will try to address it and make sure that
that's that people know the resources. However, I will note
that we do need more staff to be on site at Police District
stations. It has come to our attention.
send a
And that because of the increase.
And that because of the increased, the numbers, increasing
at a decide communication also can get hard and there's a
lot of misinformation going around.
It once people are in shelter, they receive another
orientation to the resettlement process. We There are case
managers on site that are through favorite Staffing, but
then also be on my welcoming Center and they are, they're
doing case management. One of the challenges is that it is
just
a hyena.
A high number of people coming in very quickly and the
agencies and support are not always able to keep up and to
meet with people regularly the city and the state, both
Pond legal Partners, do our legal protection fund and
access to Justice at the state. But we haven't been able to
connect everyone to those Services because they're at
capacity. The milliner welcoming centers. You've asked them
to do a lot there, they're not all 34 are participating but
we now have welcoming centers in all the shelters but we
had shelter so quickly that they're not able to step up and
be there on site. There are other organizations that have
wanted to connect and I think that's where we really need.
20in and focus on how we're going to grow the effort to
bring in both volunteers and nonprofit organizations that
can do additional support. Because I think you know what
you pointed out as as we
The accurate.
The accurate in that, depending on what. They came in the
orientation. They got initially, they might not see another
kind of support system for a while until sometimes, they're
not sure when it's going to be their turn for the house in
case management. They don't know if they're going to have
someone help them with their Asylum application. And we
just don't have the staff to keep up and have that constant
communication with people. I appreciate your answers and
I'm going to keep this out. Did you guys have something to
please? I just like to touch base on the case managers
on-site. I've been at District while since the 9th of May.
I've never seen a case manager manager on site and I don't
believe that many of us have seen any case managers on
site. As far as what people get I have had, I mean we put
hygiene kits together and you've had to learn the process
that they're going to have to undergo in order to help them
move. For example, there a Court locations, and we've had
to understand
processor.
Process are.
Process ourselves. But I don't believe that they get
anything. If it's not from the volunteers, thank you for
that. And I think it's just a waste of my right. I think
that there are gaps, I think you know that you can't do
everything all at once and I understand and we were we
don't have the capacity. I think we need to take a pause
and think about where we build capacity within existing
organizations. We don't because Garda is the is one of the
few contractors that. Does this. Why are we talking about
contractors here in the city of Chicago?
Can do things for us to.
Can do things for us to, I mean into everybody's point about
keeping these resources within the city. I think we have
solutely have to manage that. I was, I would love to talk
to you separately, about how we use technology that we use
technology. We leverage technology to improve the
communications cuz it's communication is a really poor
right now. And I think many of our issues can be resolved
or at least improved by improved communication. We are on
scheduled for next week. The have a dashboard up on the
city of Chicago website, cityofchicago.org, support. You
can find any updates there, but now we want to be able to
post like the senses, as well as the buses their origin.
We're working on building out other components but at least
start with that. I think that there's some sensitivity
around the
release.
releasing that the numbers of the individual police station
because of poor safety reasons. And so, you know, there has
to be some discussion on that. I think what would be really
helpful for me in terms of trying to meet the request with
like additional types of communication is to, you know,
help us understand what what more. Right. So we have the
Monday, we have the Monday working group, The the
attendance is fluid. We
set a
That are charged from the begin.
That are charged from the beginning. That it's to ideate is
to create Solutions. Has to also communicate information,
back to colleagues. And then at the end of the week,
There's the summary report that comes out with a lot of
information. A lot of the data that's being requested, any
types of policy changes, advocacy efforts resources
available. You know, on September 8th, mayor hosted five
briefings for Alders to basically layout that were in this
next phase. And it is definitely going to be a difficult
one. Because of the frequency of buses, the multiplicity of
bass, has a very explicit asked, was made of each Alder to
identify two to three locations in the ward, that either is
land to stand up a base camp or an existing structure to be
converted into congregate shelter. There was also the
requested disseminate the RFP
They're yeah.
there yet.
there. Yesterday, we had briefings for the elders who are
currently hosting these shelters. So that Deputy Gatewood
can lay out, you know, this Safety and Security plan. We're
willing to find other ways to to make sure information you
know, gets you just need some concrete ideas. Sure, I
appreciate that. And just one last, and then I yelled my
time to everybody else. You know, that that request was
made of all of us Alders and I'll speak for myself and
The.
The sign was up for about 2 minutes and it didn't come with
much more detailed me on that about buy one you'd like this
information or that you were looking even for vacant land
to put structured to build structures on it. So I'd
encourage you to provide a lot more detail to myself and my
colleagues, about what the request actually is like
Alderman. Sposato. There's based on the slide that was
presented there was there's not anything that really fits
that in my Warden and we've been doing everything that we
can to be helpful in this process. So help us help you.
Thank you very much. Everybody at that. Thank you very
much. I want to make sure to that point that there's more
clarifications or the elders, understand what opportunities
there are for Community benefit. When you're trying to find
space is that could potentially be lease to own or anything
else so that we can actually work as a council and its
executive ranks together to make sure we open up
opportunities. So thank you for that point. Next we have
Alderman waguespack Fall by Alderman Espada.
Thank.
Thanks German. I'll try to just ask the questions to the
chair. So first of the question of the winterized tents and
Equipment, this is directly related to the Garda contract.
What cities and locations have those tents been tested in
or used?
Who.
Who is doing.
Who is doing guard as background checks? For all the
employees that will be on site that that will include the
subcontractors. What is the name of the company, for
instance and who guarantees those background checks?
Big.
Big question here, when you reach through the contract.
It's, it's a little vague as to how CPT would respond to
these enclosed encampments.
What?
What are the expected response time for incidents? And
they, in the contract. They have a lot of talk about how
they have an incident response time, things like that, but
that's all internal. So, what guarantee is there that
guard? I will honestly report these incidents and share
such incidents with CPD. The
Those.
Those are just some of the main questions chairman, I
think, you know, really kind of looking back at this
contract. I, I kind of agree with you, that starting out
with the sign no-bid contract, really skirts around the
fiduciary duty that we have a city council members to
review some of these contracts and there's a reason not to
rush government contract, especially at times like this,
despite the need to help these migrants. And I'm really
Disturbed when I hear somebody, especially our floor leader
say that we should avoid boats on contracts, like this,
that stands up a red flag immediately that says, no, we
should go back.
And take a look at these.
And take a look at these contracts already signed. So I know
we're not really going to have to do much more than be able
to ask questions on it, but this is what we need to do to
make sure we get full Council and put on contracts like
this especially with gardaworld I think a lot of the
information is already out there in the public. The
research is already done for us. The company that the mayor
sign this agreement with has been found to commit fraud and
US Government contracts. In terms of billing, that's a red
flag they allowed for human trafficking
Human.
Human trafficking, this company has been found to commit
acts of human trafficking. That the ga-au the government
accounting office called modern-day slavery.
and,
And they failed to meet minimum Staffing requirements and
some of their contracts overseas. And I think one of the
most heinous ones here was more morally speaking or in
morally, they jump locally hired Afghan workers just before
the country. Was handed back to the Taliban and God only
knows what happened to them. So there's a there's a lot of
concern not only about the company of South. And this
information is just basically, from a lot of the story is a
lot of the investigations, even the GAO looking into them.
But I think it concerns us when we see these kind of bids,
no, big contracts rush through, we've got
Take care of.
Be careful about these companies that were signing.
Be careful about these companies that were signing up with.
I agree with my colleague, we want to make sure that a lot
of the local contractors are brought to the table and
provided an opportunity to bid on subcontracts minority
contracts. Make sure that we're hiring people locally, but
I have a genuine concern for the Safety and Security of
these people having worked in refugee camps. This is no
joke to the try to say that. This is a winterize Basecamp,
it is like a refugee camp.
I've been.
Abandon them in the heat of Venom in the cold and to
underestimate what these people have to go through at those
camps. I think does a disservice. So I just want to make
sure that we try to get all those questions answered. I
appreciate you posting this hearing and look forward to
continuing the conversation. Thank you. Thank you very
much. All of my wife's back is similarly, had questions
more related to gardaworld in the contract, I think in the
interest of like transparency and accountability knowing
that we're signing contracts. How do we have oversight and
accountability? Over the people? We signed contracts with
is important but we know that they're clearly. The moment
of Crisis have been a multitude of a very valid questions
before you gotten to really talk to you that. So there's a
question, I have related to that is as we come forth with
future hearings. I'd like to see if there's a commitment
from the administration to have a hearing with gardaworld
with Catholic Charities as well, so that we can ask all
those questions about their own accountability.
I'll take a.
I'll take to clarify hearings as well as breathing. So kind
of that you were mentioning like, what are some
recommendation, having briefings with our members and
gardaworld in Catholic Charities directly, make sense and
having a hearing as well. So give your ministration could
admit to that. Yes, thank you very much, I appreciate it.
Thank you for the next up. Ottoman laspada.
What's to your appreciate the hearing up? But usually, as a
non-member to get right to question in terms of the
contract, I'm well, aware of the concerns both Voice by
other, Alters, by voice. By some of my constituents in the
written comment here, what, what are the metrics by which
gardaworld would be judged to have been either successful
or not successful on executing this contract in what were
the accountability for penalties? They face if they're not
meeting those metrics.
Yeah.
Yes, so that's precisely some of the discussions that we're
starting with them. You know, our intention is to
operationalize, our values and all of the settings in which
we are Sheltering individuals, whether its brick-and-mortar
or whether it's these prefabricated structures. We are
looking right now, for example, at the DF SS shelter.
Operating guide, we are collecting feedback from various
stakeholder groups. We started to meet with different
representatives from Mutual Aid as well as the community
based.
Physicians. Providing the Case Management Services that
also have some concerns. We have our own concerns. They
have agreed Garda to adopt. What we develop as well as come
up with a Cadence of reporting to be able to see what the
progress is made. But ultimately for us to construct, what
is the definition of success? As we talked about, you, can
you talk about this like 3 hours ago about temporary
protected, status? The challenges of that, in terms of the
fee? In terms of we're talking about a form that is 13
parts to it. What does it look like for the city to also,
identified legal aid sources noted, that the form does need
to be filled in in conjunction with no attorney? Are we
working to identify those legal resources? Would they be
provided strictly through the shelter's day?
Is.
Is Camp.
These camps.
These camps through our district stations. What does that?
Look at the good news about that is at the state and the
city with some federal support as well, will be tackling
that on there. A begun meeting with the state to look at
how we bring our resources together. We fund organizations
to do legal support for immigrants and the state does as
well. We, there was a call this morning with with the Feds
that several
From our team.
From our team were able to join. I think it's it's it's
going to be a national effort in many ways because everyone
understands the urgency of helping to make sure people
understand what their status is apply for what they need,
and then be able to get that work authorization as quickly
as possible. We already have commitments from several on
our federal delegation that are advocating to waive the
work authorization fee because it is. I think it's $520 and
that will be, you know, mostly very challenging for anyone
to to do we. I meant with a family of Brands Park, one of
our shelters, Senator Durbin, was here doing a visit and he
really wanted to dig in on that on how people were
understanding TPS and work authorization and one of the one
of those, the women that was in the group and she said,
well, we want to work so maybe we could pay for it in
installments. Like let us get started and then as we get
our jobs will start to pay back the 5.
$2.
Dollars. So people are already thinking creatively about
what to do, but I think the goal is to get those waivers
going to get a waiver across the board so that it at least
takes one barrier away. 42 through the application process,
I appreciate that. I know how this crisis feels, I know how
deeply all Chicago and all of us are in our feelings, about
the urgency of this. I also believe everyone is coming to
the city with potential potential that the Investments that
we're making in their lives.
Now.
now, we're going to
Now we're going to work with them to unlock that potential.
I am genuinely not only hopeful but excited for what we're
going to do with these families who are new to us. The only
other thing that was going to happen. I suppose this is
more of a common but that's we're working with seabios to
staff up our shelters and I love that decision. If there's
a way for them to also serve as Fiscal Agent to directly
financially support the work of our mutual Aid. Networks, I
don't think the need for Mutual Aid is going away. I seen
in the past held it maybe they're not set up as 501 c 3 S
but if there can be as we're working with no sponsoring 501
c 3 S who can partner with mutual Aid so that we're at
least partially financing this incredibly essential work. I
would love to see that. Be able to happen.
Hi sorry, I do apologize for interrupting but I can speak
to that. We are working to try to get a physical
sponsorship for up. Sorry, my name is Elva Rodriguez La,
Cholla and lead lead at district 10 and we are trying to
work with someone to be a fiscal sponsor for us because
you're correct. The majority of our mutual Aid work has
been being done. Without that. Kind of sponsorship is
something that were thinking about and even without fiscal
sponsorship, we were able to raise 30,000.
Through.
Through a fundraiser that we had on open Collective. So
we're working with them to try to see if they can sponsor
us to support and I think they can do more. So we we
definitely are advocating for that as well to support.
Mutual Aid, either directly or helping them to connect to
physical sponsors, and then be able to support in that way.
I love it, I appreciate it. Thank you, thank you, thank you
very much. And next, we've got all the person point is
followed by other women hadn't.
Tell him, thank you for hosting this committee meeting
today. You've already hosted more meetings in the last few
months than the last year did in his entire term, which
allows us to have real conversations about how we're going
to handle this on President circumstance. I do want to make
a couple points cuz it's important for us to understand why
we're here.
Yeah.
There are over 150 sanctions on Venezuela imposed by the
United States. 150 on companies on vessels and on
individuals, what we are seeing are working families that
had a life in Venezuela raised families and Venezuela being
forced to flee, the country that they know because of the
social and economic distrust created by the country that we
live in.
Also.
I also want to know that there are thousand 300
municipalities in the state of Illinois.
And Chicago is the one that is shouldering the sun
president circumstance.
It.
It's a difficult moment to be in and I understand they were
frustrated. I understand they were angered. I understand
that we are overwhelmed, but this particular moment is
going to require us. It's going to require us to continue
to be collaborative to continue to seek Solutions together
to continue to be honest and transparent, but more
importantly to continue to provide Creative Solutions. It's
easy, very easy to point fingers.
It is.
It is very easy.
To stay.
To stand here and talk about who's not doing enough, that's
easy. What is more difficult is to continue to create
tables in which we are being collaborative. What is
difficult is continuing to lean on each other? Even when we
are losing trust and hope that is what's difficult. And so
I asked those who are in this room, my colleagues Mutual
Aid, the 5th floor organizations, that have been a part of
the process, way before we all were elected to continue to
do. It's difficult.
and,
And that is to continue to be Collective to be creative.
To be critical. Yes, to be self-critical.
But you.
But you're freeing ourselves from pointing the finger.
That's easy. Couple questions that I do. Have Governor
Abbott has been utilizing federal funds to charter buses,
to send Venezuelan to arrive to the border, to the city of
Chicago. And we know that a bordering state like Texas
receives Federal funding because they are a border state.
Do we know how much the state of Illinois has received in
federal funding to, welcome to stay asylum-seeking
families, that Governor Abbott is using utilizing federal
dollars to send here.
So the slide that we shown earlier was the 41 million, but
if you extract the pass-through dollars that the state
passed through from their award, from the feds, it really
is 21 million dollars.
The points are for Jason. We have only received 21 million
in federal dollars to support all of the Asylum. Seekers
that Governor Abbott has use federal dollars to Charter
hair.
Thank.
Thank you.
Check.
Can you talk to us about what jurisdiction? We have to
bring the governor's office to committee meetings and what
jurisdiction? We have to ask the Illinois, delegation to
sit in these immigration committee meetings. Something we
learned we were having the same questions, right? So,
months ago, we were in conversation with the
administration. Saying, we need to have more accountability
there, relates to the, to the governor, and the state
actually being in the table able to answer questions. And
so part of that was also spurred on when. By Cher Taylor, I
mentioned having a special city council meeting. It made
sense to me to have those folks from federal, as well as
state to be in those meetings, in finding out from talking
to the administration to prime a lot. We don't have the
power to subpoena or to pull anybody into those meetings.
We do have the power of the same voices, we use all the
time in the media and we're speaking out. So there's been
times where as vice-chair Latino caucus we were having
conversations about pushing
and at,
and actually calling out the governor and the president to
see what else they could do. I think that, you know,
Again, we may not always agree, and I don't mean just this
Council. I mean different levels of government, but that as
we're seeing right now yesterday, and today is kind of
leading to attention, that's becoming a little more public
ID, we can look at that. It's either something to hold us
back or an opportunity. I think it's an opportunity now, to
be more public about some of these conversations.
define solution together in
Define solution together and do exactly. As you said, do the
difficult things that are only calling out where we need
support, but figuring out how we actually work together to
do. So, I just want to paint the picture, we are in the
situation because of the over 150 sanctions. Imposed on
Venezuela by the United States, Chicago has been forced to
shoulder the burden of an issue that was not caused by this
municipality. We have over a thousand 300 minutes of
colonies that have not had to shoulder this burden. And
yet, we do not have jurisdiction to ask the questions in
this committee to the state or federal government is that
correct?
That.
That is 100% crack.
It.
It is easy to sit in this room and be upset with each
other, but we are not the ones to be mad at. And so we need
to refocus the pain and anger that we are feeling.
To.
To the root cause of the problem.
and so,
And so I asked us to begin to be creative on what
statements are we publishing.
Where are we willing to travel to ask and demand for the
help that City of Chicago needs?
and,
And in.
And then how are we creating a priority list by all caucuses
Latino black Progressive and lgbtq even my common-sense
caucus? Folks? How are we coming together to develop and
build an agenda that is going to allow Chicago to move
forward?
Thank.
Thank you sir. Thank you. And we are ready to go on tour
across country in the state with you as we figure it all
out. Thank you very much next. Just to give the list of the
others about other women hadn't followed by other women may
not have been worth Faldo by ottawan. Versona Rodriguez,
Sanchez Alderman, Martin. So mixed up with all the women
had
and,
Thank you cheer one you know chair again. Thank you for
having these committee hearings and I also want to thank
the mayor and his team so Tricia can I see Matt Dowdy from
OMC? Commander Vanna, DeRay Christina, DC Chong, I really
appreciate you guys the time, the effort, the energy that
you're putting into it and just want to highlight that.
That is unhappy. As most of us are with the situation. You
guys are unhappy about it but you're also showing up 24/7
to try and work on Solutions and I appreciate that. I want
to ask a question while we've got.
Some of our other guests here and then my other questions
will I'll just put through the chair if that's okay. It
while we have our kind of mutual Aid medical team support.
So one shot outside, are you scared of the 49th? Ward
resident, you guys and the migrant medical team were is not
the first time that our city has really relied on medical
students and medical volunteers asada and many of the same
people in this micromedical. Team also supported us. When
the city couldn't help us with covid from testing site to
vaccine side. I know some of us are in our first term but
some of us are in our second, third or fourth term. And in
some ways, this feels like a repeat of some of the things
that we were challenged with us the city. When first
15-minute endemic these large coordinated efforts. So I
thank you a question. I've got is
How can we get you more support, right? So I I know about
the fundraising efforts, right? Cuz we shared your
fundraiser and its benefits not side of who can answer
directly. And this might be for, for being as well as what,
why aren't we getting funding to this medical team and
solder? How much funding do you need to continue to support
the volunteers?
Why is a great question? And I will practice this with. I am
stuck in your medical student who will have to take us step
soon. So it's a really big exam that's coming up for me.
And so, I think what I would like to see is yes funding and
support for our current efforts, but maybe also the
adoption of our model and is triaging model because it's
not only efficient. It is able to be scaled up as well,
from what it's at now, to something that can apply
throughout the city of Chicago. Unfortunately, I am not
sure if Argo organization, which is based on medical
student work will be able to handle that. Funding is
probably one of the most important things that we need
right now because once we are out of money we cannot
continue going to stations and we will not be able to
continue to offer our services but also City support or
when we do need to escalate patients for complex medic.
Reason.
Reasons and other way.
Reasons and otherwise would be amazing. And then maybe also
someone who is a liaison with the medical groups and just
for medical groups to start recruiting more providers, that
can provide the services that we do and even in a wider
capacity.
Thank.
Thank you. I will add that, you know, we don't have the
ability to just enter into a contract readily with with
videos or other groups. And so ideally we'd I would want to
be able to fund very quickly. This type of work and
especially your organization in particular because I I know
I've had a chance to learn about it and the impact that
you're making is so significant, what we are working on.
Now, with our chief of philanthropy is to look for
foundation money that we can help connect to the
organization. And Jackie has some leads for us out there.
As soon as we can get together for a meeting with her, I
think it could be very, very productive. We know that the
medical situation is is super challenging and have put
request out now to several Federal
State love.
And state level for us to explore how we can support more
Partnerships with fqhcs and other medical. Entities to
build out a more robust Medical Response. Because what we
have now is not enough and we know it has to be better
coordinated with with additional funding. And then finally,
there are persons that I believe are working directly with
the Medical Teams is hard because everyone is challenged to
do more with fewer people but I'm ready. Would you like to
come in just for the sake of time if I'm sorry baby and I'm
sorry right in a row for the sake of time. I I I don't know
that I need the rest of that answer and I I know the city
has difficult Contracting months ago. We talked about the
philanthropic commitments so I think this is a key area of
frustration. I'm sure you guys feel too. Because again,
you're doing, you know, the omen Sheriff work here and the
City of Chicago is and we need our partners.
So I you know, if our director philanthropy need some help
here this isn't as we should have had 20 million dollars in
philanthropic. Money already committed and it should have
been going to these groups already. I don't know what
philanthropy is waiting for him. So if she needs some help
for for City Council Members to back her up, right? But
also it's not just for a key. You no rush Medical Center.
Do you know, Swedish uchicago?
Northway.
Northwestern Hospital.
Northwestern Hospital System, where are the hospital
systems, right in some of the funding and support? And
again, look at with that are presented, right? They race
30008 been doing all these things with $20,000 right. So
this isn't, this isn't like a huge commitment, but I'm
throwing that idea out there saying I am happy to help you
guys know. I'm happy to make phone calls. I'm happy to show
up at people's offices to help extend the reach of the
partners that were looking into bringing into this, because
we know the city of Chicago, can't do it all you guys can't
do it. All right, like we know that chair questions. I just
going to send it to you for her for follow-up. One is a
question of when are we unifying our system? So that, our
existing homeless population and the new arrivals can have
access to the same site. So this predates this
Administration, I had a direct the direct number.
Mission with the law.
Mission with the Lass.
Mission with the last mayor about this and there was a
specific Choice set last year to not combine the systems
and a lot of good reasons for their complications, right?
And also we can't continue to let these tensions faster. We
need services for our existing homeless Chicagoans as well.
And ask for setting up all these facilities, I feel like we
should be able to find a way to give them access, right?
For going forward with these tents, they should have access
to
While. So I'd
while, so I'd like through the
Also, I'd like through the air then when is the unification
happening. I'm through the chair. I'd like us to look into
our Catholic Charities agreement to was reading a news
report about. I know they're different entities but I
believe they're all members of Catholic Charities, USA,
Catholic Charities, San Antonio is mine Plane. Full of
people to Chicago, Catholic Charities. So, the Garda world.
We know are Bad actors for the most part, right? Like we
know we know what to look out for the Garda world. And I
support Alderman waguespack questions on following up on
those. But we got to look out for the Catholic Charities
and each other organizations to who's making money on
sending people here and then making money on us. I was
shocked to see that. So would like through the chair, some
follow-up on on what that looks like. And if we can't get
some answers from Catholic Charities to about, maybe they
can call their friends to the table to stop sending people
here in supporting that you manage.
Chrysler.
Crisis in the last thing is through the chair wondering
knowing our procurement limitations. Can we get a list of
folks? We already have contracts within the city that
either do Staffing or Social Service organizations because
you know, I know you're limited in what you can go to, but
maybe we can think about it and it could be a lot of like
off brand work for some of these other organizations. But
to think about who we've got
That week.
That we can contract with make a modification to an
agreement that they could, maybe some contract with like,
thinking about what J are offered. Right? So maybe they're
not a vendor already but maybe we've got a vendor that
subcontract right with another organization. So if we can
get a list of, you know, maybe some appropriate Staffing or
social service agencies that we can, maybe get creative
with. I know a lot of our groups are at capacity. I know
it's not as easy as just passing through the money, but I
think it's worth taking a look and thank you teacher.
Thank you very much. I'm also taking a repeat. Are we to
get a commitment from the administration that in subsequent
hearing we're going to have both gardaworld and Catholic
Charities here for that. Exact reason I want to thank you
as well for mentioning kind of something we discussed as
far as figuring out the co-location model and shelter. For
also we're going to work on figuring out what that looks
like following other models, that the council has put
together. When a clarification Catholic Charities is not
our director and see, they're granting of the state. So we
don't have authority on that. We could we can ask about
briefings but not necessarily to hear thank you very much
and also had an ass as far as a contract weed directly have
also be reaching out to the state to figure out what other
contracts they have that we could piggyback. The are
necessarily like the garden, worlds are the Catholic
Charities to see what resources. They have their
chicago-based as well to figure out, whatever changes that
are. So thank you for the
next, we have
Next we have all the women are helping words followed by
other women Rosanna Rodriguez. Sanchez. I want to thank my
colleagues or all of their questions and I think he is
hearing other. I'm very frustrated where where we are right
now. I'm glad that we are talking about it. I want to know
when is the series going to happen and for us to continue
these conversations that some of them until they are for
Arrow pointed out in. This is a crisis. We have to treat it
as such and I need those dates on the calendar so that we
can also be prepared because this was enlightening for so
many reasons. I appreciate all the other Fuentes words
about who's at fault here. And also Alder, dowels words
about who's making money? I mean, it is all about
capitalism and so
but,
Let's talk about it and I'm from the 48th Ward. We have a
shelter at the Broadway, Armory. The community was not
included in the conversation before. It was decided that it
would be turned over on Tuesday to be a temporary shelter
and my community wants answers. One of the things that they
ask for is a City website do and I appreciate that. There's
going to be a dashboard up soon. I would
Yeah, I would like information about eventually when it does
come up. How are we in? Forming, not only Chicagoans what
we are doing, like we did today and putting it in the
website. But also is it going to be a resource for our new
arrivals because it's very confusing for many of them in
and as your as Elder Lee was saying who's orienting them,
when they come and whose responsibility is it? I think,
it's everybody. But as you have platform, I think it's an
opportunity for you. Also have to explain to the new
arrivals, how we do things here. We do it together. We do
it with all of our department, we do with our neighbors and
we do it with mutual Aid groups of which people don't
really understand what that is. And so, that's an
opportunity to tell people who actually a lot of people in
my reward, their daily lives, have not been
By.
By The Shelter, by the police stations. You know, the 20th
district is not in my ward, but people are living their
lives and it's it's heartbreaking to know that. People can
also have, you know, real tragedy living in the tents along
the lakefront. But we're so I appreciate this conversation.
We have all the Departments that we need to hold
accountable, including the mayor's office.
Who.
Good.
Who did commit to transparency and staying on the same page
so that we can combat disinformation in the Press. It's so
important. So I appreciate that. You're here. I do wish
that the governor's office was here too so that we can ask
him those pointed questions about how we are being truly
living in our values as a welcoming state. So, I welcome
that conversation as well and look forward to it. I want to
point out that in the 48th Ward, Pastor Beth, Brown is one
of my constituents and is and is working very hard to bring
in the faith. Allege munities 22mm, be a part of the
solution in the mutual Aid groups. In my ward, that's what
are mutually group is working very hard with our warrant
office to find ways to fill in the Gap. The labor is real.
The cost is real, and money and time.
and,
and in, on,
and in, in, in tears to because there are a lot of things
that that we are not equipped to do including
The escalating situation that we have no control over.
That's why I'm really excited to continue to work with you
around the community safety committees. Because we in the
48th, Ward are working with our community-based
organizations, and are mutually group. And the PD, and the
schools, and cdph, and oemc, and our district councillors
and and our small business businesses, to figure out ways
that we can exist and also Envision a world where they will
stay in our Ward.
We?
We don't want kids to go to three different schools and
like some of them have in the past month we want them to
stay. And one of the things that is really difficult, it's
the language barrier and so we're looking for support for
that and resources and I think the website can help also to
bring in people who want to help their, there are truly as
many people that have not been affected by this
humanitarian crisis in their daily lives. There are many
people who are waiting on the sidelines to help and they
need to it needs to be explained to them how they can step
up and help and have conversations with landlord not only
in Chicago, but also in the counties around Evanston, we
just had an event yesterday and you know, these lands are
they what they want?
Stan's.
You stand. So make it easier for them to help resettle
these these new arrivals. And I also wanted to just say how
we do things really matters.
We went on an elevator before. This is meeting and and we
knew this conversation was not going to be easy, but I know
that if we continue having these conversations, it's going
to be better, you can't do it alone. You can't do it alone.
No one here can do it alone.
So I just want your commitment.
If integration is the goal and capacity is, is the limiting
factor just to please understand that there are so many
people that want help. Please use your platforms, use
technology to bring more people in because this is not just
Chicago's problem. Does not just the state, it's our nation
and people around the globe are watching us, the world is
watching us.
Angry.
Agree. Thank you. Thank you very much. I'm also want to Echo
and it was stated before the website, should be coming up
on the next week or so the website is already up. The
dashboard is what is going to be updated and put up there
so that we've got a couple datapoints to work with first
and then we'll continue to build it up my next week
chicago.org site will be directing it as well. So folks
wherever you're going you're getting the same information
until we're really grateful that like that's all being
developed. The one thing I will say though about the what
is it welcomes in Chicago? So the date of that you're
getting is from the briefings that are sent to everyone on
Friday. That's a point in time data. This is going to be a
real-time data so that there is a distinction his is
static, this one will be dynamic. I want to know what to do
that. We need a better website and we need more of a
resource Hub. That is one of the five core functions of our
new office.
Does IQ have more people to work on it with me. That's
where we're headed because this is a moment to really full
resources and put together powerful information that's
helpful. Thank you so much for saying that about expanding
that capacity. I said one more comment and maybe a question
Center Romero is the 40th Ward and right on the border of
where we we share a border and I went to visit there on a
whim and happened that day.
Sharing food. And it happened that the chef that was, there
was a person who is from Venezuela living in Broadway
Armory cooking for his new neighbors. And so my question
is, how are we helping our new neighbors to find employment
within, you know, this moment that were in right now
because they they want to help each other new. If they
don't have legal authorization to work, we can't do that.
We'd be breaking the law. Once they have done that, once
they have that is that will that be integrated into
post.
Supposed to stay down, the city are working on that. Thank
you very much just to remind folks. Next, year starts at 2,
who have 13 minutes left and we got three Elders still.
Please, please, please. I think the question, we can wrap
this one up next Auto Roman Rodriguez. Sanchez.
Thank.
Thank you Cherry. And thank you everybody. For all the work
that you all have been doing. I wanted to bring in a little
bit of contacts because it feels a little bit like
Play.
like,
Like, we are consumed by this moment in a way that is not
allowing us to look at what we have been fighting for for
very long time, right? We are talking about how when you
start of care for everybody. But those structures Donuts
test like we cannot just make them appear magically right
now. I spend the last term for 4 years fighting for
treatment of trauma. That is something that we are actively
working on right now, in order to be able to take care of
everyone but those structures don't exist and we have spent
decades destroying them defending them, right? So, we are
at a moment where we are found in a crisis, but we don't
have any instruments to be able to address it and the
material conditions that we experienced right now are
informing the response that we are able to have
particularly within a minute or something.
Here.
Here before.
Vehicle form.
Here, for four months, that came with a commitment to start
building these structures. But against structures do not
exist right now. We are having to build them and building
them. Also means that we have been working with the groups
on the ground and this kind of coordination is something
that has never happened before between government and
mutual Aid groups. And this Administration has been trying
to make that happen again. We are working on trying to
establish those structures.
Just Dance.
They do not exist in my work. For example, we have been
developing a mutual Aid Network that I actually called the
collaborative the, the Community Care Collective 33. I
called them the people's oemc. The level of sophistication
that there is in those signal threads, which channels for
every single thing we have channels. For Medi-Cal, we have
channels for immigration. We have Channel Steven for
birthday. So special events so that we can bring a little
bit of Joy two families. So it's so their work is being
done and I am very grateful for the words of of my
colleague from the 26th, Other Woman FunFest because we are
going to have to immerse ourselves in this work, in order
for it to happen and we are going to have to figure out the
ways to work with with community.
but he,
but in,
But in the meantime, I did wanted to ask a question about
the the shelters that are not online, right? I sent the
shelters that are not being run by the city. And I have
heard several times that there are specific actions that
need to be taken in order to be able to support those and
there are churches in my water sample and around that are
housing people and there is not a lot of clarity around.
How do these people that are housed in? These churches are
going
Be able to get.
be able to get a
Be able to get help and an integrated into the processes
that everybody else is going through. So I'm okay with
doing this to the chair, but I did want to have an
explanation of that at some point so that our communities
can get access to it. And then what will be the protocols
with CPS in the tents in, in order to make sure that that
students are being supported. The other thing that I wanted
to ask also can be through the chair for schools that are
receiving new students. As a result of this moment, what
are the supports that are be going to be put in place for
those schools? Are there going to be additional resources
allocated for for those schools? And I know that that is an
inter-agency discussion, but I wanted to make sure that
that we were able to get that information. Thank you sir.
Thank.
Thank you very much. Next will have Alderman Martin and
followed by an almost closed out by ottoman Rodriguez. So
Alderman, Martin,
I think.
Thanks.
Thanks very much chair and good afternoon, everybody owl.
I'll dispense with thank yous and other things in the
interest of time and just read off my three questions
through the chair. The first being are there any properties
in Chicago, that the Archdiocese of Chicago has said, it is
willing to use,
Is a shelter.
Is a shelter for migrant.
Is a shelter for migrants that the city has declined to
move forward with if so what was the city's reasoning? The
second question, how many migrant households have used the
rental assistance program? I made available by the state,
how many funds remain on Spence why and what's the plan to
spend those funds in the third? And last question is some
of the public safety challenges in existing shelters,
relate to gender-based violence. How is the city engage
service providers who are in at times better, positioned
than Security offers there is to address those challenges.
I look forward to receiving. Those questions through the
chair pot promptly and look forward to continued dialogue
in his too many have said improved collaboration within and
across City.
No.
No Auto.
No, Audra Martin. Thank you. Next. We got Alderman
Rodriguez.
Yes, I hope you can hear me. Okay. Because Alderman, Martin
was so great. I will take all the rest of this time. I do
find it important to give out thank-yous. First chair, the
dashboard, the transparency of the invitations here, I
think this is a good setting and to do this and the
passions are, multiple sides are certainly felt. But at
this point, I think it's important to recognize
Bollywood.
Raleigh one that's going on with mutual Aid groups. There's
folks here locally, who been there since day one, and I
can't talk that. We've been there since day 3. What is the
mutual Aid? Folks were there since day, one of showing up
at our 10th District, police station, that need to be
recognized and respected. And also invested in where we can
reschedule, I could speak to her work specifically there in
at the park. I want to thank her for that. Working for crew
for forgiving, for a great City, to the cost of others.
Folks were giving I do have just two questions and in the
spirit of brevity, I will just there to the chair question.
I am very interested in the federal support that are being
given to other jurisdictions to bust individuals in here
and want to know what the efforts of the city are to
leverage some of those funds.
in a
In-N-Out.
And then the only other question I had was a long, are the
lines of symmetry discussions around integration of the
migrants that are coming here. Particularly, I know that
we've ramped up our efforts to resettle folks here in our
great City. And I just want Clarity on how that's going how
much effort put forth in that effort as well, but you know
who the chair is fine for me and left on wants to debrief
the address. That second question because it is something
that I have but I do need some clarity.
City some Korean. Thank you.
Thank you very much, will absolutely submit those who the
chair for you. Thank you very much. I do no further
questions. Copies of the presentation.
You're serious.
Are.
Are you serious?
Thank you. He's got through the chair. We got you.
I also, ya want to give credit where it's due. We've got
other Ben Curtis, and I live in Positano here as well. Mark
presidents, got stationed in Britain, public comment will
be provided in the summary documents on Elms after this
meeting and he threw the chair. Follow-up will be sent to
All turfs once we receive them. Also, we submitted through
the chair questions on welcoming chicago.org is why the
questions that have yet to get answers. So, we'll have that
as well. I want to thank everyone who came up to present
today. I want to thank W, Mariposa de Leon, Deputy Chief of
Staff passing Gonzales. Deputy chief Chung Sarah is ghetto
and Guadalupe hookah, as well as everyone in the Box. I
want to come and get me or Johnson. As we know these
decisions are not easy ones. There is pressure coming from
every angle. We can be hard on the ideas, we can disagree,
but
We are.
We all know.
We all understand that we are the ones who have to work
together to figure this out and I know that a lot of times
you may not get the credit for what it looks like. They
have to come to these difficult decision. So I want to make
sure that that's also articulated. I'm also wanted to thank
the folks who came here public want to thank you all is
well for allowing us to finish the hearing and be able to
ask for the question so thank you all for voicing your
opinion again. Thank you very much. You don't have to
masturbate more with there. Being no further business
before the committee. May we have a motion to adjourn.
All.
all the
Alderwood.
Older women that may not happen. We're still moves hearing
no objections to order the meaning of the committee on
immigrant and Refugee Rights is now adjourned.