No hug. Yes, like first term maybe a couple hugs after that.
It kind of just went down. So not just I want to go back to
this. It was like
That's correct. I'm wrong.
that's correct know we we
That's correct know we we agree now.
That's correct know we we agree now the way you get the 26.
Yo.
Me up.
You know the action the neighbors who want me about?
You know the action the neighbors who want me about moving
actually legislation, right? So I'm trying to get the
signature to get funding for the Astor.
signature to get funding for the asterisk. My labels are
turning up. I
turning up I go to Marty and Marty go, you know.
turning up I go to Marty and Marty go, you know like it was
Mel right dick Mel like bro. Are you coming out here the
old?
old schools?
old schools it makes sense.
I'm good. I'm good.
different
Different amount of numbers we have about 15 members.
Different amount of numbers we have about 15 members 78 is a
quote. We're at
a quality.
Hey guys.
Hey guys, the
Okay. Um, this is
easy
Like it's 4 and a half hours.
Like it's 4 and a half hours something. Yeah, I was going.
a lot of familiar names when I
You only work whoever corrects us.
you only work whoever corrects us 8 out of 10 are just like
You only work whoever corrects us 8 out of 10 are just like
I was looking at.
but I see.
but I see we already have
always
It's a video on work.
It's a video on Workforce Development will now come to order
today. We have 2 items on the agenda first the approval of
the March.
the March 14th meeting report, uh meeting the rule.
the March 14th meeting report, uh meeting the rule 45
report second 020.
report second 0202.
23000002891 and amendments of the municipal code section
274020 regarding veteran preference initiatives and
requirements before we begin I am going to conduct a roll
call of our members Alderman. Yansi Al
call of our members Alderman. Yansi almanis present
Alderman Hall Alderman Beale Alder.
Alderman Hall Alderman Beale Alderman Chico
Alderman Chico is present Alder woman Ram?
Alderman Chico is present Alder woman Ramirez. Alderwoman
Ramirez is President Alderaan Quinn.
Ramirez is President Alderaan Quinn Alderaan. Quinn is
present, uh Vice.
present, uh, Vice chair Gutierrez present Vice chair
Gutierrez is present. I am present, uh alder's comment
Alder commands online Alderman Curtis.
Alderman Taylor is present Alderman Ramirez roses online
Alder.
Alderman. Pasado is on his way all the person of Vasquez.
Alderman. Pasado is on his way. All the person of Vasquez
present. All the person of Vasquez is present all the
women.
clay would be online. We have 8 members. That is quorum.
clay would be online. We have 8 members that is Quorum, uh
by rule 59 Committee Member.
by rule 59 Committee Member Alderman Coleman alderwoman
clay.
clay and Alderman Ramirez Rosa have requested to attend by
clay and Alderman Ramirez. Rosa have requested to attend by
remote means all those in favor of permitting.
remote means all those in favor of Permitting Alders
Coleman clay and Ramirez Rosa.
Coleman clay and Ramirez Rosa to attend remotely today.
please respond by saying I
and you opposed and the opinion of the chair the eyes.
And you opposed and the opinion of the chair the eyes have
it? Uh, I have non-committee members.
it? Uh, I have non-committee members Bernett and viegas
also in attendance. Um, we will include our other committee
members once they arrive at this time. We will begin the
public comment period which is at maximum.
public comment period which is at maximum 30 minutes or 3
minutes for each speaker at our conclusion and out of
respect for everybody's time. Each speaker is limited to 3
minutes our first public.
minutes. Our first public speaker. Today is Leon Carter.
you can approach here and uh, either you can sit and
your statement and I will keep time. All right.
Good morning. Good morning. My name is Leon.
Good morning. Good morning. My name is Leon, uh, bear with
me I'm not great at public speaking. So.
me I'm not great at public speaking. So just bear with me.
Uh, but I'm a service connected combat.
Uh, but I'm a service connected combat veteran. I'm also a
federal employee who assists vet.
federal employee who assists veterans with identifying and
applying for employment.
applying for employment opportunities in the local
community in federal sectors.
We identify employment opportunities that match the veteran
skills abilities and employment exper.
skills abilities and employment experiences.
we then review the veterans, uh
We then review the veterans, uh employment opportunity
thoroughly or excuse me. We then review the employment
opportunities thoroughly then re
opportunities thoroughly. Then revise the veterans resume
to highlight their employment exper.
to highlight their employment experiences and correlation
with a specific Duty slash.
with the specific duties responsibilities and the job
posting.
once the veteran applies for a specific position, uh
Once the veteran applies for a specific position. Uh, we
wait for a correspondence from the employer.
wait for a correspondence from the employer what the city
of Chicago the average response time.
of Chicago the average response time is 1 to 3 months.
uh and
Uh, and this fiscal year 15 of our veterans have applied
for employment opportun.
for employment opportunities to have been offered
employment and the rest were denied. Uh, they basically
were told that they were
they were uh, unqualified for these specific positions.
positions, and the employer has decided to move forward
with another candidate.
Some of the employment opportunities that we have.
recognized and helped our veterans apply for our position.
like painter laborer, uh sign.
like painter laborer, uh signed painter helper 1 would
think that um these
think that um, these are General types of employment
opportunities.
opportunities that most of our veterans would be qualified
for but for some reason they're deemed unqualified.
We Believe
We believe these veterans in fact are qualified for these
specific position.
specific positions in which the veteran applies for but
once the decision has been made no further information and
or feedback.
or feedback is provided to us or the veteran.
or feedback is provided to us or the veteran, uh to try to
help them prepare for the next employment.
help them prepare for the next employment opportunity.
this ordinance ordinance
This ordinance ordinance for Veterans Preference would
recognize the veterans service.
recognize the veterans service and possibly assist the
qualified candidate in obtaining.
qualified candidate in obtaining further consideration.
I believe all qualified veterans should be afforded an
opportunity to.
opportunity to interview for positions with the city of
Chicago. This ordinance will go a long way in assisting in
this end.
this endeavor.
I just want to say that our veterans.
I just want to say that our veterans are.
uh residents of the city of Chicago
Uh residents of the city of Chicago, um, they're very
dedicated to the city of Chicago. They want to work for the
city of Chicago.
city of Chicago and we assist them implying for the app.
applying for these positions, but for some reason we're
just simply can't make that connection and if we can make
that connection if the veteran can get before an interview,
interviewer, we are 100% confident that the veteran will be
offered a position 30 seconds Sir. All right, and
all I have to say. Thank you. Very good. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Uh, next speaker is Taiwan Sims.
Good morning.
So I got a charged with the EE.
So I got a charge with the EEOC.
The number is 44.
The number is 44020220209.
The number is 44020220209 0007.
the mediation
The mediation has been going on for 2 years now.
More than 2 years now. Um, it's with get fresh produce.
Um for some reason
I went through.
I went through 2 Medi 2 mediators now the new
I went through 2 Medi 2 mediators. Now the newest 1 would
be Seth Brown is taking care of it.
Capstone Logistics was another
issue of wage theft
but it's more than wage theft when you go into these
environments now.
and we
And we talking Workforce Development.
and it seemed like
And it seemed like that. Um
This skin tone is not invited.
Or not wanted or it might be missed.
Or not wanted or it might be mistreated in these
environments and it's just these.
environments and it's just these just um
factory jobs right here
Factory jobs right here. I was doing
palletizing come in. I'm clean. I'm intelligent. I'm
capable.
but still
missed
mistreated abused and cheated out of wages
For whatever reason, I guess these people.
For whatever reason, I guess these people um, but see these
are corporations. They have money right now. I'm home.
are corporations. They have money right now. I'm homeless
jobless still and every time I apply for a job now some
this, um background,
this, um background whatever service says. Oh,
you're not qualified because of some the a
You're not qualified because of some the a misdemeanor.
So I can't take.
So I can't take these things. That's just occurrences.
When it's drawn a pattern.
but I said once before to etch a people out you
But I said once before to etch a people out you murder them
economically.
to etch black Americans out of this city of Chicago we need
to be
need to be disinvested economically.
Economically though. We need to be murdered. That's why you
will have a capable gentleman like me.
will have a capable gentleman like me sitting and talking
to y'all this committee. Y'all hear me now.
This this charge I won't investigate. Let's get this
mediation over with.
Maybe then I could be conversation for my work.
Maybe then I could be conversation for my work for my time
for my dedication to that company.
I'm talking to this committee to work force, but then
focus on young black adults young black children.
focus on young black adults young black children in the
workforce.
because y'all say work for
Because y'all say work force development, but I know y'all
etching us out.
Black Americans going to be in this city.
Black Americans going to be in this city y'all.
Mr. Rodriguez
Mr. Black West
302 black Americans going to be in this city Mr. Tiffer.
302 black Americans going to be in this city Mr. Talifero.
We will exist in this city. We will thrive.
We will exist in this city. We will Thrive as we always
have in this city no matter what.
have in this city no matter what adversity.
We will.
I say this with a surety we will.
But I do want this um investigated.
but I do want this um investigated so that we can get this
mediation over with maybe I could a few thousand dollars
for my dedication.
Thank you, sir.
next
Next up we have Zoe Lee.
Zoe Lee
third time Zoe Lee
okay for the purposes of
Okay for the purposes of uh, attendance and roll call
today. I have Alderman Hall.
today. I have Alderman Hall and Alderman Pat also in
attendance as well as non.
attendance as well as non-committee member alderwoman Mana
henmore. Thank you for joining us. Our first order of
business is the approval of the rule 45 report from the
March.
March 14th meeting every member of the committee should
have received the copy and their email as well as a hard
copy today. Can I have a motion to approve the rule 45
reports?
reports all their Vasquez? So moose all those in favor?
reports all their Vasquez? So moose all those in favor of
passing the report, please.
passing the report. Please signify by saying I I
opposed any opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
the second item before us uh today zero, uh 0202023 d z
the second item before us uh today Zero 0202023 D 0000000
2891 this
2891. This is an amendment of the municipal code section.
2-7-0. This is regarding veteran preferences.
initiatives and requirements today. We have uh,
ordinance sponsor alder-person viegas, uh,
ordinance sponsor alder-person viegas, uh to make a
statement.
As well to answer any questions.
as well to answer any questions committee members may have
we do have the director of
we do have the Director of Veterans Affairs Kevin? Uh, uh,
I'm not going to mess up your last name and Commissioner of
Human Resources, uh, our favorite Blake Mor Sandra.
Blakemore to speak on the ordinance and answer any
Morris speak on the ordinance and answer any questions
before we begin. Um, there is a substitute ordinance some
cleanup language that was handed to everyone.
cleanup language that was handed to everyone before the
committee started Alder, uh Vice,
committee started Alder, uh, Vice chair, uh, Gutierrez
moved passage of the sub.
Gutierrez moved passage of the substitutes, uh, all those
in favor signify by saying I
any opposed
Any opposed and the opinion of the chair the eyes have it?
We do have the substitute in front.
We do have the substitute in front of us and before us uh,
we will begin.
we will begin with other men viegas you have the
we will begin with other men viegas. You have the floor
sir. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the
Workforce Development Committee. Um, I'm here today on
behalf of my fellow veterans.
behalf of my fellow veterans over 65,000 veterans.
Chicago home as we know veterans face.
returning to civilian life.
whether they're seeking treatment for injuries mental
health challenges or just trying to find a job.
only 1 in 4 veterans has a job lined up after leaving the
Armed Forces.
as city council we have
As city council, we have responsibility to ensure that our
veterans can access meaning.
veterans can access meaningful employment opportunities
once they return from
once they returned from serving our country.
this ordinance will mandate the creation of a city-wide
veterans hiring preference program for City positions.
Once our ordinance is passed.
Once our ordinance is passed Commissioner of human
resources, and the mayor's office of veteran.
resources, and the mayor's office of Veteran Affairs will
develop and publicize this veteran hiring prefer.
develop and publicize this veteran hiring preference
program expanding our reach to veterans.
program expanding our reach to Veterans cross our city.
And quite frankly across our nation.
Not only are we helping veterans through this program.
But we're helping our city by tracking.
But we're helping our city by tracking new talent that
might want to call Chicago their home.
now
this ordinance is very personal to me because of the fact
that when I served.
that when I served in the Marine Corps.
And I was honorably discharged.
I went from Full Employment.
I went from Full Employment and full purpose.
to coming back to Chicago
To coming back to Chicago without a giant a job lined up.
and if you think about
And if you think about back back in the 90s before the
internet where?
internet where where our newer members, uh, we had to we
had to go through the newspaper try to find job want uh,
the the, uh, the jobs the classified ads so find a
position. Um, so it was very challenging.
the Illinois Department of Employment Securities did have a
veteran lays on in place to try to help uh with veterans.
But it was not is not as robust as what we're trying to do
here in the city.
thousands of veterans once her
thousands of veterans once you're once they're honorably
discharged from their military service have an option to
either come back to where they were from in my case. I came
back to Chicago.
back to Chicago, but I was being heavily recruited in
Arizona for border patrol because they had a need for
Latinos and bilingual people to work, uh in those position.
I chose to come back home.
um
But I came home to know opt.
But I came home to no options.
And I think that it's incumbent upon us.
And I think that it's incumbent upon us as we're trying to
put forward and be a welcome.
put forward and be a welcome, uh for Veterans as well that
we establish.
we established some some uh some opportunities for them.
And this is just another step in demonstrating that we
to make sure that we're taking care of our veterans, uh as
chairman.
chairman mentioned. We do have uh director of Veteran
Affairs Kevin.
Affairs Kevin bar bar bars, uh, as well as human, uh, human
Human Resources commissioner Sandra.
Human Resources commissioner, Sandra, Blakemore, uh to
answer any questions that the members might have.
answer any questions that the members might have and I
asked for and I vote when appropriate Mr. Chair.
asked for and I vote when appropriate Mr. Chairman. Thank
you so much Alderman and thank you for bringing this.
you so much Alderman and thank you for bringing this, uh,
very important issue to the committee's attention. I know
I've heard from my colleagues and each and every 1 of us,
uh is very supportive of these.
uh is very supportive of these efforts to prioritize our
veterans.
veterans director. Would you just state your name for the
record so we get it, right?
I actually say it wrong too, but it's bar say
I actually say it wrong too, but it's Bar says so yeah, just
Bar says my easy to
just Bar says my easy to say very hard to read. No worries.
director Bar says
Director Bar says very good. We'll open the floor up to.
questions from our committee members. Uh, first up we have
Alder.
Alderman Quinn.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um.
Alderman Vegas, um congratulations, uh job well done here.
Um, how is this similar to the state of Illinois veteran
preference?
so, um
So um not being totally in line. I when I worked in state
government, I did not work in HR. So in the central
Management Services CMS, so I couldn't tell you all the
details around it, but the state does have a veteran's
preference program. And so what we're trying to do.
preference program. And so what we're trying to do again is
be a welcoming City welcoming state to veterans.
be a welcoming City welcoming state to veterans that want
to come back to Chicago or those that may be looking for an
option. Uh, and this is the type of program.
option. Uh, and this is the type of programs that signal
that we want these people to come back or even come to the
city of Chicago. So in terms of implementation, how how do
we move this to imp?
we move this to implement the implementation phase
Um, yes good.
Um, yes, good morning, Sandra Blake Moore, uh Commissioner
of human resour.
of Human Resources, uh for implementation we will work with
with um, the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs over the
next few.
next few months to um, lay out a robust program.
next few months to um, lay out a robust program of
implementation, but I see it involving training for our HR.
uh, liaison and every department so they understand the
reference as well as having um
and uh a Communications, uh program so that um candidates
who are interested in employ.
who are interested in employment at the city are aware of
this program.
And so from a worth perspective this new prefer.
And so from a worth perspective this new preference is
worth what to a potential applicant.
Um, well if you think about it when we um, if we have a
referral list for uh, I'll use laborers for
referral list for uh, I'll use laborers. For example, we
would have 20% of that Referral List would be um candidates
who have the veterans.
who have the Veterans Preference.
Right. Um
All them in Vegas. I'd like to be added as a as.
All them in Vegas. I'd like to be added as a as a
co-sponsor if that's possible. Absolutely. Um, thank you.
very much for your work on this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you.
Thank you Alderman. Thank you, sir. Uh Alderman Tyler
Farrell. Thank you chair.
Thank you for this.
Thank you for this sponsored with you.
Thank you for this sponsored with you and thank you for
your services. As always. I just have 1 question. Um the
commissioner of Blake.
commissioner of Blake it goes in line with Alderman Quinn.
about implementation. Would this be implemented?
about implementation. Would this be implemented with a
veterans representative?
veterans representative by the way at once or 0 Plus?
other words will be given by point.
other words will be given by points when it comes to
Promotions when it comes to entrance exams.
Promotions when it comes to entrance exams, or will it be a
preference to?
preference a base for every where?
preference where veterans given a position start?
Uh, that's um details that we have to work out.
uh, that's um details that we have to work out over the next
uh couple of months as we um, go through, you know, the
various, uh,
various, uh types of job titles. Um, but you know,
the various, uh types of job titles. Um, but you know,
Again, um, you know really starting with ref.
Again, um, you know really starting with referral lists, it
would definitely be 20% of the referral.
would definitely be 20% of the referral lists and as we um
work through, uh,
work through uh with the Department of Law how we integ
integrate the Veterans Preference along with the collective
bargaining.
bargaining agreements and other legal statutes we'd have
that um laid out over the next couple of months.
points we
We have a vet.
preference for our Public Safety is
Preference for our Public Safety is you know with police
and fire have that where we send over.
and fire have that where we send over 20% of the referral
lists.
Is that so that system is no longer in place?
Is that so that system is no longer in place 5 Points?
their hiring what exams? Um, I'm not as familiar with that
with police, but
with police. But again as we look at because I think the
purpose of this Ord.
purpose of this ordinance was to have a veteran's
preference. It's
Preference. It's currently with Public Safety, but now
we're um,
we're um moving it. So it's across all of City of Chicago
position.
positions. So those are the details that we will be working
out.
out over the next 6 months.
Thank you for co-sponsoring it as well. So, thank you.
Alderman. Uh, we're going to go online to alderwoman
Coleman.
Alderman Coleman
Maybe some technical difficulties. We'll come back to you.
all their Coleman chairman. Oh, there you go. Go ahead. We
got you wanted to be counted in attendance.
got you wanted to be counted in attendance and supporting
chairman viegas as well as so good to see our uh, new
commissioner of HR, uh,
commissioner of HR, uh working in favor for our men and
women who served our country in honor.
Thank you, Alvin Coleman. Um, we're going to go to alderman
pasado.
Thank you. Thank you chairman. Uh, am I coming to real good
enough?
I hear you. Yes, you can't hear me? Okay, um.
Uh, uh, thanks, uh Gil. Thanks for doing.
Uh, uh, thanks, uh Gil. Thanks for doing this. Um, we
talked about this. I didn't know 100% understand it. I
think 1 of my questions was answered through a through
Chris over there, but
be perfectly honest with you. I don't think it goes far
enough to tell you the truth and commission.
enough to tell you the truth and commissioner. I'm
directing this towards you in a positive way. Not a
negative way, but like, um,
negative way. But like um, when I say it doesn't go far
enough as you know commissioner.
enough, as you know commissioner we have a
preference for
I'm gonna call them children of De.
I'm gonna call them children of deceased military people
police officers or firefighters that killed got killed in
the line of duty. Yes, I feel
the line of duty. Yes. I feel that it should go 1 step
further if a military person.
further. If a military person or a fire person or a police
person was killed.
person was killed in the line of duty. I believe that
person should get a preference or any jobs because maybe
every kid is not cut out for police or fire. Maybe they
want to be a painter.
want to be a painter or something for the city or or or a
carpenter or something. So I would like to see I like to
consider since your Ordnance bill. I would like you to
consider taking it 1 Step.
consider taking it 1 step further and I know we would call
it Legacy or line of duty.
it Legacy or line of duty death for somebody where if
you're a child of a military person.
you're a child of a military person policeman or a fireman
that you would also get.
that you would also get a preference because that poor kid,
maybe Johnny.
Maybe Johnny lost his dad when he was 1 or 2 years old.
raised by a single parent now he's
in
In his 20s. Mom was unable to afford her her dad wasn't.
able to send him to college now. He needs a job. So I would
like to also see that kid get a preference. So I would just
like to add 1 more layer to it. Um, I I guess we don't have
to do it now, but just like everybody.
to do it now, but just like everybody considered it and um
would say you commissioner that should be something that's
not a problem because we already do it for police and fire.
correctly.
Oh, yes. We have line of duty. Uh
Oh, yes. We have line of duty, uh death preference for
police and fire. Yeah, and and you'd think for for jobs we
could extend it.
could extend it that that because because we already have
it for police and fire, but why not? Everybody's not cut
out for police or fire. Maybe we can send it for a job
period so that's all I'm just asking you to consider.
period so that's all I'm just asking you to consider that
we can extend it 1 little step further.
Oh, yes. We'll take that under advise.
Oh, yes, we'll take that under advisement and happy to have
additional discussions. Thank you. Thank you Commission.
Thank you Gail. Thank you Alamos Maddow and and um, um, as
this program rolls out if there's a need to expand it be
willing more more than happy to work with you on in
introducing an ordinance that talks specifically to that
recommend.
recommendation.
Thank you all we'll go.
Thank you all we'll move on to Alderman Hall. Uh, thank
you, uh, Mr. Chair. Um, first of all, I just want to say,
uh, this is great work Alderman V. And if you don't mind,
could you ask me add me as a CO?
could you ask me add me as a co-sponsor as well. Uh, also
wanted to um highlight the uh work of our Ally
Thank you along with um Grant from the VA office today at
12:30 we
12:30. We literally are um going to provide space for
veterans.
veterans to get signed up for the benefits and uh,
veterans to get signed up for the benefits and uh to that
end commissioner. Um, I just wanted to know do you have the
data on how many veterans?
data on how many veterans we currently um have employed in
the city? Is that is that right?
the city? Is that is that really available?
I I have that information. Um, so there's about 30,000
employees within the city government. Um about 13
Apartments, uh, which is those that have prefer
Fire and Chicago PD. So this would expand that to every
single Department in the city of Chicago.
Gotcha. Well, the reason why I ask is just just for the
sake of um showing.
sake of um, showing the growth of this because I do believe
it's going to grow I do.
it's going to grow I do believe it's great. And uh, maybe
we can start a starting point to show then over the years.
how great this work, um has been for our veterans.
you again commissioner. Thank you again.
you again director. Thank you Alderman haul. Um,
statistics so that way we put in perspective at what the
land.
landscape looks like so over 65,000 vet.
landscape looks like. So over 65,000 veterans call Chicago
home 42% of them.
home 42% of them being African-American 21% being Latino.
and 10% being women 73% of veterans.
and 10% being women 73% of veterans in Chicago, uh are
comprised of minorities and women. Wow.
Thank you. Alderman vas very Illuminating Alder Vasquez.
Thank you.
Thank you very much chairman. Um, I want to thank you so
much for bringing this to us. Um,
when we think about folks who have given a lot of sacrifice
already to this.
already to this country and what some of the folks who come
from.
from that kind of experience and the support they need I
think.
think it's very clear. We need a center that when we think
about hiring. Um, I would absolutely agree.
about hiring. Um, I would absolutely agree that although
there's a preference in police and fire. There are a lot of
other skill sets that translate to a lot of other
departments. Um, sometimes I just look at the way we deal
with technology here in the city, and I'm pretty sure we
be well served by having some folks that have done such for
for our services. So, um, yes to that I I have a couple
questions.
Thank you for the kind of breakdown on the data first.
I am curious is like
to to um automate vasas point
to to um automate the Vegas's point the amount of veterans
of color.
of color, right? Because there's already challenges in the
system. We currently live in as far as hiring.
some folks get hired more quickly than
Some folks get hired more quickly than others is are there
any breakdowns and they can be through the chair as far as
data that relate to minor.
data that relate to minority lgbtq women all of the
veterans to give like a more detailed breakdown of that.
Uh, yes we could get you.
Uh, yes, we could get you information through the chair. You
would like, um a current a break.
would like, um a current a breakdown of applicants or hires
at the City by veteran status and um, um ethnic
at the City by veteran status and um, um, ethnicity and so
yes, so so, uh in the pipeline as well as currently
working, but it would be ethnicity, uh gender.
working, but it would be ethnicity, uh gender, um,
sexuality, uh disabled.
sexuality, uh disabled if they stop whoever self identified
identifies,
identifies. Okay? Alright just to kind of get a sense of
what that breakdown looks like. Okay, um as we think about
the experience of
the experiences of folks who have served. Um, uh 2,
come to mind right? I think it's great to have the
preference of police and fire, but we have folks who are
veterans.
veterans who struggle with PTSD
Who?
Who police and fire may not be the best opportunity for
them at all
and so, uh does the city think
And so, uh does the city think about that as a kind of
relates to?
relates to we have veterans who are looking for jobs, but
it may not be police and fire. What does that conversation
look like is there
look like? Is there any intentionality on on that kind of
conversation with?
conversation with veterans?
Well, I think um with um, this proposed ordinance it really
addresses that.
really addresses that in terms of um expanding.
preference. That was just within Public Safety now, it's
across any City of Chicago job opport.
across any City of Chicago job opportunity and then I think
all of us working together
working together to advertise the preference, uh,
working together to advertise the preference. Uh, so I'm
really um grateful to have uh, this new um,
really um grateful to have uh, this new um opportunity with
the mayor's office, uh veterans a
so that we can really partner together to go out to
So that we can really partner together to go out to um
veterans events. Um also have a digital um advertising
campaign on this so that we can get the word out that it's
not just confined.
not just combined to Public Safety, but we have a
preference across all
across all city jobs. Yeah, I would highlight as well to
Think Through.
Think Through what our HR process is. It relates to
benefits.
benefits when you're talking about people working needing
therapy.
therapy kneading things that are being helpful. I mean we
um, also,
um, Alderman OSHA had been trying to move forward for CPD
they have
They have like a limit where after 10 sessions they have to
prove they need more.
prove they need more sessions, which is a shame that the
city.
city and the insurance here has that but to think through
those things as well.
those things as well because of that experience. Um, so
just wanted to like flag that separately. Oh, sorry. Yeah.
Yeah. I just want to comment on that 1 of the great things
that veterans.
that veterans do come with our federal benefits. Um, so we
do have our federal partner, which is Grant and Leon. Um,
there is therapy for vet.
there is therapy for veterans. Uh, we also offer it to CPD
as well as fire.
as well as fire those that are veterans as an alternate,
right? So if they don't want to go through
Services they can go to the VA or or some other form.
Any information on that to the chair be helpful for our
officers?
officers who may need to go elsewhere because it was very
troubling to find out that there's a limit.
troubling to find out that there's a limit to anything they
would need um separ.
would need. Um separately is the experience as we all know
of the amount of veterans who are homeless, and so we see
it across town. We see it across the country.
Trying to find a job when you don't have a place to.
trying to find a job when you don't have a place to live or
an address is its own Challenge and so really thinking
through what opportunities it could be on.
through what opportunities it could be onboarding on the
streets and sand or another department.
streets and sand or another department, but there's still
those challenges if you don't have an address to even
report.
report back to you, so just wanted to also
flag those things as considerations when you're thinking
about the specific.
about the specific experience of veterans what they go
through and our city can be the best employer in on-ramp
people.
people because if that becomes an impediment for someone
who could very well not only contribute to what our city
is, but benefit from what we can do to support them.
is, but benefit from what we can do to support them in that
work. Uh, I think it's incumbent upon us to do so, so to
yeah, thank you Alderman Vasquez a couple of things.
yeah, thank you Alderman Vasquez a couple of things so to
your point about veterans and Public Safety. Um, I worked
closely with uh, former teams for president Mick who passed
away put he put forward a program called helmets to hard
hats.
hats and basically, uh, you had CDL drivers that were
driving in combat.
When it came back to Chicago back to Illinois had to get a
new license.
Um because of the fact that it wasn't with it.
Um because of the fact that it wasn't with it wasn't within
the parameters that we set forth. So think about this
you're driving a truck in a country being shot at then
you're coming back.
you're coming back here and then you have to take another
test. So we we were able to eliminate that red tape the
other 1 we did was how much how much the health care and so
we had people that were full the bottom is that that were
in in in war inserting an IV, but when they came here and
needed to take another test to demonstrate that they had
abilities when they were able to do it under under under
pressured circumstances, so I think that with this
ordinance does is takes a takes a look at those veterans
that were not in the public.
that were not in the public safety space or not interested
in public safety but want
in public safety, but want to contribute and continue their
service in a different occupation. I think I think to your
point the experience and accreditation that should
translate over because of that experience.
translate over because of that experience, um needs to be
something that's centered. So, um, I would also want to see
partnership.
partnership with the mayor's office of people with
disabilities because we know we've got veterans who come
back with disability. So I I commend you for this work,
please let us know how we as legislators and partners can
help expand that and and
learn those my colleagues know I like
Learn those my colleagues know I like quarterly reporting
all the time. But anything that we can get back.
all the time. But anything that we can get back on what's
been done is super helpful for us to figure out how we
improve so thank you very much and thank you chairman and
I forgot to mention also Alderman Vasquez that um,
relates to the the homeless issue, uh, just yesterday.
passed an ordinance out of the housing committee, which
will come to the full floor on Wednesday, which uh,
essence puts 10% of Aro for veterans. Uh, so we're going to
be taking a step leading the nation, uh around a
population. That's always
that's always spoken of of being homeless. Well now the
city of
lakefront. We have a lot of
are veterans and so
um
Um that's on the top of our heads um job security.
Um that's on the top of our heads, um job security housing
security and this really will go a long way. Um, I am
struck by the um, statistic that 75% of veterans.
struck by the um, statistic that 75% of veterans are
minorities and I'm and women and women and um,
and I'm curious to know. Um, I'm very glad this is being
put forward. I'm curious to know how you plan on um
promoting.
promoting this program.
um
we we have an abundance of
We we have an abundance of independent ethnic min.
We we have an abundance of independent ethnic minority
owned media in Chicago.
owned media in Chicago and and we also have um, the
owned media in Chicago. And and we also have um the red
line as well, uh, which is you know, I I take the um, and
all of our trains I take the trains and I see a lot of
empty spaces that could be filled with something. I'm just
curious to know what what are your plans to help promote?
this program?
Um, and we we would work in partnership with the mayor's
office on this.
We we currently have great Partnerships again with Grant. I
know he's getting a lot of Praises over here. So Grant
Jacob said with the VA.
Jacob said with the VA, uh, they would help socialize this
we have Partnerships with the state. We have Partnerships
with the county. Um, thanks to the V.
with the county. Um, thanks to the VA. We also were able to
translate a lot of marketing material.
translate a lot of marketing material, um to polish
Mandarin Spanish,
Mandarin Spanish and quite a few other languages and we
actually take those to the churches.
actually take those to the churches we take those to the
media and as well as some city council members.
media and as well as some City Council Members over here.
We work in their Awards as well. Um, so
we work in their Awards as well. Um, so we we are getting
into the communities. We're getting into the neighborhoods.
to ensure that solicitors. Yeah, that means a lot
you're going into the neighborhoods using their
Publications in their languages. Um, and I would encourage
you to also really look into independent ethnic minority
owned.
owned Publications. Thank you. We'll do thank you.
owned Publications. Thank you. We'll do thank you and and
um, I would add that. Um, if
um, I would add that. Um if there are independent,
Publications that um the aldermen have in their rewards that
may not be engaged to send a list to uh, Kevin so that way
he can go ahead and and send that message out to those
organizations as well.
Mr. Chairman
Um, thank you so much for your presentation, uh hearing no
further questions all
further questions Alder Taylor moves passage of this item
all.
all those in favor. Please respond by saying I I I I all
those opposed
of course, there are none.
of course, there are none the chair the ice had the
congratulations alderman.
congratulations Alderman. Thank you, uh director bar.
congratulations Alderman. Thank you, uh director barzizza.
All right.
All right commissioner Blakemore. Thank you so much for
being here today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, uh with their
uh, so in the pin of the ice have it our Port item 2 on our
agenda at the next city council meeting on Wednesday, April
17th with there being no further business before the
committee. I'll have a I'll take a motion to add.
committee. I'll have a I'll take a motion to adjourn by
Alderman Chico, uh hearing no,
Alderman Chico, uh hearing no objections.
So ordered the committee.
So ordered the committee on Workforce Development is now
adjourned. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.