Committee on Health and Human Relations meeting, September 26, 2023
- When: Tue, Sep 26, 2023, 9:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Health and Human Relations
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/867330999
- Transcript: full text (7,208 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Health and Human Relations met on September 26, 2023, approved its April and July Rule 45 reports, and heard three public commenters, two of whom supported a working group on non-police mental health crisis response. The committee recommended passage by voice vote of an ordinance expanding the Gender-Based Violence Task Force from 17 to 21 members, a resolution supporting federal nutrition assistance for locally grown produce in Puerto Rico, and a resolution calling on Chicago higher education institutions to establish offices to increase Black student recruitment, enrollment and scholarships. It also accepted a substitute and recommended passage of an ordinance from the Mayor and the chair creating a working group to develop recommendations for non-police mental health crisis response, after Department of Public Health staff answered questions about the CARE program, 988 and coordination with state law.
Topics: gender-based violence task force, Puerto Rico nutrition assistance, Black student enrollment, non-police mental health crisis response, 988 crisis line, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 16:41 Reaffirm approval of the April 2023 Rule 45 report: passed
- 17:17 Approval of the July 2023 Rule 45 report: passed
- 17:33 Ordinance expanding the Gender-Based Violence Task Force from 17 to 21 members (O2023-0001249): passed
- 33:16 Resolution supporting allocation of federal nutrition assistance program funds for locally grown produce in Puerto Rico (R2023-0002892): passed
- 38:42 Resolution calling on Chicago institutions of higher learning to establish offices to increase Black student recruitment, enrollment and scholarship opportunities (R2023-0002940): passed
- 49:39 Ordinance establishing a working group to develop recommendations on mental health services and non-police crisis response (substitute) (O2023-0004179): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (chair): Supported the Puerto Rico resolution, describing difficulties producing agriculture there, especially after Hurricane Maria, and calling the situation a result of colonialism. (36:03); Supported the Black student enrollment resolution in light of the reversal of affirmative action. (48:31); Introduced the working group ordinance she sponsored with the Mayor to develop a non-police mental health crisis response model with community input. (49:39)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Supported expanding the Gender-Based Violence Task Force and praised the task force's communication with council members. (29:24)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Thanked the task force and his former policy staff and noted the pandemic's impact on people at risk of domestic and gender-based violence. (30:45)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Thanked the task force, noted the large LGBTQ+ population in her ward facing hate, and asked how the task force will expand outreach. (31:45); Supported the Black student enrollment resolution and asked how students could be engaged earlier through high school curriculum. (43:34); Supported the substitute ordinance and asked how the city's model will connect 911 with 988 under the state's Community Emergency Services and Supports Act. (58:08)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Said Puerto Rico imports most of its food on U.S. ships under the Jones Act, and the resolution would urge Congress and the USDA to support local food production there, reducing carbon emissions and diet-related illness. (33:38)
- Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Cited steep declines in Black student enrollment and asked colleagues to support a resolution urging state funding for outreach and university offices focused on Black student enrollment. (39:06); Said, drawing on his teaching and mentoring experience, that the resolution is a start, preparation must begin in early grades, and education investment relates to public safety. (45:04)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Supported the resolution and cited Roosevelt University as an example of an institution with a department supporting minority students. (41:17)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Supported the resolution and said the city should prioritize universities that recruit locally. (42:56)
- Julia M. Ramirez (alderperson): Asked staff to describe hurdles encountered with co-responder models and why the city is moving toward non-police response. (54:59)
Exchanges between members
- 36:03 The chair voiced support for the Puerto Rico resolution and thanked its sponsor for submitting it.
- 41:22 Alderperson Ruth Cruz thanked Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson for bringing the resolution forward.
- 42:56 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson thanked Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson for bringing the resolution to the committee's attention.
- 43:18 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson pointed to Alderperson Ruth Cruz example of Roosevelt University as a model.
- 43:34 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth asked Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson how students could be engaged earlier in their education.
- 45:04 Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson answered that preparation must start in early grades and offered to work with colleagues on it.