Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, November 6, 2025

When: Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 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 Budget and Government Operations
Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8925576?video=1134045605
Transcript: full text (51,406 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

7:50 Public comment
11:23 Jason C. Ervin: Told a public commenter that presentations are online and that alderpersons often watch…
24:50 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of Public Safety Administration
46:41 Pat Dowell: Welcomed the change in OPSA's medical director and asked the director to elaborate on plans for…
49:15 Pat Dowell: Asked how many police and fire employees are on medical leave and requested a breakdown of…
51:36 Pat Dowell: Asked what outdated employment barriers for police and fire candidates OPSA had removed.
58:23 Brendan Reilly: Noted that the same sworn officers have performed timekeeping duties year over year and…
1:01:57 Brendan Reilly: Said members discuss 60 to 75 sworn timekeepers every budget year and asked when civilians…
1:04:00 Brendan Reilly: Urged OPSA to make civilianizing timekeeping a top priority so officers can protect…
1:09:07 Jason C. Ervin: Noted that the police power test standards are a state matter set through the state training…
1:09:46 Matthew J. O'Shea: Said OPSA was created to save money through civilianization but officers still do…
1:11:09 Matthew J. O'Shea: Asked how many police observation cameras and license plate readers exist citywide and…
1:13:39 Matthew J. O'Shea: Asked for the status of the procurement to replace ShotSpotter.
1:18:22 William Conway: Asked why the estimated timeline for restoring acoustic gunshot detection changed.
1:19:29 William Conway: Asked where gunshot detection technology appears in the budget.
1:20:31 William Conway: Said a majority of alderpersons and constituents supported the technology, citing a…
1:24:12 Nicholas Sposato: Asked what employment barriers OPSA changed for Fire Department applicants, describing the…
1:26:28 Nicholas Sposato: Described the earlier fire exam and the current lottery system and offered to help with…
1:27:53 Nicholas Sposato: Asked how many attempts applicants get at physical fitness tests for CPD and CFD.
1:30:13 Gilbert Villegas: Asked whether OPSA HR is involved in the citywide ERP system and praised technology…
1:30:37 Gilbert Villegas: Asked about OPSA's procurement role, whether it duplicates the Department of Procurement…
1:34:04 Jeanette B. Taylor: Requested a list of vendors used for OEMC.
1:35:37 Gilbert Villegas: Asked what accountability has been applied to the CAD vendor after repeated delays.
1:45:47 Daniel La Spata: Asked about a $1 million reduction in software maintenance and licensing, which staff said…
1:48:35 Daniel La Spata: Asked about a reduction in the consent decree line item.
1:49:17 Daniel La Spata: Asked whether timekeeper wages are competitive with peer cities or the private sector.
1:56:24 Raymond A. Lopez: Requested a list of duplicative positions and salaries across CPD, CFD, OEMC, and OPSA.
1:59:33 Raymond A. Lopez: Raised concern that police applicants rejected by the first psychological vendor are often…
2:00:58 Raymond A. Lopez: Asked about unspent 2025 gunshot detection funds and the prorated 2026 amount.
2:06:43 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Asked whether OPSA would provide progress reports before next year's budget.
2:07:39 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Asked about OPSA's role in identifying possible misuse of police overtime.
2:12:01 Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth: Said her ward wants officers on the street, questioned the usefulness of pod…
2:14:53 Jeanette B. Taylor: Asked which cities use the CAD technology and whether they are comparable to Chicago.
2:15:27 Jeanette B. Taylor: Encouraged the director to change systems that do not work and asked her to explain what…
2:22:35 Jason C. Ervin: Said members are frustrated with OPSA and are looking for delivery, while expressing…
2:35:35 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of Emergency Management and Communications
2:55:45 Marty Quinn: Complimented OEMC's response to flooding on the Southwest Side.
2:56:09 Marty Quinn: Recommended returning crossing guards to OEMC and criticized CPS cuts made without notice.
2:57:47 Marty Quinn: Cited a crossing guard cut at 62nd and Austin where most children crossing were CPS students…
3:39:49 Scott Waguespack: Said all departments should proactively address safety around schools in light of crossing…
3:40:47 Scott Waguespack: Asked how OEMC coordinates departments for special event management.
3:43:29 Scott Waguespack: Asked about Ernst and Young recommendations on 911 FMLA use and combining traffic aides…
3:59:47 David H. Moore: Praised OEMC's communication and assistance during the summer flooding.
4:02:43 David H. Moore: Asked to confirm for the record that 911 callers are not put on hold.
4:03:43 David H. Moore: Asked how much of the 911 surcharge fund remains and what share goes to public safety…
4:11:34 Nicole T. Lee: Raised reports of residents calling 911 without getting an answer and asked what data exists…
4:13:20 Nicole T. Lee: Asked OEMC to clarify when residents should call 911 versus 311.
4:14:55 Nicole T. Lee: Asked how residents reporting suspected drug sales or trafficking know their reports lead to…
4:24:46 Gregory I. Mitchell: Asked whether OEMC can help CPD with emergency traffic control so officers are not tied…
4:26:10 Gregory I. Mitchell: Said a lack of manpower should not end the discussion and offered council help.
4:27:05 Gregory I. Mitchell: Described a ward area with open gun and drug activity and asked for guidance residents…
5:41:55 FY2026 budget hearing: Chicago Fire Department

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 Budget and Government Operations held budget hearings on the proposed 2026 budgets for the Office of Public Safety Administration (OPSA), the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), and the Chicago Fire Department, preceded by public comment from four speakers. OPSA leadership described a proposed $135.7 million budget, medical section reforms, the delayed computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, and plans to replace sworn timekeepers with a timekeeping system, while members questioned civilianization, gunshot detection procurement, camera maintenance, and whether the office is achieving savings. OEMC members raised traffic control aide staffing and conduct, crossing guards moved to CPS, 911 and 311 call handling, Smart 911, CAD implementation, and the Ernst and Young report recommendations. Fire Department questions covered a duplicate executive director position in the budget, wellness grant carryover, Foreign Fire Insurance funds, alderperson notifications, litigation costs, recruitment, grants, and new vehicles. The hearings were informational, and no votes were taken; the committee recessed until Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Topics: OPSA budget, Police timekeeper civilianization, Gunshot detection technology, Computer-aided dispatch system, OEMC budget, Traffic control aides, Crossing guards, 911 and 311 call handling, Fire Department budget, Public comment

Agenda items discussed

7:50 Public comment: discussed
24:50 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of Public Safety Administration: discussed
2:35:35 FY2026 budget hearing: Office of Emergency Management and Communications: discussed
5:41:55 FY2026 budget hearing: Chicago Fire Department: discussed

Alderpersons who spoke

Jason C. Ervin (chair): Told a public commenter that presentations are online and that alderpersons often watch while performing other duties. (11:23); Noted that the police power test standards are a state matter set through the state training standards board. (1:09:07); Said members are frustrated with OPSA and are looking for delivery, while expressing confidence the director has the capacity to succeed. (2:22:35)
Pat Dowell (alderperson): Welcomed the change in OPSA's medical director and asked the director to elaborate on plans for the medical section. (46:41); Asked how many police and fire employees are on medical leave and requested a breakdown of injured-on-duty versus other leave. (49:15); Asked what outdated employment barriers for police and fire candidates OPSA had removed. (51:36)
Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Noted that the same sworn officers have performed timekeeping duties year over year and asked whether the new system will reduce their number. (58:23); Said members discuss 60 to 75 sworn timekeepers every budget year and asked when civilians will cover those positions. (1:01:57); Urged OPSA to make civilianizing timekeeping a top priority so officers can protect neighborhoods. (1:04:00)
Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Said OPSA was created to save money through civilianization but officers still do civilian work, and noted some question whether the department is needed. (1:09:46); Asked how many police observation cameras and license plate readers exist citywide and how many will be added in 2026. (1:11:09); Asked for the status of the procurement to replace ShotSpotter. (1:13:39)
William Conway (alderperson): Asked why the estimated timeline for restoring acoustic gunshot detection changed. (1:18:22); Asked where gunshot detection technology appears in the budget. (1:19:29); Said a majority of alderpersons and constituents supported the technology, citing a University of Chicago estimate of lives saved, and urged bringing it back quickly. (1:20:31)
Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Asked what employment barriers OPSA changed for Fire Department applicants, describing the fire hiring process as simple. (1:24:12); Described the earlier fire exam and the current lottery system and offered to help with the next test. (1:26:28); Asked how many attempts applicants get at physical fitness tests for CPD and CFD. (1:27:53)
Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Asked whether OPSA HR is involved in the citywide ERP system and praised technology modernization. (1:30:13); Asked about OPSA's procurement role, whether it duplicates the Department of Procurement Services, and who monitors contract compliance. (1:30:37); Asked what accountability has been applied to the CAD vendor after repeated delays. (1:35:37)
Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Requested a list of vendors used for OEMC. (1:34:04); Asked which cities use the CAD technology and whether they are comparable to Chicago. (2:14:53); Encouraged the director to change systems that do not work and asked her to explain what OPSA does. (2:15:27)
Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked about a $1 million reduction in software maintenance and licensing, which staff said moved to bond funding. (1:45:47); Asked about a reduction in the consent decree line item. (1:48:35); Asked whether timekeeper wages are competitive with peer cities or the private sector. (1:49:17)
Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Requested a list of duplicative positions and salaries across CPD, CFD, OEMC, and OPSA. (1:56:24); Raised concern that police applicants rejected by the first psychological vendor are often approved on appeal and requested data on outcomes. (1:59:33); Asked about unspent 2025 gunshot detection funds and the prorated 2026 amount. (2:00:58)
Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked whether OPSA would provide progress reports before next year's budget. (2:06:43); Asked about OPSA's role in identifying possible misuse of police overtime. (2:07:39); Said her ward wants officers on the street, questioned the usefulness of pod cameras, and said her ward does not want ShotSpotter. (2:12:01)
Marty Quinn (alderperson): Complimented OEMC's response to flooding on the Southwest Side. (2:55:45); Recommended returning crossing guards to OEMC and criticized CPS cuts made without notice. (2:56:09); Cited a crossing guard cut at 62nd and Austin where most children crossing were CPS students and warned of safety risks. (2:57:47)
Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said all departments should proactively address safety around schools in light of crossing guard concerns. (3:39:49); Asked how OEMC coordinates departments for special event management. (3:40:47); Asked about Ernst and Young recommendations on 911 FMLA use and combining traffic aides with parking enforcement. (3:43:29)
David H. Moore (alderperson): Praised OEMC's communication and assistance during the summer flooding. (3:59:47); Asked to confirm for the record that 911 callers are not put on hold. (4:02:43); Asked how much of the 911 surcharge fund remains and what share goes to public safety technology. (4:03:43)
Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Raised reports of residents calling 911 without getting an answer and asked what data exists on unanswered calls. (4:11:34); Asked OEMC to clarify when residents should call 911 versus 311. (4:13:20); Asked how residents reporting suspected drug sales or trafficking know their reports lead to action. (4:14:55)
Gregory I. Mitchell (alderperson): Asked whether OEMC can help CPD with emergency traffic control so officers are not tied up for hours. (4:24:46); Said a lack of manpower should not end the discussion and offered council help. (4:26:10); Described a ward area with open gun and drug activity and asked for guidance residents can use when calling 911. (4:27:05)

Exchanges between members

58:23 Reilly picked up on timekeeper questions where Dowell left off.
1:09:07 The chair responded to Reilly that police power test standards are a state matter.
1:18:22 Conway followed up on O'Shea's comments about gunshot detection technology.
1:23:53 The chair thanked Conway after his questions.
1:53:00 The chair let Dowell ask two more questions before she had to leave.
1:55:58 Dowell thanked the chair for his flexibility.
2:03:23 Lopez referred to O'Shea's remark about this being a make-or-break year for OPSA.
2:05:04 Lopez referred to Villegas's discussion of delayed CAD systems.
2:22:09 Taylor echoed Villegas's point that alderpersons are a resource for departmental hiring.
2:47:54 Reilly said traffic aide staffing should also concern Conway, whose ward has major development projects.
2:58:55 O'Shea followed up on Quinn's call to return crossing guards to OEMC and suggested Quinn join a meeting with OEMC staff.
3:19:55 Lopez referred to Villegas's interest in using data when discussing Smart 911 profiles.
4:00:20 Moore referenced Lopez's remarks on OEMC's flood response.
4:23:58 Lee cited Waguespack's earlier point about CDOT flagger shortages.
4:24:46 Mitchell said his question built on what Lee raised.
6:06:13 Lee thanked Lopez and moved to Waguespack.
6:11:07 Waguespack thanked Lee for letting him ask questions.
6:30:11 Sposato agreed with Lopez about the Fire Department becoming a target for lawsuits.
6:34:02 Lopez joked about Sposato's many questions about department positions.

Documents

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