Committee on Health and Human Relations meeting, February 13, 2024
- When: Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 11:00 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/showcase/8928590/video/907982944
- Transcript: full text (17,165 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 heard three public commenters, approved its December 2023 Rule 45 report, and held an introductory session with Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige, with no vote taken. Dr. Ige described her listening tour, workforce shortages and a coming funding cliff, and an approach centered on people and places, partnerships and prevention. Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez questioned why the commissioner's appointment is not coming to the council for confirmation; a Law Department representative said the code does not require it, and the chair said the meeting was introductory and moved on. Other members asked about support for Latino communities, HIV and STI prevention, COVID funds, rebuilding the department, senior care, the opioid crisis, the Treatment Not Trauma crisis response pilot, a city version of the state's CESSA crisis line, and youth health.
Topics: CDPH commissioner introduction, commissioner confirmation, public health workforce, HIV and STI prevention, opioid crisis, Treatment Not Trauma, mental health crisis response, COVID relief funds, health equity, youth health
Agenda items discussed
- 14:54 Public comment
- 25:27 December 2023 Rule 45 report: passed
- 25:48 Introduction of Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (chair): Welcomed the commissioner, noting she was selected through a national search and is the first Black woman to serve as Chicago's public health commissioner. (38:54); Responded to Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez that the code was amended in 2021 and the commissioner is a mayoral appointment, deferring to the Law Department. (40:15); Said the agenda item was an introductory meeting, not a confirmation, with no vote, and asked to move on to questions about the commissioner's work. (47:57)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Asked when the commissioner's confirmation would take place. (40:06); Cited municipal code sections and argued that mayoral appointments require the council's advice and consent unless an exemption exists, which he said he did not find. (41:51); Said that until confirmed the commissioner is only acting and asked when the council would vote. (46:39)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Thanked the commissioner for work at a migrant shelter in his ward that holds 2,300 people and raised concern about politicization of migration and cuts to public health. (59:45); Raised concern about the state's suspension of new enrollments for undocumented patients and asked about gaps and plans to rebuild the department. (1:01:12); Asked about gaps in senior care, including mental health services for seniors. (1:04:36)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Said new HIV infections are at their lowest in years, attributing it to PrEP through partners, and asked how partners are assessed. (1:11:36); Asked whether test strips detect new fentanyl additives and what else the city is doing on the opioid crisis. (1:14:57); Said a code cleanup may be needed so the commissioner position is treated like other commissioners, and urged recruiting through local universities to fill vacancies. (1:19:36)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Described a senior constituent caring for an adult son with autism who could not get through on the state CESSA line and asked whether the city could offer a similar service. (1:24:03); Said there should be an alternative when the state crisis line is overwhelmed and reported reaching only a recording when calling the department. (1:28:15)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Welcomed bringing CESSA to the local level but raised concerns about implementing Treatment Not Trauma and staffing it with trained mental health professionals. (1:31:42); Said the role of 911 and OEMC in passing on information is a potential gap and asked how the department works with CPS on youth health. (1:38:38); Described a recent shooting death in Edgewater, invited the department to a community meeting, and thanked it for school supports. (1:41:06)
Exchanges between members
- 40:06 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez asked the chair when the commissioner's confirmation would take place.
- 40:15 The chair answered Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez that the code now makes the commissioner a mayoral appointment and deferred to the Law Department.
- 47:27 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez asked the chair to cite the email stating the code provision does not apply.
- 47:33 The chair said the Law Department had answered Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez and that the meeting was introductory, not a confirmation.
- 48:42 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez responded to the chair that appointments are part of the commissioner's role.
- 59:31 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez thanked the chair after his questions.
- 59:39 Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López thanked the chair when recognized.
- 1:07:06 Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López credited the chair for championing Treatment Not Trauma.
- 1:11:24 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson thanked the chair when recognized.
- 1:23:24 The chair told Alderperson Lamont J. Robinson his remote audio was breaking up, and he passed on his question.
- 1:23:42 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett thanked the chair when recognized.
- 1:26:48 The chair responded to Alderperson Walter R. Burnett question about a city crisis line by discussing Treatment Not Trauma.
- 1:28:15 Alderperson Walter R. Burnett thanked the chair for her response.
- 1:31:09 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked the chair when recognized.
- 1:37:24 The chair followed up on Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth question about Treatment Not Trauma implementation.
- 1:38:18 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked the chair for the follow-up.