Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, November 19, 2024
- When: Tue, Nov 19, 2024, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Budget and Government Operations
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1030206704
- Transcript: full text (36,972 words, automatic 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 Budget and Government Operations heard four public commenters and then held its 2025 budget hearing for the Chicago Fire Department, beginning with a COFA summary of the proposed $760.8 million budget and an opening statement by the fire commissioner. Members asked about the age of fire engines, trucks and ambulances and how they are replaced through Fleet and Facility Management and grants, overtime driven by members on medical leave and parental leave, the single doctor overseeing police and fire medical cases, ongoing contract negotiations with Local 2, ambulance downgrades, training staff, and grant funding. Much of the discussion focused on the low share of Black firefighters, the end of past hiring consent decrees, entrance exam and eligibility list processes, and recruitment programs, with several members saying questions should also go to the Department of Human Resources. Members also raised propane tanks at homeless encampments, coordination with CDOT on street design, the Mobile Integrated Health program, employee assistance services, and opposition to reducing apparatus staffing from five to four. No votes were taken and the department was dismissed at the end of the hearing.
Topics: CFD budget, fleet replacement, overtime and medical leave, firefighter diversity and hiring, grants, training, ambulance downgrades, employee wellness, Local 2 contract, CDOT coordination
Agenda items discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Nicole T. Lee (chair): Requested an inventory of all CFD equipment with mileage, years of service and in-service dates. (29:41); Asked how many vacancies CFD has and how filling them would affect overtime. (1:08:27); Asked that street design changes be communicated to nearby engine companies so first responders are not impeded. (1:25:20)
- Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Asked how many ambulances, engines and trucks CFD has and the status of replacing aging apparatus. (18:11); Asked how many engines and trucks are beyond their recommended lifespan and their cost. (21:11); Urged closer communication between the council and CFD on seeking federal help for apparatus. (25:40)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Noted 237 fire personnel on medical leave and rising overtime, and asked what efficiencies could bring more members back to work given one doctor serves police and fire. (30:26); Asked whether a data analyst position shared by police and fire is in this year's budget. (34:37); Asked whether CFD had sought ARPA funds. (35:54)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Questioned whether the $45 million overtime budget is realistic given prior spending. (42:08); Said he supports parental leave but that budgets should not rely on placeholder numbers. (43:56); Said slow contract progress is concerning because of the retroactive costs that will follow. (44:53)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Thanked CFD for distributing smoke detectors and its responsiveness in his ward. (48:38); Asked what CFD has done and what the council should do about the low share of Black firefighters. (50:00); Asked CFD to provide a list of its critical needs, such as another doctor and more exams. (54:40)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Described each firefighter's role on engines and trucks to explain his opposition to removing a firefighter from apparatus. (59:58); Said the city needs more paramedics and ambulances. (1:06:28)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Noted his resolution honoring first responders and plans to recognize them annually. (1:11:18); Said data on Black firefighters shows the department is not where it should be and asked for promotion demographic data. (1:11:46); Asked whether promotional testing could happen more often than every eight to ten years. (1:12:49)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Asked about the Urban Area Security Initiative grant and what it funds. (1:14:23); Compared CFD's four training positions with CPD's and asked what number CFD would want. (1:15:28); Said fire department needs are often neglected compared with police. (1:17:05)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Thanked CFD for partnership on the Drew Price ordinance. (1:26:07); Asked what the policy is for removing propane tanks from homeless encampments after repeated fires at a park in her ward. (1:26:32); Asked whether it is legal to bring propane tanks into parks and requested guidance on applicable fire code. (1:30:36)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Raised overtime and growing settlement allocations and asked what can make entrance exams fairer. (1:34:15); Asked about CFD's feedback to OPSA and HR on promotion and entrance practices and requested recommendations. (1:36:05); Asked about the large decrease in contractual services and said paramedic units must be fully staffed. (1:37:49)
- Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson): Thanked the commissioner for her presence after the deaths of two firefighters in his ward and encouraged her to care for her own mental health. (1:53:20); Asked about unpaid ambulance fees and requested revenue data on ambulance billing. (1:54:46); Asked whether ambulance-capable apparatus downgrades are being reduced citywide and what strategies exist besides hiring. (1:58:41)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Asked why firefighter paramedics choose to downgrade their licenses to EMT. (2:03:15)
- William Conway (alderperson): Said the council should help the administration on federal and state intergovernmental affairs for fire funding. (2:04:52); Asked what the 72 percent decline in contractual services means for the department. (2:06:21)
- Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Said a small firehouse in her ward has had a $5 million state grant for an annex for years without progress and asked for cost estimates. (2:10:10)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Asked how many uniformed members CFD has and how many are Black. (2:12:20); Said ending the hiring consent decree was a mistake because nothing now holds the department accountable for hiring Black firefighters. (2:14:06); Noted repeated lawsuits by Black firefighters and said the problem is systemic, not the commissioner's, and requested eligibility list data. (2:18:15)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Asked whether CFD recruits veterans, including at military bases. (4:23:44); Asked how many fire trucks need replacement and whether the budget addresses it. (4:25:05); Asked whether capital bond proceeds can be used to buy apparatus. (4:27:38)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Asked how the council can improve cooperation between CFD and OPSA so questions get clear answers. (4:33:40); Asked whether retirees or members could join recruitment visits to schools. (4:35:21); Asked whether testing results and eligibility lists are posted online and about preferences for disadvantaged areas. (4:36:56)
- Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Said older rigs may put firefighters at risk and asked what the council should do. (4:41:11); Asked how many Black recruits are in the current academy class and why far fewer have entered than passed the exam. (4:44:24)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Thanked CFD for community engagement and for its response to an extra-alarm fire in Edgewater. (4:50:17); Asked about the Mobile Integrated Health unit and its preventive care role. (4:51:10); Asked whether the budget prepares the Mobile Integrated Health unit for the coming years and urged its expansion. (4:59:15)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Asked what a normal year of federal grants looks like and said CFD must be able to function without grants. (5:07:55); Asked about LGBT inclusion and recruitment in CFD. (5:11:15); Asked CFD to coordinate with CDOT on traffic calming so apparatus can still navigate streets. (5:12:18)
Exchanges between members
- 30:08 Alderman Pat Dowell complimented Alderman Jeanette B. Taylor for her requests for information through the chair.
- 39:30 Alderman Pat Dowell supported Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea point about faster apparatus replacement.
- 47:59 Chair Nicole T. Lee asked intergovernmental affairs staff to confirm the Finance General question Alderman Daniel La Spata raised.
- 55:16 Alderman David H. Moore cited Alderman Pat Dowell points on medical leave and overtime in calling for another doctor.
- 59:09 Alderman Pat Dowell clarified to Alderman David H. Moore that an additional doctor should not be placed within OPSA.
- 1:11:50 Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez thanked Alderman Jeanette B. Taylor for raising the issue of Black firefighters.
- 1:25:20 Chair Nicole T. Lee added to Alderman Andre Vasquez Jr. point on CFD and CDOT coordination.
- 1:35:20 Alderman Byron Sigcho-López echoed Alderman Jeanette B. Taylor data request and asked to add Latino firefighters.
- 1:45:36 Chair Nicole T. Lee said she shared Alderman Byron Sigcho-López interest in where position cuts were made.
- 2:04:52 Alderman William Conway said Alderman Byron Sigcho-López questions showed the need to help with intergovernmental affairs.
- 2:04:52 Alderman William Conway said Alderman Matthew J. O'Shea questions showed the need to help with intergovernmental affairs.
- 2:09:37 Alderman William Conway credited the exchange with Alderman Anthony V. Napolitano for answering his remaining questions.
- 2:28:19 Chair Nicole T. Lee said she would partner with Chair Jeanette B. Taylor on improving diversity in the department.
- 4:50:02 Alderman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth echoed Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley remarks about CFD's community presence.