Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development meeting, June 13, 2023
- When: Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 1:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/835553151
- Transcript: full text (5,127 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 Economic, Capital and Technology Development heard one public commenter and two written emails opposing the change of service provider for Special Service Area 28 (Six Corners), and approved its April 2023 monthly report. A Class 6B tax incentive for 6500 West Cortland was deferred at the request of Alderperson Chris Taliaferro, and the committee recommended approval of five special service area commissioner appointments and reappointments. After questions about the 2022 termination of the previous provider and SSA oversight and training, the committee recommended approval of the Portage Park Chamber of Commerce as the Six Corners SSA service provider for the rest of 2023. The chair then discussed plans to bring more Class 6B incentive applications before the committee and to require past recipients to report back on job and hiring commitments, with members discussing stronger language to reclaim incentives.
Topics: special service areas, Six Corners SSA, SSA appointments, Class 6B tax incentives, SSA oversight and training, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 6:05 Public comment on Six Corners SSA service provider transfer
- 9:12 April 2023 monthly report: passed
- 9:40 Class 6B tax incentive for property at 6500 West Cortland: deferred
- 10:04 Appointments and reappointments to special service area commissions (items 1-5): passed
- 16:06 Prorated 2023 budget and service provider agreement with Portage Park Chamber of Commerce for SSA 28 Six Corners: passed
- 31:48 Chair's remarks on Class 6B tax incentive applications and accountability reporting: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gilbert Villegas (chair): Said the committee confirmed support or non-objection from alderpersons whose wards are affected by the SSA appointments. (13:33); Asked the department to explain to newer members what happened with the Six Corners SSA in 2022 and why the contract was terminated. (19:20); Said this was the most alderperson input he had seen on an SSA in eight years and hoped the matter would be settled so businesses get services. (21:03)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Asked whether changing providers only happens in situations like this and which other organizations applied. (20:10); Said she has met both chambers and believes Portage Park will do well, and asked for more background on the situation at Six Corners. (26:55); Asked whether the individual involved is on any list affecting future city procurement. (28:14)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Asked whether the department is using this case as a learning tool for other SSA service providers. (21:45); Repeated his question about using this specific example more directly in training, and asked how long the activity went on. (23:06); Said alderpersons should explicitly state support rather than only not objecting, and asked to verify Alderperson James M. Gardiner support. (29:15)
- Peter Chico (alderperson): Commended the urgency on 6B incentives, saying a company in his ward raised competition from Indiana. (36:02)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Said incentive language should allow the city to pull back incentives from non-compliant recipients in coordination with the assessor's office. (39:08)
Exchanges between members
- 21:45 Lopez thanked the chair before asking about using the Six Corners case as a learning tool.
- 36:02 Chico commended the chair's urgency on 6B incentives.
- 36:49 Lopez asked the chair whether the 6B reporting measure was a resolution or ordinance and what the consequences for non-compliance are.
- 37:15 The chair answered Lopez that recipients will report back to the body for the first time.
- 39:08 Cardona told the chair that incentive language should allow pulling back incentives with the assessor's office.
- 39:57 The chair said he would send Cardona the current language and noted his prior work at the assessor's office.