Committee on Health and Human Relations meeting, May 15, 2024
- When: Wed, May 15, 2024, 9:45 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/946315044
- Transcript: full text (21,730 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 public comment and approved the Rule 45 report from its February 28 meeting. The Chicago Department of Public Health presented a subject matter hearing on the city's response to the opioid epidemic, covering life expectancy gaps, overdose data, Narcan distribution, public health vending machines, medication-assisted treatment, and the summer overdose strategy, followed by questions from members. The committee discussed a resolution supporting self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico and opposing the Puerto Rico Status Act; after questions from Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez, a substitute was accepted and the substitute resolution was recommended for passage. The committee also recommended passage of an ordinance requiring city departments and agencies to include a Middle Eastern or North African designation in data reports using racial or ethnic classifications. One item was held in committee at the request of Alderperson Matthew J. Martin.
Topics: opioid overdoses, public health, Narcan distribution, addiction treatment, Puerto Rico self-determination, Middle Eastern or North African classification, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 11:52 Item held in committee at the request of Alderperson Matthew J. Martin: held
- 33:36 Approval of the Rule 45 report for the February 28 meeting: passed
- 34:05 Subject matter hearing: CDPH presentation on Chicago's response to the opioid epidemic and available resources: discussed
- 2:17:32 Resolution expressing support for the right of self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico and opposition to the Puerto Rico Status Act (substitute): passed
- 2:31:14 Ordinance requiring city departments and agencies to include a Middle Eastern or North African designation on data reports using racial or ethnic classifications: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (chair): Opened the hearing by describing a recent health alert about increased opioid overdoses and the expectation of more overdoses in summer. (34:37); Said her office is one of the 12 trained to distribute Narcan and invited colleagues to get their offices trained by CDPH. (1:14:43); Asked who conducts follow-up for people transported after overdoses and how to get information on outcomes. (1:15:35)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Asked CDPH to describe the profile of a person most likely to overdose and what resources could help before they start using. (1:20:13); Asked that vending machines be placed at three public locations along Pulaski in West Garfield Park, which he described as a major hotspot. (1:25:51); Raised community concerns about the stigma of methadone treatment facilities in the Madison-Pulaski corridor and asked what is being done to manage them. (1:26:39)
- Emma Mitts (alderperson): Said overdoses are now commonly visible in the streets of her community and expressed concern about explaining this to children. (1:39:17); Said education needs to be at the forefront because the community is not fully aware of the issue. (1:40:35); Asked which community agencies CDPH is working with in the most heavily affected areas. (1:41:19)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Requested a hotspot map for her ward that includes both fatal and non-fatal overdoses. (1:50:25); Described overdoses among residents of permanent supportive housing in her ward and difficulty protecting them from drug dealers, and asked to meet with CDPH and care providers. (1:51:20); Expressed interest in the MAR NOW program and whether existing delegate agencies could be engaged in it. (1:52:20)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Offered the 48th Ward as a participant in CDPH's program. (2:04:47); Asked how the city works with Cook County, especially the jail and health system, to support people who are incarcerated or re-entering. (2:05:27); Asked how the health care industry is held accountable for opioid prescribing after surgery and what City Council could do legislatively to help. (2:07:03)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Introduced the resolution, describing Puerto Rico's political status and the large Puerto Rican population in her ward. (2:17:53); Argued the Puerto Rico Status Act would ask voters to choose a status without education about what each option means. (2:20:54); Asked colleagues to support the resolution and the self-determination bill, which she said provides funding and education for each status option. (2:24:22)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Asked whether the resolution referred to House Resolution 2757. (2:25:57); Said he supported Puerto Ricans determining their own status but was conflicted, noting the bill he was reading includes detailed ballot options and funded voter education. (2:26:14); Suggested the resolution state support for the specific bill rather than only opposing another, and said he would fully support it with that clarification. (2:29:03)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Presented the ordinance adding a Middle Eastern or North African classification, describing it as building on a 2023 ordinance and state law changes. (2:31:43); Said he hoped to pass the ordinance at the next council meeting and work with the Department of Human Resources to add the category to applications by the end of the year. (2:34:26)
Exchanges between members
- 1:19:47 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin thanked the chair and committee for bringing the opioid hearing forward.
- 1:38:23 Alderperson Emma Mitts thanked the chair before her remarks.
- 1:49:35 The chair thanked Alderperson Emma Mitts for her remarks.
- 1:53:03 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden said her question highlighted a point Alderperson Emma Mitts had raised.
- 1:53:03 Alderperson Maria E. Hadden said her question highlighted points Alderperson Jason C. Ervin had raised.
- 2:04:44 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked the chair.
- 2:13:27 The chair thanked Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for her questions.
- 2:14:55 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin thanked the chair at the end of his follow-up questions.
- 2:25:08 The chair thanked Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes and expressed support for her resolution.
- 2:28:19 Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes responded to Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez that the bill he was reading is the one the resolution supports.
- 2:29:03 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez asked whether the resolution should instead state support for the specific bill.
- 2:29:48 Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes agreed to amend the resolution to name the bill Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez referenced.
- 2:31:06 The chair thanked Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez for his comments on the resolution.
- 2:34:08 The chair thanked Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. and asked about the timeline for city compliance with his ordinance.
- 2:34:26 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. answered the chair's question about the implementation timeline.