# Committee on Workforce Development meeting, April 11, 2024

- When: Thu, Apr 11, 2024, 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 Workforce Development](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/workforce-development)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928568/video/933002365
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/933002365.txt) (7,254 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 Workforce Development met on April 11, 2024, established quorum, and allowed Alderpersons Coleman, Clay and Ramírez-Rosa to attend remotely. Two public commenters spoke: a veteran who assists other veterans with job applications spoke in favor of a veterans hiring preference, and another speaker described a pending employment discrimination complaint and mediation. The committee approved the Rule 45 report for its March 14 meeting, adopted a substitute, and passed an ordinance sponsored by Alderperson Gilbert Villegas amending Municipal Code section 2-74-020 to create a citywide veterans hiring preference program for city positions. During discussion, members asked the Commissioner of Human Resources about implementation, how the preference would work with referral lists and collective bargaining agreements, extending preferences to children of those killed in the line of duty, data on veterans by demographic group, and outreach plans; several members asked to be added as co-sponsors.

Topics: Veterans hiring preference, City hiring, Human Resources, Veterans services, Public comment, Rule 45 report

### Agenda items discussed

- [20:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1203) Motion to allow Alderpersons Coleman, Clay and Ramírez-Rosa to attend remotely under Rule 59: passed
- [20:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1236) Public comment: discussed
- [27:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1636) Rule 45 report for the March 14 meeting: passed
- [28:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1707) Substitute ordinance with cleanup language for veterans preference ordinance: passed
- [27:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1665) Amendment of Municipal Code section 2-74-020 regarding veteran preference initiatives and requirements: passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (alderperson): Introduced the ordinance on behalf of the city's more than 65,000 veterans, citing that only one in four veterans has a job lined up after leaving the armed forces. ([28:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1737)); Explained the ordinance would require the Commissioner of Human Resources and the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs to develop and publicize a citywide veterans hiring preference program for city positions. ([29:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1771)); Described his own experience returning to Chicago without a job after an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps. ([30:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1801))
- [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (alderperson): Asked how the ordinance compares to the State of Illinois veterans preference. ([32:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1939)); Asked how the program would move to implementation and what the preference would be worth to an applicant. ([33:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1984)); Asked to be added as a co-sponsor of the ordinance. ([34:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2046))
- [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (alderperson): Asked whether the preference would work through points on entrance exams and promotions or as a different kind of preference. ([34:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2064)); Asked whether the five-point veterans system for public safety hiring exams is still in place. ([36:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2160))
- [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (alderperson): Asked to be counted in attendance and expressed support for the ordinance and the new Human Resources commissioner. ([36:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2208))
- [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (alderperson): Said he did not think the ordinance went far enough and asked that a hiring preference for any city job be extended to children of military members, police officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty. ([37:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2251)); Noted that a line of duty death preference already exists for police and fire and asked that it be considered for other city jobs. ([39:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2340))
- [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (alderperson): Praised the ordinance, asked to be added as a co-sponsor, and noted an event that day to help veterans sign up for benefits. ([39:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2383)); Asked whether data is available on how many veterans the city currently employs, saying it would help show the program's growth over time. ([40:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2409))
- [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (alderperson): Supported the ordinance, saying veterans have skills that translate to many city departments beyond police and fire, including technology. ([41:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2496)); Asked for data through the chair on veterans by race, gender, LGBTQ status and disability, citing existing disparities in hiring. ([42:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2538)); Asked how the city considers veterans with PTSD for whom police and fire jobs may not be a good fit. ([43:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2601))

### Exchanges between members

- [32:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1939) Alderperson Marty Quinn congratulated Alderperson Gilbert Villegas and asked how the ordinance compares to the state veterans preference.
- [32:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=1953) Alderperson Gilbert Villegas answered that the state has a veterans preference program and the city's program would signal a welcome to veterans.
- [34:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2046) Alderperson Marty Quinn asked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas to add him as a co-sponsor.
- [34:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2059) Alderperson Chris Taliaferro thanked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas for the ordinance and for his service.
- [36:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2208) Alderperson Stephanie D. Coleman expressed support for Alderperson Gilbert Villegas ordinance.
- [37:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2241) Alderperson Nicholas Sposato thanked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas for the ordinance before suggesting it be expanded.
- [39:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2367) Alderperson Gilbert Villegas offered to work with Alderperson Nicholas Sposato on a future ordinance to expand the preference if needed.
- [39:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2383) Alderperson William E. Hall praised the work and asked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas to add him as a co-sponsor.
- [41:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2496) Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. thanked the sponsor for bringing the ordinance forward.
- [46:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2778) Alderperson Gilbert Villegas responded to Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. points about veterans outside public safety by describing past efforts to remove licensing barriers.
- [48:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542?t=2880) Alderperson Gilbert Villegas told Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. about a housing ordinance setting aside affordable units for veterans in response to his homelessness concern.

## Documents

- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/b9259ed6-cecd-49e7-84f7-29b72dd5455f.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/c1ca86ae-89e3-4fe2-8fe9-e4430697387b.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/f9b45735-3d9c-409b-bc8c-7a025491d949.pdf)
- [Other](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/0c686cea-4f8d-47c0-9a03-98cb609efd41.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/401fb5b9-72b3-4936-a8b5-8c08cc4c9b00.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DD9C88FA-39ED-EE11-904C-001DD806E542 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt