# Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting, April 15, 2024

- When: Mon, Apr 15, 2024, 2:00 PM (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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/budget-and-government-operations)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/933435917
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/933435917.txt) (30,172 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 Budget and Government Operations met on April 15, 2024, approved remote participation for several members, heard five public commenters who opposed additional spending on migrants, and approved the March Rule 45 report. The committee considered a substitute ordinance amending 2024 Fund 925 grant appropriations by about $75 million, including $48 million in state and federal grant funds for asylum seeker shelter support, a CPD grant for the Democratic National Convention, and grants for housing repairs, public health, senior Medicare fraud prevention and lead service line removal; a motion by Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez to divide the question and remove the $48 million was tabled by a roll call vote of 22 to 7, and the substitute received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then debated the Budget Director's ordinance amending the 2024 annual appropriation by $70 million from the assigned fund balance for the new arrivals mission under a shared state, county and city plan; members asked about the fund balance, future budget gaps, transparency, public health costs and needs of long-time residents, and the ordinance passed by a roll call vote of 20 to 8. A transfer of funds within the 39th Ward aldermanic expense account was also approved.

Topics: Migrant shelter funding, Grant appropriations, Fund balance and reserves, Budget gap, Democratic National Convention, Homelessness, Flood relief, Pensions, Public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [12:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=762) Motion to allow remote participation under Rule 59: passed
- [13:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=795) Public comment: discussed
- [30:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=1851) Rule 45 report for March: passed
- [1:00:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=3601) Motion to divide the question and remove the $48 million asylum seeker grant from the Fund 925 substitute (tabled by roll call vote 22 to 7): failed
- [31:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=1887) Substitute ordinance amending the 2024 appropriation ordinance within Fund 925: passed
- [1:04:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=3894) Ordinance amending the 2024 annual appropriation ordinance by $70 million for the new arrivals mission: passed
- [2:46:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=9961) Transfer of funds within the 39th Ward aldermanic expense account: passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (chair): Asked the Comptroller to explain GASB guidance on how much fund balance a government of Chicago's size should hold, and confirmed the appropriation would not cause the city to fall below that standard. ([1:21:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=4860))
- [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (alderperson): Asked whether a prior mayoral executive order requiring quarterly reporting on the migrant response is still in effect and when such reports will be provided. ([37:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2221)); Asked whether the city's cost dashboard includes indirect departmental costs of the migrant mission and how those could be determined. ([39:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2376)); Asked whether the $48 million grant covers past or future costs and whether the state's $38 million is separate from its broader commitment. ([41:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2490))
- [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (alderperson): Asked how many residents the added funds for the small accessible repairs for seniors program would serve, its total budget and its waiting list, and said he would seek more funding for it at budget time. ([44:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2685)); Praised the briefings, said the federal response to new arrivals has been inadequate, and said he would vote yes because the alternatives are work permits or homelessness. ([1:52:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=6777))
- [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (alderperson): Asked whether the DFSS pass-through grant was applied for and whether it requires matching funds. ([47:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2856)); Pressed the Budget Director for a current estimate of next year's budget gap, citing his experience with corporate forecasting. ([1:26:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5163)); Said his community has not seen investment from the administration despite his support on difficult votes, and that he could not support the $70 million until those conversations happen. ([1:29:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5376))
- [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (alderperson): Asked how much funding has been allocated to the South and West Sides so far this year. ([49:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2976)); Asked how much the city normally budgets for homelessness and argued the city is on track to spend far more on new arrivals than on existing unhoused residents. ([50:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=3054)); Said there is no money for residents' roofs, porches, furnaces or after-school programs while spending on new arrivals grows, and stated his opposition. ([54:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=3279))
- [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (alderperson): Asked what the FY2022 set-aside is and how much is in it. ([1:06:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=3996)); Asked what budget gap the administration anticipates for 2025. ([1:08:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=4125)); Asked why the $70 million was not included in last fall's budget and whether the administration would return for more later in the year. ([1:09:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=4197))
- [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (alderperson): Asked whether more funding from other levels of government is expected and whether further appropriations will come before the committee. ([1:22:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=4941)); Asked whether MBE and WBE participation in migrant-related contracts is being tracked, especially for Black and Brown businesses. ([1:24:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5046))
- [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (alderperson): Read a report of projected budget shortfalls of up to $1.9 billion by 2026 and said he has difficulty voting to spend reserves given the coming fiscal pressure. ([1:31:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5505))
- [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (alderperson): Asked whether this would be the final funding request for asylum seekers and whether the state and federal governments would take over costs, and said he did not get good answers in briefings. ([1:33:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5619))
- [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (alderperson): Asked how CDPH is forecasting public health costs from outbreaks such as measles and tuberculosis in shelters, and requested information through the chair. ([1:35:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5733)); Said transparency about how migrant funds are spent has a lot of room for improvement and is necessary for supplemental appropriations. ([1:39:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5943)); Asked about the timeline to move from city-run emergency shelters to community-based and unified shelter systems. ([1:43:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=6219))
- [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (alderperson): Asked how much of the unassigned fund balance was allocated to residents who suffered flood damage on the West Side last year. ([1:56:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=6984)); Said he could not support the $70 million because residents with flood damage, leaking roofs and failing porches have not received help, and urged colleagues to consider their own residents. ([1:59:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=7155))
- [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (alderperson): Said his ward hosts the most migrants, that the federal government is not helping as it did for Afghan and Ukrainian arrivals, and asked what would happen if the council did not provide the $70 million. ([2:05:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=7515)); Said other levels of government had asked council members to support the funding and that the city needs to act to contain the situation. ([2:15:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8109))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Said he has supported the migrant mission but would vote no because he believes the money should go to underfunded pensions and ARPA funds should be used instead. ([2:15:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8154))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Said the federal government bears responsibility, supported work permits, urged colleagues to demand federal reimbursement, and moved for a roll call vote. ([2:25:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8754))
- [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (alderperson): Asked how much the city has requested from the federal government compared to what it received. ([2:33:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=9184)); Asked for a reserve level that would not affect credit ratings so remaining unassigned funds could be discussed for community needs such as flooding. ([2:35:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=9354)); Asked about the cost of not funding shelters, argued that not approving the funding would be irresponsible, and moved to pass the ordinance. ([2:40:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=9636))

### Exchanges between members

- [47:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=2838) Alderperson Daniel La Spata said Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez had already asked many of the questions he was interested in.
- [1:27:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5244) Alderperson David H. Moore said he shared the concern behind Alderperson Marty Quinn question about the budget gap.
- [1:31:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5508) Alderperson Brendan Reilly referred back to the budget gap question raised by Alderperson Marty Quinn and Alderperson David H. Moore.
- [1:35:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=5728) Alderperson Nicole T. Lee remarked that Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez had asked many of her questions before raising additional ones.
- [2:14:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8098) The chair asked for order so Alderperson Walter R. Burnett could finish his statement.
- [2:15:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8154) Alderperson William Conway said Vice Chair Nicole T. Lee had covered his questions.
- [2:26:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8796) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López responded to Alderperson William Conway pension concerns by urging him to stop blocking TIF dollars and work together.
- [2:27:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8833) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López told Alderperson Chris Taliaferro he heard his concerns about home repairs and called for working together on them.
- [2:28:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=8886) The chair asked Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López to hold his roll call motion until remaining speakers were heard.
- [2:34:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219?t=9264) Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. cited Alderperson Marty Quinn description of the federal award as wholly inadequate.

## Documents

- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/8d35428e-7e75-4381-aa03-ec35a4dc4043.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/28977f03-8c14-4c08-822f-b9b59245a6c3.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/ae4ffd3e-d685-4004-8c0e-86e0f5164837.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/04687e17-44bd-423c-a746-5a6a0cb32c26.pdf)

---
Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/FF51E8CD-03F8-EE11-A1FD-001DD8301219 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt