Emergency Rental Assistance Program contract with Unqork, INC., evictions on the rise and ordinance transparency.
Good Morning! I’ll be live-tweeting today’s Chicago City Council’s Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be held remotely.
09:50 AM Mar 16, 2022 CDT
Chairperson Pat Dowell calls the meeting to order. Roll call vote to establish a quorum. 23 members are present. A quorum is reached.
The public commentary session begins. Public speaker George Blakemore wants to be able to attend City Hall meetings in person.
The public commentary session ends. Approval of the February 2022 Monthly Rule 45 Report passes.
Agenda item 2- An ordinance concerning an amendment to the Annual Appropriation Ordinance Year 2022 within Fund No.925 for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. (O2022-666) Latoya Vaughn from OBM introduces the ordinance amendments.
Ordinance (O2022-666) passes on to the next meeting. Daniel Hertz from Dept. of Housing gives a presentation on agenda item 3 - An ordinance concerning an amendment of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) software contract with Unqork, lnc… (O2022-670) https://t.co/YZ9oE7J13Y
Unqork INC. provided the software for ERAP online applications and case management platform. Mr. Hertz says that other cities have had trouble dispersing these funds and Chicago has not. Hertz says that’s due to the contract with Unqork INC. https://t.co/OdYUdUUZJA
Daniel Hertz says that evictions in Chicago are on the rise. Dept. of Housing is asking for a $600,000 increase for the contract with Unqork INC.
Agenda item 2 - (O2022-670) is recommended for approval. Agenda item 3 - (R2022-146) A resolution, introduced by Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), and others, supporting the Biden Administration to nominate a Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Resolution (R2022-146) supporting the nomination of Kentanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court passes.
Agenda item 4 - (O2021-2901) is held by Chairperson Dowell. The ordinance, introduced by Anthony Beale (9th Ward), and others, concerning an amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-60 by adding new Section 2-60-090 to establish the position of Legislative Counsel.
Chairperson Dowell says that the council members haven’t had the time to read through the ordinance introduced by Ald. Beale (9). Ald. Beale says that the ordinance will bring independence and transparency to the city council.
Ald. Beale (9) says that his ordinance is being derailed. Chairperson Dowell says that since the ordinance has changed it should be analyzed further. Ald. Reilly (42) also has a competing proposal.
Ald. Reilly (42) says the main goal should be to introduce the best ordinance possible. Says he doesn’t care who’s name is on the ordinance.
Ordinance (O2021-2901) is held in committee. No further business before the committee. The meeting is adjourned.
Chicago City Council’s Committee on Budget and Government Operations meeting ends at 11:00 a.m. This ends my coverage for @CHIdocumenters find more information through Parker Valentine’s notes at http://documenters.org