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reporter for @WBEZMayor Rahm Emanuel is expected to announce his the appointment of his Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Anna Valencia as City Clerk Wednesday, possibly during the City Council meeting. Word spread late last night that Mayor Emanuel was calling City Clerk contenders to inform them of his appointment decision. Multiple sources confirmed Valencia’s appointment. Valencia would replace Susana Mendoza who was sworn in last week as State Comptroller.
Emanuel To Appoint Valencia To Clerk
On Thursday, Gov. Bruce Rauner blew a potentially massive hole in Chicago Public Schools’ budget by vetoing a $215 million payment to CPS, which passed by a bipartisan State House budget agreement last June. That money would have covered a portion of its FY 2017 payment to the Chicago Teacher’s Pension Fund (CTPF), due next summer. Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the action “reckless and irresponsible,” and “no way to run a state.” CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said the move might violate civil rights laws.
Rauner Sinks CPS’ 2017 Budget With His Veto Pen
Five candidates have submitted their petitions for the special election to fill the Fourth Ward aldermanic seat so far, less than 100 days shy of Election Day on February 28. Three challengers to incumbent interim Ald. Sophia King, who was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel this past spring, lined up outside the door of the Chicago Board of Elections just before 9:00 a.m. Monday to turn in thousands of signatures gathered since August: Marcellus Moore Jr., Ebony Lucas, and Gregory Seal Livingston. One other, Jack Taylor, filed just after the morning rush. All noted their own independence and a perception that Ald. King, a mayoral appointee, is lacking it.
Ald. King, Better Funded And With More Signatures, Faces Election About ‘Independence’
Aldermen and Cook County commissioners stared down their second week of budget hearings, while still handling regular business this week–but the two biggest issues on lawmakers’ minds couldn’t have been further apart in substance.
For aldermen, it was disagreement over a long-standing perk–face value tickets offered by the Chicago Cubs, who are making a historic play for the World Series, but who also come to aldermen regularly asking for zoning variations and permits. An Ethics Board ruling rubbed many aldermen the wrong way, and the Cubs (and White Sox) had more than one mention in committee.
For commissioners, it was raising the minimum wage for the 200,000 suburban workers who make $8.25 per hour–far less than city workers, who make $10.25. Business groups cried foul, saying they’re already burdened by a slew of recent mandates. Republican commissioners called the move illegal, saying only the state had power to raise wages. Workers said wages don’t come close to covering the cost of living, and that a hike was long overdue.
Cubs Ticket Confusion and Tone Deafness; Minimum Wage Scuffle
Chicago aldermen are about to take a vote on a total overhaul of the city’s police accountability structure. It will establish a new agency to investigate police misconduct and establish a new auditing position that can diagnose law enforcement trends. It has been in the works for months, and from what we can tell, it’s a done deal with aldermen–it’s unlikely there will be be much of a fuss.
In a sit-down with the Aldercast this week, Tracy Siska, a criminologist and mayoral critic who has contributed to the drafting of the ordinance up for a vote, says even with this vote, the city is far from fixing the relationship between police and the community, and that both bodies have fatal flaws that damage their credibility. We’ll talk to Siska, the Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project, about the remaining recommendations from the Police Accountability Task Force, the looming Department of Justice investigation, and the Mayor’s PR problem.
Questions, comments, or corrections? Email us: [email protected]
The “Fatal Flaws” In The Mayor’s Police Oversight Fixes
Aldermen are in for likely another lengthy subject matter hearing today, as they consider Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s ordinance establishing the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and a new Public Safety Deputy position within the Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The main bones of contention: COPA’s budget, whether it or the new auditor could hire outside counsel, and how much power the mayor would have over appointing leadership positions. Council is expected to vote on the measure at a special meeting on September 29.
Public Safety Chairman Ariel Reboyras (30) confirmed that no vote will be taken at today’s meeting, only testimony and debate. He also said that two expert witnesses will be flown in to testify: Philip K. Eure, the Inspector General for the New York City Police Department, and Walter Katz, the Independent Auditor for the San Jose, California Police Department. Both have ties with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE), a non-profit national organization based in Maryland that’s focused on improving police oversight.
Corporation Counsel Steve Patton and Katie Hill, an attorney with the city’s Law Department, are also scheduled to testify, along with IPRA Chief Administrator Sharon Fairley, Police Board President Lori Lightfoot, and Adam Gross with BPI (Business and Professional People for the Public Interest).
No Vote Expected On Mayor's COPA Ordinance At Joint Committee
The Mayor’s staff is holding a briefing for aldermen this afternoon to discuss the next steps on a comprehensive police reform ordinance to replace the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) and to establish a Public Safety Auditor, City Hall sources say. The heads of the City Council’s Black and Progressive Caucuses, Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6), and Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) will both attend, as will Police Accountability Subcommittee Chairs Ald. Rick Munoz (22), Ald. John Arena (45), Ald. Joe Moore (49), and Public Safety Chair Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30). Yesterday, Emanuel spokesperson Shannon Breymaier reaffirmed the Mayor’s intention to pass a comprehensive ordinance reforming police oversight bodies in September, but wouldn’t elaborate on the contents of the ordinance.
Mayor’s Office Briefing Aldermen On Police Reform Ordinance Today
While City Council’s police reform hearings have continued to grind on, exactly what Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to introduce in September remains a mystery. Other than the non-profit Community Renewal Society, The Daily Line has not been able to identify any other thought leaders or aldermen that have been briefed on the Mayor’s plans or seen draft language. Yet, keeping pressure on the system, Mayor Emanuel has said he wants reform passed in September before the October budget process begins.
At a Council hearing on police reform at City Hall yesterday, the fifth of seven meetings, Mayor Emanuel and aldermen were urged to make the process–including possible ordinance language and how it’s being drafted–more transparent.
Mayor Wants Police Reform In September, But Plans Still Unclear
Nearly eight months after the death of Laquan McDonald and few structural reforms to show for it, police reform advocates call back-to-back City Council hearings on police reform a “sham”. Meanwhile, another Council Committee approves a plan from the Human Resources Department that would eliminate the $30 fee for the police and fire exam as a way to increase minority participation.
Police Reform Hearings Disappoint, Chairmen Scramble for Solutions
State lawmakers and Governor Bruce Rauner get their act together to pass a budget... even if it’s only a stopgap to get through the rest of 2016. And for the first time in a while, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools’ CEO Forrest Claypool sound fairly upbeat, as they received pension relief and the okay to increase property taxes for CPS. Plus: a new transit TIF has some state legislators up in arms, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle releases a budget forecast, and the issue of race takes center stage as commissioners decide on a ballot referendum to combine the Offices of County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds.
State Gets Stopgap Budget, County Board Racially Divided on Consolidation Vote
Less Than Half of Planned Streets Resurfaced for 2017, And Other Highlights From Friday’s Budget Hearings
Police Radio Upgrade 5 Years Out, Budget Items From The Week
Building Department to Add Weekend, Night Shifts for Inspectors
Choi revealed that there has been some difficulty filling the Chief Diversity Officer position announced this time last year. “I admit there has been some delay,” she explained to Ald. Rick Munoz (22), “We had some issues with the salary. Recruitment was tough at first, so I increased the salary a little bit to attract more candidates.”
DHR Testimony
She said she met with two candidates but both fell through. The diversity officer would be tasked with tracking minority hiring throughout city government and detailing the results to City Council. Munoz retorted that Choo was “spinning the wheel” with excuses, audibly sighing throughout her response.
“I recognize that we have challenges in recruiting more Latino applicants. I acknowledge that. We have tried different strategies. I am disappointed that those strategies have not produced higher levels of interest in DHR positions from the Latino community,” Choo said. She added that the recent campaign by police to boost the number of minority applicants produced one of the most diverse applicant pools, suggesting the process could be replicated. DHR hired an outside contractor to oversee community outreach.
Handling the application process and administering the entry exam for new police recruits has been the largest initiative for the department this past year and will continue through the end of 2018. DHR administered the police exam to 8,620 candidates in April, about 75% of those applicants identified as minorities. Another test is scheduled for December with 14,000 individuals already registered.
CPD Psychological Exam
In 2016, the city eliminated the application fee for the police and fire exam based on an internal analysis that suggested it was one of the biggest deterrents for minorities. But for the past several years, some aldermen have argued the psychological exam is the biggest deterrent. It was also the subject of a federal lawsuit that was ultimately dismissed (Bonnstetter et al v. City of Chicago et al Case No. 13 CV 4384.)
Choo said approximately 170 candidates were disqualified from the recruitment process in 2016 based on the results of the psychological exam, and 150 candidates appealed the test results.
The ability to appeal is the test is new, noted Choo, “So going forward, when an individual is disqualified based on the psychological evaluation, when they receive notice of that, they will receive the information for how to request an appeal.”
Choo said this process “works for now” given the massive recruitment campaign by CPD and suggested her department is considering a “longer term, more permanent process.”
CPD outsources its background checks and pre-employment psychological tests. The Chicago-based Center for Applied Psychology and Forensic Studies (CAPFS) and California-based Law Enforcement Psychological Services, Inc. (LEPS), as a joint venture, have held the contract for the psychological exam since 1996, according to the Mayor’s Office. (In 2008, they received a no-bid contract, according to city records.) Kentech conducts the background investigations and US Health Works conducts the medical and drug screening.
The CAPFS-LEPS contract was scheduled to expire in 2013, but it included a three year renewal option. In February, the police department renewed the $1 million contract for one year and backdated the term to December 2016. It expires in November.
Budget Highlights (FY 2018 Appropriation increased to $7.4 million)
- Employment Services & Hiring – DHR processed approximately 298,000 applications as of Oct. 24 representing a 23.9% increase from 2016. About 4,049 vacancies were also filled, a 17% increase.
- The average time to fill a vacancy is 143 days, down from 184 days in 2016
CPD Psych Exam, Low Minority Hiring Rates Still An Issue, Aldermen Tell HR Commissioner
Alderman to IG on City’s Gun Violence Problem: ‘Welcome To My World’
City Clerk Faces Heated Questions About Muni ID
Treasurer Summers Raises Doubts On Mayor’s Long Term Debt Strategy
Board of Elections Apologizes for Security Breach, Keeps Contractor
City Council’s First Day of Budget Hearings Sets Relaxed Tone
The Chicago Plan Commission approved zoning and site plans for two major capital projects Mayor Rahm Emanuel touted in his budget address this week.
One application concerns a planned development designation for a new Department of Fleet and Facilities Management (2FM) headquarters at the former Kennedy-King College campus in Englewood. According to the zoning application, a portion of the campus reserved for a Sterling Bay commercial development will be removed from the planned development boundaries that cover the former City College campus.
Zoning Plans Advance for New CPS High School, 2FM Englewood HQ and Police Academy
Emanuel Introduces $10B City Budget, Heavy On Police Spending
Modest Increase in Uber, Lyft Surcharge Planned for Mayor Emanuel’s 2018 Budget
In a divided roll call vote of 43 to 5, the Chicago City Council authorized the creation of a new, independent finance authority to issue debt on the city’s behalf. The ordinance takes effect immediately and authorizes the first round of borrowing, up to $3 billion in bonds secured by city sales tax revenue.
City Council Approves New Borrowing Tool
Finance Committee Approves Pharmacy Work Rules, Co-Sponsor Removes Name
The Council’s Housing Committee approved a major land sale and transfer that brings the city one step closer to relocating the Department of Fleet and Facilities Management (2FM) headquarters from North Branch to Englewood.
$105M Sale of City Riverfront Property Advances With Added Requirements For Sterling Bay
October 2017 City Council Meeting Rundown
Three City Council committees are scheduled to meet Tuesday, two of which, Housing and Finance, concern unfinished business ahead of Wednesday’s meeting of the full City Council. The Housing Committee will consider a change to the affordable housing pilot program approved two weeks ago, along with an acquisition of the former Kennedy-King City College campus in Englewood.
Tuesday Meeting Rundown: More Airbnb Bans, Kennedy-King Acquisition, and Pharmacy Work Rules
In November of 2015, the City Council approved regulations for where hobbyists could fly drones, setting prohibitions over homes, airport airspace, and public gathering places such as schools and hospitals.Chicago was one of the first cities in the country to impose such rules.
Burke Open To Drone Rule Changes For Amazon
The Chicago Board of Ethics has a new member–David Daskal, a former member of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s administration and, more recently, the tech industry. His appointment advanced out of the Council’s Rules Committee in a matter of minutes without any questions.
Chicago Board of Ethics Gains A Former Daley Staffer
Confusion over the Emanuel administration’s plan to create a separate agency to borrow on the city’s behalf forced the Council’s Finance Committee to recess the meeting to Friday morning, after having only approved three of the 16 items on the agenda.
Though several attempts were made to table the ordinance to create a new corporate authority, it eventually passed by voice vote two hours into the meeting. Ald. Scott Waguespack (32) and Ald. John Arena (45) were the sole no votes.
Independent Borrowing Agency, $1 Land Sale for East Garfield Park Hatchery Advance out of Finance Committee
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reporter for @WBEZ