2026-11-04 - Committee on Budget and Government Operations (2027 budget hearings) Meeting

>> JASON ERVIN: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Uh, the committee on the budget and government operations will come to order. As we do every day, of these sessions, we'll begin -- we'll begin the

-- we'll begin -- okay. So if you want to stand up and make outbursts, I'm going to ask the sergeant-at-arms to remove you from the chambers today. Again, that's number one. Keep going, and you're

going to be outside. Just be clear about it. Okay, that's number two. Keep going. All right. Today we will have public comment. We have 32 people that signed up for public comment, of which I asked

the sergeant-at-arms of which to pull 15 -- pull 15 out of the box. He's given me 15. Every individual will have two minutes for our public comment this morning, and we're going to start with Amanda

Ramirez followed by Anthony Berocum. Amanda Ramirez? Yes. Step up. Right here to the microphone right here. >> Can I start? >> JASON ERVIN: Yeah. Again, you have two minutes because of the numbers of

people that we have. We're limited to two minutes. Okay? >> Okay. >> JASON ERVIN: You may proceed. >> Good morning. May name is Amanda Ramirez, and I'm a resident of Chicago's northwest side. I'm here

to ask you to invest $5 million in the tenant opportunity to purchase act or TOPA. I live in a in a gentrifying neighborhood, and when our building was listed for sale, TOPA was the only lifeline we

had to keep our homes. After months of work, and at 1:00 p.m. today, I'm happy to say we are set to make history as the first tenant association to close on a building through TOPA. We will continue

to have affordable rents because of TOPA. We will remain in our homes because of TOPA, but getting here was incredibly challenging. Organizing our neighbors and learning the complexities of a new

ordinance is hard, but doable. Finding the funding to purchase an entire building at market value in just 30 days, that felt nearly impossible. And we're not alone. Nearly every TOPA tenant

association I've spoken with has hit the same financial wall. Tenants are willing to organize and get approved for loans, but they need financial support to get to the gap to the closing table.

Without that support, our homes can end up in the hands of private equity firms and investment buyers. That would turn the opportunity into actual purchases, preserving affordable housing and keeping

communities together. You all took the first landmark step to pass TOPA. Now we need your help to fund it. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comment. Next we have Mr. Berocca. Welcome. >>

Thank you. My name is Tony Berocca. I'm the business manager for Chicago studio mechanics Local 476, representing behind-the-scenes workers and the president of the Illinois production alliance. I

would also like to thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of labor and work force programs regarding the impact the PPLT ordinance has on the film television, and commercial production

industry. I'm proud to say that in the last decade, our union has doubled its membership to over 2,100 members. In 2025, there were over 18,000 job hires, over 90% of which completed their work in the

City of Chicago. Unfortunately, many of my members are sitting at home right now waiting on the call for their next job. Our goal is to not only sustain these job numbers, but to increase them,

maintaining a competitive marketplace that is necessary for that goal. This October, as part of our efforts to increase film and television jobs, the Illinois Production Alliance and the Chicago and

Illinois Film Offices hosted executives from Netflix, HBO, CBS, 20th Century, Amazon, and NBC Universal. For the first green light Chicago and Illinois FAM tour. While we received excellent feedback

from our studio guests, attracting productions remains highly competitive. 90% -- 95% of production companies determined a location of their film and shows based on economics. Comparing potential

budgets all the way down to line items like the PPLT. As a film community, we must collectively face the challenge to maintain competitiveness through sound public policy and strong private

partnerships. These partnerships have also been -- -- >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Mia Cash Carbahal followed by Jonah Karsh. Wait a minute. >> Good morning. My name is

Mia. I'm the here to stay -- I'm with the here to stay community land trust. Here to stay works to ensure that legacy residents on Chicago's northwest side can remain in the neighborhoods they helped

build. In historically Latino communities, we create opportunities for affordable homeownership so working class families can put down roots and build generational wealth in neighborhoods they grew up

in, but can no longer afford. We are grateful for the City's continued investments in affordable housing, particularly the shared equity investment program or SCIP. SCIP provides community land trust

and housing cooperatives with the resources to acquire existing buildings, remove them from the speculative real estate market, and preserve them as permanently affordable homes. It also helps working

class families overcome the financial barriers to homeownership by providing them with down payment assistance. In other words, SCIP preserves affordable housing that already exists and creates

pathways for families to become the homeowners. And these investments are working. Since launching in 2024, SCIP has helped community land trust and housing co-ops with two more in the pipeline

creating homeownership opportunities across neighborhoods including little village, Humboldt Park, Riverdale, and Inglewood. We've seen firsthand what these investments can accomplish through the

funding. We have developed ten affordable homes with another 11th in the pipeline. Of our 23 homeowners, 14 have received this down payment assistance from SCIP. And these are not just units or

transactions. These are artists, musicians, faith leaders, and working class families who can continue living and contributing to the communities they've called home for decades. But the need is far

from met, and across neighborhoods like Logan Square, we're seeing two flats converted into single-family homes and we're asking City leaders to confirm a new -- >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your

comments. Next, Jonah Karsh followed by Brian Campbell. >> Good morning to the few aldermen who are in here. Thanks for being here. My name is Jonah Karsh. I'm a community organizer with the

metropolitan tenants organization. We are Chicago's oldest, largest ongoing tenants rights organization. We respond to calls, thousands a year from all 50 Wards helping tenants in crisis and Chicago,

and we're proud to be doing that. I'm here today because the City Council has made a commitment to come to an agreement to expand renters rights in the City of Chicago by negotiating between the pro

ordinance which MTO is supporting and the fair ordinance introduced by Alderman Villegas. We're looking forward to what comes out of those negotiations, and I would like to talk about how some of that

might intersect with the budget. One of the places where there's agreement, thankfully, is on a rental registry. What I think is important is that that rental registry have the funding to be

successful. PRO provides per-unit registration fees that top out at $5 per unit per month for the most expensive -- or largest buildings in Chicago. I think that's reasonable. If the fair proponents

have an alternative proposal to fund the rental registry, we're happy to see it. We're still waiting on that. Another thing that we want to make sure we're funding is enforcement of the residential

landlord and tenants organization in the City of Chicago. Believe it or not, we do not enforce the tenants rights statutes in Chicago right now. It's left to the courts and lawyers and tenants with

self-help remedies, and I can help you firsthand that I have tenants coming into our office every day where the landlord is breaking the law, and we just have to tell the tenant, well, maybe hire a

lawyer. That is not an effective way. If we had a City department like a bureau of rental housing services that could ticket landlords that are violating tenants' rights, I think that would establish

a lot of deterrence. And finally, I want to make sure -- I think there's agreement on this, but that we're funding what has been a very successful eviction council program in Chicago past 2027. Thank

you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Brian Campbell followed by Tonette Hendricks Sanders. >> Good morning, everybody. My name is Brian Campbell and I'm a resident services

manager in the 48th Ward. I work for mercy housing lake front where we provide affordable, serviced enriched housing to Chicago's most vulnerable, low-income adults. Calling on the Mayor's office and

Chicago City Council to allocate an additional $13 million for the Chicago low income housing trust fund because this program is one of the key financial pillars allowing us to continue in this

important work. It's been my privilege to know and work with the 30-plus residents receiving this subsidy at the Delmar. These are older adults living on a fixed income. They include veterans, former

construction workers, pastors, and the retired deejay who puts me onto overlooked house and disco records from the '80s. In just this cohort of people, we have a brilliant diversity of race, different

ethnicities, sexual orientations, and life experiences. What they share is they live on a meager income, usually from Social Security, and owing to their disability or their spotty official work

history, their monthly income is usually in the range of $900 to $1,500. As anyone who's tried to rent an apartment in the private market in Chicago recently knows, without this subsidy, these

individuals have no place else to go. It's important to me that Chicago can continue to be a home for these neighbors of ours. The trust fund makes this possible by providing landlords with a reliable

rental subsidy so we can offer affordable units and continue serving residents who might otherwise struggle to find or keep housing in Chicago. I want to be clear. The $13 million request is not new

funding to expand the program. It is restoring historically allocated funding and addressing the existing structural deficit. Without it, we could lose affordable housing and put tenants, property

owners, and neighborhood stability at risk. Please protect this existing investment and help keep Chicago housed. Thanks. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Tonette Hendricks

Sanders followed by Zoe Lee. >> Good morning. >> JASON ERVIN: Good morning. >> My name is Tonette. I'm here for housing and health, and I represent the keep Chicago housed coalition. The keep Chicago

housed coalition -- the keep Chicago housed campaign is advocating for funding and housing and services in this year's budget so that 3,000 Chicagoans do not lose their housing and become homeless.

One of the investments we are asking the City to make is an additional $13 million in the department of housing budget for the Chicago low-income housing trust fund. This funding is necessary to

preserve housing for the 2,800 households relying on the program. As a housing provider, I see how housing instability affects every aspect of a person's life. Housing is the foundation that makes it

possible for people to access services, address other challenges, and build a future. We know that homelessness is not simply the absence of a home. It can bankrupt employment, education, health care,

family relationships, and access to essential services. Once someone loses their housing, helping them regain stability, can require more resources. That's why preventing homelessness matters. The low

income trust fund is an important part of Chicago's homelessness infrastructure. This includes seniors, people with disabilities and families living on extremely low incomes. The program also supports

the broader affordable housing ecosystem. 80% of participating properties have six or fewer supporting units. This is an investment in residents, neighborhood stability, and the network of housing

research that makes our work possible, and I want to underscore an important distinction. The additional $13 million being requested is not new funding for program expansion. It is a restoration of

historically allocated funding needed to address an existing structural deficit and maintain assistance for households already enrolled. We cannot talk about preventing homelessness while allowing

existing housing assistance to disappear. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Zoe Lee followed by Simone Montgomery. >> I remember last year the black caucus told me housing was

a human right, and the City of Chicago still hasn't settled my family 's lawsuit from knocking it down. Y'all stealing black people's property. Then I hear around here housing is a human right, when

last year the homeless budget that they passed was $46 million. Now this year they're trying to put -- pass 72 $72 million when I've watched people come in here asking for housing and y'all don't give

it to them. So while y'all come here and champion that BS to continue to get money, to continue to sell us out like y'all did last night -- it's never going to change. The Montgomery bus boycott, a

year. We protested for a year. Friedman, the civil -- the Republican party is ours. The reason why the Republican party is here to free us from slavery and y'all are going back. The Democratic party

is full of weird queers, foreigners, white, weird liberals that Malcolm X told us about, and these sellout blacks for these checks and these pensions that our property taxes are paying for. That

wasn't no win yesterday. That was -- yeah. At the end of the day, man, like, kids. Our Friedman kids, this is our country. This is our country. And ain't nobody going to take it away. Danielle Carter

Walters for Mayor. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comment. Next we have Simone Montgomery followed by Sam Rose . >> My name is Simone Montgomery, and I am an attorney at impact for equity and a

member of the Chicago healthy homes coalition. For years, the coalition has advocated for proactive rental inspections and this year City Council authorized a working group to make recommendations on

how to implement them in Chicago. One essential component of a proactive rental inspection system is a rental registry. City Council is also currently considering implementing a rental registry as

part of negotiations surrounding updates to the residential landlord tenant ordinance or the RLTO. As council continues these negotiations, the coalition urges members to -- members to create and fund

a rental registry that follows best practices set forth by peer cities and meaningfully advocates for tenants. We agree that the goal of a rental registry should be to make investors transparent and

accountable for their properties. This requires landlords to disclose their ownership structure so that tenants and City staff are able to reliably communicate with landlords. Additionally, a robust

rental registry mandates an annual registration fee or other mechanism to pay for its own administration. The RLTO is due for an update, and the City's residents have placed their trust in this body

to get that update over the finish line. As council discusses what a modernized RLTO might look like, reviews, recommendations generated by the proactive rental inspections working group, and

solidifies next year's budget, we urge council to prioritize a registry that fully contemplates the safety and well-being of Chicago tenants and is sufficiently funded. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN:

Thank you for your comments. Next we have Sam Rose followed by James Shearer. >> I was only homeless for a year. One year, and I was lucky even then to have family that I could stay with. But the

consequences of that year follow me. There were lasting impacts on my mind and my body. Mental health impacts as well as impacts from not having access to my asthma medications, through there were

also impacts on my future. The year -- that year I was a junior in high school. Without a consistent place to live, I couldn't focus on my tests, my grades, who I wanted to be when I grew up, and my

college applications. How can we count the losses from what never was? Ending homelessless will help those, and it will result in long-term suffering from those on their minds and body, and an

incalculable loss to our future. What would it be like if we all had secure housing? I urge you to fully fund home services to protect our communities today, and tomorrow and in the future. Thank you.

>> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next, James Shearer followed by Noah Bases. >> Hi. My name's James Shearer. Resident of the 36th Ward. I have been in the motion picture industry for 25

years, such as studio and lighting. Our company provides studio rentals for picture production. We have been owned by local residents for nearly a century. I would likes to thank Kenya Merritt, and

Natasha. Their advocacy for film production in Chicago along with the creative ways they bring attention to our City's production help grow the industry every year. It was enhanced at the end of last

year, and Illinois became a national leader. It has led to increases in production every year since its inception with total spend reaching $700 million and approximately 90% of that is concentrated

in Chicago. It's well known the film production in general has spent everything from hotels, location fees, restaurants, construction materials, specialized businesses, and most importantly, labor

which are largely union positions with better than average compensation and benefits. An independent study quantified the return on investment and they credited $6.81 to the local economy. Our

industry is inherent ly competitive so we have to keep that. We keep Chicago in the conversation while still generating revenue for the PPLT collections, coupled with productions outside outside, most

of which is taxed in various ways. Growing this industry will more than make up the difference from a competitive rate for rentals. I would like to thank the City Council for the opportunity to speak

today and specifically express gratitude to alders Nugent, Dowell, Waguespack, and Lee. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Noah Bases followed by Remington Price. >>

Good morning, and thank you for having me. My name is Noah Bases, Illinois legislative strategist with the IJ clinic on entrepreneurship at the law school. We spent the last 25 years helping

entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate licensing and regulatory barriers and our goal is to make it cheaper, and faster for businesses to thrive in Chicago. We first want to applaud the ACP

and the City of Chicago for their red tape cutting efforts in this budget and in the past year. Reducing fees for home occupations, expanding the foods that push cart vendors can serve, and developing

a plan for the one-stop-shop licensing and permitting portal are real steps toward making Chicago a better place for people to launch their dreams, but there are ordinances moving forward that

agencies can make stronger right now. The vendors ordinance before the City Council expands what kind of foods sidewalk vendors can sell, but it drastically limits where they can sell it. If passed as

currently written, we encourage BACP to work with transportation right now to clarify vendor zones. How large are they? How long can a vendor stay and how will vendors know they're in compliance? We

also encourage alders to look to their own Wards and identify the spaces where they can designate vending zones, welcome sidewalk venders, and create real opportunities for working people to get

ahead. Likewise, the City is investing in our creative economy, but the license required to host amusements and activities and to pay artists and performers is so time consuming and expensive, that we

have entertainment deserts. That means Chicago can maximize the returns on those creative economy investments. We stand by ready to help. We offer nonpartisan technical consulting, and we welcome the

chance to work with all of you on right sizing our rules and streamlining our processes so that even the smallest businesses have a real shot at success. Thank you very much. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you

for your comments. Next we have Remington Price followed by Jessica Jackson. >> Good morning. My name is Remington Price and I serve as an executive director on the south side. We serve people ages

from 11 to 24, in the academic work force development programming. I share the impact of the opportunity fund and what this has made possible in our community. It's more than grant program. It's a

tool for neighborhood transformation. It invests directly in communities that have historically been experiencing disinvestment and helps local organizations and small businesses create lasting assets

that residents can use, benefit from, and take pride in for generations. At GCYC, we're bringing the food sovereignty hub to life. Located in greater grand crossing, it's an innovative agriculture,

and development campus designed to address many community needs at once. Food access, youth opportunity, and neighborhood economic vitality. Through this investment, we have been able to expand our

agriculture infrastructure, and create hands-on learning opportunities for community members and the robust urban farming community here in Chicago. The project includes a youth-led urban farm,

1,200-square foot greenhouse, a container farm, outdoor classroom and kitchen space, and workshop space. The food sovereignty hub increases access to fresh, healthy food in a community that has faced

significant barriers to food equity. It creates welcoming green space, strengthens community connections, and demonstrates what is possible when residents are given the resources to build solutions

for themselves. Programs like the neighborhood opportunity fund recognize that community development is about more than buildings. It's about people. It's about creating spaces where residents can

learn, grow, work, and thrive. For organizations like ours, the fund provides access to capital that exponentially increases the philanthropic efforts and investments. It accelerates projects that

generate measurable social, economic, and environmental returns, and for the City of Chicago, it represents a small -- a smart investment in neighborhood-led solutions that strengthen the fabric of

our City. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Jessica Jackson followed by Regina Jones. >> A notary republic, a notary public may, uh survey, and it revealed that the

City of Chicago has over 1 million 501C3s. 1 million. That means the people in here today, sponsored by these nonprofits, that's why they're here. That's why they're here. And this man, Jason Ervin,

who has spent over the budget for the last four years, and the budget keeps getting deeper and deeper in debt because he has people like this come in here and give a fake facade like he's benefitting

the City. Now you all are sitting up here listening to this man. Are you all aware that this man, Jason Ervin, him and his wife, Melissa Conyer Ervin, cheated on the Mayor Brandon Johnson petitions

signatures. They photo copied petition signatures and then shuffled in his wife's old petitions to fake that Brandon Johnson had signatures to be on the Mayor ballot. So what we did, Chicago flips

red. We filed with the Chicago Board of Elections on November 2nd to have Brandon Johnson disqualified as a mayoral candidate and we're going to lock him up because him and his wife are committing

election fraud. So the next time y'all get up and clap, understand that we know that the 501C3s are paying y'all to be here, and to move us out of our communities and to steal our property, out of

south shore so that J.B. Pritzker can keep on stealing over at the Obama center. We're coming for these seats. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. Next we have Regina Jones followed by our

final speaker, Katherine K. Vilaman. Ms. Jones, are you still here? Regina Jones? Regina Jones ? Regina Jones going twice ? Regina Jones? Okay. We're going to move on. Sergeant-at-arms, could you pull

-- could you pull one additional one out of the -- out of the card? It's not Regina Jones. That's Sara Wilson . Are you -- okay. Next we're going to have Katherine K. Vilamam. Very well. You may

proceed. >> Good morning. My name is is K.vilamamn. I'm with a community development organization serving the northwest side since 1962. I'm here today to emphasize the importance of sustained funding

for the neighborhood business development center program, transitioning to the neighborhood business network or NBM. At north river commission, we help entrepreneurs navigate licensing, access grants,

improve store fronts, strengthen marketing, and connect with critical resources, but our greatest value is something that cannot always be captured in a report. It's the relationships and trust that

we build with business owners. For many entrepreneurs, particularly immigrants and first-time business owners, navigating City processes can be overwhelming. Organizations like ours bridge that gap,

serving as an extension of the City's small business support infrastructure, but we cannot provide consistent support to small businesses without consistent funding for the organizations serving them.

Long-term investment allows us to retain experienced staff, maintain relationships, and respond to changing neighborhood needs. I also want to emphasize the importance of BACP's small business round

Tables and the cut to tape initiative. This directs a feedback move between neighborhood businesses and City allowing us to identify challenges, and help shape accessible and responsible City

services. As you consider the City's budget, I encourage continued investment in the neighborhood business network. When the City invests in support organizations, it strengthens its own capacity to

reach entrepreneurs and sustain vibrant corridors. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. And our final speaker, Dante Hall. Dante Hall, are you here? You may proceed. Pull the mic up

so we can hear you. >> Yeah, sure. I'm being heard? Thank you, everybody, for the opportunity to speak. My name is Dante Hall. I'm here as an organizer with Chicago Votes, and I'm here in support of

the vision for the City's budget that was put forward by the people's unity platform. Further, I'm here as a proud native of the City. I was born and raised on the City's south side, and I warmly

remember the distinct pleasure and honor of having been brought up in a neighborhood or a community where people still could ask each other for a cup of sugar or ask somebody to watch the kids while

they were at work. We still had block parties. I still remember that, and how impactful that was for me when I was younger. And with that being said, those kind of communities can only happen when

there are safety nets or when there are opportunities for people's basic needs to be met, and so, like, so many other people in the room today, I'm here to sort of assert and insist that housing has

to be a human right, and it has to be treated and respected, upheld, and honored as that. And given the vision put forth for the budget by the peoples unity platform, we need to see investments in

those kinds of safety nets, wraparound services. We need to see a commitment to not only housing -- or homeless ness homelessness -- ways to respond to homelessness, but ways to prevent and prevent

homelessness. And so with that being the case, I stand wholeheartedly behind the vision for the City's budget that was put forward by the people's unity platform, and yeah. I appreciate the

opportunity to have had the floor and to speak today. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for your comments. This concludes -- this concludes our public comment portion. We will begin shortly with

Department of Planning and Development and the community will stand at ease while they come in. You got a long statement or short statement? Okay. We're back on. Today we have before us the Department

of Planning and Development leddy Commissioner Sierra Boatright. We are going to have a brief overview from the department -- I'm sorry from council officer financial analysis. After which we will

have introductions from the Commissioner of a staff that is with us, and those that are in the box and she'll give a brief opening statement. Today we're going to go to the five and five. So you'll

get a five-minute -- your first five minutes you'll get the clock to kind of let you know where you are, and then we'll follow with the second five minutes because we do have four departments today,

and I would like to see some portions of daylight. So we're going to proceed in that manner. Director, please proceed. >> Good morning, Chairman Ervin. Vice Chairman Lee, members of City Council, and

guests. Today, we will provide an overview of the proposed 2027 budget for the Department of Planning and Development. For FY2027, the department is proposing a budget of approximately $158.1 million,

representing an increase of $11.6 million or 7.9% over the the FY2026 revised appropriation. When we break that down, we see that personnel spending increases by 5.1%, bringing the personnel budget to

approximately $20.99 million. Non-personnel spending accounts were approximately $137,090,000, and increased by 8.36%. From a staffing perspective, the department is budgeting for 193FTEs. One fewer

than the prior year. As of October 21, 2026, the vacancy rate stands at 14.2%. So while the department's overall budget is increasing, the number of FTE positions is essentially unchanged. When we

look beyond the total budget, we see some significant changes in the department spending category. The most notable change is within the purpose-specific appropriations. The 9,000 category increased

by approximately $5.5 million while the 91 category decreased by approximately $21.2 million. We also see a reduction of approximately $3.75 million in contractual services. What this tells us is that

the department is not simply increasing spending across the board. There's a substantial redistribution of resources among appropriations. Don't you like technology? [ Laughs ] Personnel costs also

increased by approximately 5.1% or $1 million. Corporation by fund. Turning to the funding resources, we see the budget is supported by a combination of local resources and grant funding. The

corporate fund increased by approximately 1 $1.2 million. The neighborhood opportunity fund increases by approximately 6 $6.2 million and the State grant fund increased by approximately $7.2 million.

At the same time, there are reductions in other funding sources. The citywide adopted landmark fund decreased by approximately $2 million while the disaster recovery fund declined by approximately

$1.25 million. These changes are important because they show that the department's overall budget increased -- increase is being influenced by different funding sources, but not just the corporate

fund. Looking at the department's historical appropriations gives us a broader perspective on how its funding has evolved. The department's budget reached approximately $208 million in 2023, and has

gradually declined with the FY 27 recommendation, which is now at approximately $158 million. One important factor in understanding this trend is the department's previous reliance on ARPA funding.

From 2022 through 2026, ARPA resources contributed to the department's overall funding. Those resources have since tapered off and are not included in the FY2027 proposal. The historical chart also

shows the community development block grant funding, which is approximately $30.71 million in the FY2027 proposal. Local other funding has increased to approximately $1.426 million while corporate

funding has remained relatively stable in recent years with $15.89 million proposed for FY2027. As temporary federal resources phase out, we see the department relying more heavily on other funding

sources and grant resources. Finally, let's look at staffing. The department has 193FTEs budgeted for FY2027. Again, one fewer than the prior year. The historical staffing chart shows that ARPA's

staffing peaked around 2023 and 2024. Those are no longer included in the 2027 proposal. By comparison, grant funded and locally funded staffing has remained relatively stable from 2023 through the

FY2027 proposed budget. As of October 21, 2026, the vacancy rate is approximately 14.2%. This concludes the overview for the Planning and Development Department. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Director.

Commissioner? >> Thank you. Thank you, Chairman Ervin. Vice Chair Lee, and esteemed members. I'm Sierra Boatright, Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development. I want to thank Mayor

Johnson for his continued support, and the members of this committee. Thank you for your partnership and your commitment.. I'm happy to provide a brief overview of the department's work in 2026 and

our priorities for the year ahead. With me on the dais is my first deputy and zoning administrator, Patrick Murphy, deputy Commissioner of finance, Alex Alex Budnik, and Paul Moody. We have Jack

Cohen, Tiara Hughes , Mary O'Connor, Director of Planning, research, and Development, Brad Robik, Whitney Mungin. Deanna Covallo, Noah Sefranic, and Nolan Zarof. We're staffed with 164 full-time

professionals, plus a sixth bureau of operations that we share with the Department of Housing. We currently have 29 vacancies including 7 with pending job offers and 5 that will be will be a

advertised by years in. I'll start with our core planning functions that are foundational to wholistic improvement strategies we're implementing across the City. 16 business corridor or neighborhood

land use studies are under way, or recently completed such as the south Chicago land use framework, the moving archer forward, and the Cisero land use plan. These bring broad use activities to ensure

their planning goals, land use recommendations, and objectives are community-driven. Over the last two years, our planning efforts have involved 32 separate studies and initiatives across 46 Wards

citywide. I want to note that 50% of our 2026 planning studies are being conducted entirely in-house or with grant support resulting in considerable cost savings, a ratio that's expected to hit 67% in

2027. A key outcome of neighborhood planning efforts are proactive zoning changes that enable new construction projects and new businesses to advance without costly and time-consuming map amendments

or special approvals. Through Aldermanic partnership, zoning designations for about 2,000 properties in 2026 including 1,000 parcels at the September meeting alone. That makes parcels that were

proactively rezoned in the last 3 1/2 years. Planning studies also help residents' requests for proposals on city-owned land. The 10 RPFs are expected to produce more than $2 million in neighborhood

investment including transit served development sites and 63rd and Ashland. We're re-establishing a courtyard typology that was instrumental to the City's growth in the first half of the last century.

Courtyard construction was terminated by the zone rewrite which prioritized rear setbacks versus front yard open space, and that typology's rebirth with modest zoning updates can help the City

substantially address its housing shortage. We hope to announce winning responses for three sites in Garfield Boulevard early next year. On the subject of market rate housing, our initiative is across

the south and west sides of Chicago with the first seven buildings completed last month in north Lawndale. In two short years, this repopulation and wealth-building initiative is advancing 376 units

and 137 buildings valued at $139 million with much more to come. In addition to missing middle and RFPs, we're aggressively marketing City land twice a year on ChiBlock. This is collectively valued at

$70 million. I expect significant returns for more than 536 purchase applications submitted this spring and more to come this fall. Land sale closings in 2026 have already exceeded 2025's totals with

$4.7 million in revenues. 85% of those revenues are for new construction projects valued at $180 million. About 85% of revenues are for new construction projects versus side yards and open space that

dominated our land disposition a few years ago. New to the ChiBlock builder portal are environmental records for each property which is a a major step forward for our transparency initiatives. I want

to also mention our other major repopulation initiative which is LaSalle 's revitalization program. We saw that at 79 West Monroe. This is a adaptive reuse project that created 117 units with 35%

affordability. Thanks to $28 million in TIF support, collectively, these six participating buildings represented $900 million in new investment. 1,759 mixed-income unit, and $300 million in TIF. Since

the launch roughly three years ago, an additional 23 conversion projects have emerged downtown on market forces alone. With 4,300 total units planned or underway, that's more than $1.8 billion in

total investment, and 4 million in office space. I would like to pivot to our planning and zoning designations. So far this year, planned commission has approved more than $3.3 billion in new PDs

containing 3,900 mixed income housing units. In terms of construction, the 1901 project, the 78, and Foundry Park all broke around this year representing more than $18 billion in construction and more

than 23,000 mixed income units on 143 acres of land that's been paved, or underutilized for far too long. This is body the second year the updated policy was used for projects. We're seeing innovate

innovative approaches for this. 16 all-electric projects and 80% usage of bird-friendly design details. All these efforts are shaped by public engagement. To date in 2026, DPD staff have participated

in nearly 200 Aldermanic briefings, more than 140 community events and several thousand business and Ward interactions that helped to inform our policies and programs. Staff are coordinating several

special events like the third annual preservation Expo this spring, the fourth annual manufacturing excellence awards this fall, and our fourth annual City civics day being held next Saturday,

November 14th, for Chicagoans that want to play more active roles in our community, including our youth. This also resulted in grant applications, and better outcomes. In 2026, DPD announced more than

$820 million in grant awards and incentives for over 275 neighborhood projects valued at more than $1.8 billion, , including $626 million for Foundry Park and the 78's public infrastructure. More than

90% of these awards are $250,000 or less for sole proprietorship and mom and pop type enterprises. 86% of which are located on the west, southwest, or south side. These also include adopt a landmark

grants that help maintain the City's ever-growing list of official City landmarks. 12 new or pending designations in 2026 include the shops building, the Logan Square Boulevard district extension, and

four historic churches ensuring these community anchors will continue to serve their neighborhoods for years to come. Before I close, I want to highlight our continued effort to cut the tape and

modernize how DPD operates. These efforts are producing measurable results. We've reduced plan commission timelines by 40%, shortened parcel valuation timelines from six months to one month and

reduced right of entry approval from months to days. We've eliminated redundant design reviews, by half. Beyond these I want these improvements, 2026 brought advancements in operational efficiency. We

implemented an internal tracking system that's monitoring more than 3,000 active projects and began automating public data sets to improve access to information. We've also strengthened coordination

across our bureaus and standardized internal processes to improve how we deliver services. On behalf of the entire Department of Planning and Development, thank you for your time, your consideration,

and your partnership as we work towards our collective planning goals. Thank you, Chair. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Commissioner. We'll begin today some questions with Chairman Villegas, followed by

Alderman O'Shea. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Thank you, Chairman. Good morning, Commissioner, and staff . You mentioned about the office to -- office to residential conversions which we appreciate. Could you

-- what was that number one more time on that? >> Six city-assisted, TIF assisted and 23 private markets. A total of 29 projects that support over 4,000 units of new housing, and over $1.8 billion of

new investment. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Yeah. I wanted you to highlight that second portion which is the 23 private which is important. We needed that shot in the arm with the TIF, and as a result of

that, you're seeing that. Through the chair, if you could, if you have any numbers around what the projected property tax revenue would be off those projects, that would be great. >> Sure. >> GILBERT

VILLEGAS: Yep. And then you talked about the land sales. Obviously in the budget we have some numbers tied to it as well. I know that you're advertising them. Could you talk a little bit more about

that? What can we do as a body to help, to help you with this too? Because these vacant property lands, we got to get them back. >> We do. We have right now just over 7,000 lots. We list lots twice a

year. These lots are listed through ChiBlock builder which is our disposition. That's our first thing leading to an increase of these land sales and revenue. Working closely with our partners, you

all, we know how to list the lots based off the priorities for your particular Wards. I mentioned during my statement that 85% of our lots have been listed for vertical construction. What we're seeing

is that the need for more vertical development is supporting the need for density. The need for resale, the need for more population and neighborhoods that have lost population. The majority of our

lots are on the south and west sides. They're not on the property tax roll. As we list these lots twice a year, because this is a publicly facing platform, Chicagoans, developers, nonprofit

organizations, for-profit organizations are able to see what's available, search by Ward, search by community area. Some of the projects are proactively rezoned that makes it easier for the

development to occur, and we're seeing advancements in our production. I'm seeing it with DOE where we're providing environmental disclosures. This matters because it takes so much of the guesswork

out, right? When an applicant applies, they understand when that a when apply . Whitney has been huge for our process and our team, and really coordinating with our bureau of planning design and our

alders to ensure we're able to roll those projects out in a strategic and a more consistent basis. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Yeah, and then market rate housing. What else could we do? What else can we do

in order to help you and really help the City with this market rate? I know that there are certain communities that have thousands of units that have been entitled, but you're dismissing that off and

I'm just curious as to whether or not you've thought about what that oomph is to get it over the finish line. >> I think continued partnership with our developers. When I look at our PDs, some of

which have perms pulled, we're being proactive and talking to those developers, and understanding what's the challenge. Some of the challenges are beyond our control. Challenges with attracting

investment and things like that, but what is in our control, we're doing a pretty good job on some of the things that we've heard in prior years is zoning. How do we proactively rezone these parcels

so that our smaller developers don't have to spend the time or resources to zone it.? Hence over 2,000 proactive rezonings across the City just this year alone. And I believe that we're over 7,000

proactive rezonings you should this administration, and so I think those are things we can do to prime the pump. I don't think it's just one activity or one tool or one development focus that we

should lean in. I think it's really thinking about development wholistically. As we think about missing middle, as we think about our land sales, as we think about proactive rezoning, as we really

highlight those conversions, it's all of those components that can help us bring more housing stock online, streamlining the development process, and creating more predictability. Developers need

predictability and we're doing that through our cut the tape initiatives and being better partners. Streamlining the reviews, you know, of our permit timelines help as well. That's what we're focusing

diligently on. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: You mentioned cut the tape a few times. I have been in discussions with Abby. If you could provide some ideas that you think may need legislative changes so we

could socialize with our colleagues and talk about what the benefit is to the budget -- the overall budget. And then lastly, Commissioner, again, it's always a pleasure working with your team. I just

wanted to know, could you provide through the chair a list of the positions that are associated with the funding source? I saw up there neighborhood opportunity fund, TIF. I'm curious as to what

positions are tied to those specific funds? >> Sure. I can get that through the chair. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Cool. We're here to help. Let us know how we can assist. >> Thank you. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS:

Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: The last request you have is in the budget book. Opposition -- >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Ain't reading that whole damn book. >> JASON ERVIN: Yeah, okay. All right. Next up, we

have Alderman O'Shea followed by Alderman -- he's not here. Moore. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: Thank you, Chairman. Good morning, Commissioner. >> Good morning. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: I'd like to start out --

could you explain to us , one of your any newest programs? The work force solution program? >> Sure. So our work force solution program, for many of you all, you may remember TIF works, and that is a

program that created both work force dollars for existing employees, but dollars for companies that are hiring new staff. One of the challenges was you had to be in a TIF to take advantage of the

resource and you had to have a TIF that had resources. This expands TIF work so you don't have to be in a TIF district for your company to take advantage of the resource. We're leveraging our housing

and economic development bond to level the playing field if you will. And so this was approved last year in June, and I'm really proud of the progress that we're making. I'm going to actually pass it

to Mary O'Connor to highlight some of just the success that we're seeing and the concerted outreach efforts that we're making to make sure that our businesses are aware of this program broadly. >>

Mary O'Connor, deputy Commissioner of small business development. So last year in June of 2025, we launched the program, and we are really pleased with the progress that has been made. To date, we

have awarded $4 million to 44 businesses, and this has supported training and upscaling for 551 incumbent workers and on the job training for 320 new employees, and the new employees are all Chicago

residents. So the purpose of the work force solution program is to offer businesses support and in training their incumbent workers as well as building their growth of their business and then bringing

on new hires. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: And have we been meeting our goals with that? Have we exceeded them as far as the outreach and giving people ing them opportunities? >> The last group -- in 2025, we

were in about 33 TIFs, and now currently, over this past year, we've expanded this program to reach 80 TIFs, so you will see the growth. It's a lot of excitement and energy, and there's businesses

that offer operational support. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: That's great. Thank you, Mary. We talked a little bit about this a few minutes ago. We still have more than 7,000 city-owned lots across all our

communities. What more can we do as a council to help get the word out to create opportunities for people? >> I think share with your constituents, just the opportunity. I think you all are doing a

really great job. I -- I am proud of the partnership that we have with highlighting what the priority lots are, in your respective Wards and not just highlighting priority lots, but highlighting the

priority uses for those lots, and I think continuing to do more of that -- I think that we have addressed some of the bottlenecks, some of the challenges with the actual disposition process and the

sale process, and so I think it's making the land sale process just easier for the buyer. Faster for the buyer. I think that we're going to see some really positive results from this particular round,

our October 1st round. This is the very first time that we've been able to list environmental dispositions. We've never been able to do that, and so I do believe that that will lead to faster land

sales and much faster closings, which ultimately lead to permits being pulled. I think continued collaboration is just the key for us. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: Thank you. I have several -- multiple

historical landmark districts in my community. >> Mm-hmm. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: It's been challenging recently as -- as these beautiful older homes need more care, and we're trying to get young folks to

buy them. I really appreciate your staffs staff's willingness to meet with -- to work with -- to try to find solutions, middle ground in many of those instances, and I think just in closing, you are a

true professional. >> Thank you. >> MATTHEW O'SHEA: You have a wonderful team that is extremely responsive and helpful to the small business owners in my community . The passion you exude, it's

evident to those of us that pay attention, and that care. I wish some people would get out of your way and let to you do more work because you're really doing a great job and we appreciate it. I look

forward to working with you moving forward. . Thanks, Chairman. >> Thank you, Alderman. >> JASON ERVIN: Chair Moore, followed by chair Dowell. >> DAVID MOORE: I was going to pick up and read where I

started from, where Alderman O'Shea stopped and that's your leadership. You are by far one of the most respected people in this administration. You along with people like Marlene Hopkins, a couple of

others, really stellar in terms of your communications and your relationships with the aldermen, and not only the aldermen, but our communities. There are people in our communities that know who you

you are and the work that you and your team does. To I want that thank you for everything that you're doing. Patrick Murphy, we deal with so much stuff, and he has to get us straight and, you know,

help us make sure that we have these developers doing what they need to do, and I want to thank you because we sometimes go back and forth, back and forth in order to get that information, and we want

to stay on track with what he's doing, and I appreciate you so much, and this entire team, and for me, Mary O'Connor, Mark Rochan, Noah Curry -- any time my team calls or I call, they're there to make

sure that they're helping, and so we're going to continue to work closely that way. I want to thank you. 26 years now, almost 27, the 69th street between Ashland and it has no redevelopment. This was

on my radar starting with Rahm Emmanuel when I came in, and I was focused on doing development. I was focused on -- but at the same time, we were doing things. We downzoned 69th street so anyone

wouldn't just come in, and your leadership came in and said, let's upzone this so we can get people interested in it and because of that, we were able to upzone it, get some -- get some interest, and

hopefully 69th Street is on the brink of getting some development, and I appreciate that, and then obviously your work and helping with the district so we can get a new fieldhouse at Ogden Park. All

these things that people can see, touch, and feel in the community. It's great and that your team, they can just pat themselves on the back and take an applause for it because teamwork makes the

dreamwork. Neither department or no one could have done this alone, so I just want to say thank you for that. I can just tell by the questions that's being asked that, you know, some aldermen ask

questions because we have to, but when we were up here with Marlene, you keep us involved so there's nothing really to say. All I'm going to ask is if you can provide through the chair so we got

organizations like teamwork Englewood that does great work. We got greater southwest association, and Chatham. Can you provide to the chair all the funding that we provide to these organizations that

I just mentioned? I I don't need it for the whole City. If an Alderman want theirs, they'll request that. If you could provide through the chair, these organizations that touch the 17th Ward, all the

funding they get from the City -- >> From DPD? >> DAVID MOORE: Huh? >> From Department of Planning and Development -- >> DAVID MOORE: Yes. I'm going to have to ask DFSS the same thing. If you can

provide that, I would appreciate it. >> Will do. >> DAVID MOORE: Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you Alderman Moore. Alderman Dowell followed by Alderman Lopez isn't here. Go

ahead, Alderman -- Chairman Dowell. >> PAT DOWELL: Thank you very much, Chairman. Good morning, Commissioner. >> Good morning. >> PAT DOWELL: I too want to just say that you're a tremendous

professional, and I have enjoyed the partnership that we've had working on items within the 3rd Ward. I just wanted to lay that out first. You've got a great staff. They're very responsive. I could

call names, but I would be naming everybody, literally in that box. So I won't. I do have a few questions on -- I noticed that CPS is beginning to sell land, and do they coordinate with you at all? >>

They do. They notify us on the -- the sale of their land. They often will ask for complimentary kind of developments that they should be aware of, and so I would say that they do provide periodic

updates to us. >> PAT DOWELL: Okay, and they talk to you about potential land uses that they're -- that would be acceptable? >> Yeah. For the most part. I'll pass it to Patrick to kind of chime in on

specific uses. >> Thank you. Alderman, we'll meet with CPS and talk about what the properties are that we could reuse -- either to reuse or for new construction. If there are things that trigger

various zoning actions such as planned developments given the size of some of these campuses, they'll work with Noah and his staff, but yes. We will regularly talk to them about how to reuse their

properties best >> PAT DOWELL: Okay. I just wanted to make sure that that connection was being made. The parcels I'm seeing are not the large school campuses. These are, like, one-off parcels that

might be in the middle of a residential community. Thank you. The announcement last week on the build program? >> Mm-hmm. >> PAT DOWELL: How is that going to differentiate between -- how is that going

to work? And is it similar to NOF? Different to NOF? It's complementary to NOF. You're to NOF. >> You're talking roughly $20 million for neighborhood scale projects. >> PAT DOWELL: The number is $20

million? I thought it was -- >> For build. Money is set aside for small businesses and local community development, and it's complementary to the approach, and the south and west sides. As a reminder,

not all of the south and west sides are designated as NOF areas. I would argue it complements where NOF can't go, you know, for that -- the target is your small developers. If you think about NOF,

I've got NOF small, but I also have NOF large, and so dependent on the scale of your project, the scope of your project, you may need larger financing that extends beyond what build can provide, and

so again, think of it as another complementary tool in the economic toolbox. >> PAT DOWELL: Complementary, but can be directed to non-TIF areas, right? >> Yes. >> PAT DOWELL: Okay. And is any of that

money -- will any of that money be set aside for predevelopment fund? How is that predevelopment fund going? >> It's going well. There is not a separate predevelopment application. They apply for the

regular round, and we review the application, and not every one is ready for full funding. We see projects where they don't have the site plans. They don't have the drawings and we recognize that they

actually need to engage an architect. Otherwise it's a fairly strong application. We provide a predevelopment grant. It's a little different in that we have a path through our housing and economic

development bond to provide predevelopment grant dollars. And so I would think that build -- just the amount of dollars -- $20 million, and that's a lot of money that can go far, but if you think

about predevelopment dollars, I don't I don't know that that funding source is the best funding source for that. It feels great for those smaller yet catalytic projects to get off the ground, whereas

our bond, our NOF dollars, our larging funding sources allow us to make deeper investments in some projects and it costs a lot of money. We spend to see if it's a go or no go. That's where our dollars

come in handy. Different, but complementary. >> PAT DOWELL: You feel you have enough predevelopment resources? >> I could always -- I would love more and more predevelopment resources. I would love to

be able to help every single developer that has a really great concept that we need to move to a project that's funding-ready. >> PAT DOWELL: All right. Point of information. >> JASON ERVIN: Is it

Alderman Moore? >> DAVID MOORE: Thank you. To that point on the predevelopment and -- and you said it may not have an architect. Before we give them that grant money, do we make sure that the project

is financially doable? That they can do the project? Because I don't want predevelopment money go, they get an architect, and we done lost that money. >> No. No. We have examples of predevelopment

grantees that have been followed up and submitted a full application for funding and that's ultimately what we want. What we don't want is for applicants to have amazing projects that can that can

transform our community, but lack the dollars to be able to advance it. That's why our predevelopment dollars should come in,right? Turning these great concepts that are ready to fund. So they do come

back and submit full applications for funding. >> DAVID MOORE: Thank you. >> PAT DOWELL: Thank you, Alderman Moore. Just moving along, I was a little critical last year of -- I believe $1 million that

was in the professional services category that was earmarked 2U LI or work. >> Mm-hmm. >> PAT DOWELL: How many studies did they do? >> I can get you the full total. >> PAT DOWELL: And how much money

-- how much of that money was used? >> I can get you the full amount -- Nolan, if you want to kind of hit hi hit high level, and all the outstanding detail, I can get you through the chair, the

specific dollar amount. >> Nolan's our office for the planning and design. Let's confirm those numbers for you. We did complete this year, one ULI. Those are $20,000 each. We did one for Stony Island

looking at it as a cultural district. We're teeing up two more for next year, but I would like to confirm those numbers and get back to you. >> PAT DOWELL: So we still -- you're carrying over the

money from -- I'm still critical. But I'll -- >> We can get you all the details and I'm happy to talk in greater detail just to learn the biggest critique and how -- >> PAT DOWELL: Just that it was a

lot of money for -- $25,000 for a -- I mean, we had a lot of concerns in the City. $25,000 for one ULI study and having a million dollars set aside for that, it just seemed to be out of balance. >>

The idea is how do we activate some of these corridors and how do we think about the vacancies and the decades and decades of disinvestment in a very thoughtful, but wholistic way, right? And not just

focus on one project to turn the tide. >> PAT DOWELL: I understand that. I understand that. I just -- it was just -- to only do one this year, that was just it. Okay. Do you foresee the expansion of

the missing middle program to other neighborhoods, and what would it take to -- >> Yes. So we are actually -- this is our fifth -- >> PAT DOWELL: I'm jealous, Alderman Scott. >> This is -- that was

our very first round, and we -- we cut the ribbon on our first project with more to go, which we're really, really proud of. The first round was on the west side. The second round was on the south

side. We picked three areas. West Chatham, Morgan Park, south Chicago. We came back to the west side and did east and Garfield -- excuse me. East and west Garfield Park. We are -- we currently have a

round for Humboldt Park. That's active and open in Chiblock builder. I know I left out one round. >> No. I think you got it. I'm the assistant Commissioner from the bureau of planning and design.

We've had five rounds. Last is Humboldt Park. >> And the alderwoman says I can come back, but we're seeing success on the program. The idea of the program is to not necessarily have to come back. The

idea is to provide the subsidy that's needed to address market rate development. The reality is whether I'm building a home in Washington Heights or I'm building a home in Lincoln Park, the cost to

build does not change. The construction cost doesn't change. The appraised value can change drastically, and so we want to work with developers with our city-owned land. Emphasis on city-owned land

because we've got 7,000 lots available. We want to provide subsidy up to $150,000 per unit to developers so they can keep those units affordable. I think the one caveat is these are not single-family

homes. These are two to six units because that density is important, but it's an important Avenue to build wealth. You can own the units and you can collect wealth hereby building wealth for those

other units. It addresses multiple needs. The idea is not to come back. The idea is to go to other areas like yours, and -- >> PAT DOWELL: I just -- I don't have a lot of time, but the Washington Park

is an area that I would like to focus on. >> Yes. >> PAT DOWELL: One concern that I have is that I think the zoning that we have in our Ward -- >> Mm-hmm. >> PAT DOWELL: -- makes it -- entices

developers to come in and not do the two flat -- what can be done? >> Proactive rezoning. For every parcel, they're already proactively rezoned. We proactively rezone it. One less thing for the

developer to do. One less expense for them to bear. >> PAT DOWELL: Can you proactively rezone for an area that does not have a missing middle program? >> Yes. We're doing that right now. 2,000 lots

just this year. Not every single parcel has missing middle. We're working with you all to just proactively rezone -- >> PAT DOWELL: And put that on -- >> And list those lots. >> PAT DOWELL: For sale?

Okay. >> Yes. >> PAT DOWELL: I'll take a round two. I do have two more questions. >> JASON ERVIN: Go ahead. . >> PAT DOWELL: 47th and King TIF, I know, expires in December. Is that on your list to re

-- >> I believe so. >> PAT DOWELL: I think it expires in December. >> Yes. >> PAT DOWELL: You're shaking your head. Okay, good. >> Just verbally? >> Jeff Cohen, managing deputy. For economic planner.

Yes, alderwoman. The 47th and king TIF is slated for an extension this year. >> PAT DOWELL: All right, and lastly, just wanted to thank you. I don't think we solved the problem, but I want to thank

you for interceding in the 43 Green trying to get commercial on the first floor. We still don't have it, but I want to thank you for giving it a good try, and we have to figure out another way, and

what else this -- what else could be done to make sure we get the commercial there. We've got investment at -- in the adjacent area, the CTA is upgrading the station. There's no reason not to have

commercial. >> Yeah. We'll continue to work with the developer on that. I think there is a will, and I think that there is a challenge that is beyond just like the capital investment to -- to occupy

that space, but if capital is the need, there are conversations we can have with potential tenants to address that from a build out perspective. >> PAT DOWELL: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >>

JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Chairman Dowell. Vice Chairman Lee followed by Lopez. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Commissioner, and my favorite department, DPD. I meet with your staff monthly like clockwork and

I'm always excited for this meeting because we're always talking about really good stuff, you know, I'm -- I'm a growth-minded alder here and always looking to partner with the -- with DPD. I'll go

through all the names later. I later. I want to dig into the questions first. I want to say for the record -- I have lots of other departments I love, but I look every I look forward every month to

this meeting just because of the potential that comes out of these. I have a few questions, and they'll feel all over the place, but that's just how I have them. I appreciate the conversation around

the build program. I just want to touch back on land sales because that was an area of efficiencies from the EY report from last year. Can you talk about how -- how you're sort of performing against

what's -- what we budgeted for previously, and how land sales are going, and what sort of the market conditions are? I understand that certain times are better to sell than others. If you can talk a

little bit about that, I'd appreciate it. >> Sure. I'll start off from the EY recommendations. A couple of recommendations specific to land sales was to consider land assemblage in a thoughtful way,

and we're doing just that. We're assembling city-owned vacant land, and listing those lots for RFPs in response to some of the community priorities and so that's one way we're selling more lots as

opposed to individual lots for larger scale developments while still leveraging our housing and economic development bond and other tools to address economic needs when and if applicable for

development Other recommendations both from EY, but outside of EY, just what we're hearing there our buyers and partners is the need for -- and I mentioned this earlier. Greater predictability. What's

in the soil? What type of remediation needs are there? Removing a lot of the guesswork by working with DOE and providing those disclosures are -- is a real game changer in my perspective. This is the

very first round, October 1st, that we were able to provide those environmental disclosures and so I think time will tell how successful that is for our land sales overall, but I think it's going to

have a positive impact. We have a pretty robust pipeline of pending land sales. I think right now we're we're at $4.6 million in land sales. We exceeded last year's land sale numbers in June of this

year. So again, last year's numbers, I believe Whitney, 3 point -- >> 3.3. Whitney, director of land acquisition. >> $3.3 million last year, $4.6 million with this year in our pipeline. We're on our

way. Some of the recommendations was to list higher value lots and we're doing that as well. We've already started. We've got interest expressed from some of those higher valued lots and when I say

higher valued lots, as determined by land valuations provided by CBRE and we're taking on a lot of the recommendations we've heard from EY, but the feedback we're hearing from our developers, our

partners, our buyers, to help better inform us so we're strategic with our listings. >> NICOLE LEE: I appreciate that. One of the things that my Ward's involved in is the reassessment or evaluation

from the Pillson Industrial TIF. I've asked for as much of the 11th Ward to be pulled out -- the PMD. Not the TIF. They're both things over there, so it's easy to get confused. The PMD is being

evaluate. What we've seen in the 11th Ward across different regions of the 11th Ward is just a move towards really pulling away from these industrial areas to more mixed use, potential residential.

You and I have talked a lot about my need for additional residential. Is that a trend we're seeing across the City? Just -- you know, I've got the stockyard. I have an area where it's dedicated to

more industrial-type uses. Are we seeing more of that across the City at this point? >> Yeah. I'll have Patrick kind of chime in on some trends that we're seeing in different areas. >> NICOLE LEE:

Thank you. >> Thank you, Alderman. Thank you, Commissioner. So we have been working for a number of years throughout a number of industrial corridors in the City including those with PMDs and we have

been re-evaluating some of the land uses and what property should be subject to the PMD designation. So Brad from our staff is the one that him and his staff are working on. Both Pilson, and we can

follow up with you about some particular parcels. That is something we're re-evaluating over the 25 to sometimes 30-year life since some of these industrial corridors were established. >> NICOLE LEE:

I ask that selfishly because -- and I wish that the 14th Street cochair was located inside of a PMD because it probably should be, but just to drive the point home about moving industrial operations

into residential areas, I know it was not something that this City would, under today's conditions, be a proponent of, and I just want to say how much I appreciate your -- your help and assistance

with that. I'm going to move onto my other points here because I've got, like, three or four more minutes here. Can you talk about the TRR process? You know, you've heard in this body, several of us

talk about the TRR process, how we're accessing TIF funds, how projects are getting approved. Can you just talk about the new process, your role in it, the different folks that are involved, and kind

of what, you know, best practice should be in terms of response times on answers for those? >> Sure. So the TRR replaces TIC for those, just as a reminder. >> NICOLE LEE: Yeah. >> TIC is no longer a

thing because there were challenges. -- >> NICOLE LEE: You can say what TRR means too. >> It's the TIF review process. You all actually -- you begin the process, and so it's your inquiry. Whether it

is for a CDOT request, whether it's a CPS request, it's in collaboration with the aldermen. The very first step of the TRR process is for the Department of Planning and Development to review the

request based off of eligibility. And by eligibility, we mean, is the project in a TIF district? Are the uses eligible? The second -- and a series of other kind of eligibility reviews. The second

review after we say yes and advance it is under OBM. OBM is then reviewing for TIF availability. At that point, the funds are on hold once they advance it. It then goes to the Mayor's office. The

Mayor's office is then reviewing for operational sequencing. And so this is an asynchronous kind of review process. The Department of Planning and Development, you mentioned timeline. On average,

seven business days is how long we typically take to review and advance the project to OBM. >> NICOLE LEE: Okay. I think a few of us will probably have some questions along the way. >> Mm-hmm. >>

NICOLE LEE: I know I've asked a few times where I've got one TIF request in particular for Donavan Park. I know you've approved it. Park. I know you've approved it. It's not a question for you. I'll

just repeat on the record as I've asked several people in the Mayor's office about this project that's now -- you guys reviewed it. OBM reviewed it. They approved it a year ago. The TIF funds are

held, and we've still had no progress. So as you can imagine, like many of my other colleagues, it's frustrating to be stuck in this loop, and that's less about DPD, but this was helpful to understand

what the process is because I think many of us didn't understand what the new process was. Mr. Chairman, can I get just -- thank you. Because I want to -- I want to be able to say thank you properly

here, but I have one other point I'd like to ask about. Not directly -- it's not your world completely, but you touch it. Can you talk about participation of minority businesses and redevelopment

agreements? You know, I think it's an important -- that's an important thing that every department has some role in, so I'd love to hear about how DPD's doing. >> Sure. In terms of percentages? >>

NICOLE LEE: Yeah. Percentages. How we're engaging minority and woman-owned businesses. >> Just in terms of percentages to date, we're at roughly 40% MBE and I believe 8% WBE to date, but I'll pass it

to Jeff Cohen, my managing deputy so he can just highlight how does that number trend in terms of, like, prior years and what we're doing to ensure that number continues to increase from our RDAs. >>

Yeah. Thank you, Commissioner. Jeff Cohen, managing deputy. Through July of this year, we've had a total inclusion of spending of around $82 million. That's about 85% of the full 2025-year, and a 23%

increase in inclusionary spending over 2025 over that same time period, and to confirm with the Commissioner, yeah. We are tracking about 40% MBE inclusion on that spend, and 8% WBE on that spend as

well. >> NICOLE LEE: That's great. Thanks for all the hard work there. I'm -- I have a lot of thank yous. Patrick Murphy, whenever I call, wherever he is, I probably shouldn't say that out loud. Since

I started five years ago, he has been just such an incredible resource. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: And a resource to the City. He can probably recite chapter and verse out of the zoning code. So

thank you. Jeff Cohen has spent an inordinate amount of time with me on Zooms on Friday nights. Thank you for everything that you've done on that front with my community. Your team has consistently

really engaged in my community in a lot of different ways. Whether that's sitting in on a Zoom meeting, being at the Chinatown summer fair, handing out surveys, doing great studies. So, you know, I'll

run through the rest of the list. I have my monthly gang. Haley, Rodrigo, Brad, Calvin, Max, Noah, who was a constituent of mine for three days recently. Mary O'Connor, of course, with all the grant

programs, you know, work force solutions and especially the commercial corridor store front activation. Really pleased to bring grant dollars into the Ward on many parts of the Ward between Bridgeport

and McKinnely park. Heidi, and Paul Moody. I'm sure I'm missing folks, but literally your whole department is awesome, and you print really pretty maps whenever we need them. Thank you. I appreciate

you. That's all, chair. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, vice chair. Alderman Lopez followed by Alderman Vasquez. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Thank you, Chairman, and -- oops. Sorry. Too early. Good

morning, members of the committee. Good morning, Commissioner, to you and to to your team. I wanted to touch on a couple of things real briefly, but first and foremost, I finally get to say thank you.

I get to say thank you for your department working with housing to introduce the ordinance for TIF neighborhood improvement programs, iteration and reemergence. I'm thankful for that, and thank you so

Mary O'Connor for doggedly chasing me up and down the stairs to make sure that I answered the email, and I think that that will be quite beneficial, but I do have some concerns with regards to our

TIF, and seeing that in the budget book, there's a number of them that are being referenced for being surplused this year. Were you a part of that conversation to surplus these TIF -- these various

TIF districts, and were there any outstanding requests associated with these TIFs that were punted to make this surplus possible? >> No. TIF surplus is not a function of DPD. It's OBM. OBM does check

in to find out if projects that are pending are still moving forward. From that perspective, yes. We will confirm -- yes, this is still an active project. We're working with the developer. They're

seeking to close their financial gap. That's really the extent of kind of our way in, in terms of whether or not a TIF is surplused. In terms of your second question, are projects punted for the

surplus? I think is the question? Okay. That's actually part of the TRR process. When we start the TRR process, once OBM reviews it, the ask -- those funds are held, and in essence, protected from the

surplus. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: If I may -- I heard you say that to my colleague just now, and I appreciate that version of how things go, but we also heard the OBM earlier, last week at a different

hearing talk about the fact that unless your projects and your philosophies are keeping in line with this administration, nothing moves forward. So I know that's not exactly the response from your

department because it didn't come out of anyone from your department, but it impacts your department, and it impacts your ability to address the use of TIF dollars in neighborhoods when you -- when

many of us feel we have projects that are waiting for responses or movement, and in some cases, even lose viability because we've waited so long for a response in communities all across the City. And

sometimes it's not just a park district. >> Mm-hmm. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Or a field house. You could have as we've gone back and forth, 100-unit building waiting for responses. So I would just share my

frustration, and I think that's a collective one that many of us have because whatever iteration we have of TRR or whatever's going to come next after this, all of us feel like we're always left out

of the loop in the chain of -- in the sequence of events, and we don't know where the bottleneck happens. So I would love to be able to have a greater explanation because I think even in the committee

on finance, we had various discussions about the openness of the TRR, the projects that are floating around, and also the question of do we even have to wait for a TRR recommendation? Because I don't

think we do. I think that review process is appreciated, but I don't think any of us have challenged the idea that I can introduce an ordinance and just start spending TIF money directly if the

finance committee agrees with me. One of the things that I also would like to just ask about when it comes to these requests are CPS-related, Board of Education-related. Do you or your team have

conversations other than just, like, the immediate projects? Do we have a long-term discussion on ways to help the Board of Education, whether it's deferred maintenance or the other issues that need

to be addressed at our schools? >> The request from CPS typically comes from CPS. It's typically not us provoking -- >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: I get that, but there's no kind of consistent or long-term

meeting? Like for example, the department meets with aldermen and communities, like, stitching it together or what have you. Do we have any kind of institutional conversations to actually have those

requests reviewed, discussed, and prioritized in a way that makes sense with CPS or is it just whenever they throw something at you? >> I think it's fair to say we have constant communication with

CPS. Just like the park district or Chicago public libraries. It's often as it relates to a request, but it's those ongoing conversations. Hey. We've got this request coming in the next couple of

months. We're firming up our construction estimates. Those are ongoing. In terms of, like, a formal, you know, standing meeting, not necessarily, but Jamel and his team are in constant communication

with Jeff and our team just in terms of their requests. It's not often high-level in terms of, like, hey, CPS is going to bring a request that totals $200 million to DPD to start the TRR process

across ten schools. It's typically project-specific. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: I would like to see this department work in a more coordinated fashion with CPS because I think that what we've learned as of

late, our projects just randomly appear to the benefit of some while the needs of schools that are in TIF districts are completely left off the radar. >> Fair. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And I think I could

give a prime example where back of the yard's high school is Ashland TIF, as you may know. They're getting marquee signage to upgrade their sign, and yet the Halsted TIF, which is the neighboring one,

and got surplused $3 million, the Tildon high school has $3 million in deferred maintenance which is not on the radar of anyone. >> Yeah. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And I think that's a travesty for the

students that go there. So I would like to see what we can do to have more proactive planning conversations where it makes sense for us to be able to use those dollars the way they were meant to be

used. >> Yeah. One thing I can offer, Noah from our team has meetings with CPS. We can certainly have our TIF team join those meetings. So to your point, we have a better kind of wholistic view of

acts that are coming down the line in the future and we have a better understanding of what is coming and when it's coming to track it better. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And I probably would press for CPS to

do the same with their -- with their teams. Their principals know what's needed in outstanding and deferred, and there's 17 layers of bureaucracy over in that side of the universe, and by the time

quite literally as we're seeing with Tilden, when it finally matriculates its way up, the TIF is on the verge of being expired. Lastly, I just want to also commend the department working with us to

address the issues of tax incentives and being able to claw back tax incentives for developers and the like who may not meet the moment or what was promised. So I want to thank your team for working

with us to get that accomplished, but I also would like to ask, as we see more and more projects as you talked about repopulating the loop and other locations, the issue of waivers continuously comes

up. The issue of building code waivers or labor waivers or things of that nature. So what can we do to structurally ensure that if we are putting taxpayer dollars to work, that that's also standing in

line with what we anticipate to be the standards that this body tries to encapsulate? >> Patrick, do you want to start and I can jump in? >> Sure, thank you. So Alderman, there are -- there are

Avenues for entities to seek waivers of various fees that come through our department. It does require an ordinance that would have to be approved by City Council. There are instances that's usually

reserved in many cases to either projects that are led by another sister agency or which are getting an influx of significant amount of City participation, usually that relates into landscaping fees

or other things related to some of the process. There are landmarking fee waivers that also exist. So there are -- there are some Avenues to do that. We have not overly explored any type of mass

waiver to various projects or fees that come in associated with our department though. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And then I will end with this. The housing and redevelopment bond, the $1.25 billion that we

started this administration off with, what was your percentage of that? >> Half. 50% is DPD. 50%, DOH. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And was that half fully induced and materialized? >> We have not allocated 100%

of our portion. To date, we've allocated about $190 million, but our -- our half are tied to different programs. For example, $75 million of that is designated for Missing Meadow, which we've

exhausted our dollars for that program. A portion is designated for solutions, which was just approved in June of last year and we're starting to exhaust those dollars. The largest portion of our --

of our dollars are tied to our grants. So both our community development medium, large, and small. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: So $625 million roughly was your allocation? Roughly? >> Yes. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Can

you provide through the chair, how that breakdown looks? What has been spent and what is still available through your portion of that bond? >> Sure. We'll provide the most recent -- we provide the

quarterly updates, but we'll give you the most recent will you I would say the end of September? >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: If you could provide through the chair through inception. >> Will do. >> RAYMOND

LOPEZ: Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you Alderman Lopez. Alderman Vasquez followed by Alderman Scott. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Thank you very much, Chairman. Glad to be here. I'll start by just

thanking everybody for just the incredible work. That's been my experience. Yeah, we're good. So thank you. And in the beginning, three of these could be through the chair, but out of our current

City's debt load, how much of that could be attributed to DPD projects, and if -- if there are any that are part of the debt load, could you share the list, status, and cost to baseline? >> I'm sorry.

Can you repeat the question? >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Yeah. So for some time, we're borrowing for everything. We're bonding out all those funds. So I want to know what portion of those proceeds go

towards the department, towards what projects, a breakdown of what that looks like because when we ask OBM, for example, they're not going to give us a breakdown of each department. That's something

we'll be asking the departments going forward. >> I don't know that we have that number. Jeff, is that something that you have handy? Otherwise, we can respond through the chair. >> Jeff Cohen. We

don't have that handy. We can get you that through the chair for sure. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Thank you. Similarly, we have the EY report that talks about efficiencies. It's kind of general. So I

wanted to sigh if you could outline -- are there any work streams through the work group that impact DPD, and if so, can you outline them and associated times and progress? Make recommendations, have

y'all taken those, and what's that looking like? >> Most of those were tied to the city-owned vacant land. Some it have it was around assemblages. Which we're already doing through RFPs. We take con

contiguous lots and we get those, and do larger lot sales and so that's underway. Another recommendation was the higher value lots and ensuring that we're listing those. We're doing that as well. As

you know, we list lots twice a year, and so many of those higher value lots, we've listed April 1st. We are listing them October 1st and the same with the larger land assemblages. We've actually

implemented much of the recommendations and we're starting to see an increase in revenue from a land sale standpoint. I mentioned at the top of my -- my address that we've exceeded $4.6 million in

revenue. As that compares to last year, we were at $3.3 million, and we still have additional closings, and so we're starting to see an increase in our land sales. The last thing that I mentioned that

I think complements the EY recommendation is providing more and more information to the buyer. I referenced that working with DOE, we now provide environmental disclosures and that helps us to sell

the lots faster. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Would you be able to check on the detail on that? Here's what we've done, and here's how it's moving and even as possible, cross-reference what EY said because I

think in some of the -- I think the hearing we had with them, and understanding, was they kind of looked at it, like, a phase one outside looking in. Here's what we think would work, and as they get

more information, you see adjustments to those estimates so trying to see the comparisons would be helpful for us. If you could send that through the chair, that would be great. Then the third through

the chair is can you outline all of DPD's intersection and send outlines? The recommendation on modernizing this, and where you are on that? >> Yes. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: All right. It's similar, and

I have a feeling this will be through the chair as well. Anything related to cut the tape to see what actually got done compared to what we said we were going to do. >> You want it through the chair

or do you want us to answer it? >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Both would be great. I like through the chair because you can parse through it. >> We'll give it through the chair. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.:

Generally since you mentioned it, how is that looking? >> I'm proud of our cut the tape efforts. We've reduced our plan commission approval timelines by 40%. We have reduced our design reviews from

three design reviews to one. That allows us to approve projects and get shovels in the ground much faster. Tiara can chime in to talk about the total number of items, how many we've completed. >>

ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Sure. >> Is this working? >> Yes. >> Hi. Tiara Hughes, deputy of process improvement for DPD. As our Commissioner said, yes, we've cut a lot of tape. Of our 37 items that our

department was responsible for, we are completely green on 34, or 92%, and we're focused now in 2027 on digitization of our zoning applications, which is those remaining three items. So we're super

excited to continue to cut the tape. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: That's literally what was going to ask next. The folks that have to come here and bring physical paper rather than uploading things like

that. So to hear that's the focus is I think -- if this is a full room, you might get a standing ovation because I think we hear it often. Thank you for that. Much appreciated. I think similarly, last

question I've got is if you all could provide any recommendations legislatively or a municipal code that we could take on to kind of help similarly streamline processes, standardize certain things. I

think a lot of it clearly is, like, our zoning processes at each Ward level are different, and so I'm of the belief that the more standardization, the more predictability you then get without

removing, you know, people's voice of their communities, but still trying to sort that out, and so if there's anything related to zoning -- the code itself that we could help, it would be great to

know to understand to kind of partner up that way. >> Will do. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: That's all I got. Thank you, Chairman. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman Vasquez. You could have cut about four

minutes off of that with just an email, man. It's all good. Alderman Scott followed by -- is Timmy back there? Okay. . >> Thank you, Chairman. I want to start off with thank yous. Thank you,

Commissioner Boatright. Thank you, Patrick Murphy. Yes. Yes. I was lost. Paul, Nolan, Mary, Jeff, everybody who has tried -- who has helped with projects in the 24th Ward, thank you. We've had a lot

of momentum this last three years in my Ward and I just want to say thank you. The missing middle is simply breathtaking in the Ward, and I mean, it -- it employs, you know, minority developers, women

developers, and it's just a breath of fresh air, and bringing new new housing to the 24th Ward. My focus is always going to be land sales, and I -- I don't know if you mentioned this in your -- oh,

and I got to give a special shoutout to my crew, Brian Hacker who takes my calls and work through everything for me. My team is amazing, and I appreciate them very much. When it comes to land sales,

did you state how much we made from land sales? Because, you know, our number used to be 10,000, and then through your presentation, it went to 7,000. >> 7. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: Can you talk through that

a little bit. >> Yeah. So three years ago, I think we were at 10,000 lots. We're at just over 7,000. What we've done is cleaned up those land sales. Many of those lots are tied to projects. Many of

them were in the process of being closed. Many of them are tied to RFPs. Many of them are tied to grants that needed the land to close, and so we've since cleaned up a lot of those land sales and we

have a real number of 7 -- a little over 7,000 lots that anyone can look on Chi on ChiBlock builder and see. No secrets. You don't have to know somebody to find out about our land sales. One shift,

and probably the biggest shift that we've made is three years ago, about 70% of our lots were sold for open space and side yards, and open space and side yards are great, but in neighborhoods where

you've lost population, you've got to focus on building. You've got to focus on density and vert. vertical development, and we've since switched. We were at 70% vertical, and now we're at about 85% of

these lots that we have right now for October 1st being prioritized for vertical development. So it just -- just kind of speaks to the trends that we're seeing. It speaks to the needs that we're

hearing both from you all as aldermen, and residents saying we need to increase density. Those were some of the measures that we've taken, and I think that the increased revenue that we're seeing is a

direct result of the changes that we've made, both the proactive rezonings, but also making sure that we're working with partners like CBRE so we have real land valuations. This is not based off of my

opinion of what this land is worth. This is based off of CBRE's land valuations. We're providing as much information to a prospective buyer so that they can then move forward with the faster sale. So

reducing the number of vacant lots, getting them back on the property tax row because that's where they belong, and spurring more vertical development while removing some of the guesswork for our

buyer. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: Do you have a number of what -- so land sales, that is equated to money. >> Yep. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: Do you have what we've made thus far with our land sales? >> Yeah. Well,

just this year -- just this year alone, I'm at $4.6 million in land sale. That's supporting $180 million in new development. 137 new homes are from those land sales. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: And what's the

goal for 2027? >> So each round, we list between 400 and 600 lots. We list them twice a year. So I'd love to sell -- not just list. I love to list, approximately 1,000 lots next year. I'd love to sell

all those lots. The reality is not every lot gets an offer. Not every lots gets an offer that we could actually close on, but I'd love to be able to hit a thousand lot sales. Just based off where

we're trending, we have some larger valued lots. We have some larger land assemblages that will yield higher sales and so I'm confident -- confident that I'll exceed this year's revenue next year. >>

MONIQUE SCOTT: Just a thought. I know you had a -- a Zoom this week on the land sales. I think it was this week. Was it this week? >> It was last week. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: Last week. Okay, yeah. Can we

do a little more of those so that -- >> Certainly. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: -- and I love it, but I think we need more because we get a lot of, potential buyers that really don't know how to fill out the the

appropriate paperwork, and while we're trying to grow developers, smaller developers, I think they need to at least, you know, being able to actually build and do your paperwork is something. >> Yes.

If I could pass it to Whitney because in addition to those webinars, she's getting out in communities. Can you chime in on what you're proactively doing? >> Sure. We had our first one last week. So

thank you for knowing and mentioning that. We will be doing these every other month, and we're also going to be having some on Saturday because we understand everybody is not available Monday through

Friday 9:00 to 5:00. So we're going to vary the times. We're going to do them every other month, and we will increase them as needed, and then also if there are questions, we have a hotline which is

744-land, 321 area code and we have a land sales mailbox as well. So my team is always available to answer questions even outside of the webinars. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: Thank you. One more question. So

you know on the west and south side, we suffer with -- from food disparity, grocery stores. Are there any resources that DPD is doing to try to push some of those -- that development to the west and

south sides so that we can attract more stores? >> Yeah. I think a couple things. We're following our rooftops and so our focus is on increasing density and increasing the population, helps to ensure

those retail spaces and places actually thrive, but in addition to that, for those grocers that have decided, hey. This is the corridor that I really would like to invest in, our grant programs are

another complementary effort. Oftentimes our grocers are looking for buildout costs. They're looking for capital to make those improvements in those spaces if it's not new construction, and even if it

is new construction, there's often a gap in their capital stack. Through our development bond. Through NOF, if you're in an eligible area, through TIF, and different funding sources, we can certainly

help address the need for, you know, more grocery stores and food deserts, and food insecure areas. >> MONIQUE SCOTT: Well, I just want to say thank you. Your work doesn't go unnoticed. You're all in

it, you know, as a Commissioner. You're in everything , and so that's much appreciated because we know you care up. you. Care. You don't just care about one area. You care about the entire 50 Wards.

So thank you to the entire team. I much appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman Scott. Alderman Knudsen, anything? Okay. That's a no. Okay. All right. You're up. Dollar Bill.

Yeah you go. >> TIMMY KNUDSEN: There we go. All right. First -- first of all, Commissioner, I appreciate you bringing up the -- the LaSalle revitalization work, and the six City projects that we've

funded have obviously catalyzed a bit of -- a bunch more, and something I especially appreciate about that is we always hear about the number of planes in the sky and we're understandably disappointed

about that, but if we're using an existing structure, it doesn't require a crane. So I feel like you and the City don't get credit for that -- for that development. So for whatever my appreciation's

worth, I recognize that -- that flaw in that -- in that measurement, noting the 29 projects that you -- you brought up. A question I did have, I mentioned in your opening statements that you

anticipated -- I think you mentioned the 1901 project, 78, and Foundry Park, all broke out, resulting in 23,000 mixed income units, et cetera, et cetera. Now I recall that rounding up the 1901 project

was about 10,000 units. Foundry Park was about 4,000 units. For the 78, we spent $175 million on roads and whatnot which I thought was great. We spent $250 million on a parking lot in. Stadium Plaza

which I was opposed to, but there was none of that -- none of that was allocated to housing. So it doesn't look like there's any housing with that. So the question I have is -- is there an existing

plan, request, proposal to give more TIF allocation to the developer to build housing on that site? In addition to what's already been allocated? >> On all sites or -- >> TIMMY KNUDSEN: Just on the

78. >> I have not received a proposal or a request from the developer for more TIF for any phases. >> TIMMY KNUDSEN: Beyond what's already approved? >> No. >> TIMMY KNUDSEN: Okay. Following up on --

there's a few questions about the TRR. You know, I always really read the TIF waterfall, and interesting things you find or not find, and the front of OBM says State law requires all unallocated TIF

funds to go back to the clerk for redistribution, blah blah blah, and they talk about -- they outline a very bright rule that says this is done based upon the minimum cash that's available across all

future years and then go on to say that 100% of funds over $2.5 million will be -- will be allocated. Bright line rule which I appreciate, noting that LaSalle's slated to give $39 million -- there was

a number of TIFs this isn't applied to. Chicago Central Park has a minimum cash balance of going for it over $19 million. Gaelwood arm stage industrial, $9 million, $9 million, Calumet, $7.9 million,

and they don't have suites assigned to them. Noting that OBM seems to think this is part of State Law. What's going on there, and are we in violation of the law? In not doing -- in having these sweeps

not done in a way that is not consistent? >> Because surplus is not a function of OBM, I would have to work with OBM on how they rationalize which TIFs are surplus this year and in prior years to be

able to answer that accurately. I can't answer it on my own, in isolation of their methodology that they've used for surplus because again, it's not a function of DPD. I'll pass it to Jeff in the

event Jeff wants to add any nuances. >> TIMMY KNUDSEN: I asked OBM and they dumped it on you. >> It's not a service of Department of Planning and Development. Our projects help to inform, you know,

what's available from a surplusing standpoint, but it's not a function of OBM. It's exclusively a function of the office of budget management. Nope. I thought -- I don't think Jeff has anything to

add. >> TIMMY KNUDSEN: Well, it does bear question there is this bright line rule that seems to be allocated across the City, yet some TIF districts are seeming to be favorited for reasons that are

not clear, and when things are done in a transparent manner, I think that we can all -- all respect that, but when they're not being done in a transparent manner, I think that people would -- would

understandably have questions, on top of the questions that Alderman Lopez asked about the TRR, which -- which often seems a little bit mysterious to all of us. That said, I do -- speaking of TIF, I

do want to thank you for working with me to keep -- keep the park in the -- I have so many TIFs. The canal congress TIF -- no, actually, I mean central west is that little park. That little two-acre

park. I think it's more use than any other park in the City per square foot, and appreciated that myself and Alderman Burnett were able to have a fantastic Halloween parade there this weekend. So I

really want to appreciate how you kept that in the TIF. Thank you very much. That's all I have. >> Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you. Alderman Conway -- Alderman Burnett. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT:

Thank you, chair. My colleague beat me to the punch on the TIF expansion. I want to say thank you to your team for not only that, and in terms of ushering through that process, and taking the time and

the extended amount of time in order to get that done because as he noted, it is important for the park, and for the west side what we're trying to do with TIF dollars to bring additional transit. So

as many folks have stated, it's been excellent working with you all in my limited time and my one year. I feel like we've accomplished so much between TIF expansions, new projects, development

happening in cup Fulton Market, the missing middle in my Ward, on the west side. You all continue to be a bright spot for the City, and I don't think we grow without the Department of Planning and

Development, and I appreciate everything you all do from Patrick for answering my emails at obscene times to Noah and Jeff, and the entire team over there at DPD. I really do appreciate everything

that you all do. So my questions are more so trying to grasp and understand the scope of our grant funding and different programs that we have here. And so NOF is a big component of how how the west

side and south sides gets their projects funded. Can you talk about in the last couple of years, how much money has gone into the NOF fund, and what are some of the limitations with development with

that funding structure? >> You said what are some of the issues? >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Limitations. >> I would say, yes. You're absolutely right. It's a downtown development that helped to fund

NOF and our NOF dollars are going to the south and the west sides of Chicago. In terms of investments over the last couple of years, I'll pass it to Alex if Alex wants to quickly chime in on kind of

what we have for 2026 alone, and then how those investments are reflected in our neighborhood. >> Alex Budnik. Deputy manager. Deputy Commissioner. Year to date in 2026, we've collected $9.2 million

in NOF, and next year we are anticipating a total of 72 point 8 million $72.8 million. Much of that is comprised of carryover that we have been carrying over from the prior year -- multiple prior

years, for projects that have been ongoing, but are not dispersed yet. . >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: They've made it through their zoning process, but haven't started building yet. >> Yes, sir. >>

WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: That's amazing. Can you talk about what projects qualify for NOF dollars? >> Yeah. >> Alderman, I can handle that. Patrick Murphy. So there are three different buckets that the

bonus revenue can be used towards. The largest is the 80% amount and that goes to designated community areas, generally on the south and west sides that meet various demographic, and economic

investment criteria. Those can then be used for commercial advancements, some mixed use developments, institutional uses within those communities. Then there are two separate 10% buckets. One is

available for landmark usage and that continues the landmark bonus that continued under the previous bonus system. In this case, it's eligible to be used on landmark projects throughout the the City,

and then the third is a local -- a local fund that is able to be used within a mile of the revenue-generating plan development. Those can also be pooled together with various colleagues that have

downtown zoning districts. We've worked on a variety of different types of projects from infrastructure and security, and even facilities for the public libraries. >> And to quantify, this year alone,

just year to date for NOF, just small. Those are grants $50,000 and smaller. 9.8 -- almost $9.9 million have been awarded. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: That's great. It seems it's limited in terms of

how much housing can be utilized -- can utilize those dollars. There's specific qualifications like a mixed use project that's in a certain area that qualifies for that 10%, but that's a small number

in relation to the broader fund. >> That's why it's just one of the tools, right? That's why we're not relying solely on NOF dollars to help fund growth and investment on the south and west sides.

We're leveraging the bond, and TIF and thinking equity. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: I appreciate that, and I understand there are tools that you have in place right now that have been created over the

last four years specifically for housing and I look forward to more tools that are going to be created over the next couple of years, in order to get that housing gap filled. And then I know -- it

feels like my time was short, but -- oh, okay. Cool . >> JASON ERVIN: It's not the wrap-up buzzer, but -- yeah. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: My warning. In regards to SSA funding this year, what I've

heard from a few of my SSAs is just the timing of the distributions has been a little off, and then also that we're considering a potential decrease in their funding for the following year? Can we

talk a little bit about that decision? >> I'll pass it to Mary from our team who manages the SSAs. >> Mary O'Connor, deputy Commissioner with small business development bureau. The SSA funding is not

decreasing. That budget is determined by each -- each SSA, and their Board of Commission. So we are -- DPD does not play a role in the funding, but the funding is not decreasing. We did have an issue

from some -- from the collections of taxes and the SSAs receiving those funds. We did run into an issue because the Cook County -- they put in new software, and there have been glitches, but that has

been addressed and we have been working with the controller's office, the County, as well to address it and we have been getting -- all funding is being distributed to the SSAs now, but it was

inconvenient for many SSAs who had smaller budgets. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: I recognize that Cook County with their new technologies, it's been an issue for a lot of different players depending on

those dollars. Are we expecting that issue to continue for the following year or is it now that it's solved and there's a system in place, everything should run on track? >> I can't speak on behalf of

the County, but I believe they are in the process of not repeating this. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Okay, great. And then SSA again is another tool we have for our local communities. We're working on

the bid district to which I know LaSalle street as well as Fulton Market are looking into those processes. Are we as a City doing anything to help those different chambers along with the process to

figure out how to get those constructed? Because I know it's new in the City of Chicago, and we're looking for the first organizations to kind of lead the charge. Is there any way that we can assist

them in making sure we move quickly on these endeavors? >> So we have been working closely with all three of the bid applicants that you referenced. Meg Mile will be launching their bid in 2027, and

Fulton Market and Loop Alliance will be launching in 2028. Fulton Market struggled because they do in the have an existing SSA so they were struggling with the up-front funding to engage a consultant.

They've engaged me, and we are in discussion of them assisting this organization as well as others, and it will be a, like, a grant or a loan up front, and if for some reason the bid does not move

forward, it'll be a forgivable loan, but if the bid moves forward, they will reimburse World Business Chicago at those funds. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Amazing, and thank you for answering my

problems long before I asked the question. Thank you for the continued work you do. I look forward to continues working with you and keep up the good work. >> Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you,

Alderman Burnett. . Alderman Martin. Followed by Alderman Quinn. >> I want to echo the thanks that all my colleagues have shared. I'm sure most of you were around long enough to know when you have a

lot of people start off with a lot of thanks before we launch into questions, that means the big picture of things are moving in the right direction. So I just want to again, share my thanks and my

neighbors' thanks when we have issues come up. You all are always very helpful and responsive. Especially some of the regional planners. I know, I've uplifted the work of Katherine Heard and her team,

and they have been incredibly helpful with some of our trickiest development proposals, especially one that just broke ground. Getting into my questions, you mentioned in your comments geothermal and

a new larger residential development that is making good use of that. I believe maybe in Alderman Burnett's Ward. Can you share a little bit more? If it's through the chair, that's fine as well. What

are some of the criteria that made that development where geothermal made sense, and are some of those criteria things that we could be sensitive to for future projects that would use geothermal? >>

Yeah. We'll get the details through the chair, but perhaps Noah and Brad from our team can kind of just share high-level -- why the developer chose geothermal for this particular site. >> I'll start

with a couple of projects. We have one on Halsted not far from your Ward, just north of Belmont that has geothermal and we're seeing developers choose this method to hit their developmental

sustainable matrix and I'll pass it to Brad to talk about best manager practices there. >> Thank you. Is this working? Okay. Brad, director of planning, research, and development with the citywide

planning bureau. Yeah. We've had conversations with the developer there in Fulton Market to -- to talk about that particular thing, and I think it just pence pencilled out for their project. It made

sense for them to be able to put those geothermal wells under their foundation and they're under the towers and they'll be doing that on the second phase as well, and we are seeing more interest as

Noah just mentioned, in this. I think it can help them meet their sustainable development policy policy requirements, but it also makes sense for residents and their bottom line. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: I

look forward to getting information through the chair, but that all is very encouraging. I know -- shifting gears to City on vacant lots. We have had a number of questions about it. I might just ask

for a few through the chair because I don't want to belabor the points because a lot of it's already come out. I would like to know at the moment, approximately how many vacant lots the City currently

owns, if it would be possible to provide an approximate range of property taxes that would be paid by an average City-owned lot that used to be vacant, but now has been transitioned to say single-

family home or two-flat use, and then lastly, if you could provide starting in 2019, the average number of City-owned vacant lots, both in existence as well as ones that are sold. It would just be

interesting to see how that has tracked both before and after the pandemic. Two last sets of questions. One with regard to CHA. I had heard from somebody some time ago that the CHA plan for

transformation requires that each of the vacant sites have a developer and a development plan associated with them. Is that something that rings a bell by chance? >> As it relates to CHA's

requirements? >> MATTHEW MARTIN: I don't know if it's something -- a requirement they impose on themselves or something that the federal government put on them. >> I can't speak to CH ashes's to CHA's

requirements -- >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Okay. >> JASON ERVIN: Are you speaking of the transformation sites? >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Yes. >> JASON ERVIN: They have a development plan, master plan, and a master

developer. To the best of my knowledge. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Okay, and Commissioner, do you know if there's -- Patrick, go ahead. Oh, okay. Sorry. Is there a regular cadence of meetings with CHA where

whether it's the plan for transformation sites or other sites where they are sharing information with the department and soliciting input on what they would like to move forward with, and how DPD

might be able to advise them on doing so in a thoughtful way? >> They proactively reach out for project-specific conversations to know what complementary development or investment is underway. If

there are any PDs that help affordable housing. Checking what we have. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Okay. So it sounds like maybe it would be possible, and something we can talk with CHA leaders moving forward,

maybe getting them to -- whether it's with DPD and/or others -- >> Yeah. They have been great partners. We call them on a, you know, I think we call each other on an as needed basis to say, we're

working with a develop per. They're considering project-based vouchers. Can you join this meeting so you can understand the scope, scale beyond the project in the proposed development and I think they

do the same when they have larger scale developments. In terms of more standard ongoing meetings, there's always room to have more frequent kind of check-ins, but I think we keep open door if you

will. From a communication standpoint >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Yeah. Understood. Chairman, may I ask one last question and then I'll be done? I was curious, zooming out big picture, do you know if whether

it's DPD or some other part of City bureaucracy? Doo we have a goal for how many new homes we want to build every year, and if so, if you could point me to that document and if not, do you think that

would be helpful, especially as we're constantly figuring out how to cut red tape and manage regulations so that we can build more homes more quickly? >> Yeah. I think we have what we know is the

shortage in terms of homes. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Right. >> And then the goal is to build as many homes as possible to address that shortage that we have. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Yeah. >> In the City of

Chicago. I'm sorry. You can -- feel free. >> Just to add to that, the -- while we don't have a goal per se on a year by year basis, through some of the efforts through cut the tape, we're at a 12%

increase in permits reviewed year to date this year compared to the year before. We've seen review -- a review cues have grown, but also the quantity of permits that we're able to get out annually has

been increasing. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Okay. I would just respectfully put on the department's radar for next year, if that's something that we may want to consider in this new term, because I wonder if

we can work by directionally saying, look. We're going to build more quickly, but if we have goals that we're working backwards from, maybe that causes folks both in the departments and then on City

Council to think a little bit more ambitiously about how we could responsibly move more quickly to hit a goal. Whether it's 5,000 new homes annually, 10,000 new homes. >> I can say for missing middle,

it's 500 homes. That varies based on project. I'm sure DOH has a goal. For ARO within those units, but those are market -- those are private market-driven developments, and so I think what we can

control, we absolutely set those goals on. It makes it. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Yeah, and just to be a little bit more specific, and this will be my last point. If we have a shortage of 120 of the

affordable homes for people to rent or own, and I think last year, maybe 3,900 or 4,000 new homes -- 4,000 new homes built, I think that's not meeting what we need to do, even though we are making

progress, and so as we've done working with DPD and the 47th Ward, proactive upzoning on parts of Western and Broadway. That's great, but if it's something where maybe we need to think about doing

that more aggressively or bringing in other things to complement that in the 47th Ward, I want to think a little bit more proactively about that. >> Right. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Which is why I think it

can be helpful to have an overall goal and not say we're just working from the other end. >> No, agreed and we spent a lot of time talking about the proactive nature of the planning at the top of the

hearing and we're doing it from a zoning standpoint. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Yes. >> 2,000 proactive rezonings, but 7,000 in the last couple of years. To address more density, and create more

opportunities. The fact the missing middle is not single-family homes, that's -- we're going to hit that goal faster from the missing middle and typology. That's not taking into consideration, the

constructions that are converting the office to residential. I hear you loud and clear, in terms of more aggressive proactive kind of planning and opportunity so we can ultimately address this housing

crisis that we're seeing nationally. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Thank you. Thank you, chair. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman Martin. Folks are getting antsy talking about the next term, man. Everybody's

not as blessed and fortunate as you are. I'm going to let you have that one. Alderman Quinn followed by Alderman Sigcho Lopez. >> MARTY QUINN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, Commissioner. First,

thank you very much for all your help, and your team's help. Patrick's been fantastic. The team's been great, so thank you. Just a real quick question about save a lot, and any quick progress on our

save a lot closings? One in the 13th Ward at 63rd and Kilborn. It's something that neighbors really care about and want to see it open. Anything you could share would be greatly appreciated. >> Yeah.

So save a lot for those less familiar. I know the alders impacted are very familiar just from our calls. Save a lot has, you know, unfortunately experienced a closure of multiple stores due to the

SNAP reduction, federal SNAP reduction, and death of one of the owners. My team and I are working with the other finance partners to find new grocers and we're in communication with new grocers that

are interested in occupying these stores. These grocers that are going to bring quality produce, needs to the community because we deserve it, right? And we deserve the quality, and so there's more to

come. I can't name who we're talking to just yet because we're still making progress. We don't have any signed agreements just yet, but I feel confident that those stores are going to be going to be

reoccupied soon. >> MARTY QUINN: Any time frame? >> One of the stores in particular, I think are moving a little bit faster than some of the other stores and so that's promising. >> MARTY QUINN: Okay.

>> I'll say that who we are talking to are active grocers. >> MARTY QUINN: Great. >> They operate and own grocery stores. These are not folks that are interested in becoming grocers. They actually

operate. >> MARTY QUINN: Sure. >> That's the terms of how fast we can get those open. >> MARTY QUINN: Thank you, Commissioner, and I look forward to hearing from you as the process continues to roll

out. Thank you, chair. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman. If you all cannot keep your comments to yourselves in the gallery, I'm going to ask the sergeant-at-arms to remove you, okay? Okay. Thank

you. Thank you. We appreciate you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you, and we appreciate you. You guys have a great day. Have a great day. Alderman Sigcho Lopez, you may proceed. . He's still

mad from yesterday's results. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you, Chairman. And good morning, Commissioner. I appreciate the opportunity to have a conversation with you. Some questions you have already

answered. I want to talk a little bit about the TIF program. I know that we have a -- an important effort on the 25th, 11th, and 12th Ward, changing the purpose. I heard some Alderman talk about the

importance of housing and being able to invest in housing, and we look forward to working with you. In this, I want to ask generally overall, the functioning of the TIF though. I'm not sure if you

were able to read the report of the great cities institute on the analysis of the TIF, and the disparities in that program. So I just want to say in terms of your general questioning, how the $16.6

billion that this program has been receiving since its inception, how it has been operating, most of it, 51% downtown, and then cash balances that are still accrue d, mainly in question around efforts

that we can do for full transparency to have oversight on this program, participatory budgeting and also some of the recommendations about funding schools, funding park districts, and redirecting the

revenue as we've done in the 26th Ward. That's the overall question in terms of study and your reaction based on that study. >> Yeah. So I did read the study. I think the study pointed out some really

good points. I think that this -- the study lacked detail in terms of the rationale behind why we're seeing one of the biggest critiques that was the amount of investment downtown versus

neighborhoods. I thought that that portion of the study could have provided a lot more context. I think part of the reasoning that you're seeing more investment historically downtown than what you're

seeing in the neighborhoods has everything to do with the scale and the scope per project, and so if you think about downtown developments, the needs are greater. Some of the project sizes are larger,

and if you compare that to a neighborhood project that's just as catalytic, you're going to have some disparities if you will, or differences just in terms of the amount of -- of investment overall.

And so that's one -- one flag that I would just say is relevant in kind of raising from that study. I don't think that everything was wrong with the study, but I think that that's worth kind of

calling it. I think it's also important to know, and I'll have Jeff chime in on a couple of other pieces from the -- from from the UIC study on the TIF and how the TIF has been used historically. But

interesting facts because I like to focus on facts . 95% of our closed TIF or IGAs are actually in neighborhoods, not downtown. Of the approximately 260 total projects, just 15 of them are downtown,

and the remainder are distributed throughout the City, and that's a very relevant fact that we should all kind of raise, and so does it counter some of the UIC's kind of points made? Yes, but I think

it's important for us to be fact-based in terms of the critiques of TIF. TIF has always had its challenges, but I think it's important to know that it has done what we hoped it would do in terms of

equitable neighborhood growth and opportunities. There's always kinks to be ironed out, but in terms of the impact and what we're seeing in neighborhoods, I wanted to raise those points. Jeff, did you

want to chime in on any points from the UIC study? >> Yeah. Jeff Cohen, managing ing deputy. Just to reiterate the points, the research that the urban Cities institute did was really goods, however,

it is backwards-looking, and there have been many strides made in terms of transparency and accountability, specifically with the TIF Sunshine Ordinance where we now post all TIFIDAs, whether they're

IGAs or DOD or DOH-funded projects. We made strides in the transparency of what we're disclosing to the constituency. I think the other piece here that was largely unlooked was not necessarily about

property values increasing, but the purpose of TIF districts is to expand the property tax, and to bring blighted and vacant lots back online, and improve the overall taxes. Not just focusing on

property tax increases. Again, to your point as well, and within your Wards, I think that, you know, we're going to be working closely with you now that the Pilson TIF district has their increased

budget and there will be a lot more coming to those neighborhood districts as well. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you. I would love to, again, continue to redirect those funds to libraries, schools,

things that are needing infrastructure with limitations of the TIF bond. Last question in terms of the study. There's some questioning around the number of positions that the department funds through

the TIF. Do you know, like, I know that here at least the tax increment financial fund has about 67 positions, and about $11 million. How do they -- how do they relate and how do they collaborate and

talk to the Aldermanic offices? How does the staff connected directly, and our TIF in particular, there's assignments for studies, there's assignments for staff, and that was part of the institute's

concern about how those concerns are accounted for and a breakdown of, in fact, almost per Ward. >> Do you want to chime in on -- and Alex can chime in on kind of the breakout, which positions are

TIF-funded. I'll start off by saying it's a mix of positions that are TIF-funded. Not just the financial team that actually reviews projects. We've got many teams. Go ahead, Amy, please. >> Amy Henry,

director of human resources. We have TIF-funded positions, our small business development bureau, and also in our planning and design bureau, and back office support. >> So those are all partners with

the exception of the back office support that would engage with your department or your constituents, whether it's us coming out for Ward nights and sharing with the small business what we have,

whether it's Mary's team doing door knocking to share there's opportunities from a funding standpoint or even our planners that's working on long-range planners and obviously some of Jeff's team

members that are actually working directly on those RDAs. So I just wanted to highlight the mix of team members that are on that TIF line item, and the work that they're doing within those TIFs. >>

BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you, and yeah. That's what I wanted to zero in on that. I think that my office and recommendation, you know, for doing more engagement in the community, there was least one

area or one program where there were zero applicants and I -- I did request that we work together, right? I think it's incumbent of us, so I want to see how do we get that kind of resource? I know

that we have some delegate partners. I definitely will -- and I've mentioned that to the department in terms of having more quarterly reports, and we are starting to receive those, but in terms of,

like, how do those positions actually help, and to your point, making sure that we are encouraging -- I know there was an application Mary can speak more about it. There was zero applicants and I do

think it's important that we do reach out to constituents, and make sure that they do know the opportunities, especially around -- I know there's opportunity for neighborhood opportunity funds and we

have the dubbed landmark. That is another $7.4 million. As you know, we have an award that is waiting. I want to see how we tap into that extra support, right? To make sure that the people know about

these opportunities. >> I'm going to have Mary chime in on what's already underway and what kind of additional things that -- because it's really not a one-size-fits-all as it relates to outreach.

Every single Ward has different ways that they like outreach to happen in their Wards, and for their small businesses, but maybe can -- Mary can chime in specifically for what we're doing in the 25th

Ward, and maybe some of the things we're doing in other Wards that are working really well that you may want to adopt in yours. >> For the PSGA, we have worked closely with your office. As well as

BCB, we have done several walks. This is how we're engaging with you. We let your office as well as the delegate agencies and other partners know we're rolling out these programs. We provide tool kits

to promote on social media, and then at mid point, we reach out to all of our stakeholders, your office and our delegate agencies to let them know where we are on applications received. So we have

seen -- just so, like, last year at this time, and I'm not specific to your Ward. We received a total of 500 applications throughout the City. This year in '26 it's gone over a thousand. So the

outreach is working, but there are certain communities that will require more attention, and we will continue to work with your office, walk those corridors, and door knock, but that was just one

specific in a period of time, but you are getting a lot of responses through NOF,the community development grant, work force solution. This was a one-off. I'm not saying we're happy with the results,

but it's flagged for us and we will continue to improve. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you, Commissioner. Yeah. Definitely like to have a follow-up in terms of what we can do together. Make sure more

people know about the programs, and also I would like to discuss, you know, maybe some of the recommendations of the great cities institute in terms of just greater transparency and accountability so

we welcome a follow-up with the Commissioner and your team. Thank you so much, Chairman. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you for the -- thank you for your question. Next up we have Alderman -- Knudsen is out.

Alderman Mitts. . >> EMMA MITTS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, Commissioner. The DPD team have been very helpful to me. I got to tell you and I noticed in the statement -- your opening

statement. There was three churches that was designated as landmarks -- four. Three of them is in my Ward, and we're very excited about the status that was granted. But let me ask you, who -- do you

oversee PBC? The public billing Commissioner. Is that under your -- >> His name escaped me. Ray. Yes. There we are. Sorry. >> EMMA MITTS: Who was it? >> Ray. >> EMMA MITTS: Are they coming before us?

Or do DPD answer questions for them? >> No. >> EMMA MITTS: Because I'm interested in learning about a restaurant that was supposed to be coming to the 37th Ward. >> Is it a restaurant that PBC is

working with with or -- >> EMMA MITTS: Well, we passed it some time ago in City Council, a part of the joint public building Commissioner project. It was the joint public safety academy along with two

restaurants there. And I been had -- one of those vacant for the last four years, and it's completed, and taxpayers done paid that money for it to have a restaurant there, and we don't have nothing

yet, and I don't understand why we can't get one there. That's why I'm asking the question. >> I would defer to PBC to -- >> EMMA MITTS: Are they coming before us? That's my question, Chairman. >>

JASON ERVIN: No, ma'am. The PBC does not come before this committee. >> EMMA MITTS: Responsible -- >> JASON ERVIN: You can ask them. We can do a resolution to ask them to come on that specific issue

between this committee or public safety or one of the committees to have that conversation. That's fair game. >> EMMA MITTS: I just wanted to know why we're wasting taxpayer dollars sitting there, and

that money been allocated. It's been there, and I don't know why we haven't gotten the business to come in. It's been built, a new constructed building. Let me move onto pop course. How many are we

scheduled for 2026/2027? >> I'll have Mary talk about the disaster recovery dollars that we have that are tied to pop course. Mary? >> We have $5 million that are dedicated towards the pop courts that

were hit hardest by rain in the years '23/'24 in the 37th Ward. So it's $1.25 million per Ward, per pop. >> EMMA MITTS: How many pop courts per Ward? >> One. >> EMMA MITTS: One pop court per Ward, and

-- >> So -- so for, like, I know we've engaged your office. We've confirmed the location of 843 North Central when we're partnering with the Rising Sun Church. And we've had conversations -- >> EMMA

MITTS: Absolutely. Absolutely, but I'm more interested in the picture of how many pop courts that have been -- that are in the pipeline? >> Are you referring to our previous program? >> EMMA MITTS:

Yes. >> Our previous program, which no longer exists, those funds were supported by the Chicago Recovery. Grant. Funds, so that program no longer exists. >> EMMA MITTS: Give me the ones for the

disaster release. >> We have four locations for them. >> EMMA MITTS: Can I get those through the chair? >> Yes. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. Thank you. Housing. Let's go to the vacant lots for a minute, and

how many vacant lots -- City-owned vacant lots? >> Just over 7,000 vacant lots. >> EMMA MITTS: City-wide? >> City-wide, yes. >> EMMA MITTS: Can you give me the number for 37th Ward? >> Yep. I can have

my team pull it now. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. While they're getting that together, what are we doing in terms of missing the lots pipeline with community distribution? >> You said missing middle? >> EMMA

MITTS: Yes. >> We are on our fifth round of missing middle. We started in North Lawndale. We started October 4th, the fifth round, in City-owned lots and our focus is where we can do clusters,

multiple lots on a block, and really taking it block by block, node by node approach. We've got $75 million set aside. I haven't exhausted every dollar, but we're getting pretty close, but there are

still opportunities for additional missing middle rounds. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. I'm interested in looking at -- or working with your department on areas that I think that we need to be looking at. >>

Okay. That's fine. >> EMMA MITTS: In the 37th Ward. >> Happy to. >> EMMA MITTS: But your team have been fantastic, and Mary was working with us along very well, and neighborhood opportunity funds, and

TIFs, and industrial growth zones so I think we can do more in the industrial growth zones just so that you know. I don't know what the point person would be, but we need to look in the area and try

to help to revitalize some of the businesses that are still there, and offer assistance to them. >> We can -- we can certainly set up a meeting specifically with Brad and team to talk strategy around

the industrial areas. I think -- our team has a number for the number of City-owned lots in your Ward. Can you share, Whitney? >> Yes. Director of land and acquisition. There are 150 available lots in

the 37th Ward, and all the information is available on ChiBlock. >> EMMA MITTS: Can I get a list of those through the chair? >> Sure. >> EMMA MITTS: Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. >> JASON ERVIN:

Beal -- hall, go ahead. >> Thank you. I want to enter with a spurt of graduate attitude. 84th and King Drive hadn't been developed in over 30 years, done. Both of which are projects that have for

decades been talked about, but never done. So your leadership has been seen in some very, very, very big, vacant lots in our Ward in the middle. Along with missing middle, which has given the west

part of you are Ward, in Simeone, that was in need for homes, and for the kids going to school and grateful for that addition to our Ward as well. First question I want to ask, is it's been a critique

and a criticism, but I think that the factors that are out of your control play a part, which is the cost to build. How much has the cost to build due to, you know, the stuff that we see out of D.C.,

and just other things, how much of that has been problematic in some of the awards that you've given and even some future plans, the cost of materials and stuff? >> I mean, construction costs are a

challenge. This isn't a Chicago challenge. This is a national challenge that we're seeing. You add that to higher interest rates and just rising construction costs and it's a perfect storm. I think

that we're working hard to combat those things that are beyond our control, by leveraging tools within our control. So like missing middle is an example. Us providing that necessary capital to so it

doesn't discourage them from building, it encourages them to build on City land. Us selling the lots for a dollar, so that's one less cost for that developer to bear, so they can focus on the vertical

development is within our control and another tool that we're leveraging to help to kind of offset the increased construction costs. It, you know, is a challenge. It, you know, remains a challenge,

you know, we were talking about a 25% construction cost increase over the last couple of years. It's not insignificant, and so that's why we want to make sure that we're really thinking outside the

box and we're removing as many of the barriers as possible. The proactive rezoning is just one. That's a cost that the developer does not have to bear, right? And also leveraging some of the tools to

help -- to create that affordability that we need to see, specifically for our housing. >> WILLIAM HALL: I just want to commend you for in spite of the 25% increase that a lot of the projects have

stayed on time, and developers haven't walked away. So again, three times the gratitude for our Ward. >> Thank you. >> WILLIAM HALL: I don't want to -- I don't know if it was mentioned. I had to step

out for a second. A lot of the City lots come with a lot of environmental issues, of which people are still willing to purchase the lots in as is condition. If you've already said it, my apologies.

Like I said, I had to step out, but where is your department in dealing with situations where you have people, developers -- proven developers and partners, and they're, like, hey. We'll buy this. We

know how bad it is. Are there -- is there expediting of waivers for situations of which property is known to be in bad shape, but somebody's willing to buy it in as is shape, waiving the

responsibility of us, if they were to, you know, proceed with it? >> Yeah. I'll start and I'll pass it to Khalifa to talk about how legally we're working with law department and others. One thing

we're adding and it's effective October 1st and I think you did step out during this, is environmental disclosures. First time we're able to provide environmental disclosures so when people apply,

they know the condition of the lot. So they know what we know. There's no guesswork from that standpoint, but I'll pass it to briefly talk about how we're able to sell land. It is important to note

that developers are used to remediating land, right? There's not a lot of clean land in urban areas and that's par for the course. They're understanding that they're taking on remediation as part of

the work. >> Hi. Kali Ploman. Thank you for the question, Alderman. Yeah. . We continue to work with DOE. One of the big things this round the Commissioner mentioned is we're proactively sharing what

we know about land. In the past, buyers would go about the land and realize that wasn't the lot for them so, the proactive disclosure's helping a lot. Applicants will know, yeah. I'm willing to do

this, and I'm going to put this remediation or investigation into my pro forma. I'm going to provide for it. I'm good to go. So I'm just going to continue to work with DOE on what else we can do to

continue to make the -- the projects move faster. >> WILLIAM HALL: So in concluding, if they get the sheet that says what exactly is on the land, what's the timeline if they say, all right. This is

fine. I'll still proceed. What's the timeline usually to acquire that land after that environmental piece has been given to them? >> It ranges. >> Yeah. >> Whitney and kali, maybe you can give an

example of a timeline. >> So if the property is -- doesn't have any environmental requirements, once we get that disclosure, we can close pretty quickly. So given that we have all the permits and

everything, we can close within a couple of weeks. If there is more of a requirement from DOE, it's going to take a little bit longer, and we just work with DOE to ensure that the applicant is aware

of what's required and then once that is clear, then we can close. >> WILLIAM HALL: Gotcha. So again, thank you in concluding, again, four times a gratitude. We've made four times the progress in such

a short amount of time and I'll just do some more follow-up to quite understand it a little bit deeper without taking up much time. But congratulations. This great dream team is doing a great job

under your leadership, and support. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> JASON ERVIN: You had one more -- okay. >> WILLIAM HALL: I'll save that for Sunday. [ Laughs ] >> JASON ERVIN: Alderman Waguespack. >> SCOTT

WAGUESPACK: Thank you, Chairman. Good afternoon, Commissioner, and thank you to all your staff for being here. Very helpful over the last few years. I won't go individually, but everybody that we work

with is a pleasure to work with, and really gets things done for us. Just a couple of questions. One, do we have a comparison chart or a set of guidelines, public guidelines in terms of NOF versus

build? >> Versus missing middle? >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: The guidelines for build? >> Oh, for build. I can check, and if so, I'll get it through the chair. Nothing that is off the top of my mind. >>

SCOTT WAGUESPACK: Okay. Through the chair would be fine. I think I want too make sure we're following the same guidelines in terms of how we manage, build with NOF, and then if there's penalties for

misuse of those funds and anything like that -- >> I want to make sure I I understand the question. Are you referring to the catalyst fund versus how we're managing build, the $20 million set aside

from the catalyst fund or build versus NOF? >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: Build versus NOF, if it's going to flow into that same type of management of the money. >> Okay. We can get you kind of clarity on how

build will be structured versus NOF. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: That's fine. I can talk to you offline about it too. >> Okay. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: The other was a change in I think the Revenue Ordinance

regarding the real estate transfer tax on the enterprise zones and the removal of the exemption for all of the enterprise zones. I know that it's supposed to bring in $12 million in savings, but do

you have the specific outcome details, and the analysis of how the exemption is going to fall on terms of either total exemption funds or that $12 million? >> I do not. I would have to get that

through OBM. >> JASON ERVIN: That's not a savings. It's actually new revenue. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: Yeah, it -- all I saw was the press release or some kind of statement from a spokesperson. So -- >>

JASON ERVIN: The way that works and the enterprise zone, you are exempt from a portion of the real estate transfer tax. We are essentially not exempting under our rule authority, not exempting that

portion of the transfer tax that would have been due you should the enterprise zone. It's going to come to us instead of not being exempted. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: Okay. But the State would still have

their exemption. Is that correct or -- >> JASON ERVIN: That I don't know, but if there's any money that's due to the State and they're exempting it, I would assume so, but we're just saying we're not

going to keep our exemption. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: Okay. Well, the reason I was asking here was just because it seems like it would affect some of those projects that potentially would come in through

some of the development teams that utilize the exemption to -- >> JASON ERVIN: That's fire. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: -- to purchase, these sites. I'll ask OBM as well. That's all I had. I think all the

other questions I had have been answered so again, thank you, Commissioner. We've moved on a couple of major projects that, you know, that I took over, over the last couple of years. One with breaking

ground on those 300 units-plus next week, and Foundry Park where we shared time together at that location to really see that northern portion of what was Lincoln Yards move forward with the 3,700

units and commercial, and a lot of other park amenities there. It's a fantastic tribute I think to the work your staff did, and despite the fact the bridge is still closed, I think it will move

forward. So again, kudos to everyone on your staff who helped us move that forward in a quick fashion. >> Thank you. >> SCOTT WAGUESPACK: Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you,

Alderman. Chairman? >> PAT DOWELL: Do you know how much money -- I might have missed this. How much money that exemption would generate? Is there -- >> JASON ERVIN: It's approximately $12 million. >>

PAT DOWELL: $12 million, okay. Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Alderman Beale, do you want to go from there or -- okay. All right. You can stay. I could go to Hadden and come to you. All right. No problem.

>> I just got a couple of quick questions, and I apologize. I was running a little behind and I don't want to -- I have been asking around about questions that were asked to I don't want to duplicate

my questions. So -- but before I start, I just want to say, you know, there are -- and I've said this, in other hearings, that there are a couple of bright stars in this City, you know, Marlene and

Cole being one, and I want to add you to that list as well. There's a few people in this City who get it and are serious about moving the City forward, and allocating and using taxpayer dollars like

they're supposed to be spent, and I want to thank you for that as well as the entire department. I think you guys do a phenomenal job, but I do believe that there are some roadblocks in your way, and

I want to get to a little bit of the questions on that as well. One of my colleagues did say they asked some questions about the TRR. >> Mm-hmm. Yes. >> ANTHONY BEALE: The process. What's the average

time it takes your department to review and forward your approvals or disapprovals to OBM? >> On average, about seven business days. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Seven business days. Okay. So seven business days

by the time a request comes in from any Alderman or whatever to your department, you review it seven days, and it moves on. Okay. And after that, it goes to OBM for an approval to see if the money's

there or not, and then it goes to the Mayor's office, correct? >> Yeah. I think one important caveat is once it goes to OBM, that's when the funds are held. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Okay, and whether it's

approved or disapproved, it goes to the Mayor's office where it sits for a slow death if you're not on the Mayor's team. >> It goes to the Mayor's office for operational sequencing. >> ANTHONY BEALE:

Okay, and if you're not on the Mayor's team, it won't go anywhere. Oh, okay. Well, do you know how many TRR approvals that you sent over that have not been forwarded to City Council? Do you have that

list? >> I don't have that number off the top of my head. I can get it through the chair for you. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Do you have an approximate? You know, because the data I'm showing it's

approximately 47 projects that are sitting in the Mayor's office to be -- >> I would have to confirm. I don't have the most recent report in front of me. I can confirm and I can follow up through the

chair, Alderman. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Now I don't know if you can confirm or not. A TIF request does not necessarily have to go before your apartment or OBM or the Mayor's office. Can an Alderman submit

a TIF request? >> My understanding is it goes through our department so we can confirm eligibility. You start the process. It's what you already do with us where you say, hey -- >> ANTHONY BEALE: We

don't need to go through TRR. We don't need to go to OBM or the Mayor's office -- if I see a project and I confirm that the money is there in my TIF, I should have the right to submit a TIF request,

correct? >> I think you are submitting the TIF request. You're submitting it through the TRR process. It's your submittal that starts the process. >> ANTHONY BEALE: I'm trying to circumvent that

process. >> You are oftentimes working with our department because you want to know any other holes that are pending. >> ANTHONY BEALE: I guess my question is, Commissioner, do we or do we not have

the legal right if I have a project, to submit a direct TIF request to City Council, to the clerk's office, to go to the department of budget or finance for approval, and then it gets approved? >> So

I would have to confirm -- when you talk about legal right, I would have to confirm legally -- >> JASON ERVIN: In theory, what you're asking for is could someone submit an ordinance that's passed by

the body for requesting the TIF allocation for a specific project.. that's your question? >> ANTHONY BEALE: I already know the answer. I know the answer. >> JASON ERVIN: Okay. >> ANTHONY BEALE: I'm

trying to get the people of the City of Chicago to understand that the aldermen have the authority to submit a TIF request for a particular project if they Sho they so choose and we don't have to be

held hostage by the administration when you're on the team or not. That's all. I'm trying to get to the bottom of that. All right. All right. Another one of my colleagues said they already asked you

about the TIF suite -- >> Not a function of the Department of Planning and Development. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Okay, so -- but you're charged with grading projects that need TIF money. >> Yes. >> ANTHONY

BEALE: So this last TIf -- because I remember I asked you the question last year point-blank where you consulted with the TIF suite. Were you consulted with this one? >> The projects we have to your

earlier point can help inform what is surplus, and so typically OBM will check in to say, hey. Are these still active projects? We confirm. They're try taking longer because they're trying to close

their gap. It is It is still an active project that should be protected from a surplus. I think it helps inform the surplus, but it's not the department that grows or manages the surplus or the amount

that's surplused >> ANTHONY BEALE: Earlier this year, we obtained information that there was approximately between $225 million to maybe $250 million in $250 million in eligible TIF. How did we get to

$500 million if earlier this year, we only had $225 million to $250 million? >> I would defer you to OBM. I can't answer that question. I don't know what your 250 million $250 million figure -- that

figure pertains to. I don't know where it came from, but I would defer to OBM. Again, TIF is not a function of DPD, and so I can't say where those numbers came from or the change in the numbers. >>

ANTHONY BEALE: Okay I understand that, but if we sweep TIFs and your department is relying on TIFs to move projects forward, would that not hinder your projects? >> I advocate for my projects and all

development projects in the City. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Okay. >> At the point we have a project that's ready to move forward, I aggressively move those forward to protect those dollars from a surplus in

the future. I think it's important to say, and I mentioned this last year. There are projects and there are concepts. There are projects that aren't ready for concepts to be held, and we want to move

those so we can actually lock that TIF in or housing and economic development bond or whatever the proper funding source is, but not every project that comes to us is ready for us to reserve dollar.

>> ANTHONY BEALE: I get that, and, you know, I believe that you and your department advocate strongly for development and construction, but if you pass it on, it could fall on deaf ears because you're

relying on the Mayor's office to send stuff to to us. You can be the biggest advocate however. When you pass it on, it's out of your hands at that particular time. >> I would say as a professional and

as the Commissioner for the department, I work really hard to protect the dollars that are needed to move the projects and to ultimately lead to groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, and I do that in

partnership with you guys. I think we're all aligned and we all want groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings and we want to move our City in a responsible way and I think we're all aligned from that

standpoint, but it's not -- I mean, I just want to say from my perspective, as the Commissioner, I'm working really hard to protect all dollars and to spur development and I think I'm doing okay in

partnership with my team and with you all. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Okay. The ordinance I submitted last week, or week before regarding the window sign, a window covering, can you give me -- because I know a

lot of my colleagues complain about that. How important is that to get done in in communities like mine when they have all the windows covered with, you know, signage and you can't see in? Are you

getting a lot of complaints from my colleagues on that? >> I actually do get a lot of complaints from your colleagues for the amount of coverage of the win of the windows. It's not allowed, and it's a

problem. There are also images that are being used to cover the windows that are not respectful. There's been issues around public safety as well, and so it's not just because your colleagues are

saying it's not aesthetically pleasing. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Mm-hmm. >> Some of the concerns has been around public safety, but I want to pause just a minute because I talked about what's not allowed and

Patrick can chime in on what's allowed from a window coverage -- >> ANTHONY BEALE: Is the lighting also included in this? >> What lighting? >> ANTHONY BEALE: That LED lighting, around our community

to, you know -- >> The perimeter lighting? >> So thank you, Alderman. Patrick Murphy with the department of planning. There are zoning regulations in place. The window coverings you're talking about,

some are, and some are not activated with different messaging or images. Some are blank papers or folks put different equipment that's in businesses to screen the windows. Like the Commissioner said,

the public safety issue about not being able to see into the business, is something we've heard often from and you many of your colleagues as well. The lighting is something we will address with

licensing as far as, you know, the screaming of lighting that goes around the window edges, you know, per se it's not signage, but that's what would fall under or could fall under a version of the

ordinance that you introduced and that we would be happy to work with you all with. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Okay, and I appreciate working with you and the Commissioner on that ordinance. You know, I think

it's important because I believe that people are taking advantage of our community, and, you know, you can go to other communities and they don't have that kind of signage and it's gaudy. It's ugly,

and again, somebody can be in there getting harmed, and you can drive past and wouldn't -- wouldn't know any difference about what's going on inside there. I appreciate you helping with that ordinance

as well. So again, you know, I don't have many complaints with you and the department. I think you guys do a phenomenal job, and again, I just want to reiterate that there are a few shining stars in

this administration, and you are one of them along with Marlene and Cole and a few others. So thank you for all your help and your advocacy. >> Thank you, Alderman. >> JASON ERVIN: Alderman Hadden

followed by alder Manaa-Hoppenworth. >> MARIA HADDEN: Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Hi, Commissioner. >> Hi. >> MARIA HADDEN: I want to start off quickly just saying thank you. I really appreciate

you, your team, Patrick Murphy, Paul Moody, everybody sitting there in the box. I think especially over this term as I think I've had more things happening in my community, I have greatly appreciated

the access and the advice of you and your team. It's really, I think, made -- I don't have a lot of development, but I feel like every single thing I have is something a little unique, as is customary

for Rogers Park. So appreciate that. A couple of things I want to lift up that I hope to continue working with your department on, especially into the new year. Bird-friendly design standards. I want

to thank your team for helping with information. I know you have been going through the last year or so of kind of pilot stuff. We've got more work to do on it, you know, we had another kind of mass

casualty event earlier in October with 1,000 birds hitting glass. This is more to say, you know, we're going to get through this year, but I know there's some data we're still hoping to get from you

guys about bird strikes and the projects. We have also been collecting more information on developer cost. So I appreciate very much, and I think you actually do a really good job at this. I

appreciate the many things that we ask of you, and your role as Commissioner, and what we expect the department to do on the broad level goals and all of the intricate, sometimes specific things,

like, helping us to update these standards while also balancing the big-level goals that we're asking you to. So I know this one isn't super easy, and I -- I just want to name that, like, I know

there's a little tension sometimes, especially in, like, as my colleagues have mentioned, in a time where everything costs more and there are so many stresses on development, but I want you to know

that we're here and I think we're aligned on working with you and supporting you and not asking you to do anything that you can't do, but hope that we can continue to work with your department to

really thread the needle on this, and find a good path. So just thank you. I look forward to continuing to work with you on that. >> Thank you. >> MARIA HADDEN: My big question for you guys, I'm so

excited about the courtyards. I'm so excited about the courtyard buildings, and so maybe my question is -- I know I missed your opening comments. I did read the statement, so thank you. If there is

anything you and your team would like to share about this project, and others that you're kind of working on, but this creative solutions, I was -- again, so excited because there are -- I think this

is the way forward. So if you just want to share any more about that, I would love to hear it. >> Yes. We're excited to bring courtyards back. Courtyards aren't new, but they've gone away. That

typology, and it's an important one especially as we think about the production of housing and the density that's really needed and so we're excited to have rolled out this new RFP on October 1st and

we're excited to see the responses that come. More to come in the beginning of the year, in terms of announcing the first pilot and the responses and interests that we -- we have from the courtyards,

but I'm hopeful that we'll see a lot more courtyards throughout the City of Chicago because they are a beautiful housing typology that we -- we can absolutely support. We've got land. There's

opportunity, and there's a housing need, and so the courtyard housing type addresses many of those challenges. Or opportunities. >> MARIA HADDEN: And if I could ask, and this is more in that broad

category of other -- other unique solutions. What can we look forward to there, and I will kind of add a piece of, um, construction, TEERM , materials types. I'll say we haven't talked about it in a

couple of years, but there had been work on tiny homes. So the missing middle and the courtyard piece, I feel like are so smart, and the progress that you've made on missing middle, like, these are

the things that, like, in 20 years, we're going to be, like, looking at as where we had turning points in the City, but I wondered if you could speak to tiny homes or any other innovations that the

department is looking at, learning about, that we might want to tap into in the next year. >> Yeah. 29 conversions were missed. 29 conversions over 4,000. Doing more and new construction through

missing middle and courtyards, and then I'll pass it to Patrick to talk about tiny homes, on ADUs or other changes or implementations we're exploring to address affordability and scale. >> So

Alderwoman, we've met with a number of groups that have talked about a variety of tiny home pilots. We've encouraged them to let us know what you would need as far as a zoning code structure. We've

offered to establish something, akin to what we have for townhomes which give you a specific set of rules that are separate and apart from other setback and building placement requirements that you

have on a on a zoning lot, and so as a tiny home, we would craft something that's something -- that we would want to build. We don't dictate that without making sure it's something they can actually

utilize. We had the ADU expansion in the ordinance. We have seen interest in expanding -- especially what we've allowed as far as the size of the physical building, the coach house standpoint. Some

limitations that we had on square footage have been dropped so it allows for creativity in the size and place placement of those buildings. They don't have to establish parking. That was once provided

in a garage accessory structure. That's allowing freedom for those places on building zone lots. We talked about minimum lot area and density. We talked about a variety of zone district changes we

would be happy to explore and discuss further. There are things we'd love to explore further with you all. >> MARIA HADDEN: If you would just permit me a last comment here. Thank you . So I'd love to

follow up. I know that I want to say it's been more than a year. Maybe even two years since the Mayor's office had been working on some tiny home RFPs, and I'll check up post-budget to check in, and

last thing I'll say, just a plus one of support for continued structure of working with our neighborhood planners. So Katherine Heard and her team, again. I feel like it's a smart solution that helps

to match the just different demands in different parts of the City.ive enjoyed working with them and hopefully we're getting an update. We're hearing from the St. Scholastica site, and I hope to have

updates for you. Thank you, Commissioner, and your whole team. Really appreciate you all. >> Thank you. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman. Alderman Manaa-Hoppenworth, and then Chico, and then we

will with breaking for lunch. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you. You have been a great collaborator. You have helped us work with developers to help stabilize our communities, increase our tax

base, help our small businesses. We want more homes and you're helping us get there. I wanted to also say thank you to first deputy Patrick Murphy and the entire PD team including Noah Zofranik, our

planners including Katherine Heard. We are balancing development with historic preservation, and so I want to thank your team, Deanna Cavallo, on the historic district which is a very important

commercial core of Edgewater. I had -- my first question is the ChiBlock builder and the missing infill housing program. You said it improved on the shortcomings of other land sale programs. I

believe, or maybe you can speak on that. But it seems to be that, and you highlighted some of the improvements including publishing, environmental reviews or the City-owned lots for sale that we

believe will speed up the land sale process. I was curious if more staff would help you to accelerate that program, and if so, could -- could that help us double the number of lots disposed? >> Yeah.

I'm sure that my team would always say, yes. Give us more. I'm confident that Whitney would love ten more ten members to lead the sales. The two flags. Industrial sales go through Chi JP block

builder. It's just a platform for all of the City-owned land to be sold. In terms of speeding up the process, we list roughly -- twice a year, we list lots. Roughly between 400 to 600 lots. I can sell

more lots or even list more. Not every lot that's listed equals a sale or even an application. There is this kind of balance of how many lots we list and how many applicants actually respond to those

listings. Just because I list 1,200 lots doesn't mean I'll have 1,200 offerings and 1,200 closings within that year. Some are higher demand within that year, and we work closely with you all to make

sure you have expressed interest on. Just to kind of manage expectations in terms of how many lots we list, and how many were sold, we don't always correlate to the exact same number. Right? We are

seeing more in revenue, and I think partnerships with DOE, with listing those environmental disclosures help us to speed up the process because we're helping to remove a lot of the unknowns earlier

on. And so those are a couple of measures that we're taking and certainly more staff could allow us to maybe close even faster, but I think the team has done a phenomenal job with the leadership that

we have in the box to really focus on selling those lots much quicker. But yes to more staff. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. My second question is, CTA. They have been

making huge investments in Edgewater particularly, and uptown with redline stations. And we're excited about the Broadway upzoning and the major transit-. transit-oriented development sites in the

Ward. Can you speak on the partnership that's required for us to move forward with that development, and what is it that we could do to help? >> Yeah. Ongoing partnership. Keyword, partnership. CTA's

been a great partner across many of our RFPs. Not just the couple in your Ward. I mean, throughout the City, they have been a really solid partner. I'm going to pass it to Nolan to kind of chime in on

how continued partnerships can allow us to RFP those sites much faster and get the development that you want to see. >> Yeah, that's right. Thank you. That's exactly right. I think our continued

partnership with CTA, they have been a great partner. We have monthly meetings with them. Not just on Broadway, but also at 95th and State, and 63th and Ashland, and we're in partnership with them.

With our Aldermanic partners, and continued engagement, and again, the proactive rezoning I think is an important component of that as well. All of those things come together to move us forward. >>

LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you. I appreciate that. The last thing I just want to reiterate is our desire to see goals on the number of housing units that we need moving forward. It was mentioned by

Alderman Matt Martin earlier, and that would -- that would help to guide our work, and we want that in the City of Chicago. So thank you so much. Thank you, everybody in the box, and thank you,

Commissioner for your work. Thank you, chair. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman. Alderman Chico? >> PETER CHICO: Thank you, chair, and thank you, Commissioner for your work, and the team's work.

Obviously the 10th Ward, we have had a lot going on. Both end, bookends of my Ward. We were just in the Riverdale neighborhood a few weeks ago unveiling a fresh market for our residents to shop in,

and last week you were at the north end of my Ward for the missing middle, and around everyone with IQMP, the new hospital to the north of us, the ends of my Ward are doing quite well, and this is

something we've talked about. I kind of just want to get your perspective or a team member's perspective on how we kind of deal with the middle of my Ward. That seems to be the most challenging at

times, in terms of bordering another state, bordering an attractive state in Indiana. How do we leverage both ends of my Ward into the middle and figure out a plan to -- to drive development right in

the middle? >> I think a couple of things up. . You said it at the start. You have the momentum, and there's different type of investments. Like the IQMP like you mentioned, to the hospital. First

hospital in a hundred years year on the south side. Those are game changers. I think the missing middle will help, and proactively rezoning some of the corridor to attract the right type of mix uses,

increasing density. Those are all kind of measures that are easy for us to take and can lead to more investment in your Ward to kind of detract folks from going across the border. There's lots of

small businesses that deserve support. We've got resources through Mary's team, through Jeff's team, large-scale grants, smaller scale grants that can help existing businesses, but also resources that

can attract new businesses and so I would say just leveraging all the tools that we have, but real emphasis on housing and density. That can certainly help. >> PETER CHICO: Thank you. That's all I

had. I want folks to understand, that on the south and north end, we could leverage that into the middle, and it's it's really challenging and drive that development we want to see. Thank you,

Commissioner. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Alderman Chico. I apologize. Alderman La Spata, are you still on? on? Going once. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Yes, sir. >> JASON ERVIN: All right. You got five

minutes, man. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: All right. Let me use it it effectively. That means I'll have to send my happy messages at another time. >> JASON ERVIN: Alderman -- Alderman, you need to adjust your

microphone. It's very difficult to hear you, sir. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Give me a moment. >> JASON ERVIN: There are other comments being made, and we won't have that. Your mic is not working when we

need it. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Can you hear me now? >> JASON ERVIN: Yes. Thank you. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Okay. There we go. Commissioner, I will dispense with the pleasantries and send them at another

time. Pleasantries expended. I noticed in the budget a couple of different places where positions had been taken away from bureaus or budget categories around local industrial retention, and seemed to

be moved to housing and economic development bond positions. Am I reading that interpretation of the budget right, and if so, what is the cause for the shift in those positions? >> I'll have Amy talk

about the shift in positions. Amy? >> Amy -- okay. Amy Henry, director of human resources. There's a couple of different reasons for those changes that you see. One is we did change a few titles this

year to address prior -- departmental priorities without raising our head count. Excuse me. So you'll see in 2026, the positions there. It's no longer there in 2027, and then vice versa. The other

reason is we had some reorganizations throughout the year. So we then shift across subsections to align our budget with our current organizational structure. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: So I should read that

as a deprioritization of that sector? Is that accurate? >> No. >> No. >> That area remains a priority. Do you want to kind of reiterate? That's still a priority, but the shift is kind of where the --

those employees are being paid from. Maybe Amy just kind of reiterate that component. >> Yeah. The shift is because we moved staff around from one bureau to another, or one division to another to --

to match our organizational structure, our budget with our organizational structure. >> Meaning the work is still being performed and so from -- from a Ward standpoint, the shift is seamless to our

work, our efforts, our planning. That won't change at all on your end. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Okay. All right. I'll find the best ways to follow up on that. I also noticed that that there was two

seemingly new positions added around communications and information services. I'm -- were those shifted from somewhere else or are those new positions within DPD? >> Amy Henry, Director of Human

Resources. Those positions are not new. They were shifted from CDBC. Those two positions were once a shared service to both DPD and DOH, but they now only currently support DPD, so they're funded

under TIF now. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Are there new communications positions that are going to be specific to the Department of Housing or is that a Commissioner question? >> That's a Commissioner

question. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: All right. I'll ask two more quick questions. And both are, like, more policy-related. So earlier this year, we passed an ordinance related to how planned developments

were meeting their executive order commitments. I.E. around MBE, WBE, Chicago resident hiring. I wonder how we've been doing on the implementation of that ordinance, the public dashboard that was

going to be created. >> Yeah. I'll pass it to Noah for specifics in terms of performance. We can get you that through the chair, but I'll pass it to Noah in terms of the dashboard and what the

dashboard displays. >> Sure. Hello, aldermen. I'm Noah. The dashboard is now set up to record the percentages as they're reported. As you know, we have a good amount of reporting that happens at the

time of the the planning commission. The last one is at the time of completion. We've yet to have any new additions come in for time of completion, but it's set up to receive the information you

requested. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Okay. I'll be looking for that and I'll follow up with you on that. My last question is related to the housing and economic development bonds because I heard the comment

made earlier that DPD on the economic development side has -- it sounded like appropriated 190 $190 million of the overall bonding authorization that we'd passed earlier. I'm curious -- and we've --

we've had emails on this. Is this related to -- I know part of it is, there's categorical allocations, but in terms of the broader, small, medium, large-sized d grants, is it related to a lack of

applicants? The quality? Can you elaborate on that? >> It's been awarded. That reflects missing middle dollars that have been awarded, CDG small, medium, and large. The commercial storefront

activation program, our work force solutions. Those buckets, and so those are actual grants that have been committed to developers and grantees year to September 30th to date. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: No.

I understood that part, Commissioner. I guess my concern -- so I'll make this last point and then I'll be done. I would like to request through the chair the metrics or rubrics that we use in

determining how grant applications are awarded. >> Oh, sure. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: I've asked this through a few different email means, but I want to request formally through the chair, the applications

submitted for community development grants by Ward and by community area since the establishment of that program. Is that a clear program? >> Are you asking for what's been awarded by -- >> DANIEL LA

SPATA: No. I'm asking for applications. >> Those are pre-decisional, Alderman. The applications that we haven't made decisions on yet, that's considered pre-decisional? >> DANIEL LA SPATA: -- >> Or

denied applications? >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Commissioner, both denied, in progress -- I guess I'm trying to get -- >> JASON ERVIN: Okay. Why don't we do this? We can provide the statistics of that. I

don't think you can -- we can go into the actual applicants, but the statistics of numbers, those can be provided -- provided to you. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: That's fine. I'm trying to understand the

appetite for the program. I'll follow up, Chairman, with you and the Commissioner by email on that. Thank you very much. >> JASON ERVIN: Okay. All right. Thank you much. At this point, we're going to

take a break. We will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. Oh, I'm sorry. And let me -- number one, you guys are doing great work. We know that -- I actually probably in my opinion, the second most important

department that we have, outside of public safety is bringing great development to the table, but again, we know that the work that you do is not in a vacuum and you're not doing it alone. We

definitely appreciate the work you and your team are doing to bring good, solid development across our City and the -- the attention that you all have paid to the south and west sides of Chicago,

which have been starved for so long. So again, we appreciate the work you and the department are doing to bring that back to fruition. Again, with that being said, we will be in recess until 2:00 p.m.

>> Welcome back, everybody. It is a little after 2:05 here. We are back, and we are going to be reconvening here with the next department up, which is the Department of Housing. First we're going to

have a report by our council office of financial analysis. Over to you. >> Thank you, vice chair Lee, and good afternoon, members of the City Council. My name is Katie O'Toole here to provide a brief

summary of the house's budget request. For 2027, the proposed budget for the Department of Housing is 171 $171,060,000, a $2 million or 1.27% decrease compared to 2026. The corporate fund supports

approximately 13% of CDPH's appropriations. Personnel accounts for roughly $17 million, up 8% from 2026. Non-personnel makes up the largest part of the budget at $154,350,000, which is an approximate

2% decline. The department requests 122 full-time or equivalent positions. There's no proposed changed head count from this year. As of October 21st, there was a vacancy rate of 13.56 %. Next is the

funds of the 2026 budget ordinance. Looking at categories, the financial purposes as specified categories reflect the largest dollar changes. So digging into that a little bit, Category 0900 is

dedicated to the low-income housing program and reflects an $18 million new funding for 2027 from the corporate fund. There is a approximate $15 million decline in the reserve balance for various

grants in Category 9000. The approximate $8 million decline in 9100 is primarily to rehabilitation loans income, and the additional $8 million reflects opportunity fund spending. Looking at funding

sources, local funds increased by nearly $25 million which is 177% increase from 2026, local funding. And housing receives most of its funding from grants, which declined by approximately $27 million

or 17%. The decline is largely driven by the program income fund, though federal, state, and local grants all declined in 2027 as well. Here you can see the historical overview of the department's

appropriation by funding source. So the department used to be merged with the department of planning, but it was once again an individual department beginning in 2019. So you can see that on the

chart. The department saw a post-pandemic jump in resources, but since 2022, housing appropriations have been declining overall. Local funds have varied with an increase in 2023 from 2022, but then

declined again in '24, '25, and '26. 2027 shows an increase in corporate funding and other local funding. And lastly, looking at the department's historically budgeted positions, that's on this slide.

Staffing levels have generally increased since the department was re-established in 2019. Initially staying consistent around 80 to 90 staff and growing above 100 in 2023, and while grant funding

accounts for most of the appropriations at housing, local and grant funding are more equal when it comes to funding staff. Local grants funds 60 of the 60 of those, with 62 from grants. That concludes

the 2027 budget for Department of Housing. >> NICOLE LEE: Thanks, Katie. We have the Commissioner from the Department of Housing. I think she's got an opening statement and you can introduce your team

that's here with you. >> Thank you so much. Good afternoon, vice chair Lee and honorable members of the City Council. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Department of Housing's FY2027 budget

and share how we are building on progress made in 2026 to deliver on our mission for the year ahead. Joining me at the dais are Tamara Collins, managing deputy Commissioner for the department, and

Matt stern, deputy Commissioner for policy, planning, and implementation. In the box with us today are Alessandra Budnik, Amy Henry, Edwin Ortiz Reyes, Meredith Muir, Joseph Lewis, deputy Commissioner

of housing development, Asia Bonner, associate Commissioner of asset management, Carina Pasos, Christopher Smith, Lisa Lewis, assistant Commissioner for construction monitoring, margarita Vega,

assistant Commissioner for long-term monitoring, Daniel Rico, Steph O'Connor, deputy Commissioner for home ownership and preservation, Jenny Franz ak, and Mike Weber. In 2026, the Department of

Housing under the continued leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson advanced the housing agenda rooted in equity, inclusion, and for all 77 community areas. This reflects our belief that housing is more

than shelter. It is the foundation for public health, education, safety, and economic opportunity. Since May, 2023, the Department of Housing has built, rehabbed, or preserved 4,676 units with 5,667

more in the pipeline for a total of 12,038 units advanced by this administration. We prioritized the fight against against vacancy and disinvestment, by trying to get developments to new owner

occupants. And funding capital improvements for 662 affordable condominium and co-op units to date under this administration, we have acquired 96 properties through our rebuild program. Our shared

equity investment program has expanded significantly in 2026 with an investment of $5 million in additional funds, DOH has already created 14 new units of permanently affordable, and supported five

homeowners so far in this year in securing long-term affordability. Looking ahead to 2027, we will continue implementation of transformative housing solutions. In our work to address and prevent

homelessness, we have seen the completion or groundbreaking of our noncongress regrate projects, and the department of family and support services. This initiative will bring over 300 non-congregate

shelter beds online, through local bond fund and leveraged $25 million of other resources. We will continue our monitoring and enforcement of the single-room occupancy ordinance and deploy the

reservation fund to preserve the most affordable housing options in the City. As you may know, the expanded additional dwelling unit program went into effect April 1st of this year. This allowed for a

280% increase in eligible ADUs. Since then, there has been an explosion of precertifications totaling over 500 units which translates to over 500 units of newly available housing. The department is

moving expeditiously and providing precertifications, averaging a turnaround time of just two to three business days. In June of this year, DOH launched homegrown, a home buyer assistance program that

provides up to $70,000 in grants to income-eligible Chicagoans looking to purchase a new home. To date, 261 Chicago families and individuals are new homeowners because of the program which was funded

with $21 million of the housing and economic development bond. Chairman, Chairwoman, members of City Council, as the Department of Housing enters 2027 with clear leadership, and demonstrated ability

to deliver, our proposed budget is everything we need to expand and protect affordable housing and make sure every Chicagoan has a stable, dignified home in the community of their choice. Thank you

for your continued partnership and for your commitment to housing justice in Chicago. I welcome your questions. >> NICOLE LEE: Do you want to introduce -- you already did that. >> I did. >> NICOLE

LEE: I apologize I missed all of the introductions. You have an excellent team. >> No worries. >> NICOLE LEE: Okay. We'll start with questions. Anybody? Sure. Alderman -- chair Martin, why don't you

go ahead? >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Thank you, vice chair and team. Good afternoon. Thank you so much for your ongoing work, and as Commissioner, you and I were talking earlier. We have the privilege of

attending a groundbreaking recently for the first permanent supportive housing development in Chicago that's going to support families recovering from domestic violence. So I know that you and Tamara

and so many other people at DOH were instrumental in helping this get across the finish line, same with a whole host of organizations, but I wanted to start off with compliments and gratitude because

that was hard. Hopefully subsequent ones will be easier, but at the end of the day, this is a sorely needed thing in our City. I had two sets of questions I wanted to run by you. First is the Chicago

low-income housing trust fund. We know that with some of the recent changes to ARO policy, both how it works at the Ward level to the changing legislation, we're having more on-site affordable housing

which is great, and an unintended consequence is the reduction in the trust fund getting resources that they need. I know that there's a proposal in the budget to allocate, I believe, $13 million to

help sustain that fund that would support something like nearly 1,400 residents who are benefits from the program, so I was hoping you could delve into that a little bit more, confirming my

understanding that if this funding weren't ultimately to move forward, that upwards of 1,400 households may be facing the prospect of homelessness sometime next year. Can I just get a little bit more

into that, and who are the people at a high level who qualify for trust fund support? >> Yeah. Thank you so much for that question. The Chicago low-income housing trust fund was established nearly 40

years ago by the City of Chicago. It is the primary recipient of of the City's allocation of rental support housing program money from the State. This has been the primary vehicle by which we have

been housing in a low barrier -- in a more low barrier way. Folks who are living at 15% and 30% of the median income. Very low-income people, and people that get to have stable housing because of

this. It essentially operates as a rental subsidy program. It is a rental subsidy program. It allows households to be able to just pay 30% of their income towards the rent and when you're living at

30% AMI for a single person, that's about $25,000 a year. That's not a ton of money. Yes, absolutely love that we are building affordable housing on-site and all the many ARO developments that are

being brought forth, but absolutely there was an unintended consequence of a drop in revenue into the affordable housing opportunity fund or AHOF. Because those revenues have dropped, then the amount

of money is entitled to 50% of AHOF, has dropped, and so that does put them in a situation that they're currently navigating. As of right now, they have had an attrition policy so any unit that has

come offline, they are keeping offline trying to keep those families who are still housed stable, and the money will help them be able to continue to do that, and will actually hopefully help reverse

some of what's been happening so that they don't necessarily have to continue the attrition policy. We know that we are at a major moment of housing crisis right now, and in order to be able to meet

Chicagoans where they're at, clift is a valuable resource. We ask for the support of this. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: I was wondering if you could shed additional light -- and through the chair is fine, in

terms of what the trust fund has done making dollars stretch more. Even beyond what you're mentioning, whether they're looking for additional sources of funding including beyond the City, other belt-

tightening practices, again with the goal being to minimize the negative impacts of any funding reductions. >> Yeah. We have been very pleased with the work that the board and the executive leadership

has been doing at clift to try to get exactly at that. So at the one side, they are looking to work -- they are working at the State level. There was legislation that was introduced to close a

loophole on recordation fees and they are continuing to actively work on that, that they estimate could bring about $10 million additionally to CLIFT. On the internal side -- there's been the

attrition policy. They've looked at their staffing to really look at savings, what things were being outsourced that they could do internally for less money so that they can get to that point again

where they're stable, where their money is stretching as far as possible, and that the priority can remain to keep the folks who are housed through them housed. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Great. Another set

of questions I wanted to ask is around ongoing conversations with City Council members around the FAIR and PRO proposals. I know some of this may have been touched with some hearings recently, but I

don't -- I don't serve on either of those committees, so I -- well, maybe just share a few through the share requests in the interest of time. One, if you could reiterate how current DOH staff would

be used to -- how many of them are used to enforce the RLTO currently. How many of them would be used to work on the rental registry piece in particular. I would be interested in knowing -- well, I'll

table that for now. Last thing, not a question, but just a comment. I shared with DPD earlier this morning that I think the City would do well to think about a big-picture goal in terms of the number

of new homes both affordable and market, that we want to build on an annual basis over say the next term, to be able to work backwards from that because I think both DPD and DOH have done a good job

of adding new market rate and affordable units, certainly seeing an increase of that, in a lot of situations year of year, but with a gap of 20,000 units, a lot of that just, like, affordable units. I

don't know that we're being big and bold enough, and so if we can have those two departments working with City Council and the others to set some ambitious, but achievable goals, I -- I would hope

that as a result, we're thinking about what steps each of us can take in our communities such that maybe say in the 47th Ward, we're looking to proactively upzone more corridors than we have to date,

or maybe there are other ways we can partner with DOH and IDA to see more investments coming in for affordable units. So just respectfully suggest you and your colleagues consider that in -- in the

coming year as you continue to collaborate with DPD in particular. >> Thank you so much. I can provide the PRO answers through the chair, of course, and yes. We are on the same wavelength. We like big

and bold and ambitious goals, and that is something we kind of started circulating internally and look forward to working with DPD and the other departments and what does that look like for future

planning? >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Thank you. Thank you, vice chair. >> NICOLE LEE: You still had almost three minutes. We're doing five and five. This is the halfway marker. So you can continue if you

want. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Oh, okay. I have a few technical questions. Maybe one or two. So one is -- and I know this is pretty weedsy. How much does DOH expect to spend on the administration of a

rental registry software annually? If some sort of ordinance does ultimately pass before the end of the term, how many FTEs would be associated with the work involving that software? And then the

second question I'll just ask all together. Does DOH intend to design and code or build its rental registry in-house or use a third-party vendor, and if it's a third-party vendor, would you be looking

to potentially do an RFP hoping that people who've built similar registries in other parts of the country would do that here, or we looking for something more novel? >> I'll start with the last

question first. There would be an RFP done to procure a vendor to develop the software for us. Based on very initial conversations that were had, we think that -- we estimate that it would be between

$400,000 and $700,000 a a year. Probably higher because startup costs take more than ongoing maintenance. In terms of staffing, we would want a staffer at DTI as well as two staff at the Department of

Housing. >> MATTHEW MARTIN: Okay. I think that's it for now. Thank you. >> Point of information. >> PAT DOWELL: Those two positions you just talked about in the rental registry dollars, or the

consulting for the third party, are those baked into your current budget? >> They are not baked into the current budget. Those were numbers that are baked into the PRO proposal. >> PAT DOWELL: Okay.

So nowhere in the budget is there dollars put aside for PRO or FAIR, whatever comes out, right? We would have to come back and amend the budget to allocate those positions and resources. >> Correct.

>> PAT DOWELL: All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Other questions? Alderman Villegas and then Alderman Cardona. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Thank you, Madam chair. Good afternoon,

Commissioner. >> Good afternoon. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Question around the Department of Housing construction and compliance review process, and it applies only to affordable housing and operates what

some would say in a linear and flexible manner, limiting the abilities to run concurrently, and significantly extending timelines. Why do we do this process? And is it per ordinance or just

propagation of rules that allows you to do this? Allows your department to do this? >> So some of it is -- I mean, some of the work of that team has actually recently been legislated. The work we did

with Alderman Martin, but ultimately, the work of compliance is the work of giving out taxpayer money, and so the work of the construction and the compliance team is the work of ensuring that

standards are met, that all of the things that we're looking for when we are giving a taxpayer subsidy to a project are -- are met there. The work that we have been doing internally has been very cut

to tape focused to ensure that nothing that we're doing in our processes slows anything else down, and that instead is complementary to any other processes that folks still have to go through. The DOH

process is only one part of the process when you are looking to build something. There are, you know, there might be zoning requirements. There are building permit requirements, and things like that.

Through the cut the tape process, we have landed on being able to close in no more than 18 months, and we're really -- this last round of projects that we announced in April are really going to be the

first ones to sort of go through that process, and we've already seen that there are some projects that can go through the process pretty expeditiously. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Gotcha, and -- these are

some people's comments and just trying to get some responses here. So affordable housing developments are subject some would say to a review process requiring approvals. . Not only from the department

of building but also DPD. In addition to complying with permitting requirements, the technical and standards manual requires developers to complete three interim milestone reviews prior to issuing a

notice to proceed to begin construction. Is this per ordinance as well or is this rules? >> So moving forward, actually the notice to proceed will not remain. That is something that, again, per most

recent ordinance that we worked with Alderman Martin is not going to be -- it's not going to be a requirement moving forward. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Gotcha. The CAC notice to proceed, is -- construction

start is frequently delayed post-financial closing due to Department of Housing's requirement that -- I think you answered this. I'm sorry. You answered this already. Oh, this one here. CAC conducts

its own punch list walk-through prior to occupancy even after the project architect has completed a punch list inspection. Is this per ordinance as well or is this -- >> I'd have to -- is the punch

list in the ordinance? No. The punch list has been an internal requirement of the work that we have been doing. That is really trying to address the fact that we are looking for different things that

an architect for the project is. We as a funder, particularly one who is often putting significant amounts of money into a project want to make sure that the project is up to the appropriate standards

that we are looking for. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: One second. >> Go ahead. You're good. One second, Madam You're good. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: One second, Madam chair. City reporting nearly doubled in 2023,

and outpaced the national construction cost in 2023 by 36%. Has DOH evaluated how its additional development requirements and preferences affect the cost per affordable housing unit and the total

number of units produced, and would the department support -- would the department support revising its qualified allocation plan to put greater emphasis on cost efficiency and the number of

affordable units delivered, including rewarding developers who can provide quality housing at a substantially lower cost? >> That's actually a really great question. So I think that -- we know that

yes. Nationally, everything has risen. We've definitely looked internally to ensure that there is nothing that we are adding that is adding significant cost. And we feel very confident that the work

that we've done internally is addressing that issue. We are very open and, in fact, have already as we revise our QAP every single round that it goes, we have already looked at cost-saving measures.

Our last QAP put a cap on how much a unit could cost, and an escalation because often, the highest cost comes not when they come in at the application point, but when they escalate afterwards as they

try to get to closing. We also know that time is money, so again, going back to our cut the tape measures, we've looked at how we are not doing anything that delays the project that can further

increase cost. That is all work that has been continuous. We do all this with feedback from any number of partners and are happy to continue to do that. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Gotcha, and then I've

heard this before, and maybe you can say it's true or not, but when Department of Housing project versus a market race project, and I've heard cabinets -- kitchen cabinets as an example where in some

cases, it's tens of thousands of dollars more that's required for affordable housing versus market rate, and I've always wanted to ask you or ask your department, like, is that act thereat in some

cases there's a requirement of material that's greater than what market rate is? >> That's a great question. So we don't believe that anything that we're asking for is something that would be above

what would be provided in a quality market rate deal. There are certain minimum standards that we do ask folks to meet. Again, both in terms of quality and long-term investment. When we put money into

a project, it's not just to get the project off the ground. It's for the project to get off the ground and to house families for the next 30 years. The very best thing that we can do is to ensure that

at the outset, materials and things are -- >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: I know that, but we have to be real. We know that cabinets and those types of -- they're just material that are not going to last 30

years, and so to require that cost up front versus allowing the -- the owner at some point to take a look at refreshing a unit based on whether or not that material is, you know, it's lived its course

-- it's lived its life. I think -- I think is -- we should be looking at because you could factor that cost in over the course up front. >> Absolutely, and I think we fundamentally agree with that,

right? Part of what we did do in our last revisions for our standards was to add more flexibility into that so that the owners can take a broader look at what they're trying to do and figure out what

pieces of what we're requiring make most sense in that process. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: You're allowing for valued engineering to be taken into consideration on some of these units as long as they meet

the code? >> There is basic criteria that we have set forth that they can operate within, yes. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Are those above and beyond what the code is or -- >> They are things that are not

included in the code, right? So, like, the Chicago construction codes, right? The building permits that, like, Commissioner Hopkins' team is issuing are often not looking necessarily at these things,

right? They're looking at plumbing. They're looking at electricity. They're not necessarily assessing this level of detail whereas we do because again, going back to being good fiduciary stewards of

what we have. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: I appreciate being good stewards, but thinking about the fact that if you're looking to try to get supplies to last the course of the term, it's very tough to do

that. So just -- if you can take a look at trying to figure out how to be more flexible, I think that would allow for the prices to come down. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: I

appreciate that. Thank you, Madam chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Alderman Cardona followed by Alderman Lopez. >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: Thank you, Madam chair. How are you doing, Commissioner? >> Well,

how are you? >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: Good. Two questions. This is regarding rate of first refusal. What's their approximate spending implementation of putting this forth? The right to first refusal

program. >> The cost of implementation of the program? >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: Mm-hmm. >> We have one staffer who works on this along with other programs, and so we would have to break down, you know,

whether or not like, what the salary is associated. I can provide that through the chair. >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: You'll provide that through the chair. Okay. The next question is how many properties

have been purchased by tenants through this first rate refusal? >> Right now, we are at three, and I think for those of you here at public comment this morning, you heard from one of the tenant

associations that's getting ready to be able to buy their -- to be able to buy their property. >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: So three starting. One -- when was this implemented? Was it, like, two years ago?

>> No. It was implemented on -- >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: Or last year? >> Mid-2025. >> FELIX CARDONA JR.: Okay. So three so far then as of today? Okay. Thank you, Commissioner. And I'll be waiting for

that through the chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Alderman Cardona. We'll go next to Alderman Lopez . >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Thank you. Good afternoon to the committee and to the team. A couple of

questions if I may. Your opening remarks last year said that we have over -- that we have constructed , rehabilitated, or preserved more than 4,000 units. Your opening statement this year says that we

are at 4,767. How many of those 700-plus units are newly constructed properties versus preserved units? >> Give me one second here. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And while you're looking also for your team, how

many of them are actually finished and occupied? Or awaiting inhabitants? >> So that -- that answer is easier, right? The ones -- the anything that is not occupied that is currently under construction

is a separate number -- that second number. So everything under the 4,767 is already a completed project. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Okay. >> And I think we will get you the breakdown of new versus rehabbed

through the chair. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: You don't have that? >> I have it all broken out in terms of a single number, I don't think I have that in front of me. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Okay. If you could

provide that through the chair, I'd appreciate it. You also referenced working with conservation to try to identify properties that you can rehab that are in fore closure or that are vacant. I believe

the department has acquired 163 vacant and abandoned property buildings. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Okay. Of which roughly half, 88, have been transferred to developers?

What's happening with the other remaining 75 buildings? >> That is all ongoing work. So we do all of this work through our two administrators, the Chicago community loan fund, and Greenwood Archer, JC

capital, and so they are -- they are continuing that work. There was of course, like a startup period, part of what we're spending right now is a branch from IDA. That was a $20 million grant, and so

just navigating the restrictions and making sure we're able to put that money out in a way that met the State's requirements took a little bit of time, but now that they're doing it, they're rolling

along. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: If you could provide through the chair what the requirements are for that $20 million grant and what properties by Ward have been impacted, and the size of the unit building

that we're discussing. I would appreciate that. >> We can. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: As you undoubtedly are aware, on the southwest side of Chicago in 2025, we saw two extreme weather events that caused

massive flooding. 12,000 homeowners were impacted. All areas in the Archer corridor all the way to Scottsdale, and we saw the department use housing and economic development bonds for roughly -- I

think it was $40 million if I'm not mistaken? And feel free to correct me if I'm wrong to help the west side residents who were devastated by flooding in July of 2023, but the department chose not to

do anything similar for the 12,000 people who were impacted on the southwest side. When the committee on environment and energy protection met, representatives from the department said that you'd have

to take that up with the department. Well, here you are. So if you could explain what the rationale was for ignoring the 12,000 people in the southwest side, and then what we can do to remediate that

because the west side had 8,000 people and they got millions assigned, whether they received it or not, I'm going to leave that for Emma Mitts, but I know that 12,000 got no options, and the options

that went to the northwest side priced out almost every one in the three Wards that it was applicable to. So I'd love to hear your comments on that. >> Absolutely. So the $40 million was actually

identified from the Chicago recovery plan money, not from -- >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: There were two sets. Two sets of -- two sets of grant opportunities. One I think was $40 million which may have been

ARPA-related, but then there was another set, and this might have been $15 million or something along those lines that actually came from housing and economic So if we had the opportunity to use those

bonds, which we were told, why did we not do that twice? >> There is home repair money in the bond, but there is not money specifically for the flood. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: So this was going -- this was

bond money that went specifically towards helping people who were waiting and needed funding to address some of the issues in their homes with regards to the furnaces, appliances, and things of that

nature because of the flooding while we were waiting to see what happened with FEMA. That's what this body -- this council was told by members of this administration. So I'm trying to understand what

stopped this administration from using the same sources so help others who were impacted similarly less than two years later. >> Sure. So I can provide through the chair, the sources of the flood

program. More broadly speaking in -- for the 2023 and 2024 floods that happened on the west side, those were declared emergencies by the federal government, and so the City was allotted the CBDG grant

-- >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Let me just stop you. I understand that, and I also know that's the last time this City got any major grant because it was a change of administration. We have over $400 million-

something that was designated for the west side's recovery. I understand that. But we also were told that City money was used to assist while we were waiting. There was the ARPA money or something

that came from this bond. My question remains if we were able to allocate money from the City to help City residents for 8,000 flood victims who ultimately eventually got $400 million allocated to

them, why did we do nothing for the southwest side of Chicago Wards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, where we had 12,000 people impacted? That's the part I'm trying to get clarification on. >> Right.

So the reason I mentioned CBGR, is because to answer your question, the $40 million of the money was the local match to our grant, and so it is tied to the CBDGDR requirements which are to be used on

the west side because that is where the FEMA -- where FEMA declared the disaster. We are deeply aware that folks across the City have also experienced horrific flooding, and would be very happy to

work on a program that could also serve those folks. Again, this money was designated because it was tied to the CBGDR. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Truth be told, there was a program that was put together that

actually served the 31st, 33rd, and 38th Wards if I'm not mistaken. With regards to flooding issues on the -- on the northwest side. Those residents were priced out because of whatever the AMI was to

access those. However, on the southwest side, where the funding was not made available, even though the departments were sending everyone to this delegate partner, nobody was allowed to access it

because if it wasn't for the AMI, it was for the geographic restrictions on who could apply. I hear you say housing is a human right. I hear you say that this administration has a priority for trying

to help people stay in their homes. I feel as though that doesn't apply to the to the southwest side and I would say this entire row would probably agree with me. So I think if you're going to make

that overture that we're going to figure out something, then I would say probably seven aldermen are going to look forward to following up with that conversation. Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you,

Alderman Lopez. We're going to go with Chair Sigcho Lopez. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you. Thank you, Madam chair, and I wanted to start by thanking ing the Commissioner by really focusing on

addressing some of the structural issues that we have had for a long time, especially the issue of unhoused residents. I want to ask a little bit about the CLIFT program. That is important for several

coalitions that have reached out, the real estate committee, and I want to ask a little bit about the importance of this program. How many people does it serve ? A little bit of the changes that have

happened already, and the Mayor's budget has an allocation for $13 million, and I just want to thank you for making changes that are needed, and also tell us a little bit about the critical nature of

this program and what you envision with this new funding. >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Chairman. So as I mentioned earlier, CLIFT is a rental subsidy program that is serving residents at the lowest

AMIs, up to 30%. Residents are usually a 15% or 30%. They're able to spend 30% of their income towards rent. This is a program that is really serving the most vulnerable. You mentioned homelessness.

We very much see this as a program that can help people exit out of homelessness or prevent them from ending up homeless because they don't -- can't afford their housing. In the current year, we are

supporting 2,768 households through this program, and part of what has happened has been a structural issue where the State passed a property tax incentive that has encouraged developers that are

subject to the ARO to build on-site. We're glad that they're building on-site. The cost of construction is very high so it's actually a very good thing when they do that, but there was a tradeoff, and

that meant that unfortunately CLIFT is not bringing in -- or the affordable housing opportunity fund is not bringing in the money that CLIFT was used to seeing. The $13 million will keep these folks

housed and, in fact, help them reverse some of the policies that they have had in place like attrition so that they can continue to house more people. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you, Commissioner.

My -- my other question is around the green social housing. I know there was $125 million location. It's a national model, and I think Chicago should be very proud of innovative initiatives like that.

Just in general, an update, and how is that, and the new Board, and then again, I have been hearing a lot about other Cities trying to learn about this. >> Yeah, absolutely. Earlier this year, the

Board hired its inaugural CEO, Tim Jeffries, who many of you know, from his prior work with the Department of Planning and Development. Tim has since hired a team. Him and three other staff are

diligently working to identify the right opportunities to deploy the model across the City, and it is our hope to have a -- a broader update for you all sooner rather than later. >> BYRON SIGCHO

LOPEZ: Thank you, Commissioner. I know for 2027 initiatives, you mentioned the beginning of phase two for for the float assistance repair program. It's about $40 million. >> Yes. >> BYRON SIGCHO

LOPEZ: For mitigation and prevention repairs. I know that extreme weather has been largely something that we got to prepare and plan accordingly. And so we have had also issues with old piping and

flooding that happens, you know, outside extreme weather just because all the infrastructure. A little bit more of how this fund will work, and how we're prioritizing how it's deeply affected to make

sure the residents can be whole, especially the constituents of the City. >> Yeah, absolutely. So again, in January of last year -- I think that's it. The City of Chicago was about $426 million that a

lot of that is going to be actually infrastructure work that is going to happen on the west side where the majority of the terrible flooding that we had in 2023 and 2024 happened. That means that DWM,

and CDOT will be able to make updates that will help broadly around solving the flooding that happens. As part of that, we have $40 million of CRP funds that we are going to be deploying in January.

January 1st, essentially for five contractors that responded to the RFP that we released earlier this year, and we are looking forward to being able to announce names and specifics as soon as the

contracts are finalized, but the idea is they're going to hit the ground running and that they're going to be able to address as many households as can be addressed with the $40 million. >> BYRON

SIGCHO LOPEZ: Last question, chairwoman. In terms of innovating new ways of doing housing, I know you have the missing middle and other programs as well to address some of the most vulnerable

populations, especially housing costs. So in terms of, like, my concern, domestic violence victims, public schools, families, children, right? How do you see an increase of housing supply that can

really get to these very -- domestic violence victims. Oftentimes below the poverty line, and more housing. I don't see the market creating such options. What do you see in this budget to help with

that? >> Thank you for that question. We very much look at housing along the spectrum, right? How do we help anyone all the way from, you know, perhaps experiencing homelessness, although that is

primarily DFSS's work. All the way to homeownership. We do that through shared investment program and making sure folks who want to be part of land trust and co-ops have the ability to have access to

resources that allow them do that at a way that is more affordable to them. We also worked with the department of family support services on our shelter program and so over 300 beds will become

noncongregate shelter beds from the north side through the far south side. So we continue to look at different models, different ways to innovate. Some of it is also just prioritizing them through the

traditional means. Alderman Martin referenced a groundbreaking that we were at. It was a property that is going to be dedicated to survivors of gender-based violence through the work of their local

services, partner, and so that is work that we were able to do through our traditional multi-family pipeline, but that addressed this particular population, and so we're always looking for the ability

to create more permanent, supportive housing such as that through our pipeline, and that is work that is prioritized in our criteria for the QAP. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you. Now you mentioned --

for housing, and I know pretty soon in the 25th Ward, there will be an interesting model that I think will be good to kind of -- maybe explore more because it's a congregate and non-congregate setting

which is very new. This was a industrial building, a commercial building turned into this, and I think in terms of housing costs, in terms of other ways that we can increase such supply, it was 120

beds. 84 I think are single-room occupancy. Can you tell a little bit more about that, and how we can increase such possibilities throughout the City? >> Yeah. So that program took about $30 million

in CRP funds and we leveraged another $25 million in other funds as well. Ultimately like we are kind of at the end of that. We've broken ground on our very last project. Alderman Mosley's not in the

room, but it was in his Ward. It was a model we enjoyed deploying and we enjoyed working with the family support services and any support being able to continue that program would be welcome. >> BYRON

SIGCHO LOPEZ: And finally, the homegrown -- the homeowners purchasing assistance program. I know there was a significant allocation. Can you tell us a little bit more about how the program is going? I

really appreciated also the property tax relief for people who are behind in taxes, especially seniors, and I really don't see any other way unless we provide some kind of property tax relief. So in

terms of homeownership, how we can do more to help those families with high property taxes and as for these homegrown programs, I don't know if there's an update, how things, you know, how the

program's going, and how we can do more of that. >> Yeah, absolutely. So the number that I gave in my opening statement is hot off the presses. We actually updated it last night. So it's 261 families

have been able to purchase homes. We've deployed $13.79 million of the $21 million allocated. That is just since we opened the applications on June 8th, and so that has been a quick process. Families

are very interested in being able to access this, and have lined up at -- figuratively. We're excited for that. As for the property relief program, that was part of the work we did for the Jackson

Park pilot to identify, you know, the community areas and to identify that this was going to be a priority, and so we're really pleased that's something that the administration is able to do. >> BYRON

SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you very much, Commissioner. Looking forward to also completing the project in Peoria. That's been a long time coming, but I really appreciate your leadership, and thank you, Madam

chair. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Next we're going to go with Alderman Sposato, followed by chair Mitts. >> Good afternoon, and thank you, chair and staff. I appreciate all you guys do. I

know you have a tough job, and we're certainly in a very tough situation for Latin. Appreciate you helping people whenever we can. There was not only a flood on the west side in 2023. The northwest

side was also flooded pretty bad also. That's just a friendly reminder. Commissioner, kind of a two-part question, asking for a friend-type question. About a year ago, almost two years ago, we -- I

think it was before your time too. The City's green social housing program, which is -- which was, like, $135 million revolving loan fund. It was passed and the goal was to begin construction of the

units this year. So my question is can you provide a status update on -- on Chicago's green housing program including where things stand with funding, implementation, and a selection of development

partners for the project. >> Absolutely. So as mentioned earlier, the green social housing entity is a Chicago residential investment fund. So that is the nonprofit essentially that the City set up.

The Board of Directors has appointed its first CEO, Tim Jeffries, and they are working on development. Part of what has been a gift of the Board that was appointed is that they have been very

insistent on being able to do things in a way that ensures the longevity and the success of the program, and that means that it's -- we've really taken the time to make sure that the policies are

right, that the criteria is right, and things like that. We are looking forward to being able to provide a more broad update on where we were on projects sooner rather than later but don't have

anything on that quite yet. >> NICHOLAS SPOSATO: My second question is -- what's the anticipated -- another reason we don't have Rule 59. Another reason for my opposition to Rule 59, thank you. What

was the anticipated timeline? First of all, I just kudos to Tim Jeffries. He's a great guy, and I'm sure if he's working on it, things will work out well. What's the anticipated timeline for the

construction and for the first housing for residents? Anything yet? >> We feel very confident that -- >> NICHOLAS SPOSATO: Next year at this time? >> Next year at this time, you will have a far more

robust update than what you're getting today. >> NICHOLAS SPOSATO: Or will we have people actually in the houses? >> That's right. I think that, you know, all of that work takes a little bit of time,

right? And so we are treating this and the goal is to work the way market rate deals do, and so the idea is that we will get through a project and be able to get the units up and running in the way a

market rate deal would, you know, so within a couple of years. >> NICHOLAS SPOSATO: Thank you. I don't interact with you or much of anybody, except for that red-headed guy over there. Keep up the good

work. You have a tough job over there, but appreciate everything. Thank you, Madam chair. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Alderman Sposato. Alderwoman Mitts, followed by Alderman Burnett. >>

EMMA MITTS: Thank you, chair, and good afternoon, Commissioner. >> Good afternoon. >> EMMA MITTS: Commissioner, I'm going to start right in on the flood and I'm sure you know that I am. When did you

start? Was it before the flood in 2023 or after? >> I personally got here to this role in January of 2024. So after the flood. >> EMMA MITTS: In 2024. So do you have numbers or are you aware of the

amount of constituents that was flooded on the west side of Chicago? >> Yes. That is work we did extensively with both your office and other offices from the west side who had constituents that were

calling. We had also initially pulled numbers from 311 to see the extent of the damage. >> EMMA MITTS: What are those numbers from 311? Can you provide that through the care? >> Yes, ma'am. >> EMMA

MITTS: The number of constituents that was flooded during that time. >> Yes. We can pull those numbers. >> EMMA MITTS: There was $40 million in flood mitigation and prevention and repair that impacted

residents. What did phase one deliver on homes repair, average cost per home, and application pending? Do we have anything from there? >> Yes. So as of right now, there have been -- the current

administrator, we expect them to complete the 61 jobs that we handed them over at the beginning of the year by the end of the year. >> EMMA MITTS: And the current administrator is? >> The current

administrator is the west side health authority. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. >> And so -- >> EMMA MITTS: They told them it was given to them to complete. >> So the first contract, the existing contract is

for $3.6 million. >> EMMA MITTS: 3 point -- >> 6. There was an original $5 million allocation and they got what remained of the $5 million after the work that DOH had already done between WHA and DOH.

We have completed 70 homes. >> EMMA MITTS: With the 70 homes and you have the remaining left on the books. What about phase two? What is the timeline? You said December for that budget? >> January

1st. The current contract ends December 31st and the goal is to have another -- to have the next contract ready immediately afterwards. >> EMMA MITTS: And how much that contract is for? >> So those --

there are five contractors that we are currently negotiating with, which is why we're not naming them, but they responded to the RFP that we opened up in May, and from there, it is our expectation

that between the five of them, that they will be able to work through the $40 million that is available. >> EMMA MITTS: Was an RFP put out on that proposal? >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. It was put out -- it

was put out in the spring, and so we got respondents and are currently negotiating with five of the respondents. >> EMMA MITTS: Can I get a list of those contractors that responded that you're looking

at? >> We're -- we will -- we can talk offline. Again, we're still negotiating the contract. So we can figure out a conversation. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. What are the eligibilities for the constituents

that applied for flood? Some of the ones that WHA are working on, , what's the amount that each family member were to get? And then I'm sure you're aware about the challenges based on that amount that

they was running into. >> So we have -- the number is roughly 25,000. >> EMMA MITTS: 25,000? >> Up to the household -- the household cannot exceed 100% of the area median income. It must be an owner-

occupied residence, and it must be a single-family or two-owner residence. They have to prove it's their house and property taxes, mortgage, insurance, and utilities -- >> EMMA MITTS: That's the

application process that -- on the RFP we just put out? >> As of now, the criteria remains the same. >> EMMA MITTS: Who was the administrator for that process? >> The RFP? >> EMMA MITTS: Yeah. >> The

Department of Housing, the RFP. >> EMMA MITTS: What organization? >> The RFP was put out by us so there was no administrator for the RFP process. It was to find -- >> EMMA MITTS: Has it been awarded

yet? >> Those are the contracts we are currently working on executing and those are the contracts that are currently being negotiated. >> EMMA MITTS: So it haven't been awarded yet. >> They -- there

are five entities that were chosen to move forward in contracting, and those are the ones -- >> EMMA MITTS: Maybe I need to know when you say contracting -- in what area are you contracting in? >> The

contracts are for the flood program overall. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. Can you break it down then for what you're speaking of? I'm not getting a clear picture. >> Yes. So the RFP that was put out was for

administrators for more administrators so we could have multiple entities out doing this work. It was for multiple administrators to be able to go out and do the work of doing the intake, recruiting

folks, making sure that people are eligible and aware of the program, and then overseeing the contractors that are doing the work, or if they're doing the work themselves to be able to certify their

that. And so we had responses that came into that RFP, and of those five entities were chosen based on the scoring methodology, and those are the people -- those are the entities we are currently

negotiating with to settle the contract. It's not a particularly difficult process. We're just still settling the contracts. That is work that is being undertaken by the entities with us and the

department of law. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. Madam chair, I hold my questions because I heard the buzzer go off and I want to be respectful. Oh, okay. Okay. >> NICOLE LEE: The first beep, just for

everybody, is just your five-minute warning. You got five minutes after. >> EMMA MITTS: Is that what it's buzzing for? Okay. Good. The list of contractors that worked on the homes during the grant

that you gave to the west side health authority that was the administrator with the Department of Housing, coming out and working with us, are those contractors still working now? >> So there were the

contractors that we were contracting with directly when DOH was responsible for the work, and then there was the contractors that WHA as an administrator has -- has contracted with themselves. I'd be

happy to get you a list of the contractors we were working with along with the list that WHA has provided us of who's working with them through the chair. >> EMMA MITTS: Is there any way I can get a

list of the houses that's been completed at this time? Just addresses. Not only for 37. I want it for the area because we're looking at federal dollars that were spent, and I'm advocating for my

community, and I have a concern to make sure that the residents of the 37th Ward get their fair share. And I hear it from them when they come in. Work may have been done, but some parts are not done,

and these are union-skilled contractors, correct? >> I'm sorry? >> EMMA MITTS: They're union contractors, right? Working? >> They have to be paid -- they don't necessarily have to be union. >> EMMA

MITTS: Paid prevailing wage. >> Whatever the City requires prevailing wage. >> EMMA MITTS: Who is overseeing the contractors then? The City? >> So WHA is the administrator of the program so WHA is

overseeing the contractors. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. >> NICOLE LEE: Just a quick point of information following on this because I think part of what I'm hearing chair Mitts say is who's -- who's

overseeing -- or who's responsible for managing WHA at the end of the day? Because it seems to me there's a -- there's a lot of questions about the quality of work being done and who it's being done

for, and that the aldermen -- >> EMMA MITTS: The amount of money that is being spent out for these homes leaves family members -- their work is incomplete. Is that a fair statement? >> Yeah. So DOH

oversees the contract with WHA, and part of that work that we do is to ensure some level of -- a great level actually, of quality control. I'm more than happy -- if you want to offline, get me a list

of the folks that you think are still having concerns over the work that was done in their home -- >> EMMA MITTS: I want your list. I want your list of who you -- >> I'm sorry? >> NICOLE LEE: The list

of completed or in process? It's a wholistic list. >> EMMA MITTS: I have a list of the folks who came in when the flood happened and signed up, and we gave that information through the City checking

311, and we are nowhere near close. Not in that Ward, and if you want people to lose their homes or sit and die from mold, really? That's what I hear . I think that timeline may be moving too slow,

you know, for a long time, it took a little while to get the money out the door for all these processes and application fees and the criteria from the federal government. Now it's taking even longer

to get the work there, in 2026. >> Understood. I hear your frustration. We share -- >> EMMA MITTS: I want you to feel my frustration. Not only hear it, Commissioner. >> Yeah. >> EMMA MITTS: I am one

of the ones, and I know because I got hit just as hard. Yes, ma'am. >> EMMA MITTS: And I don't get assistance from the City, and I'm struggling. So imagine them. I can do some things, but they can't

do anything. I try to make you understand that. So we're going to have to figure out how we can get more assistance to help these residents. How we going to move the needle faster or -- don't you

care? Don't folks care? Thank you, Madam chair. I'll hold on. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, chair Mitts. Point of information, Alderman Lopez? >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Thank you, Chairman. Yes. A quick point of

information. 8,000 people were what we were told was -- also that were impacted by the flooding on the west side. Does that sound correct? >> I don't have the number in front of me. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ:

Okay. It's 8,000. And did I just -- I just wanted to make sure I heard correctly. Of that 8,000, we've only helped 70 people? >> The original list that the Department of Housing started with was a

little under 200 people, and this was after triaging the folks that could be served, and this was work that again, was done with the Aldermanic offices on the west side. Of those, yes. We have

currently finished 70 jobs between the work that the department did in 2024 and 2025, and the work that WHA has done to date. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: So then if I may ask, because I know my colleague just

asked about it, and I'm adding 12,000 more to the 8,000 that are still waiting. Is it possible to have what the -- what the department's game plan is to address the other 99% of the people on the west

side who are still waiting so that I know how far along my southwest side is on this pecking order? >> So this goes back to the $40 million that is available, and we will be deploying as of January

1st. The current contract ends December 31st, and the $40 million will be able to be distributed through the five entities with whom we are currently negotiating. This will make sure that everything

is happening faster and at a rate that the residents of the west side deserve. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: And if I could just ask one last follow-up to the $400 million. How much interest has the department

generated on the $400 million-plus -- $438 million that we received and haven't spent? >> We are not responsible for the entire $426 million of CDBGDR. That is something OBM is overseeing as it is a

grant to the City. We are responsible for the $40 million of the flood money that we are putting out as of January 1st. >> RAYMOND LOPEZ: Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Quick point of clarification before

we move to the next person. On the $40 million -- and I think what would be helpful, Commissioner, and I know, you know, some of this happened before you got there. There seems to be a fundamental

disconnect between the number of people that my colleagues, residents sort of count towards who was impacted versus who has been signed up or qualified. It would be great if you were able to provide

through the chair just a list of the number of -- and the residents who applied for the program, and then how many were approved, and then, like, start to finish. I think there's a concern about the

time that it takes to get from, you know, application to actual work being done and completed because it also sounds like contractors are not going back and finishing jobs. You know, that costs the

City more money at the end of the day, and the more time that takes, that means fewer people can be served. So if you can do that, that would be great. Next we're going to go to Alderman Burnett

followed by Alderman Moore. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Thank you, Madam vice chair and thank you to the housing department. I appreciate all you're doing. As noted from my colleague's concern. It's

extremely important work, and I takes a lot of time and I know sometimes we as a council have put some handcuffs on your ability to move quickly to, and as stated before, there are things that I would

hope you all come to us with to say, hey. This is what we need to do in order to move quickly and right now we're being prohibited because of policy, but kind of going in a similar thread because it's

just all -- I know my colleagues, my Ward, fortunately was impacted as much by the flooding, but I do know that we have a ton of residents who have applied for the HARP program. The homeowner roofing

repair. >> The repair program? >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Yes. I want to talk about I guess two things. Just the funding that has been allocated, '25/'26, and then what is projected for '27, and what

does the wait list look like for that program? >> So we can start -- I'll start it with the last question first. The wait list is significant. We opened the wait list for folks to sign up in 2024 and

2025 and did not open it in 2026 because by that point, we already had about 8,000 people on the wait list. Our wait list currently stands at approximately 7,000 people, but this year we are on track

to end the year by having done nearly twice as many jobs as we did last year. The reason we're able to do that is through housing and economic development bond proceeds of which we have $21.5 million

allocated for this program, and then moving forward, we will actually also be working with you and your colleagues through the TIF nip structure to be able to also put money towards these homes, and

so this is -- it is an incredible need across the City of Chicago. We have done our very best to also look at this through a lens of equity, and so ultimately, we are -- we're serving folks who have

been in their homes the longest to try to preserve that generational wealth. We started by serving people who had been in their home at least 50 years, and are down to 37 years or more. The average

age of our client is 76, and the average AMI is 36% . So we are serving the most vulnerable people through the program, and are looking to continue to keep up that pace next year. >> WALTER REDMOND

BURNETT: I appreciate that you all are double what you did the prior year. May I ask how much is double versus prior? >> Yeah. So this year, the goal is to hit 500 homes. Currently I think we're at,

like, 460-something, and it will depend how many more of days like today we have versus how much colder it gets. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Warmer weather helps out with construction. I get that. >>

Yes. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: What was the disconnect from the start when this program was initially issued? Was it the number of residents that applied? Was it funding? I'm trying to figure out how

do we -- that's a large backlog, right? 8,000, and you're talking about we complete 500 a year. It's going to take us 16 years to -- to get these down? That doesn't seem fair to the folks who have

been sitting in a home for 34 years. Now they have to wait until they are 50-year owners to get that completed. >> Yeah. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Where -- where's the disconnect here, and how do we

go about trying to speed up this process? >> That's a great question. The program is an old program, right? It used to be known as the roof and porch program. That's what many residents were familiar

with. It was put on pause towards the end of Covid, right? Because it was Covid and, you know, having folks in people's houses was an issue, and so when we opened the wait list again in 2024, it was

the first time we'd opened the wait list in several years, and that is part of the reason I think why we got such an inflow of applications in '24 and ' 25 because people had been waiting for this

program. The City has an older housing stock, and I think that we can put as many resources as we think we we can find to put toward that. That's what we are doing with the housing and economic

development bond, and I think that there is a little bit of catchup that we're always kind of going to be doing. And this is, I think, just kind of the nature of, like, working in this kind of space,

but ultimately, I think that, you know, we're continuing to sort of figure out how to increase capacity and maintain that capacity so that moving forward it's not just oh, we only did 250 this year,

but that it's consistently at numbers that really feel like we're making a dent into that wait list. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Okay. So even more targeted then, what is -- why is it 500 this year?

What is the piece that's holding it back? Is it funding or execution capability? >> We moved as much money as we could -- as we figured that could be reasonably spent by us on the program with our --

with our contractors, and so we funded that essentially on the bond. So instead of spreading it out over several years, we said, why make someone wait another three years? It's going to be the same

person on the list. Let's just do it now and so we funded all of that money there, and so again, being able to replenish with money to spend like things in the TIF nip, it will be able to help us

continue at that pace. >> NICOLE LEE: Quick point of information from chair Ervin. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: I want those ten seconds back. With the TIF program with funding, is this just a one to

one direct funding source? If we do that, are there any limitations we can use to fund this program? >> So the biggest limitation is to be within the TIF. Right? And so of the -- of the people that we

have on the wait list, in total, I believe something like 1,600 of them are in TIFs, right? So that will be the biggest limitation, which is that not everyone will be -- not everyone is within a TIF.

>> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Well, for those of us who do have TIF and I imagine a lot of this is on the west side of Chicago. I imagine 1,600 of those are either between myself, Ervin, or Alderwoman

Mitts. I'm 1,000% positive our community would support us expediting the funding for this, and we have to get money from the east side of our Ward to do these programs, that's something we should be

discussing two months ago, rather than considering and waiting on it. So as we continue to have these conversations, this is extremely important. We spend a lot of money on infrastructure on the east

side and downtown, and I'm appreciative of that, but if we have the resources to to expediate these issues, I think we should figure out how to do that quickly. I look forward to figure that out, and

help everyone, and utilize my TIFs to help that because this is -- when you have -- I think it's compounding issues of old residences who are now getting flooding that should have been repaired years

ago, and now they're waiting on two times the money. This just ends up becoming more costly for everyone involved. So if we can figure out how to bring urgency to that, I highly welcome it. >> Fully

agree, and, you know, we have the email out to you and some of your colleagues who have expressed this interest for the TIF-nip. We're happy to work on that because of construction season, you know,

we're looking at being able to do the certifications of who's eligible over the winter months so that we can get -- hit the ground running as soon as we're able to, and the -- and the construction

season opens up in the spring. So agreed on the urgency. Agreed on all of it. Happy to work with you on that. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Amazing, and with regards to the green social housing fund, I

know it's a lot of buzz around it. I know it's new, with Tim Jeffries and his fund, and his team, but -- I believe I came in after this program was initially started. I know it's been a year to get it

off the ground and stand it up, but what is the new protocol with this fund? How do they -- do they operate you operate under their own Board entity structure and there's no input from alders or will

there be any type of conversation about projects and programming within our Wards? >> It does operate under its own Board structure. All the projects have to come before City Council. So this will

always be a conversation with the local Alderman when they are looking at a project. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: They have to come before us? >> Yes. They have to come before City Council. >> WALTER

REDMOND BURNETT: More Tim Jeffries. I love it. >> More Tim Jeffries. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: It takes time to figure out the structure and how they want to start allocating deals. Yeah. >> WALTER

REDMOND BURNETT: Is there -- are they going through, like, mock examples at the moment of how they like to underwrite and what deals they're looking for? What's the ideal structure? >> All the things.

As you know, at very beginning when we talked about this, we talked about the three main ways in which we thought projects would come in. They are stalled. RFPs or RFQs, acquisition projects. They've

set up an investment committee, of professional real estate advisers, both from the market rate and nonprofit sides to talk about what makes sense in a deal. The Board has established its advisory

committee that's also on the green side of social housing, and all of that work is ongoing. Again, the -- the three folks that Tim hired, and him have all hit the ground running since he started in

May. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Amazing and I know you said there would be an update around a year from this time, but even just the bone structure of the progress that they've made -- I don't know

when the last time they've talked to council about what they have been doing, but it would be awesome to get Tim in here now that he's leading the charge to just explain to folks -- because this is

complicated and it is very important. It's a new mechanism that the City's never done before. What's happening and how it could be useful as he builds along the way, it'll be great if we can get some

more of that information. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Okay. We're going to go to Alderman Moore, and then chair Ervin. >> DAVID MOORE: Thank you, and

it's going to be hopefully short because it's just -- we were talking about -- the roof and porch. You said 500,000? >> 500 homes will be serviced this year. >> DAVID MOORE: Oh, 500 homes, and how

much money is set aside for that? >> So right now, we're working our way way through 21500000 dollars of the housing and economic bond. >> DAVID MOORE: So we're not dealing with any new stuff. This is

all old stuff we're dealing with? >> These are all -- these are folks who signed up for the wait list in 2024 and 2025. >> DAVID MOORE: Have those 500 homes been identified already? >> Yes, like, most

of that work has been completed. We have completed or have underway over 400 of those homes. >> DAVID MOORE: You said what? >> So the work -- the 5 hundred the 500 homes, it was a 2026-year-end

target. We're nearing the end of construction season, so at this point, we have either completed or have under construction, the vast majority of the homes. . >> DAVID MOORE: But this is 2027 money

we're talking about, so I'm lost. >> I'm talking about our 2026 numbers. For 2027, our goal would be to serve at about the same rate, and to use both what remains of the housing and economic

development bond as well as to pair on the TIF nip allocation essentially that we're working on with you and some of your colleagues >> DAVID MOORE: So for 2027 we're saying we're we're going to use $

21.5 million? How much are we allocating for 2027 homes? >> A lot of that will depend on how much money the alders wants to put towards the program, right? And so again, we have about 1,600 people

that are on the wait list within a TIF, and so if all of you say, we want to use, like, all of that money to, like, serve all 1,600 households, that's a different number than if you say, well, I only

want to do a million dollars out of this TIF for this program. So some of that is still dependent. >> DAVID MOORE: Take the TIF out of it because -- that just came up in conversation a few weeks ago.

Without the TIF discussion because to me -- I'm looking at that as gravy on top. With the TIF out of it, how much money was allocated for 2027? Take the TIF out of it. Out of the economic -- housing

economic development bond. >> Yeah. So overall our bond spend -- overall, right? Because we're carrying money over as is available. So our overall allocation was $ 21.5 million. >> NICOLE LEE: How

much have been spent? >> $20 million has been spent, which leaves $8.3 million remaining and of that, $6.7 million is earmarked for jobs under construction. >> NICOLE LEE: So we really only have less

than $2 million from the 21? Did I do that math right? >> Yeah. Let me confirm that for you. I'm looking at my numbers here. >> NICOLE LEE: No looking at me. I should be better at math, but -- oh,

come on, guys. Wake up. I just cracked a joke about Chinese math. 21.5 minus 13.1 minus the 6.7 -- whatever that should leave us. That's what Alderman Moore is asking. >> I knew my staff could break

it down. So for 2027, we actually with the other pieces that will be remaining from the repair program line on the HED bond, we will have $12.5 million, so there's, like, the $2 million that's left

over from the $21.5 million, and that's currently allocated for 2027. >> DAVID MOORE: When we say that $12.5 million allocated for 2027, does that $12.5 million account for anything that's under

construction or would that be all new stuff? >> Those would all be new. Anything that's currently under construction is from the $21.5 million that I referenced. >> DAVID MOORE: Of that $21.5 million,

do we know how many new home projects we can do with the $12.5 million? >> I can do some quick math with you right here. We know that the average cost of a job is about 37 $37,000. So $12.5 million is

about 337 jobs, and so again, our hope is to get closer to year's number by being able to to work with you and your colleagues on the TIF. >> DAVID MOORE: We're talking about 337. Do we have that many

on backlog or is there going to be something new? Are we still dealing with just backlogs? >> We're still dealing with the folks already on there. It's based on what we've seen in running this, it's

often the same folks that look to sign up again. So we feel very confident that if we were to open up the list again, a lot of what we would get is folks who are already on the list saying, like, hey.

I want to sign up again. Does this get me there faster? Even though it doesn't. And so we would be working through that backlog of the 7,000 that I mentioned earlier. >> DAVID MOORE: Are you able to

give me a list through the chair of how many of those homes are in the 17th Ward? Please? >> I can absolutely get it to you through the chair, but -- >> DAVID MOORE: I shouldn't have said how many --

I want to see who they are. I don't even need to know the number. I need to see who they are. If you can just provide that through the chair. Okay. >> DAVID MOORE: Thank you so much, commissioner. I

appreciate the work you're doing. I appreciate you. All having an open door policy to always talk. Tamara's always calling me, bugging me, asking me, do I need any help. So thank you so much, and I

appreciate everything you and your team does. All right. Thank you, Chairman. I'm exhausted. >> NICOLE LEE: We're going to go to chair Ervin and then to Alderman La Spata online, and then to Alderman

Vasquez. >> JASON ERVIN: Thank you, Madam chair. Commissioner, thank you all for the work that you all are doing on the west side of Chicago. We have had an alcoholic gangbuster the last few years

with the number of units of housing that we have been able to put up with you all's assistance and continue down that path. So again, just want to give kudos to your department and the work that

they're doing. Could use some more, but I'm, you know, there's an old saying that says pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered and I don't want to be a hog. So -- but again, you guys, I know -- I know

we sometimes, as far as these per-unit cost, what -- what can we do to help bring some of the per unit costs down? Because again, we are heavily subsidizing some of these units. Also, what other

invasions do you think that we should be doing to generate more affordable housing units? >> Yeah. Thank you so much for that question, Chairman. So the big things around cost control that we have

been trying to tackle have been again, is there anything in our processes that DOH controls within itself on the administrative side that is adding time, right? So that's a lot of the work we have

spent the last couple of years doing, through the cut the tape initiative. We have advised QAP to do basic things like you can't bring us a $900,000 a unit project. It has to be $750,000 or less. You

can't escalate your costs after you're already in the pipeline. There's a cap of 10%. There are certain measures that we are already taking to ensure that you can't bring in projects and really kind

of demanding of developers to do -- to do the diligent work of making sure that they're working with their teams ahead of time to bring to bring projects that are feasible and financially within a

range that I think we can all find acceptable. As part of that, when we revised our structure internally, we allowed for example, development teams to come in fully formed into our process, instead of

saying, you're a developer. You have to go do all of these bids. You have to do all of these pieces. We're saying from the beginning, bring on board your GC and your architect so your numbers make

more sense because part of what we were hearing is, like, we're guessing at all of these things, and then, you know, you bring in the architect and the GC and they're, like, oh, no. That's 25% more

expensive than you thought it was going to be. And so we're continuously looking at all of those processes, you know, as Chairman -- or as Alderman Burnett alluded to earlier, you know, we've also

talked about what are other things we can look at to ensure that the legislative process is also a smooth process. That is something certainly we would be interested in continuing to explore to make

sure that that there aren't delays and we're all on the same page and things can really kind of keep moving. And I think for the long-term, right? I think that CRIF -- green social housing is going to

bring a new dimension to building housing, building affordable housing into the market, and I'm really excited to see kind of, like, the fruits of that labor come up because I think that that is one

of the most innovative things we could have done in the last few years. This is a model that is being looked at across the country. It is a model that is very old and very established in Europe,

places like Vienna, and it's a model that more and more folks are looking at. And so we are -- we're really interested in kind of -- continuing to deep dive on that piece as well. The other thing I

would just add is that it's also, you know, the little things also add up, right? When we worked with this chamber to be able to further legalize ADUs, right? That's building more housing. When we are

looking -- when we work with DPD on the upzoning that they're doing, right? Like, that is bringing more housing. So there's all of these things because I don't think that there is going to be ever a

single silver bullet that is going to solve all of the housing issues, but we need to be able to do all of these different things that are still bringing housing. >> JASON ERVIN: Okay. Any thought to

-- how do I phrase this? One of the biggest things that I hear about is time of payment, which is -- I know through your compliance departments and going through the back and forth with stuff, can be

time-consuming and I hear this from a lot of the MBEs, like, I can't afford to wait six months or, you know, whatever that time period is, even though it's not anything on their end. >> Mm-hmm. >>

JASON ERVIN: That's happening. I know we've talked about direct pay. I know we've talked about some other things, but has anyone ever thought about -- we know we owe GCX a million dollars or we know

he has an invoice for a million dollars. Now is it a million, you know, $111.5 million? Is it $98 million? We know we owe him at least $800,000, $900,000, right? What would prevent us from paying upon

receipt of an invoice , 65%, 75%, 80% of that money so that from a cash flow perspective, it does not put contractors in -- in peril. We retention and I know we have some other things, but that's one

of the biggest issues that I hear that number one, prevents people from bidding on projects, and when we have less bidders, we're going to pay more money, right? So if we could figure out how we can

-- even though it may not be to the penny, but that's why we have accountants to reconcile those type of things, saying, we'll pay 75% of this so you have cash flow and you're not drawing in crazy

interest expense at the bank because you're fronting all this cash, and that hopefully should give us -- these folks, they build this into their pricing. We're paying it regardless, and so have you

guys ever put thought to something? I don't know what the exact mix or what the right number is, but something along those lines so that we can help our contractors work? >> Yes, Chairman. Thank you

for that question. We have absolutely put some thought into that, and have kind of had some stops and starts internally with not just DOH, but with some of the other departments involved in something

like that on trying to figure out the right mechanism to do that. That is something we're happy to continue conversations on because it would take restructuring our grant agreements. It would take

restructuring how, like, the escrow is distributed, and all of those pieces, and so that is something that we are continuing to explore and would certainly be happy to discuss with you further. I will

say also just generally right now, for example, like, we don't have any drafts that are, like, on the back end that we're having issues with. Part of the work we have been doing for the last couple of

years has been on the system prolink where both us and the developer can see, you know, where everything is, and where the milestones are because I think what also -- not always, you know, we're at

fault sometimes, like it happens, but also sometimes what happens is that there's a disconnect within the internal development team about where the draw is in their process and so they're calling us.

We're trying to answer questions, but there's something else happening. So all that to say that at some point, in the near future, I hope to be able to also kind of say, like, well, in the entire draw

process, here's how much time it was with us, and here's how much time there was with other folks and that will also shed some light on some of the other issues. >> JASON ERVIN: I hear you. I

understand what you're saying, and -- and in some respects, it's like -- it's really not our fault, right? You know, and it may not be, and -- but the -- the little guy, you know, could find himself

out of business because we're over here trying to double-cross Ts and triple-dot Is and granted we've got to do that, but in a sense of us being able to get something out the door that can keep the

lights on in places where, unfortunately, the lights are going out, and at the end of the day, I think the risk of -- of losing money in this type of a proposition is fairly low because we know that

these folks have done some work. We know something has occurred, you know, and that we do owe something. Now, what that exact amount is, we can reconcile, but I think we have to figure out how we can

get dollars out the door quicker because we're paying -- we're paying for it. We don't understand it, but we ultimately are paying for it. Now is there something in your ability we can do today, or

would you need legislation or something like that to move forward? >> We can have that conversation with the department of law. There were some pieces we were trying to do administratively at one

point, that again, I can circle back with you on this, but it is certainly possible, and, in fact, likely that there would be some level of legislation that would be needed, and if that was the case,

I will -- I'll certainly come back to you. >> JASON ERVIN: Is there any other jurisdictions -- I only ask this, but any other jurisdictions doing something similar or have cut steps out of the process

or gotten to a quicker pay model? Do you know what the average days payment once something is submitted too you guys, and it's actually approved? >> I don't have the average days. Again, going back to

the prolink. That is something we will be able to do moving forward, hopefully, as we're working all of our projects through that system. My dream is to be able to do what Commissioner Hopkins does,

and tell you exactly how many days. This is something we're working on. I think many other jurisdictions have different processes, you know, there are some jurisdictions, you know, major Cities that

don't have to have a legislative process at all for example, in the work that they do. So again, there's just different levels of that, but again, totally heard. It's something this that we hear all

the time. We get outreach from small contractors saying, I'm having this difficulty. We need to figure this out, and that's something that is always -- we're trying to solve for. >> JASON ERVIN: My

final question is around the architectural -- is it the ATC? >> ATSM? Mm-hmm. >> JASON ERVIN: ATSM, that I consistently get cornered about, and how do we improve that particular process while number

one, being expedient in trying to meet the goal, keeping the quality because I am extremely concerned about reducing quality because the units that are being built have an excellent quality for our

residents regardless of their -- their income or their socioeconomic status. These are -- these are good things. What we can do to alleviate that while maintaining the quality of the product that is

being put on the street. >> Yeah, absolutely. This is 100% continuously the work that we are doing. We did an extensive revision of this manual to get it precisely at that. How do we keep quality

while making sure that the systems are not slowing anything down, costing us more, or just generally having a detrimental effect on the development process? We have set up a system now too where we

can make small revisions in between making these, like, major revisions so we don't have to wait until there's, like, a new version of it for us to be able to say this little thing could be fixed and

could save money, or this little thing could be fixed and save time, and so that is a huge part of the work that we are continuing to do. Like, this is -- this is kind of perpetual, right? Every time

that we do a new QAP, we look at it, we revise it, and we think about what we need to update, and in conjunction, we look at the ATSM, and so as we look forward into the future and think about, like,

where are we -- where are we with the QAP, what are we going to do? What are we going to change? What are we we going to improve on? We do the same thing with the ATSM. There's a major overhaul we did

of the ATSM, and it really goes into effect as we -- for the projects that were just announced in April, and so with a little bit of time, I think it really be bear out, that the improvements that we

made to the manual and to the processes within it, will bear that fruit that folks are looking for. >> JASON ERVIN: Okay. Well, thank you. Appreciate everything, and the last thing. The change of the

process. We hear a lot about the change order process. I don't know heads or tails of it. I'm not a construction guy, but there's something we got to fix. Other than that, you're doing great. Keep

bringing those affordable units. If you need to drop some off, please call me. I got some land you can use to make that happen. Good work, guys. Good work, team. Thank you all for everything you're

doing. Thank you, Madam chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Okay. We'll go to Alderman La Spata who is joining us virtually, and then to Alderman Vasquez. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Can you hear me? >> NICOLE

LEE: Yes, we can. Go ahead. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Fantastic. Hello, Commissioner. On the tail end, won't ask anything that's already been asked. I'll try to ask three things that haven't. I know folks

asked earlier about the SEIP program designed to benefit and support community land trusts across Chicago. I will say personally and professionally, I have found our community land trust effective,

and the costs for providing affordable housing and I know that for a variety of reasons, but I wanted to ask -- they were asking about a $5 million commitment to that SEIP program. Is that currently

in the budget? >> It's in the bond budget. You will not find it in your budget book, but we're happy to provide what our various allocations are for the HED bond and you'll find the SEI program there.

>> DANIEL LA SPATA: I figured I would find it. Helpful number one. Question number two, I know I asked I ask about this every year, but it's only because I have found -- not that I have received any

such grant, but I have found real benefit from retrofitting programs personally. The green homes Chicago grant program, what is the current status of that program? >> The program is underway. Again,

this is a partnership with the department of the environment. We currently have -- I'll tell you exactly how many. You know -- that's also not a wait list that we've opened. Part of it is that the

program is still very much in some ways a pilot program. We have to figure out all the details and how to work through all of that, but for the program right now, we have approved 118 homeowners this

year, and those are all projects that zero homes and elevated energy are partners in on. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Do you mind providing the number of homes by community area? >> Nope, not at all. We can

provide that through the chair unless you want me to read them out right now. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: No. You don't have to do that. If you could also provide the total number of applications, I would

find that curious. Again, just to understand the overall appetite for the program. And then finally, because I feel like I've heard colleagues speaking around this point. These questions around both

market rate supply, housing ing supply, housing production goals. It leads me to something that I know you and I have talked about it and so we shall talk about it now. Commissioner, the status of the

City's next five-year housing plan, which I feel like we have been talking about for three years, what is the update on that? >> Yeah, absolutely. So for -- in the last few years, we've concentrated

heavily on both sort of the production goals that we've put forth as part of our HED bond allocation, as well as our contributions towards the blueprint to end homelessness that came out of the

Mayor's office on homelessness, which also provides some of our numbers. As I talked about forward facing and those numbers, those are things that we are looking at internally and particularly with,

you know, what happened with federal legislation and what we're looking at now. We expect that to be a broad undertaking that we will have -- that we will go through sooner rather than later, and that

will certainly involve you and your colleagues as well as, you know, CHA, DPD, and anyone else. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Commissioner, I know you know that I say this from a place of respect and

collegiality. But sooner has passed. And the five-year plan for those listening, not only provides accountability for alders, accountability for the public and the department. It is mandated by

municipal code. So I would -- I would love to get, like, a more comprehensive sense of the timeline through the chair that gets us to that next five-year plan. If that feels fair. >> That is, andly

say -- I will add that our -- our annual reports, which are also the way in which, you know, we publicly talk about and are accountable for the work that we're doing, are up on our website, the 2025

one is getting some last touches right now, but will be coming up shortly, and we expect to be able to also still produce that for our 2026 outcomes very early next year. So even without the written

plan, we're making sure those -- that information is out there. >> DANIEL LA SPATA: Okay. Those are all my questions. Thank you all. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Alderman. Alderman Vasquez. >> ANDRE

VASQUEZ JR.: Thank you, Madam chair. Thank you all. I will dive right into questions. So the first couple are through the chair and I have been asking these in multiple departments. The first one is

obviously the City's done bonding and borrowing, and we're trying to get a better sense of, like, where the debt load and proceeds are going for this department. So how much of the debt load for the

City can be attributed to DOH projects, and if any, can you share that list and status of any cost changes to the baseline? And so that can be through the chair because that's some level of detail. >>

We don't keep that number. That would be something we work on with the CFO's office and OBM. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Okay, perfect. Next, kind of similar question. For all departments. Are there any

work streams from the ENY work group that impact DOH, and can you outline the progress? The ENY has recommendations. We want to know what each department is doing in relation to those recommendations.

What has been accomplished and it's a delta between what they're proposing and what's being done at the department? >> Yeah. We are not specifically named in any of the work streams, like, the big

work streams of EY. We are generally part of it in terms of, you know, we have had conversations with EY about space for example, right? Because we have staff with LaSalle. We're working on OBM on

those recommendations as it comes up essentially. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Even sharing that part would be helpful. We're trying to get that detail because the EY gives an overview as to what's

specifically happening. That would be great. Third question similar. Can you outline all of DOH intersections with ERP and send detailed progress reports? So based on the modernization, how that's

looking compared to ERP. >> I can work with DTI on that, I think. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Okay, perfect. Okay. What's the average leaseup time for a unit because we're hearing about six-month processes

to get folks even into the units and how can we bring that timeline down if so? >> Currently, or -- so for this year, we have reviewed 480 applications. Our established review time is two to five

business days for preliminary application vim screening and ten business days for the formal compliance review. Our average review time is currently 8.3 business days. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Okay. >>

So I'm confident that there are some that are the outliers of the six-month-long process or something else is happening, but that is not the vast majority of them. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.:s so that : So

is that -- just for clarity so I understand, the average time for the review process, but beginning to end, for there being a unit, to somebody finally moving in. That's not an eight to ten-day -- do

you average what that looks like? >> We only measure our processes because part of what you're describing would be processes outside of us because they established a unit. They decide when they're

ready to lease up. Their property management does whatever needs to be done there, is and so all I have are the numbers of what we can internally track. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: It would be something I

recommend to look at because you might be able to identify what commonalities are impeding the process outside, and that's like -- we figure out lists and registries, and I think identifying what

those might be -- might be helpful and informative. Okay. We have a new appropriation line this year for DOH called low-income housing. It's got $18 million from the corporate fund and additionally an

increase in the existing affordable housing density program appropriation which is up from half a million to $9 million. Can you lay out for us the difference between those two appropriation lines and

how they either complement each other or what the two different missions are, I guess? >> Yeah. So that second line is -- is the affordable housing opportunity fund. It's still in the budget book. We

appropriate it with you all during the budget process, but that is based on projections of what in fees will be collected. The other thing that will be collected into that fund will be the demolition

surcharge money from the areas that are part of the northwest side housing preservation ordinance. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Would you be able to kind of send through the chair kind of where those funds

are all coming from? So to your point, which Wards, and as far as the demolition, the conservation fund? Because I think there is a number of us who just have questions about it because there's

different methods to try to make sure we're not just having the single family only, like, housing everywhere when you could do more density, and I'm curious as to, like, the results. >> Yeah, and so

to be clear, in this case, right? Like, the -- it's not actually measuring density in any way. This is, like, a legacy name for this. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Okay. >> It's where the line just kind of

is, but the two things that are coming into it are the ARO and demo surcharge money. I'll be happy to provide you with the projections of, like, why we think that is how much money will come in. That

money is very much money that we don't spend it unless we get it and so the amount that we've put in there, for next year is based on what we saw both on demo surcharge in terms of, like, how much

money came in, and what does that mean we're projecting and the work -- the team that works on ARO has done to project which projects are telling us they'll be ready to pay that fee next year. >>

ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Thank you for that. For clarity, rather than looking at what the projection is, seeing what it is in the last year. What already has come in from over the last year, kind of a

breakdown would be helpful and the same thing with the demolition surcharge. When I was bringing up the density, part of why we were looking at it for a time is it disincentivizes somebody building a

single-family home rather than keeping a two-flat, and I was wondering where the proceeds were coming from over the last year. >> Absolutely for just a general demo surcharge, yes. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ

JR.: Thank you. Can you elaborate on what rights, powers, adults the DOH uses for administering this? How is it determined? What does it currently look like as far as RLTO? >> The City does not have

enforcement powers on the RLTO, right? The work that the Department of Housing does first by statute is a pamphlet that updates sort of this is what the laws are, and this is what you're entitled to,

but we have no enforcement authority. So a lot of our work has been education work and working with partners to ensure that folks know what they can access in absence of enforcement from the City

which is usually a court process. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: And I know -- I think one of our colleagues before asked what that could look like as far as FTEs and everything else, and I think the

conversations related to PRO and FAIR, trying to figure out what to delineate, and I added a plus one because our colleagues asked prior. Yes. I think that's the same one here. I think that's actually

-- oh, no. I would like also a breakdown of, like, the green social housing funds. Where things are gone, and where they're being appropriated and what's being discussed in the pipeline as well as if

y'all have any informational, like, one-pagers on how to engage? Tapping into the GSH fund because I think in absence of it, there are colleagues who are more inclined to find out opportunities in

their Ward and some who aren't, and I think it may lead in the long run to certain colleagues feeling a level of resentment if I'm being nice, as to not being able to avail themselves in the ways

others are. It's simple as, if you think there's an opportunity in your Ward, this is what it should look like. Show us where it's been going, I think that would be helpful as we think of things. >>

Absolutely. Happy to provide the one-pager. There is nothing that's happened so far. So that's the easiest answer, but I'm happy to provide the information. There's an -- a request for information

that we have live which is how folks are able to let us know they're interested in a project and I can make sure that's attached. that's attached. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Even though nothing's locked

in, would you be able to share for different alders, how many of us have come to you to have that conversation? I'm just curious because it's not something I have been inclined to do, but I think

there are opportunities, and I remember when we voted on the fund, the question that I had was the ability to use those funds for acquisition. Which I think was a possibility when we voted for it, so

I've got -- there's 1940 U.S. foster where we own the property there and we're looking to RFP it out, and there might be opportunities for doing 100% affordable, but the funds need to be there to make

that happen, but I think it would be a candidate to have that conversation or, like, we had done in -- at the diplomat motel on Lincoln where we converted that to non-congregate shelter, Lincoln being

what it is. There were multiple opportunities with the motels to imagine those. There were more in Lincoln that I think -- obviously we do a million different things, so we haven't engaged formally in

that profession. I think it's the only reason I'm curious as to, like, steps to take to engage in those conversations because I imagine our colleagues might similarly have opportunities and just don't

know first steps to take. >> Yeah. Okay. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: That's all I got. I know y'all -- no department has an easy job. When we think about the populations we're looking to serve and how

challenging it is for folks to feel like they can stay in the places that they live, it becomes an added responsibility and duty for this department, and so I am supportive of you all having the

capacity and funds necessary to do so. So I look forward to more conversations with our colleagues to figure out what that can look like. Thank you very much, and thank you, chairwoman. >> NICOLE LEE:

Thank you. Okay. We are going to nonmembers now. Vice chair Lawson? >> Hi. Good afternoon, and team. I just have a couple of quick questions. I'll say the work we did on ADUs, we stood up this year

and to see the number 500, I have not been watching daily like I did in April. So that's a huge number and we have work to do, so I appreciate the work there. I want to follow up on the CLIFT, so I

always call it the trust fund. I love a new name. So the funding sources are demo fees, and that's it, right? Density bonus. >> That is the in lieu of fees, not demo surcharges. That's different, and

then the other major source is from the State. It is the rental housing support program. . >> BENNETT LAWSON: Yes. So we are seeing a decrease in those funds because we have what? All the reasons why.

What's missing the mark or what are projected to miss the mark? >> So the big thing is that in 2021, the state passed legislation offering what it is -- a very incentivizing tax break to developers

who are subject to the ARO. So more of them are building on-site, and less of them are paying in lieu of fee. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Right, and this has come up in my Ward and I have been talking to my

colleagues because we all want all the units, right? And I remember we said we have to pay for them. We need the unit and the subsidy, and we're missing the mark if we're always getting the units, but

it -- I don't know. It makes the point that we don't have a sustainable funding source here and I think it's hard for a lot of us to look at more funding from corporate when we haven't figured out

sort of that stream, and I know if we're going to use other funds or fees to do that, we probably need to figure that out. So I was listening earlier. I have been in and out. Alderman Martin asked,

what are we looking at beyond the deficiencies and the fund? What are the sources to have this be sustainable long-term? >> Yeah. >> BENNETT LAWSON: You'll get back on that, and there weren't many

answers, but the $13 million sports 1,378 units is the briefing materials I had. If that's correct? >> There are -- overall, the units is about 2,700, but yeah. >> BENNETT LAWSON: That was my

question. 2,700 units, and it's about half then. The total fund is about $26 million? >> I would have to get back to you on a total budget. >> BENNETT LAWSON: If you would, that would be great. So

there's never been any other sources here, historically, right? >> No. This is one of the -- >> BENNETT LAWSON: So it would be great to see over the last ten years, how those funding sources have

changed because they are going down. I know, you know, there's a -- you do 15% on-site, there's still a tax break, and then we get the payment. I have had more projects do that because they can make

it, and it may be worth talking about with our colleagues because it would help with the fund. Is this -- when we're subsidizing the household rent, is this long-term or more short-term typically? >>

The idea is that this is permanent supportive housing essentially. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Okay. Is there an ability to transfer the residents into a more -- a different program? That someone else pays for

maybe? Like the State or the feds that might be more stable or easier for us and we can take more people that are harder to fit into the federal or State programs? >> There is overall, a shortage of

this kind of housing, right? >> BENNETT LAWSON: Sure. >> So this has happened at the federal level, right? Where they're -- they have been trying to cut permanent supportive housing programs. This is

something that the Chicago continuum of care has been dealing with, so there really aren't a ton of other options. CLIFT has been, again, for a few decades now, been providing this kind of housing and

it's part of the reason we'd really like to see it remain where it is. >> BENNETT LAWSON: So -- but I guess my question is are the residents not able to transition into another program? If that

program is available. I understand the pots are shrinking, but it's not like they don't qualify, right? >> They could in theory, qualify for other programs, but the availability is always going to be

the main driving factor. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Got it. >> There's nowhere for folks to go. >> BENNETT LAWSON: The doc I had said it operates to 41 Wards. I'm curious which ones it doesn't -- I have a

guess. If you could send us or give us an idea of where that is. >> The Wards it is not in are the -- I'm looking at the wrong program. Give me one second here. Sorry. The Wards it is not in in is

Ward 11, Ward 19, Ward 38, 41, 42, and 43. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Well, that's more than nine. It's less than nine. Sorry. >> Let me get back to you on that. >> BENNETT LAWSON: That's fine through the

chair. I want to know how many are in 44 as well. >> I can -- let me double-check that I can do that. Yes. There are two in the 44th Ward. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Got it. The only other question I have is

-- how many SROs are left in the City? And do we have sort of a tracker on that over the last ten years? Of all the ones in 44 have either been converted into or permanent supportive housing or went

market. >> Yeah. That's not a number that we necessarily have readily available. SROs are licensed by the department of business affair and consumer protections. So I think we would be happy to work

with them to get you an answer through the chair of how many they are licensing. >> BENNETT LAWSON: That would be great. It's something that was an issue that hasn't become one in my Ward anymore, but

it will come up with others on the preservation side and the money we're spending on, you know, just how many are there, you know? >> Many. Mm-hmm. >> BENNETT LAWSON: There's also a difference between

having a license and affordable housing or threshold licensing too. >> I think we would still feel comfortable saying that most of them are still some level of affordable. >> BENNETT LAWSON:

Absolutely. I had one that was a weird market rate house share situation that was licensed as an SRO and that's another story. Anyway, thank you all for everything. That's the questions I have, and I

appreciate the follow-up through the chair. Thank you, vice chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Next we're going to go to Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you, vice chair.

Hi, Commissioner . Hi, team in the box. I wanted to express my gratitude not just for us in the 48th Ward, but for those including the Department of Housing, DFS, and others, and in your willingness

to listen to those that are experiencing housing insecurity on the ground, and those groups that might be associated with them such as our advocates on the north side, one north side. The coalition to

end homelessness, and to keep Chicago housed coalition. We have had a lot of conversation today about CLIFT and SROs, 48th Ward has many SROs still. Not as many as before. Actually, we had -- we had

to vacate two of them as you know, and that was not an easy thing to do. We never -- we never want to have to do that to do that again, and so when we're talking about the -- the plan moving forward,

I would like that to be prioritized. What are we doing for those that are in that very wide gap, actually? Just struggling to stay housed, and it is unacceptable to continue to tell us that there is

just a lack of shelter, and a lack of housing opportunities for people who are -- that we are trying to house, you know, we have -- we have helped over 200 folks who have been living along the

lakefront in the last 3 1/2 years to get into shelter, but more importantly permanent housing with supportive services wrapped around, and we know. I remember when we were scheduled for an accelerated

moving event, and I got a phone call that the -- the federal administration cut those funds, and half the people that we were going to help were left behind. We were able to help them, but it is very

difficult, the work we do every day in our offices, and so I would like that prioritized. What are we doing for deeply affordable house ing ing -- for those that learn to live in dignified ways? Can I

get that from you? >> Absolutely, and I would say that the biggest thing we can do right now is the thing that has been discussed over and over again, which is make sure that the Chicago low-income

housing trust fund is funded. They are housing people at deeply affordable levels. 30% AMI. This is permanent housing where folks can be stable and able to find housing. Because of the decrease in

funding, they've had to establish an that as units have become vacant, they have not brought them back online, and so so if CLIFT is able to get this allocation that is proposed in the budget, we will

be able to start that policy and bring units back online, and that's what you're talking about. These folks being housed, this is a way we can have an immediate impractice impact on that. >> LENI

MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: You were talking about the units that were in each of our Wards. Can you -- do you know how many units that are available through the CLIFT program in the 48th Ward? Edgewater and

Uptown? What I'm hearing is people have been offered, but the offer is too far from where they have built a community in Edgewater and Uptown. That -- it makes them end up back where they were on the

Lakefront. We don't want that. We want folks to move on. >> I can tell you exactly how many units are there right now. Again, with more stable funding, those are numbers, and those are units that

CLIFT can revisit the way that the subsidy works, is that a landlord can apply to be part of the program . They're serving landlords in six units or less, but it can serve landlords at every size

building that want to be part of the program, and again, if there is an ability for CLIFT to have more folks apply because they have stable funding, then that is an opportunity that can be opened up.

>> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Is the issue that there aren't enough applicants or there isn't enough -- >> There isn't enough money to be able to have more applicants because they're having this

shortfall, and they cannot bring more units online. So again, they have had to start not filling in units that have become vacant. So currently in the 48th Ward, there are 111 units that are

subsidized by CLIFT, and I think across the City, they would like to be able to increase that number, but cannot because they are not -- they are facing this gap in their budget right now, which is

why the current budget proposes the additional $13 million for them in addition to the 5 to the $5 million that DOH has been providing them for some time now. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Yeah, and this

has been a problem not -- not just in the last four years. It's been a problem for a long time, right? >> This is a long, long-building housing crisis, and certainly I think right now, you know,ing

the term we were talking about upstairs is this is the water we swim in, right? Like, housing is part of the broader affordability problems that are happening, right? It's not just housing. It's when

you go to the pump and, you know, gas. It's paying for utilities. It's paying for your grocery. It's all of these things that are really making a crisis particularly for those at the most deeply

affordable need. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you, and to Alderman Lawson's point, we have to figure out different ways of sustaining this program, right? Right now it just -- it is not working,

what we're doing is not working. We're not building enough, right? >> Are you talking specifically around CLIFT? >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Yes. >> Yes, correct, and they're not -- they're subsidizing

units and not necessarily building units, but yes. They need long-term stability that is what they're working towards at the state level. They worked with the lobbyists and members of the State

legislature to announce legislation last January to address a loophole in the recordation fees that could increase their allocation from the State about $10 million to the current testament. >> LENI

MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you, Commissioner. I would like this to be a priority for the City of Chicago. And just more conversations about how we're going to preserve SROs. We don't want to lose any

more of those. Thank you. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Can we get that information through the chair you shared with both Alderman Lawson and Manaa-

Hoppenworth. Most of my questions got answered. I have a couple we'll wrap up with. We appreciate the work you and your department do. With all the federal funding cuts, can you just give us an

overview of what -- what funding -- what grant funding looks like from the various sources for this upcoming budget, and if there are -- I know we're at the end of any Covid dollars, and if there are

still Covid dollars within the housing department,how are those being utilized? What's happening with those? >> There are not. We never had any, like, direct ARPA allocation. We have CRP money, but

the big -- the big allocation that we are a part of is CDBG, and home funds. Those are the grants that the City gets from the feds, and we are and, you know, we get, like, home comes. We are one of

several departments that gets that, and that's a lot of our funding. The other thing that you'll see in our budget at the federal level is that actually DOH has been very successful at getting

earmarks for our projects. We were able to get millions of dollars in federal earmarks and it helps right there that we're working with local elected officials to be able to get that money, and those

are really our big federal things right now. >> NICOLE LEE: Great. I -- I have raised this in previous years. I don't know if I did last year, you know, I -- as I talked to developers who are

interested in doing things in and around the 11th Ward, I had at least one -- one big development not come to fruition because of challenges with the era of requirement for for sale. I'm interested in

your thoughts of how -- how it's working and maybe how it's not and what can be done differently to maybe make that more attractive for developers? It was 110-unit development they couldn't get the

pencil out ultimately. >> Yeah. I think that for sale is actually not something that's happening a ton of right now, generally. The market has really turned the tide towards rental. We're seeing kind

of an explosion of more rental units being brought on board rather than for sale. For anything that is for sale, you know, there is the in lieu of option. There is building off-site. There is, you

know, building on-site. I think we always encourage developers to work with us, right? This is the work that Tamara and Joe and their team do to, like, figure out what are the ways in which we can

make this work, right? We've done it with big projects and with little projects because ultimately, we want to see the developments be successful while also having some affordability for folks. We're

happy to work with people. I don't know if I can think of the project you're referencing but happy to -- >> NICOLE LEE: Right when you started, and I think that as -- as developments that are planned

for the 11th Ward get a little further down the road, I think there is a lot of opportunity to help the -- the 100% affordable developments be supported by some additional for sale. We've done a lot

of apartment construction in the 11th Ward. You know, I'm looking for some -- some balance in all of that, you know, I know lots of people want to buy in the 11th Ward and it's challenging too, but at

the same time, everything is so expensive right now from the cost of material perspective. One last question. Let me just get to it here. Oh, yes. Go ahead. No, no, no. Go ahead. I'm looking for mine.

You can kill some time while I'm looking. Chair Villegas. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Thank you. Thank you, ma , Madam chair. I had two quick questions. During the testimony this morning -- strike that. Not

testimony rather, but the public comment, there were folks talking about a $5 million for TOPA? >> They were talking about the shared equity and impact program. One of the ways in which folks want to

be able to use it is to exercise the right of first refusal and that is work that we are looking at internally. Part of what we know with TOPA, right, is any of the TOPA regulations just offer you the

right of first refusal, right? It's not coming with financing. It's not coming with down payment assistance, and we're trying to figure out ways to make that work, and so the SCIP program is an option

that they're exploring. Part of that means that they have -- >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Who's exploring it or -- >> There are folks who want to use it this way. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Who? >> Land trust and

co-ops are looking to use it this way because that's what SCIP is meant for. It's meant for land trust and co-ops and so for example, in the northwest side, the anchor organization is -- it's work

they have been doing with the here to stay land trust to figure out how to help the tenant associations be co-ops so they can access the shared equity investment program. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Gotcha.

Lastly, your department does compliance? >> Yes. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: What are you looking for on compliance? What are the responsibilities? Is it part of the, like, MWBE? Is it stuff like that? What

are you -- prevailing wage? >> Well, yeah. We do compliance across many different -- >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: On the construction side. That's what I meant. >> Yes. We track WBE and MBE outcomes to ensure

they're meeting those City requirements. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Do you work with closely with DPS on that or is that separate? >> We always work with DPS as is necessary, but we're able to track that

separately because we get the projects authorized by City Council. So that is work we're able to do individually. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Gotcha, and then -- do you know if when the department of

procurement is reporting on those numbers, are those inclusive of your departments and other departments that have compliance like DPD as well? >> I don't think I know the answer to that question. >>

GILBERT VILLEGAS: I'll ask procurement. I was curious if you knew that. Okay. Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: I think you just asked the question. Thank you for your time today. Thanks for all that you're

doing. I will continue to look for information to help us address more of this affordability issue that we're dealing with as a City. I think that we share a lot of the -- a lot of the same

sentiments. I think as we see increasing numbers of unhoused popping up in all of our Wards, you know, the availability of either temporary shelters, of varying formats, you know, I know there's a lot

of different reasons why an unhoused person may not want to, you know, go into something that is offered to them, because it doesn't suit them for one reason or another. We've got to get a little bit

more creative about that because it's not good for anybody to be on the street. It's not good for neighborhoods at the same time, and then we get into a lot more of the safety and sanitation issues,

and the bottom line is there's not enough right now for everybody. So appreciate all that you do, and the committee's going to stand at ease until -- while we transition to our next department, which

will be DCAIS. SE. >> NICOLE LEE: Good afternoon, everybody. We are now at the second half of our budget hearings for today. We have Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. We are going to

start with an overview by COFA. I will hand it over to you. >> Thank you, vice chair. Good afternoon, vice chair Lee, Chairman Ervin, and the members of City Council. I'll provide a brief overview of

Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events proposed 2027 budget. For FY2027, they have a proposed bunt of $62.48 million. Representing an increase of less than 1% compared to FY2026's budget

ordinance. Approximately 0.2% of the proposed budget is funded through the corporate fund. Of the total proposed budget, $8.7 million is allocated to personnel services while $53.79 million is

allocated to non-personnel. In terms of staffing, the department has 82 budgeted full-time equivalent positions, compared to 2026. As of October 21st, the vacancy rate was 18%. Moving onto the

appropriations by category, both the dollar and cent totals are showed in the ordinance as the baseline. The largest dollar increase is 9800 in special event projects which is increasing by 21%.

Turning to appropriations by fund, DK's proposed budget is 47 million $47 million in local funding, and $50 million in grant funding. This is primarily driven by the special events and municipal hotel

operators and tax fund. The department also receives approximately $130,000 and corporate fund appropriations in 2027 compared to no corporate fund appropriations in FY2026. Grant funding on the other

hand decreases by $3.38 million. Now this slide provides a historical overview of the appropriation by funding source from 2018 through 2027. Department's budget increased significantly beginning in

2022, largely reflecting the additional or federal funding. For 2027, the proposed budget returns to approximately 62 point 48 $62.48 million with local funding accounting for the majority of

departments' appropriation. Finally, the slide show's DCASE budget in positions, staffing has remained relatively stable in recent years ranging from 80 to 82 FTEs. For 2027, they propose 80 FTEs, two

less positions compared to 2026. These two additional FTEs are funded through the corporate fund while the remaining 80 positions are supported by other local funding sources. This concludes the

overview. Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Chloe. Next we're going to introduce Commissioner Kenya Merritt. If you would like to introduce yourself and introduce your staff, go ahead. >> Thank

you, vice chair Lee to Chairman Ervin and the City Council members for the opportunity to discuss the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and thank you to Mayor Johnson for his

continued support during this year's budget process as well as DCASE's work to strengthen and support the arts and creative economy. Joining me on the dais is our deputy Commissioner of finance, first

deputy Commissioner, also in the box with us today are Melanie Wong, director, Natasha Al guin, Rita The deputy Commissioner, Yesenia Mota, director, Monica Casares, and Lisa Lopez. DCASE has

continued to steward Chicago's cultural landscape, supporting and advocating for our artists, and creative workers while producing world-class events and expanding access to the arts across our entire

City. Our commitment to Chicago's creative community remains unwavering. Arts and culture are essential to our City's identity,economic vitality, as well as our quality of life. Through our work, we

are advancing a simple but important vision. Culture builds Chicago. Our free signature festivals and year-round programming are central to this work. This year, DCASE welcomed more than 2.1 million

attendees generating $100 million in economic impact, demonstrating a continued recovery towards pre-pandemic levels. Taste of Chicago's return to its prime summer position in July marked an important

milestone for the department. While Chicago's selection to host UNESCO's international jazz day this year further affirmed our City's global, cultural influence. At the heart of DCASE's commitment to

access in cultural engagement is one of our prized jewels. The iconic Chicago cultural center. It remains an important part of our commitment to providing access, exploration, as well as equity. Thus

far this year, the building has welcomed more than 670,000 visitors and hosted 152 programs and events. With the introduction of new programming including our family matinee series, as well as juice

box, our performing arts initiatives focus on getting babies in the building. We are intentionally expanding opportunities for young audiences and families to experience the arts. We recognize that

access to arts must be accompanied by meaningful investment and the people who make them possible. Today, DCASE has awarded 529 grants reaching all 50 Wards, 60% of our individual artists program

grantees are from the south and the west sides, and first-time applicants to DCASE's annual grants program stand at 49% of total applications. This year, we also introduced new opportunities to meet

the evolving needs of our creative community, including our next stage grant which focused on emerging storefront theaters as well as one-year project funding made available through City arts.

Building on these investments, DCASE continues to advance initiatives that strengthen and support Chicago's creative work force and partnership with the department of business affairs and consumer

protection. DCASE is launching the second phase of creative workers rights. It's an artist labor campaign. We're continuing to raise awareness of the rights to resources and protections available to

our creative workers. DCASE also continues to support hilling arts Chicago in collaboration with the department of the public health and City colleges. They recognize the role that arts can play, and

brings City partners together to create creative practice with community care. DCASE brings art into everyday public life while creating meaningful opportunities for our artists to share their work.

Our public art and exhibitions programs invest in creative talent while activating public spaces across Chicago. This year, DCASE's exhibitions featured 117 artists and collectives and welcomed nearly

369,000 visitors. We are currently advancing public art projects across 44 Wards as well as continuing our partnership with the department of aviation. DCASE is also working to grow Chicago's creative

economy by strengthening our City's position as a premier destination for film and television production. The Chicago film office has supported 11 major productions and 25 independent films. We

recently welcomed leaders from major film television and entertainment companies for the City's first familiarization tour, showcasing Chicago's production infrastructure, skilled work force, and

diverse filming location. We are also strengthening our capacity to deliver on these priorities. DCASE fields -- filled 16 positions this year, and we have made real-time progress while advancing

recruitment while senior motions to management positions reflect our investment and talent as well as leadership. Our impact is reflected not only in our cultural programming, but also in our

financial progress. DCASE has achieved significant revenue growth representing an increase of roughly 60% over 2025. And while we're proud of this progress, we recognize that challenges still remain.

Artists and cultural organizations continue to face financial pressures and demand for resources to remain significant. Arts and culture are central to Chicago's identity. They are essential to our

economic vitality, as well as our global competitiveness. For consecutive years, we have been recognized as the best big city in the United States. These investments into culture attract visitors,

generate economic activity, support our hospitality and tourism industries, create opportunities for artists as well as our creative workers, and they bring customers to businesses across our City and

create stays in our hotel. Year to date hotel revenue has increased by 11.5%, supported by a 7.6% average daily room rate, but to build on this momentum and ensure that economic benefits of Chicago's

cultural vibrancy reach artists and creative workers and businesses and neighbors, DCASE's work in 2027 will continue to be guided by our four strategic priorities. To invest, to activate, to amplify,

and advocate and to connect. When we're investing, we're sustaining our investment into artists and into cultural organizations, and grants to our creative workers. When we're activating, we're

building on our signature festivals, our free programming, our public art. When we're amplifying, we're elevating Chicago's creative talent, our cultural offerings, as well as our creative industries.

And we're connecting, we're strengthening our partnerships with City departments, with our alders as well as with community organizations and industry leaders. Chicago's creative community is one of

the City's greatest assets, and a driving force behind our cultural and economic vitality. As Chicago continues to shape the global cultural landscape, we must continue to build on this momentum. We

must continue to champion the creativity that defines our City, and ensures that arts and culture remain accessible to residents in every single one of our neighborhoods. Thank you so much, chair, for

allowing me to read this statement. I'm happy to answer questions now. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Commissioner. We'll take questions from members that are in the room. Any questions? Yes, chair Ervin.

>> JASON ERVIN: Thank you. Thank you, Madam chair. Just a couple of points. I know special events has been a point of contention around cost. What are you guys doing as it relates to trying to get

from a cost recovery perspective, thoughts on that? And -- this is kind of one of those double-edged swords, like, you know. I liked the parade, right? I want to see that happen, and the question

comes down, like, hey. What is this costing us, and can we afford to do it, and I'm of the opinion that, hey. We -- this is -- this is what makes us who her. >> That's right. >> JASON ERVIN: That's

what makes us Chicago, right? These are the events, the summer. I mean, people come here. How -- how are you all thinking about that, and how do we balance that cost versus, you know -- the returns

and sometimes you can't quantify the return, but how are you guys looking at that, and what -- what advice from a professional aspect would you give to us as we consider how to manage that type of

situation? >> Yeah. Thank you for that question, chair Ervin, and I think you're absolutely right. I covered it a little bit in my statement that, like, Chicago is known for its culture. People travel

from across the world to experience our culture, and our festivals and our special events, they play a key role in our economic and cultural landscape, and so these events are not only a part of our

identity, but they also support local businesses. They create jobs. They activate our commercial corridors as well as our neighborhoods, and so as we think about this work around cost recovery, I

think it's a both-end approach, right? And our goal is to be able to strike the balance between being fiscally responsible, and making sure our festivals and events remain viable and accessible. >>

JASON ERVIN: Thank you for that. The only other thing is the film folks are doing good work. I don't get as many complaints about a certain block being used as the backdrop in somebody's scene. Still

a few challenges around the firehouse over on Blue Island, but they're working it out with the neighbors and all that good stuff. But again, you guys really make us kind of who we are. The stuff that

people talk about for Chicago comes really out of your department. So keep -- keep doing the good work you guys are doing. Appreciate everything. We just need to figure out what the right balance on

that cost recovery piece is, and with special events and what we can do to maintain our character as a City while, you know, of course, being fiscally responsible. But thank you all for your work. >>

Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, chair. Anybody else? I have questions. I can jump in. Oh. Okay. Alderman Burnett. He's going to close. Nick's going to close. Okay. Burnett then Sigcho Lopez. >>

WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Hello. >> Hi. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: As Chairman Ervin, you all make our City what it is, so I'm always advocating to give you more money. So I appreciate all the work that

you do, and -- but one of my concerns is the street fairs for some of our cultural neighborhood groups. I hear that we've reduced the funding on that. Is there -- can you tell me what's happening with

that? >> So in terms of special event permitting? >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Special event permitting, especially for these street festivals. They don't have the ability to ticket for these

neighborhood groups and I heard the funding capacity has been reduced in terms of what DCASE is providing you? >> In terms of our grant-making. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Yes. >> I would love to have

a conversation with you around specific groups that are applying for our resources and so we have a pretty robust grants program. It's about $9.5 million across three different programs, and the goal

is to be able to support organizations that are doing activations in neighborhoods, and so while our funding has remained level for grants, we'd love to have a conversation with you around where there

are potential gaps in your community. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Is it impact -- we're increasing the burden by requesting the CPD in terms of how much -- the cost recovery. Does that apply to all the

folks who receive grants and the neighborhood groups that are applying for these street festivals and things too? >> Yeah. So thank you for that question. So as I alluded to, with Chair Ervin, the

cost recovery work is going to be a process. We recognize it's going to it's going to evolve. We started that work with EY this year, while working with the law department around an ordinance that

gives us the ability to be able to capture City costs, but while at the same time -- I think that we have to be cognizant of the value that these events bring to our community. Not only do they

activate our neighborhoods and make them lively for the residents and the visitors that are attending them, but they have a real economic impact, and so as we're thinking about how we roll out the

cost recovery initiative or the recommendations from EY, you know, my approach will be measured. I think we have to make sure that we're setting the table to be able to bring some of our smaller

organizers to the table because we don't want to lose sight of what makes Chicago Chicago. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: I appreciate that. I know it's a process, and discretion, and all the different

communities. The 77 -- I guess now 78 different community areas all have the desires to make sure they're the cultural programming is authentic and continues to grow, and I guess a fun question for

you. Is there a particular, I guess, artistic partnership or some type of community mural or program that you all have funded this year that has been your favorite? >> Oh my god. You're asking me,

like, to pick the favorite baby which is hard. There's so much. I'll say one of the things that I am most proud about in terms of activations is how we're activating the Chicago cultural center. We're

really leaning into how do we create it to be a third space no matter your age? Whether you're a baby or you're one of our seasoned -- seasoned residents, that you have an opportunity to experience

art, maybe for the first time by visiting the cultural center. So this year, we worked in partnership with several organizations including parks. To young ones. We have programs for performing arts,

for littles underneath the dome, and the cultural center. We also integrated our film shows as an opportunity for families to be able to watch movies for free, in the cultural center. As we're

thinking about how we use that space as an access point for folks looking to engage with the arts. That's what I'm most proud about. >> WALTER REDMOND BURNETT: Yeah, that's really. -- I love what

you're doing with that space. Everything for the kids, and children's theater in my Ward, and they sing your praises about how much DCASE has been helpful for their growth and partnership. I

appreciate all that you do. I want to figure out ways we can continue to expand more artist-led programming within my Ward and across the City, whether that's murals or maybe working on some type of

thing where developers have some type of public art. Looking forward to working with you all even more, I appreciate everything that you do as Alderman Ervin said. The backbone of our City, and you

make us look good. Keep it up. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, Alderman Burnett. Alderman Sigcho Lopez. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you, Madam chair, and good to see you Commissioner. Thank

you for your leadership, and to your team as well. My question around festivals and special events, and in particular as one of the largest number of festivals. In terms of the process, because it

seems it's very hard, you know, once once -- they have oversight and I think sometimes the saturation -- in fact, voters, just last night had an opportunity to see if we will designate a specific area

for that. In terms of the permitting process for special events, and being more more community- minded, especially with reimbursements, and other ways to mitigate the -- just the quality of life when

there's just way too many events at the same time. >> Yeah. Thank you for that question, chair. So some of the things our team has done over the past year, really, this is special events and it really

includes being more accessible, and helping to navigate organizers through the process. So I'll have Yesenia to talk about some of the work she's done with training, virtual webinars, that really

demystifies the permitting process so that folks understand how to navigate it. >> Hello, everyone. Over the last two years, we've created webinars and we've done a lot of outreach with the Alderman's

office. In January, we met with your office, Alderman, where we spoke to event organizers, and so we do that throughout the entire -- we try to do it for whoever requests it and whoever needs it and

we're looking to do and update our webinars in January as well as some, you know, one-sheeters that explain how to do a festival, and we do encourage the applicants to always, always talk to the

alderperson first before they submit an application. That's it. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Yeah. In terms of, like, the -- is there, like, an assessment? I do appreciate your team every year, and I know

we meet earlier on, and we always try to discuss the best we can. Sometimes it's an expectation. The departments will continuously be renewed, even though there may be issues -- damage of property for

instance. It was, like, with a festival, damaged the fields of one of the public schools because of parking, or there's other issues that are creating public safety issues, not enough security and so

on. Is there a way we, like, assess the cost benefit to the public? After the meeting, you know, after the fact -- there's a way we can be fair and objective when it comes to the evaluation of these

festivals and the special events? >> So chair, I just want to make sure that I understand the question. So I think what you're saying is -- is there an opportunity to assess or to debrief after a

neighborhood event has happened so that we're capturing just, like, maybe the feedback from the community around, like, their opinion. I would be open to having that conversation with you around, you

know, what -- what you would envision, and ways that we can ensure that, like, there's an opportunity for people to weigh in on I think whether the event is additive to the community. >> BYRON SIGCHO

LOPEZ: Yeah. I think it's making sure there's not an expectation, that the permit will be always given, right? In regards -- or in despite of whatever issue there may have been. So that's what I think

-- there is an expectation sometimes that the renewal will be just given because the permit doesn't really -- as I see it right now, give a lot of -- I mean, we can make a recommendation, make a

suggestion, but that doesn't mean that -- that will change the outcome of the approval of that. >> Yeah. I think that, like, permits aren't necessarily renewed, like, every year, an applicant has to

apply, like, it's a new permit that's issued every year, but what I hear you saying is that, like, is there an opportunity for -- for us to have conversations if it's a multi-year event around what

happened in the prior year? >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Correct, yeah. We do have events that happen every year. >> Yeah. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: And I think -- and we do -- as we do the evolution together,

I do think there has to be -- oftentimes we have really difficult decisions to make, especially if the other departments have already approved it. It makes it very difficult for the Aldermanic office

to make a different decision. >> Sure. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: If the department has been moving forward. >> Chairman, I would love to have a conversation about that afterwards. Thank you. Thank you

for raising that. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you. In terms of the budget, right? I know that we have had -- some projects, I think the Latina Monument Project was successful. I think that was before

your tenure. How would you give continuity to some of these projects? We love for instance, the DPD, they have a proposal about public spaces, public plazas, right? How do we continue -- I know

there's a gap sometimes between projects, but how do we work together to make sure that we connect and give you the continuity to -- sometimes it's a multi-year, long time projects, so how do we

connect and ensure that maybe through DPD, your team, you know, these projects can continue to see some support? >> Yeah. So, you know, the beauty about -- and I think what you're referring to is

public art, is if it takes, you know, a significant amount of time, multiple years for us to , you know, go from, you know, the idea to engagement, to design, to actually implementation that, like,

our support stays with that project. We never, you know, pull back dollars. We're committed to it. And so I'm -- I'm hoping that I'm answering the question right. Or are you referring to something

else? >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: No, that is right. I think -- I would love to see another day -- they did not get any grants this year. They had them in the previous years, right? So perhaps the

possibilities to connect maybe with other departments, and I know the limitation with budgets, but I like to see those projects come to fruition, right? Once we fund them to make sure they come to

completion as well. >> Okay. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: I would love to work with you on that. >> Thank you. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Also how independent, local artists can have the right communication

with the department. I think oftentimes, and I know the organizations, we have great organizations. I've gotten that from a lot of local artists. We have a very diverse and very numerous local artists

in our community. So how can we go -- for instance, you know, restoration. All right. We have -- sometimes organizations take charge. This is historic murals that are in the register, but there's

really -- what is it like to connect them when there's an individual local artist? And other initiatives that we can really help individual artists, and that's the restoration of murals and award? >>

Yeah, you know, chair, we love our individual artists, and we certainly want to be supportive of them. So much so we have a grant program that is called individual artists program, and so we set aside

funding to be able to support those artists. This past year we granted 250 artists with funding to support their work. You know, our individual artists are the backbone of our City. They're what make

us so vibrant and create and add to the diversity of our City. So we enjoy supporting them not only through grant-making, but we're also looking to support our individual artists through capacity-

building, and so we have a cultural resources arm of the department where they're looking to grow their craft or their business, and venture into entrepreneurship. We want them to feel supported and

also connected to tools and resources as well. We'll be happy to share that information to you -- with you through the chair. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Yeah, absolutely. We can get through the chair, the

250 artists. >> Yep. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: What was the total budget -- the allocational budget happen? That would be great through the chair. Also in terms of learning about DCASE events, and DCASE

efforts, you know? Sometimes I find out through -- through the local organization before I even find out through the department, how we can be in better communication so when there are initiatives

from the community or in our community that we also are being notified or invited, you know? That will be -- not sure what is the best process to do that. >> Yeah. We'll make sure we're sending out

information regarding our events. We can do that, for sure. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Who will be the person in charge of that? >> I am. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Okay, so yeah. Definitely -- I love to hear

more about this. Great events. A lot of great opportunities. I do like to -- in a word, be able to disseminate that information. >> Yeah. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Events with to numerous events. And get

constituents that say, you should have invited us. I wish I knew myself first so I could distribute that information. >> We will be happy to do that, and, you know, I just want to shoutout our

marketing team who ensures that, like, all of our materials are also accessible in various languages, and so, you know, for our different communities that may need, you know, to know that information

in another language other than English, we are able to provide that as well. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Yeah. I would love to follow up and see maybe the calendar of things that are coming up. >> We'd

love to give that to you. We'd love for you to push it out. Yeah. We've had great attendance growth, great attendance this year at many of our festivals. So, you know, to the extent that our alders

can help push out the word about the work that we're doing, we would love that partnership, and we welcome it. >> BYRON SIGCHO LOPEZ: Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you. Thank you, Madam. >> Thank

you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Next we're going to -- Alderman Beale, you ready? Then to Alderman Vasquez. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. Good evening. >> NICOLE LEE: Early

evening. >> ANTHONY BEALE: I just have one question and I'm done. Why did we cancel the taste of Pullman ? >> Great question. We have various popups across the communities and we were coming out of

the of the pandemic and we were working with many of our alders to do these many tastes across the City, but once we, you know, have moved past the pandemic, we decided to move back to having taste in

July, back to the pre-pandemic model. We know the folks love the community models, but here's the thing. With the taste footprint in July and Grant Park, we do engage with a lot of our businesses that

are in our neighborhoods. We're super proud that many of the restaurants that represent the 80 that were present, many of which are, you know, diverse communities throughout the City, but I know that

folks really miss having them in the neighborhoods. >> ANTHONY BEALE: Mm-hmm, and I will tell you, even your staff said that the taste was one of their favorite. >> Out of all the other communities?

>> ANTHONY BEALE: Out of all the other communities and I won't say who said it, but it was a great event. Well attended. >> Yeah. >> ANTHONY BEALE: People were excited about it, and I think we need to

explore it as an addition to the regular one because when you have that kind of excitement and enthusiasm in the community I think we need to continue to drive that. >> Mm-hmm. >> ANTHONY BEALE: And I

will tell you. Nobody informed me until it was too late that you guys had canceled those community events, and so it took me by surprise because if I had known during the process that you all were

even considering that, I would have fought and advocated to keep it, and so hopefully we can have a discussion to see how we can put that back in place, and we -- if it's a funding issue, maybe we can

find some community partners that are willing to offset some of the costs in order to keep that going. So Pullman is a great place, and the 9th Ward is a greater place. >> It is. >> ANTHONY BEALE: We

want to make sure we continue to have those events in the community. >> I would welcome that conversation. Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Alderman Beale. Alderman Vasquez. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.:

Thank you. The first three questions will be through the chair. I have been asking all the departments there. I want to level set that. >> Okay. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: So I think I might know the

answer to these. I'm going to ask them anyway. The City is borrowing money, but then we get the proceeds and they go the different departments. We don't always get a breakdown of where those funds are

going in each department. So to the -- through the chair, how much of the debt load, if any, for the City can be attributed to DCASE, and if you can share the list of where those proceeds are going,

and what the status is, that would be appreciated. >> You mean bond money? >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Yeah. >> Okay. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: The next one, similar question, and as related to the work streams

for the EY working group, so how many of those impact DCASE? How are we doing them? If you could outline the associated time lines and progress compared to what was being recommended, what that looks

like. >> Mm-hmm. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: And then third, can you outline all the DCASE intersections with the ERP, all the modernization efforts? >> Ah. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: And send detailed progress

reports of that. >> Okay. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Cool. Next I've got, it looks like delegate agency spending was eliminating entirely from the department's budget, but contracting through the

professional or technical services appropriation is up by a similar amount, which is about $4.5 million. Are those two connected? Is that just a change in how we handle our our spending on outside

vendors and are there agencies that are ending in 2027? >> So you're saying 0135 looks like it's -- make sure I'm looking at what you're looking at, Alderman. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: I have the the

question, so I don't have the page. It was a 4 point 5 million a $4.5 million spend that it was delegate agent spending, but now it seems to be under a different -- well, technical and professional

services. It's the same amount, but moved to another line item. >> Is this from the overview book or the recommendations book? >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: I think it's the recommendations. And if that one

-- while you're doing that, if that one needs to be through the chair, that's also totally fine. >> Yeah. So here's what I will say while my deputy is looking for it. Typically our grants are

allocated through what would be the delegate agency line, and so that's essentially the same. The amount of money that we're allocating for grants to our artists, our cultural and organizations that

remains unchanged, and remains level. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: So it's just -- >> It could be a pivot to another account. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Yeah. That's -- I was trying to figure that out. Okay.

There's a half a million dollar increase in appropriation for -- it's called for redemption expenses. Can you tell us briefly what that is? >> Yeah. So redemption is associated with taste of Chicago.

As you know, we are the administrator of that program, and so as we start to go back to our pre-pandemic model, we're having more sales which is a great thing, and so that means that we have to be

able to pay the -- the vendors, the amount that we owe them for being on-site. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Okay, and then that last one I got, which you and I have conversations before about, we're actually

talking to CDOT a little bit about this. >> Yeah. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: Designating some spaces. Like, event spaces. They're not permitting. They need need licenses to operate. Food is separate. As

far as, like, mini markets and stuff people are setting up, and so I just wanted to know kind of how y'all have been looking at it, if there's been any progress because we were talking to CDOT and

kind of figuring it out, but it's been -- it's provided its own challenges. One of our priorities is activate. >> We want people to experience art in their backyards and their own neighborhoods so I'm

looking forward to having that conversation with you and CDOT about how we progress it. I shared with you before, I was super excited and aligned with the direction that you were having, and so we're

looking forward to what we can do in 2027. >> ANDRE VASQUEZ JR.: I'm looking forward to it as well. I think sometimes -- some departments create their own speed bumps. We're working on addressing

those with a certain department so we can get them done. I'm grateful that you're a willing partner in trying to accomplish it because I think it just brings the kind of community we all want to see.

It allows artists to have a space. It allows our craftspeople to be able to get out there if they can't afford a a brick and mortar. So yeah. I'm glad we've got a champion for DCASE in that. That's

all the questions I got. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Great. Any other questions? Before I go and then Alderman Sposato closes? Alderman Mitts. Then Manaa-Hoppenworth. >>

EMMA MITTS: Thank you, and good afternoon, Commissioner. Let me ask you what is the 2027 plan for neighborhood festivals outside of downtown? So as you know, one of the core responsibilities of DCASE

is to be able to permit and support the navigation of ensuring that folks that want to organize and have events, and neighborhoods that that path is clear, so a lot of that work happens under our

neighborhood permitting team. >> But in addition to that, DCASE works in partnership with the Chicago park district for their night out in the parks, for significant supporter, and that works so many

of the programs that happen over the summer whether it's film or -- it's hard with locations, and with the park district on that org, and -- >> EMMA MITTS: Are you working with the parks and rec? >>

Thank you for bringing that up, chairwoman. >> EMMA MITTS: Like, that pop -- that should be entwined. >> We're super excited about the work that has happened with Commissioner Boatright, and the pop

courts, and we have one in your Ward that we were super excited about, about a month ago. We had a public art installation by the renowned ed artist, Hebrew Brantley, and we were able to partner with

the community organization and DPD with activating that park with the ribbon cutting and having programming for young people, and so we're super excited to think about how we expand that. It's very

similar to what Alderman Vasquez mentioned. It's like how do we activate our neighborhoods so that people can experience art in different forms, in their backyard? And so the pop courts offer us an

opportunity -- >> EMMA MITTS: Where was that? >> It's right on Chicago off of Laremy. >> EMMA MITTS: Oh, okay. That's been a couple -- >> Yeah. >> EMMA MITTS: A year and a half ago. A couple of weeks

ago, I was getting nervous now. >> No. We had the artists out. >> EMMA MITTS: Oh, okay. You doing some work there? >> Yeah. We can do more. >> EMMA MITTS: Get out there. >> We can do more though and I

want to do more. >> EMMA MITTS: Okay. How's the department festival and events made it accessible to seniors? Like, seating, shade, transportation. >> Yeah, so the cultural center actually I think is

a really good model of how we're making accessibility to people of all ages. So within the cultural center, we also have a senior center. We have that and the court. Quite often we'll have programming

within the cultural center where people will come up, you know, a couple of months ago, we had a -- we showed "Purple Rain," and all of the seniors came from the first floor and we had a deejay

playing, like, all of the Prince music, and so as much as possible, we try and make all of our programs accessible no matter your age or your ability, that people have the ability to experience all of

the programs and the offerings that we have, and that's just one example of many that we do where we want to make sure that our seasoned citizens have access. >> EMMA MITTS: Well, I certainly

appreciate you for bringing arts into the community. We do have some art location where grant funding -- we just implemented it on North Avenue. >> Mm-hmm. >> EMMA MITTS: They got a grant and they're

doing fantastic work. I think we need to see more of that since we have been neglected for so many years. We're, like, behind and we need to play catchup a little bit. So I would like to certainly see

more artwork being done on all major -- if there's an award. I think it brings a sense of hope. >> Mm-hmm. >> EMMA MITTS: To the neighborhood. We need -- we need to have that light, something that

helps us to realize tomorrow will bring a better day. So if you can continue to help work with us, but you certainly have been a jewel. I would rank your department right next to Commissioner

Boatright if I had to say so. She has nothing on the work that you have been doing, and your team out in the community. So I'm going to say keep up the great work. >> Thank you so much, chair. >> EMMA

MITTS: You're welcome. >> NICOLE LEE: Okay. We're going to go to Alderman Lawson, then to Manaa-Hoppenworth. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Thank you, chair. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> BENNETT LAWSON:

Commissioner and team. I know we're going to meet about this, but I just wanted to put a few things because I have a lot of organizations. You know, the 44th Ward is home to a professional baseball

team, concert venues, and a lot of special events, and they all have different concerns about cost recovery. I think the -- for all of our events, you know, obviously, they are not able to charge. So

the cost -- their costs are exploding. They're paying the the PPLT. Their talent. Everything has gone up. Those who have been through events, know that it has gone up. But on the piece -- how are we

going to estimate attendance if we don't actually have a charging mechanism that people have to follow? >> Thank you so much for that. The cost recovery methodology is recovering. Right? So I think

we're now in the place where we have the framework, but for me, the next step is to be able to set the table to have conversations with our organizers to ensure before we roll it out, that we're not

rolling out something that's a one-size-fits-all. We have to take into account not only our large-scale event organizers, but to your point, in your Ward, there's so many diverse offerings of events

that all of those voices, I think need to be heard, and we have to make space and time for us to be able to hear it. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Right. >> As we're thinking about, like, the logistics of how we

operate -- operationalize the recommendations, and implement them. So we will be -- we will be looking for the dialogue from organizers as well as from you all on how we roll this out. >> BENNETT

LAWSON: So I'll just say then because we're going to keep talking. There's concerns about the structure that's based on attendance, and how people are attending. People that are walking down the

street, do they get counted? The structure, which is a 501C3 versus C6. >> Mm-hmm. >> BENNETT LAWSON: A lot of our C6s start as C3 to do festivals. I'm not sure -- there's an easy way around that, but

the timing has got questions for people. There's often things that will change last-minute based on other factors, whether that's emergency road work or talent or -- whatever it is. So there's

questions about that. Specifically for some of our large venues though, and these may be more for OBM, but have we looked at if we're -- This is all going to get passed onto the consumer. It's going

into the ticket price, and we have a venue in Evanston that won't be paying this. Are we anticipating a loss in tax revenue based on slower ticket sales because our prices will be higher? >> Here's

the thing for me, and we talked about this earlier. I think that we have to strike a balance. We don't want to be in a position where we're losing events. Again, they are so critical to our -- our

economy as well as to our neighborhoods. People enjoy them. They look forward to them. I mean, it's summertime in Chi. It's one of the things that sets our city apart and makes us so unique, and so as

we're thinking about rolling this out, Alderman, I think we have to be thoughtful and intentional around, like, how we're doing it because we don't want to lose any festivals or events. >> BENNETT

LAWSON: I'm not going to say -- the squeeze is real. Everyone's costs are going up. The income is going down, and they've all had to make choices, even the big ones. >> For sure. >> BENNETT LAWSON:

Everyone thinks makes tons is and tons of money. They often don't. They break even. One of the other questions were, and just for the specifically what costs are we looking at? Is there a menu right

now? Obviously we're talking about police, traffic control aids is something we're doing now. Any others that specifically we'd be looking at here? >> Yeah. There are a list of recommended costs. We

can share those. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Streets and sanitation cleanup? >> I believe it's streets and sanitation, TMAs, police -- >> BENNETT LAWSON: Right. >> Anything related to public safety, OEMC,

fire. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Okay. A lot of the large festivals also have private security. They have private ambulances. >> Mm-hmm. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Is there a cost reduction if they're adding those?

Has that been contemplated? >> That's all the things we have to consider as we're rolling this out. And again, I know we have a time scheduled for next week. I would love to hear all the flags that

some of your organizers have raised, and I have also reached out to some of the organizers, small and large to get their feedback. As we're rolling it out, we're taking into those considerations that

people -- people are raising. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Right, and what is the total amount budgeted? Just for my own -- >> $13.9 million. >> BENNETT LAWSON: And what was it for this year? >> $7 million. >>

BENNETT LAWSON: Do we have a report from this year as well that we can look at as far as what we actually did recover and where from? >> We can get that to you from the chair. >> BENNETT LAWSON: Did

we hit the $7 million? >> I believe we're at $5.9 million that's been billed so far. >> BENNETT LAWSON: That's really it. We'll talk further. I appreciate you with the department. We were big fans of

public art in my neighborhood. We're working on our sculpture show, and being able to use more menu options citywide. I feel like I get a mural once a month. It's such excitement. There's hardly a a

blank wall anymore. >> That's a good thing. >> BENNETT LAWSON: There's a real movement and the department needs to continue to foster that wherever we can. So thank you very much to you and your team.

Thank you, vice chair. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you. Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you, vice chair. Hi, Commissioner. Hi, everyone in the box. We too are

very excited to get more murals, and so we're excited to get through that process with DCASE for the first time. So I appreciate the partnership. I had of course, concerns that were brought to me by

-- I have three chambers of commerce, and we have already chatted a little bit about this, but is there anything that you can speak to today about those concerns? We -- I know that when you -- when

first came on, you talked to me about how you want every neighborhood to thrive, not just downtown. So can you speak a little bit about -- what is it that I could be telling our chambers that we're

doing together? >> Yeah. So we're -- and I know that some of your chambers have reached out and they're old friends and we're scheduling a time to talk with them next week, specifically around cost

recovery, and looking forward to that conversation. I'm looking forward to partnering with you, and you're one of the Wards that the initiatives we launched this year, recognizing that our storefront

theaters were still feeling the impacts from Covid is. It was a grant program to be able to offer support around capacity building, and that program was called Next Stage, and so the grant allowed for

for some of our storefronts to be able to assess, what is the next phase? What does the next chapter of this look like given the current landscape? We'll be rolling that out in the next week or so,

and announcing the theaters that will be a part of it. I think for us, you know, coming out of the pandemic, and where we are now, not only is it important, the work that DCASE does, but it's

happening across the entire ecosystem, and how are we ensuring that we're supporting our cultural organizations around sustainability? Which is why our grants program is so incredibly important, and

so this year, one of the new of the new things that we did with our City arts program which provides operating costs to cultural organizations, typically the way that it's set up is that organizations

will receive committed funding for two years, and then we require them to take a year off because we want to be able to get new organizations into the pool, but this year we were thinking about, like,

those organizations that have to take a year off. If they're doing new and innovative programs or projects, how can we support them and so we came up with the model as a part of you are grants program

to be able to support those type of initiatives and so you have a lot of cultural institutions within your Ward. You're blessed that way, and we want to make sure they stay there, and, you know, there

continue to be pillars and hubs in our neighborhoods and we want to see that across the entire City. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Absolutely, thank you. Yeah. I think I heard we have 10% of the Chicago

League of Theaters. >> Yeah. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Including our itin rat theater companies, and we want them to continue to work and to stay. I appreciate that. I had two more questions. One

question from my team is a free event is not necessarily an accessible event for older adults and residents with disabilities like ours. How does DCASE account for things like transportation, seating,

accessible restrooms? Daytime scheduling? Sensory needs? And do you have budget towards that end? >> We actually do. I appreciate you bringing up that question. A couple of questions around

transportation, and I think there's an opportunity for us to explore it with our seasoned citizens. This year we partnered with a philanthropic organization to provide transportation for CPS schools

to be able -- for students to be able to participate in various forms of arts. We launched this year, a new fund called the cultural connections fund which gives us the ability to partner with

different CPS schools across the City to be able to provide transportation. What we were finding was many of our calls were organizations -- whether it's theaters or, you know, other institutions, or

museums. They were willing to provide free, no-cost access to young people, but they didn't necessarily have the budget to be able to transport the students to -- to their venue, and because of the

generosity of a local foundation, we now have the funding to be able to do that, but I think to your point, there's an opportunity for us to think about how we expand it to other populations. And then

the other question regarding what DCASE does, we have an amazing director or visitor experience who also acts as our accessibility officer, and they are absolutely amazing, and -- and very committed

to making sure that all of our events are accessible, and so we can share just some of the efforts that we've done and are doing that are a part of the programs that we're offering. At DCASE, we

changed all of our signage now. We made sure it's accessible no matter what people's abilities are, and we can share in a little bit more detail separately around some of the work that -- that our

team is doing, and I'm happy that your staff asked that question because as much as we can push out, the better because maybe people feel like they can't attend our events. If we let them know that,

like, these opportunities are available, they'll -- they'll have the opportunity to enjoy our events. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: Thank you, Commissioner. I have one comment -- two more comments. My

friend, George Blakemore reminds me that the daily center -- he is asleep. >> He's sleeping. [ Laughter ] >> NICOLE LEE: He's just resting his eyes. >> LENI MANAA-HOPPENWORTH: He's resting his eyes.

He reminds me that our public parks and public spaces should be free and accessible to all, and so it is -- he is reminded of that as we are setting up Kris Kringle market right now, and so that was

just a comment that that wasn't the intent in his opinion about how that public plaza was supposed to be used to charge folks to come in to use that space. So he's displeased with that. I'm putting

that forward to you, and something to consider in the future. And then the other comment I want to make is I am a lifelong artist, and I wanted to shout out to my friend in the box, deputy

Commissioner of programming, frank Lewis, and we went to the academy of arts together, and played in a band at one time too. The arts is very important to me, and I know it's important to Chicago. So

please, you have a very big job ahead of you, and we would like to be partners towards that end. So thank you, Commissioner, for your work, and thank you to your team. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: No?

Okay. Yes. Oh. Chair Villegas. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Thank you. Good seeing you. Your department -- what role does it play as it relates to the taste of Chicago? Is it just like to organize it or also,

like, kind of monitor what's actually transpiring there on a daily basis? >> So we are the organizer of taste of Chicago. >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Okay, and the reason why I ask is because the report for

WBZ around some of that, I was curious as to whether or not you see a potential revenue opportunity there where we could provide some refrigeration opportunities and rent it out to the vendors that

are there to create some revenue perhaps? >> I mean, taste is a revenue-generating event, but we're willing to have conversations with you, alder, or those that are interested in figuring out, like,

how do we leverage that as an asset for additional revenue opportunities? >> GILBERT VILLEGAS: Okay, cool. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> NICOLE LEE: Okay. I think I get to ask mine next before we let

Chairman close it out. I don't think he's -- Nick, you good? You want to go next or do you want to go last? I have some questions, but I'm happy for you -- okay. Okay. Great. Thank you. We'll just

pull all of our microphones a little bit closer. Some of these are probably going to be through the chair. First and foremost, I want to thank you for you and your team. Summertime Chi -- festival

season is what Chicago is all about in my opinion for the summertime, and I think so many people come to Chicago looking for that experience, and I know everything's getting more expensive, and we're

covering costs and if it really does ultimately cost too much for an organization, a protection company -- the juice has to be worth the squeeze, and for them, it really is how profitable is this

event and, like, if I'm only -- if I'm only going to be making a small amount of money, why am I going to jump through all these hoops? The. The other side of that is is how much economic activity is

it generating for the City of Chicago? So I would hate to see us, you know, be pennywise and pound foolish about our pursuit for cost recovery. As much as I know that we need it, I think we have to

make sure we're looking at this wholistically. So through the chair, if your department can provide a list of what have we spent versus what have we recovered? Mm-hmm. >> NICOLE LEE: If we can look at

how much police overtime was paid and CDOT, and whoever else, and then the other side of that equation is what of those events generated economic activity? I don't know that we have a general or

standard rubric around this, but I was listening to Alderman Sigcho Lopez earlier, and I really, you know, agree with his thinking on -- it would be really helpful if we had some sort of standard to

evaluate events. Moto blot came to the 11th Ward. We were happy to have them. It wasn't a profitable event for them, but they want to come back. We love that because we want more people coming into

the neighborhood, but we don't have a really good way to sort of gather that feedback. We have done a community survey mostly just to understand what the impact on the community was, if there was, you

know, ways to improve communication, transportation, the speakers were really, really loud, and we're bringing that down, but beyond that, how do we, like, it would be great if what came out of the

City and your department were questions that we can send out to local businesses to say, hey. In preparation of, you know, this street festival, we'd like to understand, you know, are you seeing more

foot traffic as a result? Because that I think, begins to really show the ROI for having events like this, and then there are things that are, like, less tangible in terms of just, you know, the

ability to have neighbors come outside of their homes and gather in a place because I think -- >> It's a place. >> NICOLE LEE: We're still coming out of Covid, right? People are still -- Mm-hmm. >>

NICOLE LEE: We know what it is to to knock on doors and people aren't answering those. We need to give people a reason to come out and gather together. As we're thinking about all of the cost recovery

stuff, I have the Sox Park in the Ward. I know the amusement tax generates funds as well, and oftentimes, you know, we had a great season this year so, you know, knock on wood we're going to have an

even better one next year, but we're always short TMAs, right? And the White Sox do their own, and I'm sure the Cubs do this as well. They're hiring people, and they're paying on top of that, and

they're paying the amusement tax already. So that I think as -- in the landscape of all of the conversations that the City is having around stadiums too, I think that that can't be lost in the

conversation, like, what's the tipping point for people because it's never just, like, the one thing that, you know, as soon as you do that, I'm out of here. It's really the culmination of death by a

thousand cuts that I think we -- we put upon businesses in the City of Chicago, and when what we need is more growth, and I think you want more, but we really need to take a look at what we're doing

there. I know that the City runs 370 events a year that are north of 1,500 people, and I think someone asked this earlier. How do we count how many people? I think mostly we're trusting people, like,

when they fill out the application, and I know as someone who's filled out applications, not while I was in office -- you know, if you're -- if you're a nonprofit and you're really not sure how many

people, you're going to have, you're probably going to lowball the number . So, you know, I think we also have to begin to think about how we really gather the data on this. >> Mm-hmm. >> NICOLE LEE:

Do you know what we charge -- can you tell us what we charge for the larger events? Like, what -- what City services are we charging for today? >> So currently I believe we're charging and Yesenia,

correct me if I'm wrong. TMAs and that's it, right? >> That's it. TMAs, that's it. >> NICOLE LEE: And how many TMAs per whatever we -- how we doing that? >> How is it being assessed by an event? We

can get that to you through the chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Sorry. Completing my sentences. Thank you. >> What the methodology is, and how we're determining how many is needed. We can get that to you

through the chair. >> NICOLE LEE: That would be great. I, you know, I want to be mindful of all of that. I know we're in really tough position, but I'm also reminded of all the jobs that all of these

events provide for -- for this City through many different unions, as well as, you know, all of the work that's getting done across the City, whether it's restaurant owners, restaurant workers. Just

more food for thought on that. >> I just want to correct -- I don't want to be incorrect on the record, but currently we're able to charge not only for TMAs, but also for police and fire costs as

well, and so what we'll do is we'll work with those respective departments to come up with what their methodology is around how they're determining the staffing and I'll share that with you through

the chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Yeah, and I would love to work with you and your department, however, if there's, like, a working group around this, just creating some valuation. Type of -- >> I love that.

>> NICOLE LEE: Because I think we get the leadup to an event is really intense. You have the event and then you come down off of it and then you move down to the next thing and you haven't had a

chance to do a real debrief about what worked and what didn't, and how you fix what didn't work very well. Okay. A couple of things just locally for my own Ward. I don't know if DCASE does any grant-

making around just spaces for seniors? So my seniors, especially my Chinese seniors in the community, they're constantly asking me for space to gather to either dance or sing together. And I don't

have enough spaces in the Ward to do that. Park space is really hard to come by because park space is all programmed out for the most part, but, you know, I've got so many seniors in my community who

love to sing and dance, and I wish we could, like, do like some citywide senior prom or something. >> I love that. >> NICOLE LEE: So that's an ask from my community. Something that we did in the 11th

Ward, and that was really constituent-led was a Ward -wide yard sale. It was great, and it was really intense and I think we could do that differently and better, but if there's ever a conversation to

be had about, you know, the progressive yard sale vintage sort of thing where, you know, a different community area is featured, you know, on one weekend, then we go to another one, that might be

something that brings people together as well. I'd also say that, you know, Chinatown square is a really popular place for young people to gather. It is a safe place. There's space there for other

cultural activities, and, you know, there's plenty to eat and do in the area, and I think that we have other places like that, like Hyde Park and others where we can do more to create those third

spaces. I love the idea of the cultural center. I mean, when I was a teenager way back when, and the library was at the cultural center, you know, I spent a lot of time there, but it's great because

it got us downtown, you know, if you weren't from, you know, if you didn't go to high school nearby, and you didn't really have a reason to be downtown, you just didn't do it. I know these days are

very different, but keep up the good work with -- with doing that. We really appreciate it. I want to give a shoutout to Yesenia, who I've never met in person before. I've only talked to you on the

phone. It's great to put a face with a name, and of course, Neil. Neil who we love so much in the 11th Ward. He literally volunteers for everything. He really does. >> When does he find the time? >>

NICOLE LEE: I don't know because he's always doing work. He's always working, but thank you, and I'll hand it over to the chair of the happy committee, to close us out. Yes, I'm positive I'm done . >>

NICHOLAS SPOSATO: I don't have many questions, and I like to piggyback off of what people say, and one of my colleagues started early on, about is there really value in what these these events cost

us? There's unknown true value. You try to cancel a St. Patrick's parade, I think the neighbors would be furious about it and rightfully so. Sometimes it takes money to make money. So like I said,

your word about saving a few dollars here, but you're really losing. Sometimes we we got to give the people something for their taxes and so on and so forth, and if you interview businesses up and

down these streets, they're probably going to say that's, like, a super big day for them. I'm opposed to canceling any of those events that we're known for. That was about it. I just didn't have much

to say, so just great job with everybody. Thanks for studying the ship this past year, and bringing us back to normality, and everybody's happy over here, and the happy committee is happy again. So we

don't -- we'll never know how much money really DCASE makes for us because there's no way of telling. I mean, it's that money we're getting in our pockets, by helping our businesses sometimes. Once

again, we have to help our businesses make money. And that's -- parades and carnivals or whatever the heck we do, that certainly makes money for people. I want to thank you for all you do, you and

your staff, and we'll see you next year. I mean, I talk to you more often than that, but yeah. Thank you, Madam chair. >> NICOLE LEE: Thank you, care, and since there are no other questions, going

once, going twice, sold. We are done with this one. Thank you very much, Commissioner. The committee's going to stand at ease for -- until -- we'll call it 5:55 while the next and final hearing for

the evening comes in. That will be BACP. Thanks. All right, we're gonna start 4 minutes earlier that I said, because this is the last one of the night. Thank you, everybody, for going the distance

with us. We are with Business Affairs and Consumer Protections. We're gonna start with a COFA overview. Adrian, over to you. Thank you. Good evening, Vice Chair Lee and members of the City Council. My

name is Adrian Ruschel, they, them, and I am a data analyst with the Council Office of Financial Analysis. And I'm here to give a brief overview of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer

Protection for 2027. The proposed budget is $37.13 million, which is a small increase from 2026 of about 0.35 million or about 1% increase. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

is 62% corporate funded Most of this goes to personnel cost at $21 million, the rest being non-personnel costs at $16 million. Personnel costs increased by about 3.6% over the prior year, and non-

personnel costs decreased about 2.38% over the prior year. There are 197 full-time equivalents budgeted for 2027, which is 11 less than last year. As of October 21st of this year, the vacancy rate was

11.11%. This slide shows the appropriations by category and fund. The largest dollar change for appropriation category was in purposes as specified, with an increase of $2.7 million. For funding, the

largest funding source is the corporate fund, which had an increase of about three quarters of a million dollars. And another notable change in this fund is that the wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Fund

increased by about $3 million. This slide shows the appropriations by fund over time starting in 2018. We can see the ARPA funds and other grant funding increased in the middle about 2022 through 2025

and has been decreasing since. We can see in 2027, there's no longer any ARPA funding and other grant Funding has also decreased, leaving the rest of the funding to be towards local and other

corporate fund. And lastly, here is the full-time equivalents over time starting in 2018. It stays around about the same amount, varying just slightly between years, and we're down, like I said

earlier, 11 from the prior year. This concludes COFA's brief overview of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Thanks, Adrian. We're gonna go now to Acting Commissioner Tiffany

Brooks for her opening statement and introducing the staff that's with her in the box. Thank you. Good evening, Vice Chair Lee and the esteemed members of the Chicago City Council. My name is Tiffany

Brooks. I'm the acting commissioner for the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, also known as Bacp. I'd like to thank our mayor, Brandon Johnson, for his leadership and

continued support throughout the budget process. And to each of you, members of the City Council, we thank you. Thank you for your continued partnership, collaboration, and work and commitment towards

a stronger Chicago. To highlight the department's achievements over the past year and to outline our vision for a fair and thriving economic environment, I will now introduce members of the BACP team.

I am joined at the dais by Shannon Trotter, the local liquor control commissioner, and Chris Jessup, Assistant Commissioner for Intergovernmental Affairs. In the box we have Miguel Campos, our

director for the Office of Labor Standards, Lotaka Pai, Managing Deputy Commissioner and Chief Small Business Officer. Dennis Guillermo, Deputy Commissioner for Business Compliance Enforcement. Rupa

Boppit, Deputy Commissioner for Public Vehicle Licensing, AJ Lee, Deputy Commissioner for Small Business Center and Licensing. Gerald Dawson, Deputy Commissioner Commissioner for Prosecutions and

Adjudications, Larissa Kay, our Assistant Commissioner for BAC Finance and Administration, Elisa Sudzinska, Deputy Commissioner for Communications and Outreach, and Maurice Phillips, Recovery Team

Program Director. BACP remains committed to delivering high-quality programs and services across all 77 communities. Our core responsibilities are essential to the health of Chicago's economy. From

licensing and supporting businesses, regulating the public passenger vehicle industry, ensuring business compliance and protecting the rights of workers and consumers. Together, these functions

provide the foundation for a prosperous city. Through our strategic planning and responsible fiscal management, we have identified meaningful efficiencies while continuing to advance our core

priorities. The department's proposed budget allows BACP to maintain the essential programs and services that Chicago's businesses, workers, and consumers rely on every day. Small businesses are vital

to the city. They create jobs, serve residents and visitors, and contribute to vibrant neighborhoods. Recognizing this, BACP remains focused on ensuring that small businesses have access to resources

and support needed to succeed. City initiatives like cut the tape for Small Business, which is designed to serve as both a strategic framework and a long-term resource for the small business ecosystem

have led BACP to issuing nearly 5,600 new licenses this year BACP continues to expand programs and services that directly benefit the public. This year, BACP released the first ever Chicago Small

Business Ecosystem Report. This report, which was delivered to each of your City Hall mailboxes, brings together insights and challenges from over 6,600 business consultations, 8 regional roundtables,

and 65 neighborhood development center partners. The MBDC program exists to help reduce those barriers. The MBDCs have provided more than 11,500 business consultation hours and over 1.9 million

outreach touchpoints of no cost, one-on-one coaching, technical assistance, business education and connections to city resources. By embedding support at the local level, the program helps businesses

and advances inclusive economic growth across Chicago. Additionally, through our business education webinars and expos, we continue to educate and empower current and future business owners. Since

January of this year, BACP has hosted over 90 webinars, including those in Spanish While reaching over 13,500 attendees. BECP hosted three Chicago Business Resource Expos that reached over 1,800

attendees. And notably, we hosted our third Chicago Youth Biz Expo, engaging over 250 students in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. Our commitment to supporting business owners is equally

reflected in our dedication to protecting workers rights. through engagement and enforcement of labor laws, the Office of Labor Standards, also known as OLS enables Chicagoans to secure stable

employment, build wealth, and tackle economic disparities. To ensure all Chicagoans are informed about labor laws, OLS outreach materials are available in 12 languages. This year OLS updated its

mandated public notice to include more information on gender-based violence and introduce 3 new specific guides, 3 new group specific guides. From January to August 2026, OLS saw a 25% increase in

complaints from 2025 and has secured over $160,000 in restitution and over 1400 hours of paid time off for nearly 700 workers Community safety, such as protecting residents from fraudulent business

practices is also a BACP priority. While most businesses strive to comply, we are diligent in taking enforcement actions when necessary. Since January 2026, Bacp has issued over 9,000 citations to

more than 3,000 businesses and public vehicle operators, including over 1,000 for unlicensed operations. Additionally, BACP conducted over 3,900 proactive investigations, providing non-disciplinary

consultations to help businesses maintain compliance. BACP continues to strengthen its outreach efforts by launching campaigns, programs, and partnerships with city departments. Business service

organizations and stakeholders. We launched the second phase of the Art is labor initiative, which provides educational and resource sharing programs developed with and for Chicago creative workers.

The neighborhood market grant program designed to support small business owners and farmers market operators by providing one-time grants. And the Neighborhood Retail Activation Program to assist

businesses impacted by the 2023 and 2024 summer storms by bringing new vitality to vacant storefronts. With your support, we will continue to protect investments and maintain programs and services for

Chicago's businesses, workers, and consumers. I want to thank you again to the City Council of Chicago for your time and ongoing partnership. My team and I are happy to answer any questions you may

have. Thank you very much, Acting Commissioner Brooks. We're gonna have the chair of the license committee open. So Chair Silverstein, please go ahead. Thank you, Vice Chair. I know you are brand new

to this position, aren't you? Yes, I am. So looking forward to a good working relationship with you. Going forward. Absolutely. I do have a couple of questions that I know you're new, but I'm going to

have to ask anyway. And I'm going to start with Some video gaming questions. As we all know that the Council legalized video gaming terminals In last year's budget And that was supposed to collect 6.8

million dollars. The administration then waited months to notify the state until the council passed a resolution compelling the city clerk to do it. And then the state approved a few of them in June

and then you guys came back to the wrong committee, I'm going to say And asked to ban Video gaming So now, it seems like, some VGT applications have been approved I'm just wondering how many VGT

applications have been received so far, and how many have actually been approved. And thank you for that question, Chair Silverstein. I'm going to allow our local liquid control commissioner for over

hospitality to answer the question. Thank you, Shannon Trotter, local liquor control commissioner. Thank you for the questions, Alderman. To date we have received 60 location applications and 15

terminal operator locations or terminal operator applications. We have issued 15 location licenses and 5 terminal operator licenses Okay. Do you know how long the approval process will take for the

rest of them? We have taken payments on an additional 31 or a total of 31 locations, so those are all ready… going to be ripe for issuance, within approximately 35 days, sometime between now and 35

days. Okay, you said how many of those? There's been a total of 31 that we have taken payments on. So payment is what triggers the notice to both the alderman and the police department. Okay. Are you

able to provide a ward-by-ward breakdown of the applications and approvals? Yes, we can get that to you. Are the aldermen contacted about the locations in each ward? Yes, and you are notified via your

ward email address, similar to liquor and PPA. Okay. Can you tell me how many unlicensed sweepstakes machines you estimate in the city of Chicago? I don't have that number, Alderman. I know we've

asked that question many, many, many, many times. I'm sure you all Probably expected that to be asked. You have no clue, no estimate, no nothing. I know that when we find them and we suspect that they

are being utilized for illegal gambling, then we do refer them to the Chicago Police Department. I don't know that we have an accurate accounting of the number of machines in the city of Chicago Do we

know how many BACP inspections have been conducted on the sweepstakes machines? We can get that to you through the chair Also, how many violations have been identified and what enforcement actions

have been taken. If you could get that to me. related to VGT or related to sweepstakes. Yes, we can get that through the chair. And can you commit to providing the City Council a comprehensive written

report detailing all VGT applications, approvals, pending cases Geographic distribution and enforcement activity. Yeah, yes, I mean, the aldermen are notified when the applications come to their ward

and then they are available on the public data portal, but we can certainly provide the applications and the licenses that are issued. And then moving forward again, there's only 15 locations that

have been licensed. So there hasn't been any enforcement to date. But going forward, any enforcement as it relates to Bgts. Yes. Okay. I wanted to ask you about your enforcement team and the number of

investigators that you have. Thank you for that, Chair Silverstein. Dennis Guillermel is our deputy for enforcement, and he can explain to you a breakdown of the enforcement team and how it's divided.

Thank you. Dennis Guillermo, Deputy Commissioner for enforcement. I have a total of 41 investigators. 19 on the night and weekend, and 22 on the day team. Okay. Could you tell me how many, how How

much did the department collect in fines from businesses in 2026? I'm sorry, can you repeat the question? Yes. How much did the department collect in fines from businesses in 2026? Yes, we can

definitely get that through to you through the Chair Silverstein. Okay, if you can include that breakdown by ward, that would be helpful as well. Sure. Do you know how many active business licenses

they the Chicago have at the end Or could you tell us of 2023, 24, and 25? How many there are? How many active licenses there are? You just want the total active licenses, or you want it broken down

by type, or I just want to know how many you have and Do you think you're going to have more businesses opening than closing? Yes. And okay. And if you want that answer, AJ, how many active licenses?

AJ Lee, Deputy Commissioner for Business Licensing 2023, 50,938. 2024, $50,486. 2025, 51,285. And I can give you end of the third quarter of 2026, 52,388. But we can still get it to you through the

chair and the breakdown for you, Chair. Yeah, please. Thank you. Okay, that's really all I have for now. I did just want to say that you know we work really closely with Bacp. So I appreciate all of

you getting back to us when we have questions. I'm not going to shout out anyone in particular with the exception of Chris Jessup, who I have on speed dial. And it's always a pleasure working with

you, Chris. So that's all I have for right now, and look forward to working with you a little bit more closely. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Chair Silverstein. We're going to go to

Alderman Beal Followed by Alderman Mitz, if she's got any questions. Good evening Good evening. Acting commissioner. First, I got a couple of quick questions That's always been a big concern of mine

gas stations. I rewrote the ordinance I can't remember how many years ago. But You inspect gas stations, correct? That is correct. Okay. Part of the ordinance that I changed was that most of these gas

stations don't keep paper in there machines And they also cut their machines off at a certain time to force you to go into the facility. I think it's like $1,000 fine per machine for not having

receipt paper in the machines. It's no reason why these gas stations should not have receipt paper in the machines. They want to force you to go into the store, and that's why they have all the little

penny candy and nickel candy around the register To try to get you to buy extra stuff Well, you know what most people don't want to buy extra stuff. They want their receipts so they can go about their

way. So can you tell me how many inspections we've done and how many fines we've inquired regarding receipt paper in the city of Chicago I cannot provide it to you right this moment, but we can get it

to you through the chair, specifically receipt paper. Yeah, yes, and I forgot what what else was in the ordinance, but it was receipt paper and something else. But that should be done, you know, on a

regular basis, because that's a big revenue generator that you guys could use Because it's being done on purpose as well as turning the machines off, the credit card reader. Because they have the

ability to turn that off and on at the inside the facility. And so those are the two things that they do on a regular basis, especially in our community. Okay. Okay, you can go outside our community

And they always have paper and the machine's always working Okay, so if you can get that information to me, I'd appreciate it as well. Absolutely. We, I know that our enforcement, compliance

enforcement team did after last year's budget, did a sweep of canvassing for gas stations, so we've been make it a priority to go out and visit these gas stations to bring them into compliance. So we

will continue those efforts. Okay. All right. And also, I'm really, really trying to work close with your department but we all know You know, there's been some hurdles with your department. And, you

know, your predecessor, Ivan the horrible, would not issue VGT licenses. So can you tell me, and it's probably under your purview, when did you issue the first license Shannon Trotter, local liquor

control commissioner, we issued the first licenses, the group of 15 location and five terminal operators on October 23rd. October 23rd, just before your hearing. Okay, so I understand that you guys

were you know, didn't want to issue licenses. But at the same time, it's still disheartening to to hear that with all the testimony we've had with all the information that has been put before us that

you all don't know how many illegal sweepstakes machines we have in the city of Chicago. I'm sorry, what's your question, Alderman? Why is it that we don't know how many illegal sweepstakes machines

we have in the city of Chicago? Well, Alderman, and thank you for the question. We will make it a priority to find out how many sweepstakes machines. It's 7,000. Okay. Okay. And that's why it's

disheartening that is your department. You all know that. And to sit here and say that I got to get that information through the chair. The industry has told us In the paper, they've told us in

committee that they have 7,000 illegal sweepstakes machines here in the city of Chicago. And we're not shutting them down. We're not going after them. We're not, that's a revenue generator. So why are

we not going after sweepstakes machines? Well, Alderman, I know, and thank you for the question, I know that As far as sweepstakes are concerned, MVGTs, that there is a difference, but when it comes

to defining and differing between sweepstakes and VGTs, the state first has to regulate and make sure that they send that message clear across to differentiate, to define what's illegal, and then our

Department of Law has to tell us what is illegal before we can go out and do it as mandated in the code. How many sweepstakes machines do you have licensed in the city of Chicago Shannity, you So

sweepstakes machines are not licensed. I know you know the answer. Every question that I ask, I know the answer. Yeah, I think, listen, when we go to a business for whatever reason, and we note that

they're machines. It's the machines are not illegal unless they're used for illegal gambling And so if there is a suspicion of illegal gambling or we receive any complaints about illegal gambling

using any type of machine, we do refer to the Cbd Bureau of ICE Control, who can go in and do undercover up. Okay, but if there's 7,000 Machines That are not licensed, but yet we are waiting 10, 12

months to license VGTs Why are we not aggressively going after sweepstakes machines? Because if they're… the VGTs are licensed, that means the other ones are not licensed. That means they're illegal.

Well, they're illegal if they're used for illegal gambling. And we know that most of them are We refer those cases to vice control to establish that there is illegal gambling. And in those cases we do

move forward with licensed discipline. Okay. I Huh. You know, I'm really just tired of beating my head up against the wall about VGTs. And I know you guys are getting your marching orders. And I know

that you're being told what to do I get that. I get that. I know that. So, you know, hopefully that you guys are Trying to do the right thing by the law that we pass in this body versus the political

agenda that is being driven by the administration. Okay. That's a very fine line that we need to walk. And you know, hopefully with the revenue that we need here in the city of Chicago that you guys

aggressively get these VGT machines out the door because we need the revenue. We're not getting no revenue from sweepstakes. None Okay? Yes. And so So Let me ask another question. Why is it taking 35

days to issue a license? So, Alderman, once the applicant pays, then we have to do the review period. It's not that it… it's just the time… What's the review? What are we reviewing? So a couple of

things I think we should clarify is that the only people that are eligible to apply for city licenses are those that have already passed through the IGB. And that is a total of 78 licensees. My

question was, what is the review process once you get the information from the Illinois Gaming Board? Understood. So, but I think you had a question about the timing, the overall timing about why it

takes so long. So those 78 eligible people have come in in in waves So when we developed the application in accordance with the ordinance that was passed by this body, it was… it required building out

the application. The application requirements are those set forth in the in the ordinance. It's basically for the locations It requires the floor plan designating where the machines will go. It

requires the use agreement. It requires your state provide all that? I don't think they require the floor plan. I'm not 100% sure, but we follow the… we follow the requirements as… The state provides

all the information that is needed to have everything approved, and the state comes out and does an inspection before they issue the license from the state. So Why are we reviewing the reviewer

Because the ordinance that this body passed requires it. Well, the ordinance that we passed in January, February, I mean, I'm sorry, December, going into January, and it took you all 10 months to

figure out that we needed to review the reviewer to start getting licenses out the door We have to do our due diligence, despite what the IGB is doing. And again, we use the blueprint that this

Council passed to build out the license application, including the mandatory documents. So it takes 10 months to do that. It doesn't take 10 months. Well, that's the first license just got to

approved, and you say in October? But again, I think that's why it's important to talk about the timeline. So the timeline is, is that no one passed out of the Igb until mid-June. So no one was even

eligible to come to the took you all months to even notify the state We had to notify the state because you all wouldn't do your job There were a total of six locations that passed out in June that

were eligible to apply, and those 6 locations have now been licensed. Did your department notify the state? Yes. The 23rd or was it the ordinance that we passed, or was it the budget that passed?

Which, which ordinance triggered you all notifying the state, because I thought the clerk and myself walked over to the Illinois Gaming Board. Answering a different question. I thought you were

asking, did we notify the state that we had issued city licenses? No, I was saying my question was, when did you… when did this body Did your department notify the state that we passed the ordinance

to issue gaming licenses, or that we were accepting them. I'm not aware that we notified the Okay, what I can tell you you all didn't because we had to pass the ordinance here to force The clerk,

because you and your department would refuse to do what this body charged you all to do And so, you know, my whole concern is this When this body issues A budget and passes a management ordinance

That's binding by law for you all to carry it out And when somebody tells you all not to do something Because of political reasons, you guys are walking a real fine line When we pass something, it's

your all's obligation to carry it out. And I know it was, you know, you were probably in some of the meetings, but I know Ivan the Horrible was There in the beginning So all I'm saying is moving

forward. I think you all better use better judgment Then the past, and I know you were in those meetings too, but you guys need to understand, when this body passed something, you need to carry it

out. That's all I have, Madam Chairman. Thank you. Thank you. Alderman Beal. Sure, point of information. Yeah, Alderman Silverstein. Of the applications for VGTs that you have received. Have you

denied any of them? No. Okay, thank you. Okay, we're going to go over to Chair Mitz next, followed by Alderman Spazato if you have any questions. Thank you. Chairman Good afternoon. I know it's a

little late But, I am certainly glad Alderman Bill asked about those receipts the pump, the gas pump And there's been Some years ago, that issue was brought up. Have anyone ever met, have that issue

been brought to you before about Not being able to get the receipts from the as pumps, gas station when people get gas Thank you for the question, Chair. Since I've been back, I haven't been aware of

it, but I think you need to pass it on to some of the others that have been there for a minute. Let me ask Dennis. Dennis, can you please? Yeah, Dennis Guillermo, Deputy Commissioner of enforcement.

Yes, we have received those complaints, and we do respond when received. So did you ever meet with the industry to bring that issue up with them I have not met. Well, somebody, there's a petroleum

industry here Regulates All of the stations, so I would think that somebody would address that. But while we're at it, I want to bring you another issue Why in the world that people can't go to a

bathroom Tell me that at a gas station. Tell me why. If anybody thought about that you do need to use the bathroom So I don't know where in the city of Chicago, not on the west side where we can go to

bed from it. Oh, oh, y'all can go to the bathroom in your area? Dennis, do you get complaints about the restrooms being inoperable or not existing at the gas station? Yeah, offhand, I can't recall

specifically for restroom requirements. Yeah. Chair, I'm sorry. Thank you for that question. I do believe that if we were to get those specific complaints, we would refer it to public health. As the

business department. Okay. Yeah, we could. I'm giving it now. I'm giving it now. Take every gas station. Yes, ma'am. So we will see if you can go to the bathroom. Now, I get, I understand Reason why

some of them, because people misuse them, but they have keys. You can go to suburb, get a key, and go to the bathroom Never seen folks being denied the access to the bathroom. So we just got to do a

better job and him knees as we move forward. I want to ask about Yeah, sure, that I think that's important to business And that is On state streets In the city of Chicago You can't do a curve cut On

which part of State Street are you talking about the loop? State roads then. Oh, on the state funded roads. Okay, yes, yes. You can't Wow. If I can go right to Oak Park and they got curve cuts right

away. What's the difference between the city on State Street Well, Chair, I thank you for that and I will refer the question and ask CDOT about these curb cuts, and I will make sure to get back with

you offline or get you the information through the chair. Okay, next I'll find out. Okay, I want another question that I need to ask And that is about Property line property aligned to business. How

do you measure a property line when it comes to whether a business is denied engaged in getting that license Where do you measure from Say, for instance We are a school Somewhere on a block away from

a school because the school fence, but they have a there's a convenience store. How do you measure that? So are you speaking about tobacco licenses? Because every license doesn't require the

measurement. Every single one doesn't. It's just a couple that require that. So if you're talking about property line to property line, Dennis, can you… because our enforcement team, when it… when The

inspections are triggered. The enforcement team goes out and they make the measurements. So can you expound on that? Where do you measure from? Yeah, Dennis Guillermo, Deputy Commissioner enforcement

So we measure property line of papillonide, and it's 100 feet for tobacco and 500 for if they want to sell flavored tobacco. On the fee for tobacco And 500 feet for flavored tobacco. Yes. Yes. Is that

accurate across the board? That's what you do For our business Yes, from property line to property line. Yes. I want to be able to talk with you about That, because I think that we're losing revenue

somewhere here and it's not being measured in a manner that should be. They were cheating our business. They keep them out or whatever it looked like It's not fair We'd be happy to meet with you. We

need to look at it. Okay, we'd be happy to meet with you, we'd be happy to come to your ward and show you how we measure. I'm sure, I'm sure. Thank you so much. I'm looking forward to it. But for the

most part, I have no problem with BACP Because I do know how to reach out to Shannon and Chris and all of the team that are there to get answers that I need, but some things that you need to know that

we need to do a better job of, particularly as I've spoke with you about investigators being out At times where office are closed in business weekend, people are Things because they know ain't want

out. No one's out there checking and that's a violation's occurring. So I do appreciate putting six more employees on As investigators, hoping that it helped, but this is a big city, so Maybe we need

to look at how we can get revenue from wrongdoing, because if you don't stop it, it continues. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Thank you. Point of information, Alderman Gutierrez. Thank you,

Chairwoman. I have two questions in regarding that those measurements are for new businesses, correct? Are you speaking of tobacco license? Tobacco and alcohol? Yes, when they apply, the application,

it triggers it, triggers it. So that means, and for people who are watching us is late, so if there's a business that it's already Close to a school, to a church, but it's been there for years.

There's no regulation that we can pursue or enforcement with that measurement. Shannon, is that a for alcohol or dog liquor? That that is true, and and there's a distinction with public place of

amusement and alcohol, where there is the ability to get the distance reduction Even if you are within that 100 feet threshold. But then if you ask for the reduction, could that license could be

rejected or expired, or what's the process for that? the distance reduction runs with the term of the license. Okay, got it, because, yeah, there's… we all have issues around schools and churches that

we need to continue to address, and I think it's important that we continue these conversations. And also, Alderman, do you want to just save it for your questions, unless it's a point of

clarification? It was a clarification. Okay, go ahead. Yeah, thank you. You're good. Okay. Next, we're going to go to Alderman Villegas, followed by Alderman Lopez. Thank you, Madam Chair,

Commissioner, how are you doing? Good evening. Did someone testify that CPD has to Look at the location for VGT prior to the license being issued. Someone testified to that. Thank you, Chair, for that

question. I believe what the liquor commissioner testified was that when we do the review of the applications, notice is sent both to the automatic office as well as to the local district commander's

office And so CPD does a review Why does CPD review? Thank you for the question, Alderman, Shannon Trotter, local liquor control commissioner. When we were looking at this licenses and, you know, I'm

sure you're familiar with a lot of the headlines. There was a recent sometimes article in June when we were developing the license application about the number of robberies that are associated with

VGTs And so we did find it important to, one, notify the commanders that they are going into their districts so that they, if they want to reach out to those businesses to review any security plans

that are required by both by the IGB That they can do that, but also to just do our due diligence to try to reduce some of those robberies that are widely reported. It was reported in June that there

were over 500 robberies associated with VGT machines. So are you doing the same thing with ATM machines? I mean, isn't there a large group of, isn't there a lot of robberies around ATM machines? Are

you requiring CPD to do any type of Review prior to installation of an ATM machine. I don't believe we license the installation of ATM machines. I'm just bringing that up because under the ordinance

there there isn't doesn't mention anything about Cpd. And you stated earlier that you're just following the ordinance. I was just curious as to Was that done through promulgation of rules or how did

that come to be? No, the policy reason is, as stated, but the ordinance certainly does give us the ability to seek any additional information to make a determination on the application that is

contained in the ordinance So I would categorize the notice to CPD and certainly they are aware of where the liquor licenses are. And this is just an added layer. No, I know, but when you're notifying

them Is there another step that takes place? Could Cpd say something? Like, what is it you're looking for from CPD? Is it just a notification, or you're expecting them to respond back to you with

something, or it is a notification. It it does welcome their input. We have received input on a number of applications from Cpd. But doesn't Illinois Gaming Board have that jurisdiction? Jurisdiction

over what? You mentioned earlier, you said earlier that Illinois Gaming Board That they have some type of review But you included CPD in this review, so my question is the Illinois Gaming Board does

an extensive review process prior to the issuance of their license, but as it applies to the city of Chicago and our licensure, we have included Cpd and Aldermanic Review. No, we included automatic

review in the ordinance. You went ahead and included CPD From a promulgation of rules, I take it, right? It's not promulgation of rules. It's contained in the ordinance that we have the ability to ask

for additional information that is deemed necessary. And I'm asking you, when you're asking for more information, what does Cpd do like they go there and do what? Just look at it. Do they Do they make

recommendations to say, hey, we think you should put up this type of security, you should put this type of window I would defer to CPD on that. The information that we have gotten back is varied to We

don't have an objection to I met with the owners of the establishments and reviewed the security plan, which we find sufficient. Okay, yeah, that's all I was trying to get to, just to find out like

what does CPD do? Like, do they What's their responsibility, I guess, is what I was trying to get to, so I appreciate that. Yeah, yeah, thank you. How much did the department collect in fines from

businesses in 2026? And does this budget assume more in 2027 Our enforcement priorities set to meet revenue targets. Given the fact that the city is about $8 billion behind in collections before the

city asked businesses for more through new taxes and fines. Shouldn't the administration go back to the drawing board to take a look at that? But I'll wait to hear your responses from those first

questions I had. Well, thank you for the questions, Chair. We can definitely provide all the information about the fines that are collected from our department to you through the chair And if you'd

like award breakdown, that would be fine. We'd be more than happy to provide it to you. When you're Yeah, I think I asked for how much is collected versus how much is appropriated. So that would give

me a percentage of some type. I want to make sure I want to see what the percentage is. Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't hear all the questions. All good. I thought I answered it. Asked that question. No

problem. Gerald Dawson is our deputy over prosecutions and adjudication, and he'd be happy to provide you with the answer. Okay, cool. Good evening, Chairman. I can… Gerald Austin, Deputy Commissioner

of Prosecutions and Adjudications. I can tell you that to date, as of August 31st, we'd collected 2.8 million in fines against 8.4 million assessed Year to date And how much did you… how much did you

appropriate in the budget? That I don't know. Okay. So you've collected about 25% of the Roughly, it's hard to make that exact comparison because some of those finds collected could have been imposed

in prior years. But Roughly. Okay. Could we get through the chair? Let's say for the last five years, what was assessed and what year it was collected, if it was collected at all, I think that would

probably get more to the answer you're looking for, Chair. Thank you. Keep going. And then my final question is, how many cut the tape recommendations have been fully implemented. What's the average

time today to get a general business license and a liquor license, and what's the target for 2027? So we have several cut the tape for small business initiatives, and thank you for that question,

Chair Viegas. One of the most recent ones that we've implemented is our business navigator tool. So we just went, it just went live today. And we've been working on that with zoning as well as

Department of Technology. And that enables business or prospective applicants to go online, use this tool, put in an address, and then put the location, and then they can determine what is available,

what type of licenses can be provided in that area. If there's moratoriums, if there's, you know, different different things. What is zoned for is what it's used for. And so that is one thing we've

just recently Launched as well as we have a Something that's come up with the Department of Buildings where we do a consultation calendar that's shared so that when the businesses that need building

inspections, they can use. We use a calendar that's shared, and they can go in and schedule that right away, as opposed to running up and down City Hall And they go back and forth, and they have to

come back and bring this. And we're just trying to make everything more efficient for them. That's a couple of things that we've done. I believe AJ, what Is the license time for because it's been cut

down significantly in your, in your area in the small business center Yeah, hi, Deputy Commissioner A.J. Lee. All licenses about 18 days to get the whole way through the process. But there are some

licenses that are structurally required to take longer, right? So like that that total gets a little bit inaccurate as a aggregate numbers. So numbers that might be interesting are limited business

license, which is the most common type of license. Eight days. Regulated business license, a very general category for more regulated license, obviously by the title 11 days. So and obviously

individual license types that take longer. I want to speak for Shannon's licenses, but hospitality licenses, tobacco licenses. They can take longer, and that those numbers can be much bigger. But

overall Most basic licenses, 8 days, 11 days. Gotcha. And then my final question is In the more than 6,600 consultations behind your small business ecosystem report Do you have, like, a survey of the

responses from business owners regarding the taxes and the cost of doing business in the city? Do you have any results from that consultations? Thank you for that, Chair Villegas. Lotakapai is our

Chief Small Business Officer, and her and her team planned all of the roundtables that were going forward. They also oversee the delegate agency program. Olthika, would you like to provide a Thank you

for the question, Alderman Lotakapai, Managing Deputy Commissioner. Could you speak into the mic a little bit? Sorry. Managing Deputy Commissioner. So we have done a total of 12 roundtables across the

city. So eight in 2025 and 4 in 2026. So this is over 800 businesses that we have talked to one-on-one We have not actually socialized the tax and tax policy question with the businesses at these

roundtables. They were more focused around a SWOT analysis, so to find out the strength of the ecosystem, what the businesses need support around, and then also this year's roundtables were very

future-looking In terms of assessing what the ecosystem needs to be sustainable and compliant with the city. And one of the things, and I think just for clarification, tax policy is a finance and OBM

task, so You know, we did not socialize that during the roundtables. Gotcha. Okay Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Chair. Thank you for encouraging the report as

well. We appreciate your feedback. Yeah, I'd love to love to hear feedback. I mean, that's how we get an opportunity to kind of find out where we're missing the boat on that. So thank you. Thank you.

Right, Alderman Lopez, followed by Alderwoman Scott and Alderman Burnett. Good evening, Chairman. Good evening. Commissioner, members of the committee to you and your team. I came racing back just so

I could be a part of This, and not just because Chris Jessup's up there, but I wanted to First off, thank your team, your new team here. We're addressing the illegal vendors and illegal oper business

operations in the 15th ward and indeed on the southwest side of Chicago. So I'm a little perplexed then As we've done sting operations together, we've worked with task force to try to address things

That always seem to Orbit Illegal peddling and cart vendors on the streets. And then I see In our management ordinance. And I'm sure my colleague from the 44th Ward is going to talk about this too,

but article two here basically legalizes carte blanche Carts and pedaling throughout the entire city of Chicago. Propane tanks and all So how are you as a department Going to be able To fully enforce

what's going on When we're already struggling to enforce and keep a lid and tamper on all the illegal businesses and illegal business activity going on throughout every one of the city's 77

neighborhoods. And thank you for that, Alderman Lopez. You know, we have been enforcing, as you said, BACP is mandated any we're complaint driven. So any type of complaints we receive, we're going to

go out and we're going to make sure that we respond. As far as enforcement, we will do as we've always been. We will always Answer the call and show up as we've been doing. We hired six new

investigators. So we did beef up our enforcement team. And they're being trained as we speak. They're going to nights and weekends, and then they'll be assigned as needed And so I don't think that

BACP has ever been a large department. So we've always been small but mighty. So we're doing the best we can, and we'll continue to put in the work every single day. Far be it for me to dispute this

small but mighty But I think the problems are extreme and outrageous at this point. Because we've seen where every single police district does not know how to address illegal vending and peddlers In

the city of Chicago. We've seen where people make excuses, even our mayor today making excuses as to why we need to basically legalize and override All the ordinances out there that are restrictive of

this at this point While putting the public's health and safety and welfare at risk We currently have situations in the city of Chicago right now where you have people doing exactly what your

department is prepared to accept as The standard Preparing food in alleys and selling them on Garbage carts No running water, no, nothing to clean your hands out there for 10 hours a day. Pissing and

cramping in alleys while also making the very food that people are lining up to go by. So how are we going to address that in a scenario where for $250 a year, you too can go stand outside and do

whatever you want With regards to food So, Alderman, I do believe that the ability to restrict in the wards. The different zones in your wards is available. If the ordinance passed If the wardness

passes, I do believe that that option right now is available. So once you restrict peddling or any type of vending and you make the complaint, BACP will come out and we already, well, hold on Because

we already have peddler restrictions and things like that. And it takes a full-on task force for us to be able to address that. Yes. So, and that's where it's already visibly marked and restricted.

And now we're saying that you could go set up on a residential block and start selling like this. By this ordinance that you're pushing. So I know I, for one, am going to be an absolute no to that.

Because I think that there's already enough things that fall through the cracks that we're constantly trying to work with your department on, and you guys are constantly trying to play whack-a-mole

throughout the entire city of Chicago. I don't even know if we tripled your enforcement. Would that help us get a handle on things in the city of Chicago? We have back alley mechanics, you have these

illegal vendors, you have illegal restaurants that are popping up. You've got food trucks that are Dumping In our sewers All of this is going on right now We have the police department, which is

supposed to help you, which says we don't know what to do because we don't know where the laws are. So nothing happened. And this is not a complaint as a fault of your department, because it's not

It's a fault of this administration and the one before it to actually stop bad behavior before it ballooned to the point where it's unmanageable, and now we're just trying to Meet people At the lowest

possible level as opposed to holding them to the highest possible standard So I have some serious reservations about that. I would like For us to clarify this notion that I heard moments ago with

regards to sweepstakes. Commissioner Trotter, you said it's illegal if they're using it illegally How did you describe that? I said the machines, if they're used for illegal gambling. So Where is that

definition of an application of enforcement in the code? I'm not sure I understand your question. I'm sorry. That's because I don't understand your answer. Because I'm having a hard time wrapping my

head around the notion that something's only illegal if it's used for illegal purposes. And that sounds to be the answer that you're giving this body when it comes to sweepstakes machines. Because I

don't know many Gas stations, restaurants that have 16 of these machines that aren't doing it For illegal gambling purposes Well, thank you. I'll try to clarify as best I can. I guess what I'm saying

is that To be illegal, there has to be an illegal activity. The illegal activity That everyone is concerned about is gambling. So we would need to establish that A machine is used for illegal gambling

to be able to have a violation of anything. So To that end And I'm not going to beat this issue. But it doesn't make any sense because if you are a business and you admit to having these, you are not

allowed to get VGT. Are you aware of that It's on the questionnaire If you are a city business And if you say yes, that you have sweepstakes machines, your application for video gaming will be denied

by the state. Because the state understands That these aren't just mounted on the wall for sheer entertainment, that people are paying out. So it's incredible that the city would Choose to

intentionally ignore the obvious and hide behind such a vague answer of what's legal and what's illegal Because by that same logic, all of us can just start walking around with guns because it's not

illegal until we shoot someone. Right You don't have to answer. I agree with that. Well, I'm following your logic to it to its natural conclusion. and it doesn't make sense. And as crazy as what I

just said, that's exactly what I'm hearing when you explain it the way you explained it. With regards to some of the things that you referenced 5600 new business license. Commissioner. Can you provide

through the chair Where those business license What are those businesses are located? And can you tell me now Does that include peddler's license, or is that strictly Business license. So that's all

business licenses across all of our license types. That's what the 5,600 new licenses composed of, but absolutely, we can provide you through the chair. Thank you for that, Alderman. And then if you

could break it down as to what kind of business license that is Because I do know that Saying you have 500 businesses in the ward isn't exactly accurate when it's 300 peddlers license and 200 brick

and mortar, or What have you? Yes. I do want to commend your department With regards to its attempts to deal with language access. I think yours is one of the few departments that's actually making

progress in this area, even though we know that it's something that is required by municipal code that all departments do the same When you refer to the, if I may, Chairman, the 1.9 million outreach

touchpoints For your NBDCs All right, are your neighborhood development partners? How do you What are the metrics for that? Because I see in some programs that we have delegate partners with, and I'm

not accusing, I'm just Speaking That oftentimes you'll have An event where a zip code is entered As being president at a fair or something, and then that's viewed as having serviced an entire zip

code. Are those the similar metrics that you guys use to determine what these touchpoints are, or are these actually 1.9 million human contact connections that are made Well, thank you for that,

Alderman. The vast majority of them are human contact, peer to peer, and I will let Lotha Kapai get more into the metrics, but we do have a system that they're required to report through. Actually,

I'll do If you could provide that through the chair and also break it down as to what that looks like by ward so that we could see how our various wards certainly and as well our various communities

are engaging. And if there are any language specific markers in that in those touchpoints. I'd appreciate that. And then, lastly, I would just like to ask DPD and SPF and things of that nature rollout

routinely Does BACP work with DPD To address Opportunities for SPF As well as Are there conversations where we can use SPF to address possible violations identified by BACP to help bring struggling

neighborhood businesses into compliance. Thank you, Alderman. You want to touch on that? Thank you for the question, Alderman. Managing Deputy Commissioner. We work very closely with DBD's team,

Samiri O'Connor, and the small business development team. The way we look at it The grants that DPD does are construction subsidies. So whether it's the SPF, the NOF, or the CDG grants, construction

subsidies help small businesses, but how do small businesses get to apply for them, get to know about them? How do we walk them through the process of the application So we train our trainers, which

is all of our chambers of commerce, all of the business service organizations that provide hyperlocal support in communities to understand what the program requirements are and help businesses prepare

for them And DPD before they issue grants, they do check business compliance with AICP. So we do get a list from them. Chairman, I have one more zip. Thank you. One of the other issues, completely

switching topics That I brought up to your predecessor. As well as to many members of your senior team, and I brought it up to the Commissioner of Aviation, I've brought it up to the city's

comptroller has to deal with parking And tax revenue as well as all of those great things associated with airport parking. We have two major airports. We have a universe of parking and parking apps

and things of that nature. And we seem to have an issue with some of these parking platforms Spot Hero, Way.com, and some others That are Manipulating systems Parking vehicle advertising their

platforms Parking spaces using both residential and vacant commercial, which they don't own to park cars on. Putting their version of a receipt and parking thing in the window, and either having their

own shuttle or actually using Uber or Lyft to pick someone up in a neighborhood, or in a residential neighborhood, and dropping them off at the Airport where they're near. Okay. We have not been able

to come up with a solution on either A, stopping that, or finding out how we can hold these platforms and providers accountable So that we are not seeing the revenue that we should be seeing, even

though it's an enterprise fund. Being collected correctly. Oftentimes, you'll see, like, $1.12, or something, something ridiculously, insanely low Listed to give the appearance that taxes are being

paid when we know, in fact, that's not what airport taxing… airport parking tax looks like. One What Level of importance can we expect from the department to address this as my colleagues are talking

about missed revenue and opportunities Sometimes it's not just businesses, but it's in the neighborhood, it's something like this. And two Why are we allowing Why are we not restricting access to our

airports 2 platforms that are and commercial garage operators that are legally licensed by the city or state. So I just want to clarify your question. You're asking, why isn't the city restricting the

commercial garages? Why are we not restricting The part the platforms from only operating with those that are commercial operators in the city of Chicago that are licensed by the city or state So

thank you for that question, Alderman. I know that our enforcement compliance enforcement team receives complaints as such. And I know that they follow up with each and every one of them. If I'm not

mistaken, Dennis He's our deputy over compliance. You have responded. Oh, we know. I'm going to put a desk in my office for him because I come up with I do believe that we are actively working with

Chairman Dow and the Department of Finance regarding the collection of taxes. You know, we don't levy the taxes, but I do believe we're working with that department and with Chairman Dow, and If I'm

not mistaken, Spot Hero does remit taxes, but we can definitely get any information you'd like through the chair regarding that. So I think it's the question of the online aggregator. Yes. That we

need to address. But I also think that we also need to start going after these locations, especially these non-residential street locations that are turning properties into makeshift parking lots To

evade our taxes. Yes, we're happy to work with you on that Artem. If you, if any of the aldermen have specific locations that they know, just send us the addresses. Please give us a call. We're happy

to follow up. Well I appreciate that, but I will also tell you that I think I've been working with this department since the beginning of this year. January or February on many of these issues, if not

from last year. We are still dealing with the same issues. So Hopefully With the urgency of needing more money We can actually go after the money that we're leaving on the table. Thank you, Chairman.

Thank you, Alderman Lopez, Alderwoman Scott, followed by Alderman Burnett. Thank you, Vice Chair. I just have some questions. I see that you all have 197 employees. Do you have a breakdown of Yes. So

you want to know race or you want to know gender or what did you want to? Oh, I want to know the jobs Oh, the jobs. Yeah. Because and more of that is directed toward enforcement. So like how many

enforcements So we have 41 investigators. So I think it's 22 in nights and weekends and then 19 investigators otherwise, like during the daytime. And So the investigators and the what did you call

them? The enforcers? So they're the same, yeah. Okay, so. How do you manage that with the VGTs? How are you managing So who are you using to do the enforcement for the Vgts? Well, it depends on the

complaints that we receive. Thank you for that question. I mean, Alderman, it honestly depends. Some things come at different times of the day, the night, operations differ based on the business. And

so we assign the teams out based on need So, of course. a lot of activity happens overnight and at the nighttime, and our nights and weekends team will handle it. If it's a daytime operation, like

it's a business, then our daytime… but we spread it out and assign as needed. So when… let's say, if your office calls in, or if another automatic office calls in, if it's 311, however the complaints

are received, that's how we assign them out. Based on need. And how long does it take for the complaint So go from start to close where the enforcement is actually taking place. So that varies as

well. It really depends on the complaint and the location. So we can access the location right away. We tend to go out. If we don't go out the same day within the next 24 to 48 hours, we're out, and

we're canvassing, we're going in, and we're enforcing, we're investigating, we're inspecting, whatever it calls for. How soon is it that you give the The ward office, the information. It depends on

whether or not we can get into the location right away. Because if we can't, we tend to go back to make sure we can access the location. And so Chris, your team takes how long to get it back? It

depends on BCE and how soon they get it back to to the ward. And so also they're prioritized because you know some things may a bit more egregious than others like tobacco or liquor violations. So it

also depends on that as well. So, Dennis, how long, what's your average turnaround time for the Dennis Guiller, Deputy Commissioner enforcement. As you stated, Acting Commissioner, it takes us about

one of three days, depending on availability, the nature of the complaint, and then we do, if we can't get in, we'll try it on multiple shifts. So if the day… if it's assigned for the day team,

they'll go out. If they can't make any entry, then we'll try on the 19. So we do multiple attempts. And typically when you do something like that, what's the average fine cost like for tobacco and

liquor? So tobacco and liquor, it depends on the type of violation. So if it's an illegal sale, like through a minor Okay, Gerald, what's the fine to the minor? Because it depends on whether they have

just one fine, or if this is their second violation, or their third, so that also depends, too. Gerald Austin, Deputy Commissioner for Prosecutions and Adjudications. The fine for sales to minor, the

range is 2,000 to $10,000. So for a first offense, it'll be 2,000. Subsequent offenses go up from there. And those are priority, correct? Yes. And how well are you all like, how is the enforcement

with collecting those Because I know that's not your department, but how do you all monitor What's the amount that's coming back to the department? So like, if it is a $10,000 fine. Okay. How are we?

We do, we do. Gerald, can you give a breakdown of how that's because it's going. It's going through our prosecutions department. So it depends also how far the case is along. So if I may just, we had

this question come up earlier. So we we've asked for it through the chair over the last 5 years For fines that have been assessed along with when they've been collected. So if it was assessed last

year, but it was collected this year, because that's, I think, where the figures get a little bit muddy because If they collected 7 million this year, you don't know that those were all from this

year. They could have been from previous years. So I think what tell me if I'm wrong, what you're looking for is you want to see when we assess a fine, are we actually collecting it and like how

successful we are at it. So we've asked for that through the chair for the last 5 years, and I think by Disaggregated a little bit for us, Cheryl. So I think by type Would be helpful, and I think that

each of us as aldermen would be interested also if you gave us a tab with by ward what the businesses are. Thank you, Alderman. Yes, yes, Chair. Okay, thank you. That's all that I have. That's all

you've got. Okay, great. Next we are going to have Alderman Burnett. Thank you, Vice Chair, and thank you for everyone at BACP. I appreciate all the work that you do. You've helped me with some

tremendous problems. From problematic restaurants to grant programming, and I really appreciate it. I have two line of questioning here. The first being in regards to VGT. What is the administrative

burden for you all? And was there any additional staff provided to do this work Thank you for that question, Alderman. I'll pass this to local liquor control commissioner. I'm sorry, Alderman. I

didn't hear your question. My question was with this new VGT Licensing process. What is the administrative burden that's been added to the team, and was there any new staff provided to help with that

process? There were not staff specifically, allocated in the 26 budget for VGTs. Thus far, we have been able to develop the application and process the applications as they've come in with the staff

that we have And there has been no enforcement yet to date on any VGT issues specifically. Okay, thank you. I have a few shared kitchens in my ward. Schools as well as the hatchery in A coffee brewer

that is in a shared kitchen, but like a shared distributor. I recognize that it's a newer space and that there's kind of some overlapping responsibilities between BACP and Department of Public Health.

I know we also just issued this ordinance on like one portal licensing process is shared kitchen create… are we creating a lane for these businesses? Because often we'll be here with folks who are

trying to create these licenses or get their licenses, who are utilizing a shared kitchen space is that They are treated as if they're a normal establishment, in the sense of being that We asked to

have the space reviewed as if it's a new restaurant, although they're using the same space that many other businesses have used before. So I wanted to ask about what is that treatment like with NBACP,

and is there any process to kind of correct that form to make it easier for these businesses to build and grow. So thank you for that, Alderman. We do tend to treat all of our applicants that come in

and handle them with the utmost care for shared kitchen license users or license operators, we do realize that some of them may use space that was previously functional. What we in Bacp have come to

realize every day is that the licensing process always starts with us, but there's the in-between that involves the other city agencies that we partner with. And so sometimes we're not always avail to

what happens when those agencies go out to the… so when they start with us to do the application, and it triggers an inspection, we will walk them through handhold and do whatever we can to provide

the resources, even if it comes down to once they receive the license And they need additional resources. That's why we have the SBA team. And, you know, BACP, we invest about 4.3 million in small

businesses every year just in resources alone. So we are always going to make a path for any of our licensees, but particularly the newer types of licenses And so we appreciate help from your office

as well as any of the aldermanic offices that have feedback. If you have specific licensees or applicants that need assistance, please let us know. Unfortunately, there are times When our other sister

agencies may have a hand in it, and we may not be as aware of what happens during that time, and the applicants will come back, and they'll discuss it with us, and we'll do our best to close and

bridge those gaps. I'm gonna pass it to AJ Lee, he is our deputy over licensing, and he can just give you a little bit more of an insight into that. Sure. Deputy Commissioner A.J. Lee. Yeah, we're

working closely with CDPH specifically to make kind of a A warm handoff between our department and their department for applicants specifically for mobile food and shared kitchen users and shared

kitchen operators. So I think we recognize that that is sometimes a challenge And then we're working together, you know, specifically with the Ben team and the staff at CDPH to try to make that an

easier process and make it feel more connected. I think that's one of the I don't know what kind of feedback you're hearing, but that's certainly one of the concerns that we have is we'd like to have

the applicant feel like they're in a process that is a little more cohesive. And we're also working with CDPH on another cut the state, cut the tape for small business initiative specifically for

those type of operators that have retail food. Okay, I appreciate you all are looking at this newer business process here in terms of licensing format, because We get feedback from the hatchery, which

is a well-known shared kitchen and incubator space for restaurants that they are waiting for 20 of their new businesses to get licensing either because they're waiting for an inspection or each

business is looked at with different criteria for the space requirements there because they have to submit their own drawings of how it looks like and present their different requirements, and some of

it we, you know, these are unique spaces, right? Like there's I want to say a handful of shared kitchens within the city, but many of them can operate dozens, if not hundreds of businesses within

there And so figuring out a way to kind of expedite some of these processes and streamline it could be very beneficial to the growth in those communities, particularly the hatchery being in East

Garfield Park. You have local residents who are trying to build out their businesses and then eventually spread out to be their own brick and mortar. But now they're waiting for either the shared

kitchen license or the food truck license, and we're sitting. I think the last email we got was a month ago about 20 businesses now waiting for that licenses process. So I understand that there's

coordination with anything dealing with food CDPH, and with the Cut the Tape initiatives of past and future, there are some Hiccups with how that process moves, but I do appreciate deeply if we can

continue to figure out how to make this more of a streamlined and standard process, knowing that this is a new licensing concept within the broad viewpoint of all the businesses that you all license,

so thank you for the attention. Thank you, Alder. If you have some specific locations or businesses that you'd like us to look into, please feel free to reach out. Definitely will. Thank you, Madam

Chair. Okay, we are going to go to non-members, Alderman Lawson. Followed by Alderwoman Gutierrez. Alderman Coleman, do you want me to add to the list? Okay, thank you. Thank you, Vice Chair. Hi,

friends. Hope all is well. How many licensed food trucks do we have in the city right now? AJ, how many roughly do we have? Food trucks Deputy Commissioner A.J. Lee, 116. Thank you. And do we have a

cap on that number, or is that there's not like 200 like it is for pedicabs or some others? No. Okay. How many staff hours would you say goes into licensing each food truck From, I know, the truck

itself is inspected, the staff itself has to be trained and approved, right? What is, you know, how much time does that take us per food truck? So are you? And thank you for that question, Alderman,

are you specifically speaking about the Bacp time? Because there there's other agencies. So that's my next question. So it's both the Bacp time, and then how many other departments and agencies are

involved in that and their time So if you could speak to the BACP time, and maybe we can get the others through the chair for ballpark. Sure, we'd be more than happy to get the other time through the

chair. AJ, roughly about how much time do you think your staff spends Yeah, so I would our time is pretty minimal on these because most of the BECP part of this is paperwork and setting up a checklist

of other departments work to be done, if that makes sense. So it's not a heavy lift on our side. I can, if I can get to the right page quickly enough Mobile food licenses average about 59 days. I gave

some numbers earlier to Alderman Villegas, and this is one of the ones that I would flag as It's more time consuming, so I don't want to speak to the other departments, but our time would be minimal

in that process of… if 59 days is the the average, and again, average of a lot of different kinds, but that's me. I walk in with a food truck, and I got a license 60 days later That's not terrible.

But as far as, so what other departments are involved? Obviously, we have public health Right, and who's inspecting the vehicle itself, the apparatus to make sure it's safe? Yes, so if a fire is

involved in that is public health with fire. That's it. Just the 3 departments Yes, there's no structure, so buildings isn't involved in that. The Department of Finance would also do a debt check. Of

course. So this is, you know, what I'm trying to understand what our costs are because we have, you know, as Alderman Lopez mentioned, we have a new mobile food cart preparer because we We have a lot

of different categories for mobile food carts, but we found one that apparently we need to fill. You know, we've had a lot of issues with these operating illegally in my neighborhood and others.

Halstead and Clark will get overrun on a Friday, Saturday night Starting about 9 o'clock, they operate until 2. They leave their grease in their garbage, and then they leave, and it's someone else's

problem. To find a way to license them, it gives me a lot of concerns because I don't think it's going to even begin to address the problems we have You haven't been given any resources, though. In

addition to handle this new license type either, correct? Well, Alder, thank you for the question. We have hired six new investigators. And I appreciate that and that they're on late night is

important because we need late night enforcement. It's probably more so than daytime, right? People are trying to get away with something, aren't doing it a Tuesday at 1 o'clock in the afternoon

They're doing it on a Saturday at 1 o'clock in the morning, so I do appreciate that, but this activity in my ward is all late night And so your inspections, you know, you're going to need those 6, I

could keep those 6 busy on the north side probably every night if we're going to be chasing these around. It's very hard to tell the legal vendor from the illegal vendor unless you have a call. An

average Joe isn't going to ask, right? They're not asking now. Right? So that's why I want to understand both the inspection time on on legalizing these things. And I look at it like a food truck,

right? Because it's very similar, except for a food truck has a lot more safety things built in where these carts, you know the propane sort of out in the open hand washing is 2. There's flies.

There's other things you can't Control for and there's no bottom to catch anything running off. We also have an issue of groups that will come in. We'll be one big U-Haul truck, and they'll drop off 6

people. The 6 grills, 12 people, coolers full of raw meat, and whatever else on Halstead. You know, they'll just show up. We're not licensing the scheme or the proposal, just licenses The individual

and the cart itself, right? We're not licensing sort of a an aggregator or an operator of a business separate from the cooking activity and the person. So they… as proposed, the ordinance as proposed

would license the operator and the cart. They would also get a shared kitchen User license. Right. As well And if they have employees, though, so how does that work? Because I think that's what you're

getting at, right? Your example is employees, right? We'll talk labor stands about that, because they would say, right now it's all cash, right? It's all under the table, it's all cash, nobody's

washing their hands. I don't know how much a licensing scheme actually changes that For my community. Maybe for others, but given the hour, given the clientele and the locations, I think this This is

not going to stem any illegal activity if we actually license and regulate it. You'll have the people getting away with this who are still doing it, and they're just going to blend in with the folks

that are licensed. So, right, but if someone's God, you know, I'm operating 12 of these food carts. They would be licensed as just a regulated business license. No, each card has to be licensed.

Right, but let's say so BL Incorporated owns 12 of these, right? Yes. And I probably have independent contractors that run them because I wouldn't call them an employee if I could help it. So how are

we licensing that and are we going to look at that as an employee? Or we'd be happy to more than, yes, discuss That you brought it to our attention now, we'd be more than happy to review that because

each person that works the food card, if it's more than one right now we're saying one would have to have the food sanitation certificate and everything that goes. That was my next question. So every

single person there. Yes, not just it's usually just a manager. No, one person on site, every single person And we administer that with the state, right? In conjunction with it. Right. So yes, so you

take the food sanitation course and then you'd have to provide proof to the city that you complied. Right. The issue of propane comes up over and over again, and that's one of the toughest things we

have when dealing with these. And I'm asking every department, you guys are a little separate from the propane. I know it's fire. I know it's streets and sand, but when this comes up, what do you guys

do So I've got an illegal cart, it's got propane on it. Who are you calling? We're calling CPD. Okay. Yes. And, and of course, fire will also be notified because if they have to stop if they're

illegal and CPD comes out to, to make them cease and desist And then fire has to have a third party come and remove The propane. So that's my point. We're contracting with a third party to deal with

propane. And we're going to expand its use in our city everywhere without a plan other than this third party contractor, which is probably going to make up pretty well now. We're not limiting the

number of mobile food carts either, right? Not that I'm aware. We probably don't have a sense of how many are operating illegally either. This comes up with sweepstakes, I know. Sorry to bring that up

again, but we don't know what we don't know. And I get that We're not, there's no discussion of a limit like we would like we have other things either, like maybe maybe 100 is a good number in the

city, or I know they're talking about some pilot areas, but there's resources that has to go into this if it's a pilot or not that I don't think you have right now. So the the ordinance is pending,

but peddler's licenses are available. They just can't prepare food on the street Right. So they can sell food that's prepackaged. Those licenses are available for them. And you know, I got it all

going on at Wrigley. I got every type of street license and unlicensed activity, frankly, and it all blends in together And everybody kind of washes their hands of it, you know, unless there's

something really egregious. And even then, I got people selling airplane bottles of liquor, I got people selling illegal food, I got people, you know, that are parking, like, Wellman Lopez said, too.

I mean, they're getting away with as much as they can, and our ability to regulate any of it I just feel like not there right now. And so when we add more, when we add more to the street, you don't

have more investigators and Cdph doesn't have any more food protection people, which is embarrassing. One third of the food protection Team is vacant Right? We're not keeping up with our brick and

mortars. We just probably don't have the bandwidth to add anything there. No, but there are restrictions. You know, they do have to comply with food card and what it looks like, what it has to have as

far as hot, cold, tan washing, things of that nature. So there are restrictions. And I have asked, you know, we did talk about this Is it Monday or last week? And I have actually asked to see one of

these cards. For those of you around long enough when we regulated pedicabs, I was doing that presentation and the first slide was, this is a pedicab. This is what it looks like. This is, you know,

what it is. I have yet to have anybody show me what these look like. Well, what's the cost, frankly, and how they have hot and cold water and how their propane is safe. So again, I go to other cities,

I see these all the time. You've heard my story. I don't need any of them because I got really, really sick ones and I never will again And no one else should, but it's out there, and I just want to

make sure we're understanding what we're getting ourselves into. On this, the only other thing I have, and again, I'll talk about the VGT licensing. Are we supposed to be posting those on our on the

website? I know we've got liquor and tobacco. But is there a place where the applications and issues should be as well? The licenses that have issued are contained in the data portal. Okay. The

pending applications are not listed publicly because there isn't a public notice. Okay, but they are listed on the state's website, right? The applications that are pending. Yeah, right. And so

Because they have a state application before they come to us. Correct. We've talked about that. And how many are pending right now with us? 70 location license, or I'm sorry, 60 location licenses and

15 terminal operator licenses. And again, of those 60, we've approved 15. And of those 15, we have approved 5 Got it. Okay. I think that's it for me. We talk all the time. I appreciate all the work

you do. I have a wonderful small business community that we respect and is thriving. I want to make sure we're doing the things that stand them up. I don't have SP Like some of my colleagues, right?

And so when you've got somebody who's put their money into, you know, a late night joint and they've got a food truck in front of them that's licensed or not, or a mobile food cart, you know, and we

say like, well, you know, we're not that great at it. I know I've got some enforcement information from you, Chris, and I appreciate that. I need maybe a translator to help me understand it better But

we just need to do what we can to support our brick and mortars. Their costs have gone through the roof, their taxes are going up, their energy costs are going up, their labor costs are going up. And

when we add more barriers Or more taxes, if it's PPLT on their rented POS or ice machine or anything else to another, you know, to 20%, which is a hard number to swallow, or some of the other things,

obviously a head tax are problematic. And then, you know, we charge them for everything. So we just… we have to think about this in the grand scheme As we go forward. So again, thank you all for the

work you do. We really appreciate it in 44. Thank you, Vice Chair. Thank you, Alderman. Thank you, Vice Chair. Next, we're going to have Alderwoman Gutierrez. Thank you so much, Vice Chair, and thank

you to all of the BACP team to holding up till this late today. We have a couple of questions and clarifications that I may need to ask The first of it, it's for the BGTs. We'd love to clarify,

because of course we have different locations within our ward in some of our gas stations The business owners need to get a permit, right, from the city. Thank you for the question, Alderman Shannon-

Trotter. So The locations where VGTs can go in is dictated by the state statute, and it includes those that have on-premise consumption of alcohol. And in the city of Chicago, liquor licenses are

prohibited at gas stations, so they would not be permitted at gas stations. And that is the sweepstakes, the ones that are on the gas stations, and I think always is a confusion within our community

members where they call our offices between the BGTs and the new stuff that was passed within the budget But also the rules and regulations for these other type of machines that are in our

communities. So the BGTs are not yet in place, right, because they're still working on the permitting and all of that. But the sweepstakes are the ones that right now are located in our gas stations,

and they have a license or a permit within the city And how much are they paying, to our city to… for them to be able to work here? Sure. So there are, to clarify, there are 15 locations which are

licensed by the city. For VGTs, they would not be at gas stations. So any machines that you're seeing at a gas station would not be a VGT. In regards and similar to the questions before the Anything

that would be called the sweepstakes machine, or anything else is not specifically licensed. If it is used for amusement, then it would be required to have a tax emblem, just as a Pac-Man machine

would. So it goes back to the point That we've been discussing about the use of the machine and if it's being used for illegal gambling. So then what is the sticker that those soup sticks machines

from the city of Chicago that you have? Is there like a permit? There's a registration fee that they have with the city. Just for clarification, if you can please elaborate. So if a machine. And

again, it depends on what type of machine. If it's an automatic amusement device within that definition Then it'll be required to have a city tax emblem, and that is you know, like what you would see

on any other amusement device. And when they… for them to have that emblem, they need to come into the city, and then they need to do the application, and how much they pay per machine. That is paid

through the clerk's office Honestly, Alderman, I'd have to get you through the chair. I don't know the cost of the tax emblem. Yeah, because I think, and we all know about this, between the terms and

the type of machines and all of that, I think there's some big confusion, and it would be helpful to clarify all of that, and I would love to see that through the chair If there's any information that

you have, of course, I'm interested in the 14th Ward, but if you can also help us get that list of emblems or permits or whatever the city is receiving or being able to submit Per ward and also how

much money, if there's a payment that I've heard right now I don't remember exactly how much they pay for each emblem or the tax. So it would be helpful for us all to receive that information So we

all could know how many machines we have. If they are paying that emblem and how much we're getting out of that money. I hear you, Alderwoman, but just to clarify, that's all done through the clerk's

office. That's not done through BACP. Go ahead, Alderman Beal. Thank you. Just to answer my colleague's question, because that was my question for round 2. Thank you. As of right now, there are 5,007,

I mean, 5,000 256 sticker medallions that have been issued through the clerk's office that has brought in 700,088,400 and 0. And so we know that the location of those 5,200 machines that are illegal,

and we can go after them immediately if we… if we choose to. Okay, so then how much each sticker costs $125. Thank you. All right, so yes thank you for all that clarification and thank you so much for

explaining I have another question regarding our workforce development. As you know, I'm the vice chair of these great committee. I would love to elaborate and have Miguel Campos elaborate if he could

explain the work that the city does Because we know oftentimes we all receive those calls where our employees, our workers, our neighbors are being mistreated in the workplace. So I would love to hear

from Miguel the work that BACP and his office does because it's really, really important. It is. And I know there are seven inspectors throughout the city And there's 77 communities throughout the

city, and as we know, there's also businesses and companies that operate 24 7. So I would love to hear from Miguel the type of work that they're doing. And I think we also need to expand the

inspectors, and I wanted to ask you in terms of commissioner, if we have anything in mind to expand this program or these inspectors and workers within your department, because I think it's vital,

right, to to continue to address all of these issues Well, thank you for that, Alderman. And we absolutely value the work that our Office of Labor Standards is doing and has done. It has helped so

many workers across the city of Chicago. As we stated, and I think I stated in my statement Over $160,000 in restitution that would not have been just alone this year, that would not have been

recovered otherwise. And so… But you know, we worked so hard, and I, you know, I was one of the proud sponsors of that Because our people and wherever I go, I remind people they should be getting

those 5 days paid for sick time. They should continue to have those 5 days for PTO, and they're still to this day people that are not getting those. So please, Miguel, if you can explore it and

expand. Director Campos Good evening, I'm Miguel Campos. I'm the director for the city's Office of Labor Standards, which is a division of BACP. I… there's 14 people in the division, 13 of those 14

budgeted positions are filled. The other one we're hoping to fill And imminently, we interviewed last week, so we're hoping to make a job offer to fill the seventh investigator. We're responsible for

enforcing the city's minimum wage ordinance, including the compromise that Alderman Burnett spearheaded for one fair wage Was it tipped wage credit to pause that. So we enforce minimum wage, paid

leave, and paid sick leave. A scheduling law, which is fair work week. There are domestic worker contract requirements, anti-retaliation provisions. And we're working with your colleagues, including

Chair Hattens prevention Ordinance. Should that pass. And then Alderwoman Ramirez says last mile warehouse Ordinance might be protections that might be coming online In the next year Thank you so

much. I really appreciate all of that work. And I know, as I said, we need to continue to do God's work on that area, because, you know, even though they're doing great things, there's still so much

to get done. My last, well, almost last item. I'm so sorry, enforcement. As we all know, and all my colleagues have been talking about this since you guys started. So we have Six new inspectors

positions that you mentioned. If you can elaborate about the shifts of the inspectors, because yes, also, unfortunately, in our ward. And of course, we want our neighbors to to have ends meet for

their families. But unfortunately. Many are operating overnight where everybody's sleeping in the city officials aren't working. Sometimes I'm out there patrolling for for street lights and taking

notes about stuff And I would love to know if What shifts do we have and plans to to expand these as you can see. It's happening throughout the city and what are the plans to get this resolved Thank

you for that again, Alderman. Alder woman. So we have multiple shifts throughout the week. Evenings and weekends? Yes. Okay. So our nights and weekends team only operates Wednesday through Sunday. Our

task force for the evening is 8 PM to 2 AM, and that's Friday and Saturday But our shifts are around the clock, so I think if we have a 9 to 5, and I'll let Dennis elaborate on this, because he's the

deputy over enforcement, Dennis Guillermo, but we have a 9 to 5, a 2 to 10, and then our evening shift. Dennis, do you want to go elaborate? And also, because I know, The holidays right? If he can

also explain about who's working on the holidays is, you know, sometimes Stuff happens on the holidays and who's taking care of those. Thank you. Dennis, go right ahead. Yeah, Dennis Guillermo, Deputy

Commissioner Enforcement. As Acting Commissioner stated, we have 4 shifts currently. We have a Monday through Friday that's 9 to 5 And then we have Wednesday through Sunday, three shifts, a 9 to 5, a

2 to 10, and a six to two in the morning. And then currently on the night and weekend shifts, we have 19 investigators that will be out there. Thank you. Is there any openings, vacancies or are you

asking for more positions to be filled? So there's only one. Well, there's one one current vacancy for an investigator, and we are currently Looking to fill it. Okay. Yes, because I guess it's loud

and clear the need of inspection throughout the 77 communities. And my last item item, if I can. Yeah, you're good. Okay. More than a question is A thank you to the department and all of you for all

the work that you also guys do for the grants For businesses, it's been a great opportunity for me as the alderwoman of the 14th Ward to be able to communicate all of these to our business owners, and

many of them have been getting advantage of them, and I've seen them bettering their businesses, but also As we know with ICE enforcement in our communities and our businesses are struggling, I think

all of these grants and opportunities bring light to all of the bad things that are happening in our city and our state and within the country So I want to thank you all for sharing all of that

information, and I look forward to continuing working and building with you. Thank you. Thank you, Ottawa. Okay, Alderwoman Coleman. Thank you. Chairwoman. It's so good to see you. Interim

commissioner as well as Commissioner Trotter. I can't express how grateful I am to both of you all and of course to Chris, you're the best, always updating and sending out information I echo my

colleague's concerns, especially with the sidewalk vendors Introduction in the 16th ward, we're trying to clean up the sidewalk and not welcome, you know, kind of these pop-up businesses. So that is a

grave concern. But right now, I am dealing with not only illegal food trucks, but also the illegal pop up restaurants, if you will, specifically at 60th and Racine. It is so unfair for Restaurants and

small business owners that have made the investments in the brick and mortar, only to have a food truck to come next to a lounge and set up shop in the wee hours of the night. I don't want to contact

and reach out to you all at 1, 2 in the morning, but this is what's happening, and there has been no resolve. Thank you for that, Alder woman. We will make sure to revisit that location. We will make

sure we revisit it continuously. So we will work with you. We're happy to talk with you offline about that more. But if you want to send Information, you can always send me information outside the

business hours, and I will make sure that they… that our team addresses it. Great. Who are the night investigators, or is there a particular number or contact person For the investigators. Dennis, do

you have a supervisor that supervises nights? Yes, I do. There's a supervisor that's we can get that information to you offline before you leave or before we leave the chamber, Alderwoman. And is this

a citywide operation, or is it based on police district? Our enforcement team? Yes. We go citywide. Citywide. How large is that team? 41 investigators. The signage for businesses, Commissioner

Boatwright and I are very intentional about, and I know Alderman Mosley and others here, but where do you all stand on the signage in terms of the coverage of the windows? And businesses And thank you

for that, Alder woman. There was an ordinance, I believe, that was put forth that I do not think that passed. However. BACP, we don't have authority under the current ordinance, because there is an

ordinance in place that regulates the window signage. We don't have authority under that part of the municipal code to handle or investigate or issue any type of enforcement that lies with DPD zoning

investigators So at the moment, it's out of our jurisdiction, so we'd have to defer to DPD. The code doesn't give us the right to write tickets DPD can, as well as Cpd, who has authority to write all

the tickets. So BACP has no authority to fine a business that has vulgar or if their business is totally covered, you have no Not at the moment. I look forward to a tour for some of our business

corridors with you and some problematic businesses, aka the bad actors, as well as Yeah, updating you On some things in the ward, okay? Thank you so much, Alder Wormer. We'd be happy to come out. We'd

more than whenever you need us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Alderman Pullman. And now it's down to me. And I promise I'm not going to keep you here forever. I know it's

very late already. Just a couple of things. And you know, my colleagues asked a lot of the VGT questions. I'll stay away from that for now. I noticed that you're down 11 positions. Can you talk about

where those positions are what the impact is Sure. So Two of our positions We did a regrade for our investigators and the supervisors, and 2 of those positions were needed for the regrade, because

what we found out was that our supervisors of the investigators would soon be making less been the investigators and that in order to retain our personnel, we had to make sure that we did the regrade.

So HR, DHR, as well as OBM conducted an analysis, and we had to make sure that we took care of the investigators Got it. So that's a… that was a schedule adjustment then. That was a schedule

adjustment, yes. Then there were other ones that were used in our budget reduction. Yeah, I just so did the that the reductions specifically come in terms of investigators and inspectors, because

those are revenue generating positions? No, no, no, no. So they… that We didn't offer up or they weren't absorbed. There were only one investigator and one supervisor. Okay, great. I just, you know, I

get nervous when I see the personnel come down on the department like yours. Okay, I got a couple questions about just fees and and fines. Can someone tell me what a taxicab 2-way dispatch license is?

Taxicab two-way dispatch license. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for that, Vice Chair. Arupul Boppet is our public vehicle licensing deputy. She'll be happy to explain it. Sorry. Good evening. My name is Rupal

Bapit. I'm a deputy commissioner with BACP, a taxicab two-way dispatch license is actually two companies right now, Curb and Arrow that have that license. And it's basically where as a dispatchers

connecting passengers with taxi cabs and also facilitating communication with affiliations With the taxicab. So it's a really small universe then. It is a very small universe. Like an intimate table

for two. Yes. Okay. Currently, it's small. Got it. Okay, I just, I hadn't… I didn't know what that was. And then a public passenger vehicle dispatch license You want to take that one, too? Yes, so

that's new. That's a new proposed license, and it's similar to the taxi dispatch license. It's for other types of licensed vehicles under chapter 914 Which includes liveries. So this world of dispatch

is growing to other types of licensed licensed vehicles, commercially licensed vehicles like the livery industry. So that is what it's a new license to also capture the licensing and also regulate the

business activity of dispatching deliveries. So I have a livery company, and there's 10 vehicles in the fleet. I'm saying who goes where, for what jobs. I'm paying for a license For dispatch. Is that

how that works? I have to read the ordinance again. I believe we carved out for the actual… if it's not a third party. The target for this license is a third party that's profiting From the dispatch

activity. Gotcha. Okay. I have to reread it. We can talk offline about that. I'm just I'm curious to to learn a little bit more, and I mean, I appreciate that you're getting creative with the, you

know, with the changing times, if you will So that we're not allowing people to sort of skirt the system at the end of the day and take advantage of loopholes. So I was just more curious as to what it

was. I saw it on the list, and it just caught my attention. I'm looking at Enforcement. I want to just publicly thank Dennis and his team. I blow Dennis up occasionally. Well, maybe a little bit more

than occasionally. We have a lot of challenges with peddlers in Chinatown You know, it's part of the central business district, no peddling zone. I think people feel like it's real quaint to see

somebody selling, like, knockoff Lububus in the square, but just as my colleagues have talked about, the businesses who have invested in their businesses and pay a lot of rent And customers are being

cut off from reaching them. It's really important for us to sort of stay on top of it. So I really do appreciate every time I've called, I feel like I hope I'm not your highest user. You don't have to

answer that publicly, Dennis. Please don't. But it's really important. And I would say that BACP is always very responsive. I really appreciate the hard work of the entire team. I've participated in

roundtables for small businesses. Thank you for inviting me to come You know, we, we appreciate all the work that you do. I know that I know, Shannon doesn't like to see my number come up on her phone

sometimes, but okay, well, good, I'm glad. Sometimes I feel really bad just calling you, though, about the couple of the same issues. Y'all don't have an easy job, there's a lot going on in the city

That You've had to sort of be at the epicenter of whether you like it or not, but that's why you guys are great at your jobs. We really need to continue to, I think, work together. There's some some

issues around VGTs, and I just want to say for the record, I get that the State not… the state defines what gambling is. I mean, that's the one thing that wasn't kind of made clear earlier with a lot

of the line of questioning. That until that is deemed illegal, these sweepstakes machines, they are in a gray area. But I think that there's still work to be done, and a lot of money being left on the

table at the end of the day. Do we have, and I said I was going to ask the VGT question, but the one thing that I didn't hear, Shanna, can you talk about any rules that you guys have promulgated sort

of separate from the the liquor license stuff. I know it requires a liquor license to even qualify, and the State does their own does their own sort of not sort of, but they do their own approvals.

But have there been specific rules promulgated by Bacp. There are rules that are in draft form. They haven't been promulgated yet. They are mostly procedural and talk about the renewal processes,

about changing the registration tags on machines. Should the machines Be swapped out midterm, and those sort of very technical. Okay. Okay. I think that's all I've got. Anything else I need, I will

just send through the chair, because I think we're all tired. Thank you so much, everybody. Thanks for hanging out all the alders and everybody else that's here. Thank you, staff. With that, the

committee will stand at ease until tomorrow morning at 9 30. Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Vice Chair