CITY OF CHICAGO
BRANDON JOHNSON MAYOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2023-15 EXECUTIVE ORDER ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
WHEREAS, 59 percent of the workforce population under the age of 25 in the City of Chicago (the "City") is made up of workers of color; and
WHEREAS, unemployment rose for young Chicagoans during the pandemic, young Black women in particular continue to struggle to rebound to pre-pandemic numbers; and
WHEREAS, high-quality summer youth employment programs develop and enhance skills, nurture their passions, expand their networks, help them envision a successful future and improve their prospects for accessing the job market and higher education; and
WHEREAS, studies show youth employment and enrichment programs reduce the likelihood of involvement in violence among participants; and
WHEREAS, youth jobless rates in Chicago outpace the rest of the country; and
WHEREAS, investing in youth employment and enrichment programs creates youth leadership that contribute to safer Chicago communities; and
WHEREAS, the City linds it necessary to create employment and enrichment opportunities for young people in order to support public safety and create economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to reducing violence involving youth and ensuring equitable access to youth employment and enrichment opportunities that empower them to live up to their greatest potential and be change agents for facilitating safer communities; and
WHEREAS, the City funded youth summer employment program, One Summer Chicago, uses public and private funding to employ young people at delegate agencies across Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Black, Latine, Indigenous, and Asian youth are employed at much lower rates than white youth, and Black, Latine, and Indigenous youth who are employed are typically paid less than white youth; and
WHEREAS, young people who do not have stable jobs by their early twenties are at greater risk for experiencing joblessness and permanently lower earnings: and
WHEREAS, in the summer of 2022 One Summer Chicago employed fewer than half of the young people that applied; and
WHEREAS, the City funded youth employment and enrichment programs, including One Summer Chicago, need to significantly increase to yield more expansive results with youth employment and positive impact on public safety; and
WHEREAS, One Summer Chicago needs immediate and long-term financial support and flexibility; and
WHEREAS, with additional financial support and flexibility, One Summer Chicago would be able to employ more young people through grassroots community-based organizations; and
WHEREAS, the City welcomes partnerships with the private sector as collaborators in developing and expanding youth workforce programs to ensure streamlined pathways for youth participants to gain relevant expertise, ensure that programs are informed by trends in the job market, and meet employer hiring needs; and
WHEREAS, addressing youth employment and violence prevention over the long term requires a coordinated and comprehensive response with City sister agencies such as Chicago
Public Schools, Chicago Park District, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, and City Colleges of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the City would be well served by meaningful investments in year-round employment opportunities for young people; now, therefore
I, Brandon Johnson, Mayor of the City of Chicago, do hereby order as follows:
Section 1. The above "WHEREAS" clauses are incorporated into and made an integral part of this order.
Section 2. With urgency, the Office of Budget and Management ("OBM") shall: (i) prepare an analysis of all resources in the City's FY2023 budget that are available to fund youth employment and enrichment programs, including any state, county, or federal funds; (ii) identify existing City-lunded youth employment and enrichment programs to which such funds may be reallocated.
Section 3. With urgency, the Deputy Mayor of Education and Health and Human Services shall lead all City departments and agencies in identifying additional entry-level jobs that would be suitable for young people.
Section 3. OBM shall examine opportunities for delegate agencies to sub-contract with non- delegate agencies subject to applicable funding restrictions.
Section 4. Mayor's Office staff shall coordinate year-round youth employment and enrichment activities among City sister agencies and City Departments, including collaboration with private and not-for-profit organizations where appropriate. Such coordination shall include summer internships and community service credit opportunities with Chicago Public Schools and college credit opportunities with City Colleges of Chicago.
Section 5. Mayor's Office staff shall make annual budget recommendations for existing or new youth employment and enrichment programs.
Section 6. This order shall take effect upon its execution and filing with the City Clerk.