RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A HEARING ON STATUS OF VARIOUS CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND JC DECAUX
WHEREAS, The City has entered into several long-term contracts with JC DeCaux regarding the use of various public assets in connection with advertising signage managed by JC DeCaux; and
WHEREAS, These contracts include a 20-year contract for advertising on street furniture, including city information panels and bus shelters, located on the public way; a contract for at least 10 years for advertising at O'Hare Airport; and a 20-year contract for the installation and ownership of digital signs along the expressways running through the City; and
WHEREAS, Each of these contracts grant JC DeCaux broad latitude over critical pieces of infrastructure in the City, including sidewalks, bus shelters, City-owned property adjacent to expressways, and the O'Hare people-mover; and
WHEREAS, The financial impact of these contracts is, however, only part of the impacts of permitting JC DeCaux to use City property for advertising purposes; the City Council must also consider the impact of these contracts on the residents and businesses throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, The City is facing an unprecedented financial crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, In order to protect the residents of the City and be a prudent steward of public funds and infrastructure, the City Council must ensure that each long-term contract with a private business regarding public assets is in the best interest ofthe City and its residents; now, therefore:
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this seventh day of October, 2020, do hereby call for the Committee on Finance to convene a hearing concerning the various agreements between the City and JC DeCaux, including the financial impact to the City of each agreement, comprehensive reporting metrics for each contract, complaints from the public related to each contract, and potential alternatives or updates to the contract to better reflect the interests of Chicagoans; and
BRENDAN REILLY Alderman, 42nd Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon the Chief Financial Officer, the Budget Director, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Chief Procurement Officer, the Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and representatives of JC DeCaux to attend such hearing.
