Joint Committee on Public Safety and Health and Human Relations
January 24, 2021 City Council
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A HEARING ON THE CITY OF CHICAGO STATE OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS AND ITS STRATEGY TO ADDRESSING INCREASING VIOLENCE AHEAD OF POST PANDEMIC
SUMMER
WHEREAS, In 2020 the number of homicides and shootings in Chicago spiked to an all-time high ending with 769 homicides - 274 more than the previous year and 4,033 shooting victims; and it does not seem let up as we begin the 2021 year; and
WHEREAS, Chicago, the nation's third largest city, saw hundreds more homicides than either New York or Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS Law enforcement officials and experts around the U.S have pointed to social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, public sentiment toward police following Floyd's death and historic shortage of jobs and resources in poorer communities as contributing factors, as well as lack of faith in government; and
WHEREAS, The city of Chicago moves towards a recovery plan we must take the time to assess the state of social services available in our city and take necessary steps to not only restore the public's faith in its government, but to be bold and address the violence in our city at its core; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, do hereby call upon the Committee on Public Safety and Health and Human Relations to convene a joint hearing to discuss the state of social services, programs and its strategy to addressing increasing violence ahead of this year's spring and summer months; and
BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ Alderman, 25th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon The Department of Family and Support Services, as well as Metropolitan Family Services, city wide agencies, and any other relevant city department or agency to testify and comment on the current needs of our communities to better understand what is needed to address the current violence and fear that our residents acr...
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