OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
MAYOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2023-4
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is continuously striving to be a city where residents from all backgrounds can afford to live; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that debt can be a barrier for many Chicagoans looking for jobs, apartments, and various other necessities for a prosperous life; and
WHEREAS, the City has implemented many programs to help keep residents from being overwhelmed with debt; and
WHEREAS, as of April 13, 2023, over 21,000 eligible households have received relief totaling $36 million on water and sewer bills through the Utility Billing Relief program; and
WHEREAS, as of April 17, 2023, over 60,000 motorists have received relief totaling $31.6 million for vehicle-related debt through the Clear Path Relief and Fix-It Defense programs; and
WHEREAS, struggling Chicagoans saw $11.5 million of their debt forgiven through the 2019 City Sticker Debt Relief program; and
WHEREAS, the City implemented an affordable $25 down payment plan on Administrative Hearings-related debt, creating a pathway to compliance so people do not fell further behind; and
WHEREAS, approximately $129 million in vehicle impoundment storage fees were forgiven in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City has significantly reduced and capped vehicle impoundment fines:
and
WHEREAS, the City has eliminated lines at Chicago Public Libraries, giving more people the ability to access the wealth of knowledge available; and
WHEREAS, the City ended all debt-based Driver's License suspensions, making it easier for people to legally drive to their jobs and other places: and
WHEREAS, the City discontinued the practice of water shutoffs due to water bill nonpayment, ensuring that Chicago families can still access basic necessities in a crisis; and
WHEREAS, the City reformed the debt check process for new City of Chicago hires and businesses seeking licenses, including promoting access to pre-hirc or pre-licensure payment plans...
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