RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, on March 26, 2015, New York City witnessed a tragic and sudden explosion in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, devastating a part of a vibrant and active community and igniting and leveling two buildings; and
WHEREAS, the blast and subsequent gas-fed fire claimed the life of at least one individual and injured many, and occurred only 30 minutes after gas utility inspectors completed inspection of work in the basement of the building; and
WHEREAS, in a statement released by Consolidated Edison, the building was found to have been inspected and records showed the work of the building's plumber failed two inspections, including the inspection conducted Thursday afternoon; and
WHEREAS, preliminary findings show evidence of tampered gas lines, improper use of a first-floor gas line, inappropriate accessing of gas from an adjacent building to apartment buildings, and a history of reported gas odors at the property; and
WHEREAS, after investigative findings are released by New York City officials, it behooves the City Council and the City of Chicago to examine the outcomes and relate how tragedies of this nature can be avoided in Chicago, through communication between various appropriate government officials; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council through its Committee on Public Safety shall conduct one or more hearings and shall invite representatives of city departments to provide information on the process of responding to and handling complaints of gas odors, an explanation of the process of inspection of gas lines in buildings, and how inspectors and departments minimize danger to occupants of a building between inspection and resolution of a violation, as well as advice as to how city inspectors and departments can learn from the tragedy in New York City to avoid a disaster of this nature in the city of Chicago.
Margaret Laurino Alderman, 39th Ward