RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the so-called infrastructure "menu" program allocates equal funding on an annual basis to each of the City's 50 wards, such funding to be used for any combination of infrastructure projects within each ward, as selected by that ward's alderman; and
WHEREAS, the 50 wards of the City of Chicago are of substantially equal population, but the needs for local infrastructure in the wards vary considerably depending on the geographical size of a ward, the age of local infrastructure elements, the intensity of use of those elements, intended or planned local development, immediacy of need, and other such factors; and
WHEREAS, the flexibility of the menu program is intended to provide an informed, localized process for addressing the variety of factors listed above; and
WHEREAS, the variety of factors can also prove quite challenging; and
WHEREAS, the infrastructure menu program has been in existence for over 20 years, with only occasional changes in amount of annual funding and in the menu of infrastructure items eligible for discretionary funding; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that, from time to time, the City Council give thoughtful examination to any program of long standing, especially a program with numerous variables, in order to ensure effective use of limited resources; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council, through its Committee on the Budget and Government Operations, conduct an examination of all aspects of the infrastructure menu program, in order to determine whether changes in the program may now be in order and, if so, to recommend such changes to the City Council.
Patrick J. O'Conn
Alderman, 40m Ward
Carrie Austin Alderman, 34th Ward