Record #: O2014-8090   
Type: Ordinance Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 10/8/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Aviation
Final action: 5/20/2015
Title: Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-20 by adding new Section 2-20-050 to establish infectious disease screening program at Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M., Zalewski, Michael R.
Topic: MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS - Title 2 - City Government & Administration - Ch. 20 Dept. of Aviation
Attachments: 1. O2014-8090.pdf
Related files: R2015-407
ORDINANCE
 
 
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6 (a); and
 
WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs including the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; and
 
WHEREAS, curtailing the spread of infectious disease is critical to preserving the health of all Chicago residents; and
 
WHEREAS, the Department of Aviation regulates the ingress and egress of air traffic in Chicago; and
 
WHEREAS, O'Hare International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, handling over 66 million passengers in 2013; and
 
WHEREAS, the volume of passengers makes O'Hare a potential entry point for the spread of infectious disease; and
 
WHEREAS, an American infected with the Ebola virus arrived in Dallas, TX from Liberia on Monday, October 6, 2014; and
 
WHEREAS, this demonstrates the need for stricter medical protocols; and
 
WHEREAS, the Honolulu International Airport implemented a voluntary screening process for flulike symptoms among international travelers with the intent of intercepting passengers who may have infectious diseases; and
 
WHEREAS, Hawai'i grew its program to set up a passive surveillance program whereby pilots notify the airport town if there is a potentially ill passenger,on board; and
 
WHEREAS, these programs have had a great success in curtailing infectious diseases such as bird flu and SARS; and
 
WHEREAS, active and passive infectious disease control programs will help the City prevent an outbreak of a pandemic; NOW THEREFORE
 
 
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
 
SECTION 1. The above recitals are expressly incorporated herein and made part hereof as though fully set forth herein. j
 
 
SECTION 2. Chapter 2-20 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by creating Section 2-20-050 by inserting the language, as follows:
 
2-20-050 Infectious Disease Screening.
  1. For the purposes of this section, an infectious disease is defined as a transmittable disease resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents, including, but not limited to: swine-flu, bird-flu, SARS, ebola, hantavirus, measles, MRSA and/or tuberculosis.
  2. The Commissioner of Public Health in conjunction with the Commissioner of Aviation shall implement a program to screen for infectious diseases at O'Hare International Airport which includes the following:
  1. Infectious Disease Behavioral Screening
    1. All passengers arriving at O'Hare International Airport from international destinations shall complete an infectious disease behavioral screening as prescribed by the Commissioner of Public Health.
    2. Should a passenger be designated by the screening as at risk, they shall be isolated for further testing.
    3. The Commissioner of Public Health shall promulgate rules and regulations governing this program
  2. Infectious Disease Medical Screening
  1. All passengers arriving at O'Hare International Airport from international destinations, if observed to have symptoms of an infectious disease, shall complete an infectious disease medical screening by a medical professional as proscribed by the Commissioner of Public Health.
  2. The Commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations governing this program
    1. The Commissioner of Public Health in conjunction with the Commissioner of Aviation shall promulgate rules governing the implementation of infectious disease screening at O'Hare International Airport consistent with federal rules and regulations.
  2. The cost of these programs shall be undertaken by the airline industry.
 
 
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon passage and publication.