OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
February 8, 2017
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND AUDIT
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Alderman Maldonado, a substitute resolution addressing employment and economic development opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, historically, the City of Chicago, with the cooperation of other governmental units, has committed to increase the employment of persons with disabilities to a rate that is as close as possible to the employment rate of the general adult population; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that twenty percent of Chicago residents have at least one disability; and
WHEREAS, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities far exceeds that rate for persons without disabilities; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that seventy-nine percent of all persons with disabilities are not working; and
WHEREAS, there are many qualified persons with disabilities who are unable to obtain competitive employment; and,
WHEREAS, there has been a history of barriers to equal employment opportunity for persons with disabilities in Chicago and those barriers continue to exist in the public and the private sectors; and
WHEREAS, while being unemployed can adversely affect anyone's health, there is a disparate effect on people with disabilities due to conditions like anxiety, and chronic diseases like diabetes, heart conditions and obesity being exacerbated and the higher costs for health care; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best social and economic interests of the City of Chicago to expand competitive employment and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago can play a critical role in addressing the employment gap between persons with and without disabilities; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, hereby establish a Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunity for People with Disabilities, whose purpose will be to advise the City on ways to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities by: U) encouraging economic development through entrepreneurship; (2) facilitating alignment between job training, referrals, employers and service providers; (3) facilitating greater preparation of students in higher education for careers; and (4) examining City/County policies that promote and/discourage employment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force, facilitated by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and comprised of stakeholders, employment experts and City departments, will issue to the Mayor and the City Council policy and program recommendations designed to increase employment and economic development opportunities throughout the City, and within City government, for persons with disabilities.
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