FEE WAIVER ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago (the "City"), a home rule unit of government under Section 6(a), Article VII of the 1970 Constitution of the State oflllinois, has heretofore found and does hereby find that there exists within the City a serious shortage of affordable, safe and quality education available to persons of low and moderate income; and
WHEREAS, on March 18, 1956, the City Council (the "City Council") ofthe City of Chicago (the "City") created the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) (the "Commission") pursuant to the Public Building Commission Act of the State of Illinois (the "Act") for the purpose of facilitating the funding, acquisition and construction of public buildings, improvements and facilities for use by various public agencies such as the Chicago Board of Education (the "CPS"), County of Cook and State of Illinois (collectively, the "Sister Agencies"); and in the furnishing of essential governmental services; and
WHEREAS, on January 1, 1982, the Illinois legislative body (the "State legislature") ofthe State of Illinois (the "state") created the Capital Development Board of Illinois (CDB) (the "Board") pursuant to implementing and as authorized by the Capital Development Board Act [20 ILCS 3105] for the purpose of facilitating the funding, acquisition and construction of public buildings, improvements and facilities for use by various public agencies such as the Chicago Charter Schools, County of Cook and State oflllinois (collectively, the "Sister Agencies"); and in the furnishing of essential governmental services; and
WHEREAS, Aspira of Illinois Inc. embarked on a project to facilitate the funding, acquisition, improvements and construction of a new school campus to furnish essential educational and governmental services; and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that the continuance of a shortage of quality affordable education is harmful to the prosperity, economic stability and general future welfare of the City; and
WHEREAS, the mission ofAspira oflllinois is: "...to provide opportunities for all students to enhance their knowledge and skills by offering superior, affordable, and comprehensive educational programs and services"; and
WHEREAS, Aspira of Illinois is presently a system of three community schools providing learning opportunities for Chicago residents at the schools, serving over 1,500 students in grades 6th through 12"'.
The Community Schools and other institutes are:
Haugan Middle School
Early College High School
Business and Finance High School
WHEREAS, Aspira oflllinois receives government subsidies and other donations to offset the high cost of education and at various locations is eligible to receive Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds for capital improvements; and
WHEREAS, Aspira of Illinois' student enrollment is growing with new needs in a demanding changing job market with new requirements of physical facilities and technology, and
WHEREAS, Aspira oflllinois has endeavored to undertake the construction of buildings and facilities for use by such educational institutions in the furnishing of public educational services, and
WHEREAS, the City maintains a comprehensive municipal building code (the "Code") governing the construction, repair, maintenance and inspection of buildings in order to protect the public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, in order to determine compliance with the requirements of the Code, the City issues construction permits, various licenses and capacity cards and conducts periodic inspections which are financed in part by various fees imposed by the City for the examination of plans, issuance of permits, licenses and inspections; and
WHEREAS, contractors engaged to construct or remodel buildings and facilities for Aspira of Illinois are required to file numerous license and permit applications for original and renewed permits and to pay the fees and charges imposed for such permits and licenses; and
WHEREAS, the financial and administrative costs of complying with the Code including work hours spent in preparing applications, waiting for consideration and approval of applications and resulting delays is costly and impedes the efficient operation of Aspira oflllinois in the construction of buildings and facilities for the various educational buildings throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, the financial and administrative obligations imposed by the Code are deleterious to the City and to Aspira oflllinois who share the same tax base; now therefore.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any provision of the Code ofthe City to the contrary, all permits for demolition, new construction, construction alteration, repair, renovation, rehabilitation and inspection of buildings and facilities by Aspira oflllinois of Chicago and its contractors for public or governmental use by the Board of Trustees of Aspira of Illinois shall be issued without charge, commencing April 01, 2012, for a duration not to exceed ten years from the noted commencement date (April 01, 2022) or upon the completion of projects in process within the City of Chicago's Department Agencies, ie. Buildings, Transportation exc.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall not absolve or release Aspira of Illinois or its contractors from compliance with the building and fire provisions of the Code including requirements for the filing of plans, the obtaining of permits and necessities for inspections.
SECTION 3. The Commissioners of Buildings, Transportation and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and any other Agencies of the City of Chicago are authorized to establish, in cooperation with the Board of Directors of Aspira oflllinois, a system which enables Aspira oflllinois and its contractors to file and process applications in a manner which reduces the administrative burden of the organization.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its passage and approval.
EXHIBIT A Fees and Other Waivers
Department of Buildings
Waiver of Plan Review, Permit and Inspection Fees:
Building Permit: Zoning
Construction/Architectural/Structural Internal Plumbing and Sewers HVAC
Water for Construction Smoke Abatement
Electrical Permit: Service and Wiring
Elevator Permit (if applicable)
Wrecking Permit and all fees related, (if applicable)
Fencing Permit (if applicable)
Fees for the review of building plans for compliance with accessibility codes by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities imposed by Section 13-32-310(2) of the Municipal Code of Chicago
Capacity Card fees Department of Water Management
Tap Fees
Cut and Seal Fees for water and sewers
(Fees to purchase B-boxes and remote read-outs are not waived)
Permit (connection) and Inspection Fees
Sealing Permit Fees
Storm water ordinance review fee
Zoning and Land use Planning
Zoning Fees
Trash Enclosure fees
Planning Part II Review Fees
Letter of Credit security requirement for landscaping
Department of Transportation
Board of Underground Fees Street Opening Fees Driveway Permit Fees Use of Public Way Fees Other
City Annual Fees City Tie Fees Inspection Fees City of Chicago Fines
Fees relating to City installations (including, but not limited to, curbs, walks, parkway landscaping and street and alley lighting)
All License renewal fees for miscellaneous.