Record #: R2016-331   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 5/18/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Aviation
Final action:
Title: Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago voters at November 8, 2016 election regarding independent oversight and management of Chicago O'Hare and Midway International Airports
Sponsors: Waguespack, Scott, Munoz, Ricardo, Scott, Jr. Michael, Santiago, Milagros, Arena, John, Hairston, Leslie A., Sawyer, Roderick T., Curtis, Derrick G., Moreno, Proco Joe, Willie B. Cochran, Cardenas, George A., Reilly, Brendan, Villegas, Gilbert, Sposato, Nicholas, Mell, Deborah, Napolitano, Anthony V., Maldonado, Roberto, Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Taliaferro, Chris, Reboyras, Ariel, O'Shea, Matthew J., Osterman, Harry, Brookins, Jr., Howard, Ervin, Jason C., Foulkes, Toni, Sadlowski Garza, Susan, Pawar, Ameya
Topic: CITY COUNCIL - Miscellaneous
Attachments: 1. R2016-331.pdf
Related files: R2019-362

Committee on Aviation May 18, 2016 City Council Meeting

 

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) which, "administers all aspects

of...Chicago O'Hare and Midway International..." is established and governed by Illinois State

Law through 65 ILCS 5/11 and 70 ILCS 5/2.7; and

 

WHEREAS, Chicago's O'Hare and Midway International airports are among the world's busiest airports; and

 

WHEREAS, more than 90 million travelers utilize Chicago's airports every year; and more than 1 million operations and 1.5 million tons of cargo are processed by Chicago's airports each year; and

 

WHEREAS, the stated purposes ofthe CDA include, "...to [ejnsure safe and efficient travel through O'Hare and Midway International Airports...[e]nhance economic activity and job creation of O'Hare and Midway International Airports...[m]anage airport tenant and concessions license agreements; ground transportation facilities; financial administration; research, planning and development activities...[and to] [integrate airport-specific, sustainable planning and practices in design, construction, operations, maintenance and daily airport functions..."; and

 

WHEREAS, O'Hare and Midway airports substantially impact the economic health of the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois, generating more than $45 billion in annual economic activity and providing 540,000 jobs; and

 

WHEREAS, O'Hare and Midway airports support more than 6,500 service and business contracts worth more than $2.7 billion; and

 

WHEREAS, more than 7,800 contracted workers provide support services essential to the successful and safe operation of Chicago and Midway airports; and

 

WHEREAS, the people of Chicago have a vested interest in ensuring that O'Hare and Midway airports establish preferences for contractors that exhibit the highest standards and records of legal and regulatory compliance, especially with regards to labor practices and compliance with federal and state discrimination laws; and

 

WHEREAS, the people of Chicago have a vested interest in in ensuring that O'Hare and Midway airports establish preferences for contractors that pay a livable wage and provide benefits to their employees, thus supporting a sustainable and productive workforce;

 

 

WHEREAS, recent events and actions within the airports have resulted in the inability of many workers, including baggage handlers, custodians, cabin cleaners, security officers and wheelchair attendants to work safely, efficiently and for meaningful compensation; and

 

WHEREAS, complaints regarding discrimination based on race age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation and pregnancy have been brought against several major contractors through the Illinois Department of Human Rights; and

 

WHEREAS, several major contractors at O'Hare and Midway Airports have been the subject of formal complaints and legal action regarding wage violations, wage theft and other labor violations through the Illinois Department of Labor; and

 

WHEREAS, deficiencies in working conditions at the airports present a risk not only to the workers providing essential services such maintenance and security, but also to the millions of passengers who utilize more than 90 million passengers who travel through O'Hare and Midway International Airports; and

 

WHEREAS, in light of such tragic recent events as the attacks at Brussels International Airport, it remains essential that the security, safety and procedure of Chicago's airports are of the highest caliber; and

 

WHEREAS, the people of Chicago have a vested interest in ensuring that O'Hare and Midway International airports are the purview of independent oversight and management of operations that fully represents the interests of the people; and

 

WHEREAS, under Illinois state law, the City of Chicago City Council may, by ordinance or resolution, initiate an advisory referendum on questions of public policy under 10 ILCS 5/28-6(b) and 65 ILCS 5/3.1-40-60; and

 

WHEREAS, such questions may be submitted to all voters of a political subdivision by the governing body of that subdivision;

 

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to Section 28-6 of the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/28-6) and Section 3.1-40-60 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/3.1-40-60), the following question is certified to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners for submission to the voters of all precincts with the City of Chicago at the regularly scheduled election occurring after the passage of this resolution, November 8, 2016:

 

 

Shall the City of Chicago grant the people of Chicago the right to elect an Independent Airport Authority, to provide independent oversight and management of O'Hare and Midway International Airports?

 

 

No

Yes

 

resolution

be filed with the Chicago Board of

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Election Commissioners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Waguespack Alderman, 32nd Ward