Committee on Finance Chicago City Council Meeting February 19, 2020
RESOLUTION
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 paying settlements of lawsuits or controverted claims against the City of Chicago as defined in Chapter 2-60 of the Municipal Code as well as otherwise provided for in the Annual Appropriations Ordinance; and,
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council Committee on Finance has been provided a list of claims against the city for Fiscal Year 2019 with judgments, verdicts & settlements totaling $80,342,675 with $12,887,017 in associated fees; and,
WHEREAS, twenty municipal departments have been involved with 586 claims against the city, costing taxpayers $93,229,692 in total package payouts for Fiscal Year 2019 as specified in attached Appendix A; and,
WHEREAS, the departmental totals for total package payouts inclusive of judgments, settlements & verdicts with associated fees as described in Appendix B:
WHEREAS, Chicago taxpayers are increasing alarmed by the continuing and growing costs associated with claims against the City of Chicago, particularly its departments on matters that could be avoided if rectified with changes to behavior, reporting and accountability; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, that the Committee on Finance hold hearings with all associated departments regarding these claims to determine what internal policies and procedures must be addressed and changed to avoid future, repeat claims against the City of Chicago.