Committee on Rules and Committees March 24, 2021 City Council Meeting
RESOLUTION FOR HEARINGS TO PLAN COVID SAFE COUNCIL MEETINGS
WHEREAS, The City Council has been conducting all business by remote means due to the risks posed to members, staff and the public by COVID-19; and,
WHEREAS, Vaccinations against COVID-19 are currently available to elected officials, but not yet available to the public at large; and,
WHEREAS, Only 11% of Chicago residents have received a full vaccine series and only 20.5% have received the first dose in a series; and,
WHEREAS, City Council has responsibly and competently conducted City Council and Committee meetings with the inclusion of the public by remote means; and,
WHEREAS, Mayor Lightfoot has indicated that City Council may reconvene in-person in April 2021; and,
WHEREAS, City Council has not been consulted or engaged in any discussions regarding how we may safely resume in-person meetings in a way that will allow for medically compromised members of Council, staff and the public to participate in a way that does not harm or exclude them; and,
WHEREAS, It is the duty of each member of City Council and the Mayor to ensure the fair and equal access to members and the public for all City Council meetings;
WHEREAS, Participation by remote means has provided new and expanded access to the public to City Council Meetings and Committee Meetings increasing transparency and accountability; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Members of the Chicago City Council, do hereby call for a public hearing to be held in the Committee on Rules and Committees to discuss the means by which City Council can safely and fairly engage in regular business going forward before any in-person meetings of City Council or Committees resume; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That any plan for future meetings of the Chicago City Council must include a remote option as to allow for participation of City Council members, staff and the public when they are...
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