Record #: R2021-1130   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 10/14/2021 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Final action: 5/24/2023
Title: Call for fully funded ash tree inoculation program within 2022 Budget Recommendations
Sponsors: Vasquez, Jr., Andre, Rodriguez Sanchez, Rossana , Martin, Matthew J. , Waguespack, Scott, Quinn, Marty, Thompson, Patrick D., Sigcho-Lopez, Byron, Hairston, Leslie A., King, Sophia D., Scott, Jr. Michael, Rodriguez, Michael D., Dowell, Pat, Maldonado, Roberto, Sadlowski Garza, Susan, Nugent, Samantha , Taliaferro, Chris, Ramirez-Rosa, Carlos, Beale, Anthony, Burnett, Jr., Walter, Coleman, Stephanie D. , Taylor, Jeanette B. , Brookins, Jr., Howard, Harris, Michelle A., Silverstein, Debra L., La Spata, Daniel , O'Shea, Matthew J., Mitts, Emma, Tunney, Thomas, Mitchell, Gregory I., Cardona, Jr., Felix , Lopez, Raymond A., Smith, Michele, Austin, Carrie M., Sposato, Nicholas, Gardiner, James M. , Curtis, Derrick G., Villegas, Gilbert, Napolitano, Anthony V., Burke, Edward M., Cardenas, George A., Tabares, Silvana, Moore, David H.
Topic: CITY COUNCIL - Miscellaneous, - CITY DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES - Streets & Sanitation
Attachments: 1. R2021-1130.pdf
Related files: R2023-766
Type: Title:

Committee(s) Assignment:
Resolution
Call for fully funded ash tree inoculation program within
2022 Budget Recommendations
Committee on Budget and Government Operations
COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

RESOLUTION
Calling on the Mayor's Administration to Fully Fund Ash Tree Inoculation

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is noma to at least roughly 50,000 mature ash trees, an average of 1000 per Ward^ with many blopks lined with multiple ash trees; and

WHEREAS, the invasive emerald ash borer is a serious threat to the health of these trees, and can cause degradation of the tree structure leading to branch and limb loss and eventual death of the tree; and

WHEREAS, mature trees provide immediate and long-lasting benefits to the City of Chicago, including climate resiliency, heat abatement, air quality improvement, and habitat for native species; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation has in previous years provided chemical inoculation against the emerald ash borer through its Bureau of Forestry, and estimates current costs of inoculation effective for three years at $120 per tree, or $6 million for the entire ash population; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Forestry estimates the current cost of removing and replacing a dead tree at $1500 per tree, or $75 million for the entire ash canopy; and

WHEREAS, branch and limb removal from deteriorating trees adds further work for Bureau of Forestry crews, and can cause damage to private property that impacts the quality of life of residents and may make the City liable for claims of damage at still further cost to the City; and

WHEREAS, ash tree inoculation could be fully funded for over thirty years and still be the more cost-effective option than the City's current strategy of unmanaged die-offs; now therefore:
o
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the City Council of the City of Chicago, do hereby call upon the Administration to include in their 2022 Budget Recommendations appr...

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