Chicago City Council December 14, 2022
Referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A SUBJECT MATTER HEARING WITH TOP INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY VENDORS CONTRACTED WITH THE CITY TO DISCUSS REQUIRED REPORTING AND RELATED FINDINGS, IN ADDITION TO EFFORTS TO EXPAND DIVERSITY AND EQUITY WITHIN TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL CHICAGOANS
WHEREAS, Major cities across the Nation, like the City of Chicago (City), rely on technology as an essential part of government operation, collaboration, and innovation; and
WHEREAS, The City has historically struggled to develop, execute, and strengthen technology in an equitable manner across all 77 neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, Gartner-a world-renowned research, advisory, and consulting firm-released the "2021 IT Strategic Plan" (Gartner Report) addressing the City's current state of technology and related roadmap for using technology to better serve Chicagoans; and
WHEREAS, The Gartner Report called on the City to overcome current challenges through a structured approach that included several recommendations such as prioritization of vendor capabilities/capacity to support modernization; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, the Gartner Report revealed the City spends over 50% of its IT Budget on vendors—a significantly higher percentage than typically allocated by other cities; and
WHEREAS, The City's significant vendor spending illustrates a momentous opportunity to create and expand equity, access, and accountability with IT modernization through procurement practices that combat systemic tech barriers, while simultaneously empowering representation inclusive of those most-often experiencing such limitations; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the power of intentional procurement practices as a serious tool in alleviating these challenges, the Mayor issued Executive Order 2021-2 (Order) calling for reporting requirements concerning Certified Firm Utilization Transparency and Business Diversity Program Information with the goal of recovering from devastating economic impact and strengthening Chicago economy in technology; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2021, the Order took effect upon execution and filing with the City Clerk, thus, requiring the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) to begin collection of such IT vendor reporting requirements impacted by the Order; and
WHEREAS, The Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development (ECTD) has jurisdiction over matters that directly impact the "economic and technological expansion and development of the City and economic attraction to the City" and therefore, the ECTD Committee has jurisdiction over all reporting of IT vendors impacted by the Order, in addition to any efforts to implement the Gartner Report findings; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago has a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars awarded to IT vendors are utilized in a manner that reflects the diversity of the City and works towards ameliorating past wrongs; and, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we the Members of the City Council, call on the City of Chicago Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development to hold a hearing with the
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