2023 City Budget Hearings [Cultural Affairs and Special Events; Inspector General; Aviation] MORNING

The Committee on the budget and government operations has reconvened and has been called to order at 10:08 AM

Blake Anthony Johnson, a commenter from the public, also known as the president and CEO Chicago Symphony Orchestra, advocates for more funding towards the arts to address long standing inequities that help heal and rebuild the city.

Amina Dickerson, arts leader and chair member of the Community Advisory Council, adds how the pandemic disabled the arts community hard. She stresses the issue of equity has really come to budget is 71 point 4 million, but it’s just 4% of the city’s entire budget.

Erin Harkey, the commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and special events (DK) recognizes the progress in healing the arts sector post COVID-19.

She highlights:
in 2022, we increased direct support for the arts sector from 2.7 million to 12 point 7 million general operating support to nonprofit organizations through our City Arts program increased by 223%

more highlights:
Taste of Chicago, the air and water show gospel blues, jazz house and music world music festivals and the return of Chicago summer dance, artist in residence programs at the mayor’s office and the library

Harkey emphasizes the importance of bringing back the cultural sector back to pre-pandemic levels. Harkey aims to prioritize using ARP recovery funds, employ more young artists, and better understand barriers to access, cultural programming towards underserved neighborhoods.

Harkey mentions the AARP recovery grants will go to $5.5 million to 48 organization. This is for neighborhoods all over Chicago. A chairman encourages cross-cultural participation for these programs.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Lee*, not chairman

@CHIdocumenters Alderman O’Shea questions how many people attended events that have come back. Harkey responds that popular events like the air and water show were back at full capacity.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman O’Shea questions revenue from film production. Harkey discusses the heavy interest to film in Chicago and advocating that Chicago is open for business from episodic TV shows to full movies.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman O’Shea highlights the importance of the Beverly Arts Center. He calls out where this year’s Christmas tree will be retrieved from. Harkey says she’s happy to look at what’s happening in O’Shea’s community to connect people to the resources they need.

@CHIdocumenters There’s lots of support for DK’s work amongst the Committee. Midway airport is brought into the conversation about more projects.

@CHIdocumenters Commissioner Harkey says murals are a great starting point to get artwork out there

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Scott expresses her gratitude for the committee and shares fond family experiences with artistic initiatives her father, the previous director of the committee, participated in.

@CHIdocumenters Commissioner Harkey explains how operational and events lines have merged to be more efficient. Alderman Riley suggests to conduct more economic studies on events funded by major event planners to see performance metrics.

@CHIdocumenters Commissioner Harkey and Alderman Riley discuss efficiences with DCase and the park district:
- permitting rights for the events to take place
- improving communication with Aldermen

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Riley expresses his frustration with Dcase in the past. He mentions traffic issues (events that require road closures or lasting more than a day) needs to be prioritized, especially when other wards are affected.

@CHIdocumenters The topic of nightmarkets on Argyle comes up. Alderman Osterman encourages the nightmarkets as they encourage safer streets. Alderman Riley also seconds the success of the nightmarkets.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Vasquez mentions how city logos could bring in more revenue because they’re currently not considered intellectual property. He also makes suggestions towards more funding towards podcasting/broadcasting and audio for youth

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Burnett explains there needs to be more communication pre-events like it’s been done for the last 28 years. He expresses concern for why this process is changing and wishes people would speak with him first for troubleshooting before/after events.

@CHIdocumenters Commissioner Harkey agrees there needs to be more communication about the events with Aldermen. An example of going back and forth with the film office is given to illustrate the impacts of streets to stay away from, businesses, and other issues.

@CHIdocumenters Commissioner Harkey says more funding will be going to the ausable musuem. Alderman Mnuchin brings back up arts projects for Midway and O’Hare. Alderman Mnuchin brings up the cultural advisory council.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman Taylor emphasizes the needs for parks to be clean when it’s time for events. Commissioner Harkey says she’ll pass along concerns. Alderman Taylor says there have been instances of uncut grass/puddles of water and it’s not fair if we are charging large amounts of money.

@CHIdocumenters The topic of security comes up and the Chicago shooting from this past summer is brought up. Commissioner Harkey mentions the CPD pays for security resources if there is something that occurs that has nothing to do with the event.

@CHIdocumenters The first Committee has ended and a 5 minute recess has begun at 10:42 AM.

@CHIdocumenters Now commences the hearing for our second department of the day which is the Office of Inspector General. And with us we have inspector general Deborah Whitesburg

@CHIdocumenters The 2023 budget proposal reflects our plans for growth and progress. In May of this year, OIG underwent a full triennial peer review by the Association of inspectors general which found OIG in compliance with all relevant medical standards.

@CHIdocumenters OIG has increased its hispanic and black members; however, its budget has decreased by 2 million dollars.

@CHIdocumenters Whitsburg explains they’ve moved their intake personnel out of the investigation section and into a specialized unit with a devoted supervisor in the legal section

@CHIdocumenters Whitsburg says there is data and analysis work to be done in the support of misconduct investigations and our audit and program review on our public safety evaluation work and then there are also sort of individual projects that are done.

@CHIdocumenters A question in evaluating complaints arises. There’s discussion that only about 10% of complaints get investigated. Several aldermen express there needs to be more communication between them and OIG with investigating complaints.

@CHIdocumenters According to Whitsburg, in terms of reopening closed investigations, sometimes more evidence arises and an investigation is reopened like during 2020 with several CPD cases

@CHIdocumenters There’s a question on not filling vacancies fast enough since the publication of that information, but Whitsburg emphasizes plenty of progress has been made. She explains it’s a long process is because of good turnover and can’t fill the position until it’s actually vacant

@CHIdocumenters The Inspector General and their team has come to the end of their budget hearing. The Committee has closed for lunch and will resume at 1pm. Thank you for tuning in today!