CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia is hoping to bring the Chicago City Council into the 21st century with new technology and — for the first time — electronic voting.
At her budget hearing, Valencia said a contractor is on board and hopes to establish electronic voting in the City Council chambers and at committee meetings between November and early next year.
And aldermen could register to be cosponsors of ordinances electronically as well. Currently a paper copy is circulated for signatures.
And speaking of paper, Valencia said she wants the council to eventually go paperless.
Valencia said she also wants her office to maintain digital records instead of the paper journals they’re not keeping. She pointed out for last Monday’s hastily called council meeting, her staff worked through the weekend and overnight before that meeting, racking up $30,000 in overtime because of keeping paper records.
She said council members will be trained, though one alderman jokingly asked how much training is needed for yes or no votes.
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