CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For the first time in Chicago's history, a full City Council session will be held online Wednesday, further building on Mayor Lightfoot's efforts to ensure the continuity of government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of Wednesday's Council meeting, aldermen will vote on an ordinance to codify the executive authorities enacted last month allowing emergency budget activity, an increase in the city's emergency contracting authority from $500,000 to $1 million, and the ability for the city to enter into emergency lease agreements for things like expanding emergency homeless shelter sites and coordinating any number of the Chicago hotels serving as temporary quarantine and isolation sites or housing for front-line workers in the crisis, according to the Mayor's Office.
Also on the agenda: new relief measures being introduced for the Council's consideration to help offset the economic toll that COVID-19 is taking on communities. According to the Mayor's Office, through a new ordinance to establish the Emergency Relief for Affordable Multifamily Properties Program—also known as "E-RAMP" — the Mayor will provide $3 million to help stabilize Chicago's affordable housing developments and ensure residents continue to have a safe roof over their heads.
Furthermore, the full City Council will vote to confirm the appointment of David O. Brown as the 63rd Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. On Monday, the City Council Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to recommend Brown to be Chicago's next police superintendent.
Residents can tune into the virtual City Council at 10 a.m. by visiting: https://www.chicityclerk.com/.
