Public speaking has commenced.

A Mr. Charles Spence requests more drones and drone officers. Explains that for small percentage the city spends on other large ticket item, officials can provide the "type of safety & security Chicago deserves" and urges an ordinance to authorize drones in each police district.

Next is Mr. Terry Newsome, an elected committeeman from Downers Grove township, host of the Behind Enemy Lines podcast, and a member is with the Save Illinois Coalition.

Mr. Terry Newsome criticizes Chicago's welcoming city ordinance for being "dangerous" to the Chicagoans and is costing the citizens a fortune. Urges the city to amend Chicago's welcoming city ordinance to prioritize Americans citizens.

A link to Mr. Newsome's Behind the Enemy Lines podcast: fightingbehindenemylines.com

Mr. Tiwon Sims is another critic of Chicago's Welcoming City policy asking what does it benefits Chicagoans. He wonders how the "American First ideology" has so eroded that now America embraces migrants criminals.

Mr. George Blackmore criticizes the treatment of black people in America, citing historical slavery and ongoing discrimination. More info on Mr. Blakemore: abc7chicago.com/george-blakemo…

Ms. Jessica Jackson addresses the issue of illegal immigration, arguing that black people are also marginalized and excluded from opportunities. She is frustrated w/the city's lack of action addressing safety and rights of Americans, esp. in regards to illegal immigration.

Ms. Jessica Jackson vows to challenge and remove certain elected officials, including Desmond Yancy (5th Ward), who she accuses of prioritizing the interests of Haitians over those black Americans. Info on Ald. Yancy here: chicago.councilmatic.org/person/yancy-d…

Find more information about Ald. Yancy's Haitian Heritage here: This concludes public comment. archive.ph/m7PNK

Next we speak on the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Chicago and Cook County with Manager Matthew Doughtie from the Office-Emergency Management (OEMC). He explains Chicago's Hazard Mitigation Plan to preserve FEMA Funding.

Find more information on Mr. Doughtie here: salary.illinoisanswers.org/person/matthew…

Mr. Doughtie explains the Hazard Mitigation plan focuses on reducing long term risk to life and property from natural hazards excluding human-caused hazards like terrorism and technological hazards.

The plan aims to increase public awareness and preparedness, and maintain eligibility for federal mitigation by adopting the plan every 5 years.

The 2024 Cook County Hazard Mitigation Plan consists of 2 volumes, with Vol. 1 applying to all partners and Vol. 2 including jurisdiction-specific chapters for adopting partners like the city of Chicago.

The Plan identifies over 1500 mitigation actions and projects across the county, including 55 actions specifically in the city of Chicago and updates the community's risks capabilities, and strategies to combat natural hazards.

The city of Chicago's emergency management plan address severe weather hazards such as heat, lighting and flooding, as well as earthquakes, tornadoes, and dam failures.

Ald. Nicole Lee (11th Ward) inquires about preparedness plans for flooding and natural disasters. Mr. Doughtie provides information on community preparedness campaigns and strategies like creating kits and developing a reunification plan in the event that families get separated.

Ms. Kimberly Nowicki from the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security joins remotely to encourage city council to review the summary of the hearing to prepare for emergencies. "The time to prepare is before you're in a an emergency situation."

Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) adjourns the meeting at 10:50am.