HomeMy WebLinkAbout115-R-20 Creating a Community Member Relief Fund to Provide Emergency Relief to Undocumented Evanston Residents11 /3/2020
115-R-20
A RESOLUTION
Creating a Community Member Relief Fund to Provide Emergency
Relief to Undocumented Evanston Residents
WHEREAS, the City of Evanston has established long standing programs
through General and Emergency Assistance that are mandated by the State of Illinois;
and
WHEREAS, the City's current general assistance funds have set
guidelines and are funded by tax dollars to provide assistance to Evanston residents
with low income and those with emergency needs, however these programs contain
many requirements and restrictions for residents, including but not limited to, legal
status, social security numbers and being income eligible; and
WHEREAS, due to these set guidelines and restrictions, Evanston
residents who are undocumented are excluded and do not qualify for the City's current
assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, the City is currently in a state of emergency because of the
COVID-19 pandemic,
WHEREAS, the global pandemic, COVID-19, has left many Evanston
residents in need of emergency assistance; and
WHEREAS, 8 U.S. Code § 1621(b) allows for short-term, non -cash and
in -kind emergency disaster relief to undocumented residents in need of assistance
during an emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to fund the Community Member Relief Fund
115-R-20
to assist undocumented Evanston residents in the amount of twenty-five thousand
dollars ($25,000.00) from the City's General Fund; and
WHEREAS, the funding for this program under the law may only continue
so long as there is an emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City will utilize community donations to supplement this
program and to fund the program beyond the emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Community Member Relief Fund will operate similarly to
the City's Emergency Assistance program, but with fewer restrictions. Access to the
funds will be limited to one time in a twelve (12) month period per application and
payment will be made directly to the vendor. The amount given will be determined by
the City's General Assistance Office based on the current fund balance, but will not
exceed one thousand five -hundred dollars ($1,500.00). Grants will be disbursed in the
order by which the applications are received; and
WHEREAS, applicants must be eighteen (18) years of age or older, an
Evanston resident, income eligible, ineligible for any state or federal assistance and
must have an emergency. Applicants will be evaluated for eligibility for General or
Emergency Assistance prior to accessing eligibility through the Community Member
Relief Fund program; and
WHEREAS, the City continually strives to provide an environment for all
its residents irrespective of background, race and gender and the Community Member
Relief Fund furthers this goal and the City's commitment as a Welcoming City,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:
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115- R-20
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2: The Community Member Relief Fund is established.
SECTION 3: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and
after the date of its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
Attest:
5-da.o-,rdo Gomez
Eduardo Gomez, Deputy City Clerk
Adopted: November 9 , 2020
`'ma's'"` M\`Y'Q\--
Stephen H. Hagerty, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Kelley A. Gandurski
Corporation Counsel
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