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Home My WebLink About117-O-21 Amending Title 2, Chapter 12 of the Evanston City Code “Equity and Empowerment Commission”0/20/202 117-0-21 AN ORDINANCE 11 /22/2021 Amending Title 2, Chapter 12 of the Evanston City Code "Equity and Empowerment Commission" NOW BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT: SECTION 1: Legislative Statement. This Ordinance creates a City of Evanston Equity and Empowerment Commission whose primary function is to address issues of access, equity, and empowerment within the City. Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Evanston community. The City Council determines that it is in the best interest of the City to create an Equity and Empowerment Commission to achieve lasting change, leverage diversity, and actively practice inclusion. Article VII, Section (6)a of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, which states that the "powers and functions of home rule units shall be construed liberally," was written "with the intention that home rule units be given the broadest powers possible" (Scadron v. City of Des Plaines, 153 111.2d 164). Pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1, the City may make all rules and regulations to carry into effect the powers granted to the City, such broad and general grant of authority complementing the City's home rule powers. At meetings held in compliance with the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.), the City Council considered this Ordinance, heard public comment, and made findings. It is well -settled law in Illinois that the legislative judgment of the City Council must be considered presumptively valid (see Glenview State Bank v. Village of —1— Page 1 of 4 117-0-21 Deerfield, 213 III.App.3d 747(1991)) and is not subject to courtroom fact-finding (see National Paint & Coating Assn v. City of Chicago, 45 F.3d 1124 (1995)). The City Council finds that creating an entity that proactively addresses issues of equity and empowerment in the City of Evanston is a priority. The City Council desires to amend the City Code to create an Equity and Empowerment Commission. SECTION 2: Title 2, Chapter 12 of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended ("City Code"), is hereby further amended and shall read as follows: CHAPTER 12 - EQUITY AND EMPOWERMENT COMMISSION 2-12-1: PURPOSE. The purpose of the Equity & Empowerment Commission ("Commission") is to identify systems of inequity, and quided by resident voices, hold the City of Evanston and its qoverninq leadership bodies to provide racial equity measurement tools to dismantle racist policies and practices as thev rebuild equitable ones. The scope of these efforts includes systems within City services, programs, and policies, includinq decision- makinq processes and practices. and-eradTEate-iRequitieSOR the G ty of EvaRSto,T ;nGlu jinn city serviGes prree9remc, human reseuEespractiEes, and denisien_makinn preGesse The Commission will work with community partners and businesses to promote equity and inclusion within the City and provide guidance, education, and assistance to City Departments to build capacity in achieving equitable outcomes and services. Further, the Commission will be transparent and collaborative with both internal and external individuals and entities, holding all accountable for measurable improvements and outcomes. Finally, the Commission will promote, support, and build capacity with laws, ordinances, and regulations related to equity and empowerment within the City. 2-12-2: MEMBERSHIP. The Commission consists of nine (9) members who serve with,,,,+ nemnensatien and ar�deYttS of live in the City of Evanston, with no more than two (2) beinq_ Councilmembers. The members muot ins ode the following: shall have traininq and/or lived racial equity experience along with at least one (1) of the followinq requirements: (A) QRe (1) member who hoo the t Training and/or experience representing the needs of those who have a physical or mental disability; (B) Experience in social justice advocacv, environmental justice or similar areas of advocacv or civic enqaqement work; and —2— Page 2 of 4 117-0-21 (C) Bilinqual speakers representing dominant lanquages spoken within the Citv of Evanston. (S) CiVe (5) members who h_„e evnerie !GO in human rights, seoial ju0Ge adVGGaG)�, or similar areas; (G� ne�nemberho is a biY Rguol &ponish speaker; ; and (D) One (1) member who is an Alderman. The Commission's membership must reflect the demographic makeup of the City of Evanston population, including but not limited to: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, source of income, physical disability or mental disability. 2-12-3: TERM. Commission members are appointed to advice and consent of the City Council. more than two (2) full terms. 2-12-4: POWERS AND DUTIES. three (3) year terms by the Mayor with the NGR dc�rmgnis MR4embers may serve for not In carrying out its responsibilities, the Commission must: Develop ways te measure and FnOnitGr GOmmunityrelations,- relatiG GiVil rights ..o p. purpose ef devel0piRg aGtiOR strategies te eliFniRate these problems, ._ .p &.rategies to improve quality ef life, livability and equity fer all resideRtS Identifv and recommend a Racial Equity framework to be used by City Commissions, Committees, and the Citv Manaqer to examine policies, practices, services and programs and all significant decisions made across the Citv. Develop a process and mechanism for community members to evaluate the quality of life, livability and impact of the Citv of Evanston's racial equitv work and progress. Publish equitv annual report based on community survev/ feedback results. Develop an Equitv Review (Rubric) of Citv policv, practices, services and programs to help guide a more equitable development. Evaluate and recommend new policies, practices, services and programs for issues that are referred to the Commission by the Citv Council, Mavor or the Commission Chair. These voiects would have to meet the voiect threshold rubric as outlined by the Commission. Continually foster alignment between the equity goals of the Citv Manaqer's Office, the Mavor, Citv Council and the EEC. —3— Page 3 of 4 117-0-21 (} Submit an annual report to City Council on the goals, activities and accomplishments of the Commission; and R Create subcommittees, as necessary, in furtherance of the Commission's purpose. 2-12-5: ADOPTION OF RULES; SELECTION OF A CHAIRPERSON. The Commission must annually elect a Chairperson from among its members. The Commission must also adopt rules and regulations necessary to exercise its responsibilities. SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 4: This ordinance must be in full force and effect after its passage, approval, and publication in a manner provided by law. SECTION 5: If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity must not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid provision or invalid application of this ordinance is severable. Introduced: November 22 , 2021 Adopted: January 10 , 2022 Attest: Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk Approved: 1/12 12022 lsaAz�w 16c;ss Daniel Biss, Mayor Approved as to form: ✓I��ola,s �. Cwru►u;�,.s Nicholas E. Cummings, Corporation Counsel Page 4 of 4