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TO: The Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee
FROM: Rich Jacobs, Chief of Staff - Office of the Aldermen
The Law Department
DATE: July 13, 2023
SUBJECT:
The 35th Annual Scheketa Hart-Burns / Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Funfest and Back to School Bash
PURPOSE:
To authorize the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Aldermen to encumber and make expenditures from the funds allocated to Ward 7 for the limited and specific purposes of ensuring the success of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Back Funfest and Back to School Bash.
BACKGROUND:
Prior to her election to the City Council in 1991, the late Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns began hosting a back-to-school program for students in underserved communities. She carried this tradition throughout her tenure as the first, and thus far only, Ward 7 alderwoman in the City's modern history.
At the time of the alderwoman's death last month, plans for this annual tradition to be held on Saturday, August 21, 2023 were already underway, but she had not authorized the disbursement of funds allocated to Ward 7 to pay all of the costs or engaged all of the vendors associated with the event.
DISCUSSION:
Though it is possible that the Mayor may appoint, and the City Council may confirm, a successor to the alderwoman prior to this event, planning must continue, contracts must be signed, and bills must be paid during this interregnum. Because no ordinance or other rule addresses the encumbrance or disbursement of ward funds when there is an aldermanic vacancy, it falls to the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee to exercise its authority under Sec. 2-123(f)(1)(a) and (c) to provide for a mechanism to address this situation.
As temporary solution, and to address this unique situation, the RAP Committee is asked to authorize the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Aldermen to perform these functions specifically related to the Back-to-School event and for no other purpose.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of this Resolution will ensure the success of this traditional event, benefit the school children of Ward 7, and help honor the legacy of the late alderwoman.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Committee approve this Resolution.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RULES, ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing and directing the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Aldermen to encumber and expend funds allocated to Ward 7 for purposes related to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Funfest and Back to School Bash.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, in the exercise of said home rule authority has empowered its Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee to from time-to-time adopt rules and policies governing the operations of the Office of the Aldermen; and
WHEREAS, there exists a vacancy in the office of alderperson in Ward 7 due to the death of Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns on June 19, 2023; and
WHEREAS, at the time of Alderwoman Hart-Burns's death, planning for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Funfest and Back to School Bash ("Event") in Ward 7 had already commenced; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure the success of the event, it is necessary to specifically authorize someone to make expenditures from the funds allocated to Ward 7 during the vacancy for the limited and specific purpose of ensuring the success of the Event; and
WHEREAS, the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee finds that in these unique and precedented circumstances, it is necessary and proper to confer upon the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Aldermen such authority and direction necessary for him to ensure the success of the Event.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Rules, Administration, and Procedures Committee acting pursuant to its final action authority conferred by Sec. 2-123(f)(1)(e) of the Code of Ordinances that the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Aldermen shall be and hereby is directed and authorized to enter into contracts encumbering the use of, and making expenditures from, the funds allocated to Ward 7 for purposes related to the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Funfest and Back to School Bash.