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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Martin S. Lyons, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
DATE: March 20, 2019
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the acceptance and disbursement of funds raised directly by the City of Aurora and through the Aurora Strong Go Fund Me account on an equal basis to the families of the victims and surviving victim of the Pratt Industries Shooting incident.
PURPOSE:
In order to properly disburse funds, this Resolution establishes the manner in which funds will be distributed and from what sources.
BACKGROUND:
Immediately after the Pratt event, the City as well as community members began efforts to raise funds for the families of the victims and the employee who survived the incident. These efforts included individual fund raising events as well as a Go Fund Me page set up by the City. The City has been consolidating the donations from various sources, and not all sources will be paid through the City. Some donations were made to the Community Foundation as an example.
DISCUSSION:
The fund raising efforts that have been/will be administered by the City have exceeded $360,000. Of this amount approximately $150,000 has come in the form of checks/direct donations and $210,000 from Go Fund Me donations.
Go Fund Me is not a depository or banking institution and requires that donations be accepted out of the account as soon as possible depending on the item being funded. The City will continue to accept transfers from Go Fund Me after the above listed initial transfer, and will also continue to accept direct contributions to this cause.
When the Go Fund Me account was set up, the provision for distribution of funds was simple equal share payout to the victims' families. It was then discovered there was an employee that survived the incident and he will be included in the division of funds. The attached resolution includes this provision.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution will provide financial relief to the families of the victims and surviving victim of the Pratt Shooting.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the adoption of this resolution and disbursement of funds thereof.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance and Disbursement of Funds Raised Directly by the City of Aurora and Through the Aurora Strong Go Fund Me Account on an Equal Basis to the Families of the Victims and the One Surviving Victim of the Pratt Industries Shooting Incident.
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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 incident at Pratt Industries imposes a tremendous hardship on the families of those that lost their lives or were shot and injured at the Pratt Shooting; and
WHEREAS, The residents and businesses of Aurora and all those who donated funds recognized this hardship and took immediate steps to provide financial relief to these families; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora set up a Go Fund Me page and consolidated community fund raising efforts to benefit the affected families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
That all funds collected by the City of Aurora related to this event be distributed to the victims' families and the surviving victim on an equal basis; and
That the initial distribution shall be for an amount of not less $360,000 subject to receipt of the funds by the City; and
That a final distribution shall be made during the 2019 fiscal year and after the fund raising effort coordinated by the City is closed; and
That subsequent donations may be accepted by the City or by the Community Foundation on behalf of Aurora Police or Fire Departments for the support of Police and Fire operations and training