The meeting began with a presentation about CDPH by Dr. Olusimbo Ige speaking about the depart.‘s accomplishments. CDPH - regularly monitors 17 infectious diseases - has reduced infant mortality by doing home visits to assess the mother’s and the baby’s health and safety

- reduced deaths by opioids by 500 - reported no major food outbreaks due to regular 2 hour check ups on at all major festivals/events in the city - provided dental and vision care for students during the school day

She stresses that as a department that receives one time funding as a result of COVID grants, they plan for sustainability of all their initiatives and will continue to assess how to address community needs to address high mortality rates before the age 65…

Caused in large part by chronic disease and homicide. This is especially prevalent in the south and west sides of the city. Dr. Ige

Alder. Rodriguez-Sanchez asks Dr. Ige how CDPH plans to work with the new administration coming in January and lack of COVID funding. Dr. Ige says that they expect COVID funding to stop since it was supplemental funding but they are working hard to remain eligible for …

Federal grants. They are also collaborating with the Big Cities coalition to make recommendations to the new administration about public health priorities.

Alder. Rodriguez-Sanchez asks how opioid response has been funded. Dr. Ige says that it’s a settlement funding and CDPH’s own budget and they have a very specific list of which funds are used for certain initiative.

Alder. Rodriguez-Sanchez also asks about mental health clinic in Roseland. Dr. Ige says that the Mayor’s office for budget and staffing has given clearance to hire all personal to get the clinic running.

Her final question to Dr. Ige was about CDPH’s promotion for the city’s mental health services. Dr. Ige says CDPH has started a door knocking campaign, as well as an inventory for people who have contacted the department asking about mental health services to make sure…

The person was connected with services and follow up with them.

Alder. Dowel asks Dr. Ige about the environmental protection task force that is a part of CDPH. Dr. Ige explains that they monitor environmental conditions in communities including potential emissions, demolitions that can release particles in the air, and complains through 311.

Alder. Dowel also asked why CDPH needs their own HR depart. that costs $1 million. Dr. Ige explains that b/c CDPH needs to hire personal quickly before the one time funds run out, they need their own HR depart. to expedite that process.

Dr. Ige also notes that the need for expedited hiring was especially crucial with COVID grants. Alder. Dowel notes that funding for this depart. needs to be further examined as the city is looking to save money and this might not be necessary for the future.

Alder. Hadden asks Dr. Ige about the meeting about the air monitors for the city. The meeting, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed. The meeting is to decide where they will be placed.

Ald. Hadden also asks about the $2 million that goes to HIV organizations that work with black gay men. She asks if it is a specific requirement that these organizations are also led by black gay men. There is not. The only requirement is that they serve this position.

Ald. Haden’s final question is about the number of staff positions that are dependent on the COVID one time grants. Dr. Ige says that there are 347 positions were hired under the premise of one time funding. There are currently 215 staff positions that have no alternative funds.

Alder. Moore asks what CDPH is doing regarding senior care. Dr. Ige says that the depart. collaborates with other agencies to address respiratory diseases including vaccination campaigns. Dr. Ige says infectious diseases are currently the biggest risk for senior pop.

Alder. La Spata asks about the long term vacant positions in mental health clinics. He asks how CDPH can be more competitive to new hires and if there needs to be an adjustment in salary in order to be more realistic in the job market.

Dr. Ige says that not only is there a nationwide shortage, but it is also an issue county wide. CDPH has worked with Cook county to compile a report to see what can be done to become more appealing to mental health professionals and how to address staff needs.

He also asks about how the Pilsen clinic is full staffed and how they were successful in doing so. Dr. Ige says that changes what types of staff are hired has made the difference.

Alder. Sigho-López asks how CDPH is enforcing environment violations and the order of procedure for evaluating them. Dr. Ige explains that they go through 311, inspect it, but that issuing citations isn’t something the department is used to doing.

Ald. Martin asks about how many positions have been long term vacant in CDPH overall. 124 staff positions, including 70 positions under corporate which were put under a hiring freeze and have been vacant long term. He also requests specific info about what types of positions

Another question he asks is about expanding CARE team hours. There is currently a CARE team in his district, but they only work 9-5pm. Currently, CDPH is debating whether they will expand their hours or branch out to new communities. Debate is due to budget/hiring constraints

He also asks a question about how CDPH is remedying the complaints by IDPH that CDPH was not doing enough environmental inspections.

Dr. Ige says that CDPH currently gets about 5000 inspection requests, 2000 permits, in addition to having to have staff on site for demolitions. She says that more hiring needs to be done and that staff is currently spread very thin.