The Executive Director shall have general supervision over the Department and its employees, and also the following powers and duties:
(a) To administer and enforce Chapter 7-12, including supervising and administratively directing the work of the animal control center or centers established by and defined in that Chapter;
(b) To coordinate the activities of such animal control center or centers with the activities of other animal control and regulatory agencies within the State of Illinois and with humane societies as such societies are defined in Chapter 7-12;
(c) To supervise and administratively direct any neutering and spaying clinic established by the Department, and to enter into and execute contracts, subject to the availability of duly appropriated funds, with one or more accredited veterinary colleges to provide the services in Section 7-12-115;
(d) To enter into partnerships and execute contracts for medical services with educational institutions, including veterinary colleges and other organizations, as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the implementation of such agreements and any renewals thereto to further the Department's mission of increasing live outcomes; and, in connection with agreements entered into under this section, to enter into and execute all such other instruments and to perform any and all acts, including the allocation and expenditure of duly appropriated funds, as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the implementation of such agreements and any renewals thereto;
(e) To formulate and direct an educational program to develop better animal care;
(f) To enforce Article XXII of Chapter 11-4 of this Code and to notify the Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection of any violation for which the Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection is authorized to issue an emergency abatement order as set forth in Section 11-4-3030(b) of this Code;
(g) To waive adoption and redemption fees, subject to objective criteria set forth in rules adopted by the Department, to further the Department’s mission of increasing live outcomes;
(h) To establish accounts with suppliers of goods for the purposes of purchasing supplies through donor grants;
(i) To enter into and execute sponsorship agreements with sponsors of events, programs, and initiatives under the Executive Director's jurisdiction. Such sponsorship agreements shall contain such terms and conditions that the Executive Director deems appropriate. All sponsorship agreements shall be subject to the approval of the Corporation Counsel as to form and legality. For purposes of this definition, "sponsors" means those persons providing money or other in-kind goods or services to the City in exchange for advertising or promotional rights at events, programs, or initiatives under the Executive Director's jurisdiction. Persons meeting the definition of sponsor in the previous sentence may, in the discretion of the Executive Director, and upon such terms as the Executive Director determines, sell goods and services to the public at such events, programs, or initiatives; and
(j) To create and promulgate such programs, policies, and rules as are necessary or useful to implement the administration and enforcement of this Chapter and Chapter 7-12.
(k) To accept the transfer of animals, and to transfer animals in the custody of the Department to foster homes, humane societies, or permanent homes through adoption, and to enter into agreements governing such transfers. Any animal transferred to the Department pursuant to this subsection shall become a City-owned animal, as defined in Chapter 7-12.
(l) To enter into partnerships and execute contracts for services, subject to the availability of duly appropriated funds, that improve animal care and quality of life within any animal control center.
References in the Municipal Code to the Executive Director shall be deemed to include the Executive Director’s designee(s).
(Added Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. I, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-25-18, p. 77747, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11514, Art. XIII, § 1)