(a) The Commissioner has the authority to:
(1) develop and administer programs and policies to encourage and promote the retention and expansion of existing commercial and industrial businesses within the City, and the attraction of new businesses to the City, and to encourage and promote workforce development.
(2) administer workforce development programs that will:
(A) include a citywide service delivery system which responds to employer needs; and
(B) cultivate public and private relationships that increase employment opportunities for Chicagoans and prepare Chicagoans for the global workplace.
(3) expend legally available funds for the purpose of assisting the Chicago Housing Authority in maintaining and improving its property, including but not limited to, property repairs and rehabilitation, purchase and installation of fencing and other security measures and devices, nuisance abatement, playground construction and other site improvements. The Commissioner may enter into cooperative agreements with the Chicago Housing Authority when performing the Commissioner's powers under this section. Such agreements shall not authorize the use of City funds for purposes of demolition or major capital projects.
(4) subject to the appropriation of funds, enter into land banking agreements with the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA), or its successor agency, and enter into and execute all such other instruments and perform any and all acts as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the implementation of such agreements, including any extensions thereof. The agreements may authorize the Commissioner to pay or reimburse the CCLBA, or its successor agency, for acquisition-related costs, holding costs, and land banking fees for use of CCLBA, or such agency's staff and resources, and may include such other terms as the Commissioner deems appropriate, including provisions providing indemnification.
(5) subject to the appropriation of funds, to enter into and execute any and all agreements or instruments and to perform any and all acts as shall be necessary or advisable to purchase delinquent or forfeited property taxes from the County of Cook in order to assemble property for development.
Editor's note – Coun. J. 10-27-21, p. 39525, § 2, amended subsection (a) and added subsection designations (a)(1) through (a)(3). Coun. J. 3-23-22, p. 45596, § 2, amended subsection (a) by adding two unnumbered paragraphs but did not take into account the that prior amendment. The unnumbered paragraphs added by Coun. J. 3-23-22, p. 45596, § 2, have been added as subsections (a)(4) and (a)(5) at the discretion of the editor.
(b) The Department may act as agent for the City in the management, demolition, site preparation and disposition of any property acquired pursuant to Chapter 2-124 or otherwise and may, subject to such approval of the City Council as the Code requires, sell surplus land pursuant to Chapters 2-158 and 2-159 of this Code.
(c) The Commissioner shall have the duty to:
(1) supervise and coordinate the formulation and execution of projects and programs affecting the present and future physical and social environment of the City to the extent they relate to zoning and land use planning, including industrial development and growth, development of the City's central and outlying business areas, development of culture and art, redevelopment, employment opportunities, public transportation, streets and expressways, parks and recreation, airports and harbors, water and sewers, libraries, education, the environment, health, and the preservation of historical areas and landmarks;
(2) keep and permanently maintain on file for public inspection a bound copy of the Chicago Historic Resources Survey published in 1996;
(3) upon receipt by the landmarks division, post any application for a demolition permit submitted pursuant to Section 14A-4-407.6 on the City of Chicago website for a period of at least 120 days after the application is approved or denied by the Department of Buildings;
(4) conduct research and demographic studies;
(5) create, maintain, and expand plans for the City of Chicago;
(6) review and recommend necessary amendments to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance;
(7) exercise the powers and duties of the Commissioner as provided in the Chicago Zoning Ordinance;
(8) render necessary services, as requested, to the Mayor and to the City Council and its committees;
(9) post the Tax Increment Financing (T.I.F.) documents required by Section 2-45-155 on the Department's website; and
(10) adopt such rules as the Commissioner may deem necessary or appropriate for the proper administration and enforcement of this Chapter 2-45 and the provisions of this Code pertaining to the rights, powers, duties, obligations, and responsibilities of the Department.
(d) The powers and duties in this section that are also conferred upon the Commissioner and Department of Housing, including but not limited to the authority to promulgate rules governing the same subject matter, shall, to the extent feasible, be carried out in consultation and coordination with that Department in order to promote consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness.
(Added Coun. J. 11-17-10, p. 106597, Art. IX, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. I, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-14-18, p. 90308, Art. I, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 100029, Art. II, § 9; Amend Coun. J. 10-27-21, p. 39525, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 3-23-22, p. 45596, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-22, p. 54984, § 1)