The duties and powers of the commissioner shall be as follows:
(a) To plan, initiate, supervise and coordinate programs and projects, with or without federal or state assistance, which provide or expand human opportunity, assistance, counseling, or other related guidance and development services for residents, with special emphasis upon their needs, aspirations and welfare;
(b) To provide human services, including, but not limited to, crisis intervention services, and planning, coordination and review of all family and support services provided by the City of Chicago;
(c) To cooperate with the mayor, the city council, city departments, agencies and officials in formulating and executing comprehensive programs (1) that enhance the opportunities for older persons to live independently in their own homes and communities, and to live with dignity when residing in institutions, (2) that serve the pre-retirement population and cross the generations, and (3) that prevent incidents of and assist the victims of elder abuse;
(d) To develop, administer and coordinate programs and projects to assist in the healthy growth, development and socialization of children and adolescents and to promote their well-being and school readiness; and
(1) To conduct research concerning the developmental, medical, educational and social needs of children and adolescents;
(2) To identity and assess risks to children and adolescents in home, school and community environments;
(3) [Reserved.]
(4) To advocate for the interests of children and adolescents;
(5) To cooperate with agencies of the federal and state governments and with agencies in the private sector in order to address the needs of children and adolescents; and
(6) [Reserved.]
(e) To plan, initiate, supervise and coordinate programs and projects (1) that promote a coordinated response to the problem of domestic violence; (2) that raise community awareness of the problem of domestic violence; and (3) that prevent incidents of and assist victims of domestic violence;
(f) To plan, initiate, supervise and coordinate programs and projects (1) that assist ex-offenders to reenter into the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency; and (2) that offer residents job readiness and skill development training;
(g) To plan, initiate, supervise and coordinate programs and projects that help to prevent and end homelessness;
(h) To recommend such legislative action he or she may deem appropriate to implement the policies of the department;
(i) To enlist and encourage the cooperation of all public and voluntary agencies, racial, religious and ethnic groups, community organizations, fraternal and benevolent societies, veterans organizations, professional and technical organizations, the business community, and other groups in the City of Chicago to facilitate the rendering of voluntary aid and assistance in programs directed towards solving the social and economic problems confronting residents;
(j) To conduct programs of public outreach to all sectors of society in Chicago, in order to acquire information necessary and advice appropriate to the department's function and to advise the public of available programs and projects;
(k) To seek and accept offers of gifts or grants from the United States, the State of Illinois, other government entities, their agencies or officers, or from all other available sources of services, equipment, supplies, materials or funds, and to expend such receipts on projects that implement the policies of the department and, with regard to United States Department of Agriculture grants administered by the State of Illinois, to enter into agreements with food service providers for the Summer Food Service Program;
(l) To cooperate with state and federal agencies whenever he or she deems such action to be appropriate in implementing the policies of the department;
(m) To conduct public hearings, carry on research or otherwise obtain factual data, issue publications and make recommendations that implement the policies of the department;
(n) To render an annual report to the mayor and city council;
(o) to enter into agreements with public entities, private entities and individuals to operate facilities that serve the needs of older persons, and to exercise rights afforded to the department pursuant to such agreements between or among parties other than the City, and to enter into and execute all such other instruments and to perform any and all acts, including the expenditure of funds subject to appropriation therefor and the granting of the use of the City's personal property, as shall be necessary or advisable in connection with the implementation of such agreements, including any renewals thereto, and including provisions providing indemnification; and
(p) To establish and administer workforce development programs, except for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I programs, that will leverage public and private relationships to: (1) increase employment opportunities for underserved Chicagoans; (2) include a citywide service delivery system which responds to employer needs; and/or (3) strategically advance citywide policy agendas including but not limited to reducing youth violence, homelessness, and poverty.
The department is designated as the administrator for workforce development services, including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I programs. The commissioner shall coordinate activities of the WIA programs operated by the department with oversight from the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, the federally mandated workforce investment board authorized to set policy for the portion of the statewide workforce investment system within the local area.
(Added Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. VI, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-3-09, p. 63664, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-2-09, p. 78837, Art. 3, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-6-12, p. 28282, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38867, § 2)