(A) In the event of a natural, technological, or human-caused event that warrants a coordinated city response to protect lives, property, public health and safety, the Mayor shall have the power to declare an emergency as provided herein. A state of emergency or crisis exists when one or more of the following conditions are present or imminent:
(1) The Governor of the State of Illinois, or the President of the United States, has declared that a state of emergency, and the conditions giving rise to that declared state of emergency directly affect the territory, populace or property of the city;
(2) A natural disaster, act of war, act of rebellion or terrorism, or cyber-attack has overwhelmed, or imminently threatens to overwhelm, the ability of emergency responders or public health officials to safely, adequately of efficiently responds to the needs of the city or protect the safety of its residents;
(3) A pandemic, or health emergency, or natural disaster, makes its unsafe or imprudent for non-essential city personnel to report to work, or for a quorum of the City Council to meet; or
(4) Other unforeseen circumstances, of like kind or severity, arise and affect the safety or welfare of the residents, employees or officers of the city.
(B) (1) The Mayor shall make a declaration of emergency by signing, under oath, a statement consisting of the following:
(a) A finding that the standards for declaring an emergency or crisis have been met;
(b) Setting forth those facts supporting this finding of an emergency or crisis event;
(c) Describing the nature of the emergency or crisis event; and
(d) Declaring that a state of emergency exists.
(2) Such statement shall be filed with the City Clerk as soon as practicable.
(C) (1) Upon making the declaration of emergency, the mayor shall have and may exercise the following emergency powers in relation to the emergency or crisis situation and in relation to continuing city operations during the emergency or crisis situation for a period of time not to exceed the earlier of:
(a) Such date as a quorum of the City Council is convened to conduct public business, provided the emergency period may be extended thereafter by action of the Council; or
(b) Adjournment of the first regular City Council meeting following the declaration of emergency (the “emergency period”); provided, however, that the lapse of the emergency powers shall not, as regards to any act or acts occurring or taken within the emergency period or any extension thereof, deprive any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or body politic of any right or rights to compensation or reimbursement which they may have under the provisions of this section.
(2) To enter into contracts, incur of obligations, employ temporary workers, rent equipment, purchase supplies and materials, and appropriate expenditures and dispose of public funds and property as necessary.
(3) To suspend the provisions of any regulatory ordinance prescribing procedures for conduct of city business, or the orders and rules of any city agency, if strict compliance with the provision would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action, including emergency purchases.
(4) To utilize all available resources of the city government as reasonably necessary.
(5) To transfer the direction, personnel, or functions of city departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating response and recovery programs.
(6) To recommend the evacuation of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened area within the city if he deems this action necessary.
(7) To prescribe routes, modes of transportation, and destinations in connection with evacuation.
(8) To control ingress and egress to and from a disaster area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein.
(9) To suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives, and combustibles.
(10) To make provision for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing.
(D) Upon the Mayor issuing the declaration of emergency herein authorized, the Chief of Police or his designee shall notify the news media serving the city and shall cause three copies of the declaration of emergency to be posted at the following places within the city: city hall, the police station, and the post office.
(Ord. O-2020-06, passed 3-23-20)