Chicago: Mayor Lightfoot Announces Proposal to Merge Departments of Innovation and Technology And Fleet and Facility Management in 2020
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CHICAGO—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced the planned merger of the Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) and Fleet and Facility Management (2FM). This measure will guide the City in reimagining its technology and innovation operations by better integrating the City's technology infrastructure into its overall asset management model, led by 2FM.

The departmental merger, still subject to City Council approval, will take effect in 2020, and all occupied positions will be retained or transitioned in the new structure. The estimated savings are approximately $1M, and the City expects additional efficiencies and savings over time.

"With significant financial challenges in 2020 and beyond, we remain committed to ensuring that the City operates in the most efficient manner possible, and that the maximum amount of resources are allocated equitably to serve all communities," said Mayor Lightfoot. "With these reforms, we will ensure a more efficient, 21st century data and technology model to put Chicago at the forefront for driving excellence and innovation across all operations, and for the residents we serve."

The City's technology personnel will preserve all critical data science, information systems and data security functions currently offered by DoIT, including the Open Data portal, 311 and other tools and services designed to provide transparency and access for all residents and businesses.

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"The City of Chicago is committed to ensuring that our technology systems preserve all critical data functions to support greater efficiency by departments and better service for residents and businesses who rely upon city information and applications," said Alderman Gilbert Villegas, Chairman of the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development. "By working together with the Mayor's Office, these reforms will retain superior technology talent and personnel so that we can continue to work toward our shared mission of efficiently and equitably serving all of Chicago's communities."

In an additional effort to enhance the City's use of data and analytics citywide, two chief technology positions will be relocated to the Mayor's Office. The Chief Data Officer and Chief Information Officer will develop a vision for the use of information technology in City services and infrastructure, and they will also ensure data-driven decision-making is a central component of the work being done to ensure efficient operations and equity-centric policymaking to better serve Chicago's communities. Centralizing these dedicated positions at the Mayor's Office will allow the administration to build new data initiatives that support more efficient operations, including spearheading a renewed open data strategy and harnessing large data sources to drive transformation throughout programs and operations.

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"The Department of Fleet and Facility Management is committed to implementing a highly efficient shared service model that will allow all City departments to perform neighborhood services promptly and equitably," said 2FM Commissioner, David Reynolds. "In merging with the talented staff of Department of Innovation and Technology, I am confident we will have the capacity and the data expertise to continue providing top notch service for all Chicagoans."

Relocating the critical data, web and cybersecurity services currently being provided by DoIT staff aligns with 2FM's existing citywide service model and supports the administration's goals of ensuring transparency and efficiency throughout city government.

"Ensuring that the City is able to function as efficiently as possible is a top priority both in the coming year's budget, and in our long-term mission to build a city government that operates at the highest levels of effectiveness and transparency," said Alderman Pat Dowell. "This exciting merger will not only create new efficiencies within our city government but will also retain our existing talent and enhance our data safety and integrity for years to come."

The efficiencies generated from this merger will help as the City works to maximize savings by looking internally for efficiencies and reforms and build on 2FM's successful track record of identifying savings through effective asset management. Earlier this year, the administration announced more than $5.9 million in savings derived from energy and operational savings at 2FM; the termination of short-term borrowing, which is expected to save $22 million in FY 2020; and sweeping reforms to the workers' compensation program, which are expected to drive down claim costs and generate significant annual savings in the years ahead. The City's 2020 Budget will be presented by Mayor Lightfoot during the annual budget address, scheduled on October 23.

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