The City of Chicago is moving forward with launching the Chicago Taskforce on Innovation and Technology (CTIT), which will focus on creating new solutions and safety for government and connected infrastructure.
The new initiative – launched on Oct. 26 – will bring together a private and public coalition to meet the needs of the city by using emerging technologies.
“Innovation and technology are central to our vision for a better, stronger, safer Chicago that results in a smarter and more connected Chicago,” stated Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We are committed to improving our city and serving as a partner for collaboration with other municipalities that share our goals and ideals around advancement in this sector.”
CTIT will harness this transformation by focusing on five key areas, which include:
- Enhancing resident safety;
- Fostering community trust;
- Advancing critical infrastructure;
- Optimizing efficiency cost modeling; and
- Streamlining city operations.
“Together with our partners in government and the private sector, we will use innovation to better support every Chicago resident,” said Alderman Gilbert Villegas, chairman of the Committee of Economic, Capital, and Technology Development. “Our goal is to replicate success across city departments and communities.”
The initiative is inviting subject matter experts to help and join the City of Chicago in shaping the next course of actions the city is taking to advance its technological capabilities and services.
“I am excited to work alongside the Taskforce in rethinking what’s possible for our city. The establishment of a new department, the Department of Technology and Innovation, is a critical first step towards that goal,” said John Robertson, chief information officer for the City of Chicago.
“We have a responsibility to residents to focus on optimization and efficiency, with technology serving as a powerful tool,” Robertson added.
