Chicago announces emerging tech task force for public safety, infrastructure challenges

Chicago officials on Thursday announced a new task force to evaluate emerging technologies that can assist in transforming how the city delivers services to residents.

The Chicago Taskforce on Innovation and Technology is intended to find solutions to challenges with public safety, smart government and connected infrastructure, a news release said. The task force was assigned to focus on five crucial areas for transformation: enhancing resident safety, fostering community trust, advancing critical infrastructure, optimizing efficiency cost modeling and streamlining city operations.

The group will invite representatives and subject matter experts from public and private sector organizations to contribute to the group’s efforts in resolving Chicago’s most critical issues, the release said.

Along with the task force, John Roberson, chief operating officer of Chicago, said the city also created the new Department of Technology and Innovation. He said the new department is a “critical first step” to the rethinking how to use technology in the city.

The new task force was created by an initiative led by Roberson, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Alderman Gilbert Villegas, who also serves as chairman of the city’s Committee of Economic, Capital, and Technology Development. George Burciaga of the pro-bono advisory firm Elevate Cities will oversee the task force.

“Innovation and technology are central to our vision for a better, stronger, safer Chicago that results in a smarter and more connected Chicago,” Johnson said in the news release. “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.”