The city of Chicago, IL is launching the Chicago Taskforce on Innovation and Technology (CTIT) – an initiative with the primary objective of improving smart city technology. The CTIT will bring together a coalition of public and private sector organizations to resolve Chicago’s most critical issues, including public safety and infrastructure.
“Innovation and technology are central to our vision for a better, stronger, safer Chicago that results in a smarter and more connected Chicago,” said 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.”
The CTIT will focus on five areas for transformation: enhancing resident safety; fostering community trust; advancing critical infrastructure; optimizing efficiency cost modeling; and streamlining city operations.
To accelerate the development of ideas, the CTIT plans to collaborate with other cities, identify new revenue streams for long-term growth, and determine scalability of solutions to meet the unique needs of Chicago’s diverse communities. It also invites external subject matter experts from both the public and private sectors to join in the project.
“As chief operating officer for the City of Chicago, I am excited to work alongside the Taskforce in rethinking what’s possible for our city,” said John Roberson, Chief Operating Officer for the City of Chicago. “The establishment of a new department, the Department of Technology and Innovation, is a critical first step towards that goal. We have a responsibility to residents to focus on optimisation and efficiency, with technology serving as a powerful tool.”