League of Women Voters of Cook County

Happy New Year!

The Cook County League in Action 2022

We had our wins this past year, where our actions did affect and improve Cook County Government.   On several issues, the Commissioners took our comments into account in their actions.   We also had our losses.   Here are some of the highlights.

Cook County League members helped to pass the Forest Preserve tax increase referendum in the Nov 8th election   A group of interested members formed a special Forest Preserve interest group to promote the needed tax increase for our Forest Preserves.   They held guided walks in the Forest Preserves throughout Cook County and provided speakers and information to all the local leagues.    The increase will go to protecting wildlife habitat and native flora and fauna, as well as minimizing flooding.

We encouraged the Commissioners to include measurable objectives in the programs created from the one billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Act Funds the County received. The funds will be spent over 3 years. The League sent letters in January and June urging that the County define what it expects to achieve through each of the programs awarded funding and how it plans to measure the effectiveness. The County has included outcome measure requirements for all programs

The Government Accountability Interest Group recommended to the Commissioners that the process of filling vacancies for Commissioners be changed to provide an election if the remaining term of the office was more than 28 months, rather than an appointment for the whole term. The Commissioners enacted the legislation in September.

The League filed comments in support of the Cook County Clerk's proposal to merge precincts in the same polling place for the June and November 2022 election. The League cited reduction in confusion for voters, increased likelihood of having full complements of judges for precincts leading to a more efficient voting experience, and the Clerk's estimated reduction in expenses.

The Government Accountability Interest Group led the effort to protest the proposal to institute automatic yearly increases to Commissioners' and other elected officials’ salaries.    While the League supported the initial increase in pay which had not changed for 20 years, we felt any annual increase should require review and a vote.    The Group wrote letters to the Commissioners, provided testimony, and issued an action alert to all members on the issue.   Still, the Commissioners implemented the ongoing increases

In March, the League sent a letter to Cook County President Preckwinkle and the Board urging that the Board take appropriate steps to see that departments respond promptly to recommendations made by the Independent Inspector General following an investigation. The League provided examples contained in the 4th Quarter Report where departments had failed to respond timely as required by County ordinance. The League noted that the Inspector General's investigation of the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District and the findings of conflict of interest, waste, and institutional mismanagement demonstrates the importance of the office of the Inspector General.

Cook County League Newsletter

January 2023 Edition

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Eyewitness

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