Budget & Structure

Budget and Structure Interest Group

Topics of Focus

Organization of County government and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
Transparency of board operations
Observation and reporting of the budget process
Follow-up on past studies including Performance Management and Special Purpose Funds

Activities

Meetings are held as needed for the Interest Group to discuss and plan.

Communication with elected officials is through emails, letters and meetings as needed.

Publications & Additional Resources

Study for the November 8, 2016 Referendum to Abolish the Elected Office of the Recorder of Deeds and to Transfer the Duties of that Office to the Cook County Clerk - The full LWVCC Study in support of a YES vote on the November Referendum Question

Cook County Matters - The Facts - A slide (PDF) presentation developed by the LWVCC that provides an overview of the structure and budget of Cook County government.

STAR Study - The Report of the LWVCC Study Group on Cook County Government's STAR Performance Management System - Issued on March 10, 2015

5 Fast Facts Voters Should Know about Cook County's Budget & Structure

Cook County has 5.2 million people, and the Cook County budget is $4.8 billion for fiscal year 2017 - about $923/resident. There are $4.4 billion for the operating budget and $400 million for capital projects.
There are 28 elected officials. As a result of a referendum passed in November 2016, effective in 2020, the Recorder of Deeds office will be merged into the office of the Cook County Clerk and there will then be 27 elected officials.
Cook County has about 23,200 employees.
Fees for services make up the largest share (about 40%) of how the operating budget is funded. Property taxes cover about 17% of the costs and other taxes cover about 35%, with the remaining 8% coming from other sources such as grants.
More than one third of the budget goes to provide healthcare services; almost one third covers public safety.

Learn More

For more information contact Pris Mims

County Board 101

Want more information about the Cook County Board and how it operates

Check out this video
An instructional session provided by Cook County Board Secretary Matthew DeLeon

County Board 101