Agency Hiring of Personnel Discussed by Cook County Board Committee

Cook County Board of Commissioners 
Health and Hospitals Committee Meeting
November 20, 2024


The Committee approved a nonbinding resolution that Cook County Health's (CCH) agency-hired personnel should not exceed 20% of the budgeted full time equivalents (FTE) personnel for each job classification approved in the annual budget.

• Prior to the start of its formal agenda the Committee heard 20 minutes  of testimony from 5 CCH union workers regarding support of Resolution 24-5841.  Impacts of having many agency employees working in the hospitals included reduced permanent staff morale and productivity.  Staffing shortages were attributed to lower pay and no sign-on bonuses for permanent hires compared to agency personnel.  Disrespectful behavior of agency personnel toward staff and patients were also noted as issues impacting patient returns for treatment. 
• There were comments against the Resolution. 
• Resolution 24-5841:  Chairman Lowry, Vice Chairwoman Anaya and several Commissioners spoke in favor of the Resolution and thanked Commissioner Degnen and her cosponsors for working with the local union representatives and hospital staff, drafting the Resolution, and then amending it to define specific goals and timeframe to meet them.  Resolution 24-5841 was approved 14-0 with 3 absentees.
• The amended Resolution 24-5841 Goal is to reduce the CCH System’s agency staff levels to not exceed 20% of the budgeted FTE in every department within 5 years.  Progress updates will be provided to the Board of Commissioners, Board of CCH, and the public via biannual reports and an annual hearing.  The Resolution will sunset in 2029 (or sooner if compliance is complete).

Mr. Craig Williams, CCH Chief Administrative Officer, presented the CCH Agency Reduction Plan’ (Oct 2024). 

• While the system-wide agency use is ~10%, several departments contract >20% of staff from agencies, including out of state companies
• FMLA backfilling is often addressed using agency staff
• Job classifications utilizing 20-50% agency staff include Hospital Security, Nurse, Respiratory Therapist, MRI Technician, Medical Technologist, Phlebotomist III, Building Service Worker, Clerk, Food Service Worker, and Transporter
• CCH will add budget for departments who have exceeded budgeted FTE to right-size them;  new agency FTE additions have been paused
• Permanent staff turnover is improving (7-8% vs. 20% US average) as is personnel engagement 

​Observer - Susan Gregory