Allocations & Initiatives of The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Monies for 2022 Presented to Cook County Board

Cook County Board Of Commissioners Meeting
February 10, 2022-10:00 a.m.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
In a presentation by the Chief Financial Officer, Ammar Rizki, and President Preckwinkle’s Chief of Staff, Lantana Hayes-Turner, the board heard how the County plans to allocate the $420 million dollars in ARPA funding received from the Federal Treasury.

• $100 million will be held in reserve, and the remaining $320,000 will be spent on the following County programs:        $100,000 million     Vital Communities             $60 million     Safe & Thriving Communities             $ 45,000 million       Sustainable Communities             $55 million       Smart Communities*                           *It is estimated that 25% of suburban communities, particularly south suburban communities do not have access to reliable internet.
• The County stated that it will provide technical assistance to local communities.  CFO Rizki made a special point of stating that Cook County is required to account for all ARPA dollars spent which means that along with dollars allocated there will be detailed reporting requirements.
• The Board unanimously voted to send this resolution [#22-1626] to the Finance Committee.  Commissioner Sims cautioned that the County’s ARPA Plan is new and extensive, and it will take time and patience to both implement and see results.

Other Business

• All Commissioners requested that the CC Public Health Department’s analysis of health outcome disparities in Cook County and recommended solutions be sent to the CC Health and Hospitals Committee.  Commissioner Johnson asked if Air Quality is included, and Commissioner Daley again noted that private hospitals in the County need to step up and provide for more Charity Care (22-1703).
• A Report from the Office of the Chief Judge following a January 19, 2022 joint meeting of the Health and Hospitals and Criminal Justice Committees concerning county-wide strategies and progress combating violet crimes was referred to the CC Health and Hospital Committee (22-1561).
• The Transportation Superintendent, Jennifer Killen, reported on the bridge replacement contracts that are being let using Federal Infrastructure Funds allocated to Cook County.
• The Board honored Dr. Manila who is retiring after 32 years serving the inmates of the Cermak Jail’s mental and behavioral health needs.  
• Public speakers addressed the following issues: 1) Requested the use of COVID monies pay an additional 80 hours of sick pay to employees absent due to COVID issues for both themselves and their families.    2) Thanked the board for designating April as Sikh Awareness month.  3)  The new Executive Director of the Land Bank spoke to its 2022 goals and noted that its website contains its 2022 work plan and locations.  4)  Local 399 has approved an operating engineer’s training agreement for young people.

The Board approved the following key items recommended by Committees:
Legislative and Intergovernment Affairs Committee:

• Appointing Lynne Turner as Secretary to the Board. (Item 22-1238)
• Amending the ordinance pertaining to the selection of a new Independent Inspector General.  The current IIG, Patrick Blanchard, has announced his retirement as of Oct. 2022.  The amendment slightly streamlines the selection process.  Comm. Suffredin stressed that all those involved with the selection are subject to the County’s Ethics Code, which responded to a concern that the League had raised.  (Item 22-1224)

 
Finance Committee:   All items passed unanimously including Item 22-0841 calling for No Change in the tax levy for fiscal year 2022. 

Cook County Health and Hospitals Committee Meeting of Feb. 9, 2022 Report

• Cook County Health reported that they are closing their temporary vaccine sites but will continue to give vaccines across their 13 hospitals and community health centers. To increase incentives they are giving out $100 visa gift cards with any vaccine dose, until they run out of gift cards. They are also giving out free KN95 masks to anyone, no vaccine necessary. (21-0541)
• Commissioner Degnen gave a presentation about a mobile health initiative that she is coordinating as a pilot program. This would be an alternative health team task force, to be used for mental health crises in lieu of sheriff’s services, where appropriate. Funding for this mobile task force will come from ARPA, with the goal of creating a budget and propose an ordinance after the pilot program. (22-0737) 
• The quarterly mental health reports were presented by representatives from CCH, the Public Health Department, Cermak Health (which runs mental health services in Cook County Jail), Sherriff’s office, State’s Attorney, Chief Judge, and the Public Defender’s office. Some things that came up in discussion are the need for more services for pediatrics, and the need to fill vacancies with qualified people, particularly in juvenile justice. (22-1212, 22-1206,  22-1217, 22-1222, 22-0714, 22-1288, 22-0548, 22-1171)

Observers:  Diane Edmundson, Amber Elmer, Pris Mims