Appointment of Sharonne Mitchell, Jr. as Public Defender Approved by Cook County Board

Cook County Board and Committee Meetings
March 17 and 18, 2021

The Board approved:

• The appointment of Sharonne Mitchell, Jr. to a 6-year term (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2027) as the Cook County Public Defender.  At the Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting on March 17, there were several public comments in support, including one from the president of the union representing the assistant public defenders, saying that the union believes Mr. Mitchell appreciates the role of collective bargaining and the key issues of the union, including having a workplace free of harassment, management support, workload issues (can’t take on other functions), fairness in promotion, and the morale of the office.  The Commissioners thanked outgoing Public Defender Amy Campanelli for her hard work and passion in representing her clients.  Agenda Item 21-2052
• An extension of the proclamation of disaster in Cook County through April 30, 2021.  This continues providing the President with additional authority to take action without prior Board approval.  Commissioners Bridget Degnen and Sean Morrison voted “no.”  Commissioner Degnen explained that she believes that the Board should have more say in directing the funds, though agrees with Commissioner John Daley’s statement that the Bureau of Finance has done an excellent job of keeping the Commissioners informed and answering questions. Agenda Item 21-2068.
• A resolution authorizing the publication of the plain language summary of the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance that had been recommended by the Zoning & Building Committee. Agenda  Item 21-1848.

The Board referred to the Redistricting Committee:

• Contract with Peter A. Creticos, LTD for remapping and redistricting services (Agenda Item 21-1963) and contract with Election Data Services for redistricting software and support services (Agenda Item 21-1967).  Commissioner Deborah Sims, the chair of the Committee, said that now the Committee members (all Commissioners) can begin the conversation on redistricting.

Other:

• People wishing to make public comments now have the option to present verbally at the meeting, in addition to providing comments in writing, which the Secretary of the Board has been summarizing, and which are posted on the “meeting details” page for the meeting entry on the Legistar system.
• A number of Commissioners joined the meeting of the Business & Economic Development Committee to hear the presentation from the Bureau of Economic Development for its “Cook County COVID Community Recovery Initiative Impact Report” from March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.  Bureau Chief Xochitl Flores described the use of the $77M CARES Act fund to aide critical social services, small businesses, workforce development, and mortgage & rental assistance.  (Agenda Item 21-1367).  The County partnered with a number of agencies, private foundations, and associations to provide services, loans, and grants.  Commissioner Ana Anaya commented that the Bureau has created a new infrastructure for long-term change.  
• The Comptroller reported to the Finance Committee that for the first 2 months of the new fiscal year, the General Fund has a positive balance of $89M (with revenues above and expenses below budget) and the Health Fund has a negative balance of $127M (with revenues down, but which have since been collected, and expenses above budget). (Agenda Item 21-1991)

Priscilla Mims - Observer