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Cook County Department of Public Health Reports to Cook County Board

1/26/2025

Cook County Board Of Commissioners
Health & Hospitals Committee Meeting
January 14, 2025

Dr. Kirin Joshi, newly appointment Interim Chief Operating Officer for the CC Public Health Department, received a very warm welcome. He started with a presentation highlighting:

Covid activity low. Flu and RSV activity high. ICU admissions are highest for Flu. Covid 19 admissions continue, primarily in adults over 65.
Wastewater detections for RSV and Flu are increasing. Same for Covid-19 but less dramatically.
Fall 2024 study of patients at VA hospital examined almost 45,000 COVID -19 infections, and analyzed if the case received the fall 2024 vaccine. It found that the vaccine reduced hospitalizations by 65%, Emergency room and urgent care visits by 57%, and outpatient visits by 56%.
Cook County Health is rotating vaccination clinic hours at its 13 locations. Vaccinations are for Covid and Flu but not RSV. Locations and hours are promoted on its website.
M-Pox infections in Suburban Cook County. There have been no new infections for 3 months and residents continue to be vaccinated. As of January, there were 155 total cases, 17 hospitalizations, I death, and 3,889 residents vaccinated. In Chicago, 1,332 new cases, 83 hospitalizations, and 4 deaths.
H-5 Avian Influenza A (Bird Flu). First human death reported in January 25. The person had underlying medical conditions and contact with sick/dead wild birds. 67 cases confirmed in humans in the US since March 2024 with no human-to-human transmission. Risk continues to be low. Recommendation is to clean shoes, tools, equipment; a bird feeder is OK.
Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates. Cancer is not a communicable disease, but a primary cause of cervical cancer is the HPV virus via sexual contact. Vaccination against HPV is very effective.

Commissioner Questions:

Commissioner Quezada asked if Joshi had an update on the status of combining Covid 19 and the Flu vaccines. Answer: No Update. Also asked if an individual could tell the difference between Flu and the RSV virus symptoms. Answer: No.
Commissioner Stamps asked about new migrants getting screened and vaccination. Ans: Yes, at Belmont Cragin location on W. Fullerton.
Commissioner Anaya asked about the risk of consuming chicken with bird flu. Ans: If medically vulnerable, don’t consume meat or eggs.
Commissioner McCaskill wants to bring the clinics to the people [mobile clinics] and perhaps pair with the Park District. Ans: Good idea.
Chairperson Lowry announced that starting now, the County’s Birthday Health Screening for Breast and Prostate screening goes into effect. Call before your birthday month to schedule 312-864-4289. If no insurance, can still receive. Ages start at 40 for women for mammogram and 45 for men for prostate screening..

Observer: Diane Edmundson

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Cook County Board Committee Meetings

1/25/2025

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings
Jan. 15, 2025

Emergency Management and Regional Security Committee - 1pm

Executive Director Ted Berger of Dept of Emergency Management and Regional Security presented the report on 4th quarter expenditures for the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund (25-0467). The report was a financial overview.
Com. Aguilar thanked Berger for the efforts which resulted in $400M for Chicago, $200M for Cook County, and $96 M for Cicero. The work involved coordinating work with municipalities and with HUD and FEMA.
Comm. Daley asked if Berger felt confident we could coordinate with other municipalities if we were in a situation like the current emergency needs in Los Angeles County. Berger stated he did and had been in contact with LA Dept. of Emergency Management and, in fact, had developed a relationship with them when Chicago hosted the DNC over the summer.
He stated Cook County is involved in an AARPA funded program supporting updated emergency operations planning. Funds in use also support updating plans in municipalities for recovery, continuity of government, and emergency operations. He stated that long-term recovery and preparation includes development of volunteer community response teams.
Chair K. Morrison thanked the Director and his teams to help address needs this past year, particularly in the aftermath of tornados, noting this need will continue.
Com. Britton made the motion and Com Anaya seconded that the report be received and filed. Passed.

Committee on Human Relations - 1:15pm

4th quarter report of Complaints with Commission on Human Rights from the Dept of Human Rights and Ethics. Tamaya Wright, legal counsel for the Dept. presented the report (Item 25-0399).
There were 302 inquiries-from both employers and employees- which is a decrease from 3rd quarter. 112 cases are pending which is higher that last quarter. 80 new cases were filed 4th quarter, a significant increase. The majority of those filings were about paid leave. A new case management system was launched in Sept. which the department believes might have impacted the number of cases filed.
In response to a question from Com Anaya, Counsel Wright explained that further analysis would be needed to determine whether inquiries led to investigations or dismissals and that could be done soon. Exec. Director Lewis responded to Com Anaya that follow-up would also be needed to determine the number of cases from 4th quarter were rolled over to 1st quarter of 2025 and how many were dismissed. Anaya explained her concern was whether more resources were needed in their office. She was told the office currently has 4 investigators and 3 vacancies.
Com. Trevor noted that the majority of cases were inquiries were about paid leave, a new policy, and asked how large an increase there would be if that group was taken out; Dir. Lewis’ response was that the numbers would likely be about the same as 3rd quarter absent other changes. School districts and park districts have been impacted by the paid leave changes.
Com. Quezada made the motion and Com. Trevor seconded that the report be Received and Filed. Passed.

Committee on Technology and Innovation - 1:30pm

Technology Strategic Plan Report for 2025 was deferred to Feb meeting to accommodate scheduling concerns.
Motion to Approve Item 25-0263, Contract Amendment with Oracle Technology Service was made by Com. Quezada and seconded by Com. Trevor. Derrick Thomas, Chief Information Officer for the Bureau of Technology presented the 5yr amendment to the Oracle contract. He explained this is for maintenance of Oracle e-business suite for procurement, budget, and financials. Ceiling is $27.8M. No consulting services are planned. Expected services are annual software maintenance and tech support. Through Oracle Cloud Service, the County hosts Enterprise Service Bus, which is a data exchange service for Criminal Justice Dept. and Chicago police Dept and IL Dept of Corrections and other programs. This was approved by the Boards last year.
Mr Thomas reported that the County’s participation in Oracle Support Rewards has resulted in earned rewards of $223K for the county to date. It receives a 25-cent credit for every dollar it spends toward hosting their products. The savings goes toward reducing costs of maintenance. Motion approved.

Note
Reminder from Chair Morrison for commissioners get approval 24 hr. in advance for remote attendance.

Observer: Carolyn Cosentino

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Cook County Department of Public Health Reports to Cook County Board

Cook County Board Committee Meetings

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