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Cook County Board Gets Financial Update

3/22/2023

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Cook County Board of Commissioners - Committee and Board Meetings
March 15 and 16, 2023

Finance Committee March 15

The Comptroller gave a report. (#23-1270) The state of Illinois owes Cook County $318 million. Commissioner Sean Morrison noted that the State is slow to distribute sales tax revenue from the Local Government Distribution Fund. Commissioner Brittan recommended organizing a lobbying effort with the State to improve the distribution.
Dean Consentino of the Independent Revenue Forecasting Commission gave a long term forecast of Cook County revenue and expenses in the General Fund. It is projected that there will be sustained slow economic growth. The projected inflation could impact sales tax revenue. While the revenue will grow less over the next five years, the expenses will increase at a higher rate. In the Health Fund, the Medicaid re-determination will decrease the number of recipients, increasing the costs to the Health System. Their projections did not include continuing the current programs being funded by ARPA funds.
Cannabis tax revenue goes to the Equity Fund.

Contract Compliance Committee- March 15

Agenda Item 23-0936 - Nicole Mandeville, Director of Contract Compliance, presented the proposed changes to the Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) section of the Procurement Ordinance. They are to extend the ordinance until 3/31/28 and change how the net worth of a woman business owner’s wealth would be calculated. Some illiquid assets would no longer be counted. After initial certification, the business would have to confirm its financial condition and submit tax returns. They would not have to be certified every year. The changes came from a disparity study that is done every five years. Public speaker Mary Kay Moynihan, Women’s Owned Construction Group, expressed concern the ordinance might be challenged once some current cases at the Supreme Court are settled. Ms. Mandeville and the Contract Compliance lawyer, Laura Lechowitz stated that the goals in the ordinance are legally defensible. MWBE goals are set for each individual contract.
The Committee recommended approval. The Board of Commissioners approved.

Technology & Innovation Committee March 15

Agenda Item 23-1334 The Chief Information Officer’s annual report was recommended to be received and filed. There was no discussion, but committee members had met individually with the CIO.
The Board of Commissioners voted to receive and file.

Legislation and InterGovernmental Relations Committee March 15

The Committee met with Sukemeke Watkins and Lizbeth Leanos of the lobbying team from the Office of the President. They reviewed various bills that the County is supporting at the State and Federal levels and discussed arrangements for the County lobbying day in Springfield.

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 16 10:30 AM to 1:10 PM

The Board of Commissioners approved previous Committee recommendations with little discussion. Several public speakers complained about the steep increases in property taxes in the Pilsen area. Commissioner Anaya has organized programs on how to appeal the taxes and request exemptions.

The Board honored Secretary of State Jessie White on his retirement. Most of the Commissioners spoke to his service to the County and State and his Jessie White Tumblers Program which has served 18,000 kids over 65 years.

Board Action:

Agenda Item 23-1606 The Board approved ARPA funds to subsidize installation of solar technology for residents.
Agenda Item 23-1609 The Board approved ARPA funds for the Housing Authority of Cook County and the Justice Advisory Council to aid people getting out of prison in obtaining housing.
Agenda Item 23-1647 The Board referred the Report on Major Technology Projects to the Technology Committee.

Observer: Kathi Graffam

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Cook County Board Committee Meetings

3/22/2023

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings
March 14, 2023

Pension Committee - Chair, Bridget Gainer
Agenda Item #23-1178. Was the only item of significance and covered proposed CC Pension Legislation changes currently in the IL General Assembly. This resolution called for a hearing of the CC Pension Committee to discuss the financial implications of this pending legislation. The statute change if passed will do the following:

Codifies the current practice of allocating extra funding via an intergovernmental agreement to ensure the Fund is fully funded by 1047.
Provides flexibility by lifting source restrictions - thereby allowing the County to use any funds available that could be used to make additional contributions to the Pension Fund.
Health Care Annuitants already covered out of CC pension assets would obviously benefit by a fully funded pension fund.
Adjusts employee Salary Cap on retirement contributions to be in line with Social Security compensation cap.
Expands eligibility to receive up to 2 years of credit for military service.
Enhances Pension Board Membership - Currently the President appoints the Treasurer and the Controller of the Pension Board. The other members (currently 5) are elected from the workforce. Two additional members would be appointed with actuarial and/or accounting experience and perhaps two more elected. Commissioner Gainer wanted to have even more management appointments to have an even split between workforce and management. That does not appear to have the support.

It was noted that the Board does not have the authority to approve or reject the legislation. The Bill putting forth the tenants of the proposed legislation is on its 2 reading in both the house and senate committee process.
After discussion, Commissioner Gainer said that this resolution calling for this hearing would be deferredpending information on the fiscal impact of the expanding the military service eligibility provision.

Health And Hospital System Committee - Chair Dennis Deer

Agenda Item #23-0469. Dr. Hasbrouck, Chief Operating Officer of CC Public Health, gave a brief slide presentation covering the monthly COVID 19 update. He noted that the both the County and City's transmission rates are categorized as LOW - although less than 20% of the CC residents are not fully vaccinated.
The Public Health Department's Public Relations contractor has refreshed its ad campaign slogan to: Don't wait, Vaccinate.
The COO also covered the 20 grants for a total of just under $16 million dollars that were recently announced for three behavioral health initiatives covering mental health, positive youth development, and opioid addiction. The grants cover a four-year period. Commissioner Miller asked for Metrics and geographic location of services. Dr. Hasbrouck said location information is available now but said that reliable metrics would not be available for 6-8 months as the grantees need time to ramp up and have not yet received the first-year funding.
Commissioner Daley asked for an update on AIDS metrics in suburban Cook County, specifically the south suburbs.
Agenda Item # 23-0311. Deferred at the Request of Commissioner Anaya without comment. Covers a proposed CCH Severance policy to come into compliance with state law and also updates the positions eligible to match the current titles.

Observer - Diane Edmundson

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Cook County Board Gets Financial Update

Cook County Board Committee Meetings

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