Cook County Board Of Commissioners
Committee Meetings
June 11, 2025

Technology and Innovation CommitteeChair Kevin Morrisson asked Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer for Bureau of Technology, to provide updates on the status of the Integrated Property Tax System Project that is being done by Tyler Technologies and for which there have been numerous delays and significant cost increases over the years. The 2nd installment property tax bills have not been mailed as a result of the latest delays.  CIO Lynch stated that the project continues to struggle. Mr. Lynch commissioned a report from Guidehouse Management Consulting, that was previously hired to oversee the project, for a neutral assessment.  Their recommendations include

1. Priorities need to be set by joint consensus from the property offices and offices under the President to get the work to a manageable level. The list from the individual property offices has grown as to what needs to be fixed before the system can go “live.” While all items are important and Tyler is expected to address all, not all can be or need to be addressed to reach Go Live status. 
2. Tyler must fix coding issues. Data issues can only be addressed by the county offices; Tyler can’t change the data from offices.
3. The President’s office expects Tyler to provide more resources to items of concern by offices and to improve the quality of its work. Testing revealed that problems either aren’t fixed or there are new problems from the fixe and overall, the work has been taking too long. More reliability is needed from Tyler.
4. With each defect identified and prioritized, agreement will be needed from the start on what is needed to fix it successfully; this will also be identified by consensus in the plan.  

• These steps should help achieve resolution to issues with less “churn” (Lynch). The Committee will receive a report by the end of next week on the progress of consensus discussions with each property tax office on these recommendations, specific elements of the plan-what the process is, who is involved, and the timeline. A meeting with the Treasurer’s Office has taken place earlier today. By tomorrow, a meeting with the Clerk’s Office will have taken place. Assessor’s Office and President’s office agree with the process.  
• CIO Lynch said the plan for the processes will allow the property offices and those under the president to work through the project successfully. It is up to them to agree on dates for timeline; this plan will better position them to provide dates needed. He has committed to keeping the Committee informed of the work. 
• Com. Sean Morrisson expressed the need of local taxing bodies to know when it is likely that they might receive the monies from the 2nd installment property tax bills.  They may need to alter their spending plans or take out loans. Scott Smith, Chief of Staff, Assessor’s Office and David Byrnes, Chief of Staff, Treasurer’s Office, agreed that Sept. 2 would be the earliest date that the tax bills could go out; no latest date/deadline can be given.  Byrnes again emphasized the necessity that data be 100% accurate for billing process. 

In other matters:

• Chair Morrison said that there is an errata on the Board Agenda for the proposed contract with DeLoitte & Touche to extend the contract to provide managed security services for all critical information technology at the County.  This errata modifies the extension from two 2-year extensions to a single extension to 2027.  Comm.Trevor explained this had been done as a result of her concerns that Cook County Board maintain leverage to ensure it gets the best deal possible in 2 years.  (Item 25-2140)
• Comm. Sean Morrison expressed a similar concern that the Bureau of Technology look to do more new RFPs rather than contract extensions.  

Observer:  Carolyn Cosentino

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations
Candidates for the following positions made statements to the committee which then voted to recommend them for approval at the next Cook County Board Meeting.

• Heather Steans to the Cook County Health Board.  She is a former State Senator and has worked for health equity throughout her career and brings that focus to the board.
• Gina Massuda Barnett to the Cook County Health Board.  She previously worked for Cook County Public Health and is now with the Micheal Reese Trust.
• Kevin Sisk, Crestwood Police Chief and Tim Doherty, Des Plaines Police Services Manager, to the Cook County Emergency Telephone System Board (Cook County 911)
• Shonda DeVasher-Williams to the South Cook Mosquito Abatement District Board.  Another appointment to this board was deferred. 

A Resolution “Declaring Cook County’s Emphatic Defense and Recognition of all Residents’ Right to Due Process” was recommended to go to the Board for approval. (Agenda Item 25-2881) 

• Several commissioners spoke to the fact that all public officials take an oath to uphold the Constitution and they wanted to make it clear that the Cook County Board supports and protects the rights of due process for all residents of Cook County.

A proposed ordinance amendment concerning gender inclusive documents and forms was once again postponed with no explanation. (Agenda Item 25-1822)

Observer:  Cynthia Schilsky

Finance Subcommittee on Litigation
Independent Inspector General Tirrell J. Paxton (IIG) provided a summary of the IIG’s 2025 1st Quarter Report to the Committee (Item 2025-2483), following the executive session dealing with the other matters on the agenda:

• There are 2 completed investigations where departments have not timely provided a response as required under the IIG ordinance:  (1) the Board of Review (IIG24-0144), that was due last September, and (2) the South Cook Mosquito Abatement District (IIG23—0375) that was due May 15.  The IIG said both of these had been reported to the President and Chair of the Litigation Subcommittee, in accordance with the IIG ordinance.  Laura Lechowicz Felicione, Special Counsel in the Office of the President, said that a letter under both their names had been sent to the Mosquito Abatement District advising it that a response should be submitted.  Upon request of the Committee, Ms. Felicione said that a similar letter would be sent to the Board of Review.  
• The IIG also said that the office had completed 10 investigations that are summarized in the Report, 3 of which involved County employees whom the IIG determined had breached County rules by providing false and misleading statements in order to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans from the Federal government during the Covid pandemic.  
• The IIG has investigated over 200 PPP Loan issues involving County employees so far.  Commissioners Degnen and Stamps wondered whether those cases might be coming to an end since it has been several years now since the PPP ended.  The IIG said he could not say.

Observers:  Hollis Burgess and Priscilla Mims

Asset Management Committee
Elizabeth Granato, Chief of the Bureau of Asset Management reviewed two proposals that are part of the goal of getting all Cook County Employees in Cook County owned buildings and all floors with updated ADA access and technology readiness.

• The two items are for the 7th and 8th floors and the 10th and 11th floors of County Building.
• The Bureau is seeking approval to use a Construction Manager at Risk (CmaR) to manage the projects.  Walsh and Riteway -Huggins were selected via an RFQ process.    Ms. Granato  reviewed the reasons the Bureau wants to use a CMaR as she did at the April  Committee meeting.   There are advantages in collaboration on design and identification of cost savings. The Bureau is an active co-manager in the use of minority owned subcontractors.
• Commissioner Degnen stated that the internal Cook County workforce should be used more in such projects.  There is a policy now that they are used for projects under $1 million.
• The two contracts were approved.   Commissioners Degnen, Anaya, and Scott Morrison voted present. Items 25-2757 and 25-2758

Observer:  Kathi Graffaim

Finance Committee

• The Comptroller reported that the General Fund up through April has a positive balance of $88.5 M.  (Item 25-3004)  The Health Enterprise Fund has a positive balance on an accrual basis of $54 M.  (Item 25-1170)
• The Committee approved a proposal to continue to fund a Market Rate Down Payment Assistance Program by using $8.58 M from the Corporate Fund.  In 2024, ARPA funds were used.
• Following a short presentation by Carrianne Carallis, the Director of Research, Operations, and Innovation, the Committee received and filed the 2024 Annual Performance Management Report which covers all the departments within the County.  Ms. Carallis explained that the Department is in the midst of a revamp of performance management, starting with working with the departments under the President to review the mission, goals and objectives.  Comm. Degnen said she is glad to see there are starting to be more useful measures.  Comm. Gainer asked and was told that the Commissioners could discuss the report further as part of the Preliminary Budget meetings coming up in July.  (Item 25-1640)
• A contract between the Office of the Chief Judge and Heartland Human Care Services for a center of care for court-involved female youth was deferred.  (Item 25-0253)

​Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board Of Commissioners
Committee Meetings 
​June 10, 2025

Health and Hospital Committee
The Committee passed the resolution declaring maternal morbidity and mortality as a public health crisis.  IL Senator Leticia Collins and Representative Camille Lilly gave supportive public testimony. (Item 25-2301)

For the quarterly report for the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) (Item 25-2513):

• Denise Gilbert, Director of Nursing at CCDPH, reviewed public health nursing initiatives within the Department. Hearing and Vision screening had been on hiatus, but has been reactivated and provides screening and assistance in referral for follow up care. Data informs their work, and it is also available to the community.  
• CCDPH website contains the Community Health Atlas which provides comprehensive population, health behavior, disease, maternal child health, and injury data for residents of suburban Cook County, and CCDPH’s jurisdiction. 
• CCDPH nurses developed EveryMotherEveryChild.org website for every stage of pregnancy, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation with fact sheets. 

For the CCDPH’s semi-annual Disparities Report (Item 25-2612):

• There is a long, slow decline in vaccination coverage in suburban Cook County. Schools with vaccination rates that are lower than 91% are scattered throughout the County. 
• Action by CCDPH includes a focus where there is greatest need:  schools with vaccination rates between 82-88% (lowest protection) AND high a high ranking on the Social Vulnerability Index.  That Index quantifies the potential for a community to experience greater negative effects for external stresses on human health, such as disasters or outbreaks.
• CCDPH is establishing vaccine clinics, patient education and targeted communication via media and community partnership.

League Observer: Susan Avila 

Audit Committee
The Committee reviewed the Audit Report on the Housing and Resources for Justice Involved Individuals, which is an ARPA-funded pilot project. (Item 25-2747)

• The Justice Advisory Council (JAC) is managing the program that helps recently released people find housing and pay the first three months’ rent.   The program will also provide prorated support depending on the person’s income and effort for the rest of a one-year lease.  
• The original plan was to house 300 people but only 26 had been successfully served at the time of the audit. During the audit process it was noted that subrecipient agencies were not timely reporting metrics and payroll costs were not reported correctly.  Both had been corrected by the time the audit was completed. 
• The JAC determined that it needed to revise the program and provide more assistance in obtaining the housing. The JAC has added relocation coordinators that walk the participants through the search and paperwork. The JAC also found other agencies that could refer people.   Since last November, 56 people have been housed and the JAC is working with about 13 people a month.
• Since the program has less participants than planned, its budget has been amended and some of the funds have been diverted to other ARPA programs.  The JAC is investigating private grants to keep the program going beyond 2026.
• Commissioner Gainer suggested they also work with the Land Bank that has connections with contractors that build rental property.  

League Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Finance Committee

• There was just one item on the agenda:  Commissioner Sean Morrison’s proposed ordinance amendment proposing to add language to the Class 2-12 real estate classification, Item 25-2835.  Commissioner Morrison explained that there would be no vote on the item, but that this meeting was an opportunity to discuss the proposal.  After obtaining more information and further discussion, the Board could then decide whether to make any changes to the requirements for the Classification or leave it as is.  Accordingly, the item was deferred after discussion.
• Comm. Morrison said that he understood the intent of the 2-12 classification was to give small business owners who live above their business a tax break by taxing the entire property at the residential rate of 10 percent of the assessed value.  However, the current language of the ordinance for 2-12 classification does not require the owner to live at the property. In contrast, other properties under a different classification are split, with the portion that is commercial being taxed at 25% of the assessed value and the residential portion taxed at 10% of the assessed value.  
• Comm. Morrison’s proposal would add the requirement that the owner use the property as the principal place of residence, receive a homeowner’s exemption, and file a yearly declaration of eligibility for the 2-12 classification with the Assessor each year.
• Comm. Morrison said that his staff found there were almost 14,000 properties classified as 2-12 currently and that the staff looked at about 6900 and found that about 50% had tax bills going to entities other than the owners of the property.  He has estimated that an additional $171 M would be collected if the property was split between commercial and residential.
• The Assessor’s Office was represented by the Chief of Staff, Scott Smith, and the Chief Legal Advisor. Mr. Smith said that about 1/5 of the current 2-12 properties do have homeowners’ exemptions.  He said that typically these properties are assessed at $100,000 or less. There was concern about what additional workload the office might be expected to do if the 2-12 classification was changed.  The office will provide more information in response to Comm. Morrison’s questions.  
• Comm. Trevor expressed concern that other renters in the building might not be able to continue to afford to live there if the property taxes increased for the entire property as a result of the property having to be split between residential and commercial.  She said that there should be a transition plan in place should a change in the classification be made.

League Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Workforce Housing and Community Development Committee

• There was no discussion, but the Committee approved a proposed loan of $2.6 M from the HOME Investment Partnership Program to Carefree Development for the construction of Carefree Village, a 55-unit affordable rental housing for seniors located in Oak Forest.

League Observer:  Susan Gegory