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Commissioners Vote to Declare Maternal Morbidity and Mortality a Public Health Crisis

6/20/2025

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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
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Cook County Committees Hear about the Build Up Cook Program, CountyCare, and Open Audit Items

5/21/2025

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Cook County Board of Commissioners
May 13, 2025


Asset Management Committee
The Bureau of Asset Management presented its annual report on the Build Up Cook Program, highlighting their work in underserved communities. The Committee also approved a resolution declaring indoor air and indoor environmental quality as a public health crisis.
  • The Bureau is using ARPA (America Rescue Plan Act) funds to provide resources to underserved communities for badly needed infrastructure projects such as fire hydrant replacements and sewer and stormwater projects.
  • The projects are managed by Asset Management staff, using County contractors.
  • One project highlighted was being able to help the Village of Robbins when a supply water main broke. The Bureau of Asset Management worked with other Cook County Departments to get it quickly repaired.
  • The Bureau is also using funds for workshops so that community employees develop the skills to manage projects and obtain financing through grants.
  • The Bureau wants to continue the workshops beyond the ARPA funding to help communities find and obtain grants from State funding options.   It is anticipated federal funds for infrastructure projects will not be forthcoming.
  • To read more about the Build Up Cook Program, see the County website, https://arpa.cookcountyil.gov/build-up-cook.   The report was received and filed. Item 25-1896.
  • The Committee approved a resolution declaring indoor air quality as a public health crisis.   The Committee took action on this issue at its meeting last month when the Commissioners approved a contract with the University of Illinois to develop a process for evaluating the air quality in Cook County buildings. Item 25-2342.
League Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Health and Hospitals Committee

Aaron Galeener, Chief Administrative Officer of CountyCare, and Dr. Yvonne Collins, Chief Medical Officer of CountyCare (the Medicaid managed health plan operated by Cook County Health) presented a PowerPoint overview of CountyCare services. 
  • Health Benefit for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) Medicaid program is being sunset by Governor Pritzker effective July 1, 2025 which will affect over 16,000 CountyCare members and approximately 32,000 statewide, likely to have a significant financial impact.
  • Commissioner Aguilar, Stamps, Degnan, and Vasquez asked what threats to CountyCare Medicaid the current Congressional debate calling for Medicaid cuts were.  Galeener said federal Medicaid cuts might include work requirements, as well as decreased federal funding for those Medicaid recipients who are covered by the expanded Medicaid coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) which provides 90% federal funding for this group of individuals vs 51% for traditional Medicaid recipients. He said this could impact over 100,000 CountyCare members and a potential loss of $100 million in revenue. ACA expansion programs have a trigger to sunset in Illinois if federal contributions fall below 90%, Galeener noted.
  • Commissioner Degnan asked what programs CCH/CountyCare will need to cut?  Galeener said programs that are “value added” components of Medicaid in Illinois that are not required by Federal Medicaid.  He indicated that increasing redetermination of eligibility from once a year to 6 months might be implemented.
  • CCH’s housing program as a social determinant of health is funding organizations who are engaged in locating shelter for CountyCare members who are homeless or live in a shelter. Flexible Housing Pool (CountyCare invested $5 million in 2020 and $3 million in 2025) and other CountyCare housing programs currently house 432  individuals.  Health outcomes for persons housed by this program show 33% reduction of inpatient stays, 19% reduction in ER visits, 22% reduction of jail registrations, 30% reduction in all cause mortality.  Commissioner S. Morrison questioned whether CCH should be paying toward housing-- not in the mission of hospital system.  Galeener commented that “we are a health care entity, need better solutions to housing  and need to transition them to more sustainable affordable programs”.  (Item 23-0202) motion to defer adopted.
League Observer: Susan Kern

Audit Committee

The Committee periodically follows up on open audit recommendations. Bill Carroll, Deputy Auditor, reported on the four audit items currently open.  The report was received and filed.  Item 25-2074.
  • The oldest and most concerning item was a finding from the 2015 audit of the Clerk of the Court concerning the process on uncollected revenue on traffic court fines.   The audit recommended that the Clerk’s office make every effort to collect the fines before turning them over to a collection agency.  Once they are given to a collection agency, there should be closer monitoring of the revenue.
  • In 2015 the uncollected amount was $3M and has increased since then.  Commissioner Sean Morrison pointed out that the collection agencies take 30%-40%.
  • Mr. Carroll reached out to the new Clerk of the Court administration and is setting up a meeting with the Finance Manager. He will review their current process.  Commissioner Degnen asked to be included in the meeting. 
League Observer:  Kathi Graffam
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Cook County Board Committee Meetings

11/29/2024

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Cook County Board of Commissioners
Committee Meetings
November 20, 2024   


Finance Subcommittee on Litigation 
  • A Public Speaker stated that he objected to the proposed settlement of his complaint against the Board of Review for his termination.   He wants to be reinstated as well as having a monetary settlement.
  • The Commissioners discussed all items before them in closed session and voted to receive and file.

Audit Committee
 24-5692  Proposed Fiscal Year Audit Schedule
Mary Modelski, Auditor,  reported that the 2025 schedule will include among other audits:
  • ARPA programs
  • JAC grant utilization to check controls previously recommended have been implemented
  • Chief Judge case management system
  • Procurement
  • Forest Preserve financial processes including concession revenue.

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
24-5896 Proposed Changes to the Vacation and Excused Absence with Pay ordinance.
There were several public speakers that addressed this proposed change to the ordinance.  The current ordinance applies to full time, part-time and seasonal workers in Cook County.  It requires that employers allot 1 hour of paid leave for any reason for every 40 hours worked in a 12-month period. The amendment would exempt school districts and park districts.
Several representatives from suburban school districts and park districts explained the problems with the current ordinance:
  • For many teachers and others who work under existing contracts, these days are in addition to those agreed in the contract.  This results in more time the regular teacher is away from the classroom.
  • When those contracts are renegotiated, these days will be included, probably at the cost of sick days.   Teachers can accumulate sick days toward their requirement, so they will lose some of that benefit.
  • It requires more substitute teachers who are in short supply.   The cost of the substitutes is increased.
  • Park Districts will have to cut the number of young people hired during the summer because of the increase in cost.
  • Home rule municipalities can opt out of this ordinance and then the schools  and park districts within its boundaries would be exempt.  However, many school districts and park districts cover more than one municipality and so there would be unequal treatment of employees. 
Speakers from Women Employed and the Shriver Institute spoke in favor of keeping the original ordinance as it gives a benefit to the lower earners.
Commissioner Sean Morrison pointed out that the Illinois State Law on paid leave exempts school districts and park districts.
Commissioner Britton reiterated the issue of some municipalities being able to opt out while others can’t.   He pointed out that this will have more of an impact on southern and western suburbs who have fewer home rule towns.   This could result in higher property taxes. 
The Commissioners who did not support the change acknowledged the issues for the districts, but felt it was more important to protect the lower income workers across Cook County.  
The ordinance amendment failed to pass.

Observer:  Kathi Graffam
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Budgets, ARPA Funds, Transportation Contracts Receive Attention at County Board Meeting

10/5/2024

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings
September 18, 2024 


Finance Committee
  • Meeting reconvened from July 31, 2024. Motion to Receive and File FY 2025 Preliminary Forecast Report Period 12/1/20203-11/30/2024 from Dept of Budget and Management Services was made by Com. Lowry and seconded by Com. Britton. Passed with unanimous aye vote.   Meeting Length: 41 Seconds.
  • Finance Committee.  Motions were made by Com. Lowry and seconded by Com Britton for 2 resolutions addressing uses of ARPA funding. Both passed.  Healthy Community Program Initiative (24-2908) includes guidelines amending the subrecipient agreement with Il Public Health Institute to increase funding by $8M from current agreement. Also approved was Resolution to Authorize the Use of Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Special Purpose Fund to Support the Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program (24-4131). Com Trevor made the motion and Com Britton seconded the financial reports be received and filed from Comptroller and CCH. The 8-month Comptroller report (24-4901) showed a net favorable budget variance to the General Fund of $148.9M. The State Revenues Update through July 31, 2024, shows the state owes $139.5M to the County. Cook County Health CFO Pam Cassara reported $110M favorable balance for the first 8 months of 2024(24-4901) 
  • The Health Fund showed a favorable net budget variance $76.3 M. 
  • Meeting Length:  14 min.

Transportation Committee.
  • Supt. Killen was present to explain all contracts and extensions to Transportation Commtt.  Supt. Killen provided an explanation for the proposed ALPR system. Resolution 24-4292 authorized the approval of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) to permit installation on county roadways; it can identify make, color, and license plate information on vehicles to assist local law enforcement and Sheriff’s Office in crimes such as child endangerment and missing persons. Personal information is not included. State regulations exist regarding lawful use of images and information.          
  • ​Meeting Length 13 min.

Observer: Carolyn Cosentino
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Cook County Board Committee Meetings

9/27/2024

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Cook County Board Of Commissioners Committee Meetings
September 17, 2024


AUDIT COMMITTEE
Although not on the Asset Committee agenda, at its September 19 meeting, the board approved a Professional Consulting Service contract with Iron Mountain Information Management to develop a materials and records storage assessment, implementation plan, and digital files/digitization.  The contract is for $1.2 million and the duration 16 months until 1/31/26.
Auditor, Mary Modelski, reported that several items from the 1st quarter were closed and that during the second quarter progress is being made with the "employment reimbursement process" and with the Clerk of the Court "traffic citations".  She went into more detail on the recommendation to Consolidate the Grant RFP Process stating that a stakeholder process was established in August to work on centralizing the grant management system.                                                                                                     
#24-3722 - the ARPA Fixed site emergency shelter report for people experiencing homelessness.   Two hotels are in the process of being purchased to house the homeless.  ARPA monies were used to provide a 30-year loan which will come due in 2053.  The Audit Department recommended the monitoring process needs to be improved and defined for the long term.   Comm. Daley asked that the Audit Department add this specific ARPA project to its regular auditing schedule.  Currently, it does not follow up on ARPA grants
#24-3681 - The Audit Department conducted an audit of the Work Order System in the Facilities Management Custodial Services Section.  It specifically recommended that the work order system be defined:  what it is and what it covers or not. Three recommendations were made: Under policies and procedures, how staff is assigned; Under standards, spell what specifics to help with efficiency; and get better metrics from its “Famous Compute System”, specifically regarding staff shortages.
#24-3949 - ARPA Hyperfocal and In-Home Vaccination and Vaccination Incentive Program.  The COVID vaccination incentive program of the gift cards received scathing criticism from several commissioners.  12,000 $100 cards were purchased and 8,000 distributed.  Blackhawk, the card vendor reduced the value of the card each month it wasn’t used by $6.00.  There was no contract but an emergency purchase order, and the Chief Counsel has demanded a reimbursement, not just on the remaining balance but the entire purchase order amount.

LEGISLATIVE & INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE
During a very short meeting, the committee approved the appointment of Patricia N. Jjemba to the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Advisory Board, and approved a resolution offered by Commissioner Gordon to request that the IL General Assembly approve SB3948, an amendment to the missing persons identification act to streamline processes to allow an agency to more quickly attempt to obtain the missing person’s DNA; would require, rather than allow, law enforcement to collect additional information such as fingerprints and biological samples; and provides that a waiting period may not be observed before accepting a missing person report.
Commission Gordon also requested and received approval of her request to Urge Congress to approve the “Protect our Letter Carriers Act (H.R.7629) to enhance postal workers safety.

HEALTH & HOSPITAL SYSTEM COMMITTEE
#24-4143 – Birthday Health Screening Program. The members approved the amended resolution calling for an annual prostate and mammogram health screen at Cook County Health locations – which would be free to those without insurance or other coverages.  Cook County Health’s, Dr. Fagan, noted that black males have a 60% higher mortality rate than white males, and over 16% of CC residents are age 65 or older. 
SEMI-ANNUAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REPORTS
Office of Behavioral Health – Department of Public Health:   Both the Jail and the Juvenile Detention Center are increasing developing individual behavioral health treatment plans.  70% of those in the JDC are receiving therapy.  The jail is housing more individuals charged with more serious offenses; therefore, an increased number are also receiving mental and drug therapy.  Naloxone is used extensively and being more broadly distributed even after discharge.
Public Defender’s Office:  It was noted by the presenter that the Defender’s office is not a treatment provider, but does assist in identifying needs and getting help.  It will soon launch a community assist center to provide case management and clinical services as well as putting together treatment plans.  Several new mental health clinicians have recently been hired bringing the total to six.  The Office made 104 referrals in the last quarter which is on par with previous quarters.
Circuit Court:  Established guidelines in 2015 based on evidence-based data.  In its Problem-Solving Courts, Probation Officers work with collaborative, community-based services on a team basis.  Accountability is part of the program.  The presenter noted that Narcan is now available at all public libraries.
States Attorney:   Used this reporting period to highlight the issue of Petitions for Firearm Restraining Orders.  A petition is usually filed by a family member.  The Petitioner must be at least 18 years old.  The petition leads to a Writ of Detention Examination for an emergency court order to bring the individual in question to the hospital for examination.  Every effort is made to have the writ brought to a judge on the day the petition was received.
Sheriff’s Office:  The presenter talked about the Sheriff’s Smart and Thrive drug and mental health treatment center.  Participation requires a court order.  At the center during the last period, 1,000 males and 300 females participated.  The Sheriff’s office also has a community-based re-entry program.

Observer - Diane Edmundson

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New Commissioner Michael Scott Joins 3rd Day of Mid-Year Budget Meetings

8/14/2024

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Cook County Board Finance Committee’s Mid-Year Budget Meetings
July 31, 2024


Following the death of Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer (D-2nd Dist), the Democratic Party ward committee persons whose wards include part or all of the 2nd District, met and elected Michael Scott.  He will serve as the 2nd District Commissioner until December, when the winner of the November election will take office for the remaining 2 years of the term.  Commissioner Scott joined the Finance Committee for this last day of mid-year budget hearings.  

Following are some of the highlights of the meetings with the (1) State’s Attorney, (2) Chief Judge, (3) Inspector General, (4) Secretary to the Board of Commissioners, (5) Head of the Veterans Assistance Commission, and (6) Public Defender.

Meeting with State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx
  • After several years of a significant number of unfilled positions, SA Foxx reported that the office has a net increase of 40 employees so far, with 75 new graduates expected to join after successfully passing the bar exam.  This is the highest “class” in years, more than the classes from the last 2 years combined.  There has also been a 30% drop in resignations as compared to last year.
  • SA Foxx attributed the turnaround in hiring and retention in part to the increase in salaries recently approved by the Board after a compensation study completed late last year.  
  • Also helpful, said SA Foxx, is the office’s participation in the County’s retention bonus program this past year.  
  • Finally, there is the increase in the hiring of support staff which results in the attorneys being able to spend less time on administrative work and more time on legal work.  
  • SA Foxx would like to see the office continue to add to the number of support staff and technology positions, saying that in most offices there are 2 support staff per attorney, while in the SA office, it is the opposite.
  • SA Foxx was asked about a recent Sun-Times story about the lack of government corruption cases brought by the SA office.  SA Foxx said the office does have a public corruption unit, but that the US Attorney’s office, which has traditionally brought most of the corruption cases in this area, has far more resources, including the use of the FBI for investigations.
  • The SA office received $2.4 M in federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) dollars for the office’s gun crimes strategy unit.  SA Foxx said that the unit was started in 2017 by putting assistant state’s attorneys in police districts which had the most gun incidents.  ARPA has allowed expansion.  SA Foxx thinks the office will be able to sustain the efforts through other funding sources once the ARPA dollars run out.
  • SA Foxx said that the Pre-Trial Fairness Act, which went into effect in Sept. 2023, has had a smooth roll-out in her office.

Meeting with the office of the Chief Judge Timothy Evans
  • Chief Judge Evans also had good news on the hiring front, with 23% fewer vacancies at this point as compared to last year.  He attributed the improvement to the office’s use of a new hiring system platform called Jazz HR, which prospective employees find easier to use.
  • The Chief Judge reported that the program to resolve eviction cases has helped 55,000 tenants, as well as small landlords, and has been honored nationally.  
  • The latest Restorative Justice Community Court has just opened in Commissioner Miller’s 4th District.  The Chief Judge said he is considering adding 4 more such courts, 3 in this next fiscal year in the 5th, 14th, and 16th Commissioner districts.
  • The Chief Judge said that the pilot for extending the hours of the Domestic Violence Court for protective orders has shown him that there is a need to have the court operate 24/7.  He plans to talk to the other County officials who provide support to see if and when this can be accomplished.
  • One remaining impact of Covid is the continued use of hybrid and remote hearings and other court proceedings, which the Chief Judge said offers a number of advantages. For example, witnesses can appear remotely, making it easier to get their participation.
  • The Chief Judge’s web site has a number of statistics posted, including for the implementation of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act, which eliminated cash bail in Sept. 2023.  Among other things: (a) in 18% of the criminal cases, the State’s Attorney files for detention of the accused, which is granted 60% of the time; (b) of those defendants released (whether it be on their own reconnaissance or on electronic monitoring), 88% come back to court for future proceedings on time; (c) 87% of the time, the defendants who have been released pending trial are not charged with any new offenses.  Of those released, only 1% are accused of violent offenses that occur during that release.  See https://www.cookcountycourt.org/court-reports-statistics. 
  • There has been much discussion with the Board in the past on the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (“JTDC”), and this continued at this meeting.  Chief Judge Evans said that the contracts approved by the Board with Chapin Hall of the University of Chicago to identify best practices regarding juveniles accused of crimes are on track.  They are looking at creating assessment centers where youths would first be sent and then, when appropriate, the young people could be sent to a center of care that would house 10 to 20 youths, in lieu of the JTDC (which currently houses 210).  The Chief Judge wants to do a pilot program, and he has identified both an assessment center and center of care for young women, and he hopes to have one for young men soon.  
  • Commissioner Kevin Morrison was very critical of the JTDC Superintendent for not knowing how many juveniles at the JTDC have identified themselves as LGBTQ.  The Superintendent said that there are opportunities for the youths to self-identify if they wish, but his concern is the safety of all those in his care, regardless of identity.  Comm. Morrison is concerned that LGBTQ juveniles are not getting the care they need, remembering the abuse that he endured in school.  After some testy exchanges, the two agreed to meet separately and discuss further, and Comm. Lowry asked to be included in that discussion.

Meeting with Inspector General Tirrell Paxton
  • Under budget for the 6 mos. of fiscal year   $1,024,314 out of budgeted $1,078,193; will stay within budget rest of year
  • 19 FTE budgeted; 3 vacancies—working currently to fill them
  • Intergovernmental agreement with MWRD involves a payback, so a wash in budget

Meeting with Secretary to the Board Lynne Turner
  • Challenges in retaining and filling vacancies (due to burn out, family responsibilities)
  • 13 FTE budgeted; 9 filled, 4 vacancies (improved from the beginning of this fiscal year)
  • New board room is expected to be done by Dec. 2024, but everyone needs training on using the technology, etc. so won’t be used for a while
  • The room will have ADA accessibility , closed caption on video, electronic voting (have to be in the room to use it), QR code for agendas instead of print

Meeting with Veterans Assistance Commission Head Elizabeth Soto
  • 11 budgeted FTE, 8 vacant
  • Mainly provides emergency aid for veterans—$270,000 to 1,287 veterans so far this year 
  • Under budget mainly because of hiring issues
  • Grant funding from Federal government coming along well
  • Commissioner Trevor and others want more satellite offices in home districts using current commissioner offices—many veterans have difficulty getting to VAC office near Stroger campus

Meeting with Public Defender Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr.
  • Just under budget on YTD spent 95%—$44,588,108
  • Wants lower caseloads for attorneys—still too high compared to national standards
  • 828 FTE budgeted with 694 filled; 60 more will be filled by year end
  • New computerized case load management system
  • Have classes of newly graduated lawyers going through training in PD office to work there once they have passed the bar exam 
  • Some grants have lapsed due to not getting the programming organized; Freedom Defense Center (in Austin) grant was successful; this helps integrate and support accused into programs to help with housing, work, health, etc.
  • Challenges include case load amount, space issues, technology issues, hiring process issues
  • Current programs being funded by ARPA should be sustainable after 2026 when ARPA ends

Observers:  Priscilla Mims and Karin Hribar
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