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

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

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

Cook County Board Finance Committee Mid-Year Budget Hearing
July 29, 2024

Bureau of Finance Overview

• A bond ratings upgrade for the County was announced for the third time in 3 years. 
• Total FY 2024 budget is $9.26 B. 
• The FY 2024 the General Fund is expected to end the year with a $142M net favorable variance.
• For the preliminary look for FY 2025, the projected budget gap is currently $218M.  That gap will be eliminated by the time the President submits the proposed Executive Budget in October. 
• For the Health Enterprise Fund, a $224.6M positive variance at the end of this fiscal year is expected due to higher County Care enrollment membership, patient fees, improved collection strategies and increased patient volume. Patient fee revenue increased by $22M due to increased Medicare reimbursement rates and improved follow-up on payment rejections. The 2025 budget  forecast is balanced. Membership in CountyCare is expected to stabilize.
• Cook County Deputy Chief Financial Officer  Dean Constantinou noted a $1.18M increase in sales tax revenue (1.8%). Rising interest rates allows investment income to be 20% above expected and are projected to stabilize for 2025.  After 2025, expenses are expected to grow higher than revenues. In response to a question about mitigating the results of investments that are variable, Constantinou stated that they do revenue forecasting and look for alternative investment revenue, and that it would make sense to look at less sensitive investments.
• Cook County received $1B in community outreach and recovery funds from the federal ARPA. CFO Tanya Anthony reported 74% have been obligated to date with 34% of those expended. Anthony stated they are working  to ensure all monies are obligated by the end of the year which is the federal deadline.. Anthony also stated they have capacity to make changes if plans are not working.  If deadlines or benchmarks for obligations are not being met, the County contacts programs to determine what is to happen, what contingency plans exist, and what controls already have been approved to put more money if need is indicated. In response to a question from Com. Anaya, CFO Anthony stated they feel comfortable with the support received from the hired consultant to help administer the ARPA grants.
• Anthony provided a review of the AARPA Fiscal Sustainability Framework to continue projects into the future; its components are policy alignment, fiscal sustainability (long term), program evaluations, and community engagement.  A sustainability model has been developed to continue funding selected programs after 2026 when the ARPA monies run out. Com Lowry asked how funding would be secured for programs. Part of the answer is that grant optimization research is being done. It is expected that some projects will be absorbed into the County budget. The County has already begun putting excess dollars from prior years into a special fund to help continue some projects.Com. Daley stated several times that Commissioners need to remember funding requests will be coming to them in the future. In response to a question about what proposed programs could not be funded, CFO Anthony stated the focus is on what can be sustained, proceeding with that.

Lynetta Haynes Turner, Office of President, Chief of Staff 

• Haynes-Turner stated FY 2024 continues the road to economic recovery, the budget has a manageable deficit, and was done without increasing residential property taxes.
• The challenge for the Bureau of Human Resources to fill vacancies continues and is reflective of the situation nationwide, but there is progress with filling openings in Cook County. 
• She stated $382M in medical debt was eliminated, impacting 220,000 Cook County residents in County Care. She also stated a centralized data system was being developed for property tax information to be shared across all county agencies; it is on track for all participating offices to be off the main frame and on this system by end of 2024. Regarding questions on property taxes, Turner stated Commissioners were welcome to ask many stakeholders to help address the many issues around them.  Com Daley stated leaders in Springfield must come together on this. 

Commissioners Question for Offices of the President

• A frequent question from various Commissioners concerned the hiring process—how many vacancies were there, how long is the hiring cycle.   The departments and Offices reported that their vacancies have reduced over the year.
• Commissioner Degnen recommended that the Office of Innovation hire at least 3 trained Industrial Engineers to address process improvement.  She believes their specific training would be helpful. The department use to have 3 and now only has 1.   Lynetta Haynes Turner said that the departments keep many metrics that they don’t report to the dashboard.  
• Commissioner Degnen asked the Bureau of Technology what the status was for the Tyler installation.   They are behind.  They hoped to be testing end to end but are still testing in each department separately.  They still hope to test end to end by the end of this fiscal year.   The testing does not include BOR.   They will continue to use an interface.
• Commissioner Gainer asked the Finance bureau to put together a dashboard that would consolidate revenue and expenses, that would be helpful to the Commissioners to know the financial status of the County.
• Commissioner Lowry addressed the continuation of some ARPA projects such as Guaranteed Income which he sees as being very beneficial.   The University of Chicago is conducting a study of that program to   track its benefits.
• Commissioner Gordon asked how is the Finance office monitoring “non-profit gang banging”-when groups get money but then don’t provide any accounting of their efforts. There are  grant monitoring teams.  The Office also tries  to have all the grantees work together in a community and hold each other accountable.   
• Comm. Gordon also questioned the Transportation Department about the large deficit the regions public transit agencies have.  Sis Killian said that President Preckwinkle believes an integrated system would be best and they are looking at various coordination options.
• Commissioner Quezada asked the Technology Department how they are preparing for AI.  There are working groups addressing how it can be used in operations and how private data can be protected.

Office of the Public Administration

• No discussion

Cook County Assessor
     The conversation focused on how property taxes could be reduced in Cook County and what help could be given home owners.  Assessor Kaegi’s office is providing information to various agencies and groups and to individual residents about the eligibility for various exemptions and how to apply. His office sends a list to Commissioners of people in their district that are eligible for exemptions but have not applied.   He is working with the State to make the senior freeze auto renew.   He cautioned that the expansion of exemptions pushes the tax burden onto other residents.
He has three proposals to help people pay their   property tax.  All require action by the State Legislature.

1. Illinois should fund again the  Circuit Breaker program. It would provide grants to eligible seniors and persons with disabilities to help them reduce the costs of property taxes, license plate renewals and rides on public transit.  The State stopped funding the program in 2013.
2. The State should streamline the process for the homeowner exemption.
3. TIF regulations should be changed to allow TIF excess funds to go to home owners for tax relief.

Commissioner Degnen said Cook County should be looking at ways to decrease expenses in general and decrease the dependency on property taxes to fund government.
Commissioner Quezada said that a third party should be hired to examine who is accurate in their valuations—the Assessor or the Board of Review. Mr. Kaegi said that such a contract is currently going through the procurement process.  It would hire the International Association of Assessment Officers to evaluate the last 4 years.

Land Bank Authority

• The Commissioners were complementary of the Office.   It has  brought in 500 developers to build in underserved areas.

Clerk of the Circuit Court

• Commissioner Aguilar asked about the complaints that there are not enough court clerks and that impedes trials.   The Clerk has instituted new personnel policies that collapse titles and cross train clerks so that they can service different courts.  They also have improved hiring and have 530 court clerks for 357 court rooms.

Observers - Carolyn Cosentino and Kathi Graffam

Cook County Board of Commissioners (CCBC)
Committee Meetings
June 12, 2024

Legislation and Inter Governmental Relations Committee
Several appointments were voted on and recommended for approval by the CCBC.  The recommendations were:

• Tirrell Paxton, Independent Inspector General, Office of CC Independent Inspector General, for a term from 6/17/2024 to 6/16/2030 (Item 24-3215),
• Dr. Sage Kim, as Director to CCH Board of Directors to complete the partial term from 6/13/2024 -8/1/2025 (Item 24-313) 
• Rachel Sinnen to Cook County Board of Ethics for a Term from 6/13/2024-6/13/2028 (Item 24-3202).

Finance Committee

• Received update from Comptroller Dean Cosentino on Cook County Health (CCH) reporting that it has a favorable balance at this time, that the State of Illinois owes CCH millions of dollars and there has been a $10M decrease in the amount owed.  Health Fund has a favorable balance with a 21.5% higher than budgeted enrollment in County Care.
• The Long-Term Revenue Forecast Quarterly Report (24-3092) indicates that the general fund revenues are predicted to be lower in the long term with the specter of slower growth which impacts sales tax collection.
  
• Impact Summary was provided on Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD)  (24-3030). Its goal was to keep people stably housed in the Covid19 crisis, led by Comm Suffredin, Daley, and Annaya and was an AARPA investment. It was stated that CCLAHD serves as a model in reimagining ways to provide services in its Early Resolution Mortgage Foreclosure Program, using cross collaboration with the courts as a partner to reduce homelessness, reduce vacant properties by preventing evictions and foreclosures/slow the process and to provide level of service appropriate to the client and circumstances of the case, fair and better court processes, case managers for conflict resolution and coordinating services. More than 75,000 people have been served. 7300 fewer cases since 2022 were placed with Sheriff’s Office for eviction, a 23% reduction. Commissioners were provided with a folder of materials and a slide show was used that was readable on the observer’s iPad. Com Daley gave commendations regarding the program and expressed concerns regarding funding sources beyond ARPA monies. Com. Annaya noted the thoughtful planning involving multiple partners and thanked the Bureau of Economic Development for their participation. Com Britton mentioned work is being done to utilize public libraries as an option for court appearances. He stated that this is an example that Cook County government is about improving access to services, including States Attorney, Courts, and Sheriff’s Offices. Com. Sean Morrison offered his compliments and concerns about future funding.  He also indicated that municipalities get notice first regarding eviction and noted the need to ensure all communities know about this resource. 
• Grant management services contract in the amount of approximately $899K, spent over 2 years was recommended for approval (24-2115). This had the concurrence of the Chief Procurement Officer. The goal is “to redesign grant management infrastructure of Cook County to promote maximum grant fund recovery and compliance with federal and state regulations”
• There was much discussion regarding the Arts Alliance Illinois agreement, reducing its budget and entering sub recipient agreement with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago-ie LISC Chicago- and a resolution (24-1676) was recommended for Board approval after an overview was provided by LISC Chicago and discussion with the Board. This authorized the Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Economic Development to amend the Art Alliance agreement and enter into a new subrecipient agreement with LISC Chicago for Cook County Arts for up to $2.3M through 2026 to provide technical assistance to projects that support the arts in suburban Cook as well as administer and distribute grants to advance these projects; this broadens LISC Chicago’s focus to the suburbs. Com Daley stated that going forward, recipients should be present anytime grants are to be awarded. 

Audit Committee  

• Mary Modelski, County Auditor, presented reports to the Audit Committee which were received and filed.
• These several reports monitored progress with compliance on specific metrics.  For example, 24-2210, Medical Examiners audit was to assess internal controls over cash process to see if it was adequate. It was found that inadequate communication between the ME office and the  Dept of Revenue relating to bounced checks needed to be rectified. Recommendation was to add additional tracking measures regarding when contact was made, and how the situation was addressed.
• Another example was an assessment of services provided by a security vendor, whether it was following the scope of contracted services. Modelski stated management accepted all recommendations from reports. 

Environment and Sustainability Committee

• Recommended approval of a resolution requesting a hearing on the updated Cook County Solid Waste Management Plan (24-2870). A 45% waste diversion rate is the goal for 2030; the County is currently at 27%. The southern area of Chicago has less than 4yr space available in landfill. Among the recommendations to support management in the south suburbs is to fold into a joint action agency that would include technical assistance and coordinated strategies.
• There was discussion about plan to open additional Centers for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHARM Centers), similar to the one at South Suburban College, perhaps located on campuses of junior colleges. South Suburban Mayors Assoc reported a decrease in illegal dumping since CHARM was opened. 
• Recommendation for Approval of a Proposed Memorandum of Agreement Climate Pollution Reduction Agreement (24-2832) between the Chicago and Cook County in applying for a US EPA grant. The City of Chicago is the lead agency for the application. The grant request is for $200M. This proposal is focused on three areas: 1) industrial decarbonization programs, 2) decarbonization of public facilities, and 3) diversion of food waste from landfills. This was recommended for Board action.

Other Items of Interest:

• Recommended items for approval in Finance Commt. included several related to housing.
• Committee meetings began at 9:10am. The Observer stopped at 2:53pm when CCH Public Hearings were starting. 
• There was public testimony at the start of the Finance Committee meeting, including someone who received help from CCLAD.

Observer:  Carolyn Cosentino

Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meeting
May 15, 202

Finance Committee - Meeting called to order at 9:30am and adjourned at 12:20pm.

• CCH monthly report (24-1413) on revenues and expenses through March 31, 2024 was received and filed.  There was a favorable variance. $170M is owed by the State to Cook County. Chair Daley stated this was a normal amount, much less than previously owed. In response to Com. Stamps question when it was expected to be collected, the response that it could be up to a year or more, depending on federal monies.
• Regarding new ordinance requiring all public officials of Cook County to invest public funds in interest-bearing accounts (24-2238), except where prohibited by law, it was stated that these will be deposited with the State of IL. Referred to CCBC. 
• Resolution (24-1676) to reduce ARPA amount to Arts Alliance of Illinois and enter into a new subrecipient agreement with LISC Chicago for up to $2M was deferred until the next Finance meeting.  Several commissioners had questions regarding LISC Chicago and details on how the monies were to be used by them. It was determined that a LISC representative and one from the Arts Alliance would be present at the next meeting to answer further questions rather than leaving it to the Bureau of Economic Development. 
• Proposed increase of $3.68M of ARPA funds for continued implementation of Water Affordability Program (24-1503) was approved. Com Gainer stated important progress has been made in this compared to a year ago. The waiving of late fees and interest charges were at issue. Several commissioners stated this was a better way to spend ARPA funding, for water rather than for fines. Cost increases on water services to communities was questioned. In response, Bureau of Economic Development representative stated that there are charges cover the following: High cost of maintaining infrastructure including service lines and replacing lead service lines, removing contaminants, replacing water mains. A program for targeted assistance to individual municipalities is being administered by the state. Com Miller asked if there could be more support for communities to understand what programs are available, why a denial might have occurred, and what they had not applied for but might have. 

Observer: Carolyn Cosentino