Cook County Board Committee Meetings
May 12 and 13, 2026
(see also the separate report on the May 12 Labor Committee meeting)

Cook County Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
May 12, 2026
Clerk’s Office Provides Update on 2026 Primary Election

At the request of the Cook County Board, the Cook County Clerk’s office provided an update on the March 2026 Primary Election.  (Item 26-1147) 
Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon provided a brief update via video

• She stated that the new system utilized by the Election Division of her office which was introduced for the March election is called Election Lens.
• The system will provide live updates from polling places; integrate the data from the Smart Mail-In Ballot Drop Boxes; and provide tracking for mail-in ballots. All the data from these sources will be integrated into Election Lens to provide a profile of how the election process is working and where there could be problems.
• AI is also being used at the call centers to expedite responses to calls. 

The CEO of KNOWiNK and Ed Michalowski, Deputy Clerk for Elections continued with the update. KNOWiNK is the company that makes the poll books the County uses for elections and is the company behind Election Lens. They provided a demonstration of how Election Lens will work making the following points:

• It will provide information on real time check-in of voters
• By integrating the data from the drop boxes for mail-in ballots all those ballots should be able to be counted on election day
• Provides tracking for all mail-in ballots in real time.
• Will assist with polling place readiness - to see how each precinct is operating and identify any problems. 
• There will be GPS tracking of all election equipment.

Questions from commissioners focused on who would be able to view the data collected. Would it be available to the general public? The Commissioners and their staff? The political parties? 

• Response was that those issues will need to be worked out and would depend on the type of data as well as ensuring security and privacy issues. 
• The head of Cybersecurity for the Clerk stated that the system has the highest level of security and they will be running a mock election this summer to further test the system. He also said they work closely with the Cook County Bureau of Technology to ensure they are in compliance with County regulations, and they meet with them monthly. 
• Comm. Britton asked how the integration of election results between Chicago and the County is progressing. Mr. Michalowski said it could be done if the Chicago Board of Elections is willing. Comm. Daley said that he is also requesting the Chicago Board of Elections to come before the Commissioners to provide their update. 

The Committee also approved a resolution that would initiate a process to engage an organization to develop a process to develop a youth council to provide a voice to the young people of the County. 

• It is intended that the council will consist of 20 young people between the ages of 14-21 and will launch in 2027. (Agenda Item 26-1017) Commissioners thought this was a good way to provide an administrative approach to engaging youth and wanted to be sure it had representation from all aspects of the County and a workforce component was also suggested. Comm. Lowry stated that the Commissioners would be asked for input into the development once the organizing agency was selected. 

Also approved was the appointment of Olive Brown as the Resident Commissioner to the Housing Authority of Cook County. (Item 26-1188)

​Observer - Cynthia Schilsky

Cook County Criminal Justice Committee Meeting
May 13, 2026
On Split Vote, Committee Approves Automated License Plate Readers & Services Contract

The Committee approved all 3 agenda items, but the first one seeking approval for an Automated License Plate Readers and Services Contract (26-1043) passed on a split vote with 13 ayes, 3 nays (Comms. Anya, Stamps, and Vasquez), with 1 absent (Gainer).  Under the contract, Insight Public Sector would continue to provide services and increase the number of stationary Automated License Plate Readers at a cost of $900,000 over 2 years thru (April 30, 2028) with 2 one-year renewal options. 

• There were several public speakers: three Police Chiefs in person and several chiefs online. All spoke to the importance of having license plate readers (LPRs) in their communities and across communities.  They referenced specific incidences regarding violent crimes, carjacking, hit and runs, and missing persons.  One chief said that LPRs are important for public trust.
• The County first contracted for cameras as an emergency procurement in 2022 when the County had a crisis with carjackings.  Commissioner Miller shared her own experience with being carjacked before cameras were available.
• Cook County already has 71 cameras deployed
• Concern was raised with data shared and how long it is kept. Currently held for 30 days unless there is a link with a crime.  Commissioners want to be notified if the Sheriff extends the 30-day retention.
• Concern was raised with misuse of the data in regard to targeting immigrants or people accessing abortion services. Data can only be accessed by others through FOIA or a court order/subpoena.
• If there is a data breach, the Commissioners want to be notified. Expectation is within 24 hours. 
• Cook County has its own Professional Services Agreement (PSA) which guides and restricts how data can be used.  Several Commissioners asked for a copy of the PSA and expressed concern with county data shared with 3rd parties.
• Other information shared about the cameras is there is no facial recognition, no capability to see individual people in the car, and it is not used for predictive policing.

The two other items passed unanimously by those at the meeting were:

• Resolution in support of Illinois SB2801/HB4471 which provides that a person commits the offense of unlawful possession of weapons when the person knowingly manufactures, sells, or offers to sell, purchase, receive, manufacture, import, or transfer a convertible pistol. Also provides that a machine gun also includes any convertible pistol equipped with a switch. If a switch is added to these guns they can shoot up to 1,200 rounds per minute. (item 26-1198)
• IL Criminal Justice Information Intergovernmental Agreement that provides for data sharing among local governments regarding community violence intervention programs under the Government Alliance for Safe Communities. The goal is to streamline metrics, investments and analyze local impact of community violence intervention strategies in Cook County and coordinate where resources go with the research partnership of Northwestern University. (Item 26-0553)

Observer:  Laura Davis

Cook County Health and Hospital Committee
May 12, 2026 
Committee Hears that Agency Use Is Down at CCH

• At this Committee meeting, Cook County Health Chief Human Resource Officer Win Buren and Executive Chief Operating Officer Craig Williams presented Cook County Health’s Semi-Annual Agency Utilization Report for the period of October 2025 through March 2026.
• Cook County Health (CCH) is required to provide a Bi-Annual Agency Utilization Report to comply with Resolution 24-5841 of the Cook County Board. The Board had a concern about the number of jobs being filled with people from external agencies, as opposed to County employees.  These bi-annual reports will no longer be required once CCH agency utilization does not exceed 20% of the budgeted Full Time Equivalents (FTE) personnel for each job classification approved in the annual budget by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
• The overall trend is downward for agency usage for all job categories. 
• Job titles accounting for high % of agency usage are: Clinical Nurse I; Health Information Management Coder; Third Party Bill Follow Up Representative and Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Commissioner Daley asked for further information on the impact of absenteeism and usage of agency.
  
• Commissioner Stamps asked about effectiveness of the job recruiting fairs. Mr. Buren reported that currently 71% of newly hired nurses came through job fair events. 
• Nick Shields, Cook County Health’s Chief External Affairs and Civic Engagement Officer, said in response to Commissioner Stamps’ question about the health system’s work with high schools in Chicago and the suburbs that he is holding ongoing meetings with Chicago Public Schools and contacting suburban districts to set up preceptor and other student opportunities.

Observer:  Susan Avila

Finance Committee 
May 13, 2026
Committee Approves Reallocation of ARPA Dollars for Gun Violence Prevention

• To ensure all Federal dollars under the American Rescue Plan Act are spent, the Committee approved a reallocation of those dollars to increase the amounts to entities which have consistently provided timely financial and program reporting under the Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grants.  (Item 26-0554)
• Also approved a proposed contract for consulting services with ICF Incoporated for $5.9 M thru the end of 2031 to manage $244 M for unmet housing and recovery needs resulting from disasters that occurred in 2023-24.  It was stated that the County does not have the capacity to manage this on its own.  (item 26-1064)
• After a long discussion, approved a contract for law enforcement entry-level and promotional testing services for use by the Cook County Merit Board, which is responsible for doing the initial assessment that someone is qualified for an entry-level position or promotion in the Sheriff’s departments.  However, the Merit Board does not actually make the hiring or promotion decisions, which are with the Sheriff.  Much of the discussion centered on whether there are any requirements that someone who is hired and trained then works for some minimum time before leaving, as a result of discussions that occurred at the Labor Committee meeting on May 12.  However, that does not come under the Merit Board’s purview.  (Item 26-1014)
• Deferred was a Substitute resolution to continue the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Bonus Program.  Sponsors Anaya and Degnen explained that the deferral was to work out some language with the President’s office, but they expected that to be resolved quickly. (item 25-1251)
• The Comptroller reported that through March 31:  the General Fund has a favorable $261.7 M as compared to budget and the Health Fund has a favorable $27.7 M as compared to budget.  For this fiscal year, the Federal Government has cancelled $700,000 worth of one-time grants to the County.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Asset Management Committee     
May 13, 2026
Concerns Raised about Length of Time to Award Contract
The Committee approved a contract for demolition and renovation of buildings at Cook County Jail. (26-1057)   It was noted that it took 2 years from the time of the request for proposal (RFP) to actually awarding the contract.

• Commissioner Degnen asked what happened in the process for it to take so long.  Raffi Sarrafian, Chief Procurement Officer, did not have the details of the process and said he would get that information to her.  Commissioner Degnen said the Asset Management staff should have expected that a Commissioner would ask about the length of time and have that information ready for the meeting.

Jamie Meyers, Interim Bureau Chief of Asset Management, presented the annual report of the 2025 Build Up Cook Program.  The purpose of the program is to help municipalities maintain critical infrastructure such as water supplies, as well as assess future needs.   

• Examples of the work included: helping Harvey repair a major break in its water supply main; assessing public buildings for structural integrity with 24 municipalities; training water operators on maintenance and repair; and helping villages compete for federal funding for projects. The report was received and filed (26-1144)

Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Contract Compliance Committee
May 13, 2026
Committee Reviews Annual Diversity Report

• Raffi Sarrafian, Chief Procurement Officer presented the 2025 Annual Diversity Report which records the amount of contractual work and money going to women owned, minority owned, and small businesses (MWBE). The report was received and filed (26-0815)
• The Department has goals for inclusion of MWBE business in the procurement process with prescribed benchmarks but not quotas or set-asides. The methodology is used by many municipalities and is legally defensible.
• Of the total of $1.08B awarded for County contracts, $231M went to MWBE entities, which is 21%.  Separately, Cook County Health had a total of $1.6B in awarded contracts with $209M going to MWBE, which is 28%.
• The Department currently has 706 businesses certified as MWBE that can bid on work. The Department has a goal to increase that number. Asset Management consults with other departments on creating their contract requirements so that smaller businesses can participate.
• The Business Service Organization of the Economic Development Department provides support to businesses in getting their MWBE certification.

Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Cook County Environment & Sustainability Committee 
May 13, 2026
Committee Approves Resolution to Advance the Chicago Area Waterway System Ecological Health

This one item was passed unanimously (26-1238).

• The Chicago Waterway System is 76.1 miles of canal and modified natural rivers which are home to a variety of wildlife, plants and fish, with fish species, rising from 10 in 1974 to 77 species in 2026. This indicates significant improvements in water quality and aquatic habitat. 
• The next goal is to target “hot spots” from years of pollutants that drop to the river bottom. The work will be performed by the US Army Corps and US EPA and the resolution was passed last year by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and  by the City of Chicago earlier this year.

Observer:  Laura Davis 

Cook County Board of Commissioners 
Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee 
May 14, 2025

• The Committee approved all the proposed appointments on the agenda, including the appointment of Dr. Kiran Joshi as the Chief Operating Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). Several of the Commissioners gave glowing statements about Dr. Joshi and his past work with the County and how glad they were to have him assume this position. Dr. Joshi said that his goal is to have the CCDPH be the best health department in the country. (Item 25-2308)
• The appointment of Alexandra Lara to the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) Advisory Board was followed up by comments from Comm. Degnan concerning the transition of the JTDC into 2 programs - a day program and an in-house program - and how important the Advisory Board will be to assist in this transition.  (Item 25-2325) 
• Comm. Stamps wanted to have more clarification about the process for filling positions on the JTDC Advisory Board as she observed that there were several vacancies when she attended a meeting recently. She expanded this request to ask what the process is and how does one know about vacancies on any board/commission and also what are all the Boards and Commissions. Comm. Morita said they only find out about these positions when they come before them for approval. A representative from the President’s Office said there there is an application process and they also take recommendations when a position needs to be filled. She also said that there are so many boards and commissions that it is hard to keep track of all the vacancies. She said they are looking into a way of compiling the information and perhaps revamping the process for filling the positions as well as making the information more available.
• The other item of business on the agenda - a proposed amendment regarding gender inclusive documents and forms (Item 25-1822) was deferred with no discussion or explanation.

Joint meeting of the Cook County Board Committees - Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee and the Labor Committee
May 14, 2025

• These two committees met to hold a Public Hearing to review the effectiveness of the Cook County Wage Theft Ordinance that was passed 10 years ago to address the issue of wage theft and to protect workers from exploitive labor practices. (Item 25-2344)
• Comm Anaya said that in checking with all the County departments named in the ordinance there have been no complaints filed since passage in 2015. While wage theft itself is not a violation of the Cook County Code, the ordinance does disqualify any businesses that have been found guilty of wage theft from obtaining contracts, a business license or a tax incentive from the County.

Three public speakers from agencies that work with the workers this ordinance was meant for, outlined the following concerns with the ordinance;

• The ordinance does not detail how employees can file complaints.
• Workers need to be educated so they know their rights and what to do if their rights are violated.
• The ordinance does not include an effective way to hold employers accountable.
• There needs to be a better route for enforcement than the lengthy legal route.
• There needs to be better collaboration to ensure enforcement. 

Commissioner comments:

• Comm. Daley - asked what could be learned from this ordinance. There needs to be some mechanism for filing complaints and cooperation among the departments involved for sharing information about violations.  
• Comm. Britton - asked about tracking of private actions taken concerning violations. County does not get information from the Illinois Department of Labor about violations. 
• Comm. Lowry stated that the Illinois Department of Labor has jurisdiction on labor violations.
• Comm. Vasquez - wanted to know how departments were working together and said they needed to ensure communications between departments on these issues.
• Chicago Alderman Quesada (formerly a Cook County Commissioner) joined the meeting and was asked to make comments as he was one of the sponsoring commissioners for requesting this hearing. He stated that there is back-sliding of labor rights and it is necessary for partners to work together to ensure worker’s rights and to remain vigilant about the rights of workers. 

​Observer - Cynthia Schilsky

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

Cook County Board Of Commissioners Meeting
October 20, 2022; 10:30 A.M.

Board Action:
The Board was asked to extend and to increase the recruiting and HR consultation services with Deloitte. The original contract was 11-8-2021 to 11-7-2022. The proposed extension would run 11-8-2022 to 11-7-2023. (Agenda Item 22-5170)

• Commissioner Gainer was uncertain that the process would be improved and asked whether the County was measuring its effectiveness. HR responded that Deloitte was the only one to respond to the call for bids. There is currently a serious shortage of recruiters and the County is having to compete in an extremely tight market.
• Commissioner Aguilar asked what happens if the extension is not approved. HR replied that hiring for the County would be severely impacted because HR simply does not have the staff to handle the demand. Commissioner Degnen expressed concern about the amount of money which would be expended for just twelve Deloitte employees.
• Commissioner Gainer said she wanted to see the whole pipeline for hiring from beginning to end to understand what is happening. 
• Board approved as substituted on a roll call vote. Aye: 11; Nay: 4 ; Ab: 2 (excused).

​Additional Board Business Was Conducted With Little Discussion

• 22-5826- The Board established the annual calendar of regular and consent meetings for 2023. Passed on roll call vote.
• 22-5827-5830- Program budgets of the RTA, CTA, Metra, and PACE (2023) were referred to the Transportation Committee.
• 22-5631- The Board approved the contract with Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation for study that allows County to determine population characteristics of coyotes & wildlife to help minimize conflicts and guide management programs relating to wildlife and the public. Commissioner Gainer related this to the Forest Preserve coyote issue and asked that the County engage with the animal welfare community.

The Board passed resolutions on the following items:

• 22-6036- Recognizing County Care’s 10th anniversary.
• 22-6092- Honoring Patrick M. Blanchard who is retiring as Cook County’s first Independent Inspector General. Commissioner Suffredin referenced a letter from the LWVCC recognizing his contributions.
• 22-5862- Creating an Opioid Remediation Abatement Special Purpose Fund which will see that funds are dispersed equitably to support opioid remediation and abatement programs.
• 22-6090- Calling for a 12-week Paid Parental Leave policy financial impact analysis & report. As of Jan. 1, 2023 the City of Chicago will have such a policy. The Board voted to refer this to the Finance Committee. 

Observer: Georgia Gebhardt

Committee Meetings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
Oct 5 & 6, 2021
 
Note: all items listed below as being approved by a Committee do not become effective until the Board approves them at the Board meeting held on October 7.

October 5 Meeting Highlights:

Health and Hospitals Committee

• Agenda Item 21-0541  CCH and Public Health Dept update on Covid. Deferred  Cook County Health (CCH) established a mandate for employee vaccination or weekly testing.   As of Oct 1, 83% of the employees are fully vaccinated and 92% had one dose.
• 21-5290 Resolution declaring mental health a public health crisis.     Passed   Commissioners Amaya, Degnen, and Kevin Morrison said their constituents want more money spent on mental health services.   Commissioner Miller said American Rescue Plan Act funds should be spent on improving these services.  Commissioner Daley said that there needs to be coordination with other existing services including private hospitals.

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee

• 21-5410 Ordinance to codify the existence, duties and appointments for the Commission on Women’s Issues.     Passed    The Commission was formed in 1995 by resolution. The purpose of this action was to put it into the County ordinances.  
  
• 21-0565  Proposed resolution to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day and Reconciliation Day                                                                                           Deferred     There were several public speakers in favor and against the proposed resolution.    One point often raised by the public speakers and the Commissioners was though it is important to recognize the wrongs done to Indigenous People, there was no reason to take away a day that honors the contributions of the Italian Americans.   The State of Illinois has named the last Monday of September as Indigenous Peoples Day. Several Commissioners thanked Commissioner Johnson for initiating the process and resulting difficult conversations that were illuminating.

October 6 Meeting Highlights

Finance Committee

• 21-5258  Calling for a review and recommendation regarding elected officials’ compensation.  Passed.  Comm. Suffredin proposed to initiate a process to engage an economist and an outside compensation consultant to review the compensation of Cook County officials and compare it to other counties.  The last review was in 2000. The committee would prepare a report on the comparison and recommend salaries to the Commissioners.  The report would be prepared by February of 2022.  The Commissioners would then decide if any action was needed. Any such increase would be effective in the next fiscal year in 2023 after the election for the offices.  The Clerk of the Court would be excepted since it isn’t up for election until Nov. 2024.
  
• 21-4303 Proposed amendment to the Procurement Code.     Deferred to Nov Mtg.  It would require that the Chief Procurement Officer shall make every effort to have at least one woman and one African American or Hispanic  on any evaluation committee for an RFQ or RFP.  
  
• 21-4102   Approval of Unarmed Security Contract for the Juvenile Detention Center (JDT)  Passed      11 Aye  4 present   Commissioner Sean Morrison No  Leonard Dixon of the JDT  reported that supplemental guards were needed at the facility because they are currently experiencing a 23% absentee rate.  He is recommending a three-year contract with Monterrey Security Consultants to provide 22 officers.   The JDT has 400 FTEs in security staff and currently 100 vacancies.  The standard absence had been 10-15%.  The vacancies are due to COVID, retirement, FMLA, injuries, and difficulty in hiring.   The JDT brought in a psychologist to help the staff with the stress of the job.  He anticipates that it will take them 3 years to rebuild to full staff.   The JDT can have an average of 200 detainees. Comm. Sean Morrison had previously asked to see the contracts and supporting documents and had not received them.   He was concerned that the vendor could commit to handling all the requirements. Comm. Daley asked for a follow up report on how the JDT was reducing the absentee rate.

Technology Committee

• 21-5079   Chief Technology Officer’s major project report.       Deferred to the November meeting  
• The Clerk of Court technology officer reported that they were making progress on the Odyssey system, that allows electronic access to court documents and dates.  Initially, Judge Evans delayed the Court from implementing the system.   He has since given approval for Phase 1 and 2 to be implemented.   The traffic court is in the last phase and will be implemented by the end of the year.
• The completion of the Integrated Tax Processing System will be delayed until September of 2024.    Comm. Sean Morrison referred to a letter that all the Commissioners received from Treasurer Pappas with concerns about the project.   The vendor is Tyler Information Systems and they were originally contracted in 2015 with a completion date of 2019.  The contract was performance based and Tyler has not been paid for implementation projects since 2017 although the implementation is continuing.   They are also contracted for ongoing licensing and maintenance of the system.     Comm. Sean Morrison said Tyler’s performance is disappointing. Comm. Kevin Morrison said he may call a special meeting to address the issues.   Since it is a contract issue, the committee would have to meet in executive session.

Observed by: Kathi Graffam                                           Time: 7 hours total