Cook County Board of Commissioners - Special Meeting
March 16, 2020

What the Board Discussed and Decided:

• On March 10, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle issued a proclamation of disaster for Cook County in light of the emergency situation posed by the COVID-19 (“Corona”) virus.  Such declaration could only last for 7 days under Illinois law unless extended by the Cook County Board.  At today’s emergency meeting, the Board voted to extend that declaration of emergency thru May 31 and it also applies to the Cook County Forest Preserve District.  
• As part of the Resolution authorizing the extension, the Board granted the authority to the President to issue Executive Orders as necessary to provide for continuity of government in the event the Board and/or the Board’s Finance Committee is unable to meet again in March or April.  The President told the Board that all actions taken as a result of this authority would be reported to the Board.
• The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security are coordinating county and municipal resources and response activities as authorized under Chapter 26, Article II, Section 26-31 through 43 of the Cook County ordinances.  
• William Barnes, the Executive Director of Emergency Management and Regional Security stated that the Emergency Operation Plan has been activated and his department has been working closely with municipal governments throughout Cook County, as well as State and Federal authorities.  
• Dr. Terry Mason, who heads the County’s Public Health Department, said that his department has been working closely with the federal Center for Disease Control and other Cook County municipal and State public health departments.  He stated that things are going to get worse but that his job was to minimize that as much as possible.  He will be working with hospitals across the County to deploy tests for the Corona virus once they become available.
• Commissioner Sims asked whether the Commissioners could hold meetings via video conferencing.  The President’s legal counsel explained that under the current Illinois Open Meetings Act, all such meetings must be in person.  However, she said that there is an amendment in the State legislature which would allow for such “virtual” meetings during times of emergency.  She hopes that it might be passed and signed into law in April.
• Commissioner Gainer asked what protections would be provided to election judges for the March 17 Primary.  The Deputy Clerk for Elections (for suburban Cook County polling places) said that hand sanitizers and alcohol wipes would be provided.  Commissioners Daley and Sims asked whether the County would be cleaning the polling places thoroughly after the election.  The Deputy Clerk said that the County does not have the supplies or money to do so at this time.  An emergency request for supplies was sent by the Clerk’s office on Friday to Emergency Management and Regional Security, but Mr. Barnes said such request far exceeded its ability to respond and the request has been forwarded to Illinois Emergency Management, which has not yet had a chance to respond.
• It appears likely that the March 25 Finance Committee and the March 26 Board meetings will be cancelled.  All other Committee meetings through March 25 have already been cancelled.

Observer - Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board of Commissioners
Committee and Consent Agenda Meetings
January 15, 2020

During the Consent Agenda Meeting the Board honored the League of Women Voters in recognition of its 100th anniversary on February 14, 2020.  President Preckwinkle and Commissioners noted the many suggestions from the League over the years to improve the operations and transparency of the government, as well as the presence of League observers at most Cook County Board and Committee meetings.

The following actions by the Committees are subject to Board approval at the January 16 Board meeting:

• With the advent of legal sales and possession of cannabis in Illinois as of January 1, 
  • The Finance Committee passed a 3% retailer’s sales tax on gross receipts of sales of recreational cannabis.  Sales of cannabis for medicinal purposes are excluded.  Tax (which is on top of the normal sales tax) to be effective July 1, 2020.  Commissioner Suffredin noted that, based on the experience in other states that have legalized cannabis, the County can expect an increase in emergency room visits and in having to deal with more driving while under the influence cases, adding costs to the County’s health and public safety functions.  Thus, the 3% tax is more than justified.  Because the State collects the tax and then remits to the County, the County does not expect to receive any revenues until September or October.  Item 20-0658.
  • The Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee passed a proposal to create a Cook County Cannabis Commission to analyze the impact of recreational and medicinal cannabis industries within unincorporated Cook County.  Commissioner Lowry will be the chair.  Item 20-0763.
• The Health & Hospitals Committee passed a resolution for: 
  • (1) the Chair of the Independent Cook County Health (CCH) Board to meet with the Cook County President and Board to solicit input regarding the responsibilities, background, and attributes to consider with respect to recruiting and appointing a new CCH Chief Executive Officer, which will be done at a public meeting in the Board room within 30 days; 
  • (2) the Cook County Board to have “listening sessions” at several locations around the County so that the public can provide input; 
  • (3) the Cook County Auditor, with the assistance from professional auditing firms experienced in health care, to conduct a management audit of CCH; and
  • (4) such audit to be completed by July 1, 2020, so that its recommendations can be considered for the 2021 budget.  Item 20-0789.
• The Business and Economic Development Committee passed a Substitute Amendment to the Real Estate Tax Incentive Program to waive the relatively new requirement that business receiving the incentive file annual affidavits of compliance.  Previously, the requirement was that such affidavits be filed every 3 years.  With the change, there had been a marked decrease in new businesses seeking the incentive.  The waiver is in place until 2022.  Several people spoke in support during public comments.  Item 20-0768.
• This Committee also passed a resolution supporting a review of the small business and entrepreneur ecosystem in Cook County by an independent expert.  Item 20-0678

Observer - Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
December 19, 2019

The Board devoted the first 2 hours of their meeting to the honoring of retiring employee Martha Martinez, former Commissioner Jerry Butler, and the late Reverend Clay Evans. Testimonials lauded Martinez for thirty-four years of exemplary service.  Former Commissioner Jerry Butler received a touching tribute from the Board. HIs career as a popular vocal artist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was noted. Commissioner Butler sang one of his hits, “Let It Be Me” to the delight of all present. The late Reverend Clay Evans was honored as an icon of the black community and for his work on civil rights with Dr. Martin Luther King.

Action Items:

• Agenda Item 20-0016- The proposed amendment to the Inspector General ordinance regarding reports and public statements was referred to the legislative committee. It requires that the IG share a statement with the head of the affected department and not issue a public statement for ten days. If the department has a response, this must be attached to the public statement. The Civic Federation supported  this amendment during the public comment period.
• Agenda Item 20-0735- The Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting federal universal background checks for firearms. It is hoped that this will add pressure for passage of gun control legislation in Washington.
• Agenda Item 20-0721- The Board unanimously passed a resolution to support refugee resettlement efforts in Cook County. Several agencies testified to the challenge of working under current punitive federal policy.
• Agenda Item 20-0437- Approved an intergovernmental agreement between the pension fund and Cook County. In 2016 the pension was 54% funded. $306.2 million will be contributed for 2020. This infusion of funds has now raised the percentage funded to 68%, one of the highest in the state.
• Agenda Item 20-0732 - Changes in committee chairmanships were approved. These new assignments will give greater responsibility to the newer members of the Board.
• Agenda Item 20-0658 - Proposed tax on cannabis was referred to the finance committee.
• Agenda Item 20-1831- Board approved a commission chaired by Britton to create a new design for the county flag. The deadline is 2021 when the county celebrates its 190th anniversary. High school students will be asked to submit designs in a competition.
• Agenda Item 20-0726 - Board approved a resolution to support Cook County Health’s construction of a new Provident Hospital. It also provides for the Cook County Board Health & Hospital Committee to hold a hearing to receive an update on the project.
• Agenda Item 20-0712 - Board approved a resolution to discuss the Cook County Health Formulary Program. The resolution describes how insurance companies use “step therapy” in an effort to control drug costs. Step therapy is when patients first try the less costly drugs to see if they work. This can delay patients getting the treatment they need.
• Agenda Item 20-0011 - Proposed ordinance regarding zoning for recreational cannabis was referred to committee.
• Agenda Item 20-0579- Board approved authority for Public Defender to accept $500,000 grant to aid data analytics.

Commissioners Daley, Deer, Suffredin, Arroyo, Sylvestri, Gainer and Moore thanked Dr. Shannon (CCH) for his service to Cook County Health. Dr. Shannon was present and acknowledged their kind words. 

Observer - Georgia Gebhardt               Meeting Length: 3 hours, 20 minutes (includes 40 minute lunch break)

Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings 
Nov 20, 2019

Highlights from the meetings:

Finance Committee
Commissioner Silvestri stated that at the Litigation Subcommittee meeting on Nov 19, the compliance administrators gave a positive report that the Assessor's office is moving quickly, the Clerk of the Court's pace has picked up and the Recorder of Deeds is at a good point in achieving compliance with the Shakman decrees.  The next status update to the Litigation Subcommittee will be Feb 2020.  It was hoped compliance would be achieved for the Recorder of Deeds before its merger with the Clerk's office, Dec 1, 2020.

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
Representatives from the Recorder of Deeds and Clerk's office presented a status update on their merger (agenda item 19-6178).  Agreements have been made between the two regarding open dialog/communications and information sharing.  Work groups have been established.  Areas of early consolidation discussed were procurement and financial (merging bank accounts). Commissioner Suffredin suggested that the Recorder of Deeds and Clerk meet with the League of Women Voters as he said this outside group has continued to send questions regarding the merger process and were involved in the Nov 2016 referendum.

Rules and Administration Committee
The Just Housing Amendment, that Cook County's housing providers do not discriminate against individuals with a criminal history/convictions when they apply for housing, was passed spring 2019 by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.  Interpretive rules for this Just Housing Amendment have been worked out over the past months.  The Proposed Second Substitute to agenda item # 19-4770 on file (regarding the Just Housing Amendment Interpretive Rules) was adopted.  The motion to receive and file the adopted Proposed Second Substitute 19-4770 was passed which sends the rules to the full Cook County board of Commissioners for final approval.  There were many groups at the committee meeting presenting views on affordable and fair housing, criminal justice, disabilities and racial discrimination since historically individuals with a criminal history/convictions have a history of not obtaining safe and stable housing.

Observed by Michele Niccolai