Cook County Board Committee Meetings
May 9 and 11, 2022

May 9 Finance Committee meeting –Equity Fund

• The one agenda item was to consider specific proposals for spending $50 M from the Equity and Inclusion Special Purpose Fund.  (Item 22-2779)  The League of Women Voters of Cook County had sought confirmation that the County will identify expected outcomes, ways to measure whether the outcomes were achieved, and who and when will do the measuring, prior to approving money from the Equity Fund.  Lannetta Turner Hayes, the President’s Chief of Staff, made such commitment.  
• The proposal was recommended to be approved and was at the May 12 Board meeting.
• Much of the meeting involved presentations and speakers regarding the April 7 Equity Fund Report which contains recommendations on actions Cook County government should take to address structural barriers that prevent the meaningful advancement of equity across Cook County. Several of these were included in the proposal that was passed. 
  
• The April 7 Equity Fund Report can be found here.

May 11 Business & Economic Development Committee meeting – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund

• A Substitute was accepted for the proposal for spending ARPA funds for specific programs under the Vital Communities category.  (Item 22-2807)  This Substitute increased the amounts for the 6 programs listed in the original, and added 2 new programs.  Xochiti Flores, the Bureau Chief of Economic Development, explained that the original version covered only this year, but the Substitute covers 3 years, and, because of the time between the April Board meeting and this meeting, two additional programs were ready for approval.  
• Funds are to be spent on implementing legal aid for housing and debt; an invest in families and youth program, primarily for the suburbs; a community conservation corps for the Forest Preserve District; capacity-building investments in food access sites program; hotel-based sheltering program for the homeless; a recovery initiative for suburban Cook County bureaus for travel, tourism, and hospitality industries; business advisory services geared toward the south suburbs; and assistance for small businesses. 
• The League sought confirmation that, as previously committed by the County, for each of these programs, the County had identified the expected outcomes, ways to measure the outcomes, and when and who will do the measuring.  Comm. Sean Morrison and Chair Bridget Gainer both expressed support, and Bureau Chief Flores agreed that the County was committed to this.  However, this observer did not hear confirmation that this information had been submitted to the Commissioners prior to their vote to recommend approval of this item (which the Board approved on May 12).

May 11 Human Relations Committee meeting – Transgender Issues

• This meeting was a hearing to discuss violence and systematic barriers against Cook County transgender residents. (Item 22-2788)
• Several public speakers detailed why such a hearing was necessary.  Then speakers from Cook County Health, the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Human Resources, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Justice Advisory Council spoke about what programs they have in place to assist, recognize, and welcome those who identify as transgender. 

May 11 Health & Hospitals Committee meeting – COVID Update

• Cook County Health (CCH) CEO Israel Rocha announced that CCH had administered the 1 millionth dose of the COVID vaccine during the week of May 2.
• The County is now considered at the medium risk level as it has more than 200 cases per 100,000 people.  Thus, people are strongly recommended to wear masks indoors, avoid poorly ventilated indoor settings, and socialize outdoors if possible.
• 86% of suburban Cook County residents have received at least 1 vaccine dose and 65% are considered fully vaccinated.  However, less than 50% of those have received the 1st booster, with far fewer receiving the 2nd booster.  However, there is a problem with data.  People are going to receive their boosters from different providers than those who administered the initial vaccines.  If there is a variation in the patient’s name between the providers (for example, inclusion or elimination of a middle name or initial), the person will be counted as a different person.
• The number of people doing contract tracing for the County has been decreased considerably.  There are currently 45 employees who are expected to continue through the remainder of the year, mainly in connection with congregate settings, such as outbreaks at group care homes, at events, or in workplaces.  The Commissioners were assured that all prior contract tracers were offered other positions within CCH and not simply let go.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board Of Commissioners Meeting
February 10, 2022-10:00 a.m.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
In a presentation by the Chief Financial Officer, Ammar Rizki, and President Preckwinkle’s Chief of Staff, Lantana Hayes-Turner, the board heard how the County plans to allocate the $420 million dollars in ARPA funding received from the Federal Treasury.

• $100 million will be held in reserve, and the remaining $320,000 will be spent on the following County programs:        $100,000 million     Vital Communities             $60 million     Safe & Thriving Communities             $ 45,000 million       Sustainable Communities             $55 million       Smart Communities*                           *It is estimated that 25% of suburban communities, particularly south suburban communities do not have access to reliable internet.
• The County stated that it will provide technical assistance to local communities.  CFO Rizki made a special point of stating that Cook County is required to account for all ARPA dollars spent which means that along with dollars allocated there will be detailed reporting requirements.
• The Board unanimously voted to send this resolution [#22-1626] to the Finance Committee.  Commissioner Sims cautioned that the County’s ARPA Plan is new and extensive, and it will take time and patience to both implement and see results.

Other Business

• All Commissioners requested that the CC Public Health Department’s analysis of health outcome disparities in Cook County and recommended solutions be sent to the CC Health and Hospitals Committee.  Commissioner Johnson asked if Air Quality is included, and Commissioner Daley again noted that private hospitals in the County need to step up and provide for more Charity Care (22-1703).
• A Report from the Office of the Chief Judge following a January 19, 2022 joint meeting of the Health and Hospitals and Criminal Justice Committees concerning county-wide strategies and progress combating violet crimes was referred to the CC Health and Hospital Committee (22-1561).
• The Transportation Superintendent, Jennifer Killen, reported on the bridge replacement contracts that are being let using Federal Infrastructure Funds allocated to Cook County.
• The Board honored Dr. Manila who is retiring after 32 years serving the inmates of the Cermak Jail’s mental and behavioral health needs.  
• Public speakers addressed the following issues: 1) Requested the use of COVID monies pay an additional 80 hours of sick pay to employees absent due to COVID issues for both themselves and their families.    2) Thanked the board for designating April as Sikh Awareness month.  3)  The new Executive Director of the Land Bank spoke to its 2022 goals and noted that its website contains its 2022 work plan and locations.  4)  Local 399 has approved an operating engineer’s training agreement for young people.

The Board approved the following key items recommended by Committees:
Legislative and Intergovernment Affairs Committee:

• Appointing Lynne Turner as Secretary to the Board. (Item 22-1238)
• Amending the ordinance pertaining to the selection of a new Independent Inspector General.  The current IIG, Patrick Blanchard, has announced his retirement as of Oct. 2022.  The amendment slightly streamlines the selection process.  Comm. Suffredin stressed that all those involved with the selection are subject to the County’s Ethics Code, which responded to a concern that the League had raised.  (Item 22-1224)

 
Finance Committee:   All items passed unanimously including Item 22-0841 calling for No Change in the tax levy for fiscal year 2022. 

Cook County Health and Hospitals Committee Meeting of Feb. 9, 2022 Report

• Cook County Health reported that they are closing their temporary vaccine sites but will continue to give vaccines across their 13 hospitals and community health centers. To increase incentives they are giving out $100 visa gift cards with any vaccine dose, until they run out of gift cards. They are also giving out free KN95 masks to anyone, no vaccine necessary. (21-0541)
• Commissioner Degnen gave a presentation about a mobile health initiative that she is coordinating as a pilot program. This would be an alternative health team task force, to be used for mental health crises in lieu of sheriff’s services, where appropriate. Funding for this mobile task force will come from ARPA, with the goal of creating a budget and propose an ordinance after the pilot program. (22-0737) 
• The quarterly mental health reports were presented by representatives from CCH, the Public Health Department, Cermak Health (which runs mental health services in Cook County Jail), Sherriff’s office, State’s Attorney, Chief Judge, and the Public Defender’s office. Some things that came up in discussion are the need for more services for pediatrics, and the need to fill vacancies with qualified people, particularly in juvenile justice. (22-1212, 22-1206,  22-1217, 22-1222, 22-0714, 22-1288, 22-0548, 22-1171)

Observers:  Diane Edmundson, Amber Elmer, Pris Mims

Cook County Board and Finance Committee Meetings
November 18, 2021

Prior to the Board meeting at which the budget was unanimously passed, the Finance Committee met and unanimously passed all proposed 19 amendments, which added $72.7 Million to the original $8.08 B proposal from President Preckwinkle.  Following are the main changes (most of which do not add any additional amounts to the total budget, but simply reallocate money):

• Amendments 6 and 7 moved some dollars around to fund the costs under the Office of the Chief Judge to provide 24/7 court operations for Domestic Violence court proceedings as of April 1, 2022.  This increase in court services is the response to recommendations from the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues, the urging of a number of entities involved providing services to those impacted by domestic violence that came to the fore in July, and the active encouragement of the President and Commissioners.  The Sheriff and the Clerk of the Court both said that they could provide the necessary staffing from their areas within their proposed budgets.
• A revision of the turnover adjustment in the Office of the Chief Judge will be used to fund an increase in jury pay from $14.50 to $30.00/d plus an increase in the travel stipend from $2.70 to $5/d.  Similarly, another revision to the turnover adjustment will provide the funding to increase the rates of compensation for outside legal representation of indigents.  Both of these changes will be effective as of June 1, 2022.
• $30 M will be transferred from the County’s General Fund’s reserves to establish reserve for the Health Plan Services Fund.
• $68.8 M were added to the listing of the grants awarded to the County, $3.4 M were added to the capital projects.
• Utilizing $1.4 M from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies, 17 positions were added to the Offices under the President to assist with workforce development, policy analysis, facility management, and contract compliance in connection with the programs to be funded by ARPA.

In the only public comments at the Board meeting, the Civic Federation expressed its support for the proposed budget, praising the President and Board for all the steps they have taken over the years to 

• create a healthy fund balance, 
• keep control of the County’s debt, 
• shore up the pension funding, and 
• do long-range planning.  

The Civic Federation did urge that the Board seek an update on what the goals are for the use of Provident Hospital and that the Board, whose members also make up the Board of the Cook County Forest Preserve, though it is a separate government entity, have a plan to deal with the Forest Preserve should the November 2022 referendum not pass.

Observer - Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board Finance Committee
Departmental Budget Meeting
October 27

State’s Attorney - Presented by Kimberly Foxx

Proposed 2022 Budget: $187,870,209            2021 Budget: $176,029.324
2022 includes $526,335 from the American Rescue Plan Special Purpose Fund

Proposed 2022 FTEs: 1,432                2021 FTEs: 1397.4

Highlights: 2021 Initiatives and Outcomes

• Given the pandemic, The Speedy Trial Act was suspended in late March of 2020 and restored on October 1, 2021.   
• Limited court proceedings meant a significant decrease in cases disposed, and although the gap is closing, we expect to finish the year under target.
• The number one charge remains guns, allowing a focus on public safety and violence.

Operational Opportunities: 2022 Initiatives and Goals

• The State's Attorney (SA) office will continue to expand alternative prosecution programs, and work with partners and community to decriminalize addiction, mental health issues, and poverty.  
• Additional initiatives include increased investigations of past wrongful convictions and preparing for implementation of the SAFE-T Act (the Omnibus Criminal Justice Act that the Illinois Legislature passed and the Governor signed early in 2021).

State’s Attorney Foxx’s Remarks

• In addition to the criminal cases, the SA is the lawyer of record for the county (civil side). $266 million were awarded to the County in a case regarding the failure of Sam’s Club to pay taxes on cigarettes.
• Cook County leads the country in vacating wrongful convictions. This work also helps build trust in the community.  
• A goal is increasing community engagement.  We welcome meeting with constituents in order to better explain the work of the SA.  
• The SA endeavors to be the most transparent SA office in the country and the website has a detailed description of the office’s work, accompanied by data. https://www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/ 
• The workload at Cook County exceeds that of Los Angeles County and New York.  LA County is the largest State’s Attorney office in the U.S. and Cook County is second. But LA County does not handle civil cases or misdemeanors.  NY does not handle misdemeanors.  
• In Cook County, felonies must get approval from the SA; but misdemeanors are directly filed by law enforcement.  In other major US jurisdictions, city attorneys deal with misdemeanors.

Foxx suggests that there are misunderstandings and even misinformation about how and when felony charges occur in Cook County.  She explains the procedure:

• The SA is only involved in a case when an arrest is made.
• Law enforcement (LE) investigates, talks with witnesses, gathers information, and makes an arrest. 
• LE takes the case to the felony review office in the SA office to evaluate whether there was a crime, whether the arrestee is the right person, and whether the evidence can be linked to the arrestee.
• When the case is lacking, the SA cannot indict the arrestee but asks LE to gather more evidence.  The case remains open while additional evidence is sought.
• Evidence gathering is done optimally before arrest since after an arrest is made, an arrestee can be held for only 48 hours.  
• Charges are often brought much later than the date of the crime. But once the case is charged, the SA can use only the evidence gathered at that point. 
• According to ABA Criminal Justice Standards:  “A prosecutor should not seek an indictment unless the prosecutor reasonably believes the charges are supported by probable cause and that there will be admissible evidence sufficient to support the charges beyond reasonable doubt at trial.” 

Commisioner Questions:

Q  Do you have any problem hiring staff?
A   We do well in hiring. We target law students.  There are challenges:

• Covid has caused problems in retention and hiring. 
• Cook County is a low paying office: $69,000 start for assistant.  Law firms pay $160,000. 
• Although many new hires come with a commitment to public service, others come, get the experience, but leave.  Student debt factors into staff leaving.  
• A concern is that many experienced people are retiring.  
• A Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion person has been hired to meet hiring standards.  

​Q  How is your budget striking the balance to help people feel safe but not criminalizing members of the community?
A  We prioritize crimes of violence.  In the past, resources were going to shoplifting and drug cases. For the last four years, we have focused on gun offenses.  Narcotics cases have shrunk because these should be diverted to treatment.  This allows more resources to go to violent crime. 

Q  There was a gunfight recently in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. There was a video.  Why was no one charged? The mayor used the term “mutual combatants,” indicating that both sides of the incident should be arrested.  Should they have been?
A  The video did not capture the beginning of the conflict.  Under the law, people do have the right to defend themselves—and so the beginning is important.  In this instance, all of the witnesses said, “I want a lawyer.”  The police and we agreed that we had not enough evidence. The mayor’s remarks were disappointing.  Frustration cannot lead us to make bad choices.  

Q  How can we help address mental health needs?
A  Too many mentally ill people are in jail. The felony review team sees that these are mental health situations.  But when people go to Mental Health Court, they get more entangled in the system than they need to be.   People should be deflected out of the system entirely.  But the SA doesn’t have a mechanism to do that--we need robust treatment so that they don’t come to us at all. We have not been thoughtful about the role of trauma and mental health in gun violence.  Children who suffer trauma have no access to social workers, therapy.  They feel they are better off with a weapon. But a child with a gun easily overreacts, leading to tragedy. Our strategies have not been proactive but reactive   We need to figure out how to bring services on the front end.

Q What about the budget for dealing with carjackings?
A The PA office cannot do anything until the police bring cases to them.  The case-clearing by the police for carjackings is only about 12%.

Observer - Janet Kittlaus

Cook County Board Finance Committee
Departmental Budget Hearings
Oct. 26, 2021

The meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. was held at 10:30 due to CCH scheduling issues.  It continued until 1:15 for 2 hours and 45 minutes due to commissioner questioning and compliments. 

Cook County Health - presented by CEO Israel Rocha and former Interim Budget Officer, Andrea Gibson

Proposed 2022 Budget:  $ 3.889 Billion    2021 Budget:  $3.388 Billion
Proposed 2022 FTEs:         7,560                 2021 FTEs:       6,803 

CEO Rocha’s comments
Both internal and external factors were considered in developing the 2022 budget; and while he stated that this is a conservative budget, he also stated that is has taken into consideration the importance of meeting the needs of patients, staff, and growth challenges.  Health Equity runs through all budget allocations.

2021 Accomplishments

• Mitigated COVID at CC Jail
• Established a health line for employees
• 900,000 Covid shots administered
• Established an Office of Health Equity
• County Care again received the highest recognition from the State for its coverage and options.

The COVID Pandemic impact on the 2022 budget:

• FY 2019 patient volumes were used as a baseline as all volumes were down in 20-21.
• Medicaid has been expanded to those previously considered charity care which includes undocumented seniors 65+.  And beginning in January undocumented seniors 55+ will also be covered.
• The County Care Management Program has grown beyond expectations due to the state not requiring the usual annual re-determination of Medicaid eligibility.

Other Highlights of his presentation:

• County Care now has 415,000 members which has driven up both anticipated revenues and expenses for 2022.  Focus will continue to be on increasing the use of in-house medical care vs members using outside providers.  Emphasis will be on closing service gaps, investing in the nursing staff, and increasing emergency and dialysis services at Provident.  
• Neurology, Oncology, behavioral services will all be increased offerings at Provident, Stroger, and several of the community health centers.  The ultimate goal is to offer these services at all or most of the centers.  Also reported that a new state-of-the-art health center was opened in 2021 on W. Fullerton named Belmont Cragin.
• Public Health received funding from the Center for Disease Control and the County will increase its tax allocation by $10 million each year contingent on revenue.
• Surgical rooms are being increased and modernized at both Stroger and Provident. Provident is resuming emergency ambulance runs.
• There is the potential for national recognition of Provident Hospital’s Dialysis and Renal Center.

Commissioner Questions

1. When will the vaccine for ages 5-11 be available.  Answer:  expect vaccine on hand in two weeks.  To date every suburban school has been contacted.  Emphasis will be on schools and family doctors to answer questions and vaccinate.
2. Have outstanding accounts receivables improved.  Ans:  Yes.  In 2021 to date cash collection increased by $24 million.  Also, the System is establishing a claims reserve for County Care.
3. Commissioner Miller wants to see the ambulatory care clinics much more robust and all offering life style services.  She also wants more services provided in the Southland area.
4. Anaya asked that Telehealth be expanded.
5. A question on the pandemic effects on the staff was answered this way: There were many more retirements.  The System is asking itself “how do we energize our staff?” Need more patient education. Need increased emphasis on Mental Health. Mr. Rocha stated he will be offering a new Strategic Plan at the end of 2022. 

Diane Edmundson - Observer

Cook County Board Finance Committee
Departmental Budget Hearings:
October 27, 2021

This report covers the meetings with the Chief Judge and the Land Bank.

Chief Judge presented by Honorable Tim Evans
Proposed 2022 Budget: $287,915,856        2021 Budget: $273,508,315
(2022 includes $1.9 M from American Rescue Plan funds)
Proposed 2022 FTEs: 2,906.6                2021 FTEs: 2,872.6
(2022 includes 29 FTEs from American Rescue Plan funds)

The Chief Judge’s office is the administrative office serving the Circuit Court of Cook County. The office supervises non-judicial employees who provide a wide range of services including judicial support, probation, guardianship, Juvenile Detention, clinical and other support.  

​The Chief Judge stated that the Chief Judges Office is more than hearings in Court and emphasized the good work they are doing with the money that they are given. Some of the highlighted offices under the Chief Judge include:

• Adult and Juvenile Probation-pre- and post-trial activities
• Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (largest in the US)
• Jury Administration
• Children’s Room, place where children can go while their parents are in court
• Restorative Justice Court: there are 4 in Cook County that hear cases for young adults 18-26 that have been charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanors.
• Mental, Drug and Veterans Courts.  There are currently 20 Drug Courts

Chief Judge Evans was very proud of the documentary Any Given Day which is about the Mental Health Court. It won at the Chicago International Film Festival.
Chief Judge Evans will submit 2 amendments to the Chief Judge’s budget:

• The first for Domestic Violence.  He is asking for $2,360,000. This will be used to improve the services at the Domestic Violence Court at 555 E. Harrison, Chicago. The money will be used to support 15 Court coordinators, 5 law Clerks, 40 laptops, Advocates for Elderly Law, Advocates for Disability Law, and advocates to work 24 hours/7 days a week to help make sure orders of protections are provided to those in need. The Sheriff’s Department will provide 12 LEAD Clerks from the LEAD System who will help those seeking Orders of Protection complete the necessary forms and help expedite these orders.  The goal is to provide an Order of Protection to anyone in Cook County who feels they are in a dangerous situation.  The Sheriff’s office may provide some financial support for this amendment. A Committee  was formed in July with Judges and Commissioners Daley, Suffredin, Sims, Deer and Anaya out of concern for how the County is dealing with Domestic Violence.
• The second amendment is to raise the salary of Jurors from $17.20 to $35.00 per day.    Part 2 of this amendment is to increase the hourly rates paid to private attorneys needed to represent indigent people when Public Defenders are not able to represent them due to conflicts of interest. The rate is currently $75 per hour for in Court work and $55 per hour for outside Court Work. Chief Judge would like to double those rates.
• The Commissioners seem to be in favor of the above amendments

Land Bank Authority presented by Eleanor Gorski, Executive Director
Proposed 2022 Budget: 15,020,440            2021 Budget: 15,232,149
Proposed FTEs: 13                        2021 FTES: 12

The Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) will acquire, hold, and transfer interest in real property throughout Cook County to promote redevelopment and reuse of vacant, abandoned, foreclosed, or tax delinquent properties, and support targeted efforts to stabilize neighborhoods.

Executive Director Gorski began her job in August of 2021.

• This is a self-sustaining Authority. No taxpayer subsidy is used to accomplish their mission.
• 408 properties sold in 2021 and 408 properties were acquired
• 1,000 rehabilitated units have been sold with no public financing as affordable housing since 2013 when the CCLBA was established, 218 units rehab so far in 2021. 
• There was one change in their budget. Grant money was reduced from 4.8M to $550,000 due to a MWRD Grant that ended.

CCLBA Outlook for 2022 that will keep administrative costs flat. Some of the highlights include:

• Leverage with partnerships for an increase in economic development
• Scale up affordable housing with focus planning
• Streamline and update Landbank community engagement and public information efforts
• Work smarter with the resources they have
• To provide more transparency there will be an Annual Review that will be posted on their website, www.cookcountylandbank.org 

Commissioner Gainer spoke of the success of the Landbank and was pleased that they reached a milestone of 1,000 units since its inception. 

Observer: Nancy Marcus