Cook County Finance Committee and Special Board Meetings
November 17, 2022

The Finance Committee considered and passed 26 amendments to the proposed 2023 Cook County Budget of $8.75 Billion.  The Board then immediately met and voted to approve the budget, as amended.  These amendments increased the total amount by about $73 Million, resulting in the final $8.8 Billion 2023 budget.  (Item 22-5700)  The final budget continued to have no increases in taxes or fees or layoffs, while continuing the supplemental payments to the Pension Fund.

Some of the key amendments which utilized these funds or transferred funds from other line items included

• The carry-over capital dollars of $11.4 Million for lease of a helicopter for use by the Sheriff’s office.  This sparked some conversation with Commissioners Anaya and Johnson voting no as they stated the dollars could be better spent on social services to prevent crime. (Amend. # 16)
• Adding 2 social worker positions to the Sheriff’s budget used for the 911 call center so that calls that involved primarily mental health crises could be dealt with by these trained experts.  Several of the public speakers voiced concern about this amendment as not providing sufficient resources and keeping the funding within the Sheriff’s budget to deal with mental health issues.  Another issue was that these positions are initially temporary until a long-term funding source can be identified.  Commissioners Johnson and Lowry voted against passage. (Amend. #17)
• Additional dollars to the Public Health Fund (Amend. #13)
• Additional dollars for improvements to the CORE Center (Amend. #11)
• Additional dollars for CCH to provide services, including housing, for domestic violence victims (Amend. #10)
• Additional dollars for implementing the SAFE-T Act (Amend. #14)
• Use of some unallocated ARPA dollars to add 2 FTEs to the Auditor’s budget for contemporaneously auditing the use of ARPA dollars for approved programs. (Amend. #18)
• Adding 3 more FTEs to the President’s Office and allocating dollars for a tax policy consulting service (Amend #20)
• Adding a General Counsel/Ethics Officer to the Board of Review (Amend. # 22)

Additionally, the Budget Resolution was amended to allow Cook County Health to use up to 30% of any excess Net Patient Services revenue over budget in 2023 to address increased costs related to direct patient care. (Amend. #26)

The additional dollars for these amendments came primarily from

• The County’s share of a declaration by the City of Chicago of a surplus in TIF District funds (Amend. #1)
• Use of additional special purpose fund balances (Amend. #4)
• Additional grants (Amend. #6)
• Additional capital dollars from bonds (Amend. #7)
• Additional estimated dollars from the State (Amend. #8)
• An opioid settlement (Amend. #12)
• Transfer of some dollars remaining in a long-discontinued TB Sanitarium District special purpose fund (Amend. #13)
• Increases in turnover adjustments (that free up dollars that would otherwise be spent on salaries and benefit costs based on the estimate that certain positions would remain vacant for some time periods during the budget year) (Amend. #14)
• A carryover of dollars from the capital budget in 2022, which is not usually done (Amend. #16)

During the public comment period, several speakers spoke against use of money for leasing the helicopter and adding 2 positions to the 911 call center, and advocated for the need for more funding to create a non-police response to mental health crises. The Civic Federation spoke in favor of the proposed budget, nevertheless noting concerns, including 

• The need for a unified tax administrative office as shown by the issues involved with the delay of the 2nd installment property tax bills
• The need for CCH to publicize the pension and debt subsidies being provided by the County
• The need for more transparency regarding the use of Provident Hospital 
• Unincorporated areas not paying their fair share of the costs to their services

​League Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Finance Committee Meetings on the Budget
October 26, 2022, 9 am to 2:30 pm

The Sheriff said there should be little impact on the jail population in Cook County as a result of the SAFE-T Act going into effect on January 1, 2023.  The Chief Judge explained the differences between the criteria for holding people in jail prior to trial in criminal cases now and after January 1.  

Following are more details of the meetings with these two officials, as well as the meeting on the Capital Budget.

Office of the Sheriff -– Presented by Sheriff Tom Dart

• Because of the changes in the way bail has been set in Cook County courts since 2018 he expects that the SAFE-T Act will have little impact on the jail population.  Estimated maybe 100 current detainees will have their bail reviewed, and thinks there may be some more people accused of domestic violence ordered detained.
• Says that he still thinks there are more people being released (mainly on electronic monitoring, “EM”) than should be because there is not enough distinction among those charged with gun violations.  (See more on this below in the Chief Judge’s section.)
• Wants to have budget amended to fund purchase of a new helicopter to help in fighting crime across the County.  Says only have 2 now (from 1994 and 2006), with the ability to borrow another from the County’s Homeland Security department at times.  Another helicopter would reduce dangerous, high-speed pursuits.  Contrasted the larger number of helicopters for New York, LA, and Harris County, Texas.  The Budget Department is analyzing the request and looking where money could be found.
• Explained that jail population has changed.  Majority now are there accused of violent crimes, rather than substance abuse, as in the past.  Many of the past efforts and programs were directed to helping those released from jail to successfully go back to their communities.  Now, however, most of the detainees are leaving the jail after trial to go to prison and not back to the community.
• Says that 2 main proximate causes of violence now are (1) availability of guns, and (2) social media where people’s rhetoric escalates and there is no cooling off period.  (These causes apart from all the social issues.)
• In addition to policing the unincorporated areas and Robbins and Ford Heights, and providing services for a number of other suburbs pursuant to agreements, the Sheriff has focused on violence in Chicago.  Since opening an office in Austin on the west side of Chicago, there has been a 20% reduction in shootings in that neighborhood.  More recently, opened an office at 500 N. Clark, and will be moving into larger quarters at State and Chicago.  Besides providing a police presence, also have a unit to deal with homelessness, another to deal with people in crisis, and a K-9 unit to help patrol El platforms.  Roll call for eviction and service of process has been moved from the Daley Center to Chinatown to provide a greater police presence there.
• Has about 400 vacancies.  Recently went to Kentucky and North Carolina to recruit military veterans with some success.

Office of the Chief Judge -– Presented by Chief Judge Timothy Evans

• Said that under current law, the State’s Attorney must file a petition to hold a criminal defendant in jail prior to trial.  Then the judge at the bail hearing has to hold there is at least one of these situations to grant the petition: (1) that the proof has to be evident or the presumption is great that the preponderance of the evidence points to the defendants and that they pose a clear and present threat to a person or community and there are no mitigating factors; and/or (2) there is clear evidence the defendants are a flight risk.
• Under the SAFE-T Act, there are certain felonies that are excluded from consideration of the first situation, and in those cases, defendants can only be held if a current flight risk.  The other difference is that if there is a petition to hold, there is a separate hearing on whether to detain presided at by a second judge.
• Responding to Comm. Sean Morrison’s questions, said that approximately 86% of those defendants that go to trial are found guilty.  The average sentence for murder is 35 years.  As a result, the overwhelming number of cases end in a plea deal.  Said would provide data from the last 12 months on the number of murder and attempted murder cases where the charges are downgraded.
• Comm. S. Morrison also provided some statistics from the Sheriff that of the over 2,000 people on electronic monitoring, 970 are accused of gun offenses.  Comm. Morrison asked whether there should be some kind of blue-ribbon commission to review these cases to see if policies regarding electronic monitoring should be changed.  Judge Evans said that many of these defendants are charged with “unlawful use of a gun,” but that charge does not mean that the gun was actually used. It could be that the person had a gun without the proper permit.  So Judge Evans would welcome such a commission and would like to revise the terms used to distinguish among the different situations.
• Because of the Early Resolution Program to help deal with eviction cases, there has been no huge number of evictions as the Judge feared at last year’s budget meeting.  Under this program, there are mediators and legal advisors to work with both sides to try to resolve the situation, including find other housing since in some cases the landlords want to get rid of the tenant as opposed to getting back rent.
• Provided some codes that can be used to generate reports on continuances, including whether the state’s attorney or defense counsel sought them.  Commissioners Miller and Daley noted they have been seeking this information for the last year.  Judge Evans said that his office will work with the Clerk of the Court to add codes for general reasons on why a continuance is sought. Expects to start on this after the Odyssey System is fully operational, which should be by the end of Nov.
• There was discussion concerning confinement/isolation of juveniles at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.  Commissioner Gainer asked that the following be considered as the policy continues to be fleshed out:  (1) more clarity on how someone ends up in confinement; (2) clear direction that confinement is the last resort; and (3) mental health sign-off by a professional before someone can be confined (like in NY and LA).

Capital Budget Overview – Presented by Acting CFO Lawrence Wilson, Bureau Chief of Asset Management Elizabeth Granato, Director of Transportation Jennifer Killen, and Deputy CIO Adam Clement.

The 2023 Capital Budget is $505.2 M composed of 

• $248.4 M (49.2%) for capital improvements for County facilities; 
• $136.2 M (27%) for County maintained road, bridges, and highways; and 
• $120.6 M (23.8%) for capital equipment for County departments that includes primarily information technology (71% composed of costs for hardware and implementation), plus the remainder for vehicles, fixed plant assets, institutional equipment, furniture, and medical lab equipment.  
• Note:  some of these expenditures show up in the overall budget as expenditures from special purpose funds (including the Transportation and Highways fund), and grants.  As a result, these sources of revenues for capital projects are not included in the Capital Improvement Budget, which is $352.6 M (just about the same as 2022).

Part of the presentation focused on the process of determining how much could be directed to capital projects, including how much debt to incur, as well as how the County prioritizes projects.  The County currently has investment grade bond ratings of A2 from Moody’s; A+ from S&P Global Ratings, and AA- from Fitch Ratings for General Obligation Bonds; and AAA from Kroll Bond Rating Agency and AA- from S&P Global Ratings for Sales Tax Debt. 

Among the projects included in the Capital Budget are

• Renovation and consolidation at the County building, including making the 5th floor Board Room ADA accessible and adding technology improvements (the entire 5th floor, which also houses the President’s and Commissioner’s offices are expected to move to the 10th floor in Nov. or Dec.)
• Major renovations at Stroger Hospital
• Completion of the Court Utilization Study for the civil division (the criminal division has been completed0
• More work on the Integrated Property Tax System
• The State’s Attorney’s Case Management System
• A number of transportation projects
• Continued work as part of the Green Buildings Program, which is reducing the County’s carbon footprint, but also reducing energy costs

​Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Finance Committee Meetings on the Budget
October 24, 2022, 10 am to 12:30 pm

During the overview of the proposed 2023 budget by the Bureau of Finance and the presentation concerning the Offices under the President, Commissioners Daley, Degnen, Gainer, and Miller focused on the need for an independent evaluation of the programs being funded by the Equity Fund (funds from the County) and by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA funds from the Federal government).  The Commissioners suggested regular meetings (quarterly or every two months) to get status reports and to have opportunities for the public to weigh in.  The Commissioners noted that the $1 Billion in ARPA funds provides the County with an unprecedented opportunity to make lasting positive changes.  But the Commissioners said that there will  undoubtedly be ways to improve and the County needs to identify those sooner rather than later.  In that regard, Commissioner Degnen suggested there might be a possible budget amendment to add 1 to 2 FTEs to the County Auditor department.

Bureau of Finance/Budget Overview - Presented by Interim CFO Lawrence Wilson, Budget Director Annette Guzman, and Deputy CFO Dean Constantinou.

Overall budget is $8.75 B (including Capital and Grant funds)

• 7.8% increase over 2022, mainly due to federal funds
• $7.23 B of total is Operating Funds, with 78% of that for public health and safety
• While budget has grown by $5.21 B (a 10.6% compound annual growth) since 2014, the core services have grown by a compound annual growth rate since 2011, in line with revenues.  Much of the growth in the overall budget is due to the growth of CountyCare (the managed care program funded by Federal and State funds for Medicaid recipients).  
• Proposed FTEs (full-time equivalent employees) are 23,731, the highest level over the past 10 years.

The General Fund portion of the Overall budget of $1.97B is slightly less than 2022.  The projected increase in sales tax revenues partly offsets the transfer of Transportation Home Rule Taxes from the General Fund to a Special Purpose Fund and the transfer of Canabis Taxes to the Equity Special Purpose Fund.

• Sales Taxes now make up 55% of the General Fund, with the next highest source being Property Taxes at 15%.
• 54.5% of the General Fund goes to Public Safety, 32.2% for Fixed Charges and others, 10% for Finance and Administration, 3.6% for Property and Taxation, and 0.8% for Economic Development.
• Key Priorites for the General Fund are (1) to increase personnel to implement the Pre-Trial Fairness Act (effective Jan. 1, 2023), (2) contribute funds to the Land Bank, (3) support the delivery of property tax bills through technology and funding for the Property Tax Bridge Fund due to late 2nd installment bills in 2022, and (4) additional funding from the General Fund to the Equity Fund.

The Health Enterprise Fund portion of the Total Overall Budget is $3.99 B. a 3% increase over 2022. 

• County Care membership is projected to decline from over 425,000 to about 366,000 by the end of 2023 due to people having to re-qualify for Medicaid.

There are also Special Purpose Funds that make up the Overall Budget.  The presentation focused on 4 of these:

• The Equity Fund is proposed to utilize $74 M this year for Justice Advisory Council grants (violence prevention and returning residents) and Taskforce initiatives to reduce systemic barriers
• The Transportation Fund (new) of $237 M that will go toward Public Safety offices
• The Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Fund, currently proposing $18 M, but additional grant money from the Federal government is expected so this could increase.  Since this fund started in 2021, $144 M has been distributed.
• ARPA, with the County now in Phase IV (implementation and monitoring) with Phase V (reporting and evaluation beginning in the summer of 2023).  Over $270M in community investments are slated for 2023.  A new platform to track all aspects of the program and fiscal management is being developed.

The County is doing long-term fiscal planning, and projections thru 2027 are that the General Fund revenues are expected to keep pace with expenses and that the Health Fund revenues will be just short of expenses.  

Under the County’s Fund Balance Policy, the County is using the amount in excess of 3 months of General Fund expenditures to assign $231 M to the Pension Stabilization Fund, Self-Insurance Fund Reserve, Cook County Health Reserve Fund, the Infrastructure and Equipment Fund, and the Equity Fund, along with $30 M to spend in 2023 in the General Fund.

The County is also starting to plan for how to determine what ARPA funded programs should continue after 2026 and how to fund them.

Offices under the President - Presented by the President’s Chief of Staff, Lanetta Haynes Turner
The Offices include the 

• Bureau of Asset Management (35% of the General Fund Budget attributed to the President)
• Bureau of Finance (18%)
• Bureau of Administration (14.6%)
• Bureau of Technology (13.7%)
• Bureau of Economic Development (7.3%)
• Bureau of Human Resources ( 5.5%)
• Office of the President (3.4%), County Auditor (1%), Human Rights & Ethics (0.8%), and Administrative Hearings (0.8%)

Much of the presentation repeated and expanded on information provided in the Budget Overview,and the Commissioners reiterated the need for independent review and oversight of the Equity and ARPA funds.  Ms. Turner also presented some highlights of the proposed spending under the different categories of the Policy Roadmap.  There were no questions on those projects, nor were there information or questions on the individual budgets or performance of the individual Offices.

Office of the Public Administrator - Presented by the Public Administrator Louis G. Apostol

• This office administrates estates when the decedent leaves no will or the named executors cannot serve.  The office is funded by the fees for administrating those estates, and not from tax revenue. 
  
• Through fees, interest, court costs, and funds for unknown heirs, the office has generated over $4.5 M in revenues with expenses of only $1.5 M in 2022.

Observer - Priscilla Mims

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