Cook County Board Finance Committee Mid-year Budget Hearings
​July 21, 2021
Presentations by the Clerk of the Court, the Chief Judge, Independent Inspector General and Cook County Sheriff

​Commissioner Daley has asked all Elected officials presenting their mid-year budget information to also state what their office/department has learned from the COVID experience over the last year.

Clerk of the Court -  Iris Martinez

• Martinez’ main goal is to do a “comprehensive review of the whole operation” and make changes necessary for more efficiency and transparency.  She wants to “re-establish trust in the office.” 
• Two areas of concern are to complete the transition to the Odyssey Case Management System and to comply with any Shakman hiring issues.  By the end of October, 2021, the case management system transition should be completed and should be certified by the Illinois Supreme Court by January, 2022.  This will provide better access by the public and attorneys.  Hiring will be more transparent in accordance with any Shakman requirements.  Currently 218 more staff (mostly clerks) will be hired in two large groups.  The office will still be understaffed according to the Chief of Staff.
• Some general improvements to come are website improvement, easier access for Domestic Violence victims to get court orders, call center improvements including the calling of defendants to remind them of court dates.
• “Goals” include more e-filings by attorneys (2,200,000) and an increase in the number of cases filed (495,000).  Revenue is 10% higher than expected and expenditures are almost 9% lower than expected.  Much of this has to do with COVID shutdowns of courts and also more efficiency in operations.  Cost savings is a priority for Clerk of the Court Martinez.  More can be done using technology rather than in-person—learned from last year’s experience.

Chief Judge - Tim Evans
Some details from the Chief Judge regarding the current budget year:

• there is a 2% reduction ($5 million) in this year’s budget mostly due to COVID closures— under budget for hiring and contracts
• no jury trials have been held during COVID except for emergencies
• currently there are 76 courtrooms set up for jury trials and 10 for bench trials.  3 ft. social distancing will occur for jury trials  (should start in October)
• the AOIC (Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts) is giving $61 million to the courts—from COVID money at the federal level
• unusual expenses were for Zoom licenses (400) used for hearings
• during the past year, 128,00 “matters” were settled even though courtrooms were basically closed.  This includes 13,000 guilty pleas and bench trials.

Lessons learned from COVID experience:

• in-person court appearances are not needed for discovery,  some hearings; but in-person is required for any situations where “freedom is in jeopardy”

Commissioner Comments:

• Comm. Daley asked about the speedy trial requirement return and how many defendants are waiting. Also the number of defendants on EM or bail that have recommitted serious offenses. This was unclearly explained by Evans, however the gist was that there is “no proof” that the released do more crime.  He indicated that all the information is on his website dashboard.  This is cookcountycourt.org.  Later on it was mentioned that Preckwinkle’s office has a group interviewing Evans, Sheriff Dart, and others to evaluate the EM program.  A report should be released soon.
• Comm. Aguilar contradicted Evans “data” on crimes committed by released defendants and said his community was worried about crime.  Evans replied that all are presumed innocent until convicted.  Aguilar also stated that child support is not being enforced.
• Comm. Johnson was concerned about “isolation” use as a punishment for misbehavior at the JTDC (Juvenile Temporary Detention Center).
• ​Comm. Lowry asked whether the elimination of cash bail will increase court budget/costs.  No clear answer from Evans.
• Comm. Degnan advocated for virtual meetings for domestic violence situations.  This reduces trauma, time, etc. for women asking for court orders.
• Comm. Miller asked about restorative justice courts in the south suburbs.  These will be added soon.  She also asked for data on Veterans and other specialty courts and indicated that many veterans don't know about these specialty courts.
• Comm. S. Morrison questioned the $7 million increase in the budget.  Evans indicated this was needed for Zoom room personnel and other jury services. Evans office currently has 2,550 FTEs and 599 vacancies.  Evans desires a hybrid system using Zoom and in-person in the future. 
• Also asked was what the process is for deciding who gets out on bail, no-bail, or EM (Electronic Monitoring).  Evans said “mitigating circumstances”—presumption of innocence, proof not evident, no clear and present threat, no lengthy criminal record, self-defense, vulnerable to COVID are all reasons someone could be released even though they are accused of a violent or gun crime.  Stated that 1,287 defendants are in jail for murder and less than 100 murder defendants are out on EM.
• The issue of mental illness was brought up with regard to so many defendants needing mental health services.  Morrison advocated that this issue be addressed by the State of Illinois.

Independent Inspector General - Patrick Blanchard

• The office has filled 5 open slots (including promoting 1) and has just 1 unfilled position of the Deputy Inspector General
• Comm. Anaya asked whether the result is improved turn-around time for cases.  IG Blanchard said “yes.”  He reminded the Commissioners that his office has a triage system for determining which potential cases are the most important and which ones have sufficient evidence to warrant going forward.  Last year there were 800 contacts made to his office, and the office also can and does open cases on its own.
• The IG was asked about appeals from the cases included in his quarterly reports.  The IG explained that the office only has the authority to make recommendations to an official or department.  So if someone disagrees with the implementation of the recommendations of the IG, the person needs to contact the applicable department or official.

The Office of the Cook County Sheriff - Deputy Sheriff

• The office began with a presentation on the past and current status of COVID cases within the County Jail, which the office believes has been wrongly depicted as a “hot spot.”  In the Spring of 2020, there were 307 cases, which was 6.9% of the total Jail population, compared to much higher percentages in the general population.  Similarly, the highest number of cases was on December 13, 2020, with 375 inmates testing positive, or 6.8% of the Jail population.  As of July 21, 2021, the 7-day average was only 0.2%, or only 2 positive cases. And these two inmates entered the Jail with COVID.
• Currently, 55% of the Sheriff’s employees are vaccinated, despite many efforts to incentivize the staff to get vaccinated. 61% of the eligible detainees are vaccinated currently.  There is frequent testing of the non-vaccinated.
• The office expects to remain within the 2021 budget, thanks to the funds that came from the Federal government last year and this year.
• 752 detainees have been convicted and should be in the State prison system.  Of these, 394 are eligible for parole hearings, and the Sheriff wants those to take place.  Comm. Daley asked about the dollar amount owed by the State to the County for housing these inmates that have been convicted.  The Sheriff’s Deputy said that the State wants to establish a rate of $50 to $70 per day, but the Sheriff says it has to meet with the County’s Budget Dept. to establish the appropriate rate.
• The Sheriff’s employees are exhausted from the past year and a half.  It has been difficult to keep up with attrition through new hires.  The Deputy Sheriff emphasized the large number of positions that have been reduced over the years and more positions are needed, including more monitors for those released on electronic monitoring.  The office is working with the University of Chicago to identify ways to better manage the electronic monitoring.
• Comm. Britton said he would like to expand training within the Jail so people can connect to jobs upon release.  The Commissioner identified a large impediment to that is the issue of transportation from Chicago to the suburbs where some of these jobs are, particularly in the food industry.
• Comm. Johnson asked about whether there are metrics for evaluating policing efforts, particularly the Sheriff’s partnering with Chicago on drug trafficking.  The Deputy explained that the Sheriff had an internal research office that does such evaluations and there are weekly reports.
• Comm. Silvestri asked about what long-term costs might be expected.  The Deputy Sheriff explained that being able to open shuttered Jail buildings was critical for providing separate spaces for prisoners during this pandemic.  The office was very complimentary of the Asset Management Bureau for quickly repairing and bringing these shuttered buildings up to code so they could be used.  The Office said that having that capability to reopen buildings could be a continuing need.
• Comm. Anaya asked whether there is any evaluation of the effectiveness of electronic monitoring.  The answer was that Urban Labs is finishing up just such an evaluation, which report should be ready shortly.
• Comm. Anaya and Moore brought up the mental health facility in Roseland that was established in 2017 as an alternative to incarceration in the Jail.  Comm. Moore urged that the County look to establish similar programs in Chicago.

Observers  - Karin Hribar and  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board Finance Committee Mid Year Budget Hearings​
July 20, 2021
Presentations - Office of the Cook County Treasurer and Cook County Health

Highlights of Presentations:

Treasurer

• The office is currently under budget with regard to expenses, but expects to come in at budget by year-end.
• The office has received $4.9 million over budgeted revenues thus far, mainly due to higher than expected people paying delinquent taxes
• Purchased two vans to re-purpose customer service employees to enable them to serve taxpayers in their communities rather than in the CC building.
• Also go to community events at churches, festivals, etc. to assist taxpayers with tax related issues.
• Treasurer touted the studies done by her staff and noted that she is hiring to establish a kind of "think tank" section in her office to conduct more studies, concentrating on the inequities within the tax system.
•  The office has a staff of 58 employees.  Continued concentration will be in technology hiring.

Cook County Health

• .  In total, Cook County Health (CCH) currently has $2.4 M more in revenues than expenses.
• .  There are 1,284 vacancies among the 6,802 budgeted positions.
• .  Most of the questions centered around Covid and the Delta variant, which will not be reported here.  There was emphasis on providing guidance to suburban school districts.  CEO Rocha said that for now they are waiting for the CDC to provide guidance.  If necessary, the CC Public Health Department will step in to do so.
• .  Commissioner Degnan asked about grant funding and the potential to increase it.  CEO Rocha responded that for a public hospital system we do a good job, but the goal is to have "extraordinary" results.  CCH will be making investments to develop an institute for grant funding.
• .  Commission Sean Morrison asked if CCH has established a dollar value for requested 2022 funds from the county.  Answer:  not yet, but should have by the August preliminary budget presentation.
• .  He also asked about efforts to improve the revenue cycle.  CEO Rocha stated that a new Chief Revenue Officer is now in place and noted that through the first quarter of 2021 revenue retrieval has increased to 30% and can be expected to move to the mid-30's by year end.  Interim Budget Director Gibson noted that the System is looking at non-direct patient care to improve.
• . In March 2021, a "patient homecoming" project was launched to promote the return of patients to the ambulatory care centers.  He stated he is very excited about the progress to date.
• . Daley asked about outreach to retired nurses.  CCH noted that a few came back for the mass vaccine sites and that the system is definitely open to more coming back to the system.

Observed by:  Diane Edmundson         

Cook County Board Finance Committee Mid Year Budget Hearings
July 20, 2021
Presentations - Cook County State’s Attorney, County Clerk, and Board of Review

Cook County State’s Attorney, Kimberly Fox

• Currently under budget by $4.7 M for 2021.  Has 109 vacancies (50 of which are attorneys) out of the budgeted positions of 1,241.
• Ms. Fox reviewed the office’s progress on the alternative prosecution program, the gun crime strategies unit and how they dealt with the pandemic.  The trial work will increase substantially now that the courts are opening.
• The commissioners’ questions focused on the current crime problems.   Commissioner Deer asked how much do mental health issues contribute.   Ms. Fox said a good proportion of the people arrested are dealing with mental health issues.   She would like to see more local sources for help such as the local mental health clinics that were closed several years ago.   
• Commissioner Aguilar asked about recent reports about repeat offenders being on bond and involved in shootings.   Ms. Fox explained how the bail process works and how it is the judge’s decision.   She said that the elimination of cash bail will help the problem, because many repeat offenders have enough money for bail.   
• Commissioner Degnen asked if the video hearings would continue for gender-based violence hearings.   The victims feel safer in that mode.   Ms. Fox said they were reviewing that.
• Commissioner Kevin Morrison asked about the attrition in the department.   There has been an uptick in retirements and other attrition.   They are getting applicants, but most are recent graduates.   Ms. Fox said they are also working on maintaining a level of expertise by recruiting experienced prosecutors from outside.  Commissioner Daley asked Ms. Fox to let the Commissioners know what they could do to help with HR recruiting and onboarding new staff.
• Commissioner Sims asked what would Ms. Fox wish for in the next budget.   She would like to have a full complement of employees for the criminal court, increased staff in the wrongful conviction unit and civil court, and improve the department’s technology in remote access and integration of data.   She would  like to expand the gun crime unit into the suburbs. It would help her attorneys if the court rooms had more up to date technology.
• Commissioner Sean Morrison asked if the department kept statistics on citizenship of offenders.   They do not.   The department has developed a Data Dashboard to track cases and they have most of the information on the felony cases captured.  The dashboard can be viewed on the office’s website.

Cook County Clerk’s Office, presented by Chief Deputy Clerk Cedric Giles

• Mr. Giles described the work that was done to incorporate the Recorder of Deeds office into the Clerk’s.   When they took over, there was an 800,000-document backlog.  Now there is only a 7 day’s delay in recording documents. The office worked with a third party on indexing.   He also reviewed the work on the spring election and gave statistics on the increase in vote by mail ( 487%) and early voting (20%) from the 2019 election. 
• Commissioner Degnen noted that the Clerk’s office  is above on revenue due to the housing market increase.   A staff person from the Clerk’s finance office said they are below on expenses.

Board of Review, presented by Commissioner Larry Rogers, with Commissioners Michael Cabonargi and Tammy Wendt  

• Currently is under budget by $284,941.
• Over the last 6 months, the BoR has handled 223,000 appeals.  They received appeals between October and December and finished by June 21.   They instituted a digital approval process.   They have BOR staff attend the PTAB (the state agency where tax payers appeal assessments) meetings to object to the further appeals.   They saved local taxing bodies $138 M in refunds as a result in successfully defending the County’s assessments at PTAB.
• The BOR generated $80,000 in revenue from a “Data Subscription Service” provided to high volume users at the BOR. The product is a compiled data package of BOR appeal decisions which allows users to digitally organize their filings and results.
• Commissioner Rogers addressed the reported alleged bribery scheme of a BOR employee.   The employee has been placed on administrative leave and the BoR has contracted with outside counsel to investigate.  Commissioner Rogers and Cabonargi stated that this person was an exception and that most of the BOR employees are hard workers.    Both stated that the employee had not been selected by any commissioner for their  staff.   He had been employed since 1995 and had been cross-trained on the appeals process.
• Commissioner Daley mentioned that the BOR needed to respond to the IG report.

Observed by Kathleen Graffam

Cook County Board Finance Committee Mid-year Budget Hearings
July 19, 2021
Presentations by Offices under the President, Public Administrator, Assessor, Secretary to the Board, and Public Defender

Highlights from the Presentations
Overview:

• 2021 Forecast for General Fund:  Project $60 M of revenues over expenses for fiscal year ending November 30, 2021.  This means that much of the $77 M from the Fund Balance (i.e., reserves) used to balance the 2021 budget will be paid back this fiscal year.
• 2022 Forecast for General Fund:  Currently projecting $80.5 M higher revenues over 2021, but also $140.8 M in higher expenses, largely due to normal yearly increases in salaries.  Thus, currently the gap is $60.3 M which the President and all the officials and departments will be working on to close by the time the proposed 2022 budget is presented to the Board in October.  The County must have a balanced budget by law.
• Health Enterprise Fund:  The Health Fund covers both the “provider side” (which includes the Counties hospitals, clinics, and other costs incurred to provide service, whether patients are able to pay or not) and the “managed care plans” which are for Medicare or Medicaid patients, County Care.
• 2021 Forecast for Health Enterprise Fund:  Project $30.6 M of revenues over expenses.  Number of County Care enrollees greatly exceeds projected numbers, which brings both higher revenues and expenses.
• 2022 Forecast for Health Enterprise Fund:  Currently projecting $381.7 M higher revenues over 2021, but also $442.8 M in higher expenses.  That results in a gap of $61.1 M that will need to be closed prior to the proposed budget being submitted in October.
• Asked how increases in the budgets over the years compare to inflation, CFO Ammar Rizki said that the increases are in line with inflation, if you take out County Care.
• Mr. Rizki also stressed that the County looks for structural solutions to cover any gaps between income and expenses, rather than one-time fixes.  In line with that, Commissioners Sims and Daley stressed that the County needs to be careful about adding more positions in light of the large influx of federal funds, but which won’t be there after the next 2 years.

Public Administrator - Lou Apostol

• The office administers estates of those who die without a will - the past year have done 720 investigations with over 320 cases ongoing
• Stated that their office continued to operate throughout pandemic and intend to continue to use Zoom in the future for their investigations
• Vivian Meyer case is coming to a close after a several year process
• No questions from the commissioners

Assessor - Fritz Kaegi

• The office has undertaken 2 big challenges this year with the City of Chicago reassessments and also moving off the main frame system into an integrated property tax system with modern technology. The Tyler Technologies is the backbone of the system and the Assessor’s office is the first phase of conversion to this system.
• Once the assessments for the City of Chicago are done Assessor Kaegi will have completed the assessments for the entire county since he came into office.
• The new system provides the tools to help with accuracy in assessments. The office has hired staff that can utilize the new tools to maximize transparency and efficiency. 
• His office has been working with the other departments that also deal with the property tax system to get the system up and running.
• Outreach from the Assessors office was managed largely through partnership with the offices of the commissioners and Assessor Kaegi thanked them for that.
• They now have a system that makes it possible to make appointments with their office online.
• He did address the issue about the accuracy of Sr. Freeze Exemptions which has been an issue in the media. He stated that the exemptions were not in conformity with the current guidelines and the office is rectifying the problematic exemptions that were granted previously. 
• In 2019 after he took over the office he requested an audit of the office that was done and presented to the Board that had 23 recommendations for improvement to the office. So far 15 have been implemented despite the interruption of the pandemic. 
• Comm. Daley asked how opening the office would be done. Kaegi said that the office is open now, appointments can be made online and there is a call center in place for questions. 
• Comm. Gainer made the point that changes in the tax structure need to be done and there is a lot of misinformation circulating about the Land Bank and the Scavenger Sale which is actually restoring property to a tax paying status. Education about the system does help people understand how economic development is helping to restore properties to the tax rolls. Kaegi responded by saying that the property tax system is complicated and very confusing for everyone and his office is committed to being transparent about the process and putting out all the data on how the taxes are determined. They want to educate the public about the system. The public knows what goes wrong and his office is trying to fix the things they can address. 
• Comm. Miller asked about the status of the state legislation that would in part require owners to provide property descriptions to assist in the assessment process. Opponents prevented this from being implemented but he said they haven’t given up yet and are hoping it may still be approved by the House in the Veto Session. It was approved by the Senate in 2019.
• Comm. Aguilar asked about fines that are assessed for erroneous exemptions that are claimed. Mr. Kaegi stated that some individuals have been back billed for what they owe. He also stated that the state tax code outlines what fines are allowed and they are trying to integrate with other systems for information so that errors will be avoided. He is also working on a process that will automatically renew exemptions so they don’t have to be claimed every year.

Secretary to the Board - Matt Deleon

• The pandemic made it necessary for the Board to use technology so they could continue to meet and operate. Microsoft Teams has been used for meetings and this required that everyone learn to use the technology. 
• Since technology will most likely be necessary for any hybrid model for future meetings it will be necessary to constantly support and maintain the technology necessary which will have budget implications.  
• There was a $15,000 investment in equipment for the board room to allow for a hybrid model for future meetings. 
• During the pandemic the President and the Board have met often with the public and this will probably need to continue.
• In order to ensure transparency in meetings and communications with the public there will need to be investments in personnel for technical support and for communications. 
• Opening the Archives Office has been in process for a year now since a manager for the office was hired. They are now getting back into a physical presence in their office and utilizing storage space for the items they have been collecting.
• Have been to Jail (Division 1 and 1A are set for demolition soon) and to Oak Forest Hospital to collect items and information for the archives.
• 2031 will be the Cook County Bicentennial Celebration and Matt is hopeful that funds will be solicited to provide private support in addition to any public funds used for the celebration.
• Comm. Anaya asked about what was learned about public testimony during the pandemic. Matt stated that none of the online platforms really lend themselves to public meetings that allow for public participation. Their office has used Teams and utilized breakout rooms to hold public speakers until they were allowed into the meeting for comments. In the future a format will be needed. Matt cautioned against only going to online testimony as there will still need to be an in person option for those who do not have internet access. 

Public Defender - Sharone Mitchell Jr.

• Budget on target for this year
• Challenges for the year were 1. Access to the criminal courts 2. Reducing the Covid 19 risks for their clients 3. Safety measures for employees 
• Continued with their goal of providing police station representation to clients
• Expanded the mental health access for clients
• Immigration unit has been launched although there are still positions to fill and still working an authorization to represent clients in immigration courts
• 13 new attorneys have been hired and there are still 42 positions within the office that need to be filled although they are not all attorney positions. 
• The office is seeking more grant money and has hired a person to work on this.
• The three primary issues going forward are 1. Caseloads continue to be too large 2. Training for all in the office 3. Technology solutions for case loads
• Comm. Daley asked about lessons from the pandemic regarding representation of clients. Mr. Mitchell said that they are still assessing how virtual hearings can be used. Also working on a court notification system to ensure that clients do not miss their court dates.
• Comm. Aguilar asked about the hiring of the immigration lawyers. Mr. Mitchell said the lawyers have not been hired and the job descriptions had to be updated and have now gone to HR. The caseworker and paralegal positions have been posted. 
• Comm. Sean Morrison asked how Covid impacted hearings. Mr. Mitchell stated that access to the courts was slower than in the past. Of the 13,000 cases at the beginning of Covid about half have been resolved. A backlog remains. The court system is beginning to move ahead now and his staff is back in the office. The Speedy Trial Statute was put on hold and will probably be reinstated soon. His office is ready to move forward now.
• Comm. Anaya requested a time frame for when the Immigration Unit will be operational. Mr. Mitchell said they are still working on a time frame. The expect to hire half of the staff this summer and by next summer (2022) they will be fully staffed and operational. Anaya also asked about technology that will be brought into the office. Response was that they are still evaluating the type of technology they need. One of their primary concerns is the retention of digital files. 
• Comm. Suffredin asked about the Speedy Trial Statute. Mr. Mitchell stated that in March 2020 the Illinois Supreme Court suspended the right to a speedy trial but the statute is expected to be reinstated on October 1. Mr. Mitchell says that the statute is the “gas” that moves the system along as it puts pressure on all to move the cases along. Comm. Suffredin said that the court system is going to need funds to ensure that they will be able to handle the cases going forward. 
• Comm. Daley asked about how long it takes to hire attorneys. Mr. Mitchell says it is a long process. The recent attorney hiring process began in January and the 13 new hires are starting in July. An additional 25 are needed. 8 attorneys have left in the last 3 months which is about the normal attrition. The office has just issued their return to work policy. 
• Comm. Sean Morrison asked if there are any areas where virtual hearings can expedite the process. Mr. Mitchell said there is a time and place for virtual meetings/hearings and this will need to be established. Some hearings need to be in person but what is the balance. Comm. Morrison stated that the issue needs to be discussed with your colleagues so the criminal justice process can be “reimagined”.

Observers - Pris Mims and Cynthia Schilsky

Cook County Board & Finance Committee Meetings
November 24, 2020

The Board

• Unanimously passed the $6.9 billion budget, as amended (Agenda Item 20-4595).
• Unanimously passed an amendment to the Property Tax Relief Ordinance which provides that late fees will not be assessed for any payments of the 1st installment of the property tax bill, still due by March 2, that are made on or before May 3; and that late fees will not be assessed for any payments of the 2nd installment, still due by Aug. 2, that are made on or before Oct.1.  This amendment is in recognition of the pandemic and the financial toll it has taken on many residents and businesses (Agenda Item 20-5643).

The Board met immediately after the Finance Committee, which passed 19 amendments unanimously to amend the budget.  Many of these amendments were “technical” in that they simply made budget neutral changes to reflect either corrections to the Executive Budget or to reflect new information since the Executive Budget was presented in mid-October.  The following changes were the most substantive:

• As a result of identifying additional revenues from the State, 48 positions were restored to the Chief Judge’s budget, including positions in the Adult Probation Department, and 41 positions were restored to the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (also under the Chief Judge).
• Funding to continue to operate the Morton East Clinic under the Cook County Health's (CCH) budget was found by making some adjustments to other line items in that budget.  Commissioner Anaya, one of the sponsors, stressed that this Clinic has been a vital health center for the high school and the surrounding community, and is an entry point for other CCH services.  Commissioner Anaya emphasized that there should not be a single model for providing health care within the County, but that different models are needed for different communities.  Key is to engage the public in each community to find out what their needs and preferences are.  Many of the other Commissioners thanked Commissioner Anaya and Commissioner Aguilar, the other sponsor, for finding the money to keep this clinic open.  During the public comments at the various hearings on the budget, this was among the issues raised the most often by those seeking its continuation.

Following the budget passage at the Board meeting, some of the comments included:

• President Preckwinkle stressed that the 2021 budget, which contains no new taxes or fees, was possible because of many years of hard work and hard votes by the Board.  The Administration and Board have stuck to a long-term financial plan, rather than look to one-time solutions.
• Commissioner Sean Morrison cited the past actions which included extra payments to the Pension Fund of $2 B (which led to a higher bond rating for the County;) the increase in the Fund Balance over the past years from $30 M to $479 M, which allowed this year’s budget to be balanced by taking some money from that Fund Balance; and the Board’s funding of technology which has allowed the County departments to continue operating remotely during this pandemic.
• Commissioner Kevin Morrison reminded everyone that the Administration presented a balanced budget after having to close a $400 M deficit.

Observer:  Priscilla MIms

Cook County Board Finance Committee Departmental Budget Meeting
Friday, November 6, Morning Session

State’s Attorney Budget:
$176,585,418 (2021)-$161,837,454(2020) = increase of $14,747,964
1,401.4 FTE’s (2021)-1,362.2 FTE’s (2020) = an increase of 39.2

Cook County Clerk Budget:
$58.590M (2021)- $58.070 M (2020-includes Recorder’s Budget from 2020) =increase of $520,000
350 FTE’s (2021)- 386.8(2020- includes Recorder’s FTEs from 2020) =decrease of 36.8

Chicago Board of Elections Budget (note: the City of Chicago provides a large portion of the monies for this Board’s operation during even years, and all but the cost of the 4 FTEs during odd-numbered years):
$1,248,144 (2021)-$22,770,124 (2020) =decrease of $21,521,980
FTE’S 4.0 (2021)-4.0 FTE’s (2020) =no difference

Highlights of the State’s Attorney Budget Meeting:
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx highlighted work done in fiscal year 2020:

• There were 38,6900 offenders charged in felony cases
• 33,990 were charge but not yet disposed meaning their cases are still making their way through the system
• 1/3 of the cases or 35% were charges for unlawful use of guns
• Of those cases 90% conviction rate.

The reason for slowdown in convictions was due to COVID-19 as the State’s Attorney office shifted the way they work to working remotely - in addition the Courts are virtual. They are working slowly but steadily to catch up. 
The State’s Attorney’s office is well aware of the budget restraints during these difficult times and they are working to prioritize prosecuting violent crimes especially unlawful use of guns. 
The Commissioners did not ask many questions about the budget. Commissioner K. Morrison wanted to know why there was a nine-person reduction of personnel in the Felony Review Unit (this Unit works with law enforcement agencies to review felonies cases.) Kim Foxx stated that they went from a two shift 12-hour seven day a week to three shifts. They found that they did not need as many personnel in each shift as they did when it was a 12-hour shift, so they were able to cut positions but not the effectiveness of the Unit. Commissioner Degnen commended the State’s Attorney’s office for a well-organized budget. She questioned the increase in operating funds. Kim Foxx stated that this was due to Grants they received for programs. 

Commissioners Aguilar, Suffredin and Degnen  questioned the expungement of marijuana cases. Foxx stated that due to COVID there has been a slowdown of these cases. But they are making progress.  To date they are working to process 300 cases, working twice a week. 
Commissioner Sims wanted to know about the issue concerning retail theft and whether people are being prosecuted. Foxx is trying to work with local municipalities to handle some of these cases as it takes a lot of time for the Assistant State’s Attorneys to prosecute and sometimes the defendants do not show up in court.  She emphasized they are being prosecuted despite what was heard in the news. Foxx stated they would rather focus on gun cases.

Commissioners Suffredin and Britton both praised the Civil Division of the States Attorney ‘s office. They both said it does not get noticed like the Criminal Division.

Of interest Foxx stated that Cook County Attorney’s office is the second largest office in the US, LA County being the largest. LA only handles felonies. Cook County handles Felonies, misdemeanors, Civil cases, child support cases and Juvenile Delinquent cases. A big case load to handle.

Highlights of the Cook County Clerk’s Budget Meeting
This was a challenging year for the Election. Despite COVID-19, Clerk Karen Yarbrough reported that her  office worked tirelessly to make sure this election went well. Clerk Yarbrough thanked Toni Preckwinkle  and the Procurement staff for all of their help to make sure there was PPE and equipment available at all polling places. This was a record-breaking election. Yarbrough divided her discussion into two parts:  the Election and the Assumption of the Recorder of Deeds’ duties into the Cook County Clerk’s office.
Election

• 570,000 VBM ballots were processed and mailed out, 50,000-70,000 ballots mailed daily. This is in comparison to the last elections where only 96,000 were sent
• 430,000 VBM ballots were received and processed. They processed 25,000 to 50,000 per day at the Election Operation Center in Cicero
• 20% increase in Early voting from the previous election
• 7 supersites were created for suburban use including a super site at Union Station
• Ballots and election materials were translated into 12 languages
• All election Judges will be invited to a virtual meeting to discuss the election

Assumption of the Recorder of Deeds’ duties into the Cook County Clerk Office.

• Final stage of the assumption. Yarbrough stated that this will be completed by December 7, on schedule
• Cook County Clerk will provide  4 key services

1. Elections
2. Tax Services
3. Vital Records
4. Recording 

• The Vital Records office will be moved to the First Floor of the Cook County Building and will share space with the Recording function to better serve the community. 
• Projected saving of the merger equals $1.4 M per year with $6.7M projected savings over the next years
• Increase in Budget is due to the merger
• All of the Commissioners present commended Karen Yarbrough and staff on the election. Especially on the fact that ballots and election material were available in 12 languages
• Commissioners Britton, Moore K. Morrison, Sims, Anaya, and Aguilar all were concerned about the hiring and/re-hiring of former employees of the Recorder of Deeds. They hoped that former employees could keep their job as institutional knowledge would be helpful. They were also concerned that if hired they might not be hired at the same salary or rank. The County Clerk’s office said that those re-hired will not lose rank, salary or benefits.
• A number of Commissioners were concerned about the backlog of documents at the Recorder of Deeds office. Commissioner Suffredin stated that they are especially concerned about the backlog of Transfer of Death forms and Mechanical Liens that were presented and not filed.  County Clerk’s office said that they are working on this. The Recorder of Deeds office is not open to the public and employees are working from home. This has caused a problem. Relators have also voiced a concern. 
• Commissioner Degnen mentioned the League of Women Voters Questions that were sent to the Clerk’s office and to all of the Commissioners. Chairman Daley asked that the Clerk’s office respond in writing to these questions. 
• Commissioner Suffredin stated that at the next Board meeting proposed item 20-4415 will be on the agenda. This amends the Cook County Code to replace the name of Recorder of Deeds to Cook County Clerk
• Commissioner Suffredin also stated that he had constituents call his office concerned that their ballots were not received at the Election Center due to the tracking system not operating correctly. Deputy Clerk Michalowski stated that they used a third-party contractor for this process, there were glitches, and they are being worked out. Suffredin also asked if the Clerk’s office is prepared for the next election since it is a Consolidated Election, local elections and many different ballots would have to be printed for each municipality. Michalowski said they would be ready. Suffredin commented that the program to use lawyers in the city and suburbs at polling places worked well and they should consider using lawyers again.

Highlights of The Chicago Board of Elections Budget Meeting
It was announced that Lane Gough, Executive Director of the Board of Elections will be retiring. His assistant, Charles Holiday will be replacing him. All commissioners wished him well.
Marisol Hernandez, Chair of the Board of Elections reported the following:

• 13,500 Chicagoans served as Election Judges for this election; that is 2,000 more than served in 2016
• 425,000 Vote by Mail Ballots were returned either by mail or by placing in secure drop boxes
• 370,000 Chicagoans voted early
• 800,000 ballots were received before the election
• 51 drop off boxes were available to voters through November 3

Looking ahead for 2021

• The Board of Elections will maintain voter registration
• Work includes the canvasing and remapping of wards precincts, and Congressional districts etc., once the census numbers are available and redistricting occurs 
• Handle objections for petitions for the 2022 election.

Commissioner Daley wanted to know if in the future the results from Chicago and Cook County could be combined. It was stated that this is a possibility.
Commissioner Degnen questioned a line item, Contingencies & special Purposes page B-4 of the budget. It shows $900,000-line item taken out of the budget. Executive Director Gough stated that he believed this was a Grant that is finished but he will get back to the Board.

Observer: Nancy Marcus