Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings
June 28, 2023

The Commissioners had a full day of Committee meetings filled with much substance. Highlights below include

• Approval of the 12-week paid parental leave for offices under the President (not for employees who work for the other County Elected Officials)
• Differing views about the conditions inside the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center
• Updates on the status of revenues vs. expenses for this fiscal year and on the long-term revenue forecast
• Update on what the different County offices are doing with respect to domestic violence cases

12-week paid parental leave

• The Finance Committee voted to direct the Bureau of Human Resources to put together a policy for paid parental leave for 12 weeks.  To qualify, the employee must have been full-time for at least 12 months and must be a birth parent, non-birthing biological parent, intended parent of a gestational surrogacy, parent of adopted child, or foster parent placed with a foster child of 17 or younger.  Employees will be limited to 1 such leave per 12 months.  
• Commissioner Degnen, the principal sponsor along with President Preckwinkle, explained that the policy would for now only cover employees under the offices of the President.  Each other Elected County Official must take their own steps to adopt such a policy.  Commissioner Degnen said the Board can and should encourage such steps by assuring the Electeds that the Board would make sure the money was there to cover the costs of such a policy.
• Commissioner Gainer said that she had left the City of Chicago’s employment years ago because it had no such policy.  She expects that having such a policy now at Cook County will enable many good employees to remain at the County.  
• Commissioner Kevin Morrison stressed that people who opt to take this leave should know there will be no retributions as a result - particularly that they will not miss out on promotions.
• Commissioner Miller emphasized that this policy should assist in improving the significant maternal mortality and morbidity rates that the Commissioners heard about the previous day by allowing birth mothers to have the time to obtain the care they need.  Commissioner Miller also said that this policy was another plus for attracting and retaining good workers at Cook County (again referencing yesterday’s meetings where they heard about the challenges of hiring).
• The Board approved this item (#23-3117) at the Board meeting on June 29.

Conditions at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (“JTDC”)

• The Audit Committee held a hearing to discuss Equip for Equality’s report on conditions inside the JTDC, which is under the authority of the Cook County Chief Judge.  The Chief Judge did not speak, but was present throughout.  
• Equip for Equality (“EFE”) is the private not-for-profit legal advocacy organization designated by the Governor to operate the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (“P&A”) System for people with disabilities in Illinois.  EFE conducted observations and interviews with staff and detainees at the JTDC and the Chicago Public School that operates there from late 2021 thru early 2023.  The full report can be found at https://www.equipforequality.org/files/jtdc_report.pdf
• EFE recommends ending the practice of isolating youths and the use of a “holding” pod for those who either act up in the school or refuse to go to school.  EFE also recommends the end of the policy of having youths in the holding pod sit “on the wall” while they are given packets of work and utilize overturned chairs as desks, all the while not being able to talk to anyone.
• JTDC Superintendent Dixon and other supervisory JTDC staff stated there was no such “policy,” but admitted that this practice is used.  Supt. Dixon explained that this is used to prevent harm to others, as well as for the youths themselves.  There are serious gang issues within the JTDC, and the youth detained there are generally accused of serious crimes, including murder and attempted murder.  
• EFE is particularly focused on those detained in the JTDC who have special needs and the failure to accommodate that in the school.  However, Supt. Dixon explained that the staff are not advised by the Chicago Public Schools (“CPS”) as to when any of the youth there have special needs.  The prior memorandum of understanding between CPS and the JTDC lapsed a long time ago and a new one is just now being negotiated which presumably would provide for such information to be given to the JTDC.

Current Fiscal Year and Long-Term Revenue Forecast

• The Comptroller reported to the Finance Committee that both the General Fund and Health Enterprise Fund have positive balances due to revenues exceeding expenses:  $162 M for the General Fund and $108 M for the Health Fund.
• Dean Constantinou, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, presented the quarterly update on the long-term revenue forecast developed by the County’s Independent Revenue Forecast Commission.  The forecast is for slow economic growth into 2024, which should have a positive impact on revenues, particularly the sales tax which, as of April, is projected to be 1.3% over budget.  As a result of projected small surpluses going forward over the next 5 years, the County’s Fund Balance should continue to be above the maximum desired under the County’s policy, resulting in additional funds being available.
• The forecast is also for revenues to exceed expenses in the Health Fund going forward.  County Care membership is expected to peak in June and then drop off.  After November of 2024, the forecast is for membership to remain flat.

Domestic Violence

• The Criminal Justice Committee heard from representatives from the offices of the State’s Attorney, Sheriff, Chief Judge, and Clerk of the Circuit Court on what is going on with respect to domestic violence cases.  The Public Defender was not available.  Prior to the meeting, Commissioner Anaya, the sponsor of the item (23-2711) calling for the hearing, had met with each office explaining what she wanted covered.
• The State’s Attorney’s representative talked about the Domestic Violence Mental Health Court pilot that started in February.  The focus is on familial conflicts with outpatient and inpatient treatment for both defendants and victims.  So far, there have been 50 cases and 5 graduates. 
• The State’s Attorney is recommending (1) technology upgrades to the domestic violence court at 555 W. Harrison, (2) creation of a shared screening data base among agencies, and (3) the elimination of paper communications.  
• The Clerk of the Court’s representative reiterated the need for a single system among the criminal justice offices, and said that there is one that all offices have access to:  the Clerk of the Court’s Case Management System.  What needs to be done now is make sure all offices are trained on using it.  The representative explained that each office still needed its own system to manage its work load – other offices, for example, should not have access to the State Attorney’s case management system.  
• Honorable Judy Rice, the Acting Presiding Judge of the Domestic Violence Court, reported that there are 1500 new cases each month, both criminal and civil.  There are monthly meetings among all the entities (DV advocacy, Sheriff, Clerk of the Court, State’s Attorney, DV Judges, etc.) and the Chief Judge’s office supports increased staffing for all.  Since the pilot program for “After Hours” Domestic Violence Court (9 pm to 3 am on weeknights and 1 pm to 6 pm on weekends) there have been 543 cases.

​Observer: Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings      
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Finance Committee:

• Comptroller Laurence Wilson presented the January Revenue report for Cook County Health (CCH), which was mostly on budget and the 2022 year end report which had no significant variances. 
• State of Illinois is frequently late on reimbursement to CCH. 
• About $1billion will be spent on immigrant health; the question is “Who Pays?” —County, State, Federal governments? 
• In addition all Medicaid recipients need to reapply (redetermination).  About 1 million more residents are on Medicaid now than before the pandemic due to expanded program and not being required to re-enroll during that time.  There will be a monthly rolling basis of redetermination with letters going to current Medicaid recipients. It is expected that County Care (the Cook County insurance program) will lose members and thus money due to fewer being qualified.

Audit Committee:

• Auditor Mary Modelski gave an update of Open Recommendations from the Auditor’s Office to various departments regarding large projects and department practices. 
• Human Resources Dept. disagreed with many recommendations, particularly with on-boarding new employees and  trainings, and so declined to follow them.  The Auditor can recommend, but not require these to be followed.  It would be up to the Cook County Commissioners to follow-up/change rules, etc.

Environment and Sustainability Committee:

• A resolution calling for further federal action and accountability in connection with Norfolk Southern Corporation’s Operations (Agenda Item 23-1939) was passed in committee.  This relates to the recent derailing in Ohio which released toxic materials.  The sponsor, Commissioner Quezada wanted “to demonstrate solidarity with Ohio and ensure safety of rail systems.”

Technology and Innovation Committee:

• The Technology Department presented updates on several large projects. 
• The IPTS Property Tax Project (which has been a source of controversy and blame) will “go live” in October or November if the property tax bills go out on time.  There will still be two separate systems (Assessor and Board of Review) but with an interface so that the same data is seen by both departments.  The future goal is for both these offices to be on the same system (Odyssey or Tyler) and off the main frame computer which is about 40 years old. 
• Getting off the main frame system is the main goal for the Technology Department for numerous County depts.
• The Criminal Justice BUS computer system works and has been ready to go.  This system computerizes the CJ data and information for easier access and reliability.  However, it was noted that paper carbon copies are still being used.  The solution (BUS System) is there; but not all departments are using it.

Observer - Karin Hribar

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
December 15, 2022

This was the first regular meeting of the Cook County Board for the new fiscal year of 2023 that began December 1, and was conducted in just over an hour.  

Two key items were approved:

• The 2023 property tax levy of $797.5 M, that is consistent with the 2023 budget passed in November.  (Agenda Item 23-0392)
• The intergovernmental agreement with the Pension Fund which is the vehicle used by the County to provide additional contributions.  For 2023, the additional monies will be $291.7 M.  These contributions are funded by a portion of the sales tax increase of 1 cent that took effect in 2016.  Commissioner Daley pointed out these additional payments to date have totaled $2 Billion, and have resulted in a Fund that is 67% funded. (Agenda Item 23-0474)

Because most items that were in Committee as of November 30 were not carried over, there were several items on the agenda that were revised versions of prior resolutions, and those and a number of other key items were referred to Committees:
To Legislation & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee:

• The proposed appointment of Tanya B. Anthony as the new Chief Financial Officer.  Ms. Anthony is a prior Budget Director and currently is the Chief Administrative Officer.  (Item 23-0442)
• The proposed appointment of Zahra Ali to replace Ms. Anthony as Chief Administrative Officer.  (Item 23-0556)
• The proposed appointments of Mia Webster Cross and Tanya R. Sorrell to the Cook County Health Board of Directors.  (Items 23-0586 and 23-0595)
• The report from the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues on “Continued Support of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence.”  (Item 23-0563)

To Finance Committee:

• A proposal sponsored by Commissioner Anaya to create a 2023 Property Tax Relief Loan Program.  This provides for a loan for qualifying owners for 10 years at 3% interest.  (Item 23-0593)
• Another proposal from Commissioner Anaya is to create an Historic District Preservation Exemption to lower the property tax for owners who own a property within a historic district and who have low- or middle-income tenants who have resided in the property for a minimum of 5 years.  To be eligible, the property must also have an assessment that exceeds one and a half times the percentage median assessment increase within the district.  Com. Anaya stated that this will take some State Action in order to enact.  (Item 23-0594)

To Health & Hospitals Committee:

• A resolution requesting a committee meeting to receive updates from Cook County Health and the Dept. of Public Health on Covid.  Commissioner Miller explained that as was the case for the one that just expired, this will likely be held in committee so there can be monthly updates, but Comm. Miller said that this one includes updates on other infectious diseases. (Item 23-0469)
• A resolution requesting a committee meeting for a report from senior staff at Cook County Health.  Like the item above, this will likely be held in committee so these reports will be given monthly.  (item 23-0202)
• A resolution to have semi-annual reports detailing behavioral services provided by Cook County Health, the Department of Public Health, Cermak Health, the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, the Sheriff, the State’s Attorney, the Chief Judge, and the Public Defender.  One of the stated purposes is to see whether there are overlaps and/or gaps in services provided by these different County areas.  Another purpose is to assess costs and effectiveness of the services.  This resolution is similar to the one previously in effect, except that the reports will now be twice a year, rather than quarterly.  The committee will review the reports in July and December. (Item 23-0523)
• The semi-annual report on Health Disparities from the Dept. of Public Health.  (Item 23-0555)

To Technology Committee:

• A proposed amendment to the Technology Reporting Ordinance that requires semi-annual updates (in April and October) from the offices under the President and the separately elected offices related to their strategic initiatives.  In addition, an annual Technology Strategic Plan is to be submitted each January.  All the criminal justice offices are to present their offices’ progress toward an automated, integrated criminal justice system in October.  The Chief Information Security Officer is to submit a report on relevant information security issues annually in March. (Item 23-0557)
• The Assessor’s strategic plan for 2023.  (Item 23-0296)

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, one of the Cook County Interpreters talked about the value provided by the interpreters and the need for them to have a just contract put in place.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

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