Cook County Board Finance Committee Mid-Year Budget Hearings
​July 30, 2024

9:30 am Cook County Treasurer - Maria Pappas and staff
Highlights:

• 70% of all tax bills have been paid as of today with a due date of Aug. 1
• Each cycle about 200,000 pins are not paid on time
• Overall there is a 98% collection rate countywide 
• There are those pins that are chronically delinquent - many are vacant land - an example was given that Ford Heights has 1400 pins that have not paid in 30 years
• The tax system needs to be changed and she has a Policy Group that is working with Springfield to see what changes can be made.
• Her office has done several studies that can be accessed on their website that are about the problems with the present tax structure. She encouraged everyone to read her studies.
• Many taxpayers do not understand the system or the exemptions. She has a Refund Project that will refund about 10,000 individuals this year. 
• Interest on late payments has been reduced from 18% to 9% (she took credit for this) and now has implemented a payment plan process for those who cannot pay all at once. 
• The office does outreach to all communities and has information available in a multitude of languages. 
• At the tax sale approximately 54,000 pins are offered and about 7,000 are actually sold. Most of those will end up being redeemed. 
• Setting up an AI unit that she hopes will be used to analyze date. Needs to assemble a team that will be able to mine the data

10am Cook County Sheriff - Tom Dart and staff
Highlights:

• Slowed civilian hiring to make budget
• Taking away more guns from those with revoked FOID cards.
• Doesn’t like to ticket for vehicle equipment problems. Likes to work with owners to repair the vehicles instead.
• 80% of inmates in some type of program. EX. Dog training program helps with aggression control. Agribusiness program for learning about a business. 
• Comm. Britton asked about dealing with Mental Health (MH) issues. Sheriff stated that about 40% of inmates have MH issues. Cermak deals with those who have severe issues but they didn’t have the capacity to deal with everyone so he started his own program. Talked about a possible day program at the Boot Camp for those with low level MH issues but concerns with funding and not sure if this is continuing. 
• Comm. Britton also asked about why with the jail population down there has not been a reduction in the budget for salaries - fewer personnel needed. Sheriff stated that they are still short staffed (240 positions open) and the reason the budget is not down is because of the salary increases approved by the CC Board.
• Comm. Anaya asked about licensure of those on staff working with the MI and about insurance coverage for services rendered. Sheriff stated that staff was in appropriate roles and that while services may be covered by Medicaid the sheriff does not have the ability to bill. All billing is done by Cermak. 
• Anaya also asked about Electronic Monitoring. Sheriff state that there are about 1400 now on his EM program. The number has been slowing decreasing. Any violations due to a change in the law now go to a judge who makes a determination but the judges “do not violate very many”. 
• Comm. Quezada had questions about the Co-Responder model for MH calls and questioned the Sheriff’s Treatment Response Teams (TRT) for MH calls. The Sheriff stated that getting trained professionals to respond to calls with officers proved to be too expensive so their teams use tablets that can connect someone in crisis to a MH professional. The program has resulted in a decrease in calls from some households. The sheriff also said he is tired of hearing about programs that are all talk and no action - he wants to get the right people to the door and thinks they are doing that pretty well.
• Quezada also asked about the number of inmates housed elsewhere and the cost to the county. The Sheriff stated that there are 27 inmates in other jails right now - not for capacity reasons but for safety reasons - and there is about $500,000 budget for that with about $200,000 spent to date. 
• Comm. Stamps raised the concern that the facility is not conducive to rehab for young people and wanted to know if they do research on best practices and how do they track success. Sheriff Dart said he is always looking for new ideas and success is measured by the number that do not return and the number that continue after release with the services they get connected with while in his custody. She also suggested that he consider an apprentice program with Chicago Public Schools to encourage employment at the Jail and that could help with the employment situation. Dart liked that idea. 
• There were more questions about billing for services, MH treatment for jail personnel as well as for the inmates, technology updates and the new helicopter. Sheriff said he would provide metrics on the helicopter use and the ongoing cost of housing and maintaining the helicopter. 

12:17pm Cook County Clerk - Cedric Giles and staff
Highlights:

• Now have a GPS tracking system for all election equipment in November
• New voter check-in system for November that will allow voters to update their signatures
• Sample ballots will be posted on their website
• The Recording Division has a new cashier system and they are in the process of digitalizing all records from 1871-1974.
• Commissioners were excited about the Pilot Program of partnering with the township offices for access to records of the Clerks office. Trial is running in Palatine and it may expand although no plans as of now. Also questions about using the City-Key card as an ID which at present is not okay. 

1:09 Cook County Health - Pamela Cassara, CFO, and staff
Highlights:

• CCH is presently in a favorable financial position
• 25% of the ARPA funds that CCH were allocated have been distributed and are on track to have all the funds allocated by the end of the year
• Comm. Trevor asked if CCH had the capacity to take on new patients with the present staffing shortages. Hiring is a top priority with nursing at the top of the list.
• Reproductive Health Issues - At Stroger the nursery is being removed so that they can increase capacity since newborns are now in the rooms with their moms and the nursery is no longer needed. 
• Migrant Health Services - fluctuating need as the numbers change. Can ramp up rapidly if necessary. Are providing health assessments and immunizations. 
• New outpatient facility will be opening in Bronzeville that will include Behavioral Health services.
• Comm. Stamps asked about the marketing of CCH services so that the communities know about where clinics are and what services are available. Stated that some facilities need to be upgraded (Austin Clinic). Also asked about relationship with nursing programs and asked why there was not a “direct hire” program with local high schools and colleges. CCH indicated that there is is a strong connection with the Malcolm X College nursing program. 
• Touted “My Birthday Health Program” that promotes early detection screenings for prostate and breast cancer.

3:31pm - Board of Review - Commissioners Steele, Rogers, and Cardenas
Highlights:

• 2023 Tax bills went out on time this year
• IT has been upgraded and a patch to the mainframe is no longer needed.
• Processed 246,000 appeals (some include multiple pin numbers) with a 46.9% decrease in their assessment.
• 45,000 PTAB cases covered
• Have open positions and recruiting is a challenge - hiring process is a long process.
• Comm. Cardenas emphasized that the mission of Board of Review is to correct assessments - focus primarily on residential properties - not their fault that taxes are increasing.
• Comm. Degnan wanted to know about having separate budgets for each of the Commissioners office which led to confusing discussion of how the BOR allocates their finances and other resources. Per the Budget Director in 2025 budgets will be separated for non-personnel budgets. 
• Comm. Anaya asked about the outreach process to let people know that there is an appeal process and how to do it. BOR says they are doing outreach and asked the CC Commissioners to help with the outreach. 
• Dispute over the assessing, appeal and tax process is ongoing and not new. President’s office is doing a study to determine the best process according to Comm. Steele. 
• A lot of concern expressed over the amount of OT and what that does relate to. Is it the type of work or the number of appeals or something else. Comm. Britton said they need to know so that they can allocate resources appropriately. 
• Comm. Britton also wants to know why there is such a discrepancy in the number of appeals that come from various areas in Cook County - stated that he sees this as an equity issue. Further expressed desire that all involved (Assessor, BOR, and anyone else necessary) get together and work out all these data, communication, equipment etc. issues that seem to be causing a lot of contention. 
• Comm. Kevin Morrison reviewed all BOR minutes for past few years and asked that the BOR commissioners figure out how to get along. 
• There is now a process for pre-filing an appeal so appeals can now be filed anytime and anywhere in Cook County. Comm. Stamps asked for clarification and how this is being communicated to the residents of Cook County. BOR says they don’t have a communications budget so the efforts are minimal.
• Comm. Rogers says there have to be concerted efforts to get the numbers right in the beginning so there is less need to appeal. Comm. Steele said the appeal rate in Cook County is 33%.

Observer: Cynthia Schilsky

Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings  
July 24, 2024

Finance Committee

• Carrianne Carallis, Director of Research, Operations and Innovation, outlined the new process to review and revise performance management goals and measures. The objective will  be to align the measures with the stated mission of the department in the budget book.  They are going to start with the Economic Development Department and plan to review all departments under the President by the end of the fiscal year.  Then they hope that the elected offices will also participate.   Commissioner Gainer said they should address the measures in Human Resources since money is being spent to improve the process.   Deloitte is consulting with that department.   Commissioner Daley said the elected offices should be included, especially focusing on the technology programs such as in the Court system.  Commissioner Miller asked if there were standards for the Justice Advisory Council grantee reviews.  She also asked if ARPA has standards for performance evaluation.   The ARPA reporting requirements focus more on finances.   
• The County’s Fitch bond rating has improved from AA- to AA.   This will help with the impending issuance of sales tax revenue bonds.

Criminal Justice Committee

• One of the public speakers was Carlos Ballesteros, a reporter for Injustice Watch, who has been investigating the high number of deaths at the jail and urged the Commissioners to hold a hearing on the issue.
• The Commissioners recommended for full Board approval the purchase of a helicopter for the Sheriff’s Office for $11.3M. Currently, the Sherriff shares one helicopter with Chicago.   Chicago has 4 additional helicopters.   There was a lot of discussion about the cost of the helicopter’s ongoing maintenance, fuel, and pilot costs. The pilot can be a civilian and would be accompanied by two tactical officers.    There will be an additional request for money in the budget for those items.   Jason Hernandez of the Sheriff’s Office explained that they have to know the model of the helicopter to be purchased in order to calculate the other costs.  They anticipate it will be $3.1M/year. A helicopter reduces the need for high speed car chases, facilitates searches in wooded areas, and can be used for patrol and other emergencies.   It will be delivered in second quarter 2025.

Health and Hospitals Committee

• LaMar Hasbrouch, M.D. reported that they are tracking four difference communicable diseases: Covid, H5N1 (bird flu), Mpox, and West Nile Virus.   Incidences of Covid are still low in Cook County but Dr. Hasbrouch explained that the variants change and so those people who are more vulnerable should get another vaccine this fall.  
• The agency has five points of surveillance of standing water for West Nile Virus throughout the County.  There has been one case this year.   They have a program called Fight the Bite, educating schools and other groups to protect themselves against mosquito bites and eliminate standing water.

Asset Management Committee

• The department is working with vendors to install electric vehicle charging stations in suburban Cook County. The vendors will charge for the service.  There was discussion about the two power levels of the charging stations and where they would be placed.   Commissioner Moore asked that some should be put in his district as there currently are very few and that they should be the higher- level charging station that requires a shorter time for the charge, as residents would not be able leave their cars for a long period of time.     Commissioner Degnen recommended that more charging stations be put in the County buildings to facilitate the County fleet being converted to electric vehicles.

Audit Committee

• The RSM US LLP audit manager presented the report of the  comprehensive financial audit for the County.   It was a clean audit.   There were reporting errors discovered and the relevant departments accepted the findings and put in additional controls.    He stated that the workman’s compensation liability for the County is $1.3B.  Commissioner Gainer asked if he could break down the components of the pension liability increase to headcount, recent salary increases, and investment income/loss.   The auditor did not have that specific information, but thought the County analysts could provide it to the Commissioners.
• A previous finding of insufficient monitoring of systems access for employees that moved to another department or were terminated was discussed.  The controls were better in this audit.    Commissioner Anaya asked more questions about how the controls were improved.   Currently a paper form has to be completed by the supervisor and there is a 90 day completion deadline, which the Commissioner commented was too long especially for a terminated employee.

Contract Compliance Committee

• Director Mandeville reported on the current lawsuits in other states that are challenging MWBE programs and the potential effects on the County’s program.  Her department is working to help MWBE and all smaller vendors learn how to navigate doing business with the County.  They are making informational webinars open to all vendors.  The County needs to address how to make it easier for any small business to participate, such as breaking down contract amounts into smaller units.

Emergency Management & Regional Security Committee

• The executive director, Ted Berger, explained the updated multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan.  125 municipalities and agencies are participating including the Forest Preserve and the MWRD.  The group cooperates in dealing with issues such as the recent flooding in the County.

Observer:  Kathleen Graffam

Cook County Board Finance Committee Departmental Budget Hearings
October 25, 2023  - morning session

​Clerk Of The Court—Iris Martinez
2024 Total:  $135,144,132                          2023:  $127,821,336
2024 FTEs:  1,429                                        2023:  1,509

​Following are some key items from this meeting:

• there is a reduction in staffing even though 200 new employees were hired
• following requirements of Shakman decree and are out from court supervision
• evictions, expungements, and victims of violence categories are all up in workload
• Odyssey technology program which allows easier access to information by users, more efficiency was completed in August 2023
• customer service center is very “efficient” and took more than 106,000 calls since June
• developed a domestic violence safe space area for victims to meet with advocates—Markham location for mostly the southern parts of county
• 189 vacancies
• continuances of court cases are tracked, but the coding for why these cases are not completed is very complex.  Pre-trial Fairness Act codes are also being added—will be done in 4-6 weeks
• Commissioners wanted to know reasons for continuances and why technology wasn’t being used by the judges  (input on computers rather than handwritten notes by the judge which can’t always be read clearly, thus mistakes) 

Secretary To The Board—Lynne Turner
2024 TOTAL:  $2,155,000                            2023:  $2,045,000
2024 FTEs:  12                                                    2023:  12

Following are some key items from this meeting:

• 5 positions vacant; only have 7 current employees
• budget increase due to salary increases
• Comm. Degnen wants a legal advisor for the Board and will bring an amendment forward to add this position  (NOTE: this issue was brought up years ago and then never followed up on)
• new Board room will be ready Dec., 2024 with ADA compliance, language translation services, all new equipment
• two improvements are use of QRC code to access agendas (less paper) and closed caption on screens by the end of 2023

Sheriff—Tom Dart
2024 Total:  $708,458,429                                 2023: $674,966,716
2024 FTEs:  5,744   (a decrease)                      2023:  5,839 

Following are some key items from this meeting:   

• budget increases due to parental leave, salary increases, overtime, COLA
• Sheriff office still policing or aiding several towns and parts of Chicago—full time in Ford Hts. and Austin neighborhood
• in River North of Chicago—retail theft work, 
• 1,000 guns taken off the street, go after revocations of Firearm Owner Identification Cards (“FOIDs”)  but doesn’t have the staff (only 8) to do this completely (38,000 revoked FOIDs in Cook County with 30,000 not in compliance)
• working with FBI on carjackings and car stealing which is the worst in the country; only 20% of carjackers are arrested and 60% of those are juveniles; many repeat offenders
• Sheriff has developed many special programs to help detainees with mental, drug and behavioral issues; job help, etc.
• jail programming is high but if defendants are released, there is no service for them; those on electronic monitoring also don’t get these services
• currently 4,860 detainees in jail and 1,800 on Electronic Monitoring (“EM”)
• state law requires EM defendants to have 2 days per week unmonitored.  5% of EM people (166 this year) commit additional crimes on these unsupervised days;  0% on fully monitored days
• has difficulty filling correctional worker positions; has full staffing (35-40) of social workers
• every commissioner who spoke praised Sheriff for his programs and advancements that are one-of-a-kind in the country
• Sheriff is also concerned about the delays in trials, causes problems in the jail too.  It is up to the judiciary to fix this.

Karin Hribar, Observer

Cook County Board Finance Committee
Budget Meetings
Oct. 27 

Sheriff Budget presented by Sheriff Tom Dart

Proposed 2022 Budget:  $619,404,166    2021 Budget:  $593,629,147
Proposed 2022 FTEs:  5,826        2021 FTEs:  5,647

The Sheriff has the following departments:  the Office of the Sheriff, Administration & Human Resources, Office of professional Review and Professional Integrity Special Investigations, Information Technology, Court Services Division (staffing the courts), Police Department (covering unincorporated areas, but also providing police services under intergovt. agreements to a number of different suburbs and Chicago), Community Corrections Department (responsible for Electronic Monitoring), Department of Corrections (staffing the jail and providing services during and after release from jail), and Sheriff’s Merit Board (responsible for vetting potential new hires and promotions and conducting disciplinary hearings).  While overall there is a large increase in FTEs proposed (+179), there is a reduction in the Department of Corrections (-57).

Some key points from the meeting:
Policing:

• Assisting Chicago police in Chatham on the south side and Austin on the west side, as well as doing some patrolling downtown within Chicago.
• Ever-expanding police services to many suburbs which cannot afford to do it themselves.
• Providing evidence technicians as needed throughout the County.
• Regularly patrolling on the highways as the State police are having to spend more time with shootings.
• Have confiscated over 700 illegal guns thus far this year - already a record!
• Participating in Chicago’s task force for carjackings.  Have created a data base (before there was none) to keep track of where happening and where cars are being recovered and how quickly.  Helps to decide where to deploy resources.  Now recovering cars at a higher rate (+41%) and cut in half the recovery time.  This prevents such cars from being used in other crimes.
• Working on a dashboard for highway shootings.  Finding that use of helicopters helpful in making arrests without high-speed chases.

Community Policing Model

• Looking for opportunities to improve relations with community, such as delivering 80,000 meals on wheels.
• For those dealing with opioid addiction, working to get them off the street and into treatment.
• His Community Resource Center is to offer or connect those leaving the jail with needed services.  So far, 3,000 have been serviced.

Cook County Jail

• Population is and has been consistently around 5,700.
• Currently 14 COVID cases – all of whom walked in with COVID, which is true for about 70%-80% of all cases.  Sheriff cannot force prisoners to be vaccinated.  Usually about 65% are.  Just under 80% of the Sheriff’s employees are.
• Illinois Department of Corrections still refusing to take the bulk of the population at the jail who have been convicted and should be transferred to the State.  Now have about 650.  Noted that while 11% of the total jail population, these people commit almost 50% of the violence in the jail.  Cost is $240/d per person (if don’t get involved in fights resulting in need for medical treatment).  So far, total cost has been $70 M since start of pandemic.
• If State would take all the convicted prisoners, Sheriff could close the building now housing them and significantly reduce overtime costs and the wear and tear on his employees.  

Mental Health Issues

• Has a new program now being used in Oak Lawn showing great promise.  Officers are trained to use a tablet when called to a situation involving mental health issues.  On the other end of the tablet is a mental health specialist.  The tablet is handed to the person or a family member to help calm the person down and get him to agree to treatment.
• At intake at the jail, identify issues and then work to get them into programs and follow-up after they leave jail.
• Currently just under 50% of those in jail have mental health issues, which is much higher than in the past.  Sheriff says he has been told that this is likely a fallout from the pandemic.
• Comm. Morrison urged the Sheriff to use his lobbyists in Springfield in coordination with other County lobbyists to get the State to resume providing mental health services.
• Commissioner Deer said that Commissioners now getting quarterly reports from County officials on what mental health services being provided.  Next step is to bring everyone together to develop a coordinated approach.  Sheriff committed to supporting.

Electronic Monitoring (EM)

• Population Sheriff is monitoring is down to about 2900 in recent months.  He does not know why, but it has been down long enough that he does not believe this is a blip.
• He confirmed that the judges order EM and Sheriff has no say.  
• There are 3 separate EM programs run by (1) Illinois Dept. of Corrections for those who have been convicted, (2) the Chief Judge – and Sheriff says he does not know much about that other than that he believes there are periods during the day when the people are not monitored, and (3) the Sheriff, and his dept is monitoring 24 hours a day.  Different people have different times when they can move about, which complicates the monitoring.
• While the State EM will have to remain separate, Sheriff would like to see all those he is monitoring to be under the Chief Judge’s program, except for those who the Sheriff has in programs.
• Some on EM lose their housing.  Sheriff tries to help finding housing.  Consistently have about 100 without housing.
• Confirmed that in contrast to some jurisdictions in the country, there is no charge to people for being on EM.

Prescription Drug Take-back:  Sheriff’s program is #1 in the country in terms of amount collected!

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

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 of Commissioners Meeting - December 17, 2020
Virtual Meeting - All Commissioners present  
President Preckwinkle left at 2:10 to attend the Covid inoculation.  Vice Chair Sims took over.

Public Speakers:

• Statements were read by the Board Secretary and included support for the change of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples day, support and opposition to the landlord/tenant ordinance, concerns about the use of electronic monitoring.

Board Actions:

• Agenda Item 21-0019 Appointment of Michelle Kohler to Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues.   Approved.
• 21-0490   The proclamation of disaster under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act due to Covid was extended through January 31, 2021.   Passed
• 21-0295  The Department of Transportation and Highways  requested approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the County and Metra. Beginning in January 2021, Cook County and the region's transit agencies will launch a three-year pilot project to improve transit service for the residents of south suburban Cook and the south side of Chicago. The pilot will begin with a 50% fare reduction on the Metra Electric and Rock Island commuter rail lines and service improvements on the Pace 352 bus route.  Cook County will underwrite the costs of the participating agencies.   Passed.
• 21-0441, 21-0445  Ammar Rizki from the Bureau of Finance explained the resolutions to contribute $341,961,760 to the Pension Stabilization Fund beyond the statute required amount. FY2021 Pension Fund supplemental contributions will be made on a monthly basis in the amount of $20,000,000 from December 2020 through October 2021. The final FY 2021 Pension Fund supplemental contribution will be made during November 2021 in the amount of $33,961,760.        Passed.
• 21-001  The Department of Transportation and Highways requested approval of the proposed Improvement Resolution for the South Cook Fair Transit Pilot. The funds will go towards the planning studies and implementation of the South Cook Fair Transit Pilot in southern Cook County. These funds are to be used with both Metra and Pace working in conjunction on this project. Commission Degnen questioned how this could impact CTA ridership.   President Preckwinkle responded that the Department of Transportation is currently working with Metra and PACE and there are ongoing discussions with the CTA.   Passed
• 21-0367   Authorization to enter into an interagency agreement. The Cook County Safety and Justice Challenge Stakeholders including the Office of the Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Cook County Public Defender’s Office, and Cook County Sheriff’s Office will partner with Loyola University to provide the data to develop a data portal to host criminal justice data to support data-informed policy decision making. Commissioner Keven Morrison asked when findings will be available.     The contract is for 2 years, but data will start to be shared immediately.     Passed.
• 21-0352   This was a request from the Sheriff’s Office and the Court to expand the existing approved contract with the GPS equipment provider.  The equipment is used for electronic monitoring. The Original Approval amount was $4,064,311.50.  The increase requested was $13,389,943.00. The increase to the contract is needed due to the unforeseen significant increase in electronic monitoring (EM) participants during FY 2020 because of the Covid virus, the program to reduce the use of cash bail, and the Sheriff’s Office transitioning current EM participants from radio frequency equipment to GPS equipment. There was a one-hour discussion about this resolution.  Initially it had been decided to send the resolution to committee because several commissioners had questions before the meeting.  Other commissioners requested to approve the increase as the Sheriff’s office has said they could run out of equipment.  Commissioner Sean Morrison pointed out that this contract had been discussed and approved and that the resolution was only for additional money.  Commissioner Anaya and Commissioner Kevin Morrison had a number of questions about the current usage of equipment for both radio frequency and GPS monitoring and why the projection for money was so much.    Representatives of the Sheriff’s office had to check on answers.   The monitoring is moving from radio frequency to GPS.   The equipment is leased and so any outdated radio frequency equipment is being returned to the vendor and all GPS equipment has to be recycled to that vendor for sterilization after use Commissioners Anaya, Johnson, Miller and Degnen had concerns about the use of electronic monitoring.  Degnen, Miller, and Anaya had received a letter from George Washington University about the negatives in using electronic monitoring.  That is why they wanted the whole program to be discussed in committee.  Passed    14 yes 3 no
• 20-3460 Juneteenth Recognized as a paid Cook County Holiday.   Several Commissioners spoke in favor of this.    There was no discussion about costs.   Passed.

​Follow Up Items

• Agenda Item 20-5667 PROPOSED RESOLUTION Requesting Presentations from the Cook County Treasurer and Cook County Assessor to Discuss the Impact of Increased Property Taxes on Constituents

Observer:  Kathleen Graffam                                                        Meeting Length:  5 hours