Category: Cook County Sheriff

Cook County Board 2026 Budget Hearings Office of the Sheriff

11/4/2025

Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee Meeting
October 29, 2025

Sheriff’s Department: Thomas Dart
Proposed 2026 Budget: $814,655,918   Proposed 2026 Positions:        5,466.3
Actual 2025 Budget:   $750,891,179   Actual 2025 Approved Positions   5,721.0
Difference          + $63,764,739   Difference:                  (254.8)

Sheriff Dart mentioned that the reduction in FTEs was primarily due to the move of the electronic monitoring program to the Chief Judge’s Office.
He did indicate that the policing side might be problematic in that towns having budget problems use the Sheriff’s Office (SO) more often (e.g., Harvey). Commissioner McCaskill asked for information on how much helping underserved communities like Harvey costs and how it impacts SO. Answer – about $2M. It impacts SO significantly when it’s not planned. This can result in overtime. In contrast, using the example of Harvey, the SO knew that it was necessary unless State stepped in so could plan for it. . He also explained overtime number in that he can often have 200+ absentees in a day. Staff needs to call in only two hours in advance of absence. This results in personnel being on job longer while replacements are called in. Commissioner Degnan suggested using technology to schedule staffing of courtrooms.
Electronic Monitoring: The switch to the Chief Judge’s Office (CJO) continues. Expectation is completion within six months, though some still left with Sheriff. Commissioner Gainer questioned whether data was captured under the program that informed Sheriff Office decisions and focus and whether that would continue under CJO. Dart indicated they definitely used data and CJO representative indicated that would continue and possibly be expanded.
Mental health calls: Dart advised that officers were trained in dealing with mental health calls and de-escalating situations. Individuals were directed to support services. Issue was to how to get information to public so use of law enforcement less involved. Suggestions included using a special phone number (e.g., 988) for public, more information to public. Commissioner Trevor asked whether the Sheriff’s Office worked with township. Dart indicated not. SO also has access to Illinois Department of Human Services in emergencies.
Helicopter: Use has stopped two carjackings and two armed robberies. Also can be used to patrol expressways with license plate capture to stop shoulder riders and speeding. Dart advised that in one day of this use, the fines covered a week of fuel for the helicopter, so has revenue value trade off. There has been no quarterly report on helicopter since only in operation since October 1. Commissioner McCaskill asked if SO was getting real time information and if communities could tie into that rather than using a Skydio service, which is expensive. Dart indicated it was possible.
Retail theft: Working with businesses, SO has recovered $6M and broken up organized theft rings. Dart advised that problem will continue because where once they could concentrate on ground operations with “fences” being used, now stolen goods are put online.
ICE: SO working with Chief Judge; signage on restrictions and process posted outside courthouse. Adhering to Trust Act. ICE not allowed in courthouse; SO does not transfer people unless there is a criminal warrant signed by judge and clerk stamp. Officers have been trained on immigrant sanctuary issues and updated so to adapt to changing circumstances. Commissioner Trevor asked about training and issues in unincorporated Cook County. Dart indicated there was little activity lately but they were keeping eyes on the situation. Adherence to procedures issues reviewed by Office of Professional Review. SO has offered suburban police training on Trust Act responsibilities. Sheriff Dart responded to Commissioner questions about requests from ICE to SO. He advised that there had really been none.
Body cameras: In response to Commissioner Stamps questions, Dart explained that purchases had been divided into three trenches, with the 2026 allocation the last; all appropriate staff will have body cameras as of next year; started with most important level (i.e., street officers) and moved up from there. In response to Commissioner Vasquez’s question, he advised that body cameras are to be on when involved in action. Cameras are leased so can keep up with technology; maintenance, storage, repairs will need to be budgeted.
Domestic Violence/Orders of Protection: Commissioners Stamps and McCaskill had questions. Dart advised process for serving Orders of Protection, including using tech support to help locate subject, advised 20 FTEs had been added to unit. Explained that problem was powers of SO in serving papers. Officers are not allowed to enter private facilities (e.g., home) without permission, so subject can just not answer door to SO. Extra funding needed; possible separate unit; get intel services involved; sending info to officers on street helps speed process, aids efficiency of service. grid
Detainee Release and Jail Time: Commissioner Scott was concerned about detainees being discharged late at night and not being able to access transportation home or connected to services. The Sheriff explained that 90% of people in system are connected to some program and SO makes sure they have some sort of support or ride home. Question was why so late at night. The system still in use for judicial authorization to release is still in paper form. Commissioner Vasquez asked about published reports that the Odyssey program electronically cover this. Dart explained that the Odyssey program does not provide an order signed by a judge with the clerk’s stamp that is needed to release a detainee. Commissioner McCaskill asked about a comprehensive plan to reduce jail time; 15 people in jail awaiting trial for 10 years, 181 waiting for 5 years. Dart responded that it was more a Judiciary issue than the SO.

Miscellaneous:

Commissioner Stamps suggested making the SO budget public and use Infographics to simplify.
Commissioner Degnan asked about 911 call center and involving more municipalities. Dart indicated municipalities tend to be territorial so may not join.
Commissioners Anaya, Aguilar questioned line items where no longer requested funds. Response was that some were moved to different departments, merged with other units or had title changes.

Observer: Hollis Burgess

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Mid-Year Budget Meetings of the Finance Committee

8/3/2025

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee
Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Morning Session

Office of the Treasurer – Maria Pappas

Treasurer Pappas presented information on revenue from her office. The actuals have exceeded budgeted as the office provided very conservative numbers during the budget process.
Pappas noted that her office had conducted surveys to determine voter demographics. Studies analyzed voter turnout related to property tax referenda and property tax appeals and processes. Results indicated a higher voter turnout and more appeals in wealthier districts.
The responses relative to the office’s goals indicated they were basically on target with all, with no major issues on their end.
Pappas presented data on the numbers reached and results of their program “Black and Latino Houses Matter,” radio shows on stations popular in those communities. These programs are committed to presenting helpful information on avoiding the homeowner pitfalls of delinquencies, late payments, etc.
There was discussion about getting information to other income levels and minority communities on the appeals process and other issues. Response indicated communications efforts stressed; printing materials in more languages than English; using outreach workers to promote information in lower income and minority communities.
Future studies include a study of all TIF districts (no info on metrics to be used or timing) which will inform as to status of all TIF districts.
Continuing to hire personnel, though there are no major problems with personnel. Treasurer’s office uses summer interns to get ahead on tasks so office is not overloaded during winter months when it is traditionally busier.
The remainder of the time with Treasurer Pappas was reviewing her office’s issues with Tyler Technologies and the project for the Integrated Property Tax System. Pappas was extremely disturbed by the problems that have arisen in getting correct info for property tax bills, the time it takes to correct mistakes, and general non-responsiveness of Tyler. She indicated she documents all issues in letters to Tyler as she is concerned legal issues may arise from this project. Treasurer Pappas advised the Commissioners that she had plans to bring in a consultant she trusts to review Tyler’s work, progress and problems, with the intent of determining what may be done to resolve same.

Office of the Sheriff – Tom Dart

Sheriff Dart expects to be on budget at end of year with possible marginal increases generally related to increased costs of food at jail and increase in the jail population. The department is doing well in meeting its FY2025 Goals and Objectives. Dart has two staff members dedicated to administration of grants and is aggressive in looking for/applying for grants.
They are about 200 officers down from budget but are continuing to hire. Questions regarding what is being done to recruit and retain yielded that Tier 2 pension is problematic and that officers are getting training in de-escalation and dealing with Narcan.
Dart indicated a major issue for those released can be lack of phone service. With no way to contact help or services, some get lost. Asked Commissioners for help. Dart indicated he wanted more programming at jail and with juveniles. He was open to any suggestions, including one by Commissioner Gainer on whether you can revoke Drivers Licenses or other licenses for Firearm Owner’s Identification Card violations, which would need to be investigated with State. Another issue is no lead time from court to know when individual released or time is extended so connecting to services or follow up are impeded.

Issues discussed included:

Behavioral/mental health issues help after release: Office works with Cermak Hospital to identify programs for aftercare and connect to providers; rigorous vetting of organizations involved in services; measures of how programs/efforts affect recidivism; criteria for redirecting funds as needed; use of MLUs (medical liaison units)
Retail theft issues: Sheriff’s dept more involved over past 3 years; work with Chicago Police; give security briefings to stores to help avoid problems; response is data driven to pinpoint issues and areas of concern; current thefts are organized as opposed to random; recognition and response to that has upped County’s game in recovering goods. Overtime grant is related specifically to overtime re retail theft issue.
Electronic Monitoring: Transfer of responsibility slower than expected; population in program is up; need to set level at which transition to Chief Judge is considered complete so can reassign officers currently used by the program to other areas, e.g., cut at 200 individuals.
Dealing with ICE officers entering courts: Have to consider whether warrants involved, guns? Sheriff said will do what is necessary to keep courts, buildings and people safe, within legal authority.
Orders of protection problems: Sometimes info is not current; Sheriff doesn’t have authority to enter house to provide protection services; can and will do home visits if in jurisdiction.
Capital needs: $11M for body cameras is not capital; maintenance of helicopter is capital. Comparisons of how much Cook County has spent on helicopters v other comparable areas shows CC has less helicopters.
Other: Moving officers from not needed area to specialty needs at same pay level. Training – evaluating effectiveness; adapting as needed. Mental health support for officers.
Cost of detaining individuals in County jail: $240/individual/day

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Office of the Public Administrator – Louis Apostol

Office is funded by statutory mandate and its funding is derived from fees and interest on funds held. Office handles estates where no will or where there is a will but no administrator.
Revenues are exceeding amount budgeted. Office closed more estates than projected. Met 2025 goals and objectives. This office generally has excess funds at end of year.
In response to a question as to how information is publicized so potential heirs/individuals, particularly minority, can find out they may have an inheritance, Mr. Apostol said they use newspapers, though no social media. Staff does exhaustive search to trace heirs.
Suggestions were made to use unused funds for more outreach to increase community awareness of probate. It was also suggested that social media and other more contemporary methods for publicizing the search for heirs might provide increased outreach to minority communities.

Observer: Hollis Burgess

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Chief Judge on Track to Take All New Electronic Monitoring Participants

3/22/2025

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Criminal Justice Committee of the Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 11, 2025

The Committee heard presentations from the Sheriff’s Office and the Chief Judge’s Office regarding the plans for the Chief Judge’s office to take responsibility for all new defendants ordered by Cook County Judges to be placed on electronic monitoring (“EM”) on and after April 1.
Currently, Judges order some defendants to be placed on EM overseen by the Sheriff and some on EM overseen by the Chief Judge. new
The Sheriff will continue to oversee those placed under his program prior to April 1, but expects that by the end of September, that program will no longer have any remaining pre-April 1 participants. The Sheriff hopes to retain all or most of the positions currently involved in EM to cover his other operations, particularly correctional officers for the Jail.
The Sheriff’s EM program is generally a 24/7 confinement, with some limited movement. His program has averaged 5 new EM participants a day, or 150 a month, vs. the Chief Judge’s program averaging 3 new participants a day, or 90 per month, both as averaged over the last 3 months. The Chief Judge’s program generally restricts movement only for 12 hours, mainly from 7 pm to 7 am. Movement is generally unrestricted outside of that curfew. The other major difference is that those under the Chief Judge’s program are assigned to a pre-trial services officer, who helps provide or connects the defendant to other services.
Cook County Judges will continue to determine what restrictions on movement will be applicable to all those placed on EM. The Chief Judge’s office is expecting to have many more people on 24/7 restrictions than currently, along with the expected additional 900 EM participants to be added over the coming 6 months that would have previously gone to the Sheriff’s program. The Chief Judge’s office is planning to assign pre-trial officers to all of these new participants.
As a result, the Chief Judge is anticipating needing up to 153 new employees: 66 to 83 new people in the Home Confinement Unit (which monitors EM) and 54 to 79 new people for the Pre-Trial Services Unit over the coming months. In addition, the current space for the Home Confinement Unit is not sufficient for the necessary increase. The process has started to look for a new, larger space. Also, it is anticipated that more support, such as capital and technology, will be needed by the Chief Judge’s Office.

The Chief Judge’s Office has a 4-Phase Implementation Plan to accomplish this:

Feb. thru May, 2025: On-boarding of around 25 new employees, which are currently provided for in the Chief Judge’s budget, and identification of the new space for the Home Confinement Unit.
June thru Augusti 2025: Onboarding of 2 new classes (approximately 25 each) of employees; promotions to add additional supervisors; ready and move into new space for Home Confinement Unit; develop new reporting structure.
September thru November, 2025: Onboarding of another class and more promotions to supervisors; implement reporting structure.
December 2025 thru May 2026: Onboard 3 more classes to be fully staffed.

Also appearing at the meeting was Cara Smith, the Director of the Illinois Office of Pre-Trial Services.

She explained that the office had recently received the request from Cook County for the 153 new positions and is reviewing that now.
This will necessitate amending that Office’s proposed budget for the State’s new fiscal year that begins July 1, but the Office has already alerted State lawmakers. Comm. Britton told her not to hesitate to contact the County Board if it needed to lobby the State for the needed money.

A representative of the State’s Attorney also spoke and said that that Office was looking forward to more information about the transfer of EM responsibilities from the Sheriff to the Chief Judge.

The Commissioners had many questions:

Commissioner Degnen received assurances that the Chief Judge’s Office would continue to report information about EM on the web site, such as numbers of those on EM and the types of charged crimes, as is done now. During public comments, a representative from Appleseed’s Center for Fair Courts had expressed strong support for the Chief Judge’s Office taking over responsibility for all EM, but had raised a concern about obtaining information since the Chief Judge is not subject to the Open Records Act.
Commissioner Britton was told that if the Chief Judge’s Office found a defendant had violated the EM conditions, the local police would be called. That defendant would be brought before the judge handling the case to determine if the conditions had indeed been violated, and if appropriate, the judge could order confinement in Jail. In that case the Sheriff’s Office would take the defendant into custody.
In response to Comm. Lowry, the Office of the Chief Judge estimated that an additional $10 M would be needed this fiscal year.
Comm. Anaya and Daley were assured that the unions under the Chief Judge are fine with the changes: the duties of the employees will not be changing; only the number of employees – an increase in those union jobs. The Sheriff similarly is talking to the unions representing his employees.
Responding to Comm. Anaya and Quezada, it was explained that the Chief Judge’s Office has already been added to the Sheriff’s contract for obtaining places to stay for those on EM as necessary, and that the equipment the Sheriff is using for EM can be transferred to the Chief Judge.

Observer: Priscilla Mims

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Cook County Board Mid-Year Budget Hearings - Day 2

8/12/2024

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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

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The Sheriff Gets a Helicopter and Cook County has a Clean Audit

7/29/2024

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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

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Departmental Budget Hearings of Cook County Board Finance Committee

11/4/2023

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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

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Cook County Board 2026 Budget Hearings Office of the Sheriff

Mid-Year Budget Meetings of the Finance Committee

Chief Judge on Track to Take All New Electronic Monitoring Participants

Cook County Board Mid-Year Budget Hearings - Day 2

The Sheriff Gets a Helicopter and Cook County has a Clean Audit

Departmental Budget Hearings of Cook County Board Finance Committee

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