Cook County Board Finance Committee Meeting
October 27, 2025

Bureau of Finance/ Budget Overview
Proposed 2026 Budget:  $10.01 Billion    Proposed 2026 Positions:            23.624.2
Actual 2025 Budget:       $  9.94 Billion    Actual 2025 Approved Positions: 23,541.5
Difference:           +$ 0.07 Billion    Difference:                       +82.7

General Fund (GF)

• Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 GF expenditures is $2.67B and includes closing the preliminary budget gap of $102.6M
• 83 FTE increase proposed; 64% of budget is allocated to payroll and benefit expenses
• Revenue, including Sales Tax, State subsidy, and $30M of Chicago TIF revenue, are expected to increase despite decreased property tax allocation to GF (more $ to Cook County Health and Election Fund)
• Starting to receive notice of Federal grants being reduced or eliminated;  Department of Energy grant of $2.1 M and $1.7M Emergency Management and Regional Security grant 
• Commissioner Miller recommended that all contracts over $5 M include a penalty for underperformance 

Health Enterprise Fund (Commissioners were generally asked to direct their questions on this Fund to Cook County Health during its Budget meeting)

• Closed preliminary budget gap of $108.8M through re-forecasting revenues and 10% expense reductions
• 110 FTE increase proposed to absorb existing positions from ARPA programs, from some programs previously covered by Special Purpose Funds, and grants
• Federal grants $315M appropriated, mostly over several years

Special Purpose Funds – some of the major funds and expenditures include

• $33.5M allocated to Equity Fund per the  FY2026 Fourth Installment Plan recently approved by the Board: no additional revenues to be allocated in FY2026
• Opioid Remediation and Abatement fund - $4M
• Infrastructure and Equipment: $15M for solar panels ($40M total in 2025-2029) expected to bring $18M rebate from Federal Government when completed
• $4.6M to procure new digital evidence management solution
• $65M allocated to a newly created Grant Risk Mitigation Fund from unspent 2025 monies.  This is to be used in the event of a loss of federal grant funds

The County is also looking to continue to fund 11 programs beyond 2026 that have been funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through 2026.  Plans are to fund fully in 2027 and then either reduce funding and the scope of the programs or find other sources to continue to fully fund.

Offices under the President
Proposed 2026 Budget:  $1.718 Billion    Proposed 2026 Positions:                2,075.1
Actual 2025 Budget:       $1.830 Billion    Actual 2025 Approved Positions:     2,063.1
Difference:                     ($0.112 Billion)    Difference:                 +12.0 

Overview

• Total budget is 14.9% of County’s total budget of $10.01B
• Funding Sources: Special Purpose, Capital, General Funds and Grants

General Fund

• $283.9M, 74.7% for 2,075 FTEs’ salary/benefits, increase of 12 FTEs 
• Reduced vacancy rate by 6.2% in FY2025 (currently 16.2%)

​Observer - Sue Gregory

Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee Meeting
October 30, 2025

Treasurer – Maria Pappas 
Proposed 2026 Budget $18,447,000                    Proposed 2026 Positions           78
Actual 2025 Budget       $17,708,000                    Actual 2025 Approved Positions     78
     Difference                 + $  739,000                    Difference                                         0 

Treasurer Pappas presented more than 70 pages of information of what her department is doing and achieving including:

• 94% of the 2026 budget revenue will come from fees. Only 3.7% is funded by taxpayers
• In 1998 the office had 250 employees versus the 78 today and budgeted for 2026
• Black and Latino Housing Matters direct outreach assistance has become a priority 
• To date, 15 published reports on property tax related topics including:  “How wealthy investors are making millions exploiting IL property tax law” and “a broken property tax appeals system”
• The annual tax sale auction number of days has been reduced from 20 to 4 days with 241,597 properties sold since 2008
• Released a 2025 study showing that homeowners in the highest-income areas appealed assessments 46% while the lowest income (primarily blacks and Latinos) 11% 
• The website can be accessed in 248 languages and certain brochures are available in 27
• Next Study is going to address county-wide TIF’s

Treasurer Pappas raised the following concerns:

• The need to extend the tax bill auction until the U.S. Supreme Court case is decided
• She doesn’t know when the Fall 2025 tax bills will be “clean enough” to go out 
• Her total lack of confidence in the new Property Tax System under the auspices of the Tyler company and the Assessor’s failure to run parallel systems while the new system was being implemented.  She gave many examples of problems with the information provided by Tyler from the new system during testing and said she will not release inaccurate tax bills

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County – Mariyana Spyropoulos
Prosed 2026 Budget $122,128,000    Proposed 2026 Positions                1,405
Actual 2025 Budget   $102,419,000    Actual 2025 Approved Positions     1,422
Difference                +$  19,709,000         Difference                                           (17)

Circuit Court Clerk Spyropoulos began her presentation with the office’s accomplishments since taking office after the Nov. 2024 election:

• Made strides with increasing transparency and modernizing her office by developing a public dashboard showing the cases but not the details of the cases which is available via an on-line search by case.  Also identifying weak spots and fixing them. (no details given)
• Rewrote the employee handbook including ethical standards
• Hired a new ethics officer
• Provides instant website translation in over 50 languages
• Waived fines and fees during amnesty week
• Working to ensure accurate and complete court records-ideally, by the end of the day
• 400 courtroom clerks retrained
• Brought the Clerk’s office to every corner of the county (all courtrooms)
• Working on an employee culture shift, not just a data shift

Clerk Spyropoulos met with the incoming Chief Judge to discuss her highest priorities including:

• Improving warrant technology
• Getting all Judges on board with new technology
• Developing a Strategic Plan
• Improving Courtroom Technology
• Training employees

Note:  There are 102 law enforcement agencies in Cook County that can initiate citations (tickets) and some still use paper.  By December the Clerk’s office should be able to accept all tickets in its system.
Commissioner Questions:  

• Comm.Degnan asked for a list of the clerk’s State Legislative Priorities:  Answer: Need a will depository
• Comm. Anaya:  Goal of # of clerks in courtrooms:  Ans:  Ideally, 1 per courtroom except in domestic violence and criminal courtrooms – 2 is ideal
• Comm. Vasquez: When asked about the time it takes to get paperwork to the Sheriff to release or detain an individual:  Ans:  the Sheriff needs a paper copy which is transmitted immediately via the “courtroom basket”.  However, the Sheriff’s deputy is responsible for getting the emit to the Sheriff’s office. 

Cook County Clerk – Monica Gordon
Proposed 2026 Budget:   $80,108,000       Proposed 2026 Positions                344
Actual 2025 Budget:         $73,441,000       Actual 2025 Approved Positions     349
Difference                        +$ 6,667,000                                        (5)

Clerk Gordon started by sharing priorities:

• Safeguarding elections including physical and cyber security
• Service to the public including outreach events
• Modernizing, streamlining, and more transparency
• For 2026 election: new dashboard, enhanced GIS tracking, security and logistics, campaign for early voting in light of Federal intimidation.  Can provide information by neighborhood of who hasn’t voted and who voted early.
• Provide automated smart box drop off which will go to every early vote site by November and in 6 Court Houses for the March 2026 Primary.  Note:  the new boxes will have the ability for fire suppression. 
• Expanding the piloted “appointment system” to obtain records now in Markam courthouse to other locations to save wait times and long lines
• Youth voter outreach and education - 25 Suburban high schools are being recruited to be a 1-day early voting site with student election judges.  
• Projects mail-in ballots will expand from 400,000 in the last two elections to 600,000 for November 2026. Now able to use non-profit postal rates because the Postal Service is required to send ballots priority mail.  Will save millions of dollars on postage

Regarding the new Property Tax System being spearheaded by the Tyler company:

• The office has found 47 defects with the new system of which 9 are critical, and 6 are major.  The Clerk gave 20 years of tax history to Tyler to help them with validation. The data dictionary has a lot of coding errors that affect the correct transfer of data.
• The entire staff is trained and being trained on the system
• Asked by Commission Trevor if it is possible to go into the old system – Ans:  No for Treasurer and Assessor offices.  Yes for Clerk, but would have to transfer the data.
• Comm. Vasquez said that there needs to be a clear understanding of property tax issues if communities of color are ever able to get a chance to latch onto the American Dream.

Other Commissioner Questions:

• Comm. Degnan asked for advance policy planning on how to handle Federal presence at polling sites.  While giving the answer, the Clerk’s staff said that there is a decrease from $400 M to $15 M from the current administration for federal election needs, including cyber security.
• Comm. Britton wants the pilot program currently only in Palatine that provides a portal to access vital records to be expanded.
• Comm. Scott wants to push for high schools to be more engaged and offered to help

Observer:  Diane Edmundson                                                        

Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee Meeting
November 3, 2025

Assessor - Fritz Kaegi and his Chief of Staff, Scott Smith
Proposed 2026 Budget: $42,945,727        Proposed 2026 FTEs:           315
Actual 2025 Budget:       $40,383,126       Actual 2025 Approved FTEs: 306
             Difference:        + $2,562,602           Difference:                               +9

Highlights from Assessor Kaegi’s presentation

• Since being elected, he has worked to have more fairness in assessments
• An independent study by the University of Chicago found that progress has been made to improve fairness of residential assessments. Regressivity (the tendency for lower priced properties to be assessed at higher rates, relative to their actual sale price, than higher priced properties) has been reduced.
• Working on more accuracy in commercial assessments as that will increase predictability for taxes on commercial properties. 
• Worked to get the Senior Freeze Income Threshold increased in the Illinois Legislature and it was approved. Continues to advocate for a Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief bill that is designed to help homeowners who have a 25% spike year to year in their tax bill. 
• His office held 230 outreach events to ensure that tax payers are getting the exemptions to which they are entitled.
• Has established an Affordable Housing Special Assessment Program that has preserved 15,000 affordable rental units. 
• As part of the “Predictability: Roadmap to the Future,” committed to making the reforms necessary outlined in the plan and working with the Board of Review to use common tools and a unified approach to calculating assessments.
• Has filled 68 positions and has only 6 vacancies at present. Average time to hire an employee is now 63 days and overtime has been reduced by 50%.
• Proposed budget reflects request for 8 new positions for analysts and field inspectors. 

Commissioner Questions:

• Comm. Lowry asked about the CAP rate that is used to determine the assessed value of commercial properties. One element of that rate is the property taxes applicable to the property.  Mr. Kaegi said they are working with the Board of Review to adopt a consistent tax rate methodology stating that there is a problem if outdated tax rates are used. 
• Comm. Degnan asked about future legislative lobbying efforts. Working on (1) automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze; (2) Circuit Breaker Tax Relief Program; (3) Physical Descriptions Bill. They have 2 experienced people on their Policy Team working on these issues. Comm. Degnan also asked how their office gets information communicated to them about building permits that are issued. When a building permit is issued, the municipalities are supposed to submit the information to the township and the county assessor but the process is imperfect. That’s one reason he is hiring more permit verifiers. Comm. Degnan asked about the use of GIS technology and he said they are using drone technology but they contract this out and the technology may not be able to provide the type of inspections that would increase accuracy of assessments. 
• Comm. Trevor asked about the conversion to the Tyler system from the mainframe computer system and why running parallel systems had been stopped. Mr. Kaegi said that all involved had agreed to getting off of the mainframe in 2024 and that his office followed through on that agreement. Mr. Smith said it would be impossible to go back to uploading all data into the mainframe at this point, and while the transition to the Tyler system has seen delays, ultimately when the conversion is complete, it will be a better system. He said the tax bills should be coming out “very soon” although he was reluctant to give a specific date.
• Comm. Stamps wanted to know how the Assessor’s office could prevent gentrification and provide fair assessments for the black communities. Mr. Kaegi pointed out that houses under $250,000 were historically over-assessed, and his office has corrected that.  Lower assessments result in lower property taxes for those homeowners which should help to increase value in those homes. In addition, in 2021 the Affordable Housing Bill was approved which has an effect on renters who also are vulnerable to property tax increases. The Affordable Housing Bill allows for buildings with 7 or more units, if they maintain 15% of units tied to local income rather than market rates, to receive an assessment reduction. This has maintained about 15,000 units at affordable rates. The Assessor’s website has an Affordable Housing Data Map that shows where the units are. She also asked about a physical assessment of all properties that according to Board of Review Comm. Steele has not been done since the 1990’s. Mr. Kaegi stated that this has never been done because the office never has had the capability to do this - physically review all 1.8 M properties in Cook County. To do this would require tripling their budget for at least 7 years. Comm. Stamps asked if this was necessary to “right size” the process, and the Assessor said there are other ways to do that. In response to Comm. Stamps requests about the assessment process, Mr. Kaegi and Mr Smith referred her to the studies that have been done to evaluate their efforts that were included in their recently issued Annual report that can be found on the Assessor’s website.
• Comm. McCaskill asked what could be done about postponing the tax sale on delinquent properties, and the Assessor responded that the tax sale is under the Treasurer. She also asked about changing the school funding formula which again the Assessor said is not within his authority, but would require that the State provide more funding for schools. When asked about the number of properties that are not on the tax rolls, the Assessor responded that it is a very small number - less than 1% of all properties - and that is why he is requesting the additional positions in his office - to ensure that all properties are included in the assessment process and therefore included in tax collection. 
• Comm. Vasquez asked about the new hires requested. Mr. Kaegi stated that the new hires include 3 industrial/commercial property appeal analysts, 2 residential field inspectors, 1 commercial field analyst, 1 post-appeal residential analyst and 1 permit coordinator. Filling these positions will assist with post-appeal concerns as well as technical controls and quality control to ensure that there are no biases and that assessments are done correctly to begin with. She also wanted to know how information is communicated when appeals are rejected - could more information be included as to why they have been rejected. Mr. Scott said that real estate prices have increased substantially which is why assessments have increased but perhaps more information could be included in appeal rejection letters. 

Office of the Independent Inspector General (OIIG) – Inspector General (IG)Tyrell J. Paxton
Proposed 2026 Budget: $3,537,706             Proposed 2026 FTEs:           25
Actual 2025 Budget:      $2,812,173             Actual 2025 Approved FTEs: 20
         Difference:           +$  748,533             Difference:                    +5

Highlights from the OIIG’s presentation:

• Currently has 16 staff with 1 new investigator starting soon and actively seeking an Administrative Assistant. Still seeking to fill 2 open investigator positions. 
• Requesting 5 additional positions that will include 2 positions added to the Shakman Division and 3 positions added to the Compliance and Program Review Division. Neither has staff other than a division head. 
• So far this year they have processed over 800 complaints.
• 91% of the recommendations from the office for remedial action have been adopted by the agencies to which they were made. 
• Requests that a budgetary floor as a percentage of the overall County budget be established starting in 2027 to insure the independence of the office as it is very important that the OIIG is politically independent in appearance and in fact. 

Comm. Questions/Comments

• Several commissioners expressed appreciation to the IG for meeting with them regarding his request to have a budget floor established beginning in 2027.
• Comm. Degnan asked about possible new office space. Mr. Paxton said they are working with the County’s Real Estate Division to determine new space by next year. 
• Comm. Trevor asked about the time spent providing services to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) contract prior to their hiring their own IG. Mr. Paxton said that 2 investigators were devoted to the MWRD investigations so probably about 10% of the office’s time. 
• Comm. Stamps asked how the office ensures that there is no bias or delay in processing of complaints. Mr. Paxton stated that he does an initial review of all complaints and no report goes out without his review. The goal of the office is to turn around complaints in less than 180 days. 
• Comm. McCaskill asked how a budget floor would insure independence of the office. Mr. Paxton responded that those individuals who could be subjects of an investigation should not be the individuals determining the budget for the office.
• Comm. Vasquez wanted to know how many of the complaints actually become cases for investigation. Mr. Paxton replied that all complaints have to be reviewed even if they do not become an actual case. Some complaints are referred back to management or other entities for action if they are deemed not appropriate for an OIIG investigation. He did not have specific numbers but said they could get them if requested. 

Veterans Assistance Commission - Elizabeth Soto, Director - Grant Jacobson, Deputy Director and staff
Proposed 2026 Budget: $3,241,826         Proposed 2026 FTEs:              20
Actual 2025 Budget:       $2,749,020         Actual 2025 Approved FTEs:   15
Difference:                       +$492,806         Difference:                               +5

Highlights of Presentation by Ms. Soto and staff:

• The programs of the office continue to evolve. The Mission is to promote and assist veterans in receiving all services and benefits to which they are entitled.
• Began year with only 4 employees. Now have 12 of their allotted 15 positions filled.
• Originally had requested an additional 21 positions that would have expanded their numbers to 36. This budget provides for 5 additional positions for a total of 20.
• Want to expand offices to court houses to bring services to veterans where they live. 
• Originally requested funds for 7 vehicles to provide transportation for veterans and staff but proposed budget funds only 3.
• Veteran Service Officer (VSO) Program - training program to ensure that the VSOs are certified. Leads to staff expertise. Several types of training required as well a mentoring to learn the job. 322 hours of training are required. 
• 141,000 veterans live in Cook County.
• Work closely with other veteran’s organizations to provide services they do not provide - such as Mental Health services and car repair services. 
• Have only had 2 VSO’s to provide services. Want to have a VSO in all 17 Commissioner Districts to ensure that veterans are receiving their benefits.
• Expanding outreach to try to reach veterans - have office hours at various places.
• Also expanding data collection so they can keep track of what they are doing. 
• Provided all commissioners with new brochure that provides information on their services. 

Commissioner Questions/Comments:

• Comm. Lowry asked where veterans get their health care. Veterans can go to any emergency room for mental health care and will be covered by the VA. In Cook County fortunate to have specific veteran health care facilities where they can get care - Jessie Brown VA Hospital and Hines VA Hospital. 
• Comm. Aguilar asked if they have enough resources for direct disbursements to veterans. Ms. Soto said they are now expending about $100,000/month in direct services. Not meant to be long term assistance but to help them get the services they need to become self-sufficient
• Comm. Morita commended them for the expansion of their services over the last few years.
• Comm. Stamps asked about the possibility of having a mobile unit to provide services. No plans right now but wanting to expand to locations throughout the county. She also asked if more could be done online. Ms. Soto said they still use paper for all their records, 
• Many of the commissioners expressed their willingness to use their offices for outreach and providing services to veterans. 

Secretary of the Board - Lynne Turner
Proposed 2026 Budget: $2,440,075         Proposed 2026 FTEs:            13
Actual 2025 Budget:       $2,321,193        Actual 2025 Approved FTEs: 13
   Difference:                    +$118,881        Difference:                               0

Highlights of Presentation:                            

• Of their allocated 13 positions 12 are now filled.  The one opening is for a Legal Counsel.
• The Archives Division is growing rapidly - Cook County Historic Archives and Records Office (CARO). Projects include doing podcasts and encouraging people to come tell their stories about Cook County and recording those stories.
• CARO is challenged for space and looking at 4 separate locations with the necessary environmental controls and accessibility for their division to expand. Also looking for a person with data expertise.

Commissioner Questions/Comments:

• Comm. Lowry asked about the vision for the Archives and what is being done about the County’s bicentennial planning. Response was that CARO had hoped to find a spot within the “County footprint,” but that is proving difficult because of the environmental needs for preserving the materials. Bicentennial planning is ongoing so anyone with suggestions can put them forward. Planning on having 200 events/items that will be leading up to the 200th anniversary of Cook County.
• Comm. Lowry and Degnan both asked about the status of hiring Legal Council to provide legal services to the commissioners. Ms. Turner stated that filling the position has proven difficult. Comm. Degnan said 2 years seems a long time for filling the Legal Council position.
• Comm. Degnan asked about the status of the new office space for the commissioners. Ms. Turner said that on Nov. 17 each commissioner would be asked to select their new space on either the 5th floor or floor 3 1/2 and they would pack up their offices then and work remotely while their offices are moved, with occupancy planned for December 8. 
• Comm. Stamps asked if they needed more staff in the Secretary’s office and the response was that they will need more staff but the office adhered to the budget request for no additional staff requests this year.  But with the new location for CARO, more staff will be needed next year.
• Comm. Vasquez stated that the orientation provided by the Secretary’s office was amazing. She also stressed the importance of maintaining historic records.  Ms. Turner said she wanted to include information about each of the city neighborhoods in the Archives and would be reaching out to Comm. Vasquez for assistance. 

Comm. Daley then reminded all the commissioners that amendments are due by Thursday, Nov. 6 and any amendments must be budget neutral. Meeting was recessed until Nov. 20.

Observer - Cynthia Schilsky

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

Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee Meeting
October 28, 2025

Cook County Health (CCH) – Chief Executive Officer Dr. Erik Mikaitis and Chief Financial Officer Pamela Cassara
Proposed 2026 Budget:  $5.218 Billion              Proposed 2026 Positions:              7,866
Actual 2025 Budget:        $5.252 Billion              Actual 2025 Approved Positions:   7,817
Difference:                    ($     34 Million)                  Difference:                         +   48
Dr. Mikaitis and Ms. Cassara presented the budget, explaining how Cook County Health (CCH) has cut expenses by 10% this year and the concerns for the government funding decreases anticipated in the next two years.  

• They anticipate that the cuts in state and federal funding will result in $400M revenue loss over the next two years. This includes Illinois eliminating the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults ($111M affecting 8,000 patients) and Federal changes in eligibility for Medicaid recipients. The ARPA funds for 2026 that CCH has already received cannot be clawed back by the federal government.
• Commissioner Trevor expressed concern that the potential stopping of Affordable Care Act subsidies will result in thousands of uninsured residents because health insurance will become unaffordable. She had an estimate that 33% could lose their coverage. These people will turn to CCH for services.  Dr. Mikaitis said that this group may not choose to have the preventative services needed and this will result in more serious issues.   Also, there could be a significant impact to smaller hospitals that may have to close.
• CCH has been able to reduce use of agency staff by 40% which has resulted in a $30M savings. They have improved and accelerated the hiring process and anticipate that they can continue to reduce agency staffing. They are also reviewing processes for improvement that result in savings such as supplies. They are also creating ways for people to use the health clinics rather than the emergency rooms.
• The ICE operations in Cook County have impacted CCH and several Commissioners had questions about it.  There has been an 83% decline in visits from new arrivals. Dr. Mikaitis said the decline is due to immigrants leaving the area and fear of ICE detentions. He is concerned that this population will not have preventative care and that will result in more severe issues seen at emergency rooms.  Several questions concerned the training for employees.  All CCH employees have taken online training on dealing with ICE agents and alerting security and legal.  ICE has not tried to enter buildings to arrest somebody, but they have brought detained people in for medical help.  The ICE agents can legally stay with the detainee in a hospital room (not in surgery) but cannot talk to other patients.
• Commissioner Anaya asked for an update in increasing bilingual staff. They have increased the Spanish speaking interpreters by 9.  They now have 14 Spanish and 3 Polish on-site interpreters.  They also have an online system for all languages which has proved to be very useful and patients are willing to use it. CCH Behavioral Health department is trying to recruit a Spanish speaking psychiatrist but, as yet has not been successful.
• Commissioner Britton asked about their policy on renting versus buying.  CCH is working with Real Estate Management on evaluating their space and trying to consolidate in county-owned property.  CCH is co-locating food help with medical help. It has food pantries and healthy meals programs.  They are working with other providers and philanthropy to plan for the potential SNAP stoppage.
• CCH has established a Pathways program to interest area students in medical professions working at CCH. They work with local high school, college, and graduate students.

Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee Meeting
October 28, 2025

Board of Review – Larry Rogers, Jr., George Cardenas, Samantha Steele

Proposed 2026 Budget:  $ 23.96 Million    Proposed 2026 Positions:              177.0
Actual 2025 Budget:        $ 21.30 Million    Actual 2025 Approved Positions:   167.0
Difference:                          +$   2.66 Million    Difference:                   + 10.0

Comm. Rogers, the current chair of the Board of Review (BoR), had a conflict, so Liliana Escarpita, the Secretary to the BoR, gave the presentation.  Comms. Cardenas and Steele were also present to answer questions.

• The additional positions are for each of the Commissioner’s staffs (now each has 42 positions), administration, Information technology, and Legal.  The BoR will be negotiating its first contract with a bargaining unit that will now be representing 2/3s of the employees.  A labor counsel and additional person in personnel are being added as a result.
• The amount of budgeted overtime is being cut by 36% as a result of the additional positions and further efficiencies in dealing with appeals, also made possible with the additional technology positions.  For 2025, the BoR will utilize less than the budgeted overtime.
• Comm. Lowry asked whether the Assessor and BoR are now using the same parameters for assessments.  Comm. Steele said that the Assessor is not loading the CAP rate for all commercial properties, which results in over-assessment.  
• Comm. Steele said that a major reason for inaccurate assessments by the Assessor is the lack of physical review of all properties in the County.  Every county, except Cook, is required under state law to have such reviews.  However, Comm. Steele said that the cost is high:  she estimated $60 per parcel and Cook has 1.6 M parcels, 1.2 M of which are residential.  The benefits would be more accurate assessments resulting in fewer appeals and the public having more confidence in the assessments, which would also help reduce the number of residents and businesses leaving the County.  Comm. Steele said that Cook County has a 33% appeal rate vs. about 5% nationwide.
• Comm. McCaskill asked why drones and advanced software were not being used to accomplish the physical reviews.  Comm. Britton mentioned that the Board had recently approved a contract to utilize drones and Comm. McCaskill might want to talk to the Technology Bureau or Jim Thompson, the Director of Tax Policy for the President.
• Comm. Vasquez asked whether there are any specific policies that should be pursued at the State level.  Comm. Steele said a cap on assessment increases for properties.  She said that her staff was talking about looking at the impact of having ICE agents active in the area on people not coming to events to  learn how to appeal and on small businesses closing due to lack of customers.  Comm. Cardenas added that there needs to be a circuit breaker to help lower income people pay property taxes.

Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners – Sandra Aspera, Executive Director
Proposed 2026 Budget:  $ 23.57 Million    Proposed 2026 Positions:                4.0
Actual 2025 Budget:        $   1.05 Million    Actual 2025 Approved Positions:     4.0
Difference:                            +$ 22.52 Million    Difference:                       --

Also appearing with Ms. Aspera were Max Bever, Director of Public Information, and Adam Lasker, General Counsel for the Board of Elections (BoE).  The BoE is responsible for voter registration and elections within the City of Chicago, while the Cook County Clerk handles those functions for Suburban Cook County.  The BoE is partially funded by the County and partially by Chicago.

• Ms. Aspera gave the overview.  For 2026 the BoE will handle the March 17 Primary and November 3 elections and will recruit and train 8,000 election workers, 2,000 of which are expected to be high school and college election judges.  The Board will also be handling the election of 21 candidates for the Chicago School Board.  A new Super Site will be located at 137 S. State in downtown Chicago.  The BoE has a new not-for-profit postage rate that resulted in a savings of $600,000 for the annual voter canvas.
• Comm. Stamps asked whether there is a budget to use to expand voter participation in lower turnout areas.  Mr. Bever explained that in addition to the annual voter canvas, there is a mailing to households closer to the election which provides the closest early voting location and the local polling location, as well as provide information on voting by mail.  There is also reach-out via publications and working with community groups and churches.  There will also be a new mobile app that will allow for reminders for voting. The costs for all of this is covered by the budget funded by Chicago. 
• Comm. Stamps asked about whether there is a danger that vote-by-mail will not be allowed.  Mr. Lasker said there is a challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court on Illinois’ 14-day period to count vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before election day, but received after that day.  Mr. Lasker said that the worst-case scenario resulting from that case would be that Illinois would not be able to count such ballots received after election day.  Mr. Bever said that the BoE currently has 150,000 registered voters on the permanent vote-by-mail list and that roughly 1/3 of those casting ballots use vote-by-mail ballots, either mailing or using the secure drop boxes.
• Comm. Vasquez asked whether there are discussions about beefing up election central to receive calls in the event that ICE agents would be near the polls or attempting to enter into the polls.  The response was that election central is going to be beefed up, but that there is a need to bring the discussion up with the State Board of Elections.  
• Comm. Morita asked whether there are any functions that the BoE does that are not done by the Clerk’s office for Suburban voters.  Given the answer was “no,” Comm. Morita asked whether there are redundancies that could be eliminated if the two offices merged.  Mr. Bever said that he did not see any significant cost savings that could be achieved because the same number of election workers and polling places and equipment would be needed.  Each election authority has roughly 1.5 M voters.

Public Administrator – Louis Apostol
Proposed 2026 Budget:  $ 1.955 Million    Proposed 2026 Positions:              15.0
Actual 2025 Budget:        $ 1.890 Million    Actual 2025 Approved Positions:   15.0
                Difference:           +$ 0.065 Million    Difference:                       --

Louis Apostal could not be there so the General Counsel for the Office, Leah Jakubowski, gave the presentation. 

• The Office manages estates for those who die without a will and works to find the heirs.  The fees for such management are charged to the estates, and the Office generates far more money than its expense budget.  It has generated $2.2 M in fees in 2025 and expects to have received 120% of its target revenue by the end of the year.
• Comm. Stamps asked about community engagement to educate people, particularly in lower income areas, about what happens if you die without a will.  Ms. Jakubowski said that there has been none, but that as a result of similar questions from Comm. Stamps at the mid-year budget review, the office is starting to identify community organizations that the Office could contact to offer to send a speaker.  Comm. Stamps strongly recommended that the Office connect with the Clerk’s office which has a “Property after Death” program.
• Comm. Stamps also asked where the estates that the Office manages are located.  Ms. Jakubowski said that the Office would provide a list by zip code.

​League Observer:  Priscilla Mims