Category: Election Administration

Cook County’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds

12/18/2021

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
December 16, 2021

Cook County’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds

The Commissioners voted to refer the proposal to extend the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Framework through March 31, 2022 to the Finance Committee. Commissioner Dailey said a meeting will be held the week of January 10th dedicated to ARPA.
Led by Anmar Rizki, members of President Preckwinkle’s staff presented the framework for using the ARPA funds and the proposed short- term initiatives. The framework for selecting projects including objectives and method of soliciting feedback from the community was first presented to the Board in June. The County received $1 billion. The money will be spent on County operations, near term funding opportunities to improve the lives of residents, and transformative initiatives. The plan is to use a third of the money in each of the next 3 years. In this fiscal year $100 million will be spent on County operations to make up for the revenue loss due to covid. $285 million will be spent in community program initiatives.
The near term proposed projects were presented to the Board. Of special interest was a grant to Cook County Health. To meet the growing behavioral health needs of Cook County residents, Cook County Health (CCH) proposes transforming its current Behavioral Health footprint to offer a robust menu of mental and behavioral health services and ensure easy access to services of all County residents. The first year will focus on creating and setting up a new Department of Mental Health Services, expanding existing CCH programs, and planning for long term expansions.
In the area of violence prevention, funds will be given to the Justice Advisory Council to expand community-based services supporting justice-involved adults or youth, and those at high risk of experiencing violence as either a victim or perpetrator. Communities served include areas in Chicago and suburban Cook County with highest incidents of shootings and homicides as well as justice system involvement. Services include direct street-level intervention, mentoring, basic needs assistance, educational and vocational programming, and behavioral health and wellness support.
For more information click here: ARPA Rescue Plan at a Glance
For an explanation of the framework and process for choosing programs click here: Cook County American Rescue Plan Act Framework Board of Commissioners Briefing

Board Action:

The Board approved the request by the Cook County Clerk to consolidate some voting precincts. Ed Michalowski from the County Clerk’s Office presented their plan to combine precincts that vote in the same polling places. 169 polling places would be eliminated. It is estimated that the County will save $200,000 for each election. Fewer election judges and equipment would be needed. It also would be less confusing for the voters. The change needed to be approved at this meeting, because the Clerk's office needs to publicize the new precincts before primary candidates start seeking signatures on their petitions. The Cook County League of Women Voters sent a letter in support of this change. There were several public speakers including mayors of suburbs who spoke against this. Some of them thought that the polling places would be changed which is not the case. Some thought they should have had more time to review these changes. Commissioner Aguilar proposed deferring the request until a meeting could be held on it. The proposal to defer was defeated.
Approved the Sheriff’s office request for authorization to continue the Intergovernmental Agreement between that office and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to collect and dispose of pharmaceutical drugs. The Sheriff’s Office will expand the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program in which pharmaceutical drugs are collected and disposed of through environmentally sound methods to maximize the volume of pharmaceutical drugs prevented from entering the Chicago Area Waterway System. Commissioner Suffredin spoke in support of the item.
Approved the amendment to the Ethics Ordinance to reflect the changes required by the passage of Illinois Ethics and Lobbying Statute. The Ordinance had been on hold while waiting for Illinois to pass its statute. County officials will be under the state statute in regard to lobbying restrictions. The County ordinance also strengthened the power of the Ethics Board and included a section on sexual harassment.
Approved a resolution to have a hearing on the environmental, social, and governance factors in the choice of investments by the County Pension Plan.
Approved the establishment of the Cook County Health Intervention Response Team Task Force. The Task Force will create a pilot program to devise a continuum of care for those experiencing mental and behavioral health needs.
Approved authorization for the contract amendment for the demolition of the John Sengstacke Health Center on the Provident Hospital campus. The demolition was delayed due to covid and should be completed in early spring.
Approved a resolution to have a meeting of Cook County elected officials and departments to discuss a county-wide anti-violence strategy.

Observer: Kathi Graffam

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No Expected New Taxes or Fees Projected for 2020 Cook County Budget

7/26/2019

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Mid-Year Budget Hearings of the Finance Committee of the Cook County Board
July 17 and 24, 2019

Over these 2 days, the Finance Committee (composed of all 17 members of the Board and chaired by John Daley) met with each elected official, bureau chief and major department head to go over the expected revenues and expenses at the end of the 2019 budget year (Nov. 30, 2019), and what was expected for 2020.

Highlights from these meetings:

Overall: It is expected that the County will end this fiscal year in the black, and no new taxes or fees will be needed to balance the budget for the upcoming 2020 fiscal year.

Projections are that the General Fund will have a $14.9 million net favorable. Currently, there is a projected deficit of $103 million in the Health Fund; however, Cook County Health has a plan to eliminate that deficit by the end of this fiscal year.
Looking to the 2020 fiscal year, the current projections of revenues and expenses would result in a gap of $11.9 million for the General Fund and $6.8 million for the Health Fund, or a $18.7 million deficit. Very small compared to past years.
Over the next several months, the Budget Department will be working with all areas to eliminate that deficit and produce a balanced budget from the President, as required by law.

Cook County Health (CCH):

Commissioners had many questions for CCH representatives. Message was that CCH needs to do a much better job of providing information to Commissioners, who stated that they want to help CCH, but cannot do so without accurate information. A separate hearing is being held on July 25 with CCH representatives, and they were told to provide clear and accurate information.
Plan to eliminate 2019 projected deficit of $103 million involves receiving funds from Medicaid to provide graduate training ($77.3 million in revenues) and not filling some positions ($26 million in reduced expenses).
CCH providing health services for more uninsured patients than in past several years; about 45% of the patients; Medicaid enrollment down across Cook County; State has been slow to process applications, but seeing an uptick.
Long-standing issue of CCH not getting full reimbursements from insurance companies for those patients who are insured continues; continuing issue of not coding properly. More and better information wanted by Commissioners.
Commissioner Moore had questions about providers of County Care (the Medicaid HMO run by CCH) not being paid because those providers not coding properly according to CCH.

Chief Judge: Asked to respond to Chicago Supt. of Police’s claim that too many people are being arrested for violent crimes and being released on electronic monitoring, Chief Judge Timothy Evans provided these statistics:

In the 15 months since judges began using the new assessment tool:
37,233 people have come before the court
30,466 have been released
only 70 have been subsequently accused of violating the order of release (less than .2%)

Sheriff: Questions raised as to why, with significant reduction in daily jail population (from 11,000/d a few years ago to 5,600 to 5,900/d now) there hasn’t been more cost reductions in Sheriff’s budget for the jail.

State’s Attorney:

SA Kimberly Fox stressed that office using data to make decisions on staffing and prioritizing work. Top priority are cases involving violent crimes, which are up 1% this year. Convictions for crimes involving guns up 9% this year.
Now available on www.cookcountystatesattorney.org/dashboard is information regarding number of felony cases initiated, disposed of, and sentencing results, which you can get by year and by Commissioner district, along with other information. This is updated every day.
Highest number of potential felony crimes by far is retail theft. Largely because threshold for felony is $300 in Illinois, much lower than surrounding states. To keep focus and resources on violent crimes, most of these lower value retail theft cases are instead being dealt with as misdemeanors.
SA Fox said that 770,000 prior convictions in Illinois for cannabis usage may be eligible for expungement under new law; 72% of these in Cook County. Not sure how to staff to take care of this.

Public Defender: While will not exceed budget for 2019, PD Amy Campanelli said that will be pushing for more money than President’s Office wants for 2020, in part to start an immigration unit with 4 new staff members. These would represent those charged with crimes (whom they are representing anyway in State courts in Cook County) at Federal immigration detention hearings. Cites statistic that have a 90% chance of no detention if have a lawyer and 90% chance of detention if do not. Would not work past detention hearing, but leave to pro bono immigration attorneys to handle the rest of Federal cases.

County Clerk (elections):

More registered voters in Cook County than ever before.
New voting equipment tried in 3 townships in April local elections was very well received. Will be used throughout suburban Cook County in 2020 primary and general elections.
Assured Commissioners that confident that election security in place.
In change from past practice, Clerk’s office will not allow people on ballot who do not have the requisite number of petition signatures. Previously, allowed people on ballot unless someone successfully challenged.

County Clerk and Recorder merger in December 2020:

Working groups formed to deal with various issues that have to be addressed.
After merger, Clerk expects to be able to provide recorder services at 2 satellite locations closed by utilizing existing Clerk’s personnel through cross-training.
Both Clerk and Recorder said they understood the need for Recorder’s office to come into substantial compliance under Shakman cases prior to merger.

Observer: Priscilla Mims

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Parking App Tax Break Repealed by Cook County Board

12/20/2018

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Cook County Board of Commissioners - December 12, 2018
Committees: Rules and Administration, Zoning and Building, Finance
Meeting Length: 2 hours

What did the Board decide?

At a previous Board meeting, it was decided that starting in 2019, all committees will meet the day prior to the regular Board meeting instead of the same day. This was reiterated to the audience since one speaker complained.
Comm. Suffredin explained general procedures for approval of court cases, litigation and workers comp payments and encouraged new Board members to learn about these cases. Judges are pleased to discuss this with new Board members.
Unanimous approval by the Board to repeal a parking tax break (Ordinance 18-5789) for parking app users such as Spot Hero. The tax was scheduled to drop to 1.75% in January, but with the repeal the tax will remain at 6%.
Approved the creation of a Census Count Commission (Agenda Item 19-0733)

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

The following items were referred to these respective committees:
Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee

Ordinance to increase age for purchase of tobacco products to 21 (Agenda Item 19-0605)
Amendment to the Inspector General Ordinance that would enable financial and prison penalties for leaking confidential Inspector General reports information (Agenda Item 19-0602)

Criminal Justice Committee

Restrictions on the use of Gang Intelligence Data Base (Agenda Item 19-0687)
Create a Charitable Rotating Bond Fund (Agenda Item 19-0768)

Finance Committee

Fair Elections Program and Fund which would provide public matching funds of up to $1,500,000 per year for Cook County elected offices and commissioner elections (Agenda Item 19-0689)

Economic Development Committee

Historical Property Tax Exemption (Agenda Item 19-0688)

Observer - Karin Hribar

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Cook County Budget Hearings Continue

10/29/2018

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Cook County Board Finance Committee - Departmental Budget Hearings
October 24, 2018

Cook County Assessor
Cook County Treasurer
Chicago Board of Elections
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Office of the Secretary to the Board

There were 10 Cook County Commissioners present.

Cook County Assessor: Joseph Berrios
Budget Highlights:

The department’s proposed budget of 25.4 million is within the county target
Planned technological enhancements will allow this office to operate more efficiently.
Develop and implement Property Tax system with other county agencies for full launch expected in 2020.
Fraud unit is working well to make sure people are not defrauding the system. Approximately $35 Million have been collected.
Working to create new tools and policies that will aid in the development of more affordable housing countywide.

Comments:
The Commissioners thanked Assessor Berrios for his serve.

Cook County Treasurer: Maria Pappas
Budget Highlights:

FY2019 will be the 18th consecutive year that the Treasurer’s Office has reduced its budget above and beyond the budgetary targets requested.
Very proud of the fact that all of the IT services are done in house.
Technological improvements have reduced costs, and improved services
Treasurers collect $14 billion each year in taxes from owners of more than 1.8 million parcels of property.

Comments:
Maria Pappas, commented that tax bills are being sent out in a timely matter and more and more people are accessing their bills and paying their bills online. March Bills will be online in December. This has saved the county money. Commissioners pointed out that all of the IT work is done in house and this has saved the County money. They also noted that the Cook County Treasurer’s Website is very user friendly.

Chicago Board of Election: Lance Gough, Executive Director
Budget Highlights:

In 2019, key operations of the Board of elections will involve managing the municipal elections and runoffs in February and April.
The City of Chicago will bear the full costs of the 2019 Municipal Elections

Comments:
Board of Elections is continuing to grow online registrations. There has been an increase of early voting in the city and a growing participation in Vote by Mail. Commissioners asked whether new voting machines would be ready for the February and April elections. Mr. Gough responded that they will not be ready and the City of Chicago will be using the same equipment that is being used for the November 2018 Election. New equipment will be ready for the 2020 Presidential Election. He is confident that the new equipment will be secure. There was also discussion concerning the lack of polling places and judges in the City. Chicago is moving towards Voting Centers. Condominiums and schools do not want to open their spaces for voting. He said that the Super Site on West Washington is working well.

Clerk of the Circuit Court - Dorothy Brown
Budget Highlights:

Removal of furlough days
There has been a reduction in staff
Implementation of the required eFilelL system, has caused significant difficulties for the Clerks’ office. This is due to the complexity of the system along with the volume of cases filed in Cook County.
Case Management System (CMS) will serve all areas of law to advance technology and improve efficiency while reducing costs, improve efficiency of court operations, improve customer service, and enhance information access offered to the public. Criminal division will go live by March 2019, and all other areas of law will go live by November 2019.

Comments:
Dorothy Brown commented that as of July 2018, e-Filing has become mandatory for all civil areas of law. This system has caused difficulties for the Clerk’s office as the staff has had to provide extra-specialized customer service assistants to both self-represented litigants and attorneys, in order for them to e-File successfully. The challenge is not having enough employees to help. The Commissioners suggested that perhaps they might need to charge for providing help. They also suggested that a printed quick reference card or TV presentation with directions as to how to use the system could be implemented. It was noted that this system was created first for smaller counties, and then implemented for use in Cook County. Dorothy Brown would like to hire more people but cannot until they meet the budget requirement concerning the furlough days.

Office of the Secretary to the Board - Matthew De Leon
Budget Highlights:

Full time employees will remain the same for FY2019

Matthew De Leon reported on the Highlights of last year some of which are as follows:

Redesigned Secretary to the Board website to improve access to information.
Completed media inventory of 35-year collection of audio and video recordings transferred from Department of Facilities Management.
Replaced the 50 year old sound system
Created virtual record of paper documents for all 2016 and 2017 County and Forest Preserve Board meetings.
Goal for the Archives Advisory Committee
Began process for County 2031: Cook County’s: Bicentennial Celebration.

Matthew De Leon presented a power point presentation of some of the old archive materials for the Bicentennial Celebration in 2031. You can go to Legistar to see this presentation.

Commissioners had suggestions for the Board meetings and the boardroom

During the meetings, the President or person leading the meeting should announce not only the item number but the page it is on, for example when referring to an item, such as item 18-111, you include that this item is on page 10 of the agenda. This will be helpful for commissioners that leave the room or for an audience member that arrives after the Board meeting has started.
ADA compliance needs to be done
Railing on stairs down to where the Commissioners sit
Clock with a timer

Matthew De Leon stated that some of these request would be handled at the Capital Budget Hearing on Friday October 26.

Observer: Nancy Marcus (11:00-2:00 with an hour break for lunch)

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Cook County Hospitals System Preliminary Budget gets Cook County Board Approval

9/24/2018

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - September 12, 2018

What the Board Decided:
The following Items were approved:

Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) Preliminary Budget (Agenda Item 18-1619)
Contract Compliance Proposal to create a Small Business Commission (Agenda Item 18-4541)
Report of the Bureau of Technology - IT Consolidation Report (Agenda Item 18-4828)
An Amendment to the Ordinance that established the CCHHS Board dealing with the scope and distribution of clinical services that require approval or notification to President and the Cook County Board (Agenda Item 18-1126)
Independent Auditor’s report of the financial statements of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County for period ended on 11/30/2017 (Agenda Item 18-4734)
An Ordinance preventing the detention of juveniles under the age of 13 (Agenda Item 18-4955

The following item was referred to committee:

Ordinance Amendment on IT Consolidation was referred to the Technology and Innovation Committee (Agenda Item 18-5634)

The following items were Deferred:

Proposed Ordinance Amendment of CC Board of Review Operation and Administrative Fund was deferred again as done on July 25.(Agenda Item 16-6437)
Creating a Bulk User Fee for the Board of Review (Agenda Item 18-5013).
Propose that Commissioners create a preference for businesses owned by people with disabilities under Procurement Ordinance (Agenda Item 18-4162).

The following item was Withdrawn

Authorization for the Office of the County Clerk to purchase election equipment from Dominion Voting Systems.(Agenda Item 18-2409)

Other Observations

Before the Board Meeting I observed the last quarter hour of the Budget Meeting where Dr. Jay Shannon spoke about the CCHHS. Their aim is to “save lives while saving money”. He spoke for the approval of 18-1619--specifically the needs for continued modest gains and equipment upgrades. The CCHHS provides 50% of charity care in Cook County. Commissioner Gainer inquired about the turnover. Dr. Shannon replied that it is between 5 to 8 % monthly.
Regarding 18-2409 Election Equipment, the Clerk’s office is working to diminish threats to elections. They are aiming for the highest quality for the lowest price. There will be an eventual staged rollout. “You can’t have all new equipment at once.”

Observer - Jill Althage Meeting Length - 1 hour and 20 minutes (11:10am to 12:30pm)

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State's Attorney asked to appear before the County Board Criminal Justice Committee

1/1/2016

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Cook County Board Meeting, 12/16/15
Observed by: Nancy Marcus

Significant Decisions Made:
Item 16-0557 Cook County Board meeting schedule for 2016. The calendar was approved, there will be 15 meetings, 1 meeting per month including July and August and 2 meetings in the following months: March, June, and October.

Two items proposed by the Justice Advisory Council were approved:

An extension of an existing contract for The Thresholds Bond Court Pilot Project, a project with the Justice Advisory Council and Cook County Public Defender’s Office. The project assists individuals who are receiving treatment for mental health issues. These individuals are facing criminal charges and are awaiting determinations of bond and conditions for release in the Central Bond Court.
The services of 6 Bond Court Backlog Clearance Specialists to investigate individuals who have low bonds set, but have remained in jail for an extended period of time due to failure to post bond. This project is a collaboration with the McArthur foundation, the Justice Advisory Council, and the Safer Foundation.

Item 16-0574 an approved as amended resolution sponsored by Commissioner John Fritchey and Jesus Garcia. This is a request to the Cook County State’s Attorney to appear before a hearing of the Criminal Justice Committee to discuss the investigation and indictment in the LaQuan McDonald case. Commissioner Fritchey introduced an amendment to this resolution, waiving the 24-hour rule, to delete all reference to the LaQuan McDonald case and add that the State's Attorney appear to discuss the investigation and handling of alleged police misconduct matters. There was discussion as to whether this is an appropriate request. Gavin Ambose, Chief of Staff of the State's Attorney Office, stated an objection to this request..

Item 16-0420, is a report from David Orr, County Clerk and approved by the Commissioners regarding the proposed confirmation and appointment of Election Judges.

Item 15-5906 ordinance, Liquid Hazardous waste ordinance and fee. The Commissioners concurred with the Environmental Control Committee to approve this ordinance.
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Significant Topics Discussed and/or Referred to Committee:

Item 16-0475 is a proposed ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Richard Boykin, This is to amend section 2-331 of the Cook County Guidelines for Special State’s Attorney pertaining to the prosecution of alleged offenses by members of the Police Department. Since there could be a presumption that the CC State’s Attorney has an interest in the case; therefore, the appointment of a Special State's Attorney should occur. This was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee.

Item 16-0577 proposed resolution sponsored by Commissioner Richard Boykin, calling on the Circuit Court of Cook County to appoint a Special State’s Attorney to handle the prosecution of Officer Jason Van Dyke. In light of the Tribune Editorial (Wednesday, December 16,2017) written by Chief Judge Timothy Evans, stating why he could not appoint a special prosecutor, this was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee.

Unexpected Votes, Events, Testimony or Items to Watch for in the Future:
Emily Harris, Executive Director of ADA 25 Chicago, testified in support of the renovations of the Cook County Board Room. Adam Baler of Access Living also testified in favor of the renovations.

Any Other Comments or Observations:
The meeting was 2 1/2 hours; 1 hour of the meeting was the Consent Calendar.

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​Cook County’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds

No Expected New Taxes or Fees Projected for 2020 Cook County Budget

Parking App Tax Break Repealed by Cook County Board

Cook County Budget Hearings Continue

Cook County Hospitals System Preliminary Budget gets Cook County Board Approval

State's Attorney asked to appear before the County Board Criminal Justice Committee

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Cook County’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds