Category: Ethics Ordinance

Lively and Informative Cook County Board June Zoom Meeting

6/22/2020

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 18, 2020

The zoom format did not inhibit any of the Commissioners from engaging in lively discussion about many important items. The meeting began and ended with powerful and emotional support for President Preckwinkle and Commissioner Brandon Johnson. The president was front page news that very morning in the Sun-Times with an article about her racist experiences as a child in the 1950’s growing up in St. Paul, Mn. Comm. Daley congratulated her on the article which also gave much credit to her efforts in the area of criminal justice reform. The last part of the meeting belonged to Comm. Johnson’s resolution entitled “Justice for Black Lives” (Agenda Item 20-2867) with almost all Commissioners speaking to this issue and asking to be co-sponsors. (More on this resolution below).
Public comment came in the form of letters summarized by the Secretary of the Board. The League of Women Voters of Cook County's (LWVCC) letter, about the consolidation process of the Recorder of Deeds’ and the Clerk’s offices, was included in the summary. Also included was a letter from Sharlyn Grace of the Chicago Bond Fund in support of Comm. Johnson’s resolution and many others supporting Comm. Anaya’s resolution to stop evictions during Covid. (more on that below)

Highlights of the Meeting:

Agenda Item 20-2615 - This item refers to President Preckwinkle’s veto message. At the May board meeting, the President exercised her first and only veto and explained her reasoning in a written statement that was filed, but not discussed at this meeting. She vetoed an ordinance directing the County’s health department to release the addresses of Covid-19 positive patients to first responders. Her reasoning cited privacy information and the fact that this information would not keep anyone safer. She also worried that disclosure of this information might cause individuals to not seek medical help in the future. The measure passed narrowly last month. There was no mention of an override.
Agenda Item 20-2445 - This item refers to the Performance Management Report. Comm. Miller stated that this report looked very different from previous reports. She asked for metrics and data to support the conclusions stated by various department heads and elected officials. Jerry Pray, of the Research Operation and Innovation Dept. stated that he is still collecting data and can send it to the commissioners and post it online shortly, He said that the report this year was meant to tell a story and to focus on future initiatives. The board voted to receive the report
Agenda Item 20-2395 - This item refers to the rental of space at St.Hyacinth Church in Avondale for the use of a new Restorative Justice Court. Comm. Kevin Morrison wanted to know more details. A representative from Chief Judge Evans’ office stated that it was the judge’s goal to open 2 more Restorative Justice courts soon, after the one in Lawndale proved to be a success. Another one is planned for Englewood. These courts concentrate on young, low- level offenders between the ages of 18-26. The measure passed.
Agenda Item 20-2684 - This is another item dealing with youth, ages 16-24. Commissioners Gainer and Miller praised the Chicago Work Force Partnership’s efforts to provide employment and training to at -risk youth, especially during tough economic times. Comm. Miller again asked for data with this program especially a breakdown of race, ethnicity and gender. A representative from the program will provide the commissioners with this information. The measure passed.
Agenda Item 20-2745 - This refers to the final report dealing with the merger of the Recorder of Deeds and the Clerk’s offices. Commissioner Suffredin commended the staffs of both offices. He also commended the LWVCC for their thoughtful questions and their input into this matter. This was referred to the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, which will meet and go over the report before the July board meeting.
Agenda Item 20-2326 - This refers to commissary items and their prices at Cook County Jail. Before approving a contract for these items, Commissioner Kevin Morrison (along with several other commissioners) wanted to know if detainees are charged too much for these items (mostly snacks and personal items) and if the County is making a profit, A representative from the sheriff’s office said that the prices are set by the vendor and are equal to those charged by convenience stores. The commissioner wanted exact figures for these prices. The board will receive this information. They then voted to discuss this item at the July meeting.
Agenda Items 20-2650 and 20-0993 - The first of these refers to the Revenue and Expense report and the 2nd one refers to the report from Cook County Health. These were lumped together and discussed in a general way. The financial picture for all departments is not a good one. Revenue is way down due to less sales tax and other fees during Covid-19. The commissioners stated that a more detailed revenue report will be released on June 26th. And the preliminary budget hearings set for July will be the time to discuss these matters in more detail. Reports were received and filed at this meeting.
Agenda Item 20-1859 - This refers to the appointment of Judge Marcus R. Salone to the Ethics Committee. Commissioner Suffredin praised this appointment and called him a “healing force”.
Agenda Item 20-2891 - Commissioner Anaya sponsored this item which stops evictions during the Covid-19 crisis. Evictions are stalled right now as the courts are closed. But they reopen in July and the commissioners discussed this at length. Comm.Suffredin stated that the board does not have the authority to stop evictions but they can encourage the Sheriff’s police to NOT enforce them. All commissioners passed and co-sponsored this resolution.
Agenda Item 20-2867 Commissioner Johnson’s resolution “Justice for Black Lives” was discussed at length. His resolution covered a history of discrimination and incarceration against black people. More currently he cited some comments on social media that stated maybe next time fire hoses should be used to quell marches, such as the one that was organized by Public Defenders in front of Cook County Jail. His resolution included solutions to these problems that dealt with reforms in health care, housing, criminal justice, job creation, among other things. Almost every commissioner spoke to this resolution, most thanking Comm. Johnson for introducing it and asking to be co-sponsors. Comm. Johnson stated that we must listen to ALL community groups and let them help us lead the way to reform. The board voted to send this resolution to the Criminal Justice Committee for further review.
Finally, a Voting Equity item (Agenda Item 20-2906) was added to the agenda very last minute. It was referred to the Rules Committee for further review. Commissioner Britton said this item was crucial to ensuring fair elections, It deals with printing ballots and instructions in various languages, making sure new voting machines work properly, and making sure that new mail- in procedures run smoothly, among other things.

Despite the length of the meeting, the number of important issues discussed, and the format of zoom, the commissioners still made time to compliment each others’ work and to joke with each other.

Observed by Jan Goldberg Meeting Length: just under 4 hours, about 3 hours and 53 minutes

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Cook County Commissioners Find Problems with Contracts

2/12/2018

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - February 7, 2018

Significant Topics Discussed:

Although most contracts were passed, commissioners expressed concern that too many extensions are given to contracts in the county without RFPs to open bidding to other vendors and organizations. Also of concern is that some contracts are not completed within the designated timeframe and the performance of some vendors is not acceptable. There do not seem to be penalties against vendors who do not complete their contracts on time or correctly accomplish the goals of the contract (Comm. Morrison).
Commissioners are concerned that they receive the contract for approval too late to do anything but “rubber stamp” it (Comm. Fritchey).
Agenda Item 18-1914 (passed) an extension of Securus Technologies to provide telephone service for jail inmates. The cost for inmates to phone anyone within the USA is 12.5 cents per minute, which is a good rate compared to other jurisdictions. Extensions for this contract have gone on for almost 10 years.
Agenda Item 18-1277 (on hold until legal language cleared up) is a contract with Northwestern University to provide mental health services for minors at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC). Northwestern wants an indemnification clause which would relieve them of any medical mal-practice consequenses. The county does not provide this in their contracts.
Agenda Item 18-1649 A hearing was held in the Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs committee regarding the performance of the Clerk of the Court’s office in completing electronic filing of court cases and an updated case management system. The county has already designated $40 million toward this mandatory directive by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). Concerns were expressed by the Board regarding the extension of 6 months to complete this (now extended to July 1, 2018); a convenience fee of $2.95 that is still being charged to obtain case files; and a federal court case regarding media difficulty in obtaining court case information.

Significant Decisions Made:

Agenda Item 18-2022 (passed) a resolution supporting stronger ethics legistation (like the county has) at the state and other local levels.
Agenda Item 18-2050 (passed) a resolution declaring gun violence in Cook County a Public Health Emergency and advocating for additional resources to combat violence.
Agenda Item 18-1750 (passed) requiring a quarterly report from all agencies and departments involved with costs of gun violence—Medical Examiner, Hospital System, Sheriff, etc.
Agenda Item 18-2017 (passed) a resolution to study integration, consolidation, and modernization of all IT services in the County (to save money and increase efficiency.) Following the study (in 120 days) there would be a Governance ordinance drafted by the Chief Information Officer.
Agenda Item 18-2073 (passed) a resolution to form a commission for revenue forecasting and evaluation of revenue types.
Agenda Item 18-2128 (passed) Sheriff offering to help suburban Cook County in investigating police shootings since the county has more resources than most suburbs.
Agenda Item 18-2142 (sent to Finance committee) this report on the tax assessment process by the Civic Alliance, which was initiated several months ago, “will be out next week and will be available on-line” (President Preckwinkle). This has been a very controversial topic regarding Assessor Berrios’ Office. Issues of fairness and accuracy of assessments have been reported by the media and other organizations.

Items to Watch for in the Future:

Results of Civic Alliance study on tax assessments.
Completion of e-filing and case management systems by the Clerk of the Court.

Other Observations:
Commissioners seem to be taking a more active role in how contracts are awarded and whether they are completed on time, accurately, and with reasonable cost.

Observer - Karin Hribar

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Office of Inspector General of Cook County Now Included in Ethics Ordinance

12/19/2016

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings and Board Meeting - December 14, 2016

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting

An amendment to the Cook County Ethics Ordinance was approved that will include the office of the Independent Inspector General of Cook County as an office that can receive reports of ethics violations, supspected violations, or other misconduct. This is in addition to the Board of Ethics as a place where such can be reported with the rationale that this will make it easier for violations to be reported. The amendment was approved by all Commissioners present. (Comm. Steele was the only commissioner absent) (Agenda Item 16-5767)

Rules and Administration Committee Meeting

An ordinance to the Rules of Organization and Procedure of the Cook County Board of Commissioners stating that a “substitute ordinance shall not be considered until the meeting of the Board of Commissioners following the meeting at which the substitute was introduced “was deferred to the January Board meeting. It was deferred because the Commissioners felt more discussion of this was needed and there was concern about substituted amendments during the budget process and how this might affect the budget. Commissioner Sufferdin thanked the LWV Cook County for their input on this matter. (Agenda Item 16-5778)

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Significant Items Approved:

The Board unanimously approved the Cook County Gun Violence Task Force Final Report. The Task Force was established to serve as an investigative and fact-finding body authorized to hear and gather testimony and data about economic, social, and cultural causes of gun violence in the City of Chicago and Cook County, with the specific objective of recommending a set of written policies designed to reduce gun violence and its roots. The report can be found HERE. (Agenda Item 17-0524)

Other items of interest:

The Board approved the Annual Calendar of Regular Meetings for 2017. There will be 13 meetings with one every month except for two in March and June, and no meeting in August. (Agenda Item 17-0615)
The Cook County Justice Advisory Board awarded seven Violence Prevention, Intervention, and Reduction Demonstration Grants to provide various services and /or programs. (Agenda Item 17-0428)

New Items Added to the Agenda:

Proposed Resolution amendment to establish the President Pro Tempore and Chairs and Vice-chairs of the standing committees and subcommittees. Commissioner Steele will remain as President Pro-Tempore and some of the Chair and Vice-Chair have been changed due to the death of Commissioner Murphy. (Agenda Item 17-0644)
Proposed Resolution designating and appointing members of the standing committees and subcommittees. This was done to add Commissioner Moody who replaced Commissioner Murphy to the standing committees, (Agenda Item 17-0645)

New items referred to Committees:

An ordinance establishing time limits for distribution of departmental documents to the Board was referred to the Rules Committee, (Agenda Item 17-0058)
A Resolution for County Unity for fair and equal treatment of immigrants, refugees and their families etc. for all of Cook County was referred to the Human Relations Committee.

Observer - Nancy Marcus

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Lively and Informative Cook County Board June Zoom Meeting

Cook County Commissioners Find Problems with Contracts

Office of Inspector General of Cook County Now Included in Ethics Ordinance

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