Cook County Board Of Commissioners
Committee Meetings
June 11, 2025

Technology and Innovation CommitteeChair Kevin Morrisson asked Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer for Bureau of Technology, to provide updates on the status of the Integrated Property Tax System Project that is being done by Tyler Technologies and for which there have been numerous delays and significant cost increases over the years. The 2nd installment property tax bills have not been mailed as a result of the latest delays.  CIO Lynch stated that the project continues to struggle. Mr. Lynch commissioned a report from Guidehouse Management Consulting, that was previously hired to oversee the project, for a neutral assessment.  Their recommendations include

1. Priorities need to be set by joint consensus from the property offices and offices under the President to get the work to a manageable level. The list from the individual property offices has grown as to what needs to be fixed before the system can go “live.” While all items are important and Tyler is expected to address all, not all can be or need to be addressed to reach Go Live status. 
2. Tyler must fix coding issues. Data issues can only be addressed by the county offices; Tyler can’t change the data from offices.
3. The President’s office expects Tyler to provide more resources to items of concern by offices and to improve the quality of its work. Testing revealed that problems either aren’t fixed or there are new problems from the fixe and overall, the work has been taking too long. More reliability is needed from Tyler.
4. With each defect identified and prioritized, agreement will be needed from the start on what is needed to fix it successfully; this will also be identified by consensus in the plan.  

• These steps should help achieve resolution to issues with less “churn” (Lynch). The Committee will receive a report by the end of next week on the progress of consensus discussions with each property tax office on these recommendations, specific elements of the plan-what the process is, who is involved, and the timeline. A meeting with the Treasurer’s Office has taken place earlier today. By tomorrow, a meeting with the Clerk’s Office will have taken place. Assessor’s Office and President’s office agree with the process.  
• CIO Lynch said the plan for the processes will allow the property offices and those under the president to work through the project successfully. It is up to them to agree on dates for timeline; this plan will better position them to provide dates needed. He has committed to keeping the Committee informed of the work. 
• Com. Sean Morrisson expressed the need of local taxing bodies to know when it is likely that they might receive the monies from the 2nd installment property tax bills.  They may need to alter their spending plans or take out loans. Scott Smith, Chief of Staff, Assessor’s Office and David Byrnes, Chief of Staff, Treasurer’s Office, agreed that Sept. 2 would be the earliest date that the tax bills could go out; no latest date/deadline can be given.  Byrnes again emphasized the necessity that data be 100% accurate for billing process. 

In other matters:

• Chair Morrison said that there is an errata on the Board Agenda for the proposed contract with DeLoitte & Touche to extend the contract to provide managed security services for all critical information technology at the County.  This errata modifies the extension from two 2-year extensions to a single extension to 2027.  Comm.Trevor explained this had been done as a result of her concerns that Cook County Board maintain leverage to ensure it gets the best deal possible in 2 years.  (Item 25-2140)
• Comm. Sean Morrison expressed a similar concern that the Bureau of Technology look to do more new RFPs rather than contract extensions.  

Observer:  Carolyn Cosentino

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations
Candidates for the following positions made statements to the committee which then voted to recommend them for approval at the next Cook County Board Meeting.

• Heather Steans to the Cook County Health Board.  She is a former State Senator and has worked for health equity throughout her career and brings that focus to the board.
• Gina Massuda Barnett to the Cook County Health Board.  She previously worked for Cook County Public Health and is now with the Micheal Reese Trust.
• Kevin Sisk, Crestwood Police Chief and Tim Doherty, Des Plaines Police Services Manager, to the Cook County Emergency Telephone System Board (Cook County 911)
• Shonda DeVasher-Williams to the South Cook Mosquito Abatement District Board.  Another appointment to this board was deferred. 

A Resolution “Declaring Cook County’s Emphatic Defense and Recognition of all Residents’ Right to Due Process” was recommended to go to the Board for approval. (Agenda Item 25-2881) 

• Several commissioners spoke to the fact that all public officials take an oath to uphold the Constitution and they wanted to make it clear that the Cook County Board supports and protects the rights of due process for all residents of Cook County.

A proposed ordinance amendment concerning gender inclusive documents and forms was once again postponed with no explanation. (Agenda Item 25-1822)

Observer:  Cynthia Schilsky

Finance Subcommittee on Litigation
Independent Inspector General Tirrell J. Paxton (IIG) provided a summary of the IIG’s 2025 1st Quarter Report to the Committee (Item 2025-2483), following the executive session dealing with the other matters on the agenda:

• There are 2 completed investigations where departments have not timely provided a response as required under the IIG ordinance:  (1) the Board of Review (IIG24-0144), that was due last September, and (2) the South Cook Mosquito Abatement District (IIG23—0375) that was due May 15.  The IIG said both of these had been reported to the President and Chair of the Litigation Subcommittee, in accordance with the IIG ordinance.  Laura Lechowicz Felicione, Special Counsel in the Office of the President, said that a letter under both their names had been sent to the Mosquito Abatement District advising it that a response should be submitted.  Upon request of the Committee, Ms. Felicione said that a similar letter would be sent to the Board of Review.  
• The IIG also said that the office had completed 10 investigations that are summarized in the Report, 3 of which involved County employees whom the IIG determined had breached County rules by providing false and misleading statements in order to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans from the Federal government during the Covid pandemic.  
• The IIG has investigated over 200 PPP Loan issues involving County employees so far.  Commissioners Degnen and Stamps wondered whether those cases might be coming to an end since it has been several years now since the PPP ended.  The IIG said he could not say.

Observers:  Hollis Burgess and Priscilla Mims

Asset Management Committee
Elizabeth Granato, Chief of the Bureau of Asset Management reviewed two proposals that are part of the goal of getting all Cook County Employees in Cook County owned buildings and all floors with updated ADA access and technology readiness.

• The two items are for the 7th and 8th floors and the 10th and 11th floors of County Building.
• The Bureau is seeking approval to use a Construction Manager at Risk (CmaR) to manage the projects.  Walsh and Riteway -Huggins were selected via an RFQ process.    Ms. Granato  reviewed the reasons the Bureau wants to use a CMaR as she did at the April  Committee meeting.   There are advantages in collaboration on design and identification of cost savings. The Bureau is an active co-manager in the use of minority owned subcontractors.
• Commissioner Degnen stated that the internal Cook County workforce should be used more in such projects.  There is a policy now that they are used for projects under $1 million.
• The two contracts were approved.   Commissioners Degnen, Anaya, and Scott Morrison voted present. Items 25-2757 and 25-2758

Observer:  Kathi Graffaim

Finance Committee

• The Comptroller reported that the General Fund up through April has a positive balance of $88.5 M.  (Item 25-3004)  The Health Enterprise Fund has a positive balance on an accrual basis of $54 M.  (Item 25-1170)
• The Committee approved a proposal to continue to fund a Market Rate Down Payment Assistance Program by using $8.58 M from the Corporate Fund.  In 2024, ARPA funds were used.
• Following a short presentation by Carrianne Carallis, the Director of Research, Operations, and Innovation, the Committee received and filed the 2024 Annual Performance Management Report which covers all the departments within the County.  Ms. Carallis explained that the Department is in the midst of a revamp of performance management, starting with working with the departments under the President to review the mission, goals and objectives.  Comm. Degnen said she is glad to see there are starting to be more useful measures.  Comm. Gainer asked and was told that the Commissioners could discuss the report further as part of the Preliminary Budget meetings coming up in July.  (Item 25-1640)
• A contract between the Office of the Chief Judge and Heartland Human Care Services for a center of care for court-involved female youth was deferred.  (Item 25-0253)

​Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings  
July 24, 2024

Finance Committee

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

Criminal Justice Committee

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

Health and Hospitals Committee

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

Asset Management Committee

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

Audit Committee

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

Contract Compliance Committee

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

Emergency Management & Regional Security Committee

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

Observer:  Kathleen Graffam

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
January 16, 2020

Items of Interest Considered by the Board:

• An amendment to the Medical Examiner Ordinance that includes the elimination of the Medical Examiner Advisory Committee was referred to the Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. The Medical Examiner office is performing well relative to 2012 when there were a series of burial scandals and overcrowded coolers.  The office rarely has unclaimed cases over 90 days, and disposition of deceased persons is orderly and dignified.  Coms. Kevin Morrison and Daley were very complimentary of the high standard of performance.  (Agenda Item 20-0626)
• The Performance Management Ordinance Amendment was referred back to the Finance Committee to make sure that Cook County Health was included. (Agenda Item 20-1076)
• All the transportation expenditures were passed with many of the projects exceeding the Women and Minority Owned Business requirements.
• Com. Bridget Degnen asked what kind of cars the Sheriff was leasing, and wanted to make sure that whenever possible, the selection is hybrid cars, not full emission.  She is very interested in encouraging the County to become more sustainable. (Agenda Item 20-0018)
• The Cannabis ordinances were all passed with Coms. Silvestri, Degnen, Moore, and Sean Morrison voting present, in all cases regarding cannabis. 
• Com. Suffredin will revise the amendments to the Ordinance on the General Powers of the System Board to ensure that severance payments for Cook County Health (CCH) employees are in line with Illinois state law.  Comm. Suffredin discovered that there are several CCH employees with severances promised in excess of what is allowed by law.  All commissioners were added as co-sponsors and the item was referred to the Health and Hospitals Committee.  (Agenda Item 20-1229)

 Amy Little, observer

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 28, 2017

Significant Topics Discussed:
                                                                                                        
After a series of Chicago Tribune articles calling out the Cook County Assessor’s office for failure to provide assessment fairness between high and low valued properties, several Commissioners called for Cook County Assessor Barrios to attend a Finance Committee hearing made up of all board members to explain, defend, and take questions on the current process.  One commissioner said he wanted the hearing held in July.  

Nancy Marcus, Cook County League of Women Voters Co-President, testified that it is past time for the Commissioners to use the County’s Performance Standards in evaluating the elected offices, and the Assessor's office should be focused on doing accurate assessments in the first instance, and not opening up more avenues to contest  property appraisals.

Issues Referred to Committee:

• An Interagency agreement between the city and the county to require recipients of tax incentives to enter into an agreement to give the city/county first option to provide job applicants.  Two commissioners felt it over bureaucratic and wanted more discussion.  Referred back to the Workforce Committee.  
• The Cook County Health and Hospital System (CCHHS) wants to move its patient billing, call center, and public health employees from the Oak Forest Hospital System to the Holiday Plaza on the South Side citing savings of over $5 million per year.  Commissioners noted that Homeland Security still resides in the current complex which could negate savings.  They also expressed concern about the 10 year lease.  The item was referred to the Asset Management Committee.  (Agenda Item 17-3913)
• Commissioners Arroyo and Tobolski asked for an executive session of the Homeland Security and Emergency Mgmt. Committee along with the Department of Homeland Security to discuss current security protocols at all County facilities and identify gaps and security issues.  

Other Items of Interest:

• As of June 30, the State of Illinois owes Cook County $170 million.  It was $140 million at the end of April. 

Observer: Diane Edmundson                                                              Meeting Length:  90 minutes