Category: Transportation Plan

Regional Transit Authority Presents 2022 Budget to Cook County Board

11/16/2021

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
November 4, 2021

Board Action:
The RTA (which includes the CTA, PACE and Metra) presented their 2022 budgets to the Cook County Board for their information as required by law. The Board received and filed the reports.

$3.4B budget for the entirety of the RTA, up 4.6% over pre-Covid estimates. Ridership has been down nearly 50% since March 2020. Due to lost revenue from riders, the budget has been made possible by three Federal Covid relief grants. (Agenda Item 21-5973)
Cook County has implemented a Fair Transit Pilot, and is going to look at the results in the next 6-12 months.
Comm. Degnen pressed the RTA leadership for a more concrete plan for the electrification of the bus fleet.
City Transit Authority (CTA) spoke of their five year plan for capital improvements. This includes a blue line rebuild, improvements in Austin, rail improvements, and a red line extension for the south side. They are working towards electrifying the entire fleet by 2040. Again, Comm. Degnen asked for a plan and budget for implementation. Since January, ridership has nearly doubled, but the CTA still has a $160M deficit in its operational budget. (21-5974)
The Metra director presented their $900M operational cost budget. There will be no fair increase for 2022, but ridership is at 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Their 2022 budget includes cautious assumptions about ridership in 2022. (21-5976)

Commissioners approved an ordinance amendment designating firearm and ammunition tax revenues for gun violence prevention programs. Cook County, pursuant to its home rule powers, implemented a tax on firearms and ammunition to curb the cost of gun violence. (Agenda Item 21-6225)

The City of Chicago has released information stating that the number of gunshot victims has increased 10% compared to 2020, and increased 70% compared to the same time period in 2019.
Comm. Sean Morrison spoke against approving the ordinance, explaining that the Supreme Court of Illinois has already overthrown the existing gun tax based on the wording of the bill, and confusion over how the money would be spent. He stated that it violates the uniformity clause, the uniform collection of federal taxes.
The motion carried, notwithstanding the division. Comm. S. Morrison and Comm. Sylvestri voted against approval.

The Board Referred:

Commissioners referred to the Legislation Committee a resolution “Urging the Illinois State Legislature to pass House Bill 4176 to provide to Cook County Police Chiefs local law enforcement override of a felony rejection or a designation of a felony as a continuing investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney."(Agenda Item 21-6219)

Observer: Amber L Elmer Meeting Length: 4 hours 40 minutes

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Funding for Electronic Monitoring Questioned by Cook County Commissioners

12/20/2020

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - December 17, 2020
Virtual Meeting - All Commissioners present
President Preckwinkle left at 2:10 to attend the Covid inoculation. Vice Chair Sims took over.

Public Speakers:

Statements were read by the Board Secretary and included support for the change of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples day, support and opposition to the landlord/tenant ordinance, concerns about the use of electronic monitoring.

Board Actions:

Agenda Item 21-0019 Appointment of Michelle Kohler to Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues. Approved.
21-0490 The proclamation of disaster under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act due to Covid was extended through January 31, 2021. Passed
21-0295 The Department of Transportation and Highways requested approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the County and Metra. Beginning in January 2021, Cook County and the region's transit agencies will launch a three-year pilot project to improve transit service for the residents of south suburban Cook and the south side of Chicago. The pilot will begin with a 50% fare reduction on the Metra Electric and Rock Island commuter rail lines and service improvements on the Pace 352 bus route. Cook County will underwrite the costs of the participating agencies. Passed.
21-0441, 21-0445 Ammar Rizki from the Bureau of Finance explained the resolutions to contribute $341,961,760 to the Pension Stabilization Fund beyond the statute required amount. FY2021 Pension Fund supplemental contributions will be made on a monthly basis in the amount of $20,000,000 from December 2020 through October 2021. The final FY 2021 Pension Fund supplemental contribution will be made during November 2021 in the amount of $33,961,760. Passed.
21-001 The Department of Transportation and Highways requested approval of the proposed Improvement Resolution for the South Cook Fair Transit Pilot. The funds will go towards the planning studies and implementation of the South Cook Fair Transit Pilot in southern Cook County. These funds are to be used with both Metra and Pace working in conjunction on this project. Commission Degnen questioned how this could impact CTA ridership. President Preckwinkle responded that the Department of Transportation is currently working with Metra and PACE and there are ongoing discussions with the CTA. Passed
21-0367 Authorization to enter into an interagency agreement. The Cook County Safety and Justice Challenge Stakeholders including the Office of the Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Cook County Public Defender’s Office, and Cook County Sheriff’s Office will partner with Loyola University to provide the data to develop a data portal to host criminal justice data to support data-informed policy decision making. Commissioner Keven Morrison asked when findings will be available. The contract is for 2 years, but data will start to be shared immediately. Passed.
21-0352 This was a request from the Sheriff’s Office and the Court to expand the existing approved contract with the GPS equipment provider. The equipment is used for electronic monitoring. The Original Approval amount was $4,064,311.50. The increase requested was $13,389,943.00. The increase to the contract is needed due to the unforeseen significant increase in electronic monitoring (EM) participants during FY 2020 because of the Covid virus, the program to reduce the use of cash bail, and the Sheriff’s Office transitioning current EM participants from radio frequency equipment to GPS equipment. There was a one-hour discussion about this resolution. Initially it had been decided to send the resolution to committee because several commissioners had questions before the meeting. Other commissioners requested to approve the increase as the Sheriff’s office has said they could run out of equipment. Commissioner Sean Morrison pointed out that this contract had been discussed and approved and that the resolution was only for additional money. Commissioner Anaya and Commissioner Kevin Morrison had a number of questions about the current usage of equipment for both radio frequency and GPS monitoring and why the projection for money was so much. Representatives of the Sheriff’s office had to check on answers. The monitoring is moving from radio frequency to GPS. The equipment is leased and so any outdated radio frequency equipment is being returned to the vendor and all GPS equipment has to be recycled to that vendor for sterilization after use Commissioners Anaya, Johnson, Miller and Degnen had concerns about the use of electronic monitoring. Degnen, Miller, and Anaya had received a letter from George Washington University about the negatives in using electronic monitoring. That is why they wanted the whole program to be discussed in committee. Passed 14 yes 3 no
20-3460 Juneteenth Recognized as a paid Cook County Holiday. Several Commissioners spoke in favor of this. There was no discussion about costs. Passed.

Follow Up Items

Agenda Item 20-5667 PROPOSED RESOLUTION Requesting Presentations from the Cook County Treasurer and Cook County Assessor to Discuss the Impact of Increased Property Taxes on Constituents

Observer: Kathleen Graffam Meeting Length: 5 hours

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Cook County Board Approves Funds for Transportation Improvements within Forest Preserves

4/1/2020

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - February 27, 2020

Board Action:

The County Board approved the appropriation of $25,000,000 of motor tax fuel funds for transportation improvements within various properties under Forest Preserve jurisdiction. The money goes to properties that do not charge admission.
The Board renewed an agreement with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to maintain and expand the Prescription Drug Buy Back Program. Pharmaceutical drugs are collected and disposed of in ways that keep them out of the Chicago Area Waterway System.

What to Watch for:

Tightening of approval of contract renewals and extensions. The Cook County Clerks office asked for a one-year extension of their contract with the company maintaining and hosting their website even though they have maxed out their automatic renewals of the contract.

Other Observations:

The Board approved an agreement between the Cook County Medical Examiner and Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago for indigent burials of the unclaimed, unknown, and unborn children. $48,000.

Observed by: Kim Inman Meeting Length: 1 1/2 hours

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BALLOT REFERENDUM SURVIVES COMMISSIONERS’ CHALLENGE

8/15/2016

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Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 3, 2016

Significant Topic Discussed and Deferred:
November Ballot Referendum - Commissioners in favor of having voters decide this November if the office of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds should be consolidated with the County Clerk’s office, dodged a challenge! A new resolution (Agenda Item #16-4660) that would remove the question from the ballot and replace it with an impact study was “deferred”, although public testimony was allowed. Protestors charged that racism motivated the referendum. Commissioners for and against pushed back vigorously on the charge. It is not clear whether deferred means “dead” or if the matter will be taken up again before the November election.

Other Significant Topics Approved or Referred to Committee:

An ordinance to establish the Cook County Health and Hospital System’s “Direct Access Program” which in essence is designed to provide on-going care, a medical home for primary and preventive services, and a centralized system of administration was referred to the Workforce, Housing, and Community Committee. This program is for those who do not qualify for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and who make up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Testimony was given on the need for these services for the un/under-insured as well as undocumented workers in the county. No cost estimates were included with the resolution. (Agenda Item #16-4392)
A $2 million grant from HUD covering a 3-year period for removal of lead based paint in homes in high risk areas in suburban Cook County was approved.
The board approved Connecting Cook County: 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan. The plan is the result of a $1.4M study that has been very well received, and long overdue. The plan is a comprehensive look at transportation in Cook County and incorporates rail, bus, car, and bike travel as well as freight. View the plan on the Cook County Website. (Agenda Item #16-3634).
A resolution in support of the White House’s Data Driven Justice Initiative was approved. There is a broad coalition across states and counties to gather data and also to use Best Practices and data driven strategies to break the cycle of incarceration in jails. President Preckwinkle is the Cook County sponsor and is encouraging all CC public safety stakeholders including the Chief Judge, Clerk of the Court, Public Defender and Sheriff and State’s Attorney as well as the CC Health and Hospital system to work collaboratively through the CC Justice Advisory Council to further the goals of the initiative. (Agenda Item #16-4488)

Meeting Rules Changes Under Consideration:

Proposed Ordinance Amendment to change the Consent Calendar day and format. The consent calendar consists of resolutions offering formal recognition of persons and groups in the County for their work or achievement or retirement, etc. The practice itself can run for up to two hours and currently is the first order of business on the CC board agenda. Under the proposed Ordinance, items from the Consent Calendar could be addressed in a separate meeting prior to the Forest Preserve Board Meeting: “Such meeting shall have as the only agenda items the reading of the resolution, discussion of the resolution, and the taking of a photo.” The CC board members also make up the board of the Forest Preserve so they would already be present for a meeting, however, there are several committee meetings also held on this same day and this meeting would not replace the consent calendar on the Board agenda. It would only provide an opportunity to address any items in a separate meeting. LWVCC believes the Consent Calendar process needs to be significantly shortened, and we urge the Commissioners to find a reasonable and agreeable solution. This item was referred to the Rules and Administration Committee. (Agenda Item #16-4645)
Proposed Ordinance Amendment to “establish decorum guidelines for public speakers”. Commissioner Steele, fed up with what he believes are rude and even defamatory comments, is asking the Board to amend the rules governing public speakers to more specifically spell out what shall not be acceptable language or conduct. However, his proposal also includes the striking of an enforcement provision[s]. I.E., Expulsion from the meeting or being banned from giving further testimony – perhaps because these provisions have been found to be legally unenforceable. (Agenda Item #16-4708)

Observer - Diane Edmundson

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Regional Transit Authority Presents 2022 Budget to Cook County Board

Funding for Electronic Monitoring Questioned by Cook County Commissioners

Cook County Board Approves Funds for Transportation Improvements within Forest Preserves

BALLOT REFERENDUM SURVIVES COMMISSIONERS’ CHALLENGE

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