COMMISSIONERS QUESTION BYPASSING COMMITTEE PROCESS

COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONER’S MEETING
September 22, 2022

Board Action:
During new business, commissioners were asked to suspend the rules to take up fourteen [14] new items.  The rules call for new items to be deferred to committee for consideration if the item or items have been introduced less than 48 hours before the Board meeting.  Commissioner Gainer supported by Commission Sean Morrison noted that several of these items were not emergencies and were for expenditures totaling around $40 million dollars.  Commissioner Gainer noted that it seems to be circumventing the Board’s procedure for referring new items to committees.  Commissioner Morrison agreed and said that, in particular, items with an RFP process should go to committee.  Notwithstanding these objections, nine of the resolutions were passed and five were referred to committee.  

• One of above new items was Commission Gainer’s request for a full audit of the Cook County Court System’s secure remote continuous alcohol monitoring program {SCRAM] and an independent study of SCRAM’s efficacy and program alternations.   Referred to the Criminal Justice Committee #22-5619.  Note:  The Criminal Justice Committee held a hearing on September 20, 2022 on SCRAM and this motion is a follow-up.
• A review and analysis of the CC electronic monitoring systems commissioned by the Justice Advisory Council with assistance from CGL Companies and the Appleseed Center for Fair Courts was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee.   #22-5130
• Questions were raised about # #22-3772 and #22-5335 for Electronic Monitoring contracts – one with the Sheriff’s office and the other for the office of the Chief Judge.  Commissioners asked if the SCRAM program can be combined with EM for purposes of an RFP.  Staff answered they are considering the possibility for 2023 RFP’s.  Commissioners Anaya and Johnson voted against 3772 and 5335 without comment. 
• Budget transfer of ARPA funds for July and August 2022 were approved.  Commissioner Daley asked for assurance that the Financial Department is monitoring and confirming that ARPA funds are being spent appropriately and that the Board and the County are protected from liability.  Answer:  Yes.    #22-5010 and #22-5072
• Referred the CCH’s 2023-25 Strategic Plan and Financial Forecast to the HHS Committee #5151
• Accepted the CCH’s preliminary 2023 budget with no comment.  #22-5009

Approved a proposed ordinance amendment adding a new Sec. 2-282 (b)(6) which provides for the General Counsel for the Inspector General’s Office to become the interim IG when there is a vacancy #22-5511

No action was taken on the ordinance amendment that would limit public testimony to 60 min. #22-4697 or #22-3155 proposed changes to ethics rules to align them with the new IL law.
In addition, the Board approved the following items approved in prior Committee Meetings:
Finance Committee meeting of Sept. 21:

• Deferred in committee an intergovernmental agreement between Cook County and the Forest Preserve to cover services to be provided and paid for in calendar year 2023.  #22-5507
• Approved the elected Official Compensation Review Ordinance requiring the Human Resources Department to present to the Board an independent compensation study for the County’s elected positions every four years, beginning in 2024, with any Board action to be taken by the following March.  #22-3931
• Approved as substituted a request for the Finance Committee to meet and discuss potential opportunities to address access to capital challenges for small business in Cook County including veterans and disability provisions.  Look for an announcement next week regarding these opportunities.  #22-4706

Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting of Sept. 21:

• Approved ordinance amendments which provided for vacancies in the offices of Commissioners and Assessor, Clerk, Sheriff, and Treasurer to be filled initially by appointment by applicable township and ward committee persons of the same party, but in cases where the remaining term is more than 28 months, those positions will then be filled for the remaining term at the next general election.  At the Committee meeting sponsor Britton explained that the League of Women Voters had proposed the use of an election.  #22-4661 and #22-4662.
• Approved appointments of M. Lipinski to the Human Rights Commission and Dr. Jay D. Bhatt to the Cook County Health Board of Directors. The appointment of Sam A. Robinson, III, PhD was deferred in committee as he was unable to attend the meeting.
• Approved the search committee for replacing the Independent Inspector General (“IIG)”).  Patrick Blanchard, the current IIG, is expected to retire Oct. 14.  In the interim, the General Counsel will act as the Cook County Inspector General.  #22-4693 

Public Speakers included:

• The Bond Fund opposes the expansion of Electronic Monitoring after reading the report just released by the Justice Advisory Committee and also strongly supports the alternative to 911.   
• Jackson Park Hospital nurses asked for more resources and also supported the 911 alternative which would eliminate police presence from the response teams.
• Another speaker spoke to the problems defendants have that are on Electronic Monitoring.   
• County Interpreters asked for fair contracts and bilingual employees of the County asked for better pay.

Consent Agenda:   John Yonan, Bureau Chief of Asset Management and former Supt. Of Transportation and Highways received bountiful accolades from the Commissioners after his announced retirement this month.

Observer:  Diane Edmundson