Cook County Board Approves New Procedure for Public Comment at Meetings

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting – July 19, 2017   
   
Significant Decisions Made:  

• A proposal by Commissioner Garcia to prohibit law firms handling property assessment appeals from contributing to election funds for any candidate for Assessor was referred to the Finance Committee. (Agenda Item 17-4188)
• Passage of the new witness slip ordinance -  Authorization to speak will only be granted to individuals who have submitted in writing their name, address, subject matter, etc. 24 hours in advance of the meeting. (Agenda Item 17-3293) Commissioner Suffredin publicly thanked the League of Women Voters and the Better Government Association for their support of this amendment to the rules of organization.
• After extensive discussion and testimony of twenty south suburban mayors and presidents, seeking repeal of a requirement that all contractors working on Class 8 projects have a certified U. S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program, the revised ordinance passed with a 9 to 6 vote.  The communities promised to work with the Board to revise the issue. (Agenda Item 17-4339)
• An amendment to the Cook County Property Tax Assessment Classes returning small Bed & Breakfasts with no more than six rooms to Class 212.  Two years ago the Assessor’s office had changed their classification to Commercial which dramatically increased their property taxes.  Testimony indicated that owners live in all of the affected B&Bs as their personal homes. (Agenda Item 17-3303)

Significant topics  discussed:

• The Comptroller and his staff reported on some of the finances of the County.  Sales tax receipts are down about $5m from projections and not likely to be recouped.  This was attributed to online sales.  The Clerk of the Court receipts are down about $1.4m due to a decrease in the number of tickets issued.
• Comm. Boykin questioned Dr. Shannon, Cook County Health and Hospitals CEO, about increased costs to Stroger Hospital because of all the murders and gun violence.  This was followed by a discussion of how Dr. Shannon made the ten percent cuts to his budget as ordered by President Preckwinkle.  He indicated he cut 3 physicians, 21 nurses, and also cut contract usage and other related actions. He indicated that he had vacancies in other areas of the hospital and most of the laid off staff would be able to find other positions.  This led to a discussion of vacant, funded positions that he still can use, and Commissioner Boykin questioning if all vacant position in the county are eliminated and all hiring is frozen “is there a need for a layoff”.  The discussion ended there.
• There was also a discussion questioning if the Comptroller’s staff still has to drive to Springfield to pick up the multi-million dollar checks from the State.  He answered Yes, but they are still trying to achieve electronic transfer and eliminate the driving.

Other observations:

• The meeting lasted until 6:30 p.m.  This observer left at four p.m.  The actual Board Meeting with the pledge and prayer began about two thirty in the afternoon having been preceded by several committee meetings.  It was a “survival of the fittest" meeting.

Observer - Syvia Tillman                                    Meeting lasted:  9:30 a.m. until after 6:30 p.m.