Cook County Board Committee Meetings Items of Interest

Cook County Board Committee Meetings - Sept. 23, 2020
Litigation and Governmental Relations Committee  10:30am

Agenda Item 20-0016   Substitute Ordinance Amendment to Inspector General Ordinance: 
(Sponsored by all CCB Commissioners) 
Special Counsel Lechowicz stated that the changes, highlighted by bold type, add specificity to procedures as well as qualifications for the OIG.  IG Blanchard stated his agreement to the committee, adding that the changes make the ordinance better and stronger.  It was passed with unanimous aye votes.

Included in the Substitute Ordinance Amendment:

• Re Quarterly Reports, these will be placed on the next regular County Board meeting agenda as items for receipt and file or as items to be referred to Litigation Committee.  Included would be the number of IG investigations pending for over 180 days.
• As the term of an IG is up, a search process may be restarted for a new IG (6 yr term) or allow a 2 yr. reappointment during the search for a new IG.
• Procedures are now specified for investigations taking more than 180 days.  The OIG currently follows these.

Committee Chair Suffredin explained that the Substitute Ordinance Amendment will need to be passed at tomorrow’s Cook County Board meeting; following passage IG Blanchard would be eligible for reappointment for a 2 yr term. 
Agenda Item 20-3428  Appointment of Raul Garza to CCHHS Board of Directors, 4 yr term.  Statements of welcome and support were made by commissioners.  Mr. Garza brings experience as CEO & COO of Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness, located in the south suburbs, where he has worked since 1993.  Their focus is addressing needs of people facing disparities in healthcare. All members voted aye for appointment. Appointment to be finalized at Sept. 24, 2020 CCBC Meeting. 
Agenda Item 20-3431 Appointment of Joseph M Harrington to CCHHS Board of Directors, 4 yr term.  This was deferred at the request of the CCB President due to scheduling issues.  It will be completed at next month’s meetings.
Agenda Item 20-3433 Appointment of Robert Currie to CCHHS Board of Directors, 4 yr term.  Statements of welcome and support were made by commissioners.  Mr. Currie is retired, brings 30 yr of experience in managed care.  Mr Currie states that the county is well-positioned to continue outreach in bolstering services for mental health, healthcare, opioid addiction and the gun violence impacting Stroger Hospital. All members voted aye for appointment. Appointment to be finalized at Sept. 24, 2020 CCBC Meeting. 

Observer - Carolyn Cosentino