Cook County Board Committee Meetings July 23, 2025

                          County Pension Funds Compare Favorably to Peers
Pension Committee
The Executive Director of the Cook County and Forest Preserve District Pension Funds updated the Committee on where thing stand.  Both funds are doing well as compared to most of their peers at the State and Chicago levels.  (Item 23-1176)

• Cook County’s Fund is currently 65.9% funded and is on track to be fully funded by 2047.  It currently has a return of 9.54%, with a 10 -year return of 7.2%.  The goal is to have a 7% return annually.  There are now more people receiving payouts (the annuitants) than those paying into the Fund (the current employees).
• Forest Preserve’s Fund is currently 54.6% funded and is on track to be fully funded by 2054.  It currently has a return of 9.09% with a 10-year average of 6.8%, again with a goal of 7% return annually.  The ratio of current employees to annuitants is about 1 to 1.
• Cook County’s Fund has done better because of the extra payments the County made as a result of the Sales Tax increase that took effect in 2016 (voted on in 2015).  In response to a question from Comm. Daley, the Executive Director said that, but for those additional contributions, the Cook County Fund would likely be only 50% funded now.
• Both funds will continue to do better as a result of the 2023 legislation that was passed by the State which now allows increased payments to the funds based on actuarial estimates.  The Executive Director said that both Funds are now paying out more than taking in, but for the additional contributions now allowed by that State Statute.
• The Executive Director said that the biggest risk for the Funds now is the antiquated pension administration system, but a new system has been selected following a Request for Proposal, though that will take 3 to 4 years to fully implement.
• Comm. Sean Morrison asked that a breakdown on which assets are performing better than others be provided to the Committee.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

           Commissioners Hear Updated Immunization Recommendations
Health & Hospitals Committee
Dr. Joshi, COO of the Department of Public Health presented Federal updates on immunization recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (item 23-3815) 

• For children, vaccination is now advised through shared clinical decision-making between families and healthcare providers
• Adults encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccination based on risk
• For adults over 65, two COVID-19 vaccine doses annually are now officially recommended.
• Maternal COVID-19 vaccination removed from the recommended schedule, despite compelling evidence of benefit for infants under 6 months
• Recommendations against flu vaccines containing thimerosal issued, despite the lack of evidence of harms
• Commissioner Trevor asked if the Dept. of Public Health was going to continue to provide vaccines despite the Federal recommendations and whether Medicaid/Medicare would continue to cover them.  Chair Lowry answered that these issues would be discussed at a September Committee meeting with Dr. Joshi and the Chief Administrative Officer of CountyCare attending.  Dr. Joshi said he is working with Illinois Dept of Public Health, as well as with a number of National medical organizations on this issue.

CCH Semi-Annual Utilization Report:

• Cook County Health (“CCH”) is required to file this Report on the CCH utilization of Agency (temporary workers) as a % of budgeted Full Time Equivalents (FTE) personnel for each job classification approved in the annual budget by the CC  Board.  Goal is less than 20%. This report for the 6-month period ending May 31 shows that 14.3% of budgeted FTEs were Agency.  Chair Lowry noted this was due to the success of  the new CCH Agency Use hiring process. (item 25-3055) This item was approved.

All the semi-annual reports on behavioral and mental health were received and filed:

• CCH Office of Behavioral Health semi-annual mental health report, April 2025.  (item 25-3013)
• Cook County Office of the Chief Judge: Semi-annual Behavioral Report (Item 25-3109)    
• Cook County State’s Attorney Report: Behavioral Services 12-1-24 through 5-31-25. (item 25-3111)    
• Cook County Public Defender’s Office, Behavioral Health Report, December 2024—May 2025  (item 25-3094) 
• Cook County Sheriff’s Office Report: Semi-annual Behavioral Health Report ;Dec. 2024—May 2025 (item 25-3026)

Observer:  Susan Kern

   Commissioners Raise Need for South Suburban Violence Intervention Services
Finance Committee
The primary discussion dealt with several items allocating ARPA (the Federal American Rescue Plan Act) and Equity Funds for violence prevention and wrap-around services for gun-violence victims, and evaluation of programs.  (Items 25-0703, 23-0704, 25-0705, and 25-3154)  All were approved.

• Comm. Anaya noted that investments in these areas appear to be working with the falling levels of violence.  In response to her question, Avik Das, the Executive Director of the Justice Advisory Council (“JAC”), explained that the ARPA funds are being reallocated among programs to ensure that all the monies are spent by the end of 2026, an ARPA requirement.  This reallocation was not based on merit, but on the program’s ability to spend the dollars by the deadline.
• Comm. Miller and McCaskill both lamented the lack of any entities receiving funding for violence prevention and services in the South Suburbs.  Mr. Das explained that the JAC is not receiving requests from entities to provide such services.  Comm. McCaskill suggested that one impediment is that there is a $500,000 operating budget threshold before an entity can apply.  Mr. Das explained that experience has shown if an entity is too small, they spend much of the grant in trying to administer it, rather than in providing services.  One possible solution to build up an entity’s administrative capacity is the program that began this year to provide block grants for such smaller entities.  Comm. Miller also suggested that there may need to also be a task force to get existing entities to extend their operations to the South Suburbs.  
• In response to questions by Comms. Lowry and Stamps, Mr. Das explained that there is a pool of reviewers for each grant from the community and the JAC, with 3 reviewers from the pool for each grant.  The JAC also discusses needs identified by the Criminal Justice officers and takes those into consideration when determining the grants.
• Separately, Comm. Gainer asked where the 2nd quarter report from the Equity Fund was.  Chair Daley said he would pursue that.
• The Comptroller reported that through the 6 months ending May 31, the General Fund is showing a favorable result (revenues minus expenses) of $107.4 M as compared to budget.  Cook County Health reported an overall unfavorable result of $66 M on an accrued basis. (Items 25-3322 and 25-1171)

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

                                    2004 Annual Audits Reflect Fewer Issues
Audit Committee

• Two outside auditors, RSM, and Washington, Pillman, and McKeeve reported on their findings on the annual audits of Cook County and Cook County Health financial reporting.   Both found the Cook County employees very helpful.   There were fewer findings this year than last and there were no repeat findings.   Errors were corrected and  action plans to improve procedures are in place or have a target date. All audit reports were received and filed:

25-2998:   Cook County Comprehensive Financial Report (annual audit) for fiscal year 2024.
25-2999:   Report to Audit Committee, President and Board regarding the Audit.
25-3000:  Report on Federal Awards and compliance.
25-3001:   Cook County Health Financial Report (annual audit) for fiscal year 2024.
25-3002:   Report to the CCH Audit and Compliance Committee and Cook County Board. 
25-2928:  (Maria Pappas, Treasurer) Fiscal Year 2024 Audit. 

• The Committee was given a review of the actuarial study done by AON Global on the projected reserves needed for liabilities from Workmen’s Compensation and other Cook County self-insured liability programs.   The reserve estimate for the claims filed for the 2024 fiscal year that remain outstanding was between $178.5 and $257 million.  Item 25-3003 was received and filed.

Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Projects for Sheriff, Chief Judge And Medical Examiner Recommended for Approval
Asset Management Committee
James Essex of the Real Estate Management Department presented two major construction projects to improve Cook County operations.  Both projects were approved.

• The County is purchasing property from the BNSF railroad which is adjacent to the jail to build a new facility to house the Sheriff’s vehicle maintenance department and offices to house the Chief Judge’s electronic monitoring operation.   Item 25-2994.
• A new up-to-date Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO)will be built close to the existing one in the Illinois Medical District (IMD) area. The current office does not have the technology or space that is needed for a county with our population.   Besides the technological upgrades needed,  private spaces are also need for decedent families, as well as facilities for law enforcement.  Item 25-2995
• The Real Estate Department proposes a land swap with the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMDC).   Cook County will be able to maintain operations in their current location, while building the new office and a parking structure.   The County will pay rent to the IMDC while the construction takes place.    The County will then tear down the old MEO and provide the IMDC with a clean site.  
• The Commissioners supported the need for a new facility.    Commissioners Britton and Degnen both questioned the proviso that the site turned over to the IMDC will be “clean” because that could entail significant work and costs. Commissioner Degnen pointed out that the level of remediation needed should be dependent on the future use.    If another building is put on the site with a concrete cap, less remediation would be needed.
• There is going to be a Construction Manager at Risk for this project and Commissioner Scott urged that local people be employed and diversity goals be met.

Observer:  Kathi Graffam

                           Commissioners Recommend Appointments
Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
Candidates for the following positions made statements to the Committee, which then voted to recommend them for approval at the July 24 Cook County Board Meeting.

• Jonathan Mark Currin to the South Cook Count Mosquito Abatement Board (3 yr term).  He holds a BS/Engineering from the UI-Urbana and has served as the Director of Field Services for the local gas company and as a process improvement consultant.  He stated that his priorities are to ensure a schedule of treatments with prior notification to residents and coordination between adjacent areas.  Commissioners requested direct communication with the District 6 Commissioner (Donna Miller) whose district is included in the Abatement District.  Comm. Britton will send out the North Shore Mosquito Board report as a standard to be followed by the other Mosquito Abatement Boards. Item 25-2855  
• Heath Wolfe as Head of the Cook County Auditor’s Office (5 yr term).  He stated that he has 34 years of Federal Audit experience.  There were no questions or discussion from the Commissioners. Item 25-3110  
• Shar Segal as member of the Cook County Board of Ethics (4 yr term).  She has a J.D. from Univ. of Chicago.  She stated that her priority is to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the people over any other reason.  There were no questions or discussion from the Commissioners.  Item 25-3112  

Observer:  Susan Gregory