Cook County Board Committee Meetings

Cook County Board of Commissioners - Committee Meetings 
Sept.17, 2025

Technology and Innovation Committee
Commissioners Continue to Seek Date for Property Tax Bills

The Committee received an update on where the Integrated Property Tax System stands.  The focus now is getting out the 2nd installment property tax bills first, and then working on the remaining issues for the entire System to “go live.”  

• Chief Information Officer (CIO) Tom Lynch said that each of the issues with the System have been taking about a week to get resolved with Tyler, the outside entity responsible for creating the System. There are 30 issues currently outstanding relating to the property tax bills.  David Byrne, the Treasurer’s Chief of Staff, stated that once they have the tax bill files, it will take a week to do testing to make sure there are no remaining issues.  Then, it will take 15 days to print and mail the property tax bills.  All of this means that it will like be at least another month and likely more if all goes well.
• CIO Lynch also explained that there are an additional 45 issues that have to be resolved before the System can go fully live.  
• Vice Chair Sean Morrison stressed the importance of knowing when the 2nd installment tax bills could reasonably expect to go out.  He said that County is working on putting in place the ability to provide bridge loans to local government entities who need them because of the failure to receive the property tax proceeds on time.  

The Committee separately approved:

• A contract for mobile services across the county government from CELLCO Partnership doing business as Verizon Wireless.  This contract will offer a savings of $422K over the prior contract. The Bureau of Technology representative stated this contract references one with Los Angeles County because its size and scope are comparable to Cook County’s and the rates were much better. (Item 25-3238) 

Observer: Carolyn Cosentino

Finance Committee Meeting
Moody’s Upgrades Cook County Bonds to Aa3

• Dean Constantinou, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Cook County, reported that Moody’s had just upgraded Cook County bonds from A1 to Aa3.
• Comm. Britton said that it is unusual for a government of the size of Cook County to have such a high rating.  Comm. Sean Morrison commended the President and the Commissioners who were on the Board in 2016-17 for taking such steps as approving refinancing of old debt, which cut billions of dollars in payments, as well as addressing the pension reserve by making supplemental payments.  It was this attention to finances which Comm. Morrison said led to the current bond ratings.  Comm. Morrison said that as a result, all future financing costs will be much lower with this higher bond rating, which reduces the interest the County has to pay for the bonds.  Comm. Morrison pointed out that the County also pursued getting a change in state law that allows all governments to make higher payments to their pension reserves.  

The Committee recommended for approval:

• A resolution, as substituted, calling for the elimination of unnecessary degree requirements from County job descriptions and employment practices.  All officials and County agencies are to provide a status report to the Board on or before March 1, 2026.  The purpose is to open up County jobs to more people and to recognize when degrees are not necessary in order to perform some jobs. (Item 25-2910)
• Authorization for the State’s Attorney to enter into separate contracts with the Firehouse Community Arts Center in Chicago to establish support for a Juvenile Diversion pilot program as an alternative to juvenile detention in and around the North Lawndale neighborhood, and with the New Life Centers of Chicago for a similar diversion program for the Little Village Neighborhood. (Items 25-3232 and 25-3233)

The following item was again deferred:

• The proposal by the Office of the Chief Judge for a contract with Heartland Human Care Services for community-based residential spaces for court-involved youth.  This item was also deferred at the June committee meeting.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee
Commissioners Approve Assessment of Mosquito Abatement Functions Within Cook County

The Committee meeting which began on Sept. 17, concluded on Sept. 18 when the Commissioners recommended for approval, as changed in the errata, an assessment of mosquito abatement activities across suburban Cook County to be conducted by the Cook County Department of Public Health.  The recommendations are to be reported to the President and Cook County Board by June 1, 2026.  (Item 25-3114)

Public speakers at the Committee meeting:

• Joe Ferguson of the Civic Federation spoke in favor of doing a study as outlined in the resolution. He stated his organization undertook a study and published a report in March of 2025 that found there was a need for equity in dealing with mosquito abatement throughout the County.  The Civic Federation’s recommendations are that the 4 Mosquito Abatement Districts (MADs) be dissolved and their functions and taxing authority be incorporated into Cook County Government. 
• Mark Clifton, Executive Director of the North Shore MAD, stated that there is a real need for the services provided by the MADs as climate change is exacerbating the need for control of mosquitos and mosquito borne diseases. He states that dedicated MADs provide better services than when the function is housed elsewhere and indicated that the 4 MADs have come together to begin to coordinate services. Experts are needed in the process going forward. 
• Jeffrey Kavitch, Sr. Policy Analyst at the Better Government Association (BGA). spoke in support of the resolution stating there are efficiency and equity concerns with the present system and the need for special taxing bodies should be evaluated. 

Committee discussion:

• Comm. Degnan thanked the speakers for their support and stated the intent of the study is to look for more equity in the services provided. She stated that she has been looking into this issue for the past several years and an assessment of the services and how they are provided needs to be evaluated by experts in the field.  She said this resolution is intended to provide for that.
• Comm. McCaskill wanted to ensure that the evaluation would include all 4 MADs and not just focus on the issues outlined with the South Cook MAD. She wanted to ensure that equity in services is the intent and that the purpose is not to shut down a district. She wanted clarification in the resolution that named all 4 districts and wanted such an amendment.
• Comm. Degnan indicated that the resolution called for all of Cook County to be included which would include the 4 MWDs and 9 other entities providing such services. She also indicated that she was willing to amend as Comm. McCaskill requested.  
• There was some discussion about the process for amending a resolution. Comm Daley indicating any amendment needed to be in writing. 
• Laura Lechowitz-Felicione, Legal Counsel for President Preckwinkle, stated the intent of this resolution is to formalize an assessment of the issue of mosquito abatement in Cook County. She also stated that the Board only has legal jurisdiction over the 4 MADs with their power of appointment of the Board Members for those districts. Possible recommendations for going forward may result from the study. 
• After further discussion it was decided that a vote on the resolution would be deferred until a continuation of their meeting on Sept. 18 when the amendment would be presented as an errata. The wording change included the names of all 4 districts - the North Shore MAD, Northwest MAD, Des Plaines Valley MAD and South Cook MAD. The Ordinance was approved as amended at the reconvened meeting on September 17 and will go to the Board Meeting for final approval.

Observer - Cynthia Schilsky

Environment and Sustainability Committee
Commissioners Approve the Large Event Facility Waste Diversion Ordinance

This ordinance is for suburban Cook County and follows a law that was passed in the state last year.   The County ordinance piggybacks on the State law that went into effect Jan 1, 2025.   The County ordinance will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026 in two phases:  kitchen areas (back of house) effective Jan 2026 and front of the house effective Jan 2027.  

Highlights of the discussion:

• Identifies about 13 facilities.  One example:  Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont
• Pertains to large facilities which allow greater than 3500 attendees
• Requires collection of glass, plastic and food waste
• The hope is that some of the food waste can be reused/donated
• Currently waste/recycling in Cook County is 73% to landfills, 18% recycled and 9% to compost
• County identifies a lot of work to do
• County is offering resources, webinars to educate waste haulers, vendors and facilities
• Chicago will pursue its own ordinance, currently drafting with help from the Cook County model
• No money to enforce the ordinance 
• New facilities are available, opening and expanding for composting
• There are concerns about older facilities being able to comply due to lack of physical space management
•  Expected quarterly reports from organizations to document results and compliance

Note:  The coalition that worked on this is the IL Food Scrap Coalition.
Observer:  Laura Davis

Asset Management Committee
Contract for Remodeling of County Building Approved

The Committee recommended for approval:

• A contract of $2.8M for Gensler Architecture to design and plan part of the 4th floor and all of the 7th and 8th floors of the County Building.  Comm. Degnen questioned the total cost associated for remodeling these floors.  Earl Manning, Director of the Office of Capital Planning & Policy, explained that this will be in addition to the $100M already approved for the actual construction on those floors.   A second architecture company will also be engaged and their cost will be in addition.
• The construction on the floors is being managed by a Construction Manager at Risk.   Mr. Manning said that unless there was a change in scope, there would not need to be any additional costs.
• Commissioner Degnen is concerned that the County’s internal workforce could be doing more of the design and construction work on this project and voted present.  (Item  25-3452)

Observer:  Kathi Graffam