Cook County Board Committee Meetings

Cook County Board of Commissioners Committee Meetings
December 16 & 17, 2025

Technology and Innovation Committee
December 17, 2025

Committee Focuses on Delays in Distributing Tax Dollars
During public comments, the Committee heard from several taxing bodies (school districts, south suburban municipalities) regarding their difficult financial situation due to delayed distribution of property tax revenues collected by the County.  The collection of these revenues was already delayed by several months due to the delay with the 2nd installment tax bills.

• The Treasurer’s staff reported that with respect to disbursements of tax revenue, there are still 9 open issues with Tyler Technologies that are being actively worked, and as soon as those issues are fully resolved, disbursements can begin.  
• Treasurer’s staff declined to give an estimate as to when the issues will be resolved, given past experience with Tyler.

The Committee separately approved:

• A one year $1.5M contract extension with GuideHouse, which provides overall project management for the tax system that Tyler is implementing.  If this project comes to completion within the year, the entire $1.5M may not be expended. There was some discussion regarding bringing project management totally within house, however this would require additional county staffing.
• A five-year renewal of the existing sole-source contract with WorkForce Software, that provides time and attendance systems.  There was some discussion of subcontracting by WorkForce consistent with the County’s diversity requirements.  However, as a sole source contract, this can be recommended by the County but not required.

Observer: Ed Spire

Health & Hospitals Committee
December 16, 2025

Public Health Department Reports on Behavioral Health Unit
Public Health Department Chief Operating Officer Dr. Kiran Yoshi and Behavior Health Director Hanna Kite gave the presentation and stated that Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds allowed the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) to significantly expand the behavioral health unit.   They also said the department will increase its focus on chronic disease prevention and maternal and child behavioral health starting in the first quarter of 2026.

Key information from the presentation, which can be found at 
https://cookcountyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Item-VIIIA-Quarterly-Report-from-CCDPH-11-21-25.pdf:
Mental Health & Positive Youth Development:  

• The Department of Public Health supports 27 funded partners to promote social and emotional learning and mentorship, including Big Brother/Big Sisters. 88% of Southland youth-engaged in that program said that they increased self-regulation and emotional management.  Other partners, Latina Women’s Support Group and Queer Prom, create safe spaces.  Other partners provide mental health and treatment education via telehealth sessions for youth and hosting sessions on executive functioning for both teens and parents

Suicide Prevention
15% (16,540) South Suburban high school students reported having seriously considered attempting suicide in 2022, and Hispanic residents suicide death rates nearly doubled between 2018-2023 in South Suburban Cook County. Prevention efforts include:

• Identify and support people at risk via 9-8-8 phone line and Mobile Crisis Response 
• Improve access and delivery of care.  Held focus groups with community members and providers as part of a strength and needs assessment.
• Promote healthy connections and create systems for ongoing aftercare
• Produce in-depth data and analysis to drive and support action

Opioid and Substance Use Prevention

• Since December 2020, over 186 naloxone doses distributed by CCDPH and partners have been used to combat overdoses. In 2025, billboard and other types of signs have been posted throughout key areas of the County.  1.4 million video views and 86,293 website clicks reported between August and October 2025 for the Get Naloxone ad campaign.  
• The CCDPH provides free training on how to recognize and respond to opioid-involved overdoses and produces analysis of opioid risk factors, root causes, and opportunities to influence policy and systems changes.
• In 2026, CCPHD will focus on more input from youth and supporting the creation of a more equitable crisis care system.

Commissioner Comments and Questions

• Overall, the Commissioners were very complimentary of the presentation and the department’s efforts.  However, there was a very robust discussion on the real problems in the districts and the lack of resources available when Commissioners call for specific help.  
• Com. Moore stated that their offices need help and want a partnership with the CCDPH.  He wants a “general” phone number for each of the districts to call.  Aguilar agrees with Moore on partnership.
• Com. Stamps commented on her district’s collaboration with the CCDPH on behavioral health issues and looks forward to its expansion to other Commissioner’s districts.  She also said that there is a disconnect between what we know exists and what we are financing.
• When asked, Dr. Joshi said that there is no evidence that the use of Naloxone leads to a rise in drug use but it does alleviate death.  Nationally, opioid overdose deaths are decreasing.
• Com. Kevin Morrison noted that the highest concentration of overdose deaths is on the west side and said he is hoping CCDPH will continue to expand youth outreach. 
• Com. Degnan stated there will need to be a line of funding from the state to increase services.
• Com. Trevor is concerned that the closure of hospital mental health units and the shrinking number of inpatient beds is making it harder for families to be involved.  She noted that there is a higher rate of suicide injuries among girls than boys.  Separately, she noted that the report states that boys are more likely to use firearms than girls in attempting suicide.  Dr. Joshi noted both of these are long-standing trends and that if a person owns a gun, he is much more likely to harm himself that someone else.

Observer:  Diane Edmundson

Finance Subcommittee on Litigation
December 17, 2025

Inspector General Reports on PPP Loan Investigations
Tirrell Paxton, Cook County Inspector General (IG), reported on the 3rd Quarter Report issued October 15, 2025 from the Office of the Independent Inspector General (OIIG) to the Subcommittee, with much of the attention focused on the investigations of fraud regarding the Federal government’s Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans made during Covid to County employees.

• The OIIG has closed 293 investigations of PPP loans, covering over $2 M dollars over the years, including 6 in the 3rd Quarter Report.  The OIIG found substantial evidence of fraud in 82 cases.  Of the others, some have been referred to other entities or the employees resigned, which ended the investigations prior to conclusion.  
• In response to questions from Commissioner Sean Morrison, the IG confirmed that all sustained cases have been referred for possible prosecution by either the U.S. Attorney or the Cook County State’s Attorney.  
• The IG also stated that other PPP cases involving employees of the Sheriff and the Clerk of the Circuit Court were being handled directly by those offices (with some assistance by the OIIG), and are not part of the 293 the OIIG has closed.  Comm. S. Morrison asked Chair Britton to inquire of those offices about those cases and report to the Subcommittee.  Comm. S. Morrison stressed that fraud by County employees needs to be prosecuted.
• The IG also reported that the OIIG has received 226 complaints during the 3rd quarter, with 62 of those being referred to management or outside entities for further processing.  There are 5 matters under investigation.  16 investigations were concluded in the 3rd quarter and are summarized in the Report, along with 8 from the prior quarter.
• The Report was received and filed.  (Item 25-4147)

Observers:  Hollis Burgess and Priscilla Mims

Audit Committee
December 17, 2025

County Auditor Reports on Past Open Recommendations and Audit Plans for 2026

• Auditor Heath Wolfe reported on open recommendations from audits as of October 2025.    Representatives from the six departments with open recommendations told the Board that they were in agreement with the findings and were working on changes to policies and systems. Five departments said the findings would be resolved by first quarter of 2026. The Animal Control department was still negotiating with its system vendor on the needed changes, so could not give a finish date. Commissioner Degnen encouraged them to have it done within six months.  The report was received and filed (Item 25-4368).
• Mr. Wolfe outlined the plan for audits during 2026 for Cook County Government and the Forest Preserve. The audits will focus on basics:  are we paying the right people at the right time for the right amount.  The Audit Dept. will utilize outside auditors for IT security audits, so more audits can be performed.  The Item (25-4392) was deferred because it included two government entities.   It will be rewritten and submitted next month.
• Mr. Wolfe  presented a report the review of the ARPA project, Gun Crimes Strategy, administered by the State’s Attorney Office. The audit found that the monitoring process was adequate and the funds were being used as intended. The report was received and filed (Item 25-4399).

Observer:  Kathi Graffam