Cook County Board Committees Approve Food Desert Tax Incentive and Reduction of Adoption Fees

Cook County Board Committee Meetings
October 19, 2022
Note:  All items approved in Committee are expected to be passed at the Oct. 20 meeting by the Full Board concurring with the recommendations of the Committees.

Business & Economic Development Committee

• Approved a new property tax incentive for a new grocery store or retention of an existing grocery store in a location included in the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Illinois Food Deserts Annual Report.  The property owner receiving the incentive will be assessed at 10% of market value for 10 years, with an opportunity to renew once for an additional 10 years. (Item 22-5345)
• There were a number of public comments from municipalities and realtors applauding this proposal as a way to bring healthy food to areas that lack such options.
• Kudos were given to Commissioner Donna Miller by fellow Commissioners.

Finance Committee

• Approved a reduction in court adoption fees to $89, which is consistent with the corresponding fees in the surrounding counties, from $265.  Commissioner Suffredin explained the Presiding Judge Taylor had noticed that the number of adoptions in Cook County had fallen while the numbers in the other counties were rising.  The presumption is that Cook County’s higher fees is the cause.  Some other related fees were also reduced.  (Items 22-5510 and 22-5512)
• Approved a substitute resolution from Commissioner Miller for the “Cook County Justice40 Infrastructure Fund Initiative.”  The “Justice40 Initiative” is a whole-of-government intitiative to ensure that Federal agencies work with state and local communities to deliver at least 40% of the benefits from Federal investment in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities.  This resolution states that Cook County is committed to applying for federal monies under the Federal Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), that the County shall adhere to the County’s Procurement Code with regard to equitable participation of minority and women business enterprises for any such IIJA or IRA grants received, and that the Budget Director shall report on IIJA or IRA grants received and on American Rescue Plan Act programs that incorporate Justice40 principles on a quarterly basis.  (Item 22-3910)

Technology & Innovation Committee

• The Committee met to hear reports from the Chief Information Officer Tom Lynch on the Major Technology Projects in the county and on the Integrated Automated Criminal Justice Systems Report, as well as from the County offices.  Generally, CIO Lynch was positive.  He also reported on the status of moving the remaining applications off of the main frame.  As he explained, there are fewer and fewer people who have the expertise to maintain these applications and the cost is high.  
• No one from the offices of the Board of Review or the State’s Attorney were at the meeting to provide the required reports, much to the irritation of the Commissioners.  As a result, the Committee deferred the item on the Major Projects Report to a later meeting when those offices would be present.  Comm. Degnen wants to know when the Board of Review will commit to moving from the main frame to the Integrated Property Tax System. (Item 22-5023)
• Comm. Daley asked whether the technology issues that helped cause the delay in the 2nd installment property tax bill this year would also impact next year’s 2nd installment.  The Assessor’s office stated that there should not be such a significant delay next year.
• Comm. Daley also inquired why no report had yet been produced on the number of criminal cases delayed and whether at the request of the State’s Attorney or defendant’s attorneys.  The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office explained that while that information is available for each case by reading each file, there is no data coding to capture it and produce a report.  That office is currently working on the new Traffic Court applications, and will turn to adding the data codes that will allow future reports for the Commissioners.   

Emergency Management & Regional Security Committee

• Heard a presentation from the new Executive Director of the Cook County Emergency Management & Regional Security, Theodore (Ted) Berger, who had previously worked as the Deputy Director prior to taking other positions with the County.  
• Mr. Berger presented the organization chart (which has 2 key openings for the Chief Deputy Director and Deputy Director for Operations). 
• The Department assists municipalities with emergency situations; has built mutual aid capacity to loan equipment and materials so each municipality does not have to purchase them, and provides expertise and helps secure grants to benefit all of Cook County.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims