Cook County Board Meeting Begins With 90 Minutes Of Public Testimony

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - April 23, 2020

Because of State COVID-19 guidelines restricting larger meetings, the Board held its April meeting via a virtual media platform.  Public Speakers were allowed to submit up to three-minute comments which were read by the Secretary of the Board.  Of the 36 comments submitted, 23 dealt with the issue of COVID-19 safety within the Jail and Juvenile Detention Center.  Another 7, primarily from suburban mayors and first responders, were supporting the sharing of addresses of COVID-19 residents.  Public Comments accounted for 90 minutes of the 3½ hour meeting.

Board Decisions

• The first action of the board was to waive the meeting rules to allow resolutions to be approved without going to committee.
• Agenda Item #20-2363.  Amendment to the Rules of Organization & Procedure to allow for remote meetings during the duration of the Governor’s order pertaining to COVID-19 - approved.  
  
• ​Agenda Item #20-2364. Allowed for the calendar to be changed to provide for remote meetings.
  
• Agenda Item #20-2075.  Unanimous appointment of Mr. Otis L Story, Sr. to the Cook County Health Board.  Mr. Story was hired in February of 2020 as a deputy chief of staff to President Preckwinkle and will serve as her representative on the Cook County Health Board.   He is known as a turnaround expert and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey.
  
• Agenda Item #20-1578.  Request by the William Everett Group to increase its $1 million 2020 Census contract by an additional $125,000 was approved.  The contract calls for the management and oversight of grants to agencies doing census outreach.  Four commissioners expressed “little faith” in the contractor to execute its responsibilities based on performance to date.  Another three voted present.  Commissioner Sims voted yes stating that it is too late to start over, and asked the responsible parties to work out the issues.

  
Referred to Committee

• Agenda Item #20-2389. Referred to the Criminal Justice Committee.  It called for representatives from the Chief Judge’s office, Cermak Health, and the Sheriff’s office to report at this meeting on the status of protective measures in the CC Criminal Justice System during COVID-19.   No discussion occurred and no reason was given for the delay.
  
• Agenda Item #20-2378. Proposed by Commissioner Britton, 14th District, and referred to the Health & Hospital Committee.  It called for the County Health Department to share the addresses of people who are known to have tested positive for COVID-19.  Britton requested the resolution be sent to committee in part because of a lawsuit filed April 20 by the Northwest Central Dispatch System seeking a judge’s order to require the county to provide the names and addresses.  He also wants more time to analyze the issue and address commissioners’ questions.  Several commissioners expressed civil liberty and immigration concerns.

Other items of Interest 

• Agenda Item #20-1114.   The Quarterly Report from the Department of Public Health was accepted and filed.  Commissioner Deer said it included the status of several projects including eight that have been completed.  He mentioned a new project directed at long-term care facilities including more coordination and focus on health and safety issues.
  
• Commissioner Gainer asked to have more discussion at the May meeting on COVID-19 back to work guidelines.
  
• All Commissioners were in attendance, and Mr. Frank Aguilar was welcomed as the new Commissioner for the 16th District replacing Jeffrey Tobolski who resigned effective March 31, 2020.

Observed by:  Diane Edmundson