Cook County Board Passes $9.9 Billion Budget for 2025

Special Cook County Board and Finance Committee Meetings
November 21, 2024

Following the Finance Committee meeting at which the Commissioners recommended 21 amendments, the Board passed the 2025 Budget.  The amendments added $53 Million to the budget originally proposed by the President in October.  The resulting total is $9.94 Billion.  Following are key amendments:

• Adds $11.58 M to the budgeted revenues to reflect the increase in the amount of TIF funds expected to be received from Chicago due its declaration of excess funds.  Then that amount was allocated to a modular pilot program ($3 M) and a downpayment assistance program ($8.6 M) for use within Chicago.  (Amend. #11 and 12)
• Reallocates $6.34 Million from the Sheriff’s budget pertaining to Electronic Monitoring (EM) to the Chief Judge’s budget (specifically, Adult Probation) in anticipation that EM that is currently done by the Sheriff will be assumed by the Chief Judge.  The offices of the two officials are in discussions about this, along with the President’s Office and the Justice Advisory Council, as reported in prior observer reports on the 2025 proposed budget.  It was confirmed that no final decision or timetable or agreed upon milestones for achieving such a transfer have been reached.  Comm. Gainer again raised the need for such milestones and for there to be regular updates to the Board.   (Amend. #15)
• Assigns $15 M from the unassigned fund balance for FY2023 to the Homeowners Relief Fund.  This Special Purpose Fund was recently created to help homeowners to pay property taxes.  (Amend. #19 and 20)
• Reallocates money within the Cook County Health budget to create a $2 M grants disbursement fund to provide wraparound services for reproductive health, including transportation, lodging and childcare.  Comm. Degnen spoke on the importance of this in light of other states which have passed laws which dramatically impact what reproductive health services can be provided to women. (Amend. #16)
• Adds 19 FTEs (Full Time Equivalents) to the Sheriff’s budget to provide 911 service for Des Plaines, Worth, and the Office of the Chief Judge.  The costs will be fully reimbursed by those receiving the services so there is no budget impact.  (Amend. #8)
• Increases each Commissioner’s total budget by $10,000 to provide a cost-of-living adjustment.  (Amend. #9)
• Adds 2 positions to the Dept. of Environment and Sustainability to facilitate implementation of environmental justice policy. (Amend. #10)
• Reallocates $150,000 from the capital budget to do a feasibility study and market analysis identifying the future use for the former Logan Square Health Clinic. (Amend. #13)

Observer:  Priscilla Mims