Cook County Board Resumes Meeting In Person

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
July 29, 2021

Board Action of Note:

• Agenda Item 21-4358  Proposed appt. of Antara Nath Rivera to 4 yr. term on Board of Ethics.  Moved to Legislation Committee
• Agenda Item 21-4363. No late penalties for second installment of property taxes until after Oct. 2, 20201 due to delay in sending out bill. Received and filed.
• Agenda Item 21-4303. Proposed amendment to the Procurement ordinance to require Chief Procurement Office (CPO) to make every effort to make a selection committee as diverse as possible.  Referred to Finance Committee. 
• Agenda Item 21-4355  2nd Quarter Report from Inspector General. Received and filed.
• Agenda Item 21-2488. Proposed Intergovernmental Agreement between Sheriff and Maine Twp to provide police car and off-duty police police officer for Wed. Through Sun. from 8pm to 1 am. Terms indicate this is at no cost to county.  Discussion centered around liability to Cook County in such agreements.  Sheriff’s representative stated they could have dialogue about it.  Commissioner Sylvestri stated this has come up before, two meetings in a row and that answers are still needed.  Commissioner Sean Morrisson stated it is common to ask for certificates of insurance in the high school townships with which he is familiar.  

Other items of Interest:

• Matters proceeded smoothly overall. 
• Public speakers held importance at this meeting.  This  portion lasted about one hour. One speaker was a representative from CAWC (Connections for Abused Women and Children.  She is on the CC Women’s Commission. She stated a concern reported to have occurred yesterday that a woman arrived with her 3 children to Domestic Violence Court on Harrison and was prevented from entering the building.  She was told they were closed.  She was there for an Emergency Order of Protection.  The CAWC representative stated the Court hours end at 1pm.  Remote access and hybrid services are set to close August 16. Shelters are full so need has not decreased.  Com. Daley stated that representatives from the Chief Judge’s Office and Circuit Court Clerk were needed to be called immediately to answer the many questions regarding this.  A representative stated the Sheriff’s Office had no record of anyone being turned away.  He was not sure if there are emergency judges available.  There was further discussion later in the meeting when representatives became available. Commissioners expect 3 specific questions which they stated to be answered next week by Chief Judge’s office.
• Agenda Item 21-4388 was a report filed by Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues that was received and filed today. The report was. Recommendations:  Protections for Survivors of Gender based violence.
• Matt DeLeon is retiring as Cook County Secretary to the Board where he served for 28 years.  He will become County Historian; Cook County will have its bicentennial in 2031.  Commissioners expressed their respect and gratitude for Mr. DeLeon’s significant contributions to more effective, transparent operations for the Board.  There were statements of gratitude from Board members and a resolution passed honoring Mr. DeLeon .

Observer - Carolyn Cosentino                           Meeting Length:  4 hr 13 min