Cook County Board takes steps to shorten regular board meetings by rescheduling commendations

Cook County Board of Commissioners Board Meeting - November 16, 2016

Item of Interest:
Cook County Commissioners agreed to a rule change  designed to shorten regular meetings by moving the usual set of commendations, resolutions, and congratulations of notable achievements (Consent Agenda) from the Board meeting agenda to a special meeting once a month meant only for these acknowledgments. (Agenda item 16-4645) 

• This special meeting will be held  at 9 am prior to the regular meetings of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, effective January 1, 2017. 
• The rule change was sponsored by Commissioners Larry Suffredin and John Daley, and was crafted after the public and the Commissioners themselves complained that these photo opportunities and congratulations often took longer than the regular work of the Board, imposing on those being celebrated, as well as on public speakers and others seeking to address issues before the Cook County Commissioners.
• As veteran Commissioner Jerry Butler (3rd district) put it "We have met the enemy and it is us."
• Comm. Timothy Schneider (15th district) was the only "no" vote on the new ordinance, saying the rule change was not necessary.
• The League of Women Voters of Cook County advocated for the rule change.   In a statement following the vote, the League noted: "We believe this action will be beneficial to all, including those being honored, who will no longer have to wait, usually hours past the scheduled time of the Board meeting, before the Consent Agenda is taken up."

Observer - Laurie Morse