Cook County Commissioners ask for Assessor “Fairness” Explanation

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 28, 2017

Significant Topics Discussed:
                                                                                                        
After a series of Chicago Tribune articles calling out the Cook County Assessor’s office for failure to provide assessment fairness between high and low valued properties, several Commissioners called for Cook County Assessor Barrios to attend a Finance Committee hearing made up of all board members to explain, defend, and take questions on the current process.  One commissioner said he wanted the hearing held in July.  

Nancy Marcus, Cook County League of Women Voters Co-President, testified that it is past time for the Commissioners to use the County’s Performance Standards in evaluating the elected offices, and the Assessor's office should be focused on doing accurate assessments in the first instance, and not opening up more avenues to contest  property appraisals.

Issues Referred to Committee:

• An Interagency agreement between the city and the county to require recipients of tax incentives to enter into an agreement to give the city/county first option to provide job applicants.  Two commissioners felt it over bureaucratic and wanted more discussion.  Referred back to the Workforce Committee.  
• The Cook County Health and Hospital System (CCHHS) wants to move its patient billing, call center, and public health employees from the Oak Forest Hospital System to the Holiday Plaza on the South Side citing savings of over $5 million per year.  Commissioners noted that Homeland Security still resides in the current complex which could negate savings.  They also expressed concern about the 10 year lease.  The item was referred to the Asset Management Committee.  (Agenda Item 17-3913)
• Commissioners Arroyo and Tobolski asked for an executive session of the Homeland Security and Emergency Mgmt. Committee along with the Department of Homeland Security to discuss current security protocols at all County facilities and identify gaps and security issues.  

Other Items of Interest:

• As of June 30, the State of Illinois owes Cook County $170 million.  It was $140 million at the end of April. 

Observer: Diane Edmundson                                                              Meeting Length:  90 minutes