Cook County Committee and Board Meetings on March 10, 11, and 12, 2026

Finance Committee Meeting
March 11, 2026
Finance Recommends Use of Released Chicago TIF Funds for Food and Housing Assistance

The Finance Committee recommended Board approval for 4 items that will utilize some of the funds released as surplus by Chicago from the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts.  Upon learning that the County would be receiving an extra $19.9 M from Chicago, the Cook County Board included that in its 2026 budget and allocated it for one-time usage for existing programs for rental assistance, homeless services and food access.  These 4 items provide the specifics as to how the County will utilize the money:
26-0761 (food assistance)

• $10 M to be added to an existing agreement with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) for food assistance.  This agreement has been funded by money received from the Federal Government under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  The Chief Operating Officer of the GCFD explained that $8 M will go to the purchase of food, while the remaining $2 M will be used for capacity building – which includes infrastructure such as storage space and refrigeration, etc.
• Comm Stamps asked that the GCFD talk about how the changes to eligibility for SNAP benefits will not only increase the need for food assistance, but will also impact local businesses.  Ms. Perry from the GCFD explained that the SNAP cuts amount to almost $200 Billion, which means an equivalent loss for businesses who would have sold that amount of food to SNAP recipients.
• It is estimated that 450,000 people could lose their SNAP benefits by May as a result of the changes to who is exempt from work requirements.  Comm. Trevor asked about the impact on part-time workers who often do not control the number of hours they are assigned.  The requirement is that if you are not exempt, you must work for at least 80 hours a month, but can satisfy that requirement with volunteer work.  Ms. Perry said that the State of Illinois has a web site where entities can post volunteer opportunities, and people can sign up there and have the necessary paperwork proof provided to meet eligibility:  https://serve.illinois.gov/en.html
• Comm. Sean Morrison asked whether there were any funds for educating people who lose their SNAP benefits about ways to qualify and/or helping them find jobs.  Comm. Daley responded that Cook County Health has programs to provide that education and the President’s office is coordinating efforts in that regard.  Tool kits should be sent out to Commissioners shortly and Comm. Scott asked for information on the Illinois web site so the Commissioners can share with their constituents.

26-0727 (emergency rental assistance) 

• $5.8 M to provide emergency rental assistance to tenant and landlords who have pending eviction cases in court.   The state funding for this program is expected to run out 2 to 3 months prior to June 30, the end of Illinois’ fiscal year, so before the State can provide more funding for the next fiscal year.  

26-0762 (homeless prevention)

• $3.4 M to the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County for a Problem-Solving Fund to provide creative, flexible, and cost-effective solutions for homelessness prevention and to provide emergency shelter services as needed.

26-0763 (sheltering programs)

• $465,600 added to an existing ARPA-funded agreement with shelter agency Beds Plus to continue hotel-based sheltering program; $42,000 to the shelter agency Respond Now; $67,500 to shelter agency Journeys; $63,000 to South Suburban PADS; and $50,000 to Housing Forward.
• With regard to all these homeless-prevention and sheltering programs, Comm. Gainer pointed out that a recent study says that Cook County needs 225,000 more affordable housing units.   So more building is necessary.  For the long term, Chicago and Suburban governments need to address the construction, building and zoning codes to eliminate impediments and lower the unit costs to building affordable housing.  Comm. Degnen supported that and says the County needs to look at their own rules.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims

Health & Hospital Committee
March 10, 2026
Public Health Dept. Outlines Its Use of Data and CCH Describes New Program to Reduce Staff Vacancies 

Two reports were presented to the Committee.
For the Cook County Health quarterly report to the Board (26-0733), the Public Health Department’s Chief Operating Officer, Kiran Joshi presented the Data for Action Report.  

• Dr. Joshi focused on how data is used to advance health protection and equity; prevent disease; inform and engage the media, community partnerships, health education and outreach;  and provide guidance to schools and health care providers.  
• Typical data that is compiled includes: chronic diseases; social determinants; communicable diseases; healthcare access; and vaccination data.
• The Department has 10 epidemiologists and one fellow to pull together this information.
• Using Measles Protection as the health issue: the Department utilized the following steps: Detect  > Evaluate evidence and Develop strategies  >  Implement initiatives  >  Educate  >  Measure Impact.  As a result of detecting the declining measles vaccination rate, schools with the lowest rates were identified and targeted.  Then pop-up clinics were brought to these communities.  At the same time, a brochure and social media segments were produced to address misinformation.
• Other examples included the Protection of Providers & Patients by educating them on the importance of using face masks; in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation of G. Chicago, improving Epilepsy Services; a Health Survey Data to shed light on community issues such as suicide; and looking at  E-cigarettes and vaping product use associated with lung injuries which is a serios problem among the young of our county.  
• Questions and comments from Commissioner Stamps and Degnan primarily focused on the vaping issue and the importance of educating the youth of its harm.  They also pushed the importance of short social media ads such as “if you are inhaling something that isn’t air, it’s probably bad for you”.   Dr. Joshi stated an emerging threat is the use of a small nicotine pouch that can be put between teeth and gum that is as addictive as cigarettes and vaping.

Dr. Eric Mikaitis, Chief Executive Officer of Cook County Health (CCH), presented an overview of the Health Catalyst-Chicago education and job pathways pilot with the City Colleges to address CCH’s 1600 vacancy gap, 900 of which are classified as “hard to fill”.  As a result, there is still a heavy reliance on outside staffing agencies which is 1.5 times more expensive and compromises patient continuity.  The goal is to transition from “reactive hiring to a proactive, local talent strategy.”

• By integrating City Colleges healthcare programs directly with CCH’s operational needs, CCH hopes to ensure students are Day 1 Ready.
• CCH will provide hands-on experience via clinical rotations at CCH facilities.
• Equity-First will focus on students from underserved Cook County zip codes to mirror the county CCH serves.
• Sustainability is to be achieved by reducing hiring times and retaining talent through implementation of continued education programs.
• Steps to implement:  working groups will begin meeting in March; a pilot externship program will be tested this summer; launch the first group under the program at Provident Hospital in January 2027. 
• Expectation is that this program will lead to improved patient care, agency reduction, and workforce diversity.
• Comm. Stamps wanted this drilled down to public high schools and then to elementary and was told that high school contacts under way.
• Comm. McCaskill urged that the program be expanded to the suburbs - particularly a caregiver program.
• In response to Comm. Daley, this program is limited to public schools.

Addressing the nurse hiring Issue:  

• The Human Resources Director noted that to date in 2026, there have been 72 offers with 61 acceptances; 41 net hires (hires vs losses); and 89 days to fill the job vs 120 days in 2025.  Also, CCH has reduced agency hires by 50% and vacancy rate was reduced by almost half in 2025.
• Comm. Stamps asked what is the best practice time to fill a job?  Response:  Under 90 days.

Observer:  Diane Edmundson

Asset Management Committee
March 11, 2026
Committee Approves More Money for Solar Panels and Restacking Projects

The Committee approved additional funding to one of the restacking projects, in this case moving departments out of leased quarters in 161 N. Clark to a former warehouse in Cicero.  The building requires a new roof, electrical, and HVAC work.   The County will also install solar panels as part of the roof work, so is increasing the work to be done this year in order to recover the federal green energy incentives and rebates that will be eliminated at the end of the year.   Sean Morrison asked Jamie Myers, Bureau Chief, to provide a breakdown of the costs for this additional work.  (26-0677)

Observer:  Kathi Graffam

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
March 12, 2026
Majority of Meeting Spent on Public Comments from 44 Speakers

The meeting began with Public Comment that lasted for 2 hours and 22 minutes. 38 speakers spoke in person and 6 persons spoke virtually. Topics of concern were varied and the issues raised were:

• 8 persons expressed concern with the Domestic Violence/Family Courts
• 8 persons spoke in favor of the Build Cook programs and expressed gratitude to President Preckwinkle and commissioners, particularly Dr. McCaskill, for implementing the programs.
• 8 persons expressed dissatisfaction with the present Board of Commissioners for various reasons
• 6 persons asked for support of the various ordinances dealing with monies for homeless services and food programs.
• 3 persons read letters from detainees in the Cook County Jail.
• 2 persons expressed support for the Climate Super Fund ordinance (Agenda Item 26-0977) 
• 2 persons spoke in favor of the Forest Preserve District inclusion in a network of Underground Railroad Sites in the midwest. 
• 2 persons - speaking for school districts and libraries - spoke of the issues raised by the late distribution of the 2nd installment 2025 tax revenues.
• Other speakers raised various other issues. 

Following public comments, the business of the Board was conducted in the final hour of the meeting. Items of note include:
26-0788 - Zahra Ali, Chief Administrative Officer for the Bureau of Administration, provided highlights of the Fleet Report that was received and filed. She reported the following:

• Cook County has 1989 vehicles spread over 29 departments
• Average age is 9 years old with the average date of purchase being 2016
• 69.5% of the vehicles are for law enforcement.
• 29% are hybrid or electric which indicates an increase in compliance with the sustainability goals of the County.

26-0028 - A proposed contract from the Sheriff’s office for a Policy Dissemination Management System with Lexipol LLC. 

• Questions from Comm. Anaya, Degnan, Vasquez, and S. Morrison were concerned with the approval for the contract including a 1-year extension to the 2-year contract. 
• A representative from Contract Compliance indicated that the approval process approved by the board in November of 2024 stated that a renewal can be included in the initial contract approval if there is a monetary amount included in the contract. If approved, the contract would not need to come back to the Board for renewal unless there was an increase in the monetary amount. 
• Comm. S. Morrison did not realize this had been included in the rewrite of the Procurement Code, but Comm. Daley stated that there was discussion when this was approved. 
• Comm. Degnan thought it should just be a 3-year contract. 
• It was approved with Comm. S. Morrison, Anaya, Vasquez, Degnan and Stamps voting present. 

26-0418, 26-0429, 26-0430 - The appointments of Bruce Schiff, William Little, and Zenobia Johnson-Black to the Cook County Housing Authority were approved. Approval of these appointments had been deferred at the January Board meeting after being recommended, along with two others, at the January Legislation & Intergovt. Relations Committee meeting.. 

All New Agenda Items were considered at once:  some approved; some “received and filed;” and most referred to committees. The following items were highlighted: 

• Comm. Degnan highlighted item 26-0977, support for the passage of the Climate Super Fund; item 26-0978, urging Congress to reject legal immunity for big oil and fossil fuel companies; and item 26-0979, urging the Illinois Legislature to pass SB1531 - the Disposable Food Container Act. 
• Comm. Lowry spoke to the importance of item 26-1017, the establishment of a Youth Council to engage youth in shaping policy.

​Observer:  Cynthia Schilsky