​Cook County’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting 
December 16, 2021

Cook County’s Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds

• The Commissioners voted to refer the proposal to extend the  American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Framework through March 31, 2022 to  the Finance Committee.   Commissioner Dailey said a meeting will be held the week of January 10th dedicated to ARPA.
• ​Led by Anmar Rizki, members of President Preckwinkle’s staff presented the framework for using the ARPA funds and the proposed short- term initiatives.    The framework  for selecting projects including objectives and method of soliciting feedback from the community was first presented to the Board in June.  The County received $1 billion.  The money will be spent on County operations, near term funding opportunities to improve the lives of residents, and transformative initiatives.  The plan is to use a third of the money in  each of the next 3 years.  In this fiscal year  $100 million will be spent on County operations to make up for the revenue loss due to covid.   $285 million will be spent in community program initiatives.
• The near term proposed projects were presented to the Board.   Of special interest was a grant to  Cook County Health. To meet the growing behavioral health needs of Cook County residents, Cook County Health (CCH) proposes transforming its current Behavioral Health footprint to offer a robust menu of mental and behavioral health services and ensure easy access to services of all County residents. The first year will focus on creating and setting up a new Department of Mental Health Services, expanding existing CCH programs, and planning for long term expansions.
• In the area of violence prevention, funds will be given to the Justice Advisory Council to expand  community-based services supporting justice-involved adults or youth, and those at high risk of experiencing violence as either a victim or perpetrator. Communities served include areas in Chicago and suburban Cook County with highest incidents of shootings and homicides as well as justice system involvement. Services include direct street-level intervention, mentoring, basic needs assistance, educational and vocational programming, and behavioral health and wellness support.
• For more information click here: ARPA Rescue Plan at a Glance
• For an explanation of the framework and process for choosing programs click here: Cook County American Rescue Plan Act Framework Board of Commissioners Briefing

 
Board Action:

• The Board approved the request by the Cook County Clerk to consolidate some voting precincts.           Ed Michalowski from the County Clerk’s Office presented their plan to combine precincts that vote in the same polling places.  169 polling places would be eliminated. It is estimated that the County will save $200,000 for each election. Fewer election judges and equipment would be needed. It also would be less confusing for the voters. The change needed to be approved at this meeting, because the Clerk's office needs to publicize the new precincts before primary candidates start seeking signatures on their petitions. The Cook County League of Women Voters sent a letter in support of this change. There were several public speakers including mayors of suburbs who spoke against this. Some of them thought that the polling places would be changed which is not the case. Some thought they should have  had more time to review these changes. Commissioner Aguilar proposed deferring the request until a meeting could be held on it. The proposal to defer was defeated.
• Approved the Sheriff’s office request for  authorization to continue the Intergovernmental Agreement between that office and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to collect and dispose of pharmaceutical drugs. The Sheriff’s Office will expand the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program in which pharmaceutical drugs are collected and disposed of through environmentally sound methods to maximize the volume of pharmaceutical drugs prevented from entering the Chicago Area Waterway System.  Commissioner Suffredin spoke in support of the item.  
• Approved the amendment to the Ethics Ordinance to reflect the changes required by the passage of Illinois Ethics and Lobbying Statute.   The Ordinance had been on hold while waiting for Illinois to pass its statute.   County officials will be under the state statute in regard to lobbying restrictions.   The County ordinance also strengthened the power of the Ethics Board and included a section on sexual harassment.  
• Approved a resolution to have a hearing on the environmental, social, and governance factors in the choice of investments by the County Pension Plan.
• Approved the establishment of the Cook County Health Intervention Response Team Task Force. The Task Force will create a pilot program to devise a continuum of care for those experiencing mental and behavioral health needs.
• Approved authorization for the contract amendment for the demolition of the John Sengstacke Health Center on the Provident Hospital campus.   The demolition was delayed due to covid and should be completed in early spring.
• Approved a resolution to have a meeting of Cook County elected officials and departments to discuss a county-wide anti-violence strategy.

 
​Observer: Kathi Graffam