Criminal Justice, Finance and Asset Management Meetings on July 15

Criminal Justice Committee
July 15, 2026
Commissioners Receive Violence against Women Report from Task Force

The City of Chicago -- Cook County Violence against Women Task Force (Task Force) presented its Final Report and Recommendations – Phase 1 (the Report) to the Committee. Commissioner Donna Miller, Co-Chair of the Taks Force, explained that the goal was to dismantle the barriers of the court system which often revictimize those seeking help and provide a blueprint for action.  The Report is survivor-focused and she thanked the many survivors who spoke during the many meetings held by the Task Force.  Commissioner Anaya stressed the key need for data-sharing, while Commissioner Degnen pointed to the gaps in data that the Task Force found.

Katie Dunne of Chicago 77 Charities, which designed and facilitated the Task Force with assistance from the University of Chicago Crime Lab, Northwestern University, the Public Policy Lab, Impact Partners, and the All In Alliance, gave an overview of the Report.

• One of the issues with the system, from initial contact by a victim of domestic violence, to some kind of resolution, is that no one entity is in charge of the process.  
• There is an urgent need for transparency.
• There is a lack of official court records in non-criminal proceedings.
• Courts are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and laws and policies impede data-sharing and collaboration.

Among the Report’s recommendations are 

• Pursue Illinois legislation to make the courts subject to FOIA.
• Establish an inter-agency data center for Chicago and Cook County for high priority orders:  including protective orders, arrest warrants, and firearm retrievals.
• Establish an independent public dashboard for information regarding high-priority orders (protective orders, arrest warrants, and firearm retrievals).  Ideally this would also provide information about the race and ethnicity of victims, as well as other case information such as such as whether children are involved in a case, remedies listed in protective orders, or whether a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is assigned to a victim with a Domestic Relations case.
• Establish City-Cook CCVAW Charter to provide a transparent supervision mechanism and enhanced coordination of all independent agencies across the court and justice system. Currently, the system lacks a primary authority, or an entity “in charge.” Creating the City-Cook Charter would focus on enhancing efforts to build a victim-centered system.
• Make victim-centered reforms to the Domestic Relations Court system, including having court recordings/transcripts, reducing the costs associated with this court (which are much greater than in a domestic violence criminal court proceeding), and provide legal resources.  Because of costs, 70% to 90% of those in a Domestic Relations Court proceeding represent themselves.   However, those who are able to have representation have an 83% success rate.
• Map and improve every step in the process for a victim of violence so that it is understandable and victim-centered.

Next steps:

• The Task Force will continue to review and then reconvene in the fall to begin work on implementing the recommendations, including reaching out to Illinois legislators for necessary changes.
• The Taks Force will provide quarterly updates to both the City Council and Cook County Board.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims


Finance Committee
July 15, 2026
Finance Committee Approves Bridge Loan Program For Suburban Taxing Districts

The Finance Committee approved the proposed bridge loan program for the County to provide short-term operational cash flow assistance to qualifying Suburban taxing districts whose needs stem from the delay in receiving the disbursements from the 2nd installment property tax bills, which have not yet been issued.  (Item 26-1578)

• Up to $300 M will be made available to this program.
• Multiple speakers spoke during the Public Comment period about the need for this program to be modified to make the Chicago Public School District (CPS) eligible for this program.  Among other points made are that $400 M in tax disbursements are owed to CPS and CPS is spending $221,000/day for short-term loans.
• During discussion of the bridge loan program, the County’s Chief Financial Officer said that they were exploring what could be done for CPS, including adding additional money. Comm. Trevor urged that there be sufficient resources so that the Suburban taxing districts would not be competing with CPS for the same money.

The Committee also

• Approved a change to the Procurement Code to allow the Chief Procurement Officer to extend or exercise a renewal right under a contract only if (1)the extension or renewal time is no longer than 1 year and (2) the amount of the contract is not increased by more than $200,000.  (item 26-1784)
• Deferred an amendment to the Contract Management Ordinance to authorize the Chief Procurement Officer to withhold 10% of the contract value of $3 M or more if the vendor fails to perform for 30 days or more.  Two speakers had asked for delay for this item to allow for further discussion to consider the impact this might have on small businesses and minority and women owned businesses.  Comm. Degnen, the sponsor, had objected to the deferment which was nonetheless approved on a vote of 10 to 2, with Comm. Miller supplying the other “no” vote. (Item 26-1514)
• Deferred a resolution to continue the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Bonus Pay Program, after accepting the second substitute.  (Item 26-1251)

Observer:  Priscilla Mims


Asset Management Committee
July 15, 2026  
Contracts for Medical Examiner’s New Office Approved

• A contract for $1.33 M with Gannett Fleming TranSystems for design services for threat assessment of the new Medical Examiner’s Office was approved (26-1058). Commissioner Anaya asked what type of threats there are.  Earl Manning reported that the County is doing threat analysis on all buildings but starting with those in the judicial system. They will be looking at entries and common spaces. People entering those buildings could have emotional issues that affect their behavior.  A related contract for $18 M for architecture and design services for the new Medical Examiner’s Office was also approved (26-1347).
• Asset Management requested additional funds for the contract with Jones, Lang, LaSalle for  Professional Construction Management Services related to work on the Hospitals (26-1325). Under this contract, work is allocated to various approved outside sub-contractors. Commissioner Degnen said that the internal work force should be allocated some of the construction work in these programs and voted no.  Commissioner Anaya voted present.  The funds were approved.

Observer:  Kathi Graffam