Equity Fund, ARPA Proposals,Transgender Issues, COVID Update - All Considered by Cook County Commissioners at Committee Meetings

Cook County Board Committee Meetings
May 9 and 11, 2022

May 9 Finance Committee meeting –Equity Fund

• The one agenda item was to consider specific proposals for spending $50 M from the Equity and Inclusion Special Purpose Fund.  (Item 22-2779)  The League of Women Voters of Cook County had sought confirmation that the County will identify expected outcomes, ways to measure whether the outcomes were achieved, and who and when will do the measuring, prior to approving money from the Equity Fund.  Lannetta Turner Hayes, the President’s Chief of Staff, made such commitment.  
• The proposal was recommended to be approved and was at the May 12 Board meeting.
• Much of the meeting involved presentations and speakers regarding the April 7 Equity Fund Report which contains recommendations on actions Cook County government should take to address structural barriers that prevent the meaningful advancement of equity across Cook County. Several of these were included in the proposal that was passed. 
  
• The April 7 Equity Fund Report can be found here.

May 11 Business & Economic Development Committee meeting – American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund

• A Substitute was accepted for the proposal for spending ARPA funds for specific programs under the Vital Communities category.  (Item 22-2807)  This Substitute increased the amounts for the 6 programs listed in the original, and added 2 new programs.  Xochiti Flores, the Bureau Chief of Economic Development, explained that the original version covered only this year, but the Substitute covers 3 years, and, because of the time between the April Board meeting and this meeting, two additional programs were ready for approval.  
• Funds are to be spent on implementing legal aid for housing and debt; an invest in families and youth program, primarily for the suburbs; a community conservation corps for the Forest Preserve District; capacity-building investments in food access sites program; hotel-based sheltering program for the homeless; a recovery initiative for suburban Cook County bureaus for travel, tourism, and hospitality industries; business advisory services geared toward the south suburbs; and assistance for small businesses. 
• The League sought confirmation that, as previously committed by the County, for each of these programs, the County had identified the expected outcomes, ways to measure the outcomes, and when and who will do the measuring.  Comm. Sean Morrison and Chair Bridget Gainer both expressed support, and Bureau Chief Flores agreed that the County was committed to this.  However, this observer did not hear confirmation that this information had been submitted to the Commissioners prior to their vote to recommend approval of this item (which the Board approved on May 12).

May 11 Human Relations Committee meeting – Transgender Issues

• This meeting was a hearing to discuss violence and systematic barriers against Cook County transgender residents. (Item 22-2788)
• Several public speakers detailed why such a hearing was necessary.  Then speakers from Cook County Health, the Medical Examiner’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Human Resources, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Justice Advisory Council spoke about what programs they have in place to assist, recognize, and welcome those who identify as transgender. 

May 11 Health & Hospitals Committee meeting – COVID Update

• Cook County Health (CCH) CEO Israel Rocha announced that CCH had administered the 1 millionth dose of the COVID vaccine during the week of May 2.
• The County is now considered at the medium risk level as it has more than 200 cases per 100,000 people.  Thus, people are strongly recommended to wear masks indoors, avoid poorly ventilated indoor settings, and socialize outdoors if possible.
• 86% of suburban Cook County residents have received at least 1 vaccine dose and 65% are considered fully vaccinated.  However, less than 50% of those have received the 1st booster, with far fewer receiving the 2nd booster.  However, there is a problem with data.  People are going to receive their boosters from different providers than those who administered the initial vaccines.  If there is a variation in the patient’s name between the providers (for example, inclusion or elimination of a middle name or initial), the person will be counted as a different person.
• The number of people doing contract tracing for the County has been decreased considerably.  There are currently 45 employees who are expected to continue through the remainder of the year, mainly in connection with congregate settings, such as outbreaks at group care homes, at events, or in workplaces.  The Commissioners were assured that all prior contract tracers were offered other positions within CCH and not simply let go.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims