Full Day of Committee Meetings for Cook County Board

Cook County Board of Commissioners 
Committee Meetings - September 25, 2019

The Cook County Board of Commissioners held 14 committee meetings lasting from 9:30am until 5:00pm.  For the most part any actions taken in the committee meetings will need final approval by the full Board at their meeting to be held on 9/26.

Highlights from the meetings:

Finance Committee - Questions were asked of the Comptroller during his report about the  Health Fund variance which he reported as an unfavorable variance of $426m.  There was discussion of the timing of revenues/expenses; whether the reporting is done on a cash or accrual basis; what is causing the variance. Nothing was resolved and Comm. Daley said more information would be provided at the hearing scheduled for the next day.

Zoning and Building Committee - Approved an ordinance amendment that apparently prohibits roosters and limits fowl to 5 on lots of less than an acre. and also has something to do with the regulation of horses. (Agenda Item 19-1648) As there was no discussion, the observer is uncertain as to exactly how this amendment changes the ordinance in question.

Transportation Committee - John Yonan, Supt. Dept. of Transportation and Highways, gave a report outlining a 3 year pilot program focused on south Cook County that will work to establish a more equitable transportation network throughout the county. His department is working with RTA, Metra, CTA, and Pace to integrate fare systems and decrease fares in an effort to increase ridership. Next steps involve negotiating intergovernmental agreements. The report was received and filed. (Agenda Item 19-5211)

Rules and Administration Committee - The committee approved a document with suggested modifications to the The Just Housing Amendment Interpretive Rules (Agenda Item 19-4770) that if passed by the board at the 9/26 meeting will be sent to the Human Rights Commission (HRC). It will then be up to the HRC to possibly hold hearings and work with the advocates to make any further revisions to the rules for implementation of this amendment. The HRC is responsible for enforcement once the rules are established. Comm. Suffredin stated that it is the job of the Cook County Commissioners to ensure that the rules reflect the intent of the Ordinance and that is why they are submitting these suggestions to the HRC. When the HRC finishes drafting the rules they will come back to the Rules Committee and then should go to the CC Board for final approval at the October board meeting. Comm. Sean Morrison requested that the SA give an opinion on the legality of the rules as well. The ordinance is supposed to go into effect by the end of the year so they want to get these rules finalized. There were several speakers again at this meeting voicing their support and or concerns with the rules.

Health and Hospitals Committee - Approved an ordinance amendment updating the Lead Poisoning Prevention ordinance. (Agenda Item 19-4222). Dr. Terry Mason gave his third quarter report on the Dept. of Public Health and focused on the nursing services provided.

Business and Economic Development Committee - Approved a contract for Administrative Services to oversee the 2020 Census in Cook County to ensure an accurate count. They will provide a plan for each Commissioner District by December 2019 and provide monthly updates on the implementation of the plans. The Commissioners requested that the plans be sure to include suburban Cook and not just focus on the city.

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee - Approved an ordinance amendment that requires the chief sponsor of any board action that will impose additional duties or cost on a department, agency or elected official to request a statement from the affected department, agency or official outlining the additional duties and cost. This is to be done before the action is  voted on. (Agenda Item 19-4912)

Homeland Security Committee - Had a presentation about the Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. A plan is necessary if federal disaster funds are ever needed. 121 communities are included in this plan. 

Asset Management Committee - Approved a contract for demolition services to demolish Divisions 1 and 1A at the Jail. Demolition will take about 18 months once they get going. (Agenda Item 19-4975)  The committee went into an Executive Session that lasted 70 minutes to discuss acquisition of real estate (Agenda Item 19-5233 ) No comments were made after the session and they voted to approve with 1 dissenting vote by Comm. Sean Morrison.

Criminal Justice Committee - Approved a Substitute Ordinance known as Article III - Protections for Charitable Rotating Criminal Bond Funds and Third-Party Sureties. The changes ensure that if a bond is posted by a non profit or third party that is not legally obligated to post bond, then fees, court charges, and attorney fees will not be taken out of the cash posted. It also ensures that such posting of bond will not prevent a person from representation by a Public Defender. (Agenda Item 19-0768) There was no discussion and it was approved.

Observer - Cynthia Schilsky