Good Food Purchasing Program Pursued by Cook County Health

Cook County Board of Commissioners - Committee Meetings
December 18, 2019

Dr. Terry Mason, CEO Cook County Department of Public Health, reported on an initiative to  address food purchases made throughout the offices and departments of Cook County government.  This includes Stroger Hospital, County Jail, Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and others.  After assessing costs, vendors, quality of food for healthy eating, etc., the program will promote sustainability, economic development, using local food growers, good quality food and other healthy eating goals.  The power point presentation of this program is available on cook-county.legistar.com 

Other topics discussed and/or passed by the various committees:

• Rules and Administration—Several changes have been made to the previously approved list of standing  committee and subcommittee chairs and vice-chairs mainly to give new Board members more experience and responsibility and also to replace Commissioner Tobolski’s committee positions.  This Rules committee will have Commissioner Britton as the new Chair and Commissioner Degnan as Vice-chair.  Commissioner Suffredin is stepping down from the committee completely.
• Human Relations—Agenda Item 19-6895 an amendment to the Just Housing ordinance was passed which will give a one-month grace period before penalties and fines could be assessed for not following the  ordinance.  This ordinance was passed recently but has needed several hearings and changes to be acceptable to most stakeholders.  It sets forth parameters to make it easier for former convicted felons to rent housing.
• Finance--An amendment to the Master Bond Ordinance was passed which allowed the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds.  This will bring about $230 million in bonds to be refinanced at a lower interest rate.  Cook County earns a lower interest rate than several other Illinois governments due to its higher rating.  $138,000 will be paid to the outside organizers of  this deal.

Observed by Karin Hribar