Lively and Informative Cook County Board June Zoom Meeting

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - June 18, 2020

     The zoom format did not inhibit any of the Commissioners from engaging in lively discussion about many important items. The meeting began and ended with powerful and emotional support for President Preckwinkle and Commissioner Brandon Johnson. The president was front page news that very morning in the Sun-Times with an article about her racist experiences as a child in the 1950’s growing up in St. Paul, Mn.  Comm. Daley congratulated her on the article which also gave much credit to her efforts in the area of criminal justice reform.  The last part of the meeting belonged to Comm. Johnson’s resolution entitled “Justice for Black Lives” (Agenda Item 20-2867) with almost all Commissioners speaking to this issue and asking to be co-sponsors. (More on this resolution below).
   Public comment came in the form of letters summarized by the Secretary of the Board. The League of Women Voters of Cook County's (LWVCC) letter, about the consolidation process of the Recorder of Deeds’ and the Clerk’s offices, was included in the summary. Also included was a letter from Sharlyn Grace of the Chicago Bond Fund in support of Comm. Johnson’s resolution and many others supporting Comm. Anaya’s resolution to stop evictions during Covid. (more on that below)

Highlights of the Meeting:

• Agenda Item 20-2615 - This item refers to President Preckwinkle’s veto message. At the May board meeting, the President exercised her first and only veto and explained her reasoning in a written statement that was filed, but not discussed at this meeting. She vetoed  an ordinance directing the County’s health department to release the addresses of  Covid-19 positive patients to first responders. Her reasoning cited privacy information and the fact that this information would not keep anyone safer.  She also worried that disclosure of this information might cause individuals to not seek medical help in the future. The measure passed narrowly last month. There was no mention of an override.
  
• ​Agenda Item 20-2445 - This item refers to the Performance Management Report. Comm. Miller stated that this report looked very different from previous reports. She asked for metrics and data to support the conclusions stated by various department heads and elected officials. Jerry Pray, of the Research Operation and Innovation Dept. stated that he is still collecting data and can send it to the commissioners and post it online shortly, He said that the report this year was meant to tell a story and to focus on future initiatives. The board voted to receive the report
• Agenda Item 20-2395 - This item refers to the rental of space at St.Hyacinth Church in Avondale for the use of a new Restorative Justice Court. Comm. Kevin Morrison wanted to know more details. A representative from Chief Judge Evans’ office stated that it was the judge’s goal to open 2 more Restorative Justice courts soon, after the one in Lawndale proved to be a success. Another one is planned for Englewood. These courts concentrate on young, low- level offenders between the ages of 18-26. The measure passed.
• Agenda Item 20-2684 - This is another item dealing with youth, ages 16-24. Commissioners Gainer and Miller praised the Chicago Work Force Partnership’s efforts to provide employment and training to at -risk youth, especially during tough economic times.  Comm. Miller again asked for data with this program especially a breakdown of race, ethnicity and gender. A representative from the program will provide the commissioners with this information. The measure passed.
  
• Agenda Item 20-2745 - This refers to the final report dealing with the merger of the Recorder of Deeds and the Clerk’s offices. Commissioner Suffredin commended the staffs of both offices. He also commended the LWVCC for their thoughtful questions and their input into this matter. This was referred to the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, which will meet and go over the report before the July board meeting.
  
• Agenda Item 20-2326 - This refers to commissary items and their prices at Cook County Jail. Before approving a contract for these items, Commissioner Kevin Morrison (along with several other commissioners) wanted to know if detainees are charged too much for these items (mostly snacks and personal items) and if the County is making a profit, A representative from the sheriff’s office said that the prices are set by the vendor and are equal to those charged by convenience stores. The commissioner wanted exact figures for these prices. The board will receive this information. They then voted to discuss this item at the July meeting.
  
• Agenda Items 20-2650 and 20-0993 - The first of these refers to the Revenue and Expense report and the 2nd one refers to the report from Cook County Health. These were lumped together and discussed in a general way. The financial picture for all departments is not a good one. Revenue is way down due to less sales tax and other fees during Covid-19. The commissioners stated that a more detailed revenue report will be released on June 26th. And the preliminary budget hearings set for July will be the time to discuss these matters in more detail. Reports were received and filed at this meeting.
  
• Agenda Item 20-1859 - This refers to the appointment of Judge Marcus R. Salone to the Ethics Committee. Commissioner Suffredin praised this appointment and called him a “healing force”.
  
• Agenda Item 20-2891 - Commissioner Anaya sponsored this item which stops evictions during the Covid-19 crisis. Evictions are stalled right now as the courts are closed. But they reopen in July and the commissioners discussed this at length. Comm.Suffredin stated that the board does not have the authority to stop evictions but they can encourage the Sheriff’s police to NOT enforce them. All commissioners passed and co-sponsored this resolution.
  
• Agenda Item 20-2867 Commissioner Johnson’s resolution “Justice for Black Lives” was discussed at length. His resolution covered a history of discrimination and incarceration against black people. More currently he cited some comments on social media that stated maybe next time fire hoses  should be used to quell marches, such as the one that was organized by Public Defenders in front of Cook County Jail. His resolution included solutions to these problems that dealt with reforms in health care, housing, criminal justice, job creation, among other things. Almost every commissioner spoke to this resolution, most thanking Comm. Johnson for introducing it and asking to be co-sponsors. Comm. Johnson stated that we must listen to ALL community groups and let them help us lead the way to reform. The board voted to send this resolution to the Criminal Justice Committee for further review.
• Finally, a Voting Equity item (Agenda Item 20-2906) was added to the agenda very last minute. It was referred to the Rules Committee for further review. Commissioner Britton said this item was crucial to ensuring fair elections, It deals with printing ballots and instructions in various languages, making sure new voting machines work properly, and making sure that new mail- in procedures run smoothly, among other things.

Despite the length of the meeting, the number of important issues discussed, and the format of zoom, the commissioners still made time to compliment each others’ work and to joke with each other. 

Observed by Jan Goldberg                 Meeting Length: just under 4 hours, about 3 hours and 53 minutes