Mid-Year Budget Meetings of the Finance Committee

Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee
Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Morning Session

Office of the Treasurer – Maria Pappas

• Treasurer Pappas presented information on revenue from her office.  The actuals have exceeded budgeted as the office provided very conservative numbers during the budget process. 
• Pappas noted that her office had conducted surveys to determine voter demographics. Studies analyzed voter turnout related to property tax referenda and property tax appeals and processes. Results indicated a higher voter turnout and more appeals in wealthier districts. 
• The responses relative to the office’s goals indicated they were basically on target with all, with no major issues on their end.
• Pappas presented data on the numbers reached and results of their program “Black and Latino Houses Matter,” radio shows on stations popular in those communities. These programs are committed to presenting helpful information on avoiding the homeowner pitfalls of delinquencies, late payments, etc.
• There was discussion about getting information to other income levels and minority communities on the appeals process and other issues. Response indicated communications efforts stressed; printing materials in more languages than English; using outreach workers to promote information in lower income and minority communities.
• Future studies include a study of all TIF districts (no info on metrics to be used or timing) which will inform as to status of all TIF districts. 
• Continuing to hire personnel, though there are no major problems with personnel. Treasurer’s office uses summer interns to get ahead on tasks so office is not overloaded during winter months when it is traditionally busier.
• The remainder of the time with Treasurer Pappas was reviewing her office’s issues with  Tyler Technologies and the project for the Integrated Property Tax System. Pappas was extremely disturbed by the problems that have arisen in getting correct info for property tax bills, the time it takes to correct mistakes, and general non-responsiveness of Tyler. She indicated she documents all issues in letters to Tyler as she is concerned legal issues may arise from this project. Treasurer Pappas advised the Commissioners that she had plans to bring in a consultant she trusts to review Tyler’s work, progress and problems, with the intent of determining what may be done to resolve same. 

Office of the Sheriff – Tom Dart

• Sheriff Dart expects to be on budget at end of year with possible marginal increases generally related to increased costs of food at jail and increase in the jail population. The department is doing well in meeting its FY2025 Goals and Objectives. Dart has two staff members dedicated to administration of grants and is aggressive in looking for/applying for grants. 
• They are about 200 officers down from budget but are continuing to hire. Questions regarding what is being done to recruit and retain yielded that Tier 2 pension is problematic and that officers are getting training in de-escalation and dealing with Narcan.
• Dart indicated a major issue for those released can be lack of phone service. With no way to contact help or services, some get lost.  Asked Commissioners for help. Dart indicated he wanted more programming at jail and with juveniles. He was open to any suggestions, including one by Commissioner Gainer on whether you can revoke Drivers Licenses or other licenses for Firearm Owner’s Identification Card violations, which would need to be investigated with State. Another issue is no lead time from court to know when individual released or time is extended so connecting to services or follow up are impeded.

Issues discussed included:

• Behavioral/mental health issues help after release:  Office works with Cermak Hospital to identify programs for aftercare and connect to providers; rigorous vetting of organizations involved in services; measures of how programs/efforts affect recidivism; criteria for redirecting funds as needed; use of MLUs (medical liaison units)
• Retail theft issues: Sheriff’s dept more involved over past 3 years; work with Chicago Police; give security briefings to stores to help avoid problems; response is data driven to pinpoint issues and areas of concern; current thefts are organized as opposed to random; recognition and response to that has upped County’s game in recovering goods.  Overtime grant is related specifically to overtime re retail theft issue.
• Electronic Monitoring:  Transfer of responsibility slower than expected; population in program is up; need to set level at which transition to Chief Judge is considered complete so can reassign officers currently used by the program to other areas, e.g., cut at 200 individuals.
• Dealing with ICE officers entering courts: Have to consider whether warrants involved, guns? Sheriff said will do what is necessary to keep courts, buildings and people safe, within legal authority.    
• Orders of protection problems:  Sometimes info is not current; Sheriff doesn’t have authority to enter house to provide protection services; can and will do home visits if in jurisdiction. 
• Capital needs:  $11M for body cameras is not capital; maintenance of helicopter is capital. Comparisons of how much Cook County has spent on helicopters v other comparable areas shows CC has less helicopters.
• Other:  Moving officers from not needed area to specialty needs at same pay level.  Training – evaluating effectiveness; adapting as needed. Mental health support for officers.
• Cost of detaining individuals in County jail:  $240/individual/day

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Office of the Public Administrator – Louis Apostol

• Office is funded by statutory mandate and its funding is derived from fees and interest on funds held. Office handles estates where no will or where there is a will but no administrator. 
• Revenues are exceeding amount budgeted. Office closed more estates than projected. Met 2025 goals and objectives. This office generally has excess funds at end of year. 
• In response to a question as to how information is publicized so potential heirs/individuals, particularly minority, can find out they may have an inheritance, Mr. Apostol said they use newspapers, though no social media.  Staff does exhaustive search to trace heirs.
• Suggestions were made to use unused funds for more outreach to increase community awareness of probate. It was also suggested that social media and other more contemporary methods for publicizing the search for heirs might provide increased outreach to minority communities.

Observer: Hollis Burgess