Nursing Shortages Continue to Concern Cook County Board

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting
May 12, 2022

Commissioners Anaya, Miller, and Gainer questioned Cook County Health’s Chief Executive Officer Israel Rocha concerning a proposed transfer of funds and the continuing problem of filling nursing positions.  Commissioner Gainer asked CEO Rocha to report back to this Board next month on the measures being taken to improve the hiring process.  Commissioner Sims said part of the problem is due to following all the steps required under the Shakman consent order.  CEO Rocha said his staff has been working with the Office of the Independent Inspector General to see what changes could be made.

The Board approved the following:

• Appointment of current County Comptroller Lawrence L. Wilson as Acting Chief Financial Office as of June 11 to replace Ammar Rizki who is stepping down as Chief Financial Officer on June 10.  Mr. Rizki will take that same position at the Obama Foundation. (Item 22-3267)
• An amendment to the intergovernmental agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for the County’s Office of the Independent Inspector General to continue to provide such services to the MWRD for an additional year, from May 17, 2022 to May 16, 2023. (Item 22-3020)

The Board referred to the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee:

• The proposed appointment of Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck as Chief Operating Officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health. (Item 22-3342)  Separately, the Commissioners passes a resolution honoring Dr. Rachel Rubin and Dr. Kiran Joshi for their service as Interim Co-Leads of the Department.  (Item 22-3308)
• A proposed resolution announcing a new flag for Cook County.  However, there were blanks where the name of the flag and the designers should be.  (Item 22-341)

The Board referred to the Rules Committee:

• A resolution declaring racial or other discriminatory covenants in real estate recordings to be void pursuant to the County’s Human Rights Ordinance.  The Count Clerk has said her office stands ready to process applications to eliminate such covenants from deeds. (Item 22-3150)
• Proposed changes to the “public facing rules and regulations” of the Board of Ethics Procedural Rules as a result of the change in the County’s Ethics Ordinance.  (Item 22-3155)

The Board referred to the Technology and Innovation Committee:

• An extension of the contract with Tyler Technologies for the period of April 1, 2023 thru March 31, 2026 for an additional $8.4 million for the centralized property tax system for the Assessor, Clerk, and Treasurer.  (Item 22-2917)  This system has been a source of controversy, including in the issues regarding the delays to the 2nd installment property tax bill to be sent out this year.  
• Approval of $6.3 million for a new case management system for the State’s Attorney’s office to replace the current Juvenile Justice system that is on the main frame, as well as the Adult Criminal system (not on the main frame).  When this work is completed, the State’s Attorney will no longer have any processes on the main frame.  (Item 22-1112)

The Board referred to the Litigation Finance Subcommittee the 2022 1st Quarter Inspector General’s Report.

League Observer:  Priscilla Mims