Three Advisory Referenda Will Be on November Cook County Ballot

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - July 25, 2018

What the Board Decided:
The board decided to put three non-binding referendums on the upcoming ballots regarding the following:

1. “Shall the minimum wage in your municipality match the $13 per hour Cook County minimum wage law for adults over the age of 18 by July 1, 2020, and be indexed to the consumer price index after that?”
2. “Shall your municipality match the Cook County earned sick time law which allows for workers to earn up to 40 hours (5 days) of sick time a year to take care of their own health or a family member’s health?”
3. “Shall the State of Illinois strengthen penalties for the illegal trafficking of firearms and require all gun dealers to be certified by the State?”

• During the discussion, some commissioners stated that municipalities would opt-out of providing wage and sick time benefits. The referendums will inform the municipalities of their constituents’ wishes. 
• One of the public speakers was a physician sharing information on a program in Chicago- “Strengthening Chicago’s Communities” to be held on Thursday, August 23, 1-6:30pm at Malcolm X College. The goal is to convene recognized experts and leaders to discuss ways to strengthen our city and communities. Topics include: smarter crime control and community-based policing. For more information on the Event.
• A proposed ordinance preventing the detention of juveniles under the age of 13 was moved to the criminal justice committee. A public speaker stated that there are other alternatives, such as foster care, rather than locking children in detention.  
• A Consensus Revenue Forecasting Commission (18-2073) was deferred. 
• Sheriff Operations Asset Forfeiture (18-4461) was approved.  
• Automated Criminal Justice System (18-4007) was received and filed. 
• When I arrived at the meeting, there was a great deal of discussion regarding registering detainees to vote. Commissioner Simms asked how to help detainees be informed voters, if all their mail goes to the detainees home. She wanted to know how campaign literature could reach detainees.

Other comments: 

• In addition to George Blakemore, there is another active public commenter- Mark Armstrong. He has some interesting things to say.

Watch for in the Future: 

• Ordinance on detention of 13 year olds in the criminal justice system.

Observer - Laura Davis             Meeting Length   Arrived at 9:50. Left 1:05.Meeting was near the end.