Triage Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis to Open on South Side

Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 23, 2016

Significant Decisions Made:
As announced by  Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) CEO Jay Shannon, CCHHS, the Justice Advisory Council and the Chicago Police Department  have worked together to develop a Community Triage Center  on the south side of Chicago.  This 24-hour a day center, opening soon,  will enable police to bring anyone in mental health crisis or substance abuse crisis to the triage center for assessment and stabilizing before referral to other resources.  This is intended to reduce  incarceration  and reduce regular emergency room use for these issues as has been done in the past.  It will be more helpful to those people taken to the triage center and  “reduce the human misery”  of those in crisis.  (Agenda Item #16-2039)

Cook County Sheriff’s officers will provide Extra Duty Police services (6:00pm-2:00am) to 3 Cook County Housing facilities in Ford Heights, Chicago Heights, and Robbins through an inter-governmental agreement. (16-0876)

A First Time Offender Drug diversion program has been given a contract through TASC, Inc. (Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities).  This program is run through the State’s Attorney’s Office and provides consistency between this intervention program and the various court-mandated programs throughout the court system.  (16-2079)

Another diversion program contract, to  Heartland Human Care Services, Inc., working in the Juvenile Probation & Court Services Dept. has been extended and increased.  This is run through Chief Judge Evans’ Office.  (16-1155)

Topics Discussed and/or referred to Committee: 

• Proposed ordinance prohibiting the sale of second-hand catalytic converters was referred to the Environmental Control committee.  Because they contain valuable metals which can be sold for $100-$150, converters have been frequently stolen from under cars. This ordinance would make it more difficult to sell these stolen items. (16-2272)
• Proposed amendment to the Ethics Ordinance to require all officials, appointees, and employees to use an official government email account for government business.  This would not pertain to separately elected officials.  Referred to Legislation and Intergovernmental committee.  Larry Suffredin, sponsor 16-2289
• Proposed ordinance governing the safe disposal of pharmaceuticals was deferred.  (16-1983)
• Workforce, Housing & Community Dev. committee called for a hearing to discuss the findings of the Alternative Schools Network and University of Illinois’ report on youth joblessness.(16-1665)
• Feminine Hygiene products will no longer be taxed as regular merchandise in Cook County.  (16-1942)
• A resolution was sent to the state legislature supporting two bills which would increase the distance allowed between gun sellers (stores) and schools. (16-2302)

Items to watch for in the future:

• What happens to employees who are charged in civil rights (and other) cases and how are the cases handled?
• How will Health and Hospital System retain patients?  How will the paperwork flow at HHS be improved to that vendors can be paid within a better time-frame?  What are the costs of gunshot wounds to HHS?
• Vault toilets? Summer jobs?  Bottled water ordinance to reduce taxes?

Observation:  
Due to the lengthy Consent Calendar comments (1 1/2 hours), the regular 11:00 Board meeting was delayed until 1:50.  Adjourned at about 3:00.  This observer appreciates the short explanation by commissioners and the President of ordinances and resolutions brought up for vote—very helpful to the listening audience.

Observer: Karin Hribar