Cook County Budget and Structure Group

This group learns about the budget process and structure of the governments of  Cook County  and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

This groups regularly meets with the officials of these governments.

This group takes action  to make County government more efficient, effective, and transparent.


2024-2025 Activities



Reminded Cook County Commissioners that a salary survey was to be done every four years to review the appropriate level of salaries of elected officials.  See Action.

Successfully lobbied to make Cook County Board meeting more effective and efficient by creating a separate meeting for honoring people and events.

Supported the proposal to increase  transparency of the Cook County Board by  by ensuring reports are posted on their website before meetings.  See Action

Topics of Focus for 2024-25

Continue to learn about, monitor, examine, and take action when appropriate, regarding Cook County and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District governments, focusing on:

• Transparency and effectiveness of Board and committee operations
  
• Board's oversight of spending and programs, including use of appropriate performance objectives and measures
• Inspector General and Auditor reports and follow-up

Activities

• Meetings are held as needed for the Interest Group to discuss and plan, generally monthly.
  
• Initiates League advocacy actvities and communications with elected officials  through emails, letters and meetings as needed., as well as public comments at Board and Committee meetings
  

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Important Facts Voters Should Know about Cook County's Budget & Structure

1. Cook County has 5.09 million people, the second largest county in the U.S.
   
2. Cook County is governed by a 17-member Board, elected by district every 4 years, plus 10 other “executive” officials, most of whom are elected county-wide for 4-year terms:  President, Assessor, Clerk of the Court, County Clerk, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Treasurer, and 3 members of the Board of Review elected by district.
3. The 2025 budget is $9.94 billion, which includes a total Operating Budget of $9.28 B:  56.6% is for healthcare; 18.3% is for public safety; and the remaining 25.1% covers other government functions (e.g., economic development, elections, finance and administration,  property assessments and recording) plus such costs as annuity & benefits and debt payments.
   
4. The Revenues of $9.94 B includes $4.9 for health care (Medicaid and other sources ) equal to 49.4%; sales tax of $1.2 B provides 12%; and property taxes of $836 M provide 8.4%. The base property tax levy of $720.4 million has not risen since 1996. In 202 the County is using $216.6 M of the total ARPA funds received from the Federal government of about $1 B.
   
5.  The Cook County Health System (CCH) is governed by a twelve-member semi-independent board that serves four-year terms, and its directors are approved by the Cook County Commissioners who also approve its annual budget.  Effective January 2020, the Cook County Board and President began providing more oversight for financial and some HR matters including approval of the top executive management positions.
6. The Affordable Care Act is key to increasing the revenues of CCH primarily through its county-wide managed care insurance program called “County Care”.
7.   Stroger Hospital is renowned for its trauma center which also trains EM residents from across the United States.
8. CCH provides services to more than 500,000 patients every year including its “County Care” clients.
9. Cook County has about 23,760 employees.  www.cookcountyil.gov

Important  Facts Voters should know about the MWRD's Budget & Structure

1.  The MWRD’s area encompasses almost all of Cook County including Chicago, and it serves 129 communities.  It treats an average of 1.42 billion gallons of wastewater per day – with a capacity of over 2 billion gallons per day at its seven treatment plants.
   
2. It is also responsible for stormwater management and flood control through proper watershed regulations, watershed planning and local and regional projects including:  massive reservoirs, miles of stream improvements, underground detention [aka “Deep Tunnel”], permeable parking lots, alleys, and schoolyards, and the removal of thousands of yards of debris from local streams.
3. The District is governed by a Board of nine Commissioners elected District-wide with six-year staggered terms.  An Executive Director, chosen by the Board, manages the day-to-day operations.
4. The 2025 budget is $1.7 billion with $709.7 million coming from property taxes.
   
5. Of the 1,957 FTE’s, 102 are allocated to the Stormwater budget.​ www.mwrd.org
   

Learn More

For more information contact Pris Mims