Merger of Cook County Recorder of Deeds' Office into the Cook County Clerk's
July 24, 2020: A letter was sent to the Cook County Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee regarding the "Final Recommended Implementation Plan for the Assumption of Duties of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds by the Cook County Clerk" ("Plan"), Item 20-2745 on the Committee's July 29, 2020 Meeting Agenda. The League resent the questions previously provided on June 15 (see below) and stated that this meeting would provide an opportunity for the Clerk and Recorder to answer the over-arching questions as to how this Plan will result in reduced costs and improved services for the people of Cook County.
Voter Advocacy
July 8, 2020: A letter was sent to the members of the Cook County Board's Rules Committee requesting that representatives of the Chicago Board of Elections be invited to participate in the hearing the Committee will be having with the Cook County Clerk's Office on voter equity and the upcoming November election. The League wants both election authorities that cover all voters in Cook County to participate. Item 20-2906.
June 16, 2020: An email was sent to the Cook County Deputy Clerk for Elections, Edmund Michalowski, with suggestions regarding Vote By Mail Ballot (VBM) applications.
July 24, 2020: A letter was sent to the Cook County Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee regarding the "Final Recommended Implementation Plan for the Assumption of Duties of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds by the Cook County Clerk" ("Plan"), Item 20-2745 on the Committee's July 29, 2020 Meeting Agenda. The League resent the questions previously provided on June 15 (see below) and stated that this meeting would provide an opportunity for the Clerk and Recorder to answer the over-arching questions as to how this Plan will result in reduced costs and improved services for the people of Cook County.
Voter Advocacy
July 8, 2020: A letter was sent to the members of the Cook County Board's Rules Committee requesting that representatives of the Chicago Board of Elections be invited to participate in the hearing the Committee will be having with the Cook County Clerk's Office on voter equity and the upcoming November election. The League wants both election authorities that cover all voters in Cook County to participate. Item 20-2906.
June 16, 2020: An email was sent to the Cook County Deputy Clerk for Elections, Edmund Michalowski, with suggestions regarding Vote By Mail Ballot (VBM) applications.
Merger of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds' Office into the Cook County Clerk's
June 15, 2020: A letter was sent to the Cook County Board regarding the "Final Recommended Implementation Plan for the Assumption of Duties of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds by the Cook County Clerk" ("Plan"), Item 20-2745 on the Board's June 18, 2020 Meeting Agenda. The League urged that the Plan be referred to Committee so the Commissioners and the public would have additional time to review the Plan and so the Clerk and Recorder would have a forum to clarify the Plan and answer questions such as those submitted by the League with this letter.
June 15, 2020: A letter was sent to the Cook County Board regarding the "Final Recommended Implementation Plan for the Assumption of Duties of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds by the Cook County Clerk" ("Plan"), Item 20-2745 on the Board's June 18, 2020 Meeting Agenda. The League urged that the Plan be referred to Committee so the Commissioners and the public would have additional time to review the Plan and so the Clerk and Recorder would have a forum to clarify the Plan and answer questions such as those submitted by the League with this letter.
Merger of the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office into the Cook County Clerk's Office
May 14, 2020 - A letter was sent to the Cook County Board commenting on the Consolidation Joint Status Update Report for the period 10/01/19 to 12/31/19 (Item 20-1624). The letter suggested that more detail be provided in future reports regarding the expected expenses, such as which expenses would need to be incurred even if the merger was not taking place. The letter also asked that future reports reflect what cost-savings, efficiencies, and improved customer service will be achieved.
May 14, 2020 - A letter was sent to the Cook County Board commenting on the Consolidation Joint Status Update Report for the period 10/01/19 to 12/31/19 (Item 20-1624). The letter suggested that more detail be provided in future reports regarding the expected expenses, such as which expenses would need to be incurred even if the merger was not taking place. The letter also asked that future reports reflect what cost-savings, efficiencies, and improved customer service will be achieved.
SHAKMAN COMPLIANCE
February 21, 2020 - A letter with suggested questions was sent to members of the Litigation Subcommittee of the Cook County Board for use at their February 25 meeting with the court-appointed compliance officers and representatives of the offices of the Assessor, Clerk of the Court, and Recorder of Deeds. These 3 offices are under court supervision until they are found to be in substantial compliance with the Shakman orders, which prohibit hiring, firing, promotion, or wage increases based on political considerations. (Cook County Board Agenda Item 20-1748) The questions were used and attributed to the LWVCC in the February 25th meeting.
February 21, 2020 - A letter with suggested questions was sent to members of the Litigation Subcommittee of the Cook County Board for use at their February 25 meeting with the court-appointed compliance officers and representatives of the offices of the Assessor, Clerk of the Court, and Recorder of Deeds. These 3 offices are under court supervision until they are found to be in substantial compliance with the Shakman orders, which prohibit hiring, firing, promotion, or wage increases based on political considerations. (Cook County Board Agenda Item 20-1748) The questions were used and attributed to the LWVCC in the February 25th meeting.
PERFORMANCE BASED MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETING
February 10, 2020 - The LWVCC sent a letter to the Cook County Board's Finance Committee regarding the Proposed Ordinance Amendment to Performance Based Management and Budgeting (Agenda Item 20-1076) that will likely be on the Feb. 26 Finance Committee agenda. LWVCC expressed support for the new performance management program, and urged that, at the appropriate time, it be expanded to departments throughout the County.
February 10, 2020 - The LWVCC sent a letter to the Cook County Board's Finance Committee regarding the Proposed Ordinance Amendment to Performance Based Management and Budgeting (Agenda Item 20-1076) that will likely be on the Feb. 26 Finance Committee agenda. LWVCC expressed support for the new performance management program, and urged that, at the appropriate time, it be expanded to departments throughout the County.
METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT (MWRD) ETHICS ORDINANCE
January 9, 2020 - The League of Women Voters of Cook County gave testimony at the MWRD Board meeting expressing concerns with the proposed amendments to their Ethics Ordinance. While LWVCC supports strengthening the Ordinance, the League urges that the amendments be revised to exempt non-profit, non-partisan organizations like the League from being subject to the fees and registration requirements for "lobbyists" as currently defined in the amendments.
Read The Testimony Here
January 23 - The MWRD passed the amendments to the Ethics Ordinance with a change that explicitly exempts those who are not compensated for their lobbying activities from the requirements.
January 29 - The LWVCC sent a follow-up letter to the MWRD Commissioners and Executive Director thanking them for addressing the League's concerns.
January 9, 2020 - The League of Women Voters of Cook County gave testimony at the MWRD Board meeting expressing concerns with the proposed amendments to their Ethics Ordinance. While LWVCC supports strengthening the Ordinance, the League urges that the amendments be revised to exempt non-profit, non-partisan organizations like the League from being subject to the fees and registration requirements for "lobbyists" as currently defined in the amendments.
Read The Testimony Here
January 23 - The MWRD passed the amendments to the Ethics Ordinance with a change that explicitly exempts those who are not compensated for their lobbying activities from the requirements.
January 29 - The LWVCC sent a follow-up letter to the MWRD Commissioners and Executive Director thanking them for addressing the League's concerns.
SHAKMAN COMPLIANCE
November 14, 2019 - Letters with suggested questions were sent to the members of the Litigation Subcommittee of the Cook County Board to utilize during their November 19, 2019 meeting on the status of the offices of the Assessor, Clerk of the Court, and Recorder of Deeds coming into substantial compliance with the requirements of the Shakman case. (Cook County Board Agenda Item 19-6671, the Shakman Compliance Officers Quarterly Update) The Questions can be viewed here
2020 COOK COUNTY BUDGET
October 24, 2019 - Questions were submitted to the Cook County Board Finance Committee to ask during the departmental budget hearings on the Proposed 2020 Cook County Budget. The questions can be viewed here. Letters in response to the questions are posted on the Cook County Board Legistar Meeting Schedule as attachments to the Meeting Details for the Departmental BudgetHearings. Available HERE.
MERGER OF OFFICE OF COOK COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS INTO THE OFFICE OF THE COOK COUNTY CLERK
September 4, 2019 - The merger of the offices of Cook County Recorder of Deeds and County Clerk was approved by the voters of Cook County in a referendum in November of 2016. As the merger is to be completed by December 2020, the Cook County Board approved an ordinance requesting quarterly reports to monitor the progress of the merger. The second quarterly report has been submitted and after reviewing the report, the League of Women Voters of Cook County (LWVCC) presented testimony at the September 4th meeting of the Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee of the Cook County Board, outlining several questions that need to be addressed to ensure the merger is completed on time. READ THE TESTIMONY HERE.
LWVCC Gives Testimony at Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board Meeting and at the Litigation Committee of the Cook County Board
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LWVCC gives testimony again in favor of an Independent Inspector General for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) at the MWRD Board Meeting on April 18, 2019.
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LWVCC gives testimony at Litigation Committee of Cook County Board at hearing on Shakman Compliance within the offices of Cook County Assessor, Recorder of Deeds, and the Clerk of the Court held on April 23, 2019.
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF COOK COUNTY
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