Board of Commissioners

The board meeting can be viewed online by clicking the link provided here. As of 10:07 a.m., the live stream has not yet started. https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings

The meeting agenda includes a potential action item on the county’s electronic monitoring program, which had received some news media attention from Fox 32 Chicago. https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/cook-countys-electronic-monitoring-program-heres-how-it-works

At 10:35 a.m., the board meeting is called to order. A quorum has been achieved.

Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton leads the room in the pledge of allegiance.

Temple Jeremiah’s Senior Rabbi Paul F. Cohen leads the invocation.

Now the county board is taking public comments. There is a handful of people signed up to speak during the meeting.

The first speaker comments on being Black in the workplace.

The second speaker comments on hate targeting the LGBTQ community.

The third speaker does not appear to be present any longer, despite having signed up in advance.

Public comment is now closed.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle introduced a resolution that aims to recognize Senior Medical Officers Rachel Rubin and Kiran Joshi of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Cook County Board members take turns expressing kind sentiments about the work of Rubin, Joshi, and other public health officials, helping the county to navigate the pandemic.

Cook County recently administered its 1 millionth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This feat was noted in the remarks shared by county officials. https://cookcountyhealth.org/press_releases/cook-county-health-administers-1-millionth-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine/

In their remarks, Rubin and Joshi said they always felt the county had their backs in navigating the pandemic. They both thank officials for doing their part.

Motion carries with respect to several items grouped together in a single vote, including Glenbrook Sanitary District, Roseland Medical District, and Independent Revenue Forecasting Comission appointments.

Motion carries with respect to appointing Lawrence Wilson as the acting chief financing officer for the county.

Motion carries with respect to an amendment to previously approved item for technical assistance with changes to policy, practices, and operations under the SAFE-T Act.

Motion carries with respect to extending and increasing the contract for technical assistance to provide a comprehensive assessment of the Cook County criminal justice system’s reliance on and use of electronic monitoring.

Motion carries with respect to the proposed resolution declaring racial or other discriminatory covenants in real estate recordings and deeds void under the Cook County human rights ordinance.

Motion carries on all the agenda items listed under Cook County Health and Hospital System but not without some discussion about nursing staff concerns shared by officials.

Some officials would like to see the onboarding process streamlined.

Commissioner Bridget Gainer asked Israel Rocha Jr, CEO of Cook County Health & Hospital System, to report back to the board.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under the Bureau of Administration.

Correction: Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under the Bureau of Administration–Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

Preckwinkle said a brief description will be given to introduce the following meeting agenda items before putting them to a vote.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under the Bureau of Administration–Department of Transportation and Highways.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under the Bureau of Asset Management–Capital Planning and Policy.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under the Bureau of Asset Management–Facilities Management.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under Asset Management–Real Estate.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under Bureau of Economic Development–Department of Planning and Development.

Motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under Bureau of Human Resources.

After a brief description is read into the record, a motion carries on all meeting agenda items listed under Human Rights and Ethics, Independent Inspector General, Office of the Sheriff, and the Office of the State’s Attorney.

Preckwinkle asks if the board has any matters to bring forward.

Some county board members express support for sponsoring resolutions.

A resolution is read into the record in recognition of WVON’s J. Ivy.

A resolution is issued to recognize WGN on its 100th anniversary.

Motion carries on all committee items requiring board action.

As of 1:35 p.m., the meeting has adjourned. With that, this concludes all the live coverage from the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting, brought to you by @CHIdocumenters. Check out http://documenters.org for the notes prepared by Syd Baluch. #chidocumenters