All 17 commissioners and the president were present. The meeting started around 10:00 am with the first 90 minutes being used to present awards, recognition, and memorial resolutions. One of these resolutions was for the commissioners to "work symbiotically, respectfully and in a bi-partisan manner for the betterment of this government and the citizens it represents." This was to counter the past animosities among the commissioners, especially during the budget process.
For most of the rest of the meeting, the finance committee (which includes all of the commissioners) debated, passed, defeated, or referred bills to be paid. The longest and most contentious discussions concerned the IBM contracts (totaling over $40,000,000.00) to set up "Project Shield"--a homeland security video system for first alert providers. The system has not worked correctly in the past, so several commissioners questioned the administration on why the county is still paying the full contract plus hiring an outside company, Johnson Controls, to maintain the system. The bill to pay the last million dollars of the contract was defeated because there are still questions about the contract being fulfilled by IBM. This issue has been brought up numerous times in past meetings, but is still not fully understood by all.
Interesting financial facts: $573,562.00 in Worker's Compensation Claims has been approved this fiscal year (2009); $2,081,719.00 in attorneys fees and expenses; and $15,000,000.00 in court settlements this fiscal year (2009). Over $2,000,000.00 has been paid to Judge Julia Nowicki, Compliance Administrator for the Shakman v. Democratic Organization of Cook County court case, for fees and expenses.
A lengthy debate occurred regarding a proposed ordinance by Larry Suffredin on financing the expansion and running of children's waiting rooms in the 8 Cook County courthouses. A $10.00 fee would be assessed to each person filing a civil case in court, with indigent filers having the fee waived. This is currently being paid for by Cook County taxpayers. Discussion centered on the constitutionality of this law and also whether these fees should even be assessed considering the taxes already collected. Several commissioners did not understand the proposed ordinance at all, and in fact some voted against their own concerns/interests. The ordinance passed.
