All board members and the president were present except Earlean Collins. Congratulations were given to Commissioner Quigley on winning yesterday's Democratic primary election for the 5th Congressional District.
Some notes on transparency of government actions: at today's meeting some progress was made (see below), and yet there is still confusion for observers and even commissioners in understanding what funds are actually available, amounts in issuing bonds, and contract bid vendors. At times it is still difficult for observers to know what is being discussed and voted on, since we do not have access to all of the paperwork to be able to follow along.
To encourage more transparency in government, an ordinance was sponsored by Comm. Peraica to establish a monthly check register on the Cook County Web Page that can be accessed by anyone. This is already being done in Du Page County and being promoted at the state and federal levels.
In Cook County, this would show all expenditures from the main checking account, which covers about 90% of expenses including vendors, contracts, and employees. Advantages to citizens would be seeing where the county spends its money, who gets contracts, are there conflicts of interest or campaign contributions that influence contracts.
Two commissioners voted against this saying it didn't go far enough; however, it was pointed out that it was much easier to start with the main account instead of delaying this until every part could be perfected. Antonio Hylton, Chief Information Officer, said his office did not have the $10,000 to implement this because the capital bonds were not passed today. Several commissioners did not accept this excuse since it was such a small amount out of tens of millions of dollars in the IT budget and it could be done with in-house employees. Other commissioners volunteered to use office supply money to cover the cost since it was so important. According to Antonio Hylton, this will take 90-120 days to implement. The ordinance passed 10 yes, 2 no, 4 absent.
The on-going debates about issuing the capital improvement bonds continued at this meeting. At issue was using bonds to buy equipment like cars and computers which lose their value so quickly, yet will be paid for over long periods of time--with interest. Also the amount of the bonds was under discussion. Is it $294,000,000? $262,000,000? or the previously passed $740,000,000? Clarity was lacking, so the selecting of the finance team to issue these bonds was delayed by not passing this item.
The new CEO of the Health and Hospital Systems, William Foley, was presented to the board of commissioners. His top three priorities are infrastructure, strategic planning, and financial turn-around.
Near the end of the meeting, Pres. Stroger lambasted "the 3 Democrats" for siding with the Republicans, who have not backed Stroger's plans (particularly the bond issues).
