Cook County Board Meeting February 9, 2010

Following an invocation by Bishop Demetrius of the Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, and the Pledge of Allegiance, Cook County Board members debated whether the county should enter into a contract with USI Midwest, a financial insurance company.  Commissioners questioned whether the risk tolerance level for the county should be raised. Commissioner Schneider suggested the county sign a one-year contract with USI Midwest, after which officials would prepare an RFP.  Commissioner Gainer requested that Jaye Williams, Cook County CFO, provide the Board with information necessary to prepare the RFP. Commissioner Schneider addressed the commissioners' inability to access RFPs before making such decisions as the current one under discussion with USI Midwest, and expressed his belief that commissioners should be able to examine RFP information before making such important decisions. Commissioner Butler stepped into the discussion to clarify that the commissioners wish access to the responses of RFPs, and are concerned with the confidentiality of this information. A vote was taken with 15 yays and 1 nay from Commissioner Peraica, who informed the Board that the county knew three years ago that the risk level needed re-evaluation but did nothing to solve the matter.  Commissioner Silvestri expressed concern about the process through which the insurance was obtained.  Commissioner Gainer pointed out that 50 companies provide the insurance the Board is looking to purchase.  Ms. Williams, who said there were only 8 other companies which offer the insurance, offered to add additional companies to her list of potential carriers.

Commissioner Silvestri applauded veteran officer Michael McCotter's contributions to the Chicago Police Department, and voiced congratulatory wishes for McCotter's appointment by Governor Quinn to the Chief Public Safety Officer at the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

The Board discussed the county audit report, and County Auditor Laura Burman addressed the Board's questions on 20 missing forms when the audit was conducted. 

Commissioner Daley motioned to pass the tax levy for 2010. Methods of appropriation for each department were addressed. Commissioner Daley noted that the tax levy has remained at the same level since 1994.  A vote was taken and the motion passed with 15 yays and 2 absences.

Considerable discussion followed concerning a federal grant from the Department of Energy (through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) to promote energy conservation in Cook County.  Commissioner Claypool asked Maurice Jones, Director of Planning and Development, how the incentives contained in the grant will be determined.  Mr. Jones will provide this information to Commissioner Claypool.  Commissioner Murphy asked Mr. Jones to explain the role of the CTA in the grant.

The topic then turned to the request from the Recorder of Deeds to sell information from its office.  Commissioner Schneider questioned whether the projected $350,000 in profit from the sale of the Recorder of Deed's information was the maximum profit the county might receive from such a sale.   Commissioner Schneider suggested that other companies besides Fidlar Technologies, Inc. may be interested in purchasing such data.

Finally, the Board addressed the county's $104 million debt owed to the Pension Board.  An attorney representing the county requested permission from the Board to negotiate the debt in the form of a short-term note with a 2.7% interest rate, and a lump sum settlement.  Commissioner Peraica suggested the county use the $200 million savings from the Health and Hospital Board to pay the $104 million debt.  Commissioner Butler asked whether the county is current in its pension payments for 2008, 2009, and 2010, to which Commissioner Moreno answered in the affirmative.  A roll call vote was taken and the motion passed, with 13 yays, 1 nay, and three absent.  The meeting was adjourned.

--Submitted by Stephanie Polito

Strategic Plan Status Update at CCHHS Board Meeting, January 29, 2010

Jeanene Johnson, Director of the Office of Performance Improvement, gave an overview of activities and progress. The staff of three, specializing in finance, operations, and IT, oversee consultants with a goal of improving all business functions and becoming unnecessary as the management team grows. They will store all records on a restricted access website for future use. Their target is $105 million in reduced expenses. Some focus areas are lab consolidation and pharmacy formularies.

Ten employees will be funded to participate in relief efforts in Haiti for 10 days each.

CEO Foley reported on system leadership goals. The Strategic Plan and 5 year financial plan should be completed by June for approval by the Board. It will include management restructuring to achieve the budget reduction of $105 million (400-500 positions). It will include attention to cultural diversity, patient satisfaction and staff morale. A Board member reminded him that productivity is basic to budget reduction; the director of the Ambulatory & Community Health Network (ACHN) provided data that showed some improvement, e.g., the increase in patients seen per primary care physician session. Concerns continue regarding referrals to specialists. Financial statements will be provided next month. Management is in preliminary discussions with University of Chicago to explore shared use of Provident Hospital.

The Finance Committee Report noted that the Graduate Medical Education study showed inadequate documentation to claim reimbursement due to poor record keeping. Payment systems are still challenging. Systemic issues still need attention.

The Board adjourned to closed session to discuss relevant issues. 
--Submitted by Observer Nancy Staunton