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