Cook County Board Meeting October 19, 2010

The meeting of the Cook County Board was called to order about 10:20 a.m.

After passing a Resolution commemorating the achievements of the "Queen of Gospel" Albertina Walker and another Resolution recognizing and expressing Cook County's gratitude to their Sister County Partner of Cork for providing 8 boys of Mercy Home the opportunity to visit Ireland, the FINANCE COMMITTEE meeting convened.

After approving several routine items, a proposed ordinance amending the Ethics Code was introduced by Commissioner Anthony J. Peraica. The heatedly discussed ordinance amendment was a proposal to amend Chapter 2 Administration, Sections 2-570, 2-580. 2-581 and 2-585 of the Cook County Code of Ethics. The proposal would "prohibit elected officials from lobbying other elected officials". The proposal was defeated by a vote of 13 nays to two (2) yeas which were cast by Commissioners Beavers and Peraica. Among the reasons for the opposition was the concern that the proposed language would have voided ethics legislation recently passed dealing with pay to play, other inconsistencies in the language and complaints that the proposal actually targeted specific individuals.

Following this decision by the Finance Committee, the Commissioners went into executive session to discuss an Interest Arbitration Award Decision concerning AFSCME Council 31 (representing the County Police Officers, County Police Sergeants, Correctional Sergeants and Correctional Lieutenants) which involved pay raises covering these employees which would be effective from December 1, 2008 through June 1, 2012.

What was anticipated to be no more than a 30 minutes closed session lasted an hour and a half. Upon reconvening and having open discussion about approving this compulsory Interest arbitration award or taking the decision to court, the Commissioners voted twelve (12) to one (1), with Commissioner Peraica voting no, to accept the award.

INTEREST ARBITRATION AWARD PROVISIONS:

Effective December 1, 2008     (2.00%)    $1,247,374

Effective December 1, 2009     (1.50%)    $2,201,615

Effective December 1, 2010     (2.00%)    $3,493.021

Effective December 1, 2011     (2.00%)    $2,405.127

Effective June 1, 2012             (1.00%)     $2,741.022

TOTAL ESTIMATED 4 YEAR COST:      $12,088,159

This decision concluded the Finance Committee meeting which was followed expeditiously by the Roads and Bridges and Zoning and Building Committee Reports.

The Cook County Commissioners meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:45 p.m.

--Submitted (with sincere appreciation for the guidance of President Cynthia Schilsky) by Observer Syvia Tillman