Cook County Budget Hearings--February 15, 2011

Four county departments presented their budgets today--Cook County Clerk, Human Resources, Public Defender, Treasurer. All county departments were originally asked to cut 16% from last year's budget.

County Clerk--David Orr presented an 18% cut due to a "strategic plan of technology improvements, cross training, and not filling vacancies." Also mentioned were efficiencies in the vital records area and an increase in marriage and civil union licenses which are/will become money-makers for the department. One commissioner questioned why the entire administration in this office is grade 24 (highest level and pay grade) and it was mentioned that there is a large disparity in grade 24 salaries throughout county departments.

With regard to elections, early voting and absentee voting increases should lessen crowding in voting precincts. Orr mentioned that his office would like to take over the jobs of local electoral boards--and do so more efficiently--since petition challenges are now often inconsistently and capriciously decided.

Human Resources--Jonathan Rothstein stated there will be a slight reduction in staff (14) in this department. Comm. Daley asked about furlough days, pay freeze, unpaid holidays, unpaid lunch for county employees as part of cost-saving measures. Meetings are being held this week with union leaders and Rothstein will update the board as negotiation talks proceed. Commissioners expressed concern over Shakman compliance and the large numbers of employees out on disability and family leave. The TOLEO computer system for automated job applications and a new compliance position along with a better hiring plan will bring Human Resources into "substantial compliance with Shakman" by mid-year. A desk audit is being done and the risk management department will work on better methods for getting employees out on disability back to work in a timely manner.

Public Defender--Judge Abashi Cunningham referred to on-going discussions with President Preckwinkle regarding budget cuts in his department. The President wants a 10% decrease and Cunningham would only go as far as 6.1%. He was unclear as to where this was going. Cunningham was also not clear on how these cuts would effect the public defender's office--but presumably by cases taking longer to process and try in the courts. Some Commissioners are concerned about the large number ( and cost--over $4.2 million per year) of outside attorneys hired for cases where there is a perceived conflict of interest--such as parent and child opposing on a case. Cunningham blamed the judges in these cases, as they have the discretion to require outside attorneys. He indicated this would need to be changed by state law.

Grants are not sought by this department, as there is no one in the office who can write grant applications. At any rate, most grants go for law enforcement and not for defense of indigents.

Treasurer--Maria Pappas presented a very professional and thorough report of the Treasurer's office. She decreased her budget by 33% from 2010. This was done through increased revenues, reductions in staff (6), a scavenger sale, and especially increased efficiencies through technology use. Satellite offices have been closed, e-mails can now answer most taxpayer questions, mortgage companies are able to pay property taxes on-line and there are "stops" incorporated to prevent taxpayers from over-paying or double-paying. This office is modeling technology for other departments in the county and throughout the country. A job/desk audit will be done this year to more effectively describe duties and requirements of jobs in this department. This is an issue common throughout the county, as many jobs are incorrectly listed and described.

Pappas has also begun an on-line site showing all 2,000 local governments' pension obligations. She cannot force governments to do this, but counts on taxpayers to pressure their local government entities to provide this information. A new special purpose fund has been added to the Treasurer's office. The 534 fund uses fees to pay employee pensions in this department.

Much of this presentation was rather contentious--especially between Comm. Fritchey and Pappas. Questions about the high salaries of Pappas' grade 24 employees (30% higher than other elected officials'), and a recent news item about high cleaning person and bodyguard/driver salaries caused an uncomfortable silence in the room.