Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting, April 6, 2011

The meeting was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. but prior to the official Board meeting, several committee meetings were held (not attended by this observer).  Following the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the Board immediately convened a meeting of the Finance Committee.  This continued for more than an hour and included some important and substantive discussions.

The Finance Committee approved pending expenditures and contractual obligations so that final authorization could be passed in the Board of Commissioners meeting which followed. A prolonged discussion was held on work at the County Hospitals.  Concern was expressed about no bid contracts for work, questioning if the work could be performed by hospital staff rather than an outside contractor; about the letting of a contract to correct faulty design of piping in the new facility; and the need to have the work done by outside contractors.  Discussion of Cook County procurement contracts, motor fuel cards and exploration of and possible establishment of a car sharing program also took place.

The financial officer informed the Board that income from Medicaid is down. The State owes the hospital systems an estimated $50 million and they are very slow in processing the claims.  This led to a discussion of the closing of Oak Forest Hospital and the lack of doctors at the facility to serve the patients.  Some commissioners urged that the hospital beds be retained, as well as using the facility as an urgent care center.  The hospital CFO reported that this would increase the cost by $30 million annually rather than saving $22 million.  Another related issue was the actual availability of beds at other hospitals (Jackson Park, South Shore, Ingalls Memorial) for the patients.

The President and Board of Commissioners have staff working on consolidating purchases on a county-wide basis, possibly including Chicago purchases, in an effort to save significant sums of money while still assuring minorities and women will be included in the opportunity to participate. 

The Juvenile Detention Center, managed by a federal court appointed administrator, was discussed and the concern that the Administrator lacks authority to make broad decisions was voiced by a few commissioners.  The representative of the State's Attorney's Office indicated that this is contrary to the agreement with the federal court system.  This issue is pending in the Court of Appeals and awaiting a decision. 

-- submitted by Syvia Tillman