President Preckwinkle introduced a purchasing agent who was beginning the process of the County’s working with the City of Chicago and the Cook County Forest Preserve District to purchase road salt more efficiently. The county is exploring other opportunities to do joint purchasing to save money, including credit card services. There was some discussion of municipalities being invited to co-purchase beet juice and road salt. Com. Silvestri and Com. Fritchey assured the other commissioners that there were already opportunities for municipalities to join purchasing with the state, but that they should be offered a chance to buy via county purchases as well.
A proposed Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Construction Ordinance was referred to the Contracts Committee to investigate the wording changes.
A resolution was considered to establish sound recordings of all Cook County Workers Compensation complaints within 24 hours of an alleged accident. It passed with all Commissioners signing on as co-sponsors.
The consent agenda consisted of many financial approvals and appointments. Com. Collins went on record as opposed to deferral of repair of the Maywood Courthouse, stating that conditions are dangerous. She also opposed further studies of what to do with the old Stroger Hospital, as the county has spent plenty of money already on studies of this kind.
Com. Gainer inquired if all Highway expenditures must pass through the Purchasing Office of Cook County. The answer is yes.
Greg Wass, Chief Information Officer, received renewed approval for document imaging services within the court system, even though current law requires the Cook County courts to retain paper documents.
Maureen O’Donnell was introduced as the new Director of Human Resources for Cook County. O’Donnell will be responsible for moving Cook County to substantial compliance with the Shakman Decree, in order to reduce costs for Cook County. Com. Suffredin pointed out that the new Cook County website was a breath of fresh air in revealing what went on regarding HR appointments at the county.
Michael Masters was introduced as the new head of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the county.
The last order of business was apparently a typical dispute between a business owner who wanted to develop a business on Cook County land, and did not want to be impinged by the Lemont township building codes, taxes, and requirements of the local municipality. While Lemont did not want to annex the land, they did want to deny the owner’s application for business development. Com. Silvestri suggested that they come back in three weeks after trying to resolve the issues themselves.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 am.
--submitted by Amy Little
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