Forest Preserve Commission Mtg July 11 2012

The meeting started at 10:15 and after the invocation, 16 Environmental interns were introduced.  They were chosen in a competitive process from 169 applicants and have been working on a wide variety of projects, including media relations, trail linkage planning, program development and financial projections. 

It was noted that taxes are coming in as expected.  This is noteworthy given that is is different from past years where real estate bills were delayed and thus were revenues delayed. 

A resolution was passed to make an application for an OSLAD grant (Open Space Land Acqusition and Development, a state-financed program).  The purpose would be to acquire the 28 acre Powderhorn Lake in the Calumet region.  This is consistent with the proposed strategies in the current budget - and would require matching funds from the Forest Preserve if  it is awarded.

The Oak Forest Preserve Master Plan was submitted --  for 175 acres of land, which was acquired in 2010 by the FPDCC and which is adjacent to current Forest Preserve land.  This is again consistent with strategies outlined by President Preckwinkle to enhance the mission of the FPCC though thoughtful development of underutilized land.  Oak Forest has a long history including Native American Settlement and other amenities which are acknowledged and embraced in this plan.

An intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with IDNR was also discussed.  It allows for the removal of 5 dams on the Des Plaines river and 2 on the North Branch.  These dams are old, unneeded and hinder the free movement of fish.

The meeting ended about 11:20.

Health and Hospitals System Board Meeting June 29, 2012

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. by Chairman Batts and lasted two hours, until 9:40 a.m. before going into closed session to consider Human Resources concerns.  The main focus of the meeting was to acknowledge the contributions of the outgoing board members and to welcome the incoming members.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle expressed thanks to those leaving, particularly to Chairman Warren Batts for bringing in Dr. Ram Raju; Ruth Rothstein, Sister Sheila Lyne, Dr. David Ansell, and Benn Greenspan.  Dr. Raju spoke of the committee’s beginning in June 2008 with early meetings, evenings, town hall meetings, working with no “playbook”, laying the foundation for healthcare in Cook County, and commended all members for their hard, successful work. 

Additional commendations and thanks were presented by Kevin Scanlon, president of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council; Dr. David Goldberg, president of the medical staff at Stroger Hospital; Dr. Larry Goodman of Rush/Pres. St. Lukes; commissioner Jerry Butler; former CCHHS chairman William Foley; acting chairman Jorge Ramirez; committee members Munoz, Goldman, O’Donnell, and Carvalho; outgoing Chairman Warren Batts; and nominating committee member Lawrence Msall, President of the Civic Federation. Resolutions honoring Warren Batts, Dr. David Ansell, Benn Greenspan PhD, Sister Sheila Lyne, and Ruth Rothstein were approved.

New members Edward Michael, executive vice president of diagnostics at Abbott Laboratories (one-year term); Doreen Wiese, president of the American Indian Association of Illinois; and Carmen Valasquez, executive director of Alivio Medical Center, were introduced.  New member Rev. Calvin Morris, executive director of the Community Renewal Society, was not in attendance.

Two mental health workers from Cermak Clinic expressed concern that applications for continuing education have yet to be accepted.  They proposed that continuing education for current mental health workers be optional.  Drs. Ramirez and Munoz will meet to consider this request.

Quinn Golden will serve as interim Chair of the Human Resources Committee, Jerry Butler as interim chair of Patient Quality and Safety.  Attorney Helen Hayes proposed that cost items of $150k or more go to the board in a package to present early in the fiscal year, so the board may have an overview of providers and approximate costs.

John Morales, CFO of Stroger Hospital, proposed that Cook County/CCHHS lease property at 600 S. Hoyne to accommodate 38 staff to register and process new Medicaid recipients. Randall Mark, CCHHS Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Policy, clarified that the county, not the state, will bear any cost for implementing the Medicaid waiver program.

Warren Batts cautioned that though the news of the Healthcare bill is good, we must bring costs under control: “Greece is in better shape than we are.”

Linda Christianson

LWVCC Observer