Thursday, December 6, 2012

Cook County Board Meeting, December 4, 2012



The Meeting was called to order at 10:15 am by President Toni Preckwinkle.  All commissioners except Beavers and Tobolski were in attendance.  A delegation from Russia is in the United States to observe government meetings and was in attendance.  Commissioner Gainer commended these elected officials for several reasons including the fact that they do not collect a salary.

*Special Drivers License for Undocumented Immigrants:  Over the weekend, the League asked its members to call their Illinois legislators to urge support for allowing Illinois to provide temporary visitor driving licenses which would then allow drivers to obtain insurance.  On Thursday, The Cook County Board overwhelmingly passed a resolution in support.   It has the backing of a wide range of supporters including the Insurance and Health Care Industries and the Sheriffs and Police Chief Associations.  The Bill is expected to pass and be signed into law by the Governor.

* Implications of State Pension Reform:  Prior to the meeting, Commissioner Gainer held a Finance Subcommittee on Pension to discuss the possible implications of pension reform legislation that may be discussed by the Illinois General Assembly.  Over the past ten years the Cook County Pension Fund has dropped in its funded status from 88.8% to its 2010 valuation of 60.7%.
    
*The Finance Committee:  The controller gave a hopeful revenue report.  The County’s revenues are up $9.8 million over 2011 including sales tax which is up $8.8 million even with the reduction in the tax rate.  Recovery of patient costs at the Health and Hospitals System continues to be a major drag on the bottom line.

* Cost of Phone Service for Inmates:  The Reverend Jesse Jackson commended President Preckwinkle for working to reduce the very high cost of collect calls for inmates.  He asked for open hearings to learn more about what best practices are recommended.  Currently the cost per minute is over 40 cents.  The Administration has recommended reducing that to 23 cents per minute.  As a comparison, inmates in the Federal prisons pay 7 cents.  The jail holds a large number of women inmates, many with children.  Studies show that the ability to stay in touch lowers recidivism rates upon release.

*Other News of Interest:  The Board gave the Department of Risk Management the authority to resolve Workers Compensation Cases not to exceed $25,000. Commission Simms in particular but also Commissioners Murphy and Collins expressed concern with previously granted approval to give increased procurement authority to the Purchasing Department.  Two resolutions were referred back to committee.  This subject will likely come up again as the two resolutions were for rather routine purchasing authority.  The Cook County Board will meet on a 3 week schedule instead of a two-week schedule beginning "soon."  The number of meetings will be reduced from 24 to 17.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.  Submitted by:  Diane Edmundson

No comments: