October 10, 2013 The 2014 Executive Budget Recommendation

This special meeting was held for Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle to present the 2014 Budget for Cook County to the Cook County Commissioners.  Some major revenue points made by the President include no new taxes, fees, or fines, although at least one new Special Purpose Fund  will be started to pay for a Solid Waste ordinance;  increased grant revenue, such as a $6 million grant to the Landbank;  and more thorough collection of taxes, such as cigarette taxes.

The subsidy to the Health and Hospital System (HHS) is down to $76 million which is a 50% decrease since Pres. Preckwinkle took office.  This is in large part to the waiver received by HHS this year to sign up newly eligible Medicaid patients to County Care through the Affordable Care Act.
Savings in employee health care and pharmacy costs will occur due to better management of employee benefits.  Pension reform at the county level is being worked on in hopes of savings there.

One tax from last year's budget--the tax on out-of-county non-registered purchases over $3,500--will not be collected as it is being litigated.  Two other taxes from last year--on guns and gaming machines are also in litigation but will be collected this year.

Expenditures will be increased in the Technology area ($40 million total) since much of the Information Technology used at the county and court system is outdated, lacking integration, or missing entirely.  Some targets for this improvement are the Property tax system, Time and Attendance system, and Financial Compensation system, and training in the Court system.  There is a 3.3% increase in Public Safety expenditures and 16.8% increase in the Health Fund.  The newly passed law, "Raise the Age," where 17 year-olds charged with felonies will now be sent to Juvenile Court rather than Adult Court, will increase expenditures in housing defendants.

Increases in employees ( up 504 FTEs from last year) will be in the Inspector General's office to reduce misconduct in county government;  the Sheriff's office as part of a court ordered mandate to increase staff;  tax collection;  at HHS for faster sign-up of County Care patients;  Medical Examiner's Office to gain accreditation;  and some other departments.

Four Public Hearings on this budget will occur throughout Cook County on Monday, October 21 through Monday, October 28. Departmental Budget Hearings will begin Thursday, October 17 through Monday, October 28 at the Cook County Board room.  Go to home.cookcountyil.gov/budget for details.

The Cook County Finance committee and sub-committees also met with some other business.  All Metra Board members (directors)will now have to sign affidavits regarding their residence, conflict of interest, etc.  Two items regarding Metra Directors (one requesting resignations, the other requesting stricter criteria for Metra directors) were both deferred due to the absence of their sponsors.  A new Metra Director from suburban Cook County was approved--Romayne Brown--who has had CTA  management experience.

A resolution to examine the automation and integration of the Cook County Criminal Justice system was passed.  It is currently a paper-based system which causes confusion, errors, and inefficiencies in the court system.