Cook County Board of Commissioners and Committee Meetings February 10, 2015

The Zoning and Building Committee began at 10 a.m. 

The room was packed to capacity with union members, students, and opponents to the Mission Hills zoning variance request to allow a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) by Red Seal Development Corporation in unincorporated Northbrook. The PUD would include 137 homes on 44 acres, or half of an 18-hole golf course, within the 43-year-old Mission Hills PUD.  Mission Hill’s residents and those employed by Red Seal  (lawyers, appraisers, and land use engineers), numbering about 35 persons in total, addressed the Committee even though there has already been 17 hours of testimony. When Mission Hills was constructed in 1972, the 18-hole golf course that spreads through the property was the required Open Land needed in the PUD to counter the land use intensity of the 780 units. The golf course also acted as a flood plain during heavy rain storms. The 20-year Covenant retaining the Open Land use of the golf course ended in 1992.  Mission Hills resident groups had an opportunity to buy the golf course, but refused.

Proponents for the development stated the benefits of constructing additional homes: increased tax revenues, increased jobs, and improvement in the current water drainage system that will be included in the project. Mission Hills residents stated they would suffer increased flooding, property value loss, and that their PUD permit had been issued on the basis of the open land of the golf course.  Commissioner Silvestri asked for an individual voice vote from the commissioners regarding the approval.  The commissioners voted 13 yes, 2 no, and 1 present, approving the zoning variance.  The meeting ended at 12:05.

The Finance Committee met from 12:15 to 12:40, hearing the Proposed Ordinance Amendment 15-0703 on Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB). The discussion described the ZBB process as being accountable and transparent. Additionally, a new report will be available to the commissioners which will report expenditures and revenues together, with both reflecting current status.  The report in the past reflected revenues, such as property taxes, as 1/12 of the budget, while this report will reflect the actual taxes received. This was stated to be considered a best practice. Commissioner Fritchey described 15-0703 as a collaborative project between the Rules Committee and President Preckwinkle’s staff.  Hearing that, the Committee voted unanimously and respectfully for passage. 

The Finance Committee also passed 15-1232 guaranteeing hourly workers for the county against loss of wages by contractors stealing worker’s paychecks and refusal to pay.  Over the year, workers lose millions in wages.  Commissioner Steele said the County Board is a safety net protecting these hourly workers.  The Finance Committee adjourned at 12:47.

The Board meeting was called to order at 12:55 by President Preckwinkle.   After a tribute to Chicago Alderman Joanne Thompson, 20 files were rapidly passed including the Mission Hills variance, which included a roll call vote, as well as Zero Based Budgeting (15-0703).

Next, Helen Thornton, Director of AFCSME, the union representing Cook County workers, spoke, saying the employees had not had a pay raise in two years and needed a fair and decent contract to cope with rising prices.  Then the consent agenda was addressed with five items discussed or read, and four group pictures taken.  Beginning at 2:05, 47 items were rapidly passed before the session was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.  Ordinance 15-1565 banning chokeholds by County Law Enforcement officers was passed and as was a proposed resolution to the Illinois General Assembly, 15-1585, to support SB 105 restoring $300 million dollars to the Child Care Assistance Program for FY 2014 which has a $190 million deficit.

Submitted by Laura Davis and Eleanor Prince

Health and Hospitals System Board Meeting January 30, 2015

Public Speakers. A series of public speakers complained that contracted CCHHS service provider Sodexo has failed to manage effectively, with insufficient measures of performance, leadership turnovers, patient abuse, and poor performance leading to an infestation of bedbugs at Stroger Hospital. CEO Dr. Jay Shannon responded that this is an issue of serious concern. COO Peter Daniels said there have been 276 disciplinary actions against Sodexo since July of 2011 when their contract was initiated.

Recognition.  Dr. Shannon recognized Provident Hospital for its 3-year accreditation by the Joint Commission.

Committee Reports.  Board Chairman Hill Hammock has asked each board committee chairperson to present relevant metrics each month to summarize status and to highlight issues that emerge at committee meetings.  In addition, the metrics of one of the four committees will be particularly highlighted at each board meeting as a way of understanding the full scope of the issues.  Board meetings may now require 3 hours.

Quality and Patient Safety. Committee Chair Mary Gugenheim introduced Dr. Das, who presented process measures showing high compliance with appropriate procedures for various afflictions; composite compliance rose to about 95% during FY14 for Stroger Hospital.  Regarding patient experience at Stroger Hospital, no change in 2014: about 60% overall patient satisfaction, only 40% satisfaction with patient environment (noise and cleanliness are key issues), 80% with communication with doctors, 70% communication with nurses.  Dr. Das said Stroger's overall patient satisfaction level ranks with the lowest 20-30% of hospitals nationally.  Between March and September there will be an inspection of the 16 CCHHS-affiliated clinics to prepare them for certification by the Joint Commission as Medical Home Models.  Concerns were expressed regarding slow hiring at Provident, as well as parking problems.

Managed Care.  Committee Chair Wayne Lerner presented data showing that CCHHS is falling behind on CountyCare membership recertifications, attributing the problem to delays at the state and to fewer re-enrollments by younger people.  Forty percent of  CountyCare patients are cared for by CCHHS, 60% by others.  CountyCare represents more than 50% of CCHHS total revenue, a problem if more patients are seeking care elsewhere.  Another concern is that CCHHS is now caring for the patients most at risk.  Already it is caring for 3,000 of the sickest children in the county, according to Deputy CEO Doug Elwell.  "We need to get our share of healthier patients," Lerner commented.

Human Resources.  Committee Chair Dorene Wiese introduced HR Director Gladys Lopez whose data showed 874 vacancies filled in FY2014 (an increase over FY2013), of which 75% were clinical, 25% nonclinical.  Reasons to leave CCHHS: 8% discharged, 25% relocation, 61% retirement.  In FY2014, there were 6,016 staff, of which 2844 were Black, 1291 Asian, 1102 White, 607 Hispanic, 6 American Indian, unknown 226; female 70%, male 30%; average age of staff 49; 3,465 staff at Stroger Hospital.  Lopez said the greatest hiring challenges were finding physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants. She said 60-90 days is the LEAST amount of time required to fill positions due to barriers of credentialing, time to schedule interview, then report and respond.  Dr. Marsh pointed out that many applicants might well have moved on by then.

Finance.  Chair Lewis Collens' data showed a cash improvement of $101,764 compared to FY13, but key FY14 metrics were under budget, including CountyCare net income with a shortfall of over $24 million and CCHHS net income with a shortfall of $34 million as of October 31.  Financial data regarding contracts with outside providers will be available at future meetings.  Contracts were approved subject to approval by the full Cook County board.

CEO Report. Dr. Shannon reported that the redevelopment for the central campus will incorporate a new building with ambulatory services and office space; RFPs are due February 9.  Stroger Hospital is preparing for review by the Joint Commission.  Dr. Shannon alluded to a recent Crain's article citing only 27% bed occupancy at Stroger Hospital, noting that Stroger is a trauma center with 6 types of ICU beds.  Lerner pointed out that the market is moving toward a need for fewer beds; some partnerships with other hospitals may be possible.  Dr. Shannon welcomed Dr. Erica Marsh and said there is still one board vacancy.  He met with Senator Durbin and five representatives in Washington DC to stress the importance of continued Medicaid funding.  CCHHS now has new linear accelerators providing radiation therapy to cancer patients.

Meeting adjourned at 12:10.

Submitted by Linda Christianson