Thursday, February 12, 2015

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

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