Lawrence Msall, on
behalf of the Civic Federation, after complimenting the County government for
the actions taken with regard to criminal justice reform, health care, and
rationalizing the workforce, said that with regret, the Civic Federation could
not support the proposed budget. The opposition was mainly to the 1% increase in the
sales tax that the Board had approved this summer, and on which this budget is
based.
The Civic Federation cited the competitive
disadvantage the Board was creating for the many businesses in Cook County,
particularly those on the County’s borders.
However, in response
to a question by Commissioner Suffredin, the Civic Federation thinks the $30
million in additional taxes and fees that are part of this budget proposal are
reasonable. This was clearly not what the Commissioner wanted to hear, as he
expressed his concerns about these revenue proposals. Subsequently, the Chamber of Commerce expressed its opposition to
extending the amusement tax to (or rather eliminating the current exemption for)
cable television.
There were several other speakers similarly
expressing opposition, as well as one speaker in favor. Chairman Daley stated that in talking with the individual Commissioners,
it seemed unlikely that the Board would pass the expansion of the amusement tax,
so the Commissioners will have to come up with proposals to cover the $18
million projected from this tax, either through other new revenues or through
cost cuts.
Several speakers
also voiced opposition to the proposed tax on E-cigarettes.
Several speakers
called on the Board to increase the $500,000 for restorative justice programs in
the budget to at least $2 million. The dialogue between a couple of the Commissioners and one
of the speakers got a little heated at one point, as the Commissioners explained
that they supported more money for restorative justice programs, but also were
faced with trying to balance the budget. The
speaker argued that if the County would stop spending so much on the jail, it
could fund restorative justice, which would do much to reduce the jail
population.
Commissioners pointed out that they have a
responsibility to see that there is sufficient money for the jail in order to
protect the public from those committing crimes.
Several speakers
spoke in support of a proposed ordinance (the “Responsible Business Act”) that
would impose a tax on employers who had 750 or more employees making less than a
“living wage.” Chairman Daley pointed out that this proposal is not part of the budget,
and has been referred to a Board committee for separate consideration.
Several speakers
also urged that the focus of the Animal Control Department of the County be
expanded to include helping owners find their lost pets.
One speaker
complained about the Health & Hospitals System treating undocumented
immigrants. Chairman Daly stated that the mission of the County’s health system has
always been to treat everyone.
Next Steps
The Finance
Committee finished its last department meeting on Nov. 2, and has one more public hearing at the Maybrook
Courthouse at 6:30 pm on November 5.
Chairman Daley indicated that the deadline for the
Commissioners to submit amendments to the proposed budget would likely be next
week, but had not been finalized. Check on the budget calendar. A
meeting of the Finance Committee to vote on these amendments and the resulting
budget will then be held, followed by the Board meeting to vote on the budget,
as amended.
-- submitted by
Priscilla Mims, League Observer
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