Cook County Board Meeting June 14, 2011 (updated)

President Preckwinkle called the meeting to order. Commissioners Simms, Steele and Beavers were absent.

Today's meeting began with a tribute to wounded veterans led by The Cook County Veterans Assistance Commission and the Silver Star Families.  The rate of suicide of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan is high, and it has surpassed the number of those who died in action.  The unemployment rate among veterans is 11%.

The Finance Committee met briefly, chaired by Commissioner Daley.  All Court Orders and Bills and Claims were approved.  There was a discussion, prompted by a question, about a mortgage foreclosure program through which community members in imminent risk of foreclosure receive assistance.  The current contracts are due to expire in July.  The item was passed with the exception of Commissioners Suffredin and Collins voting against.  All Workmen's Compensation Claims, Subrogation Recoveries, Bids, and Highway Items were approved.

The first two items on the Commissioners agenda were initially referred to the Finance Committee.  The first dealt with regulations governing the procurement and contracts chapter of the Code of Ordinances.  The item was lengthy (7 pages).  The second referred to fees collected by the County Clerk's Office for the many services it performs for the public such as marriage and civil union applications, requests for death certificates, etc.  Both of these items were returned to the agenda at the end of the meeting, resubmitted as new items.  Both were then approved, but there was no discussion of the changes made.

A lengthy item regarding proposed ordinance amendments to the Cook County Vehicle Code included sections on Traffic Control Devices, Unauthorized signs, Obstruction with Traffic, Stopping, Standing or Parking, Unattended Motor Vehicles, Safety Belts, Jaywalking, and Pedestrian Crossing. It was approved, with the exception of Commissioners Gorman and Tobolski, who both voted no.

Under the Bureau of Economic Development,Commissioner Collins asked about using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which had been cut by 16% from last year, for funding for gas assistance.  The item was passed, but she voted against it.

Pending Litigation items were referred to the Litigation Sub-committee of the  Finance Committee.

--Submitted by Beverly Graham