Cook County Board Meeting June 19, 2013

The meeting was called to order at 11:15 am by President Preckwinkle after an extended Finance Committee meeting. All commissioners with the exception of Commissioners Tobolski and Garcia were in attendance.

The first order of business was to refer three agenda items regarding amendments to the recently-adopted Source of Income Amendment to the Human Relation Cods to the Human Relations Committee. The speakers for the issue will be given notice of the new meeting time and date.

USE TAX
J. Thomas Johnson from the Taxpayers Federation spoke concerning his view about constitutional problems that might occur with the county's proposed tax levy for personal property. The County's plan is to tax on the value of property rather than on the purchase price. Without amending the municipal tax laws, he feels that this would be unconstitutional and an unfair burden. It would require citizens to file with the state, county, and city.

HONORS
Rules were suspended for the purpose of moving to item 18 on the agenda: a resolution honoring injured Silver Star Family War Veterans in Cook County. Presentations were made by all board members for those in their districts. Veterans included: 2 from the Korean War, 14 from the Viet Nam War, 1 from Desert Storm, 5 from the War in Iraq and 1 from the War in Afghanistan. Names were read for those not present, including one from World War II.

AGENDA
The consent Calendar was approved.  The commissioners then voted to go into closed session to discuss litigation.  The meeting resumed at 12:30.

Interesting discussion took place on the relief of overcrowding at Cook County Jail. Chosen inmates are sent to other facilities in-state for the purposes of safety and cost. There are currently 9,904 in custody. $143 is spent per day on each. 83% are arrested for violent crimes.

A lengthy discussion took place concerning the costs for a disparity study required every 5 years for the Forest Preserves, Hospitals, and Professional Services. Cost for this is shared with the state. It was approved.

Commissioner Daley moved to suspend remaining agenda items to proceed to New Business. All New Business Items were moved to committees.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm.

--Submitted by Pat Lind