Cook County Board Once Again Approves Reduction in Sales Tax

November 17 at 10:30am

The Cook County Board met in Special Session to consider 2 amendments to the Home Rule Sales Taxes in the county. The amendments called for a decrease from 1.75% to 1.25% in both the County Retailer's Occupation Tax and the County Service Occupation Tax. The meeting was called to order by President Stroger at 10:50am and Comm. Suffredin moved the approval of the 2 amendments.

After establishing that public notification of the meeting met the Open Meetings Act requirements, Comm. Schneider introduced amendments to the amendments that changed the percentage reduction of the tax from 1.75% to 0.75%. This provoked discussion of whether such amendments were in order and after establishing that they were Comm. Schneider stated that his amendments were intended to get rid of the tax which is driving business out of the county and look to other ways to broaden the tax base to produce revenue if it is needed.

Debate ensued with nearly all commissioners having their say about the taxes once again. The roll call vote to accept the substitute amendments was as follows: Yes(6): Claypool, Gorman, Goslin, Peraica, Schneider, Silvestri No(10): Beavers, Butler, Collins, Daley, Gainer, Murphy, Reyes, Sims, Steele, Suffredin Absent(1): Moreno

Then the original amendments were brought back to the floor for action. Again there was debate. Comm. Collins stated that Cook County was "the worst structured and run government in the country" and it needs to be restructured since so many departments have strayed from their core mission. Comm. Daley stated that Cook County goverment will change in 2011 and agencies will have to combine. He further stated that the Board needs the power to make changes. Comm. Peraica apparently insulted a relative of Comm. Daley, that resulted in accusations of politicking, looking out only for one's constituents not the county as a whole, looking to doing what was politically expedient rather than what is good for the people.

After all the Commissioners who wanted to were able to speak, President Stroger then made his speech saying this was a battle of the haves and the have nots, and again stating that the poor will suffer with a lack of health care. He accused the Unions of having done nothing - just standing on the side lines. He stated that he is there to represent all of Cook County and to remind people of what really matters. Then he called for the roll call vote.

The vote on the amendments changing the tax from 1.75% to 1.25% was done on each amendment separately. The vote was the same for each. Yes(12): Claypool, Collins, Daley, Gainer, Gorman, Goslin, Peraica, Reyes, Schneider, Silvestri, Steel, Suffredin No(5): Beavers, Butler, Moreno, Murphy, Sims

A move to reconsider each was made and another roll call was done. It was not approved. The meeting was adjourned at 12:40pm.

Nov. 9, 2009 Finance Committee Meeting to Review the Proposed Budget--Chief Judge

Chief Judge Timothy Evans explained that while the Executive (proposed) Budget presented by the President has a 1.1% increase over 2009, the Chief Judge had sought a 3.3% increase due to the increase in juvenile justice cases (now handling 17 year olds charged with non-violent crimes, but the Chief Judge says that the money from the State that used to go to the Criminal Courts for these cases has not come over to the Juvenile Justice system), more domestic violence cases, and the mortgage foreclosure crisis.  However, the Chief Judge reported that he has applied for and received grant funding for probation officer positions that had been cut in the Executive Budget, so he will seek an amendment to add those positions back.  Chairman Daley asked the Chief Judge about the backlog of criminal justice cases that the Sheriff had discussed.  The Chief Judge said that there had been great strides in eliminating the backlog and currently, 94% of the cases are disposed of within 2 years.  With regard to the Sheriff’s comments that more arrestees should be on electronic monitoring, the Chief Judge said that 1/3 of those arrested are on electronic monitoring or on their own reconnaissance.  The Chief Judge also said that the Sheriff’s proposal to close courtrooms after 6 pm would not be feasible because it is in the evening that the Traffic Safety School, Juvenile Deferred Prosecution program, Victim Impact panels and other programs run.  He also expressed concern over the impact that municipalities would have if the weekend bond court closings were done as the Sheriff had suggested.    

Commissioner Beavers said that he feels that the Interim Administrator of the Juvenile Detention Center is spending too much money and is concerned that long time employees are being laid off just because they don’t have college degrees.  The Chief Judge said that the Juvenile Detention Center still has not been turned over to him, but that he has heard that that might occur by June.  [As a result of a lawsuit, a federal court has appointed an Interim Administrator who reports to the court.  Once the federal court feels that sufficient improvements at the Center have been made, then it would go back to being run by the County.  Previously, the Center was under the President, but as a result of state legislation that was passed after the federal court took jurisdiction, the Chief Judge will assume responsibility prospectively.]  The Chief Judge pointed out that the Interim Administrator would be appearing before the Finance Committee that afternoon and Comm. Beavers could address his concerns directly to him.  [However, Comm. Beavers was not present then – see the post for the Juvenile Detention Center.]

--submitted  by Observer Pris Mims

Status of the Cook County Budget Review

The Finance Committee is on track to complete the meetings with the individual elected officials and department heads to discuss the proposed 2010 budget by Monday, November 9.  Chairman Daley said on Nov. 3 that amendments to the proposed budget are due by November 12 from the Commissioners for the “amendment book” that will be distributed prior to the meetings to vote on budget amendments.  However, Commissioners may still offer amendments during these meetings (termed “floor amendments”).  Commissioners are expecting to vote on the budget prior to Thanksgiving, or about one month after receiving the proposed budget from the President on October 22. 

--Submitted by Observer Pris Mims