CC Finance Committee Meeting on Proposed 2010 Budget: October 27, 2009, Bureau of Administration

This Bureau is an amalgamation of County departments under the President that literally run the gamut from A (Animal Control) to Z (Zoning Board of Appeals). Other departments are Planning and Development, Building and Zoning, Environmental Control, Judicial Advisory Council, Medical Examiner, Office of Adoption and Child Custody Advocacy, Veterans' Assistance Commission, Highway, Highway – MFT Illinois First, and the Law Library. Mark Kilgallon heads up the Bureau as the Chief Administrative Officer.

The 2009 Appropriation was $36 million (corporate funds) plus $22 million (special purpose funds). The amount included in the proposed budget from President Stroger is $35.6 million (corporate) plus $23.7 million (special). This is a 1.3% reduction in corporate funds per the Budget Director. However, each division was asked to reduce their corporate funds budget request by 5%. The number of FTE's (Full Time Equivalent employees) is currently authorized at 649 and the proposed budget has 697. The increases are due primarily to Highway -- MFT Illinois First (26), the Law Library (7) and the Medical Examiner (18). Among other things, the Medical Examiner needs to add another team to review infant deaths because there are so many. Dr. Nancy Jones, Cook County Medical Examiner, explained the primary purpose of the Medical Examiner's office is to prevent preventable deaths by identifying the cause of death so that action can be taken to prevent future deaths.

Commissioner Gainer asked whether any of the special purpose motor fuel tax (MFT) funds could be used for other items in the budget. To be explored. Commissioner Gainer also would like each department's budget in the future to reflect the costs for the facilities they utilize; otherwise, departments have no incentive to consolidate or move to less expensive space.

Commissioner Silvestri asked about where the project to add cameras at County –controlled intersections stood. The response was that they were still waiting for the Chief Judge to determine which County court would deal with tickets generated by the use of the cameras. This will probably come up when the Chief Judge appears to discuss that budget. While the installation of cameras is primarily being done for safety reasons, it will also be a revenue generator for the County.

--Submitted by Observer Pris Mims

Cook County Finance Committee Meeting on Proposed 2010 Budget, October, 26, 2009

A packet entitled "Cook County: 2010 Budget Appropriation" itemizing the 2010 sources of money and uses of funds was distributed to each commissioner. The total amount of money available for general use is $2,281,300,000 ($2.3 billion) and the "County Overall Picture" is $3,565,520,000 ($3.6 billion). [See 97 page pdf of "Citizen's Summary" here.] A page entitled "Bureau of Finance Goals" states that a goal of the Bureau of Finance is to facilitate a more efficient purchase process, an improved accounts payable process, and reduced risk management cost. A recurring theme in Chief Financial Officer Jaye Williams' presentation was the necessity of submitting budgets according to deadlines.

Various commissioners responded to the presentation. Finance Committee Chairman Daley questioned the five percent budget cuts and how the potential repeal of 1.25% of the sales tax would factor into the budget.

Commissioner Suffredin expressed a desire to start the budget process sooner and asked about new sources of revenue. He stated that the current budget process is three months behind last year's timeline. Comm. Suffredin also recommended better spending of special purpose funds. In addition, he is concerned that consumers in Cook County are purchasing merchandise out of state in order to circumvent paying the Cook County sales tax. More inspectors are needed to police such behaviors, Ms. Williams stated. Further, a new source of revenue will be generated from business licenses in the future.

Commissioner Sims wondered whether outside health insurance of county employees might be less expensive than insuring themselves.

The expense of maintaining buildings, particularly the Daley Center, was raised by Commissioner Gainer, who suggested that each department submit a cost breakdown of their facilities. She also suggested looking into the costs of employee health insurance. How does the cost of Cook County's health insurance for employees compare with other municipalities? was a key question.

Commissioner Goslin wondered if monthly reports rather than quarterly reviews would be more effective and reader-friendly. He wondered whether new positions had been created in the county's government.

Budget Director Takashi Reinbold stated that, at the time of the printing of the materials being discussed, not all of the necessary information had been submitted. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00.

--Submitted by Observer Stephanie Polito

Cook County 2010 Budget Hearings

The$3.0 Billion 2010 Cook County Budget has been released, and Hearing season has begun.

The public has four opportunities to voice their opinions about the budget:

Thursday, October 29, 2009 6:30 P.M.
Second District Courthouse - 5600 Old Orchard Road - Conference Room 201
Skokie, Illinois

Friday, October 30, 2009 10:30 A.M.
Cook County Building - 118 North Clark Street - Board Room, Room 569
Chicago, Illinois

Monday, November 2, 2009 6:30 P.M.
Sixth District Courthouse - 16501 South Kedzie Parkway - Courtroom 098
Markham, Illinois

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 6:30 P.M.
Fourth District Courthouse - 1500 South Maybrook Drive - Courtroom 106
Maywood, Illinois

Sign up to testify.

Forest Preserve District Board Meeting, October 7 2009

Friends of the Forest Preserves had a large group in front of President Stroger's office at 9:00AM to protest the development of forest preserve land by the Village of Hinsdale park district, for a soccer field. By the end of the Forest Preserve District’s regular meeting, the commissioners agreed to discuss this development at some other time.

The meeting opened recognizing the grand opening of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. This 38,000 sq. ft. laboratory and research facility that houses the first-ever doctoral program that focuses solely on plant biology and conservation. This program is in partnership with Northwestern University.

The 16,000 sq. ft. green roof is open to the public, as is a visitor gallery in the center of the building.

Congratulations were given to Sophia Siskel, President and COO of the Botanic Gardens, and her staff.

Alice Brandon, Conservation Director of the Friends of the Forest Preserve, introduced several interns of the Urban Restoration and Prescribed Fire Internships. The intern opportunities are made possible by the combined efforts of the Forest Preserve District, the Student Conservation Association, and the support of the U. S. Forest Service.

--Submitted by Observer Mary Ann Tate