Newsletter Highlights
Public Defender Sharone R. Mitchell Jr explained the goals of his office to Leaguers at the August 13th Food For Thought
Kayak with the LWVCC Forest Preserve Interest Group September 26
Apply for vote by mail ballot now
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Cook County Public Defender Sharone R. Mitchell Jr. proved a very interesting speaker for this year's Food for Thought. | |
Photos by Tina Brady Pettis | |
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Responding to questions from the League's Criminal Justice Group chair, Jan Goldberg, and the audience, he explained all of the services needed to defend a client.
Here are some highlights from the discussion.
- While the Public Defender’s office has a presence at 13 court houses within Cook County, their clients often do not live near there. The office is expanding its reach by creating two “Freedom Defense Centers” in Roseland and Austin to make it easier for many of their clients to reach them.
- 2024 Budget of $86 million and an approved headcount of 831, with 698 filled positions: 75% attorneys, 11% investigators, 8% support staff, and 6% specialists (such as mitigators and social workers)
- There are 22 divisions, some organized by geography (locations of court houses) and some organized by type of work being done, such as juvenile justice, pre-trial work, cases involving domestic violence.
- Providing legal representation to those who cannot afford it motivates recruits to the Office.
- Mr. Mitchell said that he thinks the Pre-Trial Fairness Act has resulted in a much better system than before, when the ability to pay was too often the basis for release. He hopes that the Illinois legislature does not make many, if any, changes to the law.
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In response to a question regarding the Chicago Tribune’s series of articles on how long it takes to resolve criminal cases in Cook County as compared to other Illinois counties and urban districts in other states, Mr. Mitchell said there was an internal group formed to make recommendations. There have been some changes, though not radical ones. Some judges have started to do more case management.
To read more detail about the program, see the
LWVCC Website Home Page.
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Forest Preserve Interest Group Event
Thursday September 26
Skokie Lagoons
Guided walk and kayaking
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Explore Skokie Lagoons, a Cook County Forest nature preserve in Glencoe and Winnetka, with Gary Morrissey, IL Master Naturalist
Thursday, September 26 - 10:00 to 11:30 am Nauralist led walk
11:30 am Optional kayak/canoe paddle
Bring a friend or a Boy Scout or Girl Scout Bring a snack and water.
The walk will start promptly at 10am.
Meet at the Tower Rd parking lot near the Chicago River Canoe and Kayak rental. We can then walk along the west side of Lagoon #4 up to the old Nike Missile Site (about 1.5 miles round trip) and return the same way. Optional lagoon kayak or canoe paddle after the walk around 11:30 with Gary. A fee is involved with paddling. Those interested in a longer hike instead of paddling could complete the loop around the north lagoons (about 5 miles) and return to the Tower Rd lot.
The park is bordered by Dundee Road to the north, Forestway Drive to the east, Willow Road to the south, and the Edens Expressway to the west.
Exit I-94 at Tower Road and head east on Tower.
Registration Required
Register at info@lwvcookcounty.org
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Voters can now apply for vote-by-mail ballots for this election, as well as to be placed on the permanent vote-by-mail roster. Suburban Cook residents, go to the Cook County Clerk's web site. Chicago residents, go to the Chicago Board of Elections web site.
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Cook County positions on ballots will be:
- Cook County Board of Review Commissioner for the 3rd District (4-year term)
- Cook County Clerk (remaining 2 years of the unexpired term)
- Cook County Clerk of the Court (4-year term)
- Cook County Commissioner, 1st District (remaining 2 years of the unexpired term)
- Cook County Commissioner, 2nd District (remaining 2 years of the unexpired term)
- Cook County State’s Attorney (4-year term)
- Voters will also elect Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners:
3 to be elected for 6-year terms
1 to be elected for the remaining 2 years of an unexpired term
Established political parties have until August 28 to submit their nominees for any of these positions where no one from that party ran in the Primary. Check the Cook County League’s web site after Labor Day for a list of candidates who will be on the November 5 ballot
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LWVCC Interest Groups report on important news in Cook County Government | |
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Budget and Structure Interest Group
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Michael Scott was sworn in as 2nd District Cook County Commissioner following the death of Dennis Deer, who had served as Commissioner since 2017. Commissioner Scott was previously the Chicago alderperson for the 24th ward before resigning in 2022 to take a job in the private sector. The 2nd District is entirely in Chicago. Under County ordinance, the Democratic Party ward committee persons met and voted to appoint Mr. Scott, who will serve through November. Thanks to the Cook County League, because the vacancy occurred more than 28 months before the original term expires, this position will be on the November 5 ballot. Political parties have until August 28 to submit their nominees to the Cook County Clerk’s office.
The League’s Budget & Structure members observed the Finance Committee meetings on next year's budget.. A few highlights:
- The County is in good financial shape. The County appears to be turning the corner on hiring and retaining employees, which has been an issue that started with Covid.
- Both the General Fund and the Health Fund for 2024 are projected to end the fiscal year on Nov. 30 with higher revenues than expenses.
- The projected gap for the General Fund budget for 2025 is $218 M, but the expectation is that can be closed without any need for higher taxes or fees. The 2025 Health Fund budget projection is for a balanced budget. This is a huge turnaround from not that many years ago when the Health Fund regularly had deficits.
- The County received $1 B from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is on target to use a little less than $200 M to cover County operations due to lost revenues and increased costs from Covid. The remaining $800 M is being used for 78 community programs to assist people and businesses, especially small businesses, and local governments.
- The League has repeatedly urged the Cook County Board to make sure there are appropriate measures in place and data collected in order for the Board to decide which programs should be funded and continue after the ARPA dollars run out in 2026. The Commissioners are now asking questions about such measures and data.
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Criminal Justice Interest Group | |
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There is a new data dashboard for the 75 Illinois counties that had no pretrial services until the Pretrial Fairness Act. The state has taken over these services. The data shows a 63% detention rate, similar to Cook County when prosecutors ask to detain a defendant.
- The Justice Advisory Council (JAC) of President Preckwinkle's office is offering grants to various neighborhood groups that deal with non-violence. These groups have good statistics for reducing arrest rates in neighborhoods in which they work. One of those groups is CRED (Creating Real Economic Destiny), led by Arne Duncan.
- The Cook County Board of Commissioners will look into why deaths at Cook County Jail had gone up in 2023. Sheriff Dart blamed fentanyl-laced paper. He has since banned paper coming in with visitors.
- A visit is planned for Aug 23 at the Restorative Justice Court in Avondale, the 3rd one to open in the city.
- The next regular meeting of the Criminal Justice Interest Group will be September 24 at 9 am via Zoom.
- The next book discussion will be on Ben Austen's "Correction: Parole, Prison and Possibility of Change". The date will be August 30th via Zoom.
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If you would like to participate in any of these activities please contact Jan Goldberg
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Check out the LWVIL Website for great information on dealing with mis/disinformation. | |
The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation has emerged as a significant threat to our democratic processes and informed decision-making of the electorate.
The LWVIL Task Force Page provides great information on how to deal with this, and you can register for their upcoming event:
SCOTUS Punts on Social Media Censorship: What’s Next?
Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 pm
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LWVCC observes and reports on board and committee meetings of Cook County government entities to provide our members with an understanding of current issues. To read more: LWVCC Observer Reports
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Highlights from Observer Reports
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Cook County Health Board Meeting
June 28, 2024
Grants of either $500,000 or $1 Million of ARPA funds under the Stronger Together Behavioral Health initiative have been awarded to 53 different community-based organizations. The purpose of the grants is to address behavioral health inequities across the region’s system of care. Grant awards were made to those communities in greatest need and will begin September 2024. Commissioners were concerned with how the Department would accomplish gathering granular data on outcomes, given the diversity of the grantee organizations. The Department recognizes the challenge and is dedicated to setting measurable and quantifiable goals and objectives.
MWRD Board of Commissioners Meetings
July 15 and Aug 8, 2024
The Commissioners expressed concern on the various requirements for vendors in the procurement process at both the July and August board meetings. Discussion centered around a landscape maintenance contract for various service areas. This item was deferred at the July meeting. Commissioner Davis said that the procurement process in regard to diversity is flawed. A vendor was not considered because they did not include the required letter of intent from a subcontractor that is needed to fulfill the diversity goals. One of the vendors did not need a sub-contractor to meet the goals, the company itself met it. But the rules require that they should still have included a letter of intent. Commissioner Garcia recommended that a workgroup of departments be convened to address the issues. President Steele directed Executive Director Perkovich to organize the workgroup and address the process requirements and propose changes to make it more efficient. The contract was approved, Commissioner Davis abstained.
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Thursday, August 29, 2024 6:00pm - 8pm Via Zoom
LWVIL
Energize Leadership Training
LWVIL is re-introducing regular annual training for all local Leagues! This virtual event is open to all new and experienced leaders of Illinois local Leagues and MAS Units, as well as any interested members. It will cover officer, board member, and committee expectations and responsibilities. Topics include voter services, advocacy, membership handbooks, yearly calendars, ChapterSpot, roster management, and new structures on the horizon. We work best as we learn and share with each other!
Register to Attend
Check out the LWVIL Event Page for other meetings of interest.
Saturday, September 14, 2024 10:00 am
LWV Palos Orland Area
"I’m Sorry For My Loss” - An Urgent Examination of Reproductive Care in America Book review by the authors Rebecca Little and Colleen Long
Palos Heights Public Library
12501 S 71st Avenue, Palos Heights, IL. 60463
No Registration Required
Join the League at 9:30 am for coffee
Tuesday, Sept 24, 6:30 pm
LWV-OPRF
Fake News: The Evolution of Alternative Facts
Speaker: Michael A. Spikes
Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
Free and open to the public.
Link to more information
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2024-2025 Cook County League Board Members
OFFICERS: President: Cynthia Schilsky, LaGrange Area; Vice-Presidents: Pris Mims, Chicago, Kathi Graffam, LaGrange Area; Secretary: Carolyn Cosentino, Homewood/Flossmoor; Treasurer: Trudy Turner, Evanston.
Board members: Victoria Cerinich, Palos-Orland Park Area; Laura Davis, Palatine; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Sue Gregory, Glenview-Glencoe; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Sandra Slayton, Homewood-Flossmoor
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization whose mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government; to increase understanding of major policy issues, and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to anyone regardless of gender, race, or ethnic group.
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League of Women Voters of Cook County
332 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604
312-939-5935
lwvcookcounty.org
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