Budget & Structure Interest Group

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Cook County Board Approves $9.9 Billion

Budget for Fiscal Year 2025

The Cook County Board unanimously approved the 2025 Budget on November 21 for $9.9 Billion. The fiscal year began on December 1. In contrast to other municipalities, this was a fairly smooth and non-confrontational process. Almost all of the 21 amendments to what the President had proposed were passed unanimously. The key, of course, is that there are no tax or fee increases; nor are there any layoffs. 

Two of the amendments include:

·    Reallocating $6.34 Million from the Sheriff’s budget pertaining to Electronic Monitoring (EM) to the Chief Judge’s budget in anticipation that the EM that is currently done by the Sheriff will be assumed by the Chief Judge’s office. That office currently has a much smaller and different EM program. The offices of the two officials are in discussions about this, along with the President’s Office and the Justice Advisory Council. It was confirmed that no final decision or timetable or agreed upon milestones for achieving such a transfer have been reached. Several of the Commissioners have asked that regular reports on the status of this effort be provided to the Board. 

·     Assigning $15 Million to the Homeowners Relief Fund. This Special Purpose Fund was recently created to help homeowners pay property taxes. However, the parameters of this program are still to be determined, including who would be eligible and how much they might receive.

To read the full observer report, go to Cook County Observer Reports. You can also find the Observer Reports for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Cook County Health system board, and the Cook County Forest Preserves.

Other Budget News

  The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board is scheduled to approve its budget on December 12, with possible additional amendments on December 19. Currently, the proposal is for $1.69 Billion vs. the $1.4 Billion budget for 2024. The Cook County Forest Preserves Board approved its 2025 budget for $189.3 Million on Nov. 19. 

Cook County Board of Commissioners

Committee Meetings

November 20, 2024   

Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee

Proposed Changes to the Vacation and Excused Absence with Pay ordinance

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There were several public speakers that addressed this proposed change to the ordinance. The current ordinance applies to full time, part-time and seasonal workers in Cook County. It requires that employers allot 1 hour of paid leave for any reason for every 40 hours worked in a 12-month period. The amendment would exempt school districts and park districts.

Several representatives from suburban school districts and park districts explained the problems with the current ordinance:

• For many teachers and others who work under existing contracts, these days are in addition to those agreed in the contract. This results in more time the regular teacher is away from the classroom.
• When those contracts are renegotiated, these days will be included, probably at the cost of sick days. Teachers can accumulate sick days toward their requirement, so they will lose some of that benefit.
• It requires more substitute teachers who are in short supply. The cost of the substitutes is increased.
• Park Districts will have to cut the number of young people hired during the summer because of the increase in cost.
• Home rule municipalities can opt out of this ordinance and then the schools and park districts within its boundaries would be exempt. However, many school districts and park districts cover more than one municipality and so there would be unequal treatment of employees. 

Speakers from Women Employed and the Shriver Institute spoke in favor of keeping the original ordinance as it gives a benefit to the lower earners.

Commissioner Sean Morrison pointed out that the Illinois State Law on paid leave exempts school districts and park districts.

Commissioner Britton reiterated the issue of some municipalities being able to opt out while others can’t. He pointed out that this will have more of an impact on southern and western suburbs who have fewer home rule towns. This could result in higher property taxes. 

The Commissioners who did not support the change acknowledged the issues for the districts, but felt it was more important to protect the lower income workers across Cook County. 

The ordinance amendment failed to pass.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)

Board of Commissioners Meeting

November 7, 2024 

Harvey Stormwater Project: Residents continue to speak for and against the project. 

Prior to the start of its formal agenda the Board heard 45 minutes of testimony from 12 people –most residents of the town of Harvey --regarding the MWRD’s proposal to buy out a dozen flood-prone homes in the town and use those parcels to construct a stormwater holding basin. There were comments in favor of and against the plan. The Board had also heard comments from Harvey residents at the October 17th Board meeting.  

•  Christopher Clark, Mayor of Harvey and several current and former Alderman spoke in favor of the stormwater basin construction and thanked the Board for approving the project, saying payments to residents for their homes seemed generous. They were wearing T-shirts reading “Harvey Supports Water Basin.” 

• Those in opposition cited distrust of the Mayor; fear the project was too close to a school and confusion about why the 12 homes had been selected when there were hundreds of abandoned properties in Harvey. An elderly resident whose home would be demolished in the plan said she was too old to move, lived alone, and did not know where to go.  

• The Board did not respond to comments; President Steele offered to assist the elderly resident.

Tuesday, January 28,2025 7pm In person and Zoom

LWV Palatine, Barrington, and Schaumburg

Election Update

Speaker: WGN TV Political Analyst Paul Lisnek

Schaumburg Public Library

130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg

Link to info/Registration Here

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 x127

lwvcookcounty.org