Budget & Structure Interest Group

Observing and Advocating for more transparent and efficient County government

  Cook County’s Proposed $9.89 Billion Budget

Has No New Taxes or Fees or Layoffs

As usual, the meetings that the Cook County Commissioners had with the different County departments and officers covered much more than just dollar amounts. All 4 days of those meetings (Oct. 28 thru 31) were observed and reported on by League members. You can read those reports posted on the League web site HERE.

Highlights of the meetings:

·        The overall proposed budget of $9.89 Billion does not include any new taxes, fees, or layoffs.

·        Of the Operating costs. 56.8% is for Health Care provided by the County and18.3% is for Public Safety. Cook County has long been the only Illinois county to provide health care whether someone can pay or not.

·        Of the $1 Billion received from the Federal Government under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the County has used just 20% to cover County operations where there was a loss of revenue or increased costs due to COVID. The vast majority of ARPA funds (80%) have been committed to 73 community programs. The County is now looking to see which of these programs should continue and planning how they can be funded. 

·        The County continues to make extra payments and is on track to fully fund its pensions.

·        Vacancies in positions continue to be a problem in a number of areas, including the Sheriff’s office and Cook County Health.

·       The President’s Office and the Justice Advisory Commission under the President will be working with the Sheriff and the Chief Judge to discuss whether and how a single Electronic Monitoring program should be accomplished. Currently there are two separate programs.

·        The Treasurer’s office is proposing a new unit for AI development.

·        Work is progressing on a review of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center to reimagine how juveniles accused of crimes will be housed and treated.

·     Amendments will be offered and voted on. The budget is expected to be finalized on November 21. The fiscal year begins December 1 for the County.

LeTina Brady Pettis has published two children's books about voting aimed at 5-12 year olds.

The first, "I Want to Vote" tells the inspiring story of Tricee, a young girl curious about how elections work and why voting matters. In the second book, "I Voted", Tricee embarks on an exciting new chapter-casting her first vote.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)

Board of Commissioners Meeting

October 3, 2024 

Harvey Stormwater Project

•        There were 7 public speakers who expressed opposition to the MWRD’s and Harvey’s project to build a stormwater retention basin which was previously authorized by the Board and which includes the acquisition of 31 land parcels, some of which are vacant and some of which include occupied residences. The MWRD expects the project will provide flood reduction benefits to approximately 209 structures.

•      Some of the speakers alleged that Harvey does not maintain its property and so they are worried about the upkeep of the retention basin, and others expressed concern about displacing those whose homes were being taken to do the project.

•     President Steele addressed the speakers’ concerns by stating that the MWRD had negotiated the purchase price with all the owners of occupied homes, with just 2 agreements left to finalize. The President said that as of the day before the meeting, all the homeowners, including the 2 who have not yet finalized a deal, have said that they are satisfied with the process.

•       President Steele also said that part of the intergovernmental agreement with Harvey addresses maintenance of the retention pond. The MWRD held town hall meetings in Harvey to allow citizens to ask questions and raise concerns. Several other Commissioners, including Brady-Davis, Davis, Corral Sepulveda, Brown, and Flynn, commended the MWRD staff and the project which Commissioner Brady-Davis referred to as an example of environmental justice addressing an area that needed stormwater to be addressed.

Sunday, December 8 12-2 pm

Evanston LWV

The Electoral College and the Certification Process

Speaker: Dick Simpson

Cost $100 Fundraiser for Evanston LWV

Registration required

Register Here

Saturday, December 14, 3:00 pm

LWV Palos Orland Area Holiday Celebration

Illinois Philharmonic presents Handel's Messiah

Dinner to follow

Ozinga Chapel, Trinity Christian College

6601 West College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463

Cost $43.20 Tickets are limited

Registration required Contact Arlene at albert.wagner@comcast.net

Saturday, January 11, 10:00 am via Zoom

LWV Palos Orland Area

Criminal Justice Reform

Speaker Jan Goldberg

Open to the public, no registration required

Zoom LINK:           https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85671091917?pwd=Rm5XalhyeTY1Mk5sUGcyeFlVT21yZz09

 Meeting ID: 856 7109 1917

Passcode: 865165

Login at 9:45 for member chat

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