Newsletter - October 2023

Newsletter Highlights

President Preckwinkle Proposes a $9.19 Billion Budget

No Cash Bail started in Illinois on September 18th!

Cook County Budget $9.19 Billion for Fiscal year 2024

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle formally presented the proposed budget to the Cook County Board on October 5, which in turn referred the proposal to the Finance Committee for consideration. On the prior day, the Cook County League received an overview at a budget briefing from the President’s office with such other good government groups as the Civic Federation. The League has been invited to these briefings because of our 20-year history of observing the budget process each year. We have provided suggestions for improving the process – primarily increasing transparency for the public. Many of these suggestions have been adopted by the County.

The Finance Committee will meet with County departments October 24 thru 26 to go over their proposed budgets and to review what was accomplished this year. League members have learned quite a bit about the operations of the different aspects of County government through these meetings.

Following the department meetings, proposed amendments will be submitted and then voted on by the Finance Committee. The Board is expected to vote on the budget, as amended, on November 16. The 2024 fiscal year begins December 1.

The Cook County & MWRD Governments Group will have observers at these budget meetings, and you will be able to read our reports at LWVCC Observer Reports.

LWVCC Interest Groups report on important news in Cook County Government

Health System Interest Group

The Asylum Seekers program at the Belmont Cragin Ambulatory & Community Health Network clinic of Cook County Health celebrated its first-year anniversary providing healthcare including mental/behavioral health and transportation to appointments for immigrants.

The cost of $1.8 million a month is being funded by charitable support from the City of Chicago, CCH’s CareLink, and other organizations. Sixty-eight percent of asylum seekers have been approved for public insurance; and CCH expects to receive $2 million dollars from the Illinois Department of Health Services to help cover 2023 operating costs.

Forest Preserve Interest Group

Over 30 people attended the Somme Prairie Walk on August 31. We enjoyed a talk by Steve Packard on the history of the work performed at the Prairie. Steve talked about the committed restoration volunteers and the important work they continue to do. Restoration and removal of invasive species has to be an ongoing job because there are simply too many invasive plants threatening the forests. A recent international report stated that invasives worldwide are threatening biodiversity.

The Brookfield Zoo which sits on Forest Preserve land received an anonymous $40 million gift on Tuesday, September 19. Dr. Michael Adkesson, the zoo’s director, states “This gift bolsters our ability to create an exceptional future for Brookfield Zoo as we approach our centennial celebration in 2034”.

Criminal Justice Interest Group

No Cash Bail started in Illinois on September 18th!

The Criminal Justice Interest Group and other volunteers will be doing two rounds of court watching on the new process. This is in partnership with The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice and the Civic Federation.

The Group will also be monitoring increases in the Electronic Monitoring program as a result of the new process. EM already has about 3300 recipients split between 2 programs, one under the Sheriff and one under the Chief Judge.

The next book discussion will be on "All American Boys" by Reynolds and Kiely. It will be Oct. 27 at 9AM via Zoom.

The next regular meeting will be Dec.1st via Zoom.

To participate in any of these activities , please contact Jan Goldberg

Photo by Sora Shimazaki

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

Our Observers Report:

COOK COUNTY BOARD

COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING:

Commissioners discussed two proposals to utilize ARPA funds to provide loans for purchase of hotels to provide housing for the homeless. They also discussed a proposal to utilize ARPA funds to help people pay water bills. All proposals were passed (and subsequently approved by the Cook County Board on September 21.)

MWRD

Commissioner Davis passed out a graph listing current action efforts of utility and water organizations the District financially supports to hold PFAS manufacturers financially responsible for cleanup. He asked that as the District approaches renewal membership dues, it considers what legislative efforts that organization has expended.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH BOARD

County Care continues to hold the lead in Cook County market share at 32.4% in a field of 6 other managed care organizations. County Care exceeded its initial retention goal of 90% of members responding to their redetermination notice.

CEO Rocha noted that Cook County Health’s Stroger Hospital has been named the #1 most racially inclusive hospital in Illinois and #2 in the nation by the Lown Institute Hospitals index.

Local League Upcoming Events

Thursday, October 19, 6:30-8:00pm

LWV Oak Park River Forest

Civility in Political Discussions

Drinks & Dialogue

Friendly Tap, 6733 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn

See their website for more information.

Tuesday, November 14, 9:30-11:00am

LWV Oak Park River Forest

The National Popular Vote for Presidential Elections

Oak Park Main Library

See their website for more information

LWV Palos-Orland Video

Higher Education's Role in Civic Engagement

Presented by Dr. Pamela Haney, President

Moraine Valley Community College

https://youtu.be/yZUqRcvSv8U

2023-2024 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: Laura Davis, Palatine; Diane Edmundson, Chicago; Jan Goldberg, LaGrange Area ; Betty Hayford, Evanston; Karin Hribar, Arlington Heights; 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