Cook County Finance Committee Meeting: April 15, 2026

The Finance Committee of the Cook County Board met on April 15, 2026, at 3:45 PM UTC. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Daly, with a quorum present (16 of 18 members in attendance; Commissioners Moore and Kevin Morrison were absent). The committee approved consent calendar items, received quarterly reports, and debated two major funding resolutions: a renewal of the SEED diversion program and ARPA behavioral health grant amendments. All items were approved with votes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the March 2026 finance committee meeting (item 26-1133).
• Received and filed the court orders report (item 26-1049), special court cases, proposed settlements, workers’ compensation settlement decisions (26-1056), workers’ compensation claims reports (26-1068, 26-1102), quarterly litigation disbursement (26-1067), patient and rescue claims (26-1105), self-insurance claims (26-0969), and claims recovery settlements (26-1066). All passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public speakers were registered for the meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Controller’s Report and Cook County Health Report

• Comptroller Cyril Thomas reported on the general fund: a favorable net budget variance of $234.5 million (favorable revenue variance of $204.1 million, favorable expense variance of $30.4 million) for the three months ending February 28, 2026. The health fund had an unfavorable net budget variance of $3 million on a cash basis, but Scott Spencer (interim CFO, Cook County Health) noted that accrual-based reports are better indicators. The state owed Cook County $98 million. Commissioner Laurie announced that Treasurer Craig Williams will leave on May 15, 2026, to become CEO of a Massachusetts hospital.

2. Item 26-0552: SEED Program Renewal

• A proposed resolution to increase the sub-recipient agreement with Heartland Human Care Services by up to $1,020,000 for the Supporting Education and Employment Development (SEED) program. The program diverts emerging adults (18–26) from drug dealing to education and employment. Executive Director Avic Das and Director of Policy Christina Koppah (Justice Advisory Council) presented. Commissioner Degnan expressed disappointment that funds were redirected from environmental programs (EV charging stations, brownfields). The item was approved with 16 ayes and one present vote (Commissioner Moore).

3. Item 26-0828 (as amended): ARPA Behavioral Health Grant Amendments

• Amendments to increase sub-recipient agreements for three organizations: Chinese American Service League (+$112,000 for autism screening and family navigation), Communities and Schools of Chicago (+$1,219,211.26 for school-based services in 10 additional schools), and Juvenile Protective Association (+$954,491 for school-based therapy and expansion). Dr. Nutter (Cook County Health) and Via Koslowski presented, noting that the funds must be spent by September 30, 2026, and are based on spend rate and capacity. Dr. Judith Allen and Beth Rubens of Communities and Schools of Chicago described metrics (academic scores, attendance, behavior) and that they serve students without IEPs. Commissioner McCaskill and Commissioner Stamps raised concerns about the lack of funding for South Suburban areas and questioned why additional funds were not given to new organizations. CFO Tanya Anthony clarified that ARPA funds were obligated by December 2024, so only existing contracts could receive additional money. The item was approved unanimously (17 ayes, Commissioner Moore absent).

Key Outcomes

• Approved all consent calendar items (16 ayes, 1 absent).
• Approved item 26-0552 (SEED program) with 16 ayes, 1 present (Commissioner Moore), and 1 absent.
• Approved item 26-0828 (ARPA amendments) with 17 ayes, 1 absent.
• Received and filed the controller’s report (26-1065), supplemental controller’s report (26-1117), and Cook County Health report (26-1145) — all passed unanimously.
• The meeting was adjourned by motion of Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Vasquez.