Commissioners, may we have your attention?

Commissioners, may we have your attention?

Good morning, good morning, good morning.

The meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners will come to order.

Will the clerk please call the roll?

Could I ask please our commissioners to take your seat?

Very effective.

Commissioner Aguilar.

Commissioner Aguilar absent.

Commissioner Anaya.

Commissioner Anaya, present.

Commissioner Britton.

Commissioner Britton here.

Commissioner Daly.

Commissioner Daly here.

Commissioner Degnan.

Commissioner Degnan here.

Commissioner Gaynor.

Commissioner Gaynor excused absence.

Commissioner Lowry.

Laura's present.

Commissioner Lowy present.

Commissioner McCaskill.

Commissioner McCaskill absent.

Commissioner Miller.

Miller here.

Commissioner Miller, present.

Commissioner Moore.

Present.

Commissioner Moore, present.

Commissioner Marita.

Commissioner Marita present.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison present.

Commissioner Sean Morrison.

Commissioner Sean Morrison absent.

Commissioner Scott.

Commissioner Scott, present.

Commissioner Stamps.

Commissioner Stamps, present.

Commissioner Trevor.

Trevor Here.

Commissioner Trevor present.

Commissioner Vasquez.

Commissioner Vasquez, President.

Madam President, you have a quorum.

Please add Commissioner Aguilar.

Thank you.

We'll do.

I'll add Commissioner Aguilar to the role.

All right.

Commissioner Cass, we added the role.

Commissioner Aguilar, would you lead us in the point of the leaders, please?

Under God just for all.

Cook County resides on lands that have been a home of indigenous people for thousands of years.

The Pottawatomi, the Ottawa, the Ottawa, and dozens of nations that were custodians and caretakers of this land for centuries before European colonization.

Truth and acknowledgement are crucial to building understanding, mutual respect across cultures, tradition, and heritages.

By reading this statement, Cook County recognizes the past wrongdoings as well as present as well as present harms upon people.

Tribal lands and governments.

We honor indigenous peoples past and present and pause to remember the acts of violence, displacement, and colonization that have removed the original inhabitants of this land.

With this land acknowledgement, Cook County commits to learning more about doing better to support county native indigenous residents as we work towards a more equitable Cook County for all.

Thank you, ma'am.

Members of the public who wish to testify have up until 24 hours before the schedule start of the meeting.

Speakers will have three minutes to address the body and will be alerted when they have one minute remaining, 30 seconds remains, and when time is expired.

Translation services are available for this meeting.

If you need assistance, please put forth a request in a teams chat or see a staff member in the boardroom.

Persons authorized to provide public testimony shall not use vulgar, abusive, discriminatory, profane, or otherwise inappropriate language when addressing the body.

Failure to act appropriately or failure to adhere to the time requirements may result in expulsion from the meeting and or disqualifying the person from providing future testimony.

Written only comments provided prior to the start of the meeting will be made part of the meeting record.

Those in the room are going to ask that you would come to the public speaking mic in this order.

Christina Barelas McGuinty.

And then Samuel Moreau is virtual.

Then Jessica Jackson, George Blake Moore.

Christina, are you in the room?

Hi.

Please.

Oh.

Good morning, everyone.

Hello.

Um, my name is Christina Burlis McIntyre.

I am a plumber of local 130 for the last 26 years.

Um, and uh I will honored to be standing here in front of you all uh today with this resolution declaring April 30th as women in apprenticeship day.

Um, as a plumber uh for all these years, I have seen the hard work that women have done in the the labor just in labor itself in the work industry.

We make up half of the work industry.

But when it comes to actual construction, women working with tools is about four percent.

But our apprentices, you know, we're getting the numbers up there a little bit.

They're about five percent, but we would we really need to start focusing on keeping women in this industry.

This industry's been good to me.

It's helped my family, it's helped my community.

I've seen what it could do.

So the fact that we are acknowledging this uh this industry itself with a day for our apprentices for our female apprentices, truly means a lot to me, and I really appreciate it.

I think um all of you, President uh Preckwinkle, I thank you.

Um Jessica Vasquez, I appreciate you in in doing this, and um we look forward to celebrating um women as we should always, you know.

Plumbing water gives life, women give life as well.

So thank you very much, and thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Samuel Samuel is connected remotely.

There you go.

You may begin, sir.

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

My name is Sam Mulro, I'm the executive vice president at ASAFEN.

I'm here to say thank you.

Samuel, hold one second.

If you can hear me, hold one second.

Control Rome, I need you to turn up the volume for the speaker on Teams, please.

All right, let's go again, Samuel.

Sounds good.

Uh good afternoon.

My name is Sam Woolrow.

I'm the executive vice president at ASAF Haven, and I'm here to say thank you to the Cook County Board Commissioners, uh, including our commissioner Michael Scott Jr., uh to President Preckwinkle, the Justice Advisory Council, and the Office of the Chief Judge and the many dedicated county employees.

Uh, thank you for your commitment to re-entry programs as we acknowledge Second Chance Month.

Uh, thank you for believing that people are larger than their mistakes, and thank you specifically for the No Place to Stay program.

Uh, for years now, No Place to Stay has been a big part of our residential work at ASAFE Haven.

Men and women come to us from jail, from court, and from the community.

And we get to walk with them while they do the bravest thing a person can do, and that's step into their full potential and turn their lives around.

They show up to substance use treatment groups, they sit with counselors and psychiatrists, they study for their GED, they learn a trade and all of all of it under one roof because healing happens in community.

I've been lucky enough to work with many of these folks, both in my leadership role and as a substance use counselor.

Uh, and I'll tell you the stories really stay with me.

Uh I was talking with one woman just yesterday.

She came to us carrying more challenges than I could list here, probably more than I can manage myself.

Uh, but she found her hope, not because we gave it to her, but because she claimed it for herself.

A few weeks ago she moved into her own apartment.

Uh, her job is going great, and she always checks in, not because she has to, but because she wants to.

Hope is what we do, and that's what re-entry programs can offer.

Uh, the stubborn, inconvenient kind of hope that refuses to give up on people.

No place to stay is the recognition of transformation and the belief in fresh starts.

Uh so when you invest in re-entry programs and when you fund no place to stay, you're saying that people matter more than their mistakes.

That the distance between who someone was and who they're becoming is sacred ground and it's worth nurturing.

Thank you for making that ground available.

Thank you for choosing hope, and thank you for knowing that the people we serve are deserving of hope.

They're our neighbors, our teachers, and our friends.

Thank you.

Uh thank you.

Jessica Jackson, followed by George Blake Moore, Taiwan Sims are next.

Um I'm glad you came back, Tony Preckwickle, because you usually don't do that.

You know, you usually dodge public comments.

You're in that nervous laugh.

Anyway, being a parent, it broadens your scope, it broadens your mind, right?

So as a parent, we know that our household could be in trouble, right?

We could be in trouble with money.

We might be in trouble with our jobs.

But the main thing that we have to do in front of our children is keep a calm demeanor.

Because as long as we look calm, then we can keep our kids calm.

But if we look worried, then it worries our children.

So that's what I see when I come in here and I see you.

You know that your world is falling apart.

Yeah, you know.

Like JB Priston knows his world is falling apart.

But because you have all these people in here, you got to keep that confident looking face, but your body language gives you away.

I saw you with all your vigor.

Call this meeting to order.

I didn't know you had it in you.

To be, you know, to call things to order.

So I'm wondering, can you use that same bigger?

And tell Lewis Apostle, public administrator, Lewis Apostle, to stop stealing property.

Because he's under your purview.

Look at that body language.

There it is.

That nervousness, because you know I'm telling the truth.

With all your bigger, can you tell the new chief judge Charles Beach to get these judges that's cheating and stealing property through civil proceedings and all that bigger?

And all that bigger.

Can you have those people that you allowed to speak on behalf of Michael Scott, Commissioner Michael Scott to talk about all those home buyer programs and with all that bigger?

Can you tell them to tell the truth that those programs were for these illegals, not for black people, because y'all stealing black people's property?

With all that bigger, can you tell Sheriff Dart that he put this fraudulent eviction on those squatters door?

That they had depriving me of my income for three years.

Get that bigger and apply it, President Tony Preckwickle.

George George Blake Moore, Taiwan Sims, Rolla Sweiss are next.

If you're in the room, please come to the mic.

George Blakemore, Taiwan Sims, Rolla Sweiss.

In any order, whoever comes first, please begin.

George Blakemore, Taiwan Sims, Rolla Sweiss.

Where are you, Mr.

Blake Moore?

And who are you?

Where did you come from?

I came from Black Wall Street.

Fort Worth, Texas.

Why do you call it Black Wall Street?

We had black bankers.

We had a black hospital.

We had black hotels.

We had restaurants.

And I come from a black ghetto.

That doctors live right here.

The lawyers live right over here.

But the people who wash white folks' clothes live right here, the horse and whatever.

We all live in that ghetto.

And it was a safe and prospero ghetto.

We was all black people.

We knew how to help each other.

But I came from down south up south.

And Chicago wasn't like this.

They had banks.

They had business.

Black people now, you don't have a grocery store.

You don't have a bank.

You don't have service stations.

You don't have restaurants.

You've been gentrified out of this city.

Because of incompetent, unprofessional black people.

I'm not the one.

My environment was not toxic.

No game banging.

Oh, these fancy got more sense than you have.

They advocate for their people.

Illegal or illegal.

They help their people.

Now, on the plantation, you know what the white man made the slave master?

You don't have no chains on your neck and on your legs, but you got chains in your head.

You got chains in your head, and you with Tyler.

Tell our whatever, dealing with those taxes.

One minute.

You're an old lady, like I'm old man.

But I'm an old poor man and you're an old rich lady.

Shake your head all you want.

All you want.

So we're we're in the same age group, but we didn't come from the same type of ghetto.

My hair is nothing.

My nose is big, my face is black, and that other is black.

And I'm hunger and caught up in blackness.

That's because I'm uh how to be tied up in me.

Black folk must use what they got to get what they want.

And if they don't use what they got to get what they want, they don't need what they got.

And time is expired.

Rola, are you close?

Come on up, Rola.

Followed by Taiwan.

Please begin, ma'am.

Good morning.

I'm Rola Sweiss, uh President and CEO of La Rabita Children's Hospital.

I'm speaking in support of resolution 26, 1123.

I would like to thank Commissioner Donna Miller for sponsoring this resolution.

We are celebrating our 130th anniversary as a hospital and celebrating our 40th anniversary of our children's advocacy center, caring for children and families in the South Suburbs who are involved in investigations of abuse and violent crime.

Over the past 40 years, we have served over 10,000 children.

Last year alone, the team served over 500 children, so they only have to tell their story once.

We are honored to be here today and committed to continuing serving children and their families.

Thank you for your support, and thank you, President Prequincole, for supporting this resolution.

Our last speaker, Taiwan Sims.

Afternoon, Commissioner.

Good afternoon.

I'm here once again because I want to.

Hello, is this thing on?

Good.

Um, because I want to stay on record.

That's all.

Because for the past three years, for whatever reason I've been subject to an attack, but not a physical attack.

Uh I guess sideways attack.

But they but who wherever this attack is coming from is coming out of the judicial system, out of the courts.

Um, I've been subject to not one but three order protections.

And after processing all of the paperwork that I've amassed over these years, I realize that each one of these order of protections are fraudulent.

Um, even to the effect of this one.

So the case number is 2024 OP72549.

And the petitioner is a Tomorrow Yemi.

This is my oldest child mother.

Today is his birthday.

Today is Ian Walter Obasim's birthday.

He was born.

This is the best thing in the earth.

17 years ago, God gave me the best thing in the earth.

A decision to make to either be the father that you want to be or have to be, or you continue on in the way that you've gone.

I chose the decision.

That day I stopped selling crack cocaine, I stopped robbing, I stopped doing everything in my life.

Y'all looking at that.

Look, y'all looking at that.

Well, when you come up, like he said in ghettos.

Oh I don't want to call it the ghetto, but I came up in a way.

When your mother smoked crack, when you got to make decisions, we have to survive.

But I made the decision that day for life.

This day today, April 16th, 2007, I made that decision for life, his life.

A life that I've been removed from for two years now.

Through fraudulent order protections and through abuse from the courts.

I'm a different type of person.

One minute.

Miss Pratt Winkle.

Because of the way I grew up.

I never seen my father's face.

I never seen his eyes.

I never heard his voice.

I don't know him.

But bones know me, Ian know me.

Yasuke know me, they know my voice.

They know my face.

They know me.

They ain't seen it.

Because I've been cut off by the courts.

Subject to this attack for three years.

I ain't seen my children.

God gave me them.

Let no man tell us under what God has brought together.

30 seconds.

My stewards.

And I ask, once again, Commissioner, why haven't I been helped?

Why have I been allowed to be abused in such a way?

I've been to every oversight.

I've went through every time is expired.

Madam President, that concludes our speakers for this meeting.

Thank you.

Each commissioner will be uh limited to two consent resolutions.

We ask you to summarize them, please.

Ma'am, can we put the motion on the floor?

Sure.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Thank you, Madam President.

I move approval of the uh consent calendar in its entirety.

Was that a second by Commissioner Eggler?

Thank you.

Yes, I'm sorry.

Thank you for the prompt.

Go ahead.

Madam President, I'm move to approve as amended pursuant to the errata the following items 26, 1027, 26, 1074, and 26 1071, and to approve the remainder of the consent calendar.

Um to section uh 2 107 H3 consent calendar agenda.

All right, the motion is made and seconded.

Orders will be taken immediately following the summary of your resolution.

The commissioners will be called in order of seniority.

Our first resolution.

Our first resolution is uh in honor of Adam Clement, who recently retired from our Bureau of Technology, having served uh almost what, 15 years.

Where is Adam?

All right, why don't you come up in the light notes?

Yeah, if we could actually I I have known Adam a long time.

Uh he grew up in Hyde Park where both of his parents, Jim and Kay, were uh community activists and uh well known in political circles as well.

And he came on board in the Bureau of Technology in uh what 2011?

Yeah.

2011.

So we're very grateful to him for his service for almost 15 years, a little more than 15 years, right?

Um in the Bureau of Technology, where along with uh our Bureau Chief and Derek, uh the triumvirate that run the Bureau of Technology.

Uh he was an integral partner in the good work that was done there.

So I I really want to thank Adam for his service to the people of Cook County and give our commissioners an opportunity to say a few words if they wish.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Madam President.

Adam, it's a great really honor for me to thank you and wish you the best on behalf of the entire Daly family and represent people in my district.

Uh we've known each other, our families have known each other a long time, but you brought so much integrity to the in every position that you had.

Um the position is the president outlined when within technology.

It is very challenging, and things constantly change.

But you kept us informed, and I can congratulate you and wish you the best.

Thank you.

Yes, Commissioner Longwing.

Thank you.

Adam, just congratulations.

Um you've just been a joy to work with.

You have the skill to break down the complex and make it simple so even I can understand what you're talking about.

Um enjoy uh your time for yourself, your family, and uh it looks like you got a pretty good tan and a pretty good start at this, so thank you.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Thank you, Madam President, and Adam.

It's uh sad to see you go as you know, Chairman of the Technology and Innovation Committee.

It's been an honor working with you, and I thank you for all the assistance uh you provided to my office uh and to our committee.

Um I uh wish you the best in your retirement, and uh you definitely have uh uh big shoes to fill.

Thank you.

Commissioner Dagman.

Thank you, madam.

Oh, sorry, thank you, Madam President.

Um, Adam, it's been a long eight years.

We had a lot of work together, so I appreciate how um our professional relationship has really I think grown and flourished over that time.

I appreciate the work that you're doing.

I appreciate the confidence um that you have in your work and the board um and in all of the the things that surround that.

Um so just congratulations, job well done, and don't be a stranger.

Commissioner Miller.

Thank you, Madam President.

Adam, I just wanted to wish you all the best on your retirement.

It was great meeting your wife today, too.

And um, I know you do a lot of work, and now you get to do a lot of rest.

Commissioner Night.

Thank you, Madam President.

Adam, um, I avoided the technology committee like the plague.

Um many lengthy conversations.

I still, you know, would hear um I'm not although I'm not a member, I would uh you know, pop in um and and truly appreciate your due diligence and all of the hard work that you've put into uh not only that, um that portion of your job, but everything.

So congratulations on your retirement.

Um hope to see you around.

Thank you, uh Madam President, members of the board.

Um, you know, Adam, we we had a little talk uh at the end of budget uh last year, and we talked about uh when when Chairman Daly talks about challenges, I you know I don't think we have a word in the English language that really meets the challenges that I think you've recently have.

And I'm not gonna use the T word because all we all know we don't want to talk about that.

Uh but you know, you were able to do it and provide uh, you know, essential uh backup for all the things that we were trying to do in a very, very difficult world.

And so I want to thank you for all of that and for the tremendous service you've given to this county and enjoy your retirement.

Thank you, Madam President Adam.

You know, honor if we're starting with you.

We uh I mentioned capacity we have a mutual friend and a common uh interest in the arts.

Your mutual friend is a very real renowned artist in Chicago, so we still got to get together and drink a cup of coffee and talk about his work.

So we'll do that soon.

Thank you.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison, did you want to say more?

Uh sponsors to his resolution.

All right, leave to at all.

Thank you.

First of all, thank you very much.

I'm flattered uh to be the recipient of a resolution.

I have to say that I wanted to just go off into the sunset, but Joel and Tom were pushing for this, so uh here I am.

Um I would like to say real quickly some very important things.

When Madam President took over, the Bureau of Technology was struggling.

The difference between the Bureau today and what existed 15 years ago is night and day.

And her leadership combined with the board's uh support has led to unprecedented modernization efforts that are just extraordinary.

And of course, it took a team, and the team that we built at the bureau is very impressive.

There's some very impressive people on the team.

Okay.

And um I'm reminded of uh being very involved in the hirings of people and I'm still getting used to this on the election.

Whether they should join.

And I often told them that it was that the bureau was similar to uh public sector startup.

And that resonated, and I think it's still an applicable term.

Uh it's a very impressive team, and we have moved the bar up so high that there's really no turning back.

It it's uh it's gonna be a great future, and I wish we were part of it.

So uh thank you again.

All right.

I think we're ready ready for a picture.

Come on.

Commissioners, please come up for a photo.

Hi, nice to meet you.

Congratulations.

Are you sure?

Yeah, okay, good.

Kevin, we need to understand today.

All right, come on up.

Maybe next year I'm gonna do that.

Um, everyone here, right now.

Uh one more here.

Thank you, Madam President.

I behalf of you had a president and the entire board.

Um I know we we would uh have a resolution on resolution two six one one six six is a resolution honoring the life of the fourth generation firefighter Michael Altman, who tragically passed away in the line of duty at March seventeenth.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nora, children Theodore, Avalon Rose, his par family and friends as parents, and the entire Chicago Department police fire department.

And I know, Madam President, you want to usually do a a moment of silence where we stand on the adoption of that we're a young man and we we remember him and his family in the for the future.

Thank you, Mayor.

And the other resolution, Madam President is two six zero eight two nine.

They start out, believe it or not, with battles of milk, but then start very smartly during root.

So we in the height of the prohibition in nineteen twenty-six.

So we thank them and uh wish them all the best.

Thank you, madam president.

Thank you.

Commissioner Dagnan.

So today I'm here, and I'm thrilled to recognize the Illinois Swim and Diving Coach of the Year from our very own Lane Tech.

This resolution honors Matt O'Hagan, who received the twenty twenty-four, twenty twenty-five National Federation of State, High School Association voice swimming and diving Illinois Coach of the Year.

Coach O'Hagan has served as the head swim coach at Lane Tech High School for seven seasons, alongside assistant coach Heather Sealer and volunteer coach Tim O'Neill.

Under his leadership, the Lane Tech Voice Swim and Dive Team won the city championship for the first time in 16 years, as well as their first ever sectional championship.

The Lane Tech Boys Swim team placed fourth at the state swimming and diving championships, marking the first time any Chicago public schools boys swim team had placed in the top 10th since the 1955, 1956 season.

During the 2024-2025 season, the team also broke 12 of 13 school records and five of 12 Chicago Public League records and earns it earned its first All-American swimming honors since 1953 with seven all-American honors across multiple events.

We are all extremely proud of the athletes' performance as well.

I want to sincerely congratulate Coach Matt O'Hagan for the boys swim and diving team and all the student athletes who excelled last year and Brent Bradish, Athletic Director of Lane Tech High School.

I want to thank Coach O'Hagen and Brent Bradish for being here today and wish them and their team continued great luck.

And again, congratulations to the swimmers and divers for their successes as well.

Go Lane Tech.

Commissioner Miller.

Yes.

And then we'll let them think all the words.

Oh, should we let them go?

Thank you.

Commissioner Miller.

Thank you.

As a proud graduate of Lane Tech, congratulations.

And I had swimming in that pool way back in the day, first period at 8 a.m., which was not fun.

Um but congratulations to the swim team and uh and to you as coaches, so thank you.

Matthew wants to have anything.

Are there any other members of the body who wish to speak?

Okay.

No.

Okay.

Thank you all.

Yep.

First time you have to be called.

One more time over here.

One more time.

Thank you.

Commissioner Moore.

Thank you, Madam President.

It is an honor and a privilege to recognize a famous, famous Chicagoan jazz musician by the name of Herbie Hancock.

And I believe that he is online for us today.

Herbie Hancock is a visionary whose influence has shaped not only music but culture around the world.

A native of the city of Chicago, his groundbreaking work has inspired generations while advancing peace and global connection through international jazz day.

His gift has transcended boundaries, reminded us that creativity has no limits, and that music has the power to unite us all.

Beyond his artistry, he has served as a global ambassador for peace and culture, including his leadership in establishing International Jazz Day through United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

A celebration now recognized in more than a hundred and ninety countries.

Leave is brand.

And I really appreciate everything you're doing to help International JSA.

It's an amazing event every year.

This time is in my hometown, Chicago.

And I wanted to thank the uh commissioner and and also thank the board president, Tony.

So much for everything that you're doing to make International Jazz Bas Day be like the best one this time.

This is Chicago.

We can do that, right?

Maybe.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Commissioner Marty, do you have any further resolution?

Yes, one more.

It is a great honor and a privilege to recognize this young man who is an Emmy Award winner, Mr.

Sherman Dilla Thomas.

Let's welcome him to the board.

Come on up to the podium, Mr.

Diller.

He is a proud son of Chicago's South Side whose work has transformed how we see and share the city of Chicago's history.

Through a powerful storytelling and dynamic digital presidents, Dilla has brought Chicago stories to millions, building pride at home and changing the perceptions around the world of our city.

His voice reminds us that our history is alive, relevant, and deeply influential.

His achievements and recognition speak for themselves.

But what stands out most is his unwavering belief in the city of Chicago and its greatness and his commitment to uplifting its legacy.

Today we celebrate you, sir, not just as with an accomplishment, but the impact that you continue to make each and every day.

And you can find him at six figure underscore Dilla or Sherman Dilla Thomas.

Please follow him and leave for a picture.

Very, very few words.

See folks who who like the way things are going and just see it going on is uh a part of what we need to continue to do, and just uh a further reminder that you all get to work in the greatest city in the greatest county on earth.

So just keep keep that in your mind as you're working.

Thank you.

Right here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Madam President, if we could have um if we can add all to this uh resolution, please.

All right, leave as granted.

Commissioner Britton.

Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.

Uh first, I wish to uh raise up uh 261027.

This is a proposed resolution regarding National Law Day 2026.

The rule of law has been defined by the World Justice Project as a system of self-government in which the government and all individuals are held accountable to a set of fair, publicized and broadly understood laws that are evenly enforced at a time when our country, when I believe that uh we have seen the trampling of rights and privileges that have been ensconced in the Constitution for hundreds of years.

Uh I still have to believe that there are uh stop gaps and that there are ways in which we can continue to raise up the rule of law and that there will be justices with the spine to make sure that we take on the incredibly inappropriate and profoundly disturbing things that we see coming from Washington almost, it seems, every day.

And therefore, I do want to thank both the Cook County Law Library for celebrating Law Day and representatives of the public defender's office who are also here.

Uh, we continue to defend those whose rights have a sacred nature and will continue to be represented as long as we have this county and will continue to do that no matter the challenges.

The other uh one I have is um in honor of Phil Karale, who is the village uh manager of Glencoe.

He was recognized recently by the National Academy of Public Administration and local uh Gov 250 as a champion, as it is a national honor which highlights individuals who go about their work beyond just the simple roles of service to show excellence in everything they do and leadership and commitment that he has shown for the village of Glencoe.

Uh I've only represented the village for the last four years, but I've got to work with Phil actively in multiple different uh sometimes challenging uh issues, some involving the county, and we worked out every single one of them.

And I just want to say thanks to you personally for your both your friendship and the great work you do.

It makes my job so much easier, and I'd like to have a picture with Phil.

Thank you.

Madam President, can we add all to that resolution?

All right, leave is granted.

All will be out.

Thank you.

That's all I'm doing.

Commissioner Lowry.

Commissioner Naya.

Oh, I'm sorry, Commissioner Lowry.

I didn't see you coming.

Thank you.

I'm coming.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam President.

So, item 26-1084, I presented in district.

That was a resolution honoring the life and legacy of my niece, Taylor Elizabeth Mason, who we lost at 33.

I just want to acknowledge her passing and thank those of you who have supported the family.

Now, I'd like to also uh present a resolution recognizing Dr.

Bina S.

Peters on her retirement from Cook County Health.

I'm gonna ask Bina and family to come up and join me.

I'm gonna ask CCH uh, everyone from CCH come on up.

If we don't have room up here just in front, I appreciate it.

Would like to share the resolution and then ask you, Bina, for a couple of words.

Okay.

Thank you.

Bean S.

Peters was born in India and began her uh professional nursing education at the internationally renowned Christian Medical College in Valora, India, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

In 1989, Bina migrated to the United States and continued her professional journey in nursing and health care leadership.

Bina pursued advanced education at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing, where she completed her Masters of Science in Nursing and later earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice, specializing in health systems leadership and nursing informatics.

In 1991, she joined the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System as a staff nurse and rose through those ranks, eventually becoming associate chief nursing officer.

2018, Bina joined Cook County Health, serving as the chief nursing executive, where she provided visionary leadership for nurse for the nursing practice across the nation's largest public health system.

Bina focused on the advancement of nursing practice across all facets of CCH, including nursing operations for Stroger and Provident Hospitals, Correctional Health, Ambulatory Services, Public Health, and County C.

During her tenure at CCH, she was dedicated to staff engagement and development and initiated staff recognition programs, including the Daisy Award for nurses, created the first nursing trennial report and strategic plan, and she convened a nursing school summit with over 20 academic nursing programs as a workforce Pimeline strategy.

Her influence extends beyond the health system through her service on prominent community and academic boards.

Now therefore it be resolved that the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Cook County Board President Tony Pretwinkle hereby extend its congratulations to Dr.

Bina S.

Peters on her remarkable career of service, a career which found its way through Cook County Health.

Madam President, when we celebrated the nurses week for the last seven years, you were there each and every celebration recognizing nursing.

Bringing interdisciplinary team together as for last nurses to support the provide excellence care to our community and all the people will serve.

So I really want to say thank you to all of you for this remarkable um accompany, you know, my recognition and also it was an honor and a privilege for my career to serve Cook County as the assistant chief nursing executive.

Thank you.

Um I'm very uh appreciative of everything that the nurses do.

I think um, you know, that what you've highlighted is extremely important, especially during the pandemic in which we saw um, you know, some turnover and some challenges, and you were at the forefront to try to address those.

And we had you know conversations about you know what we needed to do in our health system to ensure that nurses felt supported um through the process.

So I appreciate that, and I also appreciate the the wonderful annual reports that come out um with so many pictures and just it tells a story of the importance of our nurses here in Cook County.

Um, you know, we almost have 200 years of taking care of anybody that comes to us, regardless of their immigration status, regardless of their ability to pair, whether they're insured or uninsured, um, or underinsured, I should say.

Um and we can only do this to by making sure that our workforce and our nurses are supported.

So I appreciate all the work that you have done and the dedication um to to your team.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Madam President.

It's a great honor for me to join and congratulate congratulating you for your leadership.

And as you outlined, it wasn't just you, it was your team and the nurses.

And as anyone knows if you go into the hospital, it is the nurses that really back you up as a patient in any hospital.

All the best and thank you, thank you for your years of leadership.

Thank you.

And uh, I think Vina should really be proud of the team she built there and of the good work that the nurses do in Cook County Hospital at Providence and in our ambulatory clinics.

So thank you so much for your service, and we wish you well in retirement.

All right, come on in.

Thank you so much, uh, Madam President.

Thank you to our Labor Chair, Commissioner Almanaia for providing us leave to go out of order very briefly for this important acknowledgement of the Chicago Women in Trades.

I would like to invite any commissioners to come up with me if they'd like to take a picture.

Um as you all heard during public comments, Chicago Women in Trades does tremendous work to make sure that women are trained in apprenticeship and able to um apply and become part of our workforce.

These uh jobs and construction in different fields and the trades are so critical.

They're a pathway out of poverty for so many women, especially women of color, and I am deeply honored to be here with them to present uh this distinction.

And uh if you would like to say a word or two.

Yes, uh, thank you again.

Um I was kinda caught off guard at the beginning, let me tell you.

I'm just not kidding.

I will literally walk in the door.

But I do truly see what Chicago and Trades truly appreciates this acknowledgement from your president uh Parkwinkle and you, of course, Jessica.

We do have our uh women built Illinois graduation coming up today.

So that's why we're a little bit of a hurry, but we truly appreciate this.

This shows the progress that we are making as women in this construction industry, but it also shows the needed work, the additional work that we are we are working personally in continuing in making sure that women not only get into the construction industry, but strive and retire in this industry.

Let me tell you, twenty-six years in, I love it, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Thank you so much again.

Thank you so much.

Yes.

Um that was Commissioner Vasquez's resolution.

Um yes, madam president, I'd like to call attention to two resolutions.

The the remainder of mine are going to be presented in the district.

Um first off, I want to start off with recognizing um resolution twenty six uh twelve twenty-five.

This is um a resolution declaring April as fraud prevention month in Cook County.

Uh every year Cook County residents lose out on millions.

As a matter of fact, the Federal Trade Commission estimates that it's a hundred and uh ninety-six billion dollars um uh to fraud.

So citizens um and community members, uh senior citizens, especially black and Latino older adults are particularly vulnerable to finance um exploitation.

So anything from property deeds, Medicaid scams, uh scams on phone, not with the use of AI and new technology.

Um it's extremely important for us to do everything um that we can here in local government um to ensure that we protect our um uh our our community members and our constituents.

I want to um acknowledge that we held a press conference yesterday highlighting the various Cook County agencies and the programs um that we have available to our residents to help recognize the warning signs of fraud.

I I especially want to thank Cook County Health, the state attorney's office, the sheriff's office, the clerk's office, a clerk of the circuit court's office, assessor and public guardian who joined us yesterday, uh, along with Commissioner Stamps and McCaskill.

Um preventing fraud is a shared responsibility in government.

So we're uh extremely um you know excited to call attention to this matter and work together with our partners and um to highlight AARP um who um worked really hard.

Special thank you to Alvaro Bregone, who is here with us today, who brought this issue issue forward and really championed it at the city and at the county, and also want to thank Courtney and Monica for their hard work.

And Madam President, um, if we may just take a picture with the ARP representatives who are here present.

Oh my god, thank you.

Okay.

Hey, hello.

Good morning.

Good morning.

There we go, right?

That's how you do it.

Good after is it afternoon or uh good afternoon, thanks for uh uh I don't mind being checked corrected.

Uh it's great to be here.

I I just got a tour of of this.

I used to work here um many years ago, but um, so it's brand new and it's good to be here.

I I just want to thank um especially Cook County Commissioner Almanaya for her leadership in in helping to um to have April recognized as fraud prevention month.

Fraud prevention month is something that affects everybody, right?

And it's it's it's something um that uh that hopefully never happens to any of you or your family members.

Uh for AARP, it's very important as an organization that's a nonprofit, nonpartisan, but we have 475,000 members in the county of Cook.

Um and so uh every year about 195 billion dollars are lost nationwide to frauds and scams, and so it's an issue that's very important.

Uh I hope that you take uh this back to your respective districts and talk to uh talk to everybody, but especially those most vulnerable.

So thank you very much.

Sure.

Okay, my second resolution is item uh 26- uh 12 uh 29.

This is a resolution honoring National Poetry Month, uh specifically um a member of my district um who is a poet.

So I'd like to um first of all recognize that uh this year marks the 30th anniversary of highlighting highlighting the cultural importance of poetry and how uh poets um and the arts play a very critical uh critical uh part and role in our society.

Poetry um has historically served as a powerful force of uh in culture but also political movements, giving voice to communities, um, inspiring social change and preserving collective memory across generation.

Cook County is the home of great poets.

Um uh uh who I specifically because I went to Wendolin Brooks, um, I like to highlight is is her.

Um and today we want to recognize uh Gregorio Gomez Aguayo, an accomplished writer, director, producer, and cultural organizer whose work um really is an example of the transformative power of poetry, specifically in the Chicago uh Chicano movement.

Just recently, Gregorio published his 2026 poetry collection.

And we are very excited, although he could not join us today.

So if we can just have him come up, we'll take a quick picture.

Thank you.

Good afternoon.

On behalf of my brother Gregorio Gomez Aguayo, who could not be here, he extends his great appreciation to Commissioner Alma Almanaya and also to Ford President Madame Kirkwinkel.

It is an honor to be here on his behalf.

He publishes a collection of his life experience that includes all his challenges and includes family history.

And it's an honor uh to be here on his behalf and in that recognition.

I think that many times uh we don't get to rec have that type of recognition.

And as a family member, uh, I wish uh to thank all of you on his behalf and uh for you to have a great day and a great year, and we will all meet our challenges together.

Thank you.

Commissioner Kevin Morris.

Thank you, Madam President.

And uh though I'll be uh presenting these resolutions in district, I did uh want to briefly uh mention them.

Uh first uh we're recognizing Sikh Awareness Month.

It's also often mispronounced as Sikh, but it's actually sick.

Uh so I I actually have introduced two resolutions uh honoring Sick Awareness Month requested by different members of the uh of Cook County Sikh community.

Uh and I'm excited to be able to take uh this opportunity to speak about uh Sikhism, uh the fifth largest religion in the world and belief system shared by so many in Cook County, especially in the 15th district.

Uh Sikh Americans distinguish themselves every day in Cook County through their commitment to service, equality, and respect for all humanity.

It is my pleasure to honor their contributions to our community and their rich heritage.

And I want to uh give a special thank you uh to Grimmit, Singh Dalwan, and Raj Mago, for bringing these resolutions uh uh forth and for their contributions to the sick community.

And lastly, I want to recognize uh Maritza uh Karvajal, um a 15th district resident who has worked tirelessly to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Uh uh Maritza serves as the director of community and uh strategy at the Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault, and in this role has conducted numerous trainings to support nurses, law enforcement teachers, students, and the community.

Uh delivered a central trauma-informed education to local partners and oversees the 24 uh 7 crisis hotline.

And I'm honored to recognize her for all of her incredible work to the 15th district.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Commissioner Miller.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to call attention to um item number 26115.

This is honoring the life of Tracy Alston.

Uh Tracy was definitely a force in the community and had done many initiatives, and not only was she a personal friend, but highly professional and started many initiatives such as the Walgreens Task Force, which I served with her on back in the late 90s when she created that, the Walgreens HIV Task Force.

Um also she created the First Ladies Initiative.

We're highlighting HIV and issues with all of the first ladies from many of the churches throughout all of Chicagoland.

And I'm just so saddened by her passing and her legacy will definitely live on through her daughters who have taken over all of the work that she started.

And um she will truly be missed in the community for being such a leader in public relations.

She started her public relations firm and did many initiatives, focused starting from the lot the lottery to Walgreens and worked with many of our uh elected officials on initiatives across the entire country, literally, because the First Ladies Initiative is something that's national now and due to her leadership.

So I know her family will carry on her legacy through as I mentioned through her daughters and her spirit will live on with all of us and she will be truly missed.

Okay.

Commissioner Moore.

Thank you.

I want to first thank Commissioner Miller for doing this.

Um this one's personal.

Um Tracy Austin was not just a friend, she was like family.

Uh in 1993, when I was working for the Illinois General Assembly, I met Tracy, and she came to us because she wanted to start this marketing firm called Daniel Ashley.

And I think her first contract, her first real contract, was doing uh uh two campaigns, one for John Stroger and one for Emil Jones.

They hired her to do the media messaging for those two campaigns.

And then that led for to her uh in 19, I'm sorry, and later in about 2005, 2006.

I was the director for the Illinois Department of Transportation, and she won a very large contract.

It was uh to do the Dan Ryan Reconstruction Project.

That project was considered the Tribune and Sun Times reported that that project was called uh Highway to Hell.

And so it was uh a media nightmare.

And she came in and Daniel Ashley did such an amazing job of turning that thing around.

It was a three billion dollar initiative that we were all very proud of the work that she did.

And then she went on to win the the lottery contract and the Walgreens contract and the Walgreens contract was amazing.

Uh Daniel Ashley had a calendar that was sold in every Walgreens across the country.

Um and it it highlighted uh African American achievement, and it was sold uh during uh Black History Month.

So I think even Crane's acknowledged Daniel Ashley as being one of the fastest growing media companies in the city of Chicago.

Her office was located right over here on Michigan Avenue.

Uh it was just amazing the work that she put in and the things that she did in such a very short time, and she'll definitely be missed.

And I hope that those daughters, anything they need, we could help them with.

So thank you, Commissioner Miller.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, okay.

I have one more.

Thank you.

I wanted to also bring attention to 26-1123.

This is Laura Beta Children's Advocacy Center, and we have the leaders from Laura Beta here today.

Thank you, Rolla Swiss, for your commentary earlier, who's the president of La Rabita and bringing your whole team.

I wanted to express my gratitude to your invaluable contributions for providing a safe environment where trauma-informed experts support children who have been victims of child abuse and violent crime as well as their families at no cost.

And this is located in the South Suburbs, uh, the the Advocacy Center.

And I was so happy to have so many people from the community involved bringing toys uh for the holidays to donate toys to the advocacy center.

And I would encourage anyone who wanted to donate toys again to do try to do that.

And um this resolution also is in uh conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness Prevention Month.

And uh, you know, this is to encourage all citizens to recognize that by dedicating themselves they can be helpful in making sure that we're all working to improve the quality of life for children.

So thank you all for being here.

And we'll just get a picture.

Okay.

Thank you.

Commissioner Miller, have you concluded?

Commissioner Trevor.

Thank you, Madam President, and members of the board.

I'd like to bring your attention to resolution twenty-six one two oh seven, which celebrates the hundredth anniversary of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

And this one is very personal for me.

Um I think it's really important to realize people think of the Northwest Suburbs as something that sprung up after World War II, and there is some truth to that, but there is history in that area that goes back centuries from uh Pottawatomi village with that was located in what is now Southwest Rolling Meadows to all of the towns that popped up along uh the railroad that was built in the mid-1800s, Pal Tyne, Dunton, uh, which then became Arlington Heights.

And we're here to celebrate the Arlington Heights uh Memorial Library today, uh on its hundredth anniversary, which is tomorrow, but it also has a history that goes back to the 1800s.

Uh the library began with a group of residents organizing women's reading circle in the home of Elizabeth Walker in 1887, and eventually grew into what we know as the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, which again opened its doors a hundred years ago tomorrow.

And to celebrate that, um, I have uh here uh the executive director of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Mike Driscoll, and the director of communications and marketing, Sasha Vasovik, and I would love to invite them up for a picture.

Um invite my colleagues.

Commissioner Stamps.

Okay, thank you, and thanks everyone for your patience.

Um, I have three, but one is courtesy of the office of the president, and I'd like to take a picture uh at the end.

So today we rise to honor and celebrate the extraordinary life of Mr.

Ernie Bauman, a man whose hands and heart and vision helped shape generations of young people and strengthen the very foundation of our communities.

For more than five decades, Ernie Bauman dedicated his life to creating spaces where children could dream, grow, and discover their gifts as a tumbling instructor, entrepreneur, civil rights advocate, and community builder.

He understood that access to the arts was not a luxury, it was a pathway to confidence, discipline, and opportunity.

Through his work with the Mayway Recreation Department, Mr.

Ernie's flip-flop and fly tumbling school, and the founding of the Maywood Fine Arts.

He helped tens of thousands of children find their voice, their courage, and their sense of belonging.

Ernie's legacy is also a testament to resilience.

When tragedy struck and fire destroyed the beloved Maywood Fine Arts Studio in 2010, he and his wife Lois did not give up.

Instead, they rallied their community, inspired their students, and rebuilt a stronger, uh facility stronger than before, demonstrating that true leadership is measured not by the obstacles we face, but by the determination we show in rising after them.

He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a mentor, and a friend.

But perhaps more importantly, he was a builder of people.

His life reminds us that when we invest in young people, we invest in the future of our communities.

Today we honor his legacy with gratitude and with purpose.

May we continue the work he began, ensuring that every child has access to opportunity, creativity, and hope.

Oh, there they are.

Already in place.

Here I come.

I think you needed to join you.

Sorry, take a picture.

I'll take a picture.

It's just an honor to be here.

This is my friend.

Tony has been at Maywood Fine Arts several times to see the miracle.

We call it a miracle in Maywood.

My husband and I began in 1967.

I don't even think anybody can remember when 1967 was.

He would point their toes, put their legs together, whether they were on a mattress or on the lawn.

We would stop and we would tumble everyone.

We, Mr.

Ernie and I were the winners.

We won because of the children.

That parents had faith in us, two crazy white people in Maywood.

And people believed in us.

Someone just stopped me now to say, My three children took with you, and my littlest one is 40.

So God is really, really good with all the big and all the small things.

Many of our tumblers became Jesse White tumblers.

Many of our tumblers opened their own schools, giving opportunity in neighborhoods like ours.

And that's what this is all about.

So, Mr.

Ernie, you did a good job.

Thank you all for being here.

One more photo.

Thank you.

Yes.

One more photo?

One more photo.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, I'm sorry, President.

Thank you.

That was for the good of the order.

Okay, we're gonna run this thing quickly.

Listen, this one is so exciting for me because a couple of years ago, I was at the push breakfast, and this woman was being honored, and then somebody tapped me and said, Hey, you know she's your sewer.

And I didn't know her.

And I was like, I need to know her because everybody's running up to her and like, oh my God, hi, Dr.

Roberts.

Hey, Dr.

Robert.

And they all had their own little story about her and everything.

And I was sitting there was like, can I just take a picture with you?

Because you seem like really an impressive woman, and I don't really know you, but I went, and she was like, sure, come on.

And we're the rest of those Delta girls, and she just got us all together.

Now, check this out.

Two years later, this amazing dynamo of a woman who's been a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, friends with the late Jesse L.

Jackson for over 50 years, said, Listen, our babies are not voting.

Worse than that, they're not even registered to vote.

And she went all around talking to all of her friends who were teachers and superintendents and saying, Are y'all registering these kids to vote?

And they was like, uh no, maybe not, Dr.

Robert.

So she said, Oh no, we're gonna fix that.

So she got with Latina Brady and she got with Deborah Crable and these ladies got together, and they drafted the Jesse L.

Jackson Youth Voter Registration Bill that last week just passed the house and was carried in the Senate by Senator Robert Peters and carried in the house by State Representative Kim Dubu Clay.

And today, this afternoon, we honor Dr.

Roberts for her incredible work and foresee the need to get our young people engaged so that they can be prepared to save the democracy.

This is how we future proof our democracy that making sure that young people are prepared to participate in it.

And so far, in with her partnership, we raised, we registered over 310 students in Proviso District 209.

We had a huge rally.

Yep, that deserved our hand.

Just the other night, uh Tuesday night, we registered.

I think it was like about 16 uh parents and students at Westinghouse.

I'm doing this little initiative called Voting Registration Education is a family affair, and so we're inviting families in to register to vote.

So I thank you because now I don't have to stand in a corner and ask to take a picture because she's my friend.

Thank you, Dr.

Joanne Robert.

Commissioner.

And here you go, journaling.

I know, right?

We do it right over here.

We do it right over here.

Come do the first one first.

I'm like who else you call in the roll on.

Everybody into the come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Let me everybody at this point.

Yes, come on.

Join.

This is for democracy.

For democracy.

And I may be calling you personally one day.

Seriously, though.

If I may just take two seconds of your time.

That the majority of the students in the city of Chicago who were registering to vote were on the north side, downtown, and lakefront.

I said, My God, what about the rest of them?

And I started calling schools who I had a relationship with, and I had a relationship with, and some of them, the reason I had all of you come because you represent some of these kids.

And they said, Oh, Dr.

Robert, I'm gonna quote them.

They don't give a shit about that out here.

We don't care.

Then I called some of my sorority sisters.

I'm telling you this for a reason.

And I said, Delta's, I know you all go in the schools to register kids to vote.

Yeah, the ones who allow us to go in.

Some of them don't allow us to go in.

So she's told the story.

I said, we gotta do something about this.

Because a lot of these kids, black, white Jews, Gentiles, poor, they're they're locked out.

And I call my school Northside Crap that I helped open it, because I used to be the chief deputy superintendent of Chicago Public Schools.

And I said, What are you?

Oh, we're registering the kids and we're taking them down to the board of election.

They're paying them 150 dollars to do this.

To be judges, and yada yada.

She's not Dr.

Roberts, this you.

I said, Yes.

I said, okay, I got my marching orders now.

So we got our marching orders, and we got a bill passed the other day through the House by Kimper Clay.

And it's going on to the Senate.

Now I need to eat that.

You know you, my sister.

I need each one of you to get on the phone and call your senator and say, pass House Bill 4339.

Because it's for without edit, no edits, no changes.

Pass it the way it is, because it's for every child in the state of Illinois.

It's not just Chicago, it's for every child in the state of Illinois to have the opportunity to sit at the table to get civically engaged and to know who you are, invite you to come to their schools and to get involved, to know their aldermen, to know their state reps, to know they don't even know what you all do here.

How many kids have you invited just come sit and watch what we do?

They don't know.

Time out for ignorance.

Genius, all of you are genius in this building.

So use what God has given you so that you can bring more children in your footstep to be just like you, Miss Frank Rinkel.

They know who you are.

And like you, Laurie.

And I honestly take this morning, and I thank you for this honor.

But there's a lot of work to do.

And Chicago is a great city.

We have so many prominent leaders in the city.

We have more black leaders than you can count on one hand.

We have more Latino leaders in Catamore, more white, more other racial issues, groups on one hand.

We are one city with one focus to build highly educated kids and powerful leaders.

Thank you.

So just FYI, this requires or gives the opportunity for students to graduate with their voter registration card and their diploma.

All right.

Thank you.

There you go.

So welcome.

Thank you.

Okay.

Okay, in a minute, they're gonna do calling all sorts to the floor, but not on y'all time.

Not on y'all time.

Thank you all.

Thank you so much.

All right.

This is my last one today, and we are nearing the end, y'all.

So thank you so much.

Um, and I won't go through all of this.

Um, I'm just gonna cut across the field.

Uh I want to thank uh Degan and uh Commissioner Degan for always amplifying um environmental issues in her pretty green dress.

Um, and we know that April is Earth Month, environmental month, where we pay attention, but that's not always the conversation that's happening in communities that I serve, but that has changed, and that's changed specifically on the West Side because of one woman's tenacity, courage, and her unapologetic way to make sure that on the west side where black people reside that they know that all of these issues are our issues.

And so, Crystal Gardner, the daughter of the late Joe Gardner, established Ouija, the West Side Environmental Justice Alliance that is addressing critical environmental dangers and hazards on the West Side in real time and making this information plain and open so that our people will understand what's at stake and what they are being harmed by in the environment and how they can fight fight it.

So I would like to give this resolution to Miss Crystal Gardner, president of Ouija, Westside Environmental Justice Allowance.

I like it.

You got some words?

Get out of here.

Okay.

So first I want well, good afternoon, everyone.

First, thank you.

Um, I want to thank Madam President, uh, Madam Board President Preck Winkle.

Uh I also want to thank my first district, Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps, for this recognition.

And I accept it on behalf of the Westside Environmental Justice Alliance that we call Ouija and the entire West Side, um, and also the West Side residents who are actually organizing for our right to breathe, live, and thrive.

Um, there are a lot of black women on the West Side throughout the West Side on in Austin that are um earth keepers and organizing around environmental justice.

So I came into this space just as an organizer, and I'm now a student of environment.

But environmental justice, it is resistance, and in a time where leaders like Donald Trump and other dark forces try to roll back protections, deny excuse me, climate truth, and abandon our communities, Ouija is standing firm because on the West side, environmental injustice, it's not theoretical, it's our daily routine, our daily reality.

Uh, the work is also deeply personal for me because I am the daughter of Mary Russell Gardner, who was the first black woman to be appointed and to hold the seat as the Secretary Treasurer for the Cook County Forest Preserve, as well as the Cook County Board.

Um, and she held that seat for nearly 20 years, so this is for her.

Um of course, as uh Commissioner Stamp stated, um, my father, the late MWRD Commissioner Joseph Gardner, who was a lifelong political organizer and public servant.

So I come from a legacy of service and a responsibility to continue it, and that's what we are doing with Ouija.

We're building power, we're planting roots, and we're demanding equity.

Um, not later, but right now.

Uh the Ouija coalition was formed in 2024 as a call to action for bold investment and real commitment to our communities.

For example, here at the county, you all recently deferred indefinitely the voucher program, because many of you two believe that fully funded and well-resourced public schools across Cook County, that is environmental justice as well.

So thank you for protecting our neighborhood schools.

And because fighting for environmental justice takes a village, over at Chicago Teachers Union, where I proudly serve as a political coordinator.

This past year, we negotiated green schools in our contract, winning winning green jobs for students and residents while extending the life expectancy for those that enter those buildings and daily, and they live around our future green schools.

So I thank Chicago Teachers Union as well.

Because this thing about environmental justice is it's that it does not separate the environment from the people who live in it, and it recognizes that there are communities that are hit first and worse.

So again, thank you, Commissioner Tyra Stamps, for your bold and unapolog unapologetic leadership, and this amazing honor.

The work continues.

Thank you all.

Have a great thank you.

Thank you.

Yes, girls.

You're famous.

Thank you, Madam President.

Okay.

Commissioner Stock.

Madam President.

Madam President, real quick.

I'm sorry.

Sorry, I apologize.

I I met when Maggie was talking uh to add myself as a sponsor to 261207.

Okay, thank you.

I think there was a request on the floor lead to add all to all consent.

Yes, McCaskill, yes.

Thank you, ma'am.

Go ahead.

All right, thank you, Madam President.

Uh, just want to bring awareness to a couple of resolutions.

Um April is autism awareness and acceptance month, uh, a time to move beyond awareness and towards true inclusion.

Uh autism impacts families across Cook County far too often.

Uh, access and diagnosis and service is not equitable, especially in communities like the one that I serve.

I know firsthand that changes, uh, intervention changes outcomes.

Um by supporting, but it but we can't just support it, can't just stop there.

Individuals with autism need access to education, employment, housing, and lifelong resources.

Uh, this is about recognizing the strengths and talents and contributions of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Uh, as a county, we have a responsibility to ensure policies and programs that are accessible, inclusive, and equitable to all residents.

Uh, and this means creating communities where every person is value supported and able to thrive.

Uh, and I I just want to mention that um, you know, I I talk often about my son uh who is on the spectrum and uh just wanted to let everybody know that today he has because he's the very the most interested man uh in any room that he goes in.

He has today a track meet uh where we hope to place in you know above 30.

We'll see.

And now he is uh uh an aficionado of roller coaster season roller coaster engineer, and he builds uh airplanes.

So uh my second uh resolution I want to bring attention to is uh second chance month here in Cook County.

I'm proud again to be the sponsor of Cook County's resolution recognizing April as second chance month.

This is an important time to raise awareness about the many barriers people face when we're turning home from incarceration and the work given to them and to give work to them at a fair chance to succeed.

Uh nearly two million people are incarcerated federally, state, and locally uh in jails and prisons across the United States.

Uh and over 53,000 people are incarcerated here in Illinois.

Uh formerly incarcerated individuals face legal and social barriers to employment, housing.

They have higher they experience higher rates of uh housing insecurity and food insecurity as well as mental and uh physical behavioral issues.

These barriers are not limited to just folks in prison.

Uh they also uh affect anybody who's been in the criminal justice system uh and it is important for us to acknowledge these impacts that are felt more acutely in brown and black communities uh this that are subject to disinvestment over with over policing and mass incarceration uh cook county is doing this work our justice advisory council uh bureau of economic development the commission on human rights and the Chicago Cook Workforce partnership all run programs that help our residents that have been justice and just as impacted uh Cook County is also working with partners uh at the city and the state level to build a more cohesive and navigating uh re-entry system and just this week the advisory the Justice Advisory Council announced new funding opportunities for community based organizations that provide tradition tr transitional housing and other re-entry services and I would be remiss uh if I did not acknowledge uh Dennis Deer and and his wife Barbara Deere and the work that they did around um re-entry uh this is a a passion of theirs uh that I was able to work alongside of him when I was an alderman uh and I also want to recognize Congressman Danny Davis for all his work uh in passing the second chance act and so I want to thank both of them uh well all of them for laying the groundwork for this and lastly uh and and I I want to recognize uh an individual and I I was just learning about uh the work that he's done um he is uh this the senior pastor uh and lead pastor at uh movement church chicago uh which is proudly located in the first district my um colleague Tower Stamps in Oak Park uh and this young man has been very phenomenal he uh he did his first sermon at age 16 and he was um then ordained as a minister at 19 which I think is is really awesome and the work that uh movement church Chicago across uh Cook County they they do a lot of great things um they serve as a beacon of faith and community and engagement for residents and families in the Western suburbs uh again at at the age of of nineteen he was um ordained as a pastor uh in in April twenty April twenty sixth twenty twenty three uh he founded the city of of David Church and then it has grown into uh this movement the the church movement Chicago uh which is a vibrant and expanding faith com faith community uh uplifting families and individuals and cultural um faith across the the county uh and then I recently also learned that this young man was honored by the most illustrious um college uh uh HBCU in America Morehouse College UK you can call from Morehouse College right uh for for all of the great work that he does and so um I just want to acknowledge the work that you do and then I'll have uh me and and Commissioner Snaps come up and take a picture thank you I don't want to say you have one little father and uncle if you come in support of uh please join us in a photo thank you so much yeah Mike was that the last one is that it Michael Commissioner Scott is it thank you Commissioner McCann thank you Madam President I would like to draw attention to

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to draw attention to um resolution number twenty-six dash one one two one.

Um this is sponsored by um Commissioner Miller, but I wanted to recognize it because it is giving acknowledgement and recognition to Black Maternal Health Week and Minority Health Week in making this the month in Cook County, which is extremely urgent at this time, so I wanted to just draw attention to that with regard to my resolution twenty-six dash one one nine zero financial literacy.

Financial literacy is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

It is the foundation that allows individuals and families to make informed decisions, build stability, and create pathways to opportunity.

This also moves forward for underserved communities, municipalities, and townships and businesses that also need financial literacy and understanding the processes that go for it with government uh entities.

Understanding how money works from budgeting and saving to credit and investing empowers the entire community.

We must control our financial futures by ensuring that we're giving the technical support, and that's my call to action, is for Cook County to continue to do the good works we've been doing with regard to educating not only our um grantees but also our municipal governments and our high schools.

Financial literacy is also directly tied to independence.

When people have the tools they need to manage money, they are thriving and surviving, not just surviving.

They are better positioned to handle emergencies and avoid financial hardships.

They're also prepared for long-term goals and planning, which helps them to keep their home ownership, retirement, and their health.

Beyond individual uh impact, financial literacy strengthens families and communities in its entirety.

We need these opportunities to create the generational wealth and encourage informed decisions as we move forward.

And these economic times, financial literacy needs to be brought forth because it challenges us to continue to impact households and impact our communities in managing money.

It is a competence builder, it is a stress reliever, and securing a stronger, more equitable future, it helps us all.

Financial literacy is power, and when people are empowered with knowledge, they are better equipped to thrive.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes.

I just wanted to make a quick comment.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Commissioner McCaskill, for uplifting 26-1121, focused on Black Maternal Health Week and National Minority Awareness Month.

This is something I've been sponsoring every year for the last several years, and I want to thank all of my colleagues for joining me in uplifting these initiatives.

Not just children, but adults as well.

So thank you.

Uh members of the board.

It is a pleasure to be joined by the principal and assistant principal of this school.

Um, and I would like to invite them to say a word or two if they'd like to.

Um at Scammon, we always say once a husky, always a husky, so thank you very much.

All right, I believe that's the end, right?

All right, do we have a motion to adjourn?

No.

Can we vote on it?

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Yeah.

Second.

Second.

All right, all in favor signify by saying aye.

I agree.

Okay.

I mean, let's do it up there.

Okay.