Good morning.

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

Will the clerk please call the room?

Commissioner Aguilar.

Here.

Commissioner Anaya.

Commissioner Britton.

Here.

Commissioner Daly.

Here.

Commissioner Degnan.

Commissioner Degnan absent.

Commissioner Gaynor.

Commissioner Gaynor absent.

Commissioner Lowry.

Present.

Commissioner McCaskill.

Commissioner Caskell absent.

Commissioner Miller.

Commissioner Miller here.

Commissioner Moore.

Commissioner Moore absent.

Commissioner Marita.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison absent.

Commissioner.

Excuse, I'm sorry.

Oh, he's online.

Okay.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison is marked as here.

Commissioner Sean Morrison.

Sean Morrison present.

Commissioner Scott.

Present.

Commissioner Stamps.

Commissioner Stamps is absent.

Commissioner Trevor.

Excuse me.

Perfect.

All right.

Commissioner Trevor is marked as here.

Commissioner Vasquez.

Removed.

Commissioner Vasquez is president.

Chairman, you have a quorum.

Okay.

Thank you.

Oh, Commissioner Lowry.

Thank you, Chairman.

I now move to allow remote participation.

Commissioner Lowry Commissioner Britton to allow remote participation.

Roll call.

Commissioner Aguilar.

Aye.

Commissioner Anaya.

Hi.

Commissioner Britton.

Aye.

Commissioner Daly.

Here.

I'm sorry, Commissioner.

I vote or Commissioner Dugnan.

Commissioner Degnan's absent.

Commissioner Gainer.

Commissioner Gaynor absent.

Commissioner Lowry.

Aye.

Commissioner McCaskill.

Commissioner McCaskill absent.

Commissioner Miller.

Commissioner Moore.

Commissioner Moore, absent.

Commissioner Marita.

Marita is aye.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Kevin Morrison Aye.

Commissioner Kevin Morrison's aye.

Commissioner Sean Morrison.

Morrison, I.

Commissioner Sean Morrison's eye.

Commissioner Scott.

Aye.

Commissioner Scott is aye.

Commissioner Stamps.

Commissioner Stamps absent.

Commissioner Trevor.

Trevor Aye.

Commissioner Trevor's aye.

Commissioner Vasquez.

Aye.

Chairman.

Aye.

You have 12 yes.

Twelve.

The item passes.

Commissioner Sean Morrison for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Allegiant to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic, for which it stands.

Under God.

Indivisible with liberty and justice for us.

Okay.

Please add Commissioner Degnan to the roll call.

And Commissioner Dagnan for the landing.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chairman.

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

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

Truth and acknowledgement are critical to building understanding and measure or respect across all cultures, traditions, and heritages.

By reading this statement, Cook County recognizes the past wrongdoings as well as present harm upon people, tribal lands, and governments.

We honor the indigenous people, past and present, and pause to remember the acts of violence, displacement, colonization, and removal of the original inhabitants of this land.

With this land acknowledgement, Cook County commits to learning more about and doing better to support the county's native and indigenous residents as we work towards equity for all of Cook County.

Thank you.

We will begin with public speakers.

Thank you, Chairman.

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 the teams chat or see a staff member in the board room.

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 disqualify the person from providing future testimony.

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

Chairman, I'm going to call the names of our speakers.

If you are in the room, please come to the public speaking mic.

And please add Commissioner McCasco to the roll call.

Thank you, sir.

We will.

I have things to do.

I'm glad that you're here.

All right.

So yesterday, Danielle Carter, Walters entered the uh mayor race because we have a property theft issue here, and uh we can't get any help.

But I know my issue.

My issue is with your brother.

I need you to tell your brother to pay my godfather for the rest of his lots, because he gave six of them to Quakinbush, his buddy.

And that's the one who told my mom, what y'all do with the TIFF money?

And that he don't never really got to get the TIFF money because he pays for the land with the TIFF money.

So I've been coming here for three years, and I was trying to just hopefully you guys would figure it out, but you guys haven't.

But I solved it, you know, I solved it.

So yesterday, assets manager, you know.

I talked to Ms.

Donna, and I told Ms.

Donna, I need you guys again to figure out the unlawful demolition in my and over there.

Yeah, you can act like you don't know.

You can y'all can play this game, y'all want to.

But the unlawful demolition, a 7954, 7958 South Hallsted Avenue, without due process.

My godfather never got due process.

That was the sandpiper's lounge.

Okay, and your and you and Latasha Thomas and Terry Peterson, who it was Richard Daly's lab dogs for the Alderman over there, they made sure to put him out of business of 43 years in 2008 because y'all planned on taking the rest of that lot because y'all put that save a lot on there in 2008, and you have not he has not collected that rent since 2008.

2017, y'all locked it down.

The demolition paper says uh the uh city of Chicago owned it.

You knew my godfather owned that.

My godfather has owned that since 1965, December 13th.

They put it in a trust 1972, Chicago Title Land and Trust.

He quit did it to my mother 2014 because y'all kept putting these fake phony tax liens on it, and my mother raised the money through her nonprofit that to pay for that tax lien, and then she put it in her non, she put it in her nonprofit so she wouldn't have to pay taxes.

Then when they came to David Moore and asked David Moore for some TIFF money to rehab it, y'all, he said she wants to give me a power point.

She wants to give me a power point.

30 seconds.

So then the reason why you did that because Richard, your brother, will not make sure my people get paid because he promised it to his best friend Quakinbush that owns the sample.

I mean, that owns that save a lot right there that's getting rent.

And the city of Chicago gave them an $18 million grant.

Y'all going to jail.

Commissioner Davis is next, followed by Jessica Jackson.

Please, if you're in the room, come stand next to the mic, followed by Taiwan Sims, then Sierra Bates.

Go ahead, sir.

Great.

Thank you very much, uh, everybody, and thanks especially to Commissioner Marita for your collaboration on the resolution that I wanted to speak to today.

Uh, thanks also to Commissioner Degnan, who helped navigate this through the environment committee yesterday.

And I do have a couple of my staff here.

I always want to recognize them.

My chief of staff, Don Walker and Karina, uh Escobar Perez, who are here and uh have made uh a whole lot of progress with this resolution.

I'm here today because we authored in my office and our board passed unanimously a very similar resolution to clean up the Chicago River system.

Now you should have a map in your in your packets, but if you don't see the map, all I want you to do, this is this is your aerobics for today.

Hold up your left hand with your thumb pointed down.

I know you can all do it.

The thumb is uh the uh Calumet River system and the Cal Sag Channel.

The thumb is uh the uh Calumet River system and the Cal Sag Channel, your index finger is the Cal Sag middle is the main stem of the Chicago River with the North Branch and the North Shore Channel to follow.

All point to Lake Michigan, our drinking water source, and all flow down your arm to your shoulder, ultimately to the Mississippi River.

So what we do here in our Chicago area is really important.

We have contaminated sediments at the bottom of our Chicago River system that recycle pollutants through the food chain.

And this is critical because as grocery prices rise, as affordability becomes a problem for more and more of our citizens.

Making sure that, especially subsistence anglers, have an inexpensive food source for themselves and their families is absolutely critical.

There is a federal initiative to lead the way to map where these contaminated spots are and ultimately to clean them up.

That's what this resolution is all about.

We've passed a very similar resolution unanimously with our board at the uh Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the city of Chicago has done the same.

And now you have a very similar resolution in front of you.

This is a great way for us to collaborate, government to government to do something good for the entire population of Cook County.

I want to thank you for your attention and thank you so much for everything you do for the residents of Cook County.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you, Kim.

Chairman, can I say something?

Chairman.

Someone has a hand up, sir.

Commissioner Morita.

Thank you, Chairman.

I just wanted to uh thank Commissioner Davis, my former colleague at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for coming here and uh working on this resolution with us around the Chicago area waterways system.

I know many of us talk a lot about the Great Lakes that hold 90% of the U.S.

water supply, 20% of the world's fresh surface water, but the cause are really the lifeline in our waterways, and so I appreciate him.

And we're lucky to have him on the MWRD board for those who don't know, Cam.

He used to run the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and under the Obama administration, he was Obama's water czar and continues to be a fantastic advocate at NWRD in Cook County.

So thank you so much, Cam.

Thank you.

Our next speaker, Jessica Jackson.

Followed by Sierra Bates.

Please begin.

Fake accolades.

That's what that is.

Fake accolades.

The fact that President Tony Preckwickle is not here today is a shame.

But the fact that you are here, Commissioner Daly, is even better.

Now I want you to keep looking down at that book that you acting like you looking at instead of listening to me.

It occurred to me after getting this article that Tara Stamps, Commissioner Tyra Stamps ran off to the tribune talking about Chicago flips red, right?

And then it was followed up with that Chicago Sun-Times article that talked about how Cook County tax sales are unconstitutional and that you all have to pay millions of dollars back to those people whose property that you illegally took.

It occurred to me this whole facade that Cook County, Illinois, and the City of Chicago has on this soft on crime policy.

Uh-huh.

Where they're acting like locking people up is racist and acting like it's a horrible thing to implement the law, acting like we should not get these illegal immigrants out of here that have crossed this border illegally.

Acting like they really are soft on crime for street crime and got the whole city upset thinking that y'all saw on street crime.

You know what the real issue is?

Y'all saw on white collar crime.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.

You acting like you don't want to lock up these street crimes, these street criminals.

But really, y'all don't want to lock each other up.

Look at you, look at you.

Listen.

I'm a taxpayer whose property that you and your daily center over there is stealing, just like you stealing all black people's property.

So that auditor, this bridget that want to sit up here and talk about protecting the indigenous, the indigenous that you need to protect in this black Americans, and you're not even decent enough to do an audit on all the money that you all are stealing from black properties, and I asked you to do that over and over again.

You, Britain, not even decent enough to handle litigation correctly.

Y'all going to jail.

This soft on crime stuff is to protect them.

30 seconds.

It's to protect them.

They're the criminals in Cook County.

They're the criminals.

They're stealing everything from everybody, from everything from every citizen.

They're doing it.

These are the ones that need to go to jail.

These people, each and every last one of them.

You thieves, including Sheriff Dart, who's crooked, sheriffs.

And time is fire.

Tyron Sims, Sierra and Daniel Dyer.

Tywan Sims is next.

Thank you, sir.

Then Sierra Bates, Daniel Dyer.

Going to jail.

Names.

Tywan Sims.

You are next.

Followed by Sierra Bates.

Followed by Daniel Dyer.

Tyran.

Good morning, Commission.

Good morning.

My name is Taiwan Sam spelled T-I-W-O-N.

S IMS.

The Cook County Board of Commission is the county's legislative and policy-making body.

Cook County describes commissioners as elected officials who oversee Cook County activities and ensure county operations run properly.

Which gives them oversight interest in clerk of the circuit court, administrative practice, court scheduling and case management systems funded by the county, sheriff's services and process enforcement activities, county and funded court technology and record systems, domestic relations and domestic violent courthouse operations, budgetary consequences of procedural failures, lawsuits.

Those the lawsuits, I imagine.

Whether entity county systems create unequal access to justice.

And Miss Stamps, Miss Stamps, excuse Miss Stamps.

Yesterday, you you commissioner Stamps, I would like to call you that.

I would like to say that you all have our better interests at heart, but you told me yesterday that there was nothing you all could do in hopes of not having me come down here anymore to address this issue, which is in the you said you sit down with those ladies.

You didn't say that you had oversight interests in those ladies.

You didn't say that you could speak to them about what's going on with me and my child.

Madam, I would not.

I would not come up here in your name.

I would not see tell me.

So yesterday, as I requested, I need help.

And I'm I spoke to the system properly today, I'm sure, by detailing exactly what you all can help me with.

Enough is enough.

And I'm sorry that you were told to enforce that hit.

30 seconds.

Okay, he has concluded Sierra Bates Chamberlain.

You are next.

After Sierra is Daniel, then George Blakemore.

Good morning, everyone.

My name is Reverend Sierra Bakes Chamberlain, and I am the executive director of Learfree, Illinois.

Um, to the commissioners, to the great commissioner of the 5th district, uh, and to the people.

I'm here today in support of the voting rights resolution.

I rise today because the soul of our democracy is under attack.

No, it's not.

The gutting of the voting rights act of 1965 impacts every single one of us, black woman.

And let us be clear.

Individual speaking.

The voting rights was never just about the South.

It was built just because this nation understood that without protections, black voices would be intentionally silenced.

It was built because America has a long history of making promises of freedom while building systems of exclusion.

And now, piece by piece, those protections are being stripped away.

People want to act like voting rights is simply about elections.

But voting rights determine who has power.

And power determines who gets housing, who gets resources, who gets protected, who gets educated, who gets jobs, who gets health care, and who gets heard.

When they weaken our vote, they weaken our ability to fight racial discrimination and police and employment, housing, and education.

They could not hold down our brilliance, so they tried to silence our voice.

They understood something many still failed to realize the vote is connected to every part of our black liberation, every part of this country's liberation.

And black people know what it means to have our voices targeted.

We know what poll taxes look like.

We know a literacy test.

We know intimidation.

We know racial gerrymandering.

We know what it means when systems are designed to exhaust us, discourage us, and to erase us.

That is why this moment demands urgency.

I am a black woman, and you will respect me, man of God, because if we are speaking out of time.

History has already shown us what happens next.

Reverend Reverend, stop one second.

Let's get some order from the state.

We want the same respect given to the that individual that you had.

No one was interrupted.

And we aren't gonna interrupt the Reverend.

Praise God.

Excuse me again.

I would suggest that you sit down and stop interrupting me.

You aren't gonna interrupt her or interrupt this commit Eric.

This the uh commissioner.

Thank you.

Ma'am, please begin.

If you are silent about your pain, they'll kill you and say you enjoyed it.

And I refuse to be silent while democracy is dismantled in plain sight.

Some folks jokingly call this moment of Trump pocalypse, but for black communities, attack on civil rights are never entertainment.

They are life and death.

And let me say it plainly.

We cannot be rocked to sleep in a moment where they benefit from our silence.

And Cook County has an opportunity to lead this nation right now to declare that we will defend democracy, to declare that voting rights are human rights, and to declare that black political power matters because our ancestors did not march, bleed, organize, pray, and die for us to become comfortable while our rights are stripped away in courtrooms and legislatures.

We are resilient people.

So I ask that you all support the resolution that Dr.

Keisha McCaskill is supporting our voters right voting rights resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Daniel, George Blakemore, and then we're gonna hear from Commissioner uh Cardenas.

Daniel, come on.

Daniel is next.

Daniel Dwyer is next.

Sir.

Daniel is next.

Mr.

Blakemore, it's not your turn.

Daniel is next.

The next speaker is behind you.

Daniel is next.

Okay, one more time.

Daniel, thank you.

Followed by George Blakemore.

Then Commissioner Cardenius is next.

Go ahead.

Hello, um, I'd like to thank you for pull your mic up.

Thank you.

Thank you for letting me speak uh today.

Um, my name is Dan Dwyer.

I'm with uh Mom's Demand Action.

I'm a gunshot uh um gun violence survivor.

I was uh shot 15 years ago in an attempted murder.

Um I'm also a teacher in the uh in Chicago.

Um I'm here to talk about uh item number 261199.

Um it's HP 4471.

Um, right now in Illinois and across the country.

Pistols are being converted into fully automatic weapons using tiny devices called switches.

Switches are illegal to own but are incredibly easy to 3D print or buy.

Anyone with $25 or a 3D printer, a screwdriver, and a convertible pistol can now create a weapon of war.

The mission of this legislation is to ensure uh gun manufacturers to do the right thing and configure their guns so they cannot be so easily converted to machine guns.

In 2023, the Illinois legislature wisely enacted PICA, which included a ban on a full range of these aftermarket rapid fire devices.

Regulating the switch itself has not proven to be sufficient, and there's more to be done to prevent this kind of harm uh through exactly this kind of legislative action.

This isn't uh theoretical across Illinois, including the Cook County uh law enforcement is recovering more and more of these modified guns.

The results are shootings that are more chaotic and unpredictable.

This bill is a common sense solution.

It doesn't take anything away from current gun owners.

It simply makes sure that going forward, guns sold in Illinois can't be easily turned into illegal machine guns.

If something is illegal, it shouldn't be this easy to make.

And we're so grateful for the support of Cook County in supporting this legislation.

And I'd like to acknowledge um Commissioner Laurie for supporting this.

Um yeah, that's all.

Thank you.

George Blake Moore is next, followed by Commissioner Cardenas.

Ms.

Davis from the Water Reclamation was speaking earlier, talking about uh pollution of our river system in Great Lakes.

I'm very astute with water reclamation.

For several years, I go to these meetings.

They don't they they don't have black men uh uh that's on that board.

Maybe once or twice I've seen one uh racism is totally alive here.

Totally alive.

Now when I and I want to be as articulate as I can.

This is a democratic fifth pool.

You go to the city, it's a democratic fifth pool.

You go to water reclamation, it's a democratic fifth pool.

And that all these government agencies, they got black faces in high places telling their people out, selling their people out, and you know something.

Black people, they don't know how to attend to their business.

Look at a smile.

You don't know how to change your business.

You don't have any business, you don't have any stores.

You don't have any restaurants, you don't have any banks, you don't have any cleaners, you don't have any service stations.

Black folks used to tend to their business.

They had black banks, black businessmen, solving and all kinds.

You black don't tend to your business, but you turn into the Democratic Party business.

Tend to your own business, and that's why you have to end up being a sell-out to a corrupt system machine.

Now, I usually wear this trump hat on.

Look, I'm not in love with the Republicans, and I'm not in the Democrats.

Listen here.

Look, there's something wrong here.

It's something evil here, it's something on America here.

But these people never use the E N word, but they treat you like one.

They don't have that hood on like the Ku Klux Klan, but they are.

And and you are still on the white man's plantation because you don't tend to your business.

The ancestors had business.

You're all frying up here.

Look.

30 seconds.

They had business.

You all are disgraceful to the ancestor.

You don't have any banks.

Go to your neighborhood, abandoned bills and bacon lot, high crime.

But you sit up here like you somebody.

I know you're not nobody by the mere fact of going back to your community.

So you might not like what I'm saying, but the truth will set you free.

Now, Madam Fredwinker is not here.

And time is expired.

You reach to see you through.

Sir, your time is expired.

Commissioner Cardenas.

Commissioner Cardenas is next.

I'm not the one.

I'm not the one.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mr.

President, Honorable Members, of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and other stakeholders in this room.

I'm here to talk about and something that's going to come before you.

The surviving spouse tax abateman recommendations.

Their office will and has recommended to you.

You should have gotten an email and documents.

The Cook County Border Review of Commissioners has recognized fallen officers, soldiers, and rescue workers that put their lives on the line and have sacrificed for their families.

As a result of fulfilling their duties or aiding others, the families of these brave individuals who have died in the line of duty should be supported.

Is there our overwhelming financial, emotional, and psychological costs associated with the loss of loved ones?

The Cook County Border Review currently processes applications for exemptions, conducts hearings, and makes recommendations to grant or not grant, complete exemptions from property taxes.

Accordingly, pursuant to Section 74-47 of the Ku County Code, the Ku County Border Review will develop and implemented an application process for surviving spouses of a fallen officer, soldier, or rescue worker to apply for an abatement of Cook County's portion of property taxes levy against the home with a qualified surviving spouse.

The board review has revealed the applications for surviving spouse tax abatement is set forth in exhibit A.

You should have it, like I said, in your emails maybe before you, and work with applicants to collect additional supporting documentation and answer any questions as needed.

The Board Review finds that each of the decedents qualifies as a foreign officer, soldier, or rescue worker who died as a result of or in the course of employment as a police officer while on active duty, service of a fire, rescue, or emergency medical service, or while on active duty as a member of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Board Review finds that each applicant qualifies a surviving spouse as each spouse who is not remarried, or a fallen officer, soldier, or rescue worker.

The Border Review finds a seat that each subject property satisfies the requirement of a qualified property that is used as a principal residence of a surviving spouse and was owned by the fallen officer, soldier, or rescue worker.

Surviving spouse at the time of the police, officers, soldiers, rescue workers' death, was acquired by the surviving spouse within two years after the police officers, soldiers, rescue workers' death, if the surviving spouse was domiciled in the state at the time of death.

Or was acquired more than two years after the police officers' soldiers and rescue workers' death.

So accordingly, the above findings demonstrated each applicant satisfies Section 74-47 of the Cook County Code and Border Review recommends the abatement of 100% of Ku County proportions of property taxes levied against the residential properties in the approximate dollar amounts set forth in exhibit A.

Furthermore, pursuant to Section 7447, the Border Review also recommends the abatement period shall start from the earliest date permitted under the ordinance, July 9, 2012, or the decedent's death of death, date of death, whichever is later, and continues so long as the applicants continues to satisfy the requirements of Section 74-47.

I urge that this recommendation is unanimously supported by this body.

Too many tragedies are happening in today's climate.

The least we could do is be supportive.

This honorable institution should set an example among many others that we will stand by people that sacrifice their lives.

You have to do in the service of their jobs and in service of Cook County residents.

I thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Any other speakers?

Yes.

So thank you, Commissioner.

So we're going to go back to our pre-registered uh speakers.

In this order, if you're in the board room, please come to the public speaking mic.

And please add Commissioner Gaynor to the roll call and any previous items and Commissioner Moore on any previous items and Commissioner McCasco.

Thank you.

Uh, as of right now, we still have about 15 speakers ahead of us.

Sarah Straut, Kathleen Sauces, Annie, if I pronounce this wrong, please help me.

Coginea, Nora Krigger.

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

In whatever order, if you're here, please, please come to the public speaking mic.

Sarah, Kathleen, Annie, Nora, and then Ruby.

Whatever order you come to the mic, introduce yourself and please begin.

Good morning.

I want to thank the board president and the commissioners for the opportunity to testify today, including one of our dedicated board members, Commissioner Bill Lowry.

I'm Kathleen Sancis, President and CEO of the Gun Violence Prevention Pact of Illinois, and I'm here to testify in support of item number 2619.

This resolution would support legislation we are trying to pass at the state legislature banning do-it-yourself machine guns.

Do-it-yourself machine guns are made using a switch, which is no bigger than the size of a coin that turns a standard semi-automatic pistol into an automatic weapon.

As we have seen far too many times in incidents of mass violence, the use of an automatic weapon exponentially increases the number of lives lost.

Those switches are banned both federally and in Illinois.

Their availability persists because these are inexpensive devices.

They can be easily obtained and even printed at home with a 3D printer.

According to every town for gun safety, Chicago police recovered more than 1600 switches between 2021 and 2024, including at two mass shootings, and they are believed to have been used in shooting deaths of several law enforcement officers.

The responsible gun manufacturing act, which is House Bill 4471, will go further than our current laws by banning the sale of weapons that can be converted into machine guns.

In effect, the legislation sponsored by Representative Justin Slaughter and Senator Selena Villanueva will prevent convertible guns from being made in the first place.

The legislation goes to the root of the source by holding the gun industry accountable for making a product that is easily made into a weapon of war.

One minute.

In fact, several manufacturers are already doing this.

Just as we hold other companies responsible for their products, gun manufacturers should be held accountable when their product has extremely deadly consequences.

As you know, there has been significant progress in our fight against gun violence, leading to historically low violence rates in Chicago.

While this is the trend we want to see, recently released data shows an uptick in shootings so far this year in the city.

This is a reminder that the work to build to our progress must continue.

If we are to change the facts that guns continue to be the leading cause of death for children and teens in our state and in our country, we need comprehensive solutions concentrated on prevention.

We hope you join us in urging the General Assembly to hold the firearm industry accountable, protect communities and law enforcement officers, and save lives.

Thank you for your support today.

And thank you for the opportunity.

Next, please tell us your name.

Please begin.

County board members, uh, my name is Nora.

I'm from the Jail Solidarity Network.

I'm reading testimony about officers and surveillance cameras knowing about smoke without moving people.

Word for word from someone who's been incarcerated in Cook County jail for more than three years.

Okay.

So when I first, my first, when I first came on the deck, I noticed the deck is smoky.

I'm like, uh, Sarge, are we on lockdown for a fight?

The Sarge was like, Yes.

And I'm like, okay, so you're sitting at this door.

Can you see all this smoke?

He's like, Yeah.

I'm like, but we're not on lockdown for the smoke.

We're on lockdown for a fight, but we're not on lockdown for this.

But we're not on lockdown for all the smoke.

That's a health and safety violation.

And she's like, the sergeant is like, well, we can't do nothing about that.

One minute.

Oh, I know they could do something about it.

I've been in jail long enough to know that they can do something about it.

The thing is, if you keep they high.

So basically they're not even really old enough to understand what they're doing to themselves, what's going on, right?

So they always high.

So if they're high, that means their mind is not present and like what's really going on with them in this jail, what's going on with their case because they high.

I don't know what they have, what it is, but I know that they smoke it all day.

There's cameras on the deck, and people watch these cameras and they can see all the smoke.

They see all the smoke.

People smoking, like even when they came in and told us we was on lockdown for the fight.

It was people where they had wicks in their hands, joints in their hands.

There hasn't been one time, but even right now, you see the police just going back and forth, going back and forth.

What I see is I'm standing here.

That's a good question.

I see a bunch of high people.

So they just opened the patio.

So a lot of people out on the patio, so there's nothing going on right now.

But you see the smoke.

Somebody's standing at somebody's door right now smoking, smoking.

And the police came in and act like he don't see it.

But he definitely, definitely see it and smell it.

Like it's just odor passing back and forth.

So speaking for myself, when there are county employees inhaling smoke.

Okay.

Individuals in county custody inhaling smoke, and all of this is on surveillance cameras.

The information is not the problem.

Thank you.

Next speaker, please tell us your name.

My name is Annie Goganini from Jail Solidarity Network.

Thank you.

I'm reading testimony about surveillance cameras failing to protect insiders word for word from someone who has been incarcerated in Cook County jail for more than 10 years.

Quote.

I wrote like 25 grievances while I was back there in the hole.

I didn't know what I was down there for.

I didn't know I was going to be down there that long.

I wrote a grievance on that.

Man, I never got the disciplinary report on my ticket.

Like what am I still down here for?

Y'all know how long I'm going to be down here for.

What is this?

Forever?

Like what y'all got going on?

In 40 days, 41 days of me being in the hole, they brought me the ticket saying, Man, you got 50 days.

I didn't even know I was in the hole for.

I was first just downstairs.

He came out of my cell with an envelope that I had got from the counselor that I was writing messages to for people in the day room.

It was ripped up.

I'm thinking they're gonna falsify some drug evidence against me.

So when they came in my cell, I'm telling them something like test the paper, test the paper, put it on the thing, put it on the scanner thing.

Man, these people, that whole experience down there was treacherous.

And it almost drove me crazy.

I'm glad I had a good celly that I had known for a while to brush me up on everything and make me pay attention to everything before it ever happened, because I would have lost my mind down there.

I've seen so many people get beat up by police.

I've seen people set their cells on fire, and they're not letting us out to get any fresh air, leaving us in the cells while the smoke is going to everybody else's cell and choking everybody up, making people pass out.

People are in there crying, people are begging to call their mama.

You get 15 minutes on the phone a week.

So that means in a month, you probably only talk to your family for an entire hour all together.

The time you spend on the phone was an hour.

It's sick.

That place is sick, man.

If they don't care about you crying, they don't care about what you got to say, they don't care about what you got going on or emergencies, none of that.

It doesn't matter.

They'll do anything they can to do less work.

End quote.

The information sheriffs have is not the problem.

This person was isolated for more than a month, not knowing why.

The physical presence of officers and constant presence of surveillance cameras doesn't stop these harms.

In fact, the officers and cameras create evidence against jailed people as they suffer.

One minute.

Sheriff information is not the problem.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next, please tell us your name.

Hi, uh, my name is Ruby Velas.

Ruby, hold on one second.

Let me call some more.

Okay, hold on one second.

After Ruby, if you're in the room, please come to the public speaking mic.

CMD Liberation, Reverend James Phipps, uh, Matthew McCollin, and Jeffrey Shelby.

Whatever order you appear, please begin.

Ruby, go ahead, finish.

Okay.

Um yeah, my name is Ruby.

I'm also speaking from the Jail Solidarity Network.

Um, I'll also be reading testimony about officers performing for surveillance cameras, word for word, um, from someone who's been incarcerated in Cook County jail for more than 10 years.

Um, quote.

Okay, so the security is shaking us down.

COs are supposed to be making sure there is nothing wrong with the cells, that nobody has shanks or things like that.

That's just what COs are doing.

They're shaking down, right?

But the whole thing, even the shakedown, um, they just come in, they got so tired of doing it because it's so repetitive.

They do it every day.

They just come in the cell, certain types, like the rookies, they do a little bit more, but for the most part, they're not even real shakedowns.

It's just making it look good for the camera because the higher ups, those watching the cameras, those bosses are sitting at home.

Um, so the boss is sitting at home trying to run the jail from their house, um, looking at cameras remotely.

They have all these cameras set up in the house, they're watching and again trying to run the jail from the house, saying this has got to be done, this has to be done.

So now the people that are here that are working here, the COs and the white shirts, they gotta do those shakedowns every day, but they just make it look good for the camera the whole time.

It's a waste of time because it's not stopping anything.

Everything it's there to prevent is not being prevented.

Um, so it's a waste of time.

It's just a reason to keep us in the cell.

I look at, you know, they do everything just to keep us down.

I'm not going to lie to you, that's what I feel.

That's how I honestly feel.

I've been here for 10 years, and they do everything to keep us down.

Um, end quote.

So, as this insider explains, video footage is not only meaningful as it is interpreted.

Um, you know, the information is not the problem.

The insider explains that CEOs do nothing to stop the contraband.

That is one of the most core functions of keeping folk safe, um, allegedly searching people for contraband is intended to do.

Instead, they perform to mislead surveillance footage.

The sheriff is accurate in admitting they're not in control of what's happening in their jail.

But universal and AI surveillance footage has not solved that problem.

Information is not the problem.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Previous names that are called.

Are you present?

Please begin.

My name is Jeffrey Shelby.

Um, I serve as the senior director of the next children's ministry here at New Life in Chicago.

I am honored to stand before you today in support of the important youth resolution 26-1017, recognizing the importance of engaging youth to shape policy and build opportunity here in Cook County.

First, I want to acknowledge the resolution and thank Commissioner Bill Lowry for helping to champion this important initiative.

Thank you for recognizing that our young people deserve more than programs created for them, but they deserve opportunities to help shape the systems that impact their lives.

As someone who works closely with children, youth, and families, one belief guides much of what we do.

Exposure brings expectation.

When young people are exposed to possibilities, their expectations change.

When they are exposed to leadership, they begin to see themselves as leaders.

When they are exposed to rooms where decisions are made, they begin to understand that their voice belongs to them as well.

That is why this resolution matters.

More than 1.5 million residents in Cook County are under the age of 27, representing nearly one-third of its population.

These young people are not just our next, they are our now.

And many are navigating serious challenges, including violence, trauma, mental health disparities, food insecurities, and limited economic opportunity.

But what I appreciate about this resolution is that it does not define young people by their challenges, it recognizes their potential.

This proposed youth council creates something powerful and is very intentional, and that's exposure.

Exposure to civic engagement, exposure to leadership, exposure to policymaking, exposure to collaboration, and exposure to the understanding that their life experiences do matter.

Because the truth is simple.

Young people cannot aspire to what they have not seen.

This is bigger than creating a council of 20 young people.

It's about building access.

This is about helping young people understand they are that they are not just recipients of change, but capable of creating it.

So thank you for taking a meaningful step towards formalizing youth voice in county government.

Because when exposure creates expectation, expectation creates aspiration, and aspiration creates action.

And this is how we build a stronger Cook County.

Thank you.

Thank you.

To the names that I called.

CMD Chima Liberation.

Reverend Phipps, are you here?

Are you speaking?

Come on up.

Matthew McCollin and then Dr.

Lynette Stokes.

If you're in the room, I need to see you unless we're going to go past your name.

Please come to the public speaking mic.

Reverend.

Is it my turn?

Yes, sir.

We're waiting for you.

Thank you.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you so much for aligned.

The citizens of Cook County to come and to give their opinions, their positions, and their wishes to correct things that needs to be corrected.

Hey Tara, how are you doing?

I want to say something to all of you.

And I mean this.

You know, the Voting Rights Act was ridiculous.

I walk on Keynes because sixty or two years ago, I was beaten terribly, miserably.

Pelvis crack.

Kidney knocked for 20 years, bruised.

In Mississippi.

Working with the student nonviolent coordinating committee.

What happened the other day is utterly ridiculous.

To have men who graduated from IR League colleges.

So supposed to be smart, lawyers, and have the audacity to go back.

And to put us in a situation that'll go back eight, eight years or more.

I work with people every day.

I love people.

So I'm all right.

Thank you.

The good will wishes that I receive from all of you.

Commissioner John Daly, my man, Commissioner soon be Governor Lawrence.

On and on.

You give D praise where praise is due.

He fought hard in his community for a park.

He didn't abandon his desire to see our children happy.

He got that money.

So there are results.

We got uh Donna Moore, who I told Commissioner, uh Donna Miller.

I said, You're gonna be Congressman.

She is, you know.

So that's because I'm an old man, and I see things a little quicker than you young folks.

But let me tell you something.

There was a movie years ago, Susan Saranda, who was called Walking Dead, and she said in that movie, Jesus said all men are greater than the always act.

Even John Gacet had good uh good uh attributes about himself.

He done great work.

Let me say to y'all.

I beg you, Cook County Commissioners.

I gave you a handout.

I want you to take a look at it.

I beg you to put a moratorium on firing people.

When you fire a woman or a man, it's possible that she has six children or more to feed in her family.

When you five people, they have no medical insurance.

I'd be dead today if I didn't have medical insurance.

I'd be dead.

You know, because they send you to these hospitals, give you a quick fix, and send you home when you're poor.

Let's be more conscious about how we treat human beings.

Because I tell you why, and I'm gonna shut up when I say this.

When they went to Jesus, the wise men, and said to the Jesus, this woman is an adulteress.

They wanted to put her on the wall.

Stone of the chair to death.

Jesus looked at him and he said, those of you without saying, cast the first stone.

They ran like hell because they sin as well as everyone else.

We gotta be forgiven.

We gotta extend ourselves to each other.

And those of you who are elected in this uh you make my job really hard multiple times.

And some of you who eat the Reverend Fitz in the United States, you are thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Our next speakers, please come to the mic, tell us your name.

Good morning.

Morning.

My name is CMD Chimay, and I'm an organizer with South Size Organized Unity and Liberation, also known as soul.

Along with our partners in the Illinois Network for Pre-Child Justice, more than 60 community faith and policy organizers called on you all to take action in response to the Trump administration's unprecedented dismantling of programs.

The president is attempting to freeze 10 million dollars of child care assistance in low-income and social service funds in five Democrat-led states, including Illinois, which allowed, if this is allowed to happen, will do nothing but harm marginalized communities that look exactly like mine.

We've continually called upon you to protect funding for essential services like violence prevention, behavior health, and community investment that have all been reducing violence and have all already had the track record of reducing violence and community harm by freezing the heavy-handed law enforcement spending.

Now, yes, this board did in fact respond by rejecting State's Attorney Burke's reported request for nearly 400 new staff positions and the 40% increase in her offices' budget.

However, we are still disappointed with the increased funding for the sheriff's and state's attorneys' budget, despite the responsibilities of both of those offices having significantly decreased.

To be clear, in 2016, the sheriff's budget has grown by 300 billion.

300 billion dollars, and the state's attorney's budget has doubled that amount.

All while over the last decade, crime in Chicago and the county has dramatically decreased, largely being a result of those community-based violence prevention programs I had mentioned that are prioritizing the needs of our most vulnerable communities.

The same programs now are in danger of being cut in the budget due to the increases for the sheriffs and states' attorneys.

Budgets are morally doc or moral documents that show us what our government officials actually truly value.

So we're gonna continue to attend these meetings.

We're gonna continue writing you applicable research and information and continue to meet with you all about next year's budget.

Because it's our hope that this board of commissioners joins the efforts to freeze law enforcement spending in favor of services and solutions that actually do address the safety needs and priorities of the communities that you all are committed to protect.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Matthew McCollin.

Are you in the room?

Dr.

Lynette Stokes.

Kevin Daly, Nate Palmer.

Any of you here, please.

State your name.

Good morning.

My name is Dr.

Lynette Stokes.

I have the pleasure of serving as the president of South Suburban College.

So good morning, Board of Trustees, Board of Commissioners, and guests here today.

I bring you greetings on behalf of the Board of Trustees of South Suburban College.

We're here not only to say thank you, but to also demonstrate and express our deep appreciation for the partnership that South Suburban College has with the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

We are so invested in that partnership that my leadership with the college also here today, our chairman of the board, Terry R.

Wells, as well as our vice chair of the board, Kevin Daly.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak about the progress and impactful outcomes of our special partnership through CHARM, the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials.

As we look ahead to the summer, we are approaching two significant milestones that represents the continued evolution of our recycled mission of South at South Suburban College and throughout Cook County.

First, the construction of the household hazardous waste facility is now moving full steam ahead with substantial completion expected by the end of July.

And this facility will provide a level of recycling services that has never before existed in South Cook County.

Its arrival represents a true tipping point for this partnership and for the services we will be able to deliver together to our communities for many years to come.

Additionally, from an academic perspective, I'm especially pleased to announce the launch of our first recycle certificate program that's being launched this June.

This is a 100-hour certificate program, and it's just the beginning of a broader vision to create multiple academic pathways that are leading to careers in recycling, logistics, sustainability, and workforce opportunities, including meeting the growing workforce needs of the Cook County DES.

I would like I would also like to thank the Cook County Board of Commissioners and President Pratt Gwinkle for your confidence in South Suburban College and for your investment in sustainability and workforce development within our underserved communities.

I respectfully ask for your continued support of this budget and our ongoing partnership through sustained investment in our charm center.

Thank you.

Is Nate also speaking?

I'm sorry, Kevin.

Is Kevin also speaking?

Okay.

All right.

We will add you to the list, sir.

Tell us your name again.

Uh Luke Feikas.

Thank you.

Please begin.

Good morning, members of the Board of Commissioners and Finance Committee.

I am Luke Feikus, the Director of Center for Hard of Recycle Materials, Charm, and Household Hazardous Waste, HHW to South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois.

I am here this morning to express our support for the proposed county budget.

South Suburban College is situated in the heart of the various municipalities in Cook County that face challenges with low recycling diversion rates.

Recycling is a vital component in the fight against change.

In 2000 or 2023, South Suburban College was thrilled to partner with Cook County Department of Environmental and Sustainability to expand recycling opportunities in South Suburbs.

Together, we've launched the state first center hard to recycle materials known as Charm Center, which operates as a recycling drop-off station.

All county residents can recycle clothing, textiles, electronics, computers, televisions, household recyclable materials, styrofoam, personal, health care equipment, and so much more, all free of charge.

The charm center is open every Tuesday morning, every Thursday afternoon, the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

Since opening in April 2023, we have recycled over 10 million seven hundred and eighty thousand pounds of materials from nearly 4,000 county residents successfully diverting these items through local landfills.

Furthermore, this partnership has allowed us to take charm on wheels for more than 75 community events.

We also have two new state of the art mobile recycling vehicles, our paper shred truck, shred dog, and our data dog truck, which provides on-site shredding for laptops, hard drives, and other data storage devices.

We are also excited to launch our college student internship program designed to cultivate the next generation of sustainability leaders.

Additionally, we form partnerships with local schools, libraries, churches, other community organizations to promote sustainable practices in South Suburbs.

Thank you for your commitment to this crucial partnership between Cook County, South Suburban College.

Your support will enable us to continue to provide recycling service to grow sustainability initiatives for residents throughout our community.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Kevin, are you coming?

Kevin Daly, please.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, Commissioners.

It's a pleasure to be here today.

Thank you for allowing me to share this morning with you all.

I'll keep it brief.

As an elected member of the Board of Trustees at South Urban College, we are extremely grateful for the support that this body has placed in our institution to shepherd the sustainability efforts in the Southland.

We know we're been uniquely positioned in order to lead that initiative.

And as you can see, we've been able to bring on some really great talent in order to shepherd that forward.

It's not just in our South Suburban College district, it's also the South Plan at large we've been able to serve.

And I know it's been a growth area for recycling efforts.

So quite simply, thank you for your support.

And I'm asking for you to continue to support our efforts because we are delivering deliverable results.

Um we'd all love to see the world be a little bit greener.

So thanks for your time.

And um thank you.

Thank you.

Is Nate Palmer here?

Nate Palmer, Chinese Magbo, D'Angelo Sademeyer, Sandy Norman.

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

Um, Miss Norman, I see you.

Why don't you come on?

Don't be shy.

Whoever comes to the mic first, state your name and let's keep it moving.

Yes, ma'am, you call me last, and so I was just trying to be courteous to give others an opportunity to speak.

Let's move it.

Yeah, thank you.

Blessings to everyone.

I first give honor to God and just thank the Lord for an opportunity uh to come here and to share today.

I respectively honor you, uh, Commissioner Daly, as you're there, and every person that's all of our committee people and organizations that are in the room.

My name is Dr.

Sandy Norman.

I am a uh pastor here in the city of Chicago, and I have an organization called Life Beyond Limit, Inc.

Um, you can look me up if you want to know who I am and what I what I do in Chicago in violence prevention.

I'm no stranger to here or to the streets of Chicago.

And so, as a uh a pastor, I'm not just a pastor that um that that's in the church, but I'm actually a credible witness.

I'm in the communities.

I'm on the street uh mostly um every weekend with my team, and we're actually um in the places that a lot of people talk about.

I do want to say um one of the reasons that I I come here.

I'm not coming here um just when I started to come, so I want to just dispel that.

I didn't just come to um say, you know, how can you guys help me to get money?

I came here because there were things that I did not know, and there were things that you all need to know.

And so from a person being uh in the street, being um a person that deal with active shooters that deal with gangs that deal uh with gun violence.

I want to just say, as a pastor, my position um when there are things that are not right, and when we come in here and we talk about Jesus Christ, the Bible says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy, and he came to bring light where there is darkness.

And so I want to say when we talk about cutting, you know, of the funding.

I have to be realistic today.

There are good programs, you know, out there that do a good job, but they are programs that don't do a good job.

I am a pastor, I'm in the street.

I know Chicago, I know the clergy that represent Chicago, and I see a whole lot of organizations that get millions of dollars of funding, and they are not on the street.

I'm out there 12 months a year in neighborhoods that many of you are are commissioners of.

And so I don't speak from a place of dishonoring anyone, but I speak from a place of truth.

And so when I hear us talk about Dr.

Martin Luther King and the voting rights act, I have to just be transparent.

A lot of things that are happening, I'm not gonna continue to blame other people.

We have to start voting as black people.

We have to start taking accountability.

And when people are speaking the truth, we have to stop labeling people as troublemakers, because we're never gonna get to the root of the problem if we don't start listening to people that are actually doing the work that know what's what's going on, and then we label people as being hostile.

It's almost like people coming and advocating about property taxes being stole.

And we look on the news, and what do we see?

There's an unconstitutional ruling about property.

These are people that I work with, that I'm in a community with, that where there's generational wealth involved, and there's nobody saying anything or speaking up.

So when we talk about funding and the things that are being taken away, let's also address some of the reasons why it's probably should be taken away.

Because when you have money going to people that are not doing what they're supposed to do, these are things that we need to check and balance in place.

Thank you for speaking on Dr.

Sandy.

Hey, Pastor Sandiego.

If you're in the room and you're speaking, please, I need you to stand so that we'll know how many we have left.

I've called a number of names.

Sir, tell us your name.

Are you D'Angelo?

Yes, ma'am.

Yes, please begin, sir.

Um, I just want to uh to uh express a couple of things about our program.

Um first of all, my name is D'Angelo Stall Murder.

And I was a client at Ignite, and now I am a full-time employee now.

I just wanted to say that Ignite provides provide for teenagers like myself with a safe supportive environment where they can rebuild stability and confidence through housing housing assistant mentorship and career programs that helps young young people get back on their feet, develop life skills, and work towards independence.

And also continue continue funding for programs like this.

It's essential to keep these programs running.

Invest in our youth today prevents homelessness.

Um also reduces crime and builds stronger, more self-sufficient community for the future as well.

And um, like I said before, I was up here a couple days ago.

Um got me back on my feet.

Uh, like I said, I'm up here and get to express how I feel about what's going on, because like a lot of people that's my age, really not doing enough with themselves.

Like you said, it's a lot of killing in Chicago.

I'm 20 years old, so it's like a lot of 20, 21, even like 15, even what I got brothers that's like 15, 16 doing almost the same things.

I try to keep them out that direction, try to inspire them to do better things with themselves.

And like I said, only thing I wanted to say is like more programs like this will also help our help just help us get back on our toes, keep our pivot, and keep us with a great mindset as we move forward with life.

Thank you.

Tell us your name.

My name is Shine Zay Mobo.

Thank you.

And then after you is Nate Palmer in the room, Nate Palmer, Sarah Strout.

Okay, go ahead.

Perfect.

Thank you so much.

Uh good morning, commissioners.

Thank you for having us.

My name is Shine Zay Mobo.

I serve as our director of outreach and prevention over at Ignite.

And D'Angelo is one of our young people who helps inform our work over at Ignite.

And we are here to proudly stand with Commissioner Bill Lowry to about the um youth commission board or the youth, excuse me, um advisory, yes, counsel.

Um giving those opportunities to young people to not only inform the work that we do here in the city of Chicago, uh, but across the nation, honestly.

Um, that's really gonna be an investment for our future.

Um, as you can see, our young people are eager um to get their voices heard, eager to do something different, and with us giving them the tools to not only grow in those spaces, but get experienced and exposed in these type of courtrooms, these type of rooms, and also beyond.

Um, that will not only help shape their lives but shape lives beyond.

So we want to say thank you so much uh for presenting this to us and presenting this to everyone because it's so needed.

It's such a needed uh avenue for the young people.

So, as opposed to them just trying to do what they can to survive, giving them a positive avenue to uplift their lives is very important.

So we want to say we are in full support of that, and whatever you guys need, we're here for.

Thank you.

Yeah.

So, ma'am, we had one more speaker that was connected or registered for virtual.

I don't see him connected, but let me call this name.

Christopher Whitaker.

Christopher Whitaker, actually, written statement was from him.

Mark Clements.

Mark Clemens from Chicago Torture Justice Center.

And there's no one else in the room that has registered, correct?

All names have been covered.

Ma'am, that concludes our list of speakers for this meeting.

Mayor President.

Thank you, Mayor President.

I just want to thank all the speakers and just remind everyone that this administration since 2022 has committed 300 million in community violence intervention.

And we passed the guaranteed income, uh, hospital debt, uh, equity fund.

So the dollars out there have been tr tremendous in helping individuals, and I want to thank those groups that who have reduced the violence in the respective communities.

And hopefully we will continue to work with them.

But thank you and your leadership team.

Thank you, as well as the equity fund.

Thank you.

Ma'am, ma'am, let me say one more thing about the meeting.

Originally we started as a roll call because we had remote participants.

Those participants, commissioners are now in the room.

We will continue this meeting with voice votes.

Thank you, madam president.

On pages two through ten, I make the following motions on items in the president, Justice Advisory Council, Commissioners, and Office of the County Auditor categories.

I move to refer to legislation in intergovernmental relations, item two six-1379, the proposed appointment of Brian J.

Phelan to the position of member independent revenue forecasting commission.

Effective dates, June 11th, 2026.

Expiration date, June 11th, 2029.

I move to approve item 26-1380, a proposed resolution concerning the appointment of acting chief financial officer.

And I move to approve item two six-1410, the proposed reappointment of Jeremy UNRWA to the Woodley Road Sanitary District, effective dates, May 14th, 2026 through, May 14th, 2029.

And I move to approve item 26-1412, the proposed reappointment of Edward Durick to the position member Brook Brookfield North Riverside Water Commission, effective dates, May 14th, 2026 through.

May 14th, 2032.

I move to refer to legislation in intergovernmental relations.

Item 26-1413, proposed appointment of Michael Rasik to the position as member of Norwood Park Street Lighting District, effective dates, June 11th, 2026 through June 11th, 2029.

I move to approve item 26-1419, a proposed reappointment of Hen Henry Osakewski to the position of member for the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals, effective dates, May 14, 2026 through May 14, 2029.

I move to refer to finance item 26-0721 proposed resolution addressing the Cook County Community Violence Intervention Initiative 2026.

And I move to suspend the rules for direct approval of item 26-145, proposed ordinance relative to surviving spouse tax abatements.

We need to do that.

This was originally an ordinance of separately.

No, you do suspended suspend the rules for item two six-145.

Second.

Motion is made and seconded.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Now I move to approve item two.

Yes.

Yes.

We're going to finish first.

We just suspended the rules, so we will take it up.

All right.

Okay.

I'm ready.

Thank you.

I now move to approve item two six-145.

And that's the proposed ordinance concerning surviving spouse tax abatements.

All right.

Motion's been one second.

So there's one more.

There's two more, Bill.

Yeah, two more.

I'll I'll is one more.

One more.

Sorry.

I move to approve 26-1284, proposed contract amendment involving the Office of the County Auditor and Deloitte Touch, LLP, Chicago, Illinois, authorizing the Chief Procurement Officer to increase that contract between the parties.

Second.

All right.

Motion is made and seconded.

Now you had a question, Commissioner Digging.

I did.

Thank you.

So for item number 7447.

This is a direct approval for this about surviving spouse tax abatement program.

And we passed it last year, requiring the board of review to come before us and pass an ordinance with the list of people they had approved for this.

So my I have two questions.

The first is under that ordinance under 74-47 D3.

The county board needs to provide a certified copy of our ordinance approving the tax abatement to the clerk.

And is that something the board secretary will do if this is approved and after this is approved today?

Commissioner Dagnan, the county clerk's office does that.

Okay.

Um it says there's a two-step process.

It says we have to give it to them, and then they give it to the tax.

So the county clerk is responsible for the main board items, not the board secretary.

So the certified ordinance they handle, they provide that to the board of review, and the exhibit for the individuals that are covered are part of the board item.

Okay.

So in looking at exhibit A, there's a long list of folks that uh filled out applications and were approved for this.

Do we know if it's going to be an annual thing?

Like how do they decide when it's going to come?

Yes.

Thank you, Madam President.

This ordinance is annual and it's based upon individual individuals.

Two individuals, unfortunately, are being added to this list today.

Those are individuals who have lost their lives and are in this category.

And whether they be firefighters, police fighters, rescue workers, those are the individuals who are would be in this new one.

The two are being added today.

If there was anyone recently, then the clerk uh the uh board of review would add them next year.

So on an annual basis.

Perfect.

I just wanted to make sure that there was some you know annual or biannual, and it wasn't just like an accommodation of or accumulation of people, and they did it every two years or whenever they had people.

So as long as they get it every year, you pay property taxes annually.

That makes sense.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

Those were all my questions.

Thank you.

Are there any for Commissioner Miller?

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to be added to 26-0721.

Leave to add all of it.

260721.

All will be added.

Okay.

All right.

Any further questions from commissioners?

Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed opinion of the chair of the ayes have it.

Chair Daley.

Madam President, pages 11 through 18.

I make the following motion for the Bureau of Finance Cook County Health System.

Receive and file item number two six one three one five, which is a COVID financial response report from March 1st through April 10th, 2026.

Uh receive and file 261317, the quarterly update of the long-term revenue forecasting.

Refer to finance 26136, a proposed amendment for firearm and ammunition tax.

Approve the following items.

261406, a proposed resolution for the registration and renewal process set forth by the federal government.

Receive and file 26139, the controller bills of claims report for March 24th through April 20th, 2026.

Approved 261324, the Crook County Health proposed grant renewal in the amount of 796,000.

Refer to Health and Hospital 261081, the Crook County Department of Public Health quarterly report.

Second.

Motion is made in second.

Is there any discussion?

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed opinion of the chair of the ayes have it.

Commissioner Moore.

Thank you, Madam President.

And I love your outfit today.

Looks like mine.

There we go.

Madam President, on pages 18 to 23.

I make the following motions on the items in the Bureau of Administration.

I'd like to refer to Finance 261025.

The FY 2025 annual performance report highlights key county performance data goals and metrics to promote transparency, accountability, and public awareness of county operations.

Like to receive and file 261104.

It's the quarterly report that includes updates for the 2026 quarter one of the disaster response recovery fund, including commitments, expenditures, and substantive updates.

Like to approve 261131.

This item requests approval for the chief procurement officer to enter into and execute a contract with Alta Construction Equipment.

Illinois LLC, Orland Park, the new TOW Master Trailer, SIMX, Asphalt Float, Leeboy Paver.

We'll replace our current units, which are beyond their useful life, and will be used for the maintenance and repair of Cook County Roads.

Like to receive and file 261209.

This item is to receive and file the construction status report for the month of March 2026.

I'd like to refer to transportation 261210.

This item refers to a committee of 11,000 intergovernmental agreement with the city of countryside.

The city will be the lead agency for preliminary and design engineering for shared use path on the south side of Juliet Road between Wolf Road and East Avenue.

The county will reimburse the city for its share of preliminary and detailed design engineering costs.

Like to refer to transportation 261212.

This item requests approval of an orders revising the postage speed limit along Ridgeland Avenue from 183rd Street to 175th Street from 40 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

The recommended speed limit was determined through an engineering and traffic investigation study.

Structures in Southern Cook County.

Thank you, Madam President.

Motion is made in second.

Is there any discussion?

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed, opinion of the chair of the eyes have it.

Commissioner Gaynor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I'd like to make the following motions for the Bureau of Asset Management to approve the following contracts.

Item number 26-0947, which is a um contract authorizing the chief procurement officer to enter in and execute a contract with production distribution companies incorporated.

2626-1235, which is uh contract uh proposing the chief procurement officer enter into and execute a contract with Valdez LLC.

261237, contract amendment authorizing the chief procurement officer to renew and increase the contract with Census Corporation number two in Maywood.

Item number 2620 1238, excuse me, 261238, which is a proposed contract authorizing the chief procurement officer to enter into and execute a contract with Garland DBS.

Lastly, item number 26-1282, which is a contract authorizing the chief procurement officer to enter into and execute a contract with CPS Chicago Parking LLC.

Next for the Bureau of Asset Management for Real Estate.

Next, item number 26-1323, which is the proposed contract with Trans Western Commercial Services, LLC in Chicago.

And lastly, item number 26-1386, which is a proposed public way license agreement with Delta Communications LLC.

Next for the Bureau of Economic Development, I'd like to refer to business and economic development.

The following item number 26-1326, which is a resolution for a Class A property tax incentive request with H3 Holdings in Lansing, Illinois.

Next is refer to business and economic development item number 26-1320, which is the Class A property tax incentive request for 5210 Hotels LLC in Madison.

Item number 26-1321 for a proposed resolution for a six-b property tax incentive request with Chicago Specialty Bakers in Forest Park.

A resolution to include the village of Skokie in the home consortium.

Lastly, um for the or next for the Bureau of Human Resources, I'd like to receive and file item number 26-1194, which is a report for the Bureau of Human Resources bi-weekly activity reports for the pay periods of February 8th to 21st, February 22nd to March 7th, and March 8th to March 21st, all in 2026.

Lastly, I'd like to approve item number 26-1335, which is a proposed resolution for the approval of a collective bargaining agreement, including an economic package packages of wages and increases in health care between the County of Cook slash Board of Review of Cook County and the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 Local 3696, representing the employees of the offices of the Board of Review.

Second.

Motion is made and seconded.

Is there any discussion?

All right, all in favor, signify by saying aye.

All right, Madam President.

Yes, Commissioner.

They can be recorded as present on 261323.

All right, and that's under what?

One two three one three two three.

All right.

Notwithstanding the division, the motion carries.

And Commissioner Marita will be listed as present on 26 1323.

Thank you.

All right.

Commissioner Britton.

Thank you, Madam President, members of the board.

On pages 40 through 50, I make the following motions on the items of the Office of the Assessor, the Chief Judge, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Office of the Independent Inspector General, Sheriff and State's Attorney Categories.

In the Office of the Assessor to approve item 260215, authorization for the Chief Procurement Officer to enter into and execute a contract with COSTAR Realty Information and Real Estate Information Database Subscription.

261189, approval of transfer of funds for the tr assessors permit ID account with the United States Postal Service.

In the Office of the Chief Judge to refer to health and hospitals, 281208, the yearly behavioral report to approve item 261264.

Authorization to enter into a subcontract agreement with Cabrini Green Legal Aid for Program Support, Adult Redeploy Illinois Program or RAP.

Under the clerk of the Circuit Court to approve item 261040, one-time payment to in lingo for translation services of video and audio.

In the Office of the Independent Inspector Gender, refer to litigation 261248, the Inspector General's quarterly report for the first quarter of 2026.

And in the Office of the Sheriff to approve item 26115.

Authorization for the chief procurement officer to enter into and execute a contract with Chicago United Industries LTD for security restraints.

261204.

Authorization to accept a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for Creation and Implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Order Programs, State Crisis Intervention Programs, Court Proceedings and Gun Related Violence Reduction Programs.

261205, enter into an intergamble agreement between the County of Cook, I'm sorry, the Cook County Sheriff's Office and the Payos Fire Protection District for 911 dispatching and radio services and for the Paylos Fire Protection District, 24 hours, seven days a week, necessary monitoring call services.

261263, payment to endemia identity and security for computer aided booking systems or cabs, maintenance and support.

261268, authorization for the chief procurement officer to enter into and execute a contract with InSight Public Sector for benchmark employee performance management system.

261269, payment to Lexapol for policy dissemination management systems, and in the office of the state's attorney to approve item 26137 authorization to accept a grant from Northwestern University for two victim specialist positions, two investigator positions, and one data collection specialist to be dedicated to the targeted abuse abuser call program or TAC.

Second motion is made and seconded.

Commissioner Aguilar.

Yeah, can you put me as a sponsored item 261040?

Under which office?

Clerk Kirkoga Circuit Court.

26-11040.

Commissioner Stamps.

Commissioner Vasquez?

Commissioner Naya.

Thank you, Madam President.

Just have a few questions.

One is for um item 26-1268.

This is uh sheriff's item for insight public sector.

Um I know we had lengthy conversations in one of our committees regarding um insight um yesterday, and I just wanted to know how this contract came about.

Yesterday we learned that the contract that was before us in the criminal justice committee was done on a national RFP process.

And I'm not sure if this was the same process for this contract.

Do we have someone on from the sheriff's office with us?

Yes, uh good morning, madam president.

Um commissioners.

Um is my colleague Doug McLean on the phone?

Could you identify yourself first?

Jason Hernandez, executive director of Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Thank you.

And who's on the phone, Jason?

Douglas.

Good morning, Commissioners.

My name is Doug McLean.

I'm the deputy CIO for the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Quick question is my uh connection coming through because the audio on my end is very bad.

We can hear you.

Okay.

Uh thank you for the question, Commissioner.

Um, yes, this was similar process using um the advantages that chief procurement officer Rafi Serafion outlined.

We utilized a contract through InSight.

Uh this one is on Omnia Partners, which is a national collective um cooperative government agreement.

Uh thank you and for details on this.

Uh if he's available, I'll refer to our chief procurement officer, Rafi Serafian.

I don't see him on the list.

Doug, my question is uh is it completely separate from the other contract?

Is this a separate RP process?

Totally different contract.

Okay.

Um and okay, I think that was my only question.

Thank you.

Um actually, Madam President, one more for the state's attorney's office regarding their item that says 26- uh 1337.

I was just wondering if they can walk us through um what the targeted abuser call program entails.

Good morning, commissioners.

John Horaghan, Chief Financial Officer for the States Attorney.

Um the targeted abuser call is a uh at present is a dedicated team of four uh assistant states attorneys who handle um high risk uh prosecutions in a vertical manner, meaning from start to finish.

Um the benefit of this grant is it will uh provide dedicated investigators and uh uh victim specialists to support their work.

And if the grant is uh long term is not sustained, does that mean that those positions are gone?

Uh well the grant is for a three-year period, so uh it'll provide an opportunity to assess uh the benefits of this vertical prosecution model.

Um this was a program that did exist uh up until about 2018.

Okay.

The funding went away.

Um resources were reallocated.

I can't speak to the are they going to be dealing with specific cases?

So it's uh yes.

Where it's just looking into the process.

Well, it's a uh the the uh research is going to study the effectiveness of this uh sort of all-encompassing approach to uh victim support, uh, where you have a dedicated team who works with uh the uh the survivors who uh identify the high risk uh elements, their needs, uh what services can be brought to bear to sort of break the cycle uh of these uh abusers uh over this period it'll be studied and you know we hope to get some recommendations about how to um implement best practices and then provide long-term uh programming based on this uh research.

Perfect, thank you.

That was it, madam president.

Are there any further questions?

I I need to revise the motion on the that's the the 26137.

The the tag matter should be um referred.

1268.

That I would like to revise the motion to that's gonna be referred to committee, correct?

Technology to a technology.

My apologies, madam president, all right.

And can you repeat the second?

Commissioner Trevor.

Yeah, it's over a dollar value that needs to go to committee.

Okay.

This is the three million dollar contract.

Correct, Madam President.

Therefore, it exceeds our direct approval guidelines.

Correct.

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

So this is preferred to tech rather than approved outright.

Are there any other questions?

All right.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed.

Any other chair of the eyes have it?

Commissioner Gaynor.

For the items requiring board action.

For the Business and Economic Development Committee of 512 2026.

I'd like to concur with the recommendation of the Business and Economic Development Committee to approve the following items.

Item number 26-1086, which is a 6B property tax incentive request for 1300 NN branch LLC in Chicago.

Item number 26-1088, which is a 6B property tax incentive request for clear height acquisitions LLC in Broadview.

Item number 26-1089, which is a 6B property tax incentive request for Common Market Philadelphia Inc.

in Bedford Park.

That is all second.

Motion is made in second.

Is there any discussion of these items?

Yes, Commissioner Morrison.

Thank you.

And President on item 26-1088.

If I could be uh mark this present, please.

Present, okay.

Does anyone else wish to be recorded on these items?

If not, all in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed, opinion of the chair, the eyes have it.

Thank you.

Legislation, Commissioner Perkins.

Thank you, uh Mr.

President Pro Tem and members of the board.

Um in the legislation and intergovernmental relations committee.

I move to concur with the recommendation of the legislation and intergovernmental relations committee to approve 261188, proposed appointment of Olive Brown, resident commissioner of the Housing Authority of Cook County, to approve as substituted 261017, proposed resolution recognizing the importance of engaging youth to shape policy and build opportunity in honor of Cook County Youth Day.

And I would ask leave of the body for Commissioner Lowry to address that after we have a second.

And to approve 261147 proposed resolution calling on the Cook County Clerk's Office to appear before the legislation and government affairs committee to provide an update on the March 17, 2026 election and new election initiatives.

It's been moved by Commissioner Brittany.

It is motion.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Commissioner.

President Pro Temp, if I'm sorry, go ahead.

Thank you.

I would just like to briefly uh speak to item 261017, my proposed resolution recognizing the importance of engaging youth to share policy and build opportunity in honor of Cook County Youth Day.

Let me say thank you to all the public speakers who address this item today.

Much appreciated.

Of the over five million residents of Cook County, 31% of our residents are under the age of 27 and 25 percent are under the age of 21.

In recognition of the value and importance of our youth in March of 2019, the Cook County Board of Commissioners, led by Commissioner Stanley Moore and Commissioner Dennis Deere passed a resolution establishing Youth Day here at Cook County, inspired by Youth Day, and in recognition that youth across Cook County face today a myriad of issues directly affecting their mental, physical, and behavioral health, including violence, adverse childhood experiences, health care disparity, food deserts, lack of economic opportunities, cyber bullying, and many more issues.

A setting which recognizes that youth do not want to be told what to say, but instead want us to listen to what needs to be heard.

Could county is invested in building the next generation of leaders through education, through listening, through discussion, and through policy development of vital importance to Cook County, both today and tomorrow.

To answer this call, the County Board President, the Board of Commissioners, Justice Advisory Council, and other offices under the President recognize that successful that a successful childhood leads to successful neighborhoods, and that the experiences of our most vulnerable children and young adults touch multiple systems and social services.

JEC intends to engage a specialized uh technical uh assistance partner, a third-party organization with demonstrated experience in youth leadership development and civic engagement to assist in the administration convening and coordination of our youth council and youth engagement plan.

This youth engagement plan will be designed to formalize youth voice within Cook County government, ensure that young individuals, including those from historically under-resourced communities, are seen, are heard, and valued in policies and initiatives that affect their lives and ours.

The youth council members will address priorities aligned with the Board of Commissioners, including, but not limited to public safety, youth justice reform, economic and community development, health and human services, environmental sustainability, infrastructure, and as I mentioned earlier, cyberbullying.

In developing the youth engagement plan, the diversity, equity, and inclusion program leadership intends to engage the Cook County Board of Commissioners to gain their perspective relative to the council.

The Youth Council is intended to convene in the summer of 2027 following the development of the youth engagement plan.

In recognition of the Cook County Youth Day, the President and the County Board of Commissioners, we support this development and implementation of this youth engagement plan, which will be followed by the commencement of the Youth Council in 2027.

The Youth Council is intended to engage 20 young adults or young people age 14 to 21 from across Cook County, including Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs, and will be drawn from diverse backgrounds.

The inaugural youth council will strengthen Cook County's government's capacity to receive and respond to concerns of our youth across all county districts in ways that shape policy and practice and in ways that strengthen partnerships across the county, community-based social services, all designed to support our youth and the families of our youth.

I want to thank all of my colleagues for your eye vote relative to this generational initiative and thank you for the work you'll do in support of this as we move forward.

Thank you.

Commissioner Stamps.

I just like to speak in favor of the resolution.

As a uh forever classroom teacher, I think it's important that we create opportunities for young people to always have a say in the government that they are obliged to follow and that they have a better understanding of just how our government works.

But I just think giving young people a seat at the table is just a step in the right direction for a more democratic society, the one that we're trying to preserve and protect.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Labor Committee, Commissioner and I.

Thank you, Mr.

President Pro Tam.

I'd like to concur with the recommendations of the labor committee to defer item 26-1249.

This is a proposed resolution requesting a public hearing regarding Cook County government state of our labor.

It's been moved by Commissioner and I, second by Commissioner Stamps to defer item this item, concur with the recommendation of the labor committee to defer item 25 to 261249.

And may I address that for a quick second?

I just wanted to publicly thank all of the agencies that were a part of that.

We uh had a lot of great um feedback and information on all of the different independently electeds and the offices on what they're doing to ensure pathways to create a strong workforce here in Cook County, and that was um great to hear.

Um so again, want to just uh thank all of those that participated and of course my colleagues uh for um listening.

Um I know it ran a little long, but um it was great information uh for us to have.

So thank you.

Thank you.

On motion, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed to motion carries.

Commissioner Lowry.

Thank you, President Pro Temp.

I now move to concur with the recommendation of the Health and Hospitals Committee to receive and file item two six-1101 report titled Cook County Health Semi-annual Agency Utilization Report, Reporting Period October 2025 to March 2026.

It's been moved by Commissioner Lowry second by Commissioner and I to concur with the recommendation to receive and file 261101.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

Commissioner Lowry.

Thank you.

I now move to concur with the recommendation of rules and administration committee to approve item two six-1484, the Journal of Proceedings for the regular meeting held on April 16, 2026, and I move to approve item two six-1485 Journal of Proceedings for the regular consent calendar meeting held on April 16th, 2026.

Second by Commissioner Dagnan to concur with the recommendation of the rules committee to approve items 261484 and 261485.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose item is passed.

Finance Commissioner Lowry.

Thank you.

I now move to concur with the recommendation of the Finance Committee to receive and file item 26-1283 report of legal and expert witness fees and expenses processed for payment reporting period March 21st, 2026 through April 17, 2026.

I move to approve special court cases.

I move to approve proposed settlements.

I move to approve item 26-1261.

Report titled Workers' Compensation Payments following Cook County State's Attorney's Office, litigated settlements and awards reporting period, April 15, 2026 through May 12, 2026.

I move to approve item 26-1316, a report titled Workers' Compensation Claim Payments Reporting Period, March 1st, 2026 through March 31st, 2026.

I move to approve item 26-1288 report titled Patient Arrestee Claim Payments Reporting Period March 1, 2026 through March 31st, 2026.

I move to approve 26-1289 report titled Self-Insurance Claim Payments.

Reporting period, April 1, 2026 through April 30th, 2026.

I move to approve item 26-1287, report titled Receive and File, Subrogation Claim Recoveries, Reporting Period, Month Ending April 2026.

I now move to receive and file item 26-1340 report titled Analysis of Revenues and Expenses Report Reporting Period, the four-month period ending March 31st, 2026.

I move to receive and file item 26-1411.

Report titled CCH Monthly Report Reporting Period April 26.

I move to receive and file 26-1488.

Proposed miscellaneous item of business presentation on the annual progress of the equity fund.

I move to approve item 26 0554, proposed resolution concerning reallocations for safe and thriving communities gun violence prevention and reduction initiative.

Move to approve 26-1021 proposed resolution concerning the prospective agreement with nationwide retirement solutions.

I now move to defer substitute it.

Move to approve 26-1014, proposed contract involving industrial organizational solutions Inc.

out of Oak Brook, Illinois, Law Enforcement Entry Level and Promotional Testing Services.

And I move to approve 26-1064.

Proposed contract concerning or involving ICF Incorporated LLC Reston Virginia for consultant services for community development block grant disaster.

It's been moved by Commissioner Lowry, sick by Commissioner Anaya to approve all special court cases.

Proposed settlement letters 261261, 261316, 261238, 261289, 261287, receiving file 261340, 261411, 261488.

Approve the following items 260554, 261021.

Defer is substituted, 261251.

Approved 261032, 261014, 261064.

Chairman, in proposed settlements, that number is 261288.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

As outlined by the Commissioner.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

Commissioner Moore.

Mr.

Chair, on uh I'd like to concur with the recommendation of the Transportation Committee to approve 261044.

Proposed payment approval for Knight Engineering Inc.

I'd also like to concur with the recommendation of Transportation Committee with 261045.

Also a proposed payment approval for Mead Electric.

It's been moved by Commissioner Moore, second by Commissioner Anaya to approve the recommendations of the Transportation Committees.

261044 and 261045.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed motion carries.

Commissioner Moore.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

And uh in the area of criminal justice, I'd like to concur with the recommendation of the criminal justice committee to approve 261043.

This is a proposed contract for insight public sector.

Uh Chandler, Arizona for automated license plate reader services.

And I'd like to approve as amended 261199, a proposed resolution.

Resolution in support of the Illinois Senate Bill 2801 and House Bill 4471.

And I'd like leave for uh Commissioner Bill Lowry to say a few words on 261199.

Commissioner Lowry.

Thank you, Commissioner Moore and President Pro Temp.

I would like to uh share briefly uh words concerning item 26-1199, the resolution in support of Illinois Senate Bill 2801 and House Bill 4471.

For decades, our laws have drawn a firm line against machine guns, recognizing their devastating capacity for harm.

Yet today that line is being dangerously blurred with a small device, often referred to as a switch, which which is no larger than a thumbnail.

And with that switch, a semi-automatic handgun can be transformed into a weapon capable of firing up to 1,200 rounds per minute.

A concealable firearm converted in seconds can unleash chaos in moments, placing entire communities at risk and overwhelming even the most prepared first responders.

These are not hypothetical threats, they are real, present dangers contributing to the rise in gun violence we are witnessing across our neighborhoods and throughout all of Cook County.

There is evidence that certain manufacturers have long been aware that some of their products can easily be modified, yet those firearms continue to be produced and sold without sufficient safeguards.

That is why Illinois Senate Bill 2801 and House Bill 4471 are not only necessary, they are responsible.

This resolution is about prevention.

This resolution is about responsibility.

And most importantly, this resolution is about saving lives.

Here in Cook County, we refuse to accept gun violence as inevitable.

We choose action.

We choose common sense, and we choose to stand on the side of public safety.

We urge the Illinois General Assembly to move swiftly in passing these bills because every day is a risk we simply cannot afford.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other all those in favor signify.

I still have one item.

Oh, we have one other item of the money.

Yes, sir.

I would like to move to approve 260553.

This is a proposed intergovernmental agreement for the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Chicago Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Human Services, Data Sharing Agreement between local governments regarding community violence intervention programs.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

So it's been moved by commit Commissioner Moore, second by Commissioner Stamps to approve the items as outlined.

261189 and 260553.

Uh-huh.

And the item is 26119.

111199.

Commissioner I just want to express support for Commissioner Lowry's resolution on gun violence.

It's out of control, especially more and more of our young youth children are victimized.

So I appreciate thank you, Commissioner Lowry, and I fully support your resolution.

I've got a call for the vote, and I know there will be some divisions on it.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Of course, divisions, Commissioner.

Yes, uh, I would like to be recorded no on uh an item.

This is uh 26-1043, the uh insight public sector contract.

Commissioner Vasquez.

Uh also would like to be marked no on item 26-1043.

Commissioner Stamps.

So to reflect no on item 261043, and to be a co-sponsor on 2611.

Okay.

And the yield is right to division of the question, motion carries.

Audit, Commissioner Dagner.

Thank you, uh President Pro Temp.

I move to concur with the recommendation of the audit committee to receive and file item number 26-1134, the ARPA investing in families and youth audit from 111 2022.

It's been moved by Commissioner Dagnan.

Second by Commissioner Sean Morrison to uh to receive and file a curve of the audit committee 261134, which was a good report.

Yes.

Any questions on the item?

Commissioner Agila?

Put me as a sponsor to 260 261014.

Okay.

Please add Commissioner Aguilar.

Uh Sir, what's the number again?

And what committee is that?

Oh no, it's fine.

Okay.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed the motion carries.

Environmental commissioner Dignan.

Thank you, President Pro Time.

I move to concur with the recommendation of the Environment and Sustainability Committee to approve item number 26-31239, the resolution to advance Chicago Area Waterway System Ecological Health.

It's been moved by Commissioner Dagnan, second by Commissioner Marita to concur with the recommendation of the environmental and ability.

Excuse me, Chair.

Comment, please.

Okay, to approve 261239.

Commissioner McCasco.

I just wanted to thank the members of the South Suburban College Board for coming out and expressing their appreciation for what this board has done as it relates to environmental justice and ecology.

We are moving swiftly as a board in helping this initiative, and I want to make sure that they are acknowledged for their time here today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I the voted the committee.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

Human relationship commissioner stamps.

Did you have a chair?

Before you move forward, can I just ask to be added to 261017?

Yes.

That's the one that uh uh Commissioner Lowry spoke to.

Dennis Deer sponsored.

We added all members.

Did we all?

Thank you.

If not, let add all members, please.

I'm sorry, Commissioner Stance.

That's okay.

I'm not sure if you add it all to um 261239, but I'd like to be added as a ghost.

I vote to okay.

Thank you.

Human relations, Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Thank you, Mr.

Chairman.

Uh I would like to concur with the recommendation of the Human Relations Committee to receive and file 26 1113 report titled Q1 2026 report to the Human Relations Committee.

It's been moved by Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

Second by Commissioner Trevor to receive and file item number two six one one three.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed the motion carries.

Technology Commissioner Kevin Morrison.

I would also like to concur with the recommendation of the Technology and Innovation Committee to defer 260816, uh, the Safeware Inc.

uh video analytics platform contract.

It's been moved by Commissioner Kevin Morrison, second by Commissioner Sean Morrison to defer item 260816.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

New items, Commissioner Lower.

Chairman, please uh great I still have asset management.

Okay, I and then contract commitment.

Okay.

Asset management, Commissioner Miller.

Thank you.

I'd like to concur with the recommendation of asset management committee to receive and file 26-1144, the Build Up Cook Program Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2025, and to approve 26-1057, proposed contract with Epstein and Sons International Architectural and Engineering Services for Demolition of Division 4 and renovations of Division 5 and Division 4 and 5 GIM.

Moved.

Thank you.

Okay.

Second Commissioner Aguilar to concur with the recommendation of the Yatsa Committee to receive and file 261144 and approve 26 261057.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye oppose the motion carries.

Contract compliance, Commissioner Miller.

Thank you, Chairman.

I'd also like to concur with the recommendation of Contract Compliance Committee to receive and file 26-01810815, the report titled the fiscal year 25 annual diversity report for the period of 12124 through 1130 2025.

It's been moved by Commissioner Miller, second by Commissioner McCasco to concur with the recommendation of the contract committee to receive and file 260815.

Any questions?

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

New item items.

Commissioner Lowry.

Thank you.

I know move to suspend the rules to take up all new items.

That's been moved by Commissioner Lowry, second by Commissioner Burton to suspend the rules to take up all new items.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

Commissioner Lowry.

First set.

I move to refer to legislation in intergovernmental relations.

Item 26-1409 proposed resolution calling for a hearing regarding a national commitment to defend, protect, and expand the right to vote.

I move to approve item 26-1365, proposed transfer of funds to the 5th district.

Move to approve item 26-1364, proposed transfer of funds, 5th district.

Move to approve 26-1428, proposed payment to the secretary to the board, payment to Premier Staffing Source, Inc., Lannham, Maryland.

I move to approve 26-1405 proposed agreement concerning the Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and Transwestern Commercial Services, Illinois, LLC.

I move to refer to transportation.

Item 26-1132, proposed contract between the Transportation and Highways and Vendor Shaft Equipment Company out of Bridgeville, Illinois.

I move to withdraw as at the request of the sponsor, item 26-1479, a recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals relative to a variation VA 26-0013 Township, Palos County, District 17.

I move to approve item 26-1278.

Proposed payment approval for the pay computer products and supplies international Inc., Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Move to approve 26-1276.

Proposed contract amendment involving the Cook County Sheriff's Office and WEX Bank out of Sandy, Utah.

Shall I go to the second set?

Yes.

Second set.

I move to refer to legislation in intergovernmental relations 26-1414, proposed ordinance amendment concerning vacancies.

I move to refer to health in hospitals 26-1270, a report titled annual behavioral health report for Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Reporting period, December 1st, 2024 through November 30th, 2025.

I move to approve 26-1108.

Proposed contract amendment between the emergency management and regional security and ACOM Garage Inc.

Chicago, Illinois.

Move to refer to asset management 26-1304.

Proposed contract amendment between the Department of Capital Planning and the vendor Ardmar Roderick Arcadis JV out of Chicago, Illinois.

Move to refer to workforce housing and community development, item 26-1351.

Proposed home investment partnership programning and development and garden of prayer youth center, Kinkakee, Illinois.

I move to approve 26-1350, proposed home investment partnership program, planning and development and beds plus Inc.

out of LaGrange, Illinois.

I move to refer to Health and Hospitals.

Item 26-1495, a report titled Annual Behavioral Health Report, period June 2025 through April 2026.

Third set.

Move to refer to contract compliance.

Chairman, let me interrupt you there.

The requester has asked to move this to finance.

Refer this to finance.

1514.

Let me restate that.

Thank you.

All right.

I move to refer to finance item 26-1514, proposed ordinance amendment to management of contracts requirements.

Move to refer to criminal justice.

Item 26-1526 proposed resolution calling for a hearing on improving the last mile of criminal justice, including the service of orders of protection, FOIAD revocation enforcement, and electronic monitoring violations.

Move to refer to asset management.

And I move to refer to health in hospitals.

Item 26-1516 report titled Behavioral Health Services Reporting Period December 1st, 2024 through November 30th, 2025.

It's been moved by Commissioner Lowry, second by Commissioner Vernon.

Approved the following items 261365, 261364, 261428, 261405.

Refer to transportation 261132.

The following item has been withdrawn.

I will restate it 261479.

Approved 261278, 261276.

Approved 261108.

Refer to asset 261304.

Anyone want to address any of the chairman on item 261405?

I'd like to be recorded as present.

Okay.

Commissioner Miller.

Thank you, Chairman.

I'd like to be at it as a co-sponsor in the following items 26-1351 and 26-1526.

Anyone else?

Donna.

They want you to restate the numbers.

1 261351.

261526.

Commissioner Stamps.

We all in the Casco.

Are we all in this case?

If not, please add leave to add all members to Commissioner McCasco item.

I I'll come to your commissioner.

Commissioner Stamps.

I wanted to be added as a co-sponsor for uh two six uh one five two six, please.

Commissioner McCaskill.

Thank you, Chair.

I actually wanted to speak to uh resolution 12 26-1365.

Ma'am, before you begin, someone suggested leave to add all, yes or no.

1365 is not your item number.

That's a request for a transfer.

Yes, to transfer.

You don't want to be able to do that.

You might have to do that.

You don't want the body to be added to that.

That's for your district.

Your item is 1409.

The voting right point.

And again, if there is a request, we do need to put it on the floor to be added.

You're right.

Your resolution is a different number.

My apologies, I stated the wrong thing.

Yes, it's 261409.

That's it, Lynn?

Okay, perfect.

And it's going to committee.

Thank you, Chair.

So again, it's being referred to legislation, but I still hear people mumberingly to add all.

Somebody needs to say that.

Thank you, board.

And thank you, Chair.

Just last month, uh Commissioner Miller presented and this board approved and passed an important resolution urging Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

At that time, the Louisiana versus Cayley was still pending before the United States Supreme Court.

Since then, the court has issued a decision that directly impacts black communities across this country.

The Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's second majority black congressional district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.

That ruling creates a major shift in how the voting rights act will be applied nationwide.

While much of the national conversation has focused on Southern states, people must understand that Illinois is not immune from the impact of this decision.

The Supreme Court's ruling is already increasing legal challenges to congressional districts that were designed to preserve black voting strength and fair representation.

It is also reshaping the future of redistricting in Illinois by limiting how race can be considered during map drawing and creating uncertainty around protections meant to ensure fair representation for marginalized communities.

The congressional districts most vulnerable to the impact of this ruling in Illinois, first, second, and seventh congressional districts.

The first congressional district is nearly 50 percent black.

The second congressional district is also nearly 50 percent black.

The 7th Congressional District contains one of the largest concentrations of black voters in the state.

And we must also acknowledge the 4th congressional district, which intentionally was drawn under the voting rights act to protect Hispanic and Latino representation.

Under this new legal standard, that district could also face direct challenges.

So if anyone believes Cook County will not be impacted by this ruling, they should think again.

Protecting democracy requires courage, awareness, accountability, and collective action.

Thank you, Chair.

Anyone on this item?

Commissioner Stamps.

First, I want to thank uh Commissioner McCasco for addressing what is a critical concern, not just for black Americans, but for all Americans in this moment.

The Supreme Court's decision of Louisiana versus Calais is not just about Louisiana.

It has implications for every marginalized community that depends on the protections of the Voting Rights Act to ensure fair representation, and that includes women.

The VRA was never only about black voters.

It has also protected Latino communities, Asian American communities, Native communities, immigrants, people with disabilities, and poor working class communities whose voices often go ignored or diluted.

When districts are drawn fairly, communities have a chance, just the chance, to elect people who understand their lived experiences, whether that means fighting for public schools, health care, language access, workers' rights, environmental justice, or affordable housing.

Weakening the Voting Rights Act threatens all of that.

It threatens all of us.

And for women, especially women of color, the impact is even deeper because we often sit at the intersection of race, gender, class, and caregiving responsibilities.

So this moment should remind us that protecting voting rights is not just a black issue or a Southern issue.

It is a democracy issue.

When one community loses representation, all marginalized communities become vulnerable.

Thank you.

Commissioner Sean Morrison.

Chairman, thank you.

I am sure that that's going to be a hot uh topic next month.

Uh on item 261409, as everyone's aware, I did vote to uh uh to go ahead and let the and have that move forward because I would never stand in front of any resolution.

However, I do not want to be at it as a sponsor at this time because I believe that uh there will be a lot of discussion based around this conflation aside.

Thank you.

Okay, you've heard his request.

Chairman, so we will remove Commissioner Sean Morrison as a sponsor.

But everyone else is.

The motion has all been moved and seconded.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Oppose the motion carry there.

It's a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Lowry, second by Commissioner Scott.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Oppose the motion carries.

Frank?

Well, we're adjourned.

No, no, I want to mention the death of the case.

Okay, Commissioner.

I just want to mention the death of a mayor, Stigny Mayor Jeff Wallach, and my uh condolences to his family.

Thank you.

Very simply.

Thank you.

And also trustee Jeff White.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

We'll take a very quick recess and start the 11 o'clock meeting for consent.