Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting

May 14, 2026 – The Cook County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:15 AM with a quorum present. The meeting covered a wide range of administrative, legislative, and public safety items, including approvals of appointments, contracts, resolutions on gun violence prevention, youth engagement, voting rights, and a surviving spouse tax abatement ordinance. Public testimony featured dozens of speakers addressing property rights, jail conditions, violence prevention, and recycling programs.

Consent Calendar

• Approved appointments: Brian J. Phelan to the Independent Revenue Forecasting Commission; Jeremy UNRWA to the Woodley Road Sanitary District; Edward Durick to the Brookfield North Riverside Water Commission; Henry Osakewski to the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals; Olive Brown as Resident Commissioner of the Housing Authority of Cook County.
• Approved contracts and amendments: Deloitte LLP (Office of the County Auditor); Alta Construction Equipment (tow master trailer, asphalt float, Leeboy paver); Production Distribution Companies Inc.; Valdez LLC; Garland DBS; CPS Chicago Parking LLC; Trans Western Commercial Services LLC; Delta Communications LLC; COSTAR Realty Information; Cabrini Green Legal Aid; InLingo translation services; Chicago United Industries LTD (security restraints); Insight Public Sector (employee performance management system); Lexapol (policy management); WEX Bank (Sheriff’s Office); and others.
• Approved grants: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (Extreme Risk Protection Order program); Northwestern University (victim specialist and investigator positions for targeted abuser program).
• Received and filed reports: COVID financial response, long-term revenue forecasting, quarterly disaster response fund, construction status, workers’ compensation claims, patient arrestee claim payments, self-insurance claim payments, subrogation claim recoveries, and equity fund progress.
• Approved property tax incentives: 6B incentives for 1300 NN Branch LLC (Chicago), Clear Height Acquisitions LLC (Broadview), Common Market Philadelphia Inc. (Bedford Park), H3 Holdings (Lansing), 5210 Hotels LLC (Madison), Chicago Specialty Bakers (Forest Park).
• Approved speed limit change on Ridgeland Avenue from 183rd Street to 175th Street from 40 mph to 35 mph.
• Approved public way license agreement with Delta Communications LLC.
• Approved collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Council 31 Local 3696 (Board of Review employees).
• Approved special court cases and settlements.
• Deferred item 26-1249 (public hearing on state of labor) per Labor Committee recommendation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Danielle Carter accused Cook County of unlawful demolition and property theft, alleging that her godfather’s property (7954/7958 South Halsted) was taken without due process and that the city of Chicago gave an $18M grant to the developer.
• Cam Davis (MWRD Commissioner) spoke in support of a resolution to clean up contaminated sediments in the Chicago River system, noting that a similar resolution passed unanimously at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and encouraged Cook County to adopt it.
• Jessica Jackson alleged that Cook County tax sales are unconstitutional and that the county is stealing black-owned properties; she called for an audit and accused officials of being soft on white-collar crime.
• Tywon Sims asked the board to use its oversight interest to help with a family matter involving his child.
• Rev. Sierra Bakes Chamberlain (Learfree, Illinois) urged support for a voting rights resolution, stating that the Voting Rights Act gutting impacts black communities and that voting determines power over housing, jobs, health care, and education.
• Dan Dwyer (Moms Demand Action, gun violence survivor) spoke in support of HB 4471, which would ban the sale of firearms easily convertible to machine guns using tiny “switch” devices. He said 1,600 switches were recovered by Chicago police between 2021 and 2024.
• George Blakemore criticized the lack of black representation on the water reclamation board and urged black residents to support their own businesses rather than the Democratic Party.
• Commissioner Cardenas presented the surviving spouse tax abatement program (Section 74-47 of the Cook County Code), recommending 100% abatement for qualifying surviving spouses of fallen officers, soldiers, and rescue workers.
• Kathleen Sances (Gun Violence Prevention Pact of Illinois) supported HB 4471, noting that Chicago police recovered 1,600 switches between 2021 and 2024 and that gun manufacturers should be held accountable for producing easily convertible weapons.
• Nora (Jail Solidarity Network) read testimony from an incarcerated person describing pervasive smoking in Cook County jail, with officers and surveillance cameras ignoring the smoke and failing to address health hazards.
• Annie Goganini (Jail Solidarity Network) read testimony about a person placed in solitary confinement for 41 days without knowing why, witnessing beatings and fires, and receiving only 15 minutes of phone time per week.
• Ruby Velas (Jail Solidarity Network) read testimony that officers perform shakedowns only for show for surveillance cameras, failing to actually prevent contraband.
• Jeffrey Shelby (New Life in Chicago) expressed strong support for the youth council resolution (26-1017), stating that exposure to leadership and policymaking raises expectations for young people.
• Rev. James Phipps urged a moratorium on firing county employees because losing a job can mean losing medical insurance, and reminded commissioners of the need for forgiveness and compassion.
• CMD Chimay (Soul/South Side Organized Unity) urged the board to freeze law enforcement spending, noting that sheriff’s budget grew by $300 million since 2016 and state’s attorney’s budget doubled, while crime decreased; she called for protecting funding for community violence prevention.
• Dr. Lynette Stokes (President, South Suburban College) provided an update on the CHARM recycling center: 10.78 million pounds recycled from nearly 4,000 residents since April 2023; household hazardous waste facility completion expected by end of July; first recycling certificate program launching in June 2026.
• Luke Feikas (Director, CHARM Center) reported that since opening in April 2023, the center recycled over 10.78 million pounds from nearly 4,000 county residents and hosted 75+ community events.
• Kevin Daly (South Suburban College Trustee) thanked the board for partnership and asked for continued support.
• Dr. Sandy Norman (Life Beyond Limit Inc.) urged the board to listen to credible witnesses and ensure that funding for violence prevention goes to organizations that are actually in the streets.
• D’Angelo Stalley (Ignite client, now full-time employee) shared his story and urged continued funding for youth programs to prevent homelessness and reduce crime.
• Shine Zay Mobo (Ignite) expressed full support for the youth council resolution and the importance of giving young people opportunities to shape policy.

Discussion Items

• Item 26-1017 – Youth Council Resolution (Commissioner Lowry): Recognized that 31% of Cook County residents are under 27, and 25% under 21. The resolution supports the creation of a Youth Council (ages 14-21) to advise on policy, with inaugural council expected to convene summer 2027. Commissioner McCaskill noted that the council will be developed with a third-party technical assistance partner.
• Item 26-1199 – Resolution in Support of HB 4471 / SB 2801 (Switch Devices): Commissioner Lowry described how a “switch” the size of a thumbnail can convert a semi-automatic pistol into a machine gun firing 1,200 rounds per minute. He stated that Chicago police recovered 1,600 such switches from 2021 to 2024. The resolution urges the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation requiring manufacturers to make guns non-convertible.
• Item 26-1409 – Voting Rights Resolution (Commissioner McCaskill): She explained that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Calais declared Louisiana’s second majority-black congressional district an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, which threatens Illinois’ first, second, and seventh congressional districts (nearly 50% black) and could also affect the fourth district (drawn to protect Hispanic/Latino representation). The resolution calls a hearing to address the national commitment to voting rights.
• Item 26-1239 – Chicago River System Cleanup Resolution (Commissioner Degnan): Endorsed a federal initiative to map and clean contaminated sediments in the Chicago area waterway system, supporting collaboration between MWRD, city of Chicago, and Cook County.
• Item 26-1506 (originally 26-1043) – Insight Public Sector Contract: This $3 million contract for automated license plate reader services was referred to the Technology Committee due to its dollar value exceeding direct approval guidelines.
• Item 26-1447 – Surviving Spouse Tax Abatement Ordinance (Commissioner Cardenas): Approved ordinance providing 100% abatement of Cook County property taxes for qualifying surviving spouses of fallen officers, soldiers, and rescue workers. The abatement starts from the earliest date permitted (July 9, 2012, or date of death) and continues annually as long as the spouse qualifies.

Key Outcomes

• Item 26-1017 (Youth Council Resolution): Approved (voice vote). Commissioners Lowry, McCaskill, and Stamps spoke in strong support.
• Item 26-1199 (Support for HB 4471/SB 2801): Approved (voice vote). Commissioner Anaya expressed support for the resolution.
• Item 26-1409 (Voting Rights Resolution): Referred to Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee. Commissioners Stamps and McCaskill spoke in support; Commissioner Sean Morrison declined co-sponsorship but voted to allow it to move forward.
• Item 26-1239 (Chicago River Cleanup Resolution): Approved (voice vote).
• Item 26-1447 (Surviving Spouse Tax Abatement): Suspended rules and approved. Commissioner Degnan clarified that the abatement is annual, and the exhibit A list will be updated each year.
• Item 26-1043 (Insight Public Sector Contract): Referred to Technology Committee due to cost >$3M. Commissioners Vasquez and Aguilar recorded “no” on the original motion.
• Item 26-1479 (Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation): Withdrawn at sponsor’s request.
• Item 26-1514 (Contract management ordinance amendment): Referred to Finance Committee.
• Item 26-1526 (Last mile of criminal justice hearing): Referred to Criminal Justice Committee.
• Item 26-1516 (Behavioral health report): Referred to Health & Hospitals Committee.
• Item 26-1270 (Annual behavioral health report): Referred to Health & Hospitals.
• Item 26-1495 (Annual behavioral health report, period June 2025-April 2026): Referred to Health & Hospitals.
• Item 26-1351 (Home investment partnership – Garden of Prayer Youth Center): Referred to Workforce Housing & Community Development.
• Chairman’s Remarks: Confirmed quorum (12 present) at opening, recognized land acknowledgment read by Commissioner Scott, and added Commissioner Degnan to the roll call. At close, the board observed a moment for deceased mayors and trustees.
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion by Commissioner Lowry, second by Commissioner Scott, voice vote approved.

The meeting lasted approximately 3.5 hours, including public testimony and committee reports.