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Record of Proceedings

Finance Subcommittee of Litigation Meeting - July 15, 2026

Board of Commissioners — Wednesday, July 15, 2026
BodyCook County, Illinois
SessionBoard of Commissioners
DateWednesday, July 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 46:39

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0:00

I'd like to reconvene the meeting of the finance subcommittee of litigation.

0:04

Madam Secretary, do we still have a quorum?

0:06

Chairman, at your recess meeting, you had all members present with these exceptions.

0:11

There's an absence for Commissioner Britton and then excused absences for Commissioner Sean Morrison and Commissioner Stamps.

0:18

You do have a quorum, sir.

0:19

And do we have any public speakers?

0:20

You have one speaker, George Blake Moore.

0:22

Please be reminded of the rules.

0:23

You have three minutes to address the body, sir.

0:26

Mr.

0:26

Blakemore.

0:33

Thank you, sir.

0:37

Litigation.

0:39

Usually they put everyone out when they have litigation.

0:46

People are suing the county.

0:50

And a lot of time, could county use outside lawyers.

0:58

What are you talking about, Mr.

1:00

Blake Moore?

1:01

They have their own lawyers.

1:04

But certain cases come up and they get outside lawyers who are politically connected.

1:12

And this gentleman has a law firm.

1:15

One in litigation.

1:35

Hooked up politically.

1:38

And some people choose professional, not from passion.

1:44

But for money.

1:52

So again, we want our our black people to go into these various professions.

2:01

Because we want them to serve us.

2:28

People got PhDs and uh various fields.

2:32

You they worse than Ray Ray and Kiki.

2:36

One minute.

2:37

They worse than Ray Ray and Keiki.

2:41

Because they know better.

2:44

We want to have excellent black professionals.

2:50

I'm a lawyer.

2:51

I'm a doctor.

2:51

I'm an engineer.

2:52

I'm this and that.

2:54

But the reason you uh have an education and get an education is to educate your people.

3:04

Your people.

3:06

So doctor this and rev and this, uh, even the preachers are selling out for money.

3:13

Not saving so.

3:15

Thirty seconds.

3:16

So thank you very much.

3:18

And that's why I'm going to spit in this mic again.

3:25

Don't spit in this mic.

3:26

Any other speakers?

3:27

Chairman, that concludes your list of speakers.

3:30

Any additions to the agenda?

3:32

No changes to the agenda either.

3:36

Commissioner Trevor now moves to approve item two six-1991.

3:40

The minutes from the meeting held on June 10th, 2026.

3:44

Seconded by Commissioner Marita.

3:46

All those in favor say aye.

3:48

All opposed in the opinion of the chair?

3:49

The ayes have it.

3:51

Commissioner Marita now moves for us to go into executive session, seconded by uh Commissioner Trevor.

3:57

All those in favor say aye.

3:59

All right, the body will now go into executive session pursuant to Section 2C eleven of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

4:04

In order to consider litigation or potential litigation involving the county, I'm going to ask that the room be cleared of all except for uh members of the body on the committee, as well as any other commissioners who are here and staff.

4:19

We're going to ask the uh sheriff to step up.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████94%
Pending Litigation███6%
Summary of Proceedings

Finance Subcommittee of Litigation Meeting - July 15, 2026

This meeting of the Finance Subcommittee of Litigation was reconvened on July 15, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Chairman presided, with a quorum present. Commissioner Britton was absent, and Commissioners Sean Morrison and Stamps were excused. The meeting included one public speaker, approval of prior minutes, an executive session, and unanimous approval of several items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George Blake Moore addressed the body, expressing concerns about the county's use of outside lawyers for litigation. He argued that such lawyers are often politically connected and motivated by money rather than passion. He urged that African American professionals, including lawyers and doctors, should focus on serving their communities rather than pursuing personal gain. He criticized some professionals for not educating their own people.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Item 26-1991, the minutes from the June 10, 2026 meeting, were moved by Commissioner Trevor, seconded by Commissioner Marita, and approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • Executive Session: A motion by Commissioner Marita, seconded by Commissioner Trevor, moved the committee into executive session pursuant to Section 2C(11) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act to discuss litigation or potential litigation involving the county. The room was cleared, and the session was held. A subsequent motion by Commissioner Trevor, seconded by Commissioner Degnan, returned the meeting to open session.
  • Receipt and Filing of Case Disposition Summary Reports: Item 26-1971 (case disposition summary reports for the civil rights torts section) was moved by Commissioner Trevor, seconded by Commissioner Degnan, and approved without discussion.
  • Approval of Multiple Items: Items 26-1972, 26-1973, 26-1974, 26-1975, 26-1976, 26-1977, and 26-1978 were moved by Commissioner Marita, seconded by Commissioner Trevor, and approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • The minutes from June 10, 2026, were approved.
  • The committee held an executive session to discuss litigation.
  • Item 26-1971 was received and filed.
  • Items 26-1972 through 26-1978 were approved.
  • The meeting was adjourned by a motion from Commissioner Trevor, seconded by Commissioner Degnan, passed unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to reconvene the meeting of the finance subcommittee of litigation. Madam Secretary, do we still have a quorum? Chairman, at your recess meeting, you had all members present with these exceptions. There's an absence for Commissioner Britton and then excused absences for Commissioner Sean Morrison and Commissioner Stamps. You do have a quorum, sir. And do we have any public speakers? You have one speaker, George Blake Moore. Please be reminded of the rules. You have three minutes to address the body, sir. Mr. Blakemore. Thank you, sir. Litigation. Usually they put everyone out when they have litigation. People are suing the county. And a lot of time, could county use outside lawyers. What are you talking about, Mr. Blake Moore? They have their own lawyers. But certain cases come up and they get outside lawyers who are politically connected. And this gentleman has a law firm. One in litigation. Hooked up politically. And some people choose professional, not from passion. But for money. So again, we want our our black people to go into these various professions. Because we want them to serve us. People got PhDs and uh various fields. You they worse than Ray Ray and Kiki. One minute. They worse than Ray Ray and Keiki. Because they know better. We want to have excellent black professionals. I'm a lawyer. I'm a doctor. I'm an engineer. I'm this and that. But the reason you uh have an education and get an education is to educate your people. Your people. So doctor this and rev and this, uh, even the preachers are selling out for money. Not saving so. Thirty seconds. So thank you very much. And that's why I'm going to spit in this mic again. Don't spit in this mic. Any other speakers? Chairman, that concludes your list of speakers. Any additions to the agenda? No changes to the agenda either. Commissioner Trevor now moves to approve item two six-1991.

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