Cook County Board of Commissioners Meeting – July 16, 2026

The Cook County Board of Commissioners convened on July 16, 2026, at 10:15 AM (after a brief recess) with a quorum present. The meeting covered a wide range of agenda items, including public testimony on tax fairness, jail conditions, and community support services; the approval of an advisory referendum on a millionaires' tax; multiple contract approvals and referrals; and a deferral of a resolution calling for an independent review of the Cook County Jail.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Former Governor Pat Quinn urged the board to approve an advisory referendum (November 3, 2026) on a "Millionaire Amendment" – a 3% income tax surcharge on incomes over $1 million, with revenues split between property tax relief and public education. He cited past collaboration on the ACA and CountyCare.
• Yesenia Lopez, Chicago Board of Education member, supported expanding the county's bridge loan program to include CPS, emphasizing that property tax delays force districts to borrow and waste funds on interest. She also called for vendor accountability after issues with Tyler Technologies.
• Dr. Sandra Dafiago and Raquel Bolton (OAI) accepted a Justice Advisory Council investment for the Chicago Southern Crisis to Care Collaboration, which provides wraparound services to survivors of gun violence over two years.
• Zoe Phillips, Ella Barry, and Jeannie Porges (Jail Solidarity Network) read testimony from incarcerated individuals at Cook County Jail, alleging high commissary prices, lack of adequate hygiene products, inadequate food for religious needs, and retaliation for grievances.
• Ben Heisinger (Stop Predatory Gambling Illinois) asked the county to treat gambling as a public health crisis, including surveying employees, having healthcare providers ask about gambling, documenting harm in suicides, and minimizing reliance on gambling revenue.
• Reverend James Phipps advocated for the poor, shared his personal health struggles without insurance, and called for collaboration and love across communities.
• George Blakemore criticized the one-party Democratic system, lack of economic development in black neighborhoods, and what he called ineffective black leadership.
• Mark Armstrong (remote) pushed back on narrative about Chicago's founding and urged equal sensitivity to all victims regardless of immigration status.

Discussion Items

• Advisory Referendum on Millionaire Amendment (Item 26-1964): Commissioner Donna Miller sponsored a resolution to place a non-binding advisory question on the November 2026 ballot: "Shall Illinois adopt the Millionaire Amendment for property tax relief on education, which would enact a 3% income tax surcharge only on millionaires and use 50% of this new revenue to provide property tax relief and 50% to improve tax funding for public education?" Miller cited similar taxes in Massachusetts, Washington, Maine, and Hawaii. The resolution passed 13-0-4 after a roll call.
• Procurement Assistance Contract (Item 26-1874): The Chief Procurement Officer requested a contract with Public Knowledge Group (formerly Civic Initiatives) for support services. An errata reduced the value from $600,000 to $300,000 because county buyer positions are now filled. Commissioners Degnan and Anaya voted present, preferring committee discussion.
• Invest in Cook Program (Transportation): Superintendent Killen reported that the 10-year program (2017–2026) has made over 310 awards, leveraging $72.7 million in county funds to $300 million in project activity. The 2026 program funds 36 projects with $8.29 million.
• Domestic Violence Task Force Report: Chair Daly highlighted gaps in data sharing and warrant information among county offices and urged collaboration ahead of budget hearings. Commissioners Degnan and Miller supported the report and pledged continued work.
• Independent Review of Cook County Jail (Item 26-2018): Commissioner Stamps requested a referral to the Health and Hospitals Committee (deferral) to allow a public hearing and stakeholder input after noting 61 deaths in custody from 2020 to 2025, with 18 in 2023 alone. The request was granted; the matter was referred to the Health and Hospitals Committee.
• Flood Relief Program (Item 26-1732): The county approved a one-time resident relief fund after the federal government denied disaster aid for the 2025 floods using what Commissioner Degnan called unprecedented political criteria. Commissioners Aguilar and Degnan thanked the administration.
• Budget Hearing Schedule: The mid-year budget hearings will be held July 21–23, 2026, starting July 21 at 10 AM with the Bureau of Finance overview.

Key Outcomes

• Advisory Referendum Approved: Item 26-1964 passed 13-0-4, placing the Millionaire Amendment question on the November 3, 2026 countywide ballot.
• Gun Violence Survivor Services: $5 million in wrap-around services for survivors of gun violence were approved (items 26-0722 and 26-0723).
• Contracts and Appointments: Numerous contracts were approved, including Blue Cross Blue Shield dental, food services, IT hosting, legal research (LexisNexis), and appointments to CTA, Metra, and Pace boards (e.g., Tom Khataric, Ann Khalil, Romaine Brown).
• Jail Independent Review Deferred: Item 26-2018 was referred to the Health and Hospitals Committee for public hearing and further discussion.
• Flood Relief Program: The county approved a disaster relief program for residents affected by 2025 floods after federal denial (Item 26-1732).
• Asset Management Committee: Item 26-1325 (Jones Lang LaSalle contract) saw Commissioner Anaya voting present and Commissioner Degnan voting no.
• Jersey County Juvenile Detention Partnership: Item 26-1833 (intergovernmental agreement to house Jersey County youth at Cook County JTDC) was approved; Commissioner Kevin Morrison voted present due to lack of explanation for the distant partnership.
• NACO Awards: Cook County received 115 awards from the National Association of Counties (NACO) for innovative programs.

The meeting recessed for the consent calendar and was scheduled to reconvene on July 21, 2026 for budget hearings.