Cook County Board Committee Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Cook County Board Committee, chaired by Commissioner Scott Britton, convened on September 23, 2026, at 7:15 PM. After a series of public comments raising serious allegations against the board and the judicial system, the committee unanimously approved several routine items including intergovernmental agreements, appointments to the Cook County Land Bank Authority and the Cook County Health Board of Directors, and a resolution honoring the County Clerk's Office.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zoe Lee accused Commissioner Scott Britton and the board of corruption, alleging that taxpayer money is being stolen while property taxes rise. She claimed that Britton failed to act when an employee (Samantha Steele) was allowed to keep her job after a drunk driving incident, and asserted that $258 million had disappeared from the Department of Transportation. She also referenced the Epstein files and accused the board of being beholden to donors and political slavery.
• Jessica Jackson criticized Commissioner Britton for violating judicial ethics rule 2.15, which requires judges to report known misconduct. She stated she had informed him of a violation in her case but he took no action, and challenged him to apply the same rules to himself, invoking equal protection under the 14th Amendment.
• Jackie Sample shared two accounts from court watching: a judge threatened to take custody of a child unless a couple paid a guardian ad litem $3,500 that day, and another judge denied a mother visitation because she could not afford to pay the guardian ad litem for a Zoom visit. She then described her own family court case, alleging financial fraud, wire fraud, and transfers of money to Australia and digital currency, and stated that judges in DuPage County and Cook County have protected her spouse. She asked the board to conduct oversight and investigate family court cases.
• George Blakemore stated he had encouraged the previous speakers to attend the meeting, calling them educated and articulate. He criticized Commissioner Britton for threatening to arrest him and said Britton's white car did not intimidate the speakers. He admitted he is an 84-year-old black man and expressed that the speakers can accomplish things he cannot, but doubted they could overcome the “culture of corruption.”

Discussion Items

• Interagency Agreement for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) – Item 26‑1843: Avik Das, Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC), presented a one-year extension of a standing interagency agreement that coordinates government and philanthropic efforts around gun violence prevention and survivor support. He noted that the strategic partner on the philanthropy side (SC2) may evolve. Commissioners Anaya, Miller, Daly, and Stamps asked about long‑term strategy, data sharing, and funding commitments. Stamps reported that Chicago is being held up nationally as a leader in CVI, referencing a recent congressional black caucus event. The item was approved unanimously.
• Appointments to the Cook County Health Board of Directors – Five appointments were considered individually after each appointee addressed the committee:
  • Dr. Alan Jackson (item 26‑2013): Not present; committee approved based on his resume.
  • Dr. Kaleem Malik (item 26‑2014): Spoke of his 25‑year career in emergency medicine and leadership in safety‑net hospitals, global humanitarian work, and White House service on the Board of Scientific Counselors. Approved.
  • Dr. Melissa Simon (item 26‑2015): Appeared in person; described her work as an OBGYN at Northwestern, her role founding Illinois Unidos for COVID response, and decades of health equity research and policy. Approved.
  • Dr. Daria Tyrrell (item 26‑2016): Recalled her grandmother’s service as a nurse at Cook County Hospital; shared her experience as an orthopedic surgeon at St. Bernard Hospital and work on patient education and chronic disease prevention. Approved.
  • Larry Singer (item 26‑2017 as amended): Stated his background as a law professor, dean, and governance advisor to health systems; committed to helping Cook County Health survive and thrive amid federal changes. Approved.
• Resolution Honoring the County Clerk’s Office – Item 26‑1745: Commissioner Stamps presented a resolution congratulating the Cook County Clerk’s Office on receiving the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Clearinghouse Award for Excellence in Election Administration. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Item 26‑2351: Minutes of July 15, 2026 – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑1843: Interagency agreement between JAC and IGJ for CVI strategy – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑1994: Appointment of Kate Ansorge to Cook County Land Bank Authority – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑2013: Appointment of Dr. Alan Jackson to Cook County Health Board of Directors – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑2014: Appointment of Dr. Kaleem Malik to Cook County Health Board – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑2015: Appointment of Dr. Melissa Simon to Cook County Health Board – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑2016: Appointment of Dr. Daria Tyrrell to Cook County Health Board – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑2017: Appointment of Larry Singer to Cook County Health Board – Approved (all ayes).
• Item 26‑1745: Resolution honoring the County Clerk’s Office – Approved (all ayes).
• Adjournment: Motion made by Commissioner Anaya, seconded by Chairman Daly; meeting adjourned.