The Cook County Board of Commissioners met on September 24, 2026, at 3:15 PM. President Preckwinkle presided. A quorum was present with 11 commissioners present and 6 absent (Commissioners Anaya, Gaynor, Lowry excused, McCaskill, Miller absent, Moore absent initially but later added, Stamps absent initially). The meeting opened with roll call, Pledge of Allegiance, and a land acknowledgment. It included public testimony on pending ordinances and resolutions, followed by a separate consent calendar session where numerous resolutions were honored and approved.
Amtrak Maintenance Facility (Resolution opposing relocation): Multiple speakers opposed relocating Amtrak's maintenance facility from 14th Street (industrial area) to Canal Street in the 11th Ward. Alderman Nicole Lee noted 6,741 residents within 500 feet of the proposed site vs. 29 at the current site, with 67.5% Asian, 10.3% Hispanic, 2.8% Black, and 35.6% limited English. Paul Lu (Chinese American Service League) stated 3,000 clients live within half a mile. Alice Chu, Yosenia Lopez (Chicago Board of Education), and Mario Legiglio (resident 120 feet from the site) cited concerns over 24/7 operations, diesel fumes, a 500,000-gallon fuel tank, lack of environmental impact study, and poor community engagement (failed translation equipment at a September 17 meeting). The current facility is next to Union Station; moving it across a drawbridge and freight main line could cripple Amtrak service, said Andrew Fox (former Amtrak employee). Deb Ahrens (retired Amtrak employee) witnessed health issues from diesel. The Chicago Federation of Labor's Bob Ryder and Nick Desideri opposed the resolution, arguing the current facility is outdated and the project is an important investment, and urged delay for more transparency.
Immigrant Data Sharing Ordinance (26-2426): Over a dozen speakers supported the ordinance to restrict county information sharing with third-party data brokers who could transmit data to ICE. Fred Sow (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) stated ICE uses brokers like LexisNexis to circumvent local protections. Maria Morales (Immigration Law and Justice) noted a 46-page report on personal data. Others highlighted Operation Midway Blitz and the need to close the data loophole.
Birth Certificate Fee Waiver for Domestic Violence Survivors: Delaney Hefner (Family Rescue) and Kayla Posley (Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence) supported expanding fee waivers to all survivors, not just those in shelters. Hefner described a client who lost a housing opportunity because she could not afford birth certificates for six children. Posley noted 157 days with no shelter beds last year.
Guaranteed Income Program: Several speakers (Deedra Thompson, Karen Christensen, Challa Garcia, Renee Garner Elms, Siobhan Shelby) urged increased funding for the county's permanent guaranteed income program ($7.5 million for FY26). They cited success from pilots (75% felt more financially secure, 70% reported better mental health, 94% could handle emergencies) and the need for timely, transparent implementation.
Jail Deaths and Independent Oversight (Resolution 26-2018): Over a dozen speakers called for independent oversight of Cook County Jail. Pastor Kidrick Emery cited Matthew 25:36 and Hebrews 13:3. Alan Mills (attorney, 45 years) noted that from 1972-2018 the jail had federal monitoring, but after it ended 85 deaths occurred; lawsuits against the county failed because commissioners cannot control the jail. Micah Clark Moody and Harley Pomper (South Side Weekly) reported on the death of Martinez Duncan (died in a burning cell while deputies were ordered not to enter). They asked whether it is policy to pepper spray into a burning cell and why his cellmate was not transported for five hours. Simon Crow read testimony from an incarcerated person about witnessing deaths. Bella Bas urged divestment from jail and investment in health care.
O'Hare Flyer Opposition: Sarah Hicks and Donald Glazier urged the board to oppose the O'Hare Flyer (private passenger rail). They cited the Brightline in Florida (196 deaths since 2017, $5.5 billion debt, $476 million public money) and concerns about noise, vibration, and disruption to Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve (45 bird species, 250 native plants). They requested a full environmental assessment and public hearings along the 11-community route.
Other Comments: James McCoy raised flooding issues, noting $400 million in federal aid for Chicago and $250 million for Cook County after 2023 floods, but little action. Zoe Lee, Jessica Jackson, and George Blakemore voiced complaints about property rights and evictions.
The board convened a separate consent calendar meeting after a brief recess. Commissioners presented and voted to approve the entire consent calendar, which included multiple resolutions honoring individuals and organizations. Key recognitions:
Commissioners also expressed condolences for Jamie Jones, Secretary to the Board, who recently passed away.
Next Steps: The proposed ordinances (26-2426 on data sharing, birth certificate fee waiver expansion, and resolutions on Amtrak facility opposition, jail oversight, and O'Hare Flyer opposition) remain pending for further committee deliberation and a future vote.
Good morning. The meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners will come to order. Will the clerk please call the roll? Commissioner Aguilar. Here. Commissioner Anaya. Commissioner Anaya absent. Commissioner Britton. Here. Commissioner Daly. Commissioner Degnan. Commissioner Gaynor. Commissioner Gaynor, absent. Commissioner Lowry. Commissioner. Commissioner Lowry, excused absence. Commissioner McCaskill. Commissioner McCaskill, absent. Commissioner Miller. Commissioner Miller, absent. Commissioner Moore. Commissioner Moore absent. Commissioner Marita. Commissioner Commissioner Kevin Morrison. Commissioner Sean Morrison. Commissioner Scott. Present. Commissioner Stamps. Commissioner Stamps, absent. Commissioner Trevor. Trevor Here. Commissioner Vasquez. Present. Madam President, you have a quorum. Thank you very much. The clerk informs me there is a quorum present. Chair Daly, do you have a motion? There's a possibility that we won't have to move. Britain seconds. Motion is made by Chair Daly, seconded by Commissioner Britton. Roll call, please. Commissioner Aguilar. Commissioner Anaya. Commissioner Anaya, absent. Commissioner Britton. Aye. Commissioner Daly. Aye. Commissioner Degnan. Aye.