Cook County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting: FY2027 Budget Presentation and Referral - October 8, 2026

The special meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 10:00 AM on October 8, 2026, with a quorum present. The primary purpose was to present and refer the Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget recommendation from President Toni Preckwinkle. After public testimony, the board voted to refer the budget to the Finance Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mayor Nathan Booker of Maywood expressed gratitude for county support including remediation of blighted land for new townhomes, a Building Healthier Communities grant that led to improved school performance, and $300,000 in water debt relief for residents. He indicated they would seek additional funding.
• Anthony Cook, Maywood Park District Commissioner, thanked the board for a Bridge Loan Program that aided the park district and hoped for continued collaboration.
• Dr. Jack Solomon, speaking on behalf of the Fifth District Commissioner Dr. Keisha McCaskill, highlighted significant county investments in community violence intervention ($20 million announced in 2026), housing stability ($19 million), and a $2 million down payment assistance program that helped 700 families. He thanked the board.
• Rod Cheney, Executive Director of Developing Our Youth, expressed gratitude for county funding that helped his organization work in Harvey, Hazel Crest, and Dixmoor, and noted the Maywood Park District Bridge Loan prevented closure. He praised the impact in the Southland.
• Derek Champion, City Administrator of Markham, thanked the county for funding through the Build Up Cook program for office renovations, a climate resiliency program to mitigate flooding, and park development. He called the support "real change."
• Terrence Ockle, Assistant Village Manager of Homewood, expressed gratitude for Cook County Emergency Management's assistance after two EF1 tornadoes brought down over 1,500 trees. He noted the debris pile was reduced from three stories to single-story height thanks to county trucks.
• A public speaker (unidentified) criticized Commissioner Gainer (as referenced) for talking during public testimony, asserting that elected officials work for citizens. He advocated for President Trump to "clean up the swamp," criticized both parties, and expressed anti-immigrant sentiment, arguing that Black Americans should receive priority. He was stopped when time expired.

Discussion Items

President Toni Preckwinkle presented the FY2027 Executive Budget Recommendation, emphasizing affordability challenges facing residents and the county. Key points:

• The county faced a $550 million gap driven by $500 million in frozen transportation revenue from a lawsuit and over $200 million in federal health care cuts by the Trump administration.
• The budget does not raise taxes, instead relying on belt-tightening: $46 million from vacancy management, $35 million from paused IT projects and reduced discretionary spending, $18 million from reserves, $88 million in interest from ARPA funds, and $61.2 million repurposed from future ARPA program funds. Updated sales tax projections added $93 million.
• The budget protects Cook County Health, which cut its projected $214 million deficit to $40 million without workforce or access reductions. It highlighted County Care's 4-star NCQA rating and the elimination of $1 billion in medical debt.
• Community safety investments have contributed to a 50% reduction in gun homicides since 2021. Over $350 million has been invested in violence prevention across state, county, and city, including $110 million from Cook County.
• Affordability initiatives include the Legal Aid for Housing and Debt program (110,000 residents served, 10,000 fewer evictions), small business support ($76 million since 2021), down payment assistance (700 families), water affordability, and disaster relief (including $15 million storm relief and $8 million for debris removal after summer storms).
• President Preckwinkle warned that future years may require revenue solutions if federal health care cuts continue.

Key Outcomes

• The Board referred agenda item 262321 (the FY2027 Executive Budget Resolution and Annual Appropriation Bill) to the Finance Committee on a motion by Chair Daly. The vote was 16 ayes, 1 absent (Commissioner Gaynor). The meeting then adjourned.