Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Cook County Board of Commissioners: October 22, 2026

The Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Cook County Board of Commissioners convened on October 22, 2026. A large portion of the meeting was dedicated to public testimony on two significant policy matters: a resolution to close the "data broker loophole" to prevent the sale of personal data to third parties including ICE, and an ordinance expanding birth certificate fee waivers for domestic violence survivors. The committee unanimously approved the data privacy ordinance after roughly four and a half years of advocacy. Several administrative appointments were also confirmed.

Consent Calendar

• Item 26-26-35: Minutes from the September 23, 2026, meeting were approved.
• Item 26-24-25 (Tax Certificate Pilot Program): A resolution authorizing a pilot program for a Cook County Tax Certificate program was approved without debate.
• Item 26-24-16 (Inspector General Peer Review): An amendment was approved allowing the Office of the Inspector General to submit itself to peer reviews conducted by the Association of Inspectors General at a minimal cost.

Public Comments & Testimony

Topic: Resolution 26-2426 (Data Broker Loophole) A large coalition of immigrant rights, civil rights, and labor organizations spoke in strong support of closing the loophole.

• Claudia Marchan (Exec. Dir., Immigration Law & Justice of N. Illinois / ICIRR): Shared a personal experience where LexisNexis created a 46-page report containing her full Social Security number and family information without consent. Expressed full support for the ordinance to protect vulnerable communities.
• Rania Salem (Arab American Action Network): Described ICE surveillance tactics, including vehicles parked in neighborhoods for hours. Argued the loophole allows ICE to target individuals and urged the board to pass the resolution.
• Sarah Oseguera (Blue Island Robbins Neighborhood Network / ICIRR): Stated that fear of data sharing prevents families from seeking care. Her network recently helped reunite three families separated by detention. Supported the ordinance to protect the dignity of residents.
• Dylan Robinson (Centro de Trabajadores Unidos): Related the story of "Frank," a Cook County resident detained by ICE while showering at home. Argued data brokers profit from community suffering and urged the board to pass the resolution.
• Ellen Zoe (Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago / ICIRR): Noted that ICE tactics have shifted toward highly targeted detentions enabled by data. Connected the loophole to historic surveillance programs and urged a yes vote.
• Hannah Luco (Just Futures Law): Provided a history of the loophole since 2011. Cited that ICE contracts with major data brokers nearly tripled from $4.9 million to $14.5 million between 2018 and 2025. Urged the board to pass the ordinance.
• Chris Pierre (Cook County Resident, Albany Park): Expressed personal anger over the sale of personal data. Supported the ordinance to protect neighbors from deportation and corporate exploitation.
• Pablo Padilla (Exec. Dir., Corazon Community Center): Told the story of a 15-year-old boy in his summer camp who was detained by ICE. Stressed that families must be able to seek help without fear.

Topic: Ordinance 26-1993 (Birth Certificate Fee Waivers for Domestic Violence Survivors)

• Kayla Posley (Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence): Expressed strong support. Noted that the current ordinance only allows fee waivers for survivors residing in shelters, leaving out those who access other services or report to police. The proposal mirrors state law and expands eligibility.
• Delaney Hefner (Domestic Violence Advocate): Described a client with six children who lost a rare housing opportunity because she could not access a birth certificate quickly. Argued expanding the waiver is essential for safety and independence.

Discussion Items

• Item 26-24-26: Data Privacy / Closing the Data Broker Loophole
  • Commissioner Anaya, the chief sponsor, introduced the ordinance. She recounted a four-and-a-half-year effort following community advocacy to close the loophole. She framed the ordinance as a duty to protect residents from being targeted and to be a good steward of public funds.
  • Commissioner Vasquez, a co-sponsor, stressed that the ordinance protects the data of all Cook County residents, not just immigrants, from big tech and big corporations that profit from selling information.
  • Commissioner Degnan congratulated the sponsors and emphasized the need for continued vigilance, stating that the work does not stop here as new loopholes will likely emerge. He highlighted risks to reproductive rights and other sensitive data.
  • Chairman Britton remarked on the timeliness of the issue, linking the local fight to national concerns about corporate power and democracy, citing a Wall Street Journal story on Starlink as an example of the national conversation.
  • Commissioners Trevor, Aguilar, and Daly all expressed support and requested to be added as co-sponsors.
• Item 26-19-93 (Birth Certificate Fee Waivers): At the request of Commissioner Anaya, this item was deferred for further discussion without a vote.
• Appointments:
  • Jamie Myers was approved as Bureau Chief of Asset Management. Myers noted nearly 10 years of experience in county facilities.
  • Dr. Megan Carolyn was approved as Animal and Rabies Control Administrator. Dr. Carolyn detailed her experience handling the first rabies case in a domestic dog in over 60 years, which required the vaccination and quarantine of over 90 exposed animals. She outlined future goals including strengthening ties with public health and purchasing an emergency mobile animal shelter.
  • Thomas Casey was appointed to the South Cook Mosquito Abatement District.
  • Bill Fister was appointed to the Plum Grove Woodlands Sanitary District.
  • Felicia Houston was appointed to the South Cook Mosquito Abatement District.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 26-2426 (Data Broker Loophole): PASSED. The committee unanimously approved the substitute ordinance as amended in the errata, which prevents county vendors from selling or sharing personal data with third parties. The ordinance will proceed to the full County Board for final approval.
• Appointments: PASSED. All five appointments (Jamie Myers, Dr. Megan Carolyn, Thomas Casey, Bill Fister, Felicia Houston) were approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Item 26-24-25 (Tax Certificate Pilot): PASSED.
• Item 26-24-16 (IG Peer Review): PASSED.
• Ordinance 26-19-93 (Birth Certificates): DEFERRED. The item was deferred at the sponsor's request to allow for further discussions.
• Next Steps: All approved appointments and ordinances are scheduled to be finalized at the full Cook County Board meeting on October 23, 2026.