February 19, 2004 New Items

NEW ITEMS

Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners

County Board Room, County Building

Thursday, February 19, 2004, 10:00 A.M.

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

ITEM #1

Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by

JOHN H. STROGER, JR., President, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has called former Cook County Commissioner and Cook County Sheriff, Joseph Ignatius Woods from our midst; and

WHEREAS, a deeply religious and a very brave man, Mr. Woods attended seminary school; after the seminary, Mr. Woods moved out to California and joined his church's choir. During that time, a yet-to-be-discovered Bing Crosby heard Mr. Woods sing and asked if he would sing a duet with him. Mr. Woods accepted the offer, and for the rest of his life he could actually say that he sang with one of our nation's great entertainers; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Woods valiantly served his country in the Marine Corps during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Woods also has the distinction of having worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), serving under J. Edgar Hoover; he also was a member of the Sheriff's Association and the FBI Agents Association; and

WHEREAS, when he left the FBI, Mr. Woods went into business for himself as a polygraph operator; and

WHEREAS, between 1966 and 1970, Mr. Woods served as Sheriff of Cook County; and

WHEREAS, in December of 1970, Mr. Woods was elected to the Board of Commissioners of Cook County where he served until 1988; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Woods was living with family members in Acworth, Georgia when he passed away at the age of 87; survivors include his wife, Lucille; six sons; four daughters; three sisters; 29 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; in addition to nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, with the passing of Joseph Woods, we have lost a consummate family man, public servant and a brave veteran who served his country with distinction and set a fine example for all to follow.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the more than five million residents of Cook County, does hereby express its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the many friends and loved ones of former Cook County Commissioner and Cook County Sheriff, Joseph Ignatius Woods; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of Mr. Joseph Ignatius Woods, so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.

_________________________

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Goslin, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted. The motion carried unanimously.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

ITEM #2

Submitting a Proposed Ordinance Amendment sponsored by

ROBERTO MALDONADO, JERRY BUTLER, JOHN P. DALEY,

ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN, JOSEPH MARIO MORENO, JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY,

PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS and BOBBIE L. STEELE, County Commissioners

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

~~LONGTIME HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION ORDINANCE~~

HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION FOR LONG-TERM PROPERTIES

WHEREAS, longtime homeowners are experiencing substantial and unpredictable property tax increases due to upper-scale development or redevelopment, known as gentrification, in their communities; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the severe economic circumstances many of these longtime homeowners have faced, the Illinois Legislature passed Public Act 88-451, the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act (35 ILCS 250, et. seq.), in August, 1993; and

WHEREAS, on July 24, 1998, the Illinois Legislature passed Public Act 90-0648, amending the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act to require the participation of the City of Chicago and the Board of Education, which are the two largest taxing bodies in Cook County; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Act is to provide property tax relief to longtime homeowners, whose property taxes have risen sharply as a result of new construction or renovation of existing residences in long-established residential areas; and

WHEREAS, counties, having a population of 100,000 or more, are authorized to enact an ordinance, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, that provides for property tax relief; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Act, as a county with a population of more than 100,000, Cook County is authorized to enact an ordinance to provide tax relief to longtime homeowners within the County that may be eligible under the provisions set forth in the Act; and

WHEREAS, as a matter of public policy, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has the authority and the responsibility to enact property tax relief provisions that will enable eligible longtime homeowners to remain in financially secure possession of their homes.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the President and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County the following:

TITLE OF ORDINANCE: ~~(New) Longtime Homeowner Exemption Ordinance.~~ Homeowner Exemption for Long-Term Properties.

An Ordinance creating the Homeowner Exemption for Long-term Properties (“H.E.L.P.”) Program to provide property tax relief to certain longtime homeowners in established neighborhoods who are facing a dramatic rise in property taxes directly or indirectly attributable to gentrification. To be eligible, the longtime homeowner must own and reside in a Cook County Class 2 property for a minimum of ten years, or five years if the homeowner received assistance in the acquisition of the property as part of a government or nonprofit housing program. The homeowner will be ineligible if ~~the property has a market value for assessment purposes exceeding $300,000 in the current reassessment year or~~ there has been a substantial improvement since the prior reassessment which resulted in an increase in fair cash value ~~in excess of the $45,000~~ in an amount sufficient to qualify for the Home Improvement Exemption allowance as set forth in the Illinois Property Tax Code. The Assessor shall verify potential eligible homeowners on an annual basis and provide to the Cook County Clerk the information necessary to calculate the exemption in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Ordinance. The Cook County Clerk shall then remove the exempt value from the calculation of the property tax and the Cook County Treasurer shall state on the tax bill the amount of tax saved by the exemption.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT continued

ITEM #2 cont’d

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the ~~"Longtime Homeowner Exemption Ordinance."~~ "Homeowner Exemption for Long-Term Properties".

SECTION 2. PURPOSE. The intent of this Ordinance is to stabilize the effects of soaring property taxes for longtime homeowners who otherwise may be displaced from neighborhoods where gentrification is occurring.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Ordinance:

“Assessment District.” Cook County has a triennial reassessment cycle wherein one of the three districts within the county is reassessed each year. The three assessment districts are defined in the Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/9-220(B)).

“AV.” Assessed Value as defined in the Cook County Real Property Assessment Classification Ordinance (Section 2, Class 2 and Section 3, Class 2).

“Average Assessment Increase.” A percentage calculated by taking the value of all potentially qualifying Class 2 properties within the ~~assessment district~~ municipality in which the property is located and determining the percent difference between the current reassessment value and the prior year’s assessment value.

“EAV.” Equalized Assessed Value. The assessed value multiplied by the equalization factor calculated by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

“H.E.L.P.” Homeowner Exemption for Long-term Properties initially calculated as follows: that portion of the current EAV for an eligible property which exceeds the sum of: (1) the EAV for the year prior to reassessment; plus (2) the prior year EAV multiplied by a factor equal to 150% of the average assessment increase for the most current reassessment of the ~~assessment district~~ municipality in which the property is located.

“Class 2 Properties.” Residential properties as defined in the Cook County Real Property Assessment Classification Ordinance (Section 2, Class 2).

“Longtime Homeowners.” Persons who have owned and occupied a Cook County Class 2 property for ten years or more as their principal residence, or five years or more if the owner received assistance in the acquisition of the property as part of a government or nonprofit housing program. “Longtime homeowners” also means persons who inherited the property from a spouse who owned and occupied a Class 2 property for ten years or more as their principal residence or five years or more if the owner received assistance in purchasing the residence from a governmental or non-profit housing program.

"Municipality." A city, village or incorporated town. All unincorporated property located within a reassessment district shall be considered one municipality for purposes of this ordinance.

“Triennial Reassessment.” Any reassessment of an assessment district, which occurs every third year as set forth in the Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/9-220(B)).

SECTION 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE HOMEOWNER EXEMPTION FOR LONG-TERM PROPERTIES (“H.E.L.P.”) PROGRAM.

(A) The Cook County Assessor shall have the authority to:

(1) Administer the Homeowner Exemption for Long-term Properties (“H.E.L.P.”) program as created by the enactment of this Ordinance and;

(2) Create applications for and determine potential eligibility to the program based on the eligibility criteria set forth in this Ordinance and;

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT continued

ITEM #2 cont’d

(B) The Cook County Clerk shall have the authority to compute tax rates and calculate tax bill amounts and to provide this information to the Cook County Treasurer to implement the provisions of this Ordinance.

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.

The following nonexclusive criteria shall be used to verify a longtime homeowner’s eligibility for the H.E.L.P. program on an annual basis:

(1) Homeowner is an owner-occupant of a Cook County Class 2 property, and that property has been the homeowner's principal residence for at least ten consecutive years as of January 1 of the reassessment year. A homeowner may become eligible for an exemption in a year subsequent to the reassessment if a ten year consecutive residency has been established by January 1 of that year; or

(2) Homeowner is an owner-occupant of a Cook County Class 2 property, and that property has been the homeowner’s principal residence for at least five consecutive years if the homeowner received assistance in the acquisition of the property as part of a government or nonprofit housing program under the following guidelines:

(a) The program is restricted to qualified homebuyers on the basis of the household income of the homebuyer; and

(b) The income restriction for the homebuyer did not exceed ~~120%~~ 135% of the area median income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and

(d) The homebuyer is restricted from selling the house at full market price for at least five years from the date of purchase.

The Cook County Board shall determine whether a purchase assistance program is qualified under the provisions of this Ordinance; and

(3) Homeowner’s property must have an AV increase that exceeds ~~150%~~ 125% of the current average AV increase for Class 2 properties in the ~~assessment district~~ municipality where the property is located; and

(4) Homeowner’s annual household income for the tax year ~~of the homeowner's triennial assessment~~ does not exceed one hundred and ~~fifteen~~ thirty percent ~~(115%)~~ (130%) of the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area median income as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and

(5) For any ~~triennial~~ assessment cycle, homeowner did not cause a substantial improvement since the prior reassessment which resulted in an increase in fair cash value in ~~the property in excess of the $45,000~~ an amount sufficient to qualify for the Home Improvement Exemption allowance as set forth in the Illinois Property Tax Code. (35 ILCS 200/15-180).

(6) Once a property has qualified for the exemption, in future reassessment years, eligibility and the amount of the exemption will be based upon the lesser of the equalized assessed value or the HELP adjusted equalized assessed value of the previous reassessment.

SECTION 6. APPLYING THE EXEMPTION.

(A) The Cook County Assessor shall:

(1) Annually verify potential eligible homeowners; and

(2) Provide to the Cook County Clerk the information necessary to calculate the exemption in accordance with the Ordinance.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT continued

ITEM #2 cont’d

(B) The Cook County Clerk shall remove the exempt value from the calculation of the property tax.

SECTION 7. ELIGIBILITY NOTIFICATION.

The Assessor shall notify potentially eligible owners of record of Class 2 properties in Cook County of the existence of the ~~Longtime Homeowners Exemption Program~~ Homeowner Exemption for Long-Term Properties for each ~~triennial assessment cycle~~ tax year within sufficient time to apply.

SECTION 8. APPLICATION.

This Ordinance shall first apply to the ~~assessment district of the~~ 2000 tax year. The amendment shall first apply to the assessment district of the 2003 tax year and to each assessment district thereafter.

SECTION 9. REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION.

Any taxing agency exercising the provision(s) in the Longtime Owner-Occupant Property Tax Relief Act (35 ILCS 250, et. seq.) shall:

(1) File a resolution or ordinance with the Cook County Clerk no later than the last Tuesday in December of the year for which the taxes are assessed; and

(2) In the event that any taxing agency adopts eligibility standards or criteria which differ from those provided herein at Section 5, the taxing agency shall certify a list of parcels (Permanent Index Numbers) deemed eligible by the taxing agency to the Cook County Assessor no later than the last Tuesday in December of the year for which the taxes are assessed.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Ordinance takes effect upon becoming law.

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Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Commissioner Daley, moved that the Proposed Ordinance Amendment be referred to the Committee on Finance. (Comm. No. 264018). The motion carried unanimously.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ITEM #3

February 19, 2004

The Honorable,

The Board of Commissioners of Cook County

ATTENDANCE

Present: Chairman Collins, Vice Chairman Goslin, Commissioners Gorman and Hansen (4)

Absent: Commissioners Maldonado, Murphy and Quigley (3)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Your Committee on Business and Economic Development of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County met pursuant to notice on Thursday, February 19, 2004 at the hour of 9:30 A.M. in the Board Room, Room 569, County Building, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago Illinois.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT continued

ITEM #3 cont’d

Your Committee has considered the following item and upon adoption of this report, the recommendations are as follows:

263777 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, by Gwendolyn D. Clemons, Director, transmitting a Communication, dated February 2, 2004:

Re: Midway, Industries, Inc.

Resolution Approving Class 6b Special Exception to Abandonment

respectfully submitting this Resolution regarding the Company’s application for Class 6b property tax incentive for your consideration.

Midway Industries, Inc. requests approval of the special exception to the 24 month abandonment rule under the Class 6b Ordinance. This Resolution is required so that the company can complete its application to the Assessor of Cook County within the 90 day period from purchase.

Submitting the company application for Class 6b, the Resolution of the Village of Bedford Park, and a Department of Planning and Development staff report for your information.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has adopted a Real Property Assessment Classification 6b that provides an applicant a reduction in the assessment level for an industrial facility; and

WHEREAS, the County Board of Commissioners has received and reviewed an application from Midway Industries, Inc. and the Resolution from the Village of Bedford Park for an abandoned industrial facility located at 6750 South Belt Circle, Bedford Park, Cook County, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 19-19-301-006-0000, 19-19-301-007-0000, 19-19-116-057-0000 and 19-19-116-058-0000; and

WHEREAS, Class 6b requires the validation by the County Board of the shortened period of qualifying abandonment in cases where the industrial facility has been abandoned for less than 24 consecutive months upon purchase; and

WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has determined that the building was abandoned for 11 months at the time of purchase and that special circumstances are present.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Board of Commissioners of the County of Cook, State of Illinois, that the President and Board of Commissioners indicate their approval for the filing of an application for a Cook County Real Estate Classification 6b abatement incentive to the company for an abandoned industrial facility located at 6750 South Belt Circle, Bedford Park, Cook County, Illinois, under the provision for abandonment of less than 24 months; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Office of the Cook County Assessor.

*Referred to the Business and Economic Development Committee on 2/3/04.

Commissioner Gorman, seconded by Commissioner Hansen, moved approval of Communication No. 263777. The motion carried.

04-R-75

RESOLUTION

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT continued

ITEM #3 cont’d

WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has determined that the building was abandoned for 11 months at the time of purchase and that special circumstances are present.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Office of the Cook County Assessor.

Approved and adopted this 19th day of February 2004.

JOHN H. STROGER, JR., President

Cook County Board of Commissioners

Attest: DAVID ORR, County Clerk

Vice Chairman Goslin moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Gorman. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

EARLEAN COLLINS, Chairman

ATTEST: MICHELLE HARRIS, Secretary

_________________________

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Steele, moved that the Report of the Committee on Business and Economic Development be approved and adopted. The motion carried unanimously.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

ITEM #4

Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by

JOHN H. STROGER, JR., PRESIDENT, JERRY BUTLER, FORREST CLAYPOOL,

EARLEAN COLLINS, JOHN P. DALEY, ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN, GREGG GOSLIN,

CARL R. HANSEN, ROBERTO MALDONADO, JOSEPH MARIO MORENO,

ANTHONY J. PERAICA, MIKE QUIGLEY, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS,

BOBBIE L. STEELE and LARRY SUFFREDIN, County Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has called Sun-Times political columnist Steve Neal from our midst; and

WHEREAS, at a very young age, Mr. Neal was interested in government and politics while growing up in Oregon as the son of school teachers; and

PROPOSED RESOLUTION continued

ITEM #4 cont’d

WHEREAS, he began his journalism career covering sports and after earning a graduate degree from New York's Columbia University, Mr. Neal worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer; and

WHEREAS, he would eventually move to Chicago when an opportunity to work for the Chicago Tribune availed itself; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal would go on to serve as the Chicago Tribune's White House correspondent and cover President Ronald Reagan's first term; and

WHEREAS, he would return to Chicago to start a political column for the Tribune and then move to the Chicago Sun-Times in 1987 where he gained the respect of fellow journalists and public officials throughout the State of Illinois for his insight and candor; and

WHEREAS, in the world of political junkies, his column was the first read each morning and the talk of coffee shops throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, his love for history and politics led to the writing of several books; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal's love for history was likely nurtured by his relationship with such legends as Irv Kupcinet and Eli Schulman; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal's vast knowledge of government and politics gained him recognition throughout the Country and was second only to his knowledge of sports; and

WHEREAS, his journalistic talent will be sorely missed by all his followers but forever remembered as a part of Chicago politics; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal's love for journalism was second to his passion for his family; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal is survived by his wife Susan; two daughters Erin and Shannon; his parents Ernest and Ellen Neal; two brothers Dan and Gary Neal; and his in-laws Bland and Beverly Simmons.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of Steve Neal, so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.

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Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Gorman, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted. The motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

ITEM #5

Pursuant to Rule 4-30, Margetta Streis of Jesus Love Ones, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Ms. Streis spoke regarding her proposal for the old Cook County Hospital to become a mission for homeless men.

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ITEM #6

Pursuant to Rule 4-30, Maurice Perkins, President, Inner City Youth Foundation, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Perkins spoke regarding jail overcrowding and the programs provided to detainees.

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ITEM #7

Pursuant to Rule 4-30, George Blakemore, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Blakemore spoke concerning several issues regarding Cook County.