NEW ITEMS
Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
County Board Room, County Building
Thursday, April 3, 2003, 10:00 A.M.
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
ITEM #1
March 12, 2003
The Honorable,
The Board of Commissioners of Cook County
ATTENDANCE
Present: Chairman Daley, Vice Chairman Steele, Commissioners Butler, Claypool, Collins, Gorman, Goslin, Hansen, Maldonado, Moreno, Murphy, Peraica, Quigley, Silvestri, Sims, Suffredin and President Stroger (17)
Absent: None (0)
Also Present: Honorable Michael F. Sheahan – Sheriff of Cook County; Patrick T. Driscoll, Jr. – Deputy State’s Attorney, Chief, Civil Actions Bureau; Thomas V. Lyons – Deputy Chief, Civil Actions Bureau, State’s Attorney’s Office; and E. Michael Kelly – Attorney, Hinshaw & Culbertson
Court Reporter: Anthony W. Lisanti, C.S.R.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Your Committee on Finance of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County met pursuant to notice on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at the hour of 1:00 P.M. in the Board Room, Room 569, County Building, 118 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Your Committee has considered the following items and upon adoption of this report, the recommendations are as follows:
258066 INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED COOK COUNTY JAIL INMATE ABUSE RESOLUTION (PROPOSED RESOLUTION). Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by Earlean Collins, County Commissioner; Co-sponsored by Jerry Butler, Forrest Claypool, John P. Daley, Elizabeth Ann Doody Gorman, Gregg Goslin, Carl R. Hansen, Roberto Maldonado, Joseph Mario Moreno, Joan Patricia Murphy, Anthony J. Peraica, Mike Quigley, Peter N. Silvestri, Deborah Sims, Bobbie L. Steele, Larry Suffredin and President John H. Stroger, Jr., County Commissioners.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED
COOK COUNTY JAIL INMATE ABUSE
WHEREAS, it is public policy and practice of the President and the Board of Commissioners to protect the safety and rights of inmates as well as law enforcement officials within the Cook County Jail System; and
WHEREAS, there has been considerable court litigation, reports, publications and public demonstrations about alleged excessive use of force and abuse by law enforcement officials and gang activities within Cook County Jail System; and
WHEREAS, to maintain integrity of the Cook County Jail System it is necessary that an investigation be conducted by an independent body which has no past or present ties with the criminal justice system in Cook County: such as universities and law schools which are more cost effective, labor intensive, and could shorten the completion time of the investigation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County authorize the commission of an independent investigation of Cook County Jail System by a university or law school through the RFP process; and
REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the RFP process clearly defines the scope of services to be rendered which shall include but are not limited to protecting the confidentiality of all interviewees, a clearly defined plan to minimize disruptions of day-to-day operations, and a time certain for completion.
* Referred to the Finance Committee on March 6, 2003.
Following the Call of the Meeting, Chairman Daley informed committee members that the meeting would be conducted according to a sequence, as follows: (1) Patrick Driscoll, Deputy State’s Attorney, Chief of the Civil Actions Bureau will give a brief opening statement. (2) The Honorable Michael F. Sheahan, Sheriff of Cook County, will make a presentation. (3) Questions for the Sheriff from committee members will be entertained. (4) Public testimony will be received.
Patrick Driscoll, Deputy State’s Attorney, requested that if anyone had any questions regarding pending litigation, that they please address those questions to the Litigation Subcommittee.
Sheriff Michael Sheahan thanked the committee for inviting him to appear. He stated that there is pending civil litigation regarding issues under consideration by the committee, and his office has been working with both the State’s Attorney’s Office and the law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson. Sheriff Sheahan noted the presence of Mr. Driscoll of the State’s Attorney’s Office, and E. Michael Kelly representing Hinshaw & Culbertson, and stated that legal counsel had advised him that he should not engage in detailed discussion of any alleged incidents.
Sheriff Sheahan read a prepared statement, the text and appendices of which are submitted hereto and made a part hereof.
Chairman Daley called upon Secretary Williams to read into the record a letter from President Stroger to the Honorable Paul P. Beibel, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, which is submitted hereto and made a part hereof.
At the request of President Stroger, Secretary Williams read pertinent sections of the County Jail Act (730 ILCS 125/22, 125/23) into the record, all of which are submitted hereto and made a part hereof.
President Stroger expressed his appreciation to Sheriff Sheahan for appearing before the committee to submit a comprehensive report regarding what his office’s response is to alleged jail brutality. He further stated that the State’s Attorney’s Office must be allowed to do its part, as must the Chief Judge by statute and constitutional authority. President Stroger called upon the Board of Commissioners to support the Sheriff’s efforts to address the issues of overpopulation and under-funding of correctional institutions.
Commissioner Collins noted her support for a Grand Jury convened by Chief Judge Timothy Evans, because it would be made up of citizens and would therefore be independent. She expressed her desire for an ongoing review of alleged brutality.
Sheriff Sheahan said that he welcomes input from independent bodies. He offered the example of KPMG, the consulting firm conducting a review of the Cook County Jail, using an outside panel of law enforcement professionals. He stated that the current average stay of an inmate is 180 days, up from 90 days. There are almost 1,000 people who have been in jail over 2 years.
In response to Commissioner Collins’ question regarding whether the Sheriff is reviewing all issues or only brutality, Sheriff Sheahan stated that the consulting firm is looking at all relevant operational issues, specifically within the Internal Affairs Division and with respect to inmate grievances.
Chairman Daley stated the letter from President Stroger was directed to Judge Biebel in his role as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, not to Chief Judge Timothy Evans.
President Stroger confirmed that the presiding judge of the criminal division would oversee this matter. He further noted that he does not intend to select any additional members for the Sheriff’s investigative review panel at this time.
Commissioner Quigley expressed his belief that the Sheriff’s Office should make the panel independent, as did Los Angeles.
REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
Sheriff Sheahan responded that his panel is independent, and that he has no objection to the idea of a grand jury.
Commissioner Quigley suggested that if the Sheriff goes the extra step of having an independent committee investigate the allegations, public faith in the system would be restored.
In response to Commissioner Quigley’s question about whether the panel will be reviewing the whole Sheriff’s system or just the jail, Sheriff Sheahan responded just the jail.
In response to Commissioner Quigley’s question about what triggers an inquiry by Internal Affairs, Sheriff Sheahan responded that any report made by an inmate triggers a review by Internal Affairs, and if the complaint is deemed significant, Internal Affairs investigates further, and, depending on the severity of the charge, there is also a group of Sheriff’s police ready to investigate. The Internal Affairs Division is headed by the inspector general, who reviews all cases handled by the department. He further stated that there are mandatory reports that all officers who use force must submit, and checks and balances are in place now that did not exist five years ago.
Commissioner Quigley stated that in the Litigation Subcommittee over the past five years, it appeared to the members of the committee that only about half of the complaints were being investigated by Internal Affairs.
Sheriff Sheahan said that may have been the case previously, but was not the case presently. He also stated that the Sheriff’s Office has a sophisticated detective team that seeks to uncover criminal activity, and cited a recent example wherein a guard who struck a suspect in a well known murder case in Palatine was terminated and is being charged by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
In response to Commissioner Quigley’s suggestion that it might be prudent for the Sheriff’s Office to go back over cases which settled and where the officers involved were not disciplined, Sheriff Sheahan responded that the Sheriff’s Office is tracking all prior allegations of use of force, whether the allegation was sustained or not.
In response to Commissioner Quigley’s question whether the Sheriff’s Office is going to review these cases, Sheriff Sheahan responded that the consulting firm is going to devise policies based on these cases, but that these cases will not be reopened.
Commissioner Quigley noted that the Litigation Subcommittee would appreciate receiving these reports on an ongoing basis.
Sheriff Sheahan stated that since 1998 he has moved to fire 176 employees, for failing drug tests, excessive force, job abandonment, domestic violence and other charges, and that in general he is proactive when it comes to firing employees who violate the law.
Commissioner Silvestri noted that at the most recent subcommittee meeting the State’s Attorney’s Office agreed to provide the employment status of any employee involved in litigation.
Commissioner Quigley asked how the Sheriff’s Office intends to utilize alternative programs to alleviate the overcrowding in Cook County Jail.
Sheriff Sheahan stated that the Jail has 11,000 inmates, and an additional 5,500-6,000 on alternative programs. Inmates are classified according to the crimes they commit. A recent study showed that detainees on electronic monitoring are more likely to show up to court than those out on bond. This program, along with progressive discipline, is very successful. He stated that other alternatives are Day Reporting, Boot Camp and drug treatment. He further stated that just when the overpopulation problem was being brought to heel, the state transferred 1,257 parole holds to the jail, and that the Sheriff’s Office is not allowed to put these parole holds in alternative programs.
Commissioner Quigley noted that in a report from approximately five years ago, it was indicated that there were, at the time, approximately 6,000 people being held on $1,000 bond, in addition to people who were homeless or didn’t have a telephone, and therefore could not be put on electronic monitoring.
REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
Sheriff Sheahan disputed this figure, explaining that there are 1,600 murder detainees, another 2,400 are rapists or have committed armed robbery or aggravated battery. Sheriff Sheahan stated that he believes that more people can be put in alternative programs, but that it would require a financial commitment from the Board of Commissioners, because the programs are at their budgetary limits.
Commissioner Quigley offered the opinion that perhaps the criteria used to funnel people into alternative programs is a little rigid. He questioned the lack of alternative, community-based housing, and said that poor people with no phone are not allowed to be released into programs that require monitoring.
Sheriff Sheahan replied that there is currently a pilot program underway where those without a phone are given a wireless phone. He commented that he would put out as many people as he could as long as they could be monitored and were not a threat to society. He reiterated that the overcrowding problem is due to an unanticipated 1,200 detainees who cannot be bonded out and are not going through the system in a timely manner.
Chairman Daley asked Commissioner Quigley to identify the report to which he was referring.
Commissioner Quigley replied that the report is a 2001 draft that was part of CORT (County Operational Report Team) Report that the President had commissioned. He further stated that the numbers of detainees at the Jail don’t seem to add up.
Sheriff Sheahan responded that the real problem is those who are property of the state and cannot get a parole hold meeting.
In response to President Stroger’s question whether the legislature has addressed the issue of detainees committing crimes while out on parole, Sheriff Sheahan responded that within its first year the community was protesting the use of the I bond because a number of those out on bond were committing crimes.
Commissioner Quigley stated that it would be wise to do a system-wide, rather than jail-wide, study, that many of the ideas that Sheriff Sheahan had talked about were in the 1992 Kolts study from Los Angeles County, including the early warning system, the responsive grievance process, the aggressive internal investigations, and using litigation to learn from mistakes as a management tool.
Sheriff Sheahan stated that he had been to the Los Angeles jail and that he believes Cook County’s jail is managed better.
Commissioner Goslin asked that Sheriff Sheahan get back to the Commissioners regarding how many detainees are held on bond of $1,000 or less, because from a cost/benefit analysis it might be better to create an alternative program for them, especially if the numbers Commissioner Quigley quotes are accurate.
Sheriff Sheahan responded that yes he would do this, but advised that some of the detainees have a history of crime and it is not prudent for them to be out on bond. He stated that, as a former teacher, he believes that people will better themselves given a chance and this is why so many alternative programs have been developed.
Vice-Chairman Steele said that she hopes the panel will be expanded by at least two or three people. She asked what time frame the Sheriff had for the panel to produce a report.
Sheriff Sheahan said that those parameters would be set in a meeting tomorrow, and this information would be conveyed to the commissioners.
In response to Vice Chairman Steele’s request for a specific explanation of the grievance process, Sheriff Sheahan referred the commissioners to Exhibit E of his report which contains a detailed explanation.
In response to Vice Chairman Steele’s request for an explanation of parole holds, Sheriff Sheahan responded that these are people who have violated their parole by committing another crime, but cannot be transferred downstate because of pending hearings in Cook County. They get put into the system here and the system moves slowly and they are not allowed to go into any alternative programs. He stated that what his office would like to see, if it is a minor charge, is to have a hearing quickly in a parole court. He stated that the state will not contribute any money for more judges.
REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
President Stroger commented that it is necessary for the state to take some responsibility.
Sheriff Sheahan stated that active parolees have unduly burdened the system. He stated that under the direction of President Stroger and Bill Quinlan, he has had repeated meetings with all the principals, including the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), to no avail. He stated that he even suggested that parolees be sent to Joliet, but instead the State shut down Joliet.
In response to Vice Chairman Steele’s observation that 10% of the jail population is mentally ill, Sheriff Sheahan noted that the State has closed many of its mental institutions. He stated that a number of inmates are treated with medication by jail doctors.
President Stroger noted that the State has abdicated its responsibility to the homeless, especially the mentally ill, who only get treatment while in jail. He noted that the Board of Commissioners must work with legislators to spur legislative action.
In response to Commissioner Sims’ question regarding whether the Sheriff has pursued any grants, or considered purchasing the building across the street from the jail to house the mentally ill, Sheriff Sheahan stated that Cermak Hospital does an analysis of each incoming inmate for mental illness, and his office has worked with the Illinois Department of Mental Health trying to get grants for mentally ill female inmates. He noted that the County tried to purchase the building across the street but that it was overvalued and therefore not a good investment.
In response to Vice Chairman Steele’s question about what the Special Operations Response Teams (SORT) does, Sheriff Sheahan explained that every major penal institution has Special Operations Response Teams, and that these teams engage in a number of activities, including taking a prisoner to court or downstate, responding to fights, and conducting contraband searches. He stated that most of the SORT teams operate in maximum-security divisions. He also stated that there are cameras now for contraband searches and sweeps. He further stated that cameras were implemented earlier with officers conducting traffic stops and that he expected resistance to these early cameras but that there was none. With these officers an order was developed, and this order will be followed in the jails. He stated that cameras afford the ability to review what took place and mete out appropriate discipline, including firing and criminal prosecution.
In response to Commissioner Murphy’s question regarding how the drug/alcohol offenders and those with minor violations get mixed into the general population, Sheriff Sheahan replied that the general population is segregated from the most violent inmates, and includes minimum and medium security. He further clarified that maximum security takes up about 40% of the jail.
Commissioner Maldonado commented that he approves of the videotaping. He also commented that the SORT teams are held suspect by the public. He asked who would be doing the videotaping.
Sheriff Sheahan stated that right now a SORT member would be doing the videotaping, but that in the future, specially trained personnel would do it. He commented that in the police videotaping, the tape is immediately put into a locked box, and only a sergeant can take it out. He stated that also, at the Markham Courthouse, there is a video camera taping the lockup. He stated that he’d like to have stationary videotaping in all of the courthouses and in the jail.
Commissioner Maldonado asked what safeguards the Sheriff is going to put into place to prevent the SORT team member who is handling the video camera from turning it off once altercations ensue. He further stated that the public needs to know that there will be safeguards.
Sheriff Sheahan replied that an inmate could also hit the corrections officer holding the camera. He stated that this is why he would like a camera on the wall. He further stated that there will be timers on the video cameras.
In response to Commissioner Maldonado’s question about how a SORT team gets its orders, Sheriff Sheahan stated that, under the supervision of commanding officers, SORT teams deal mainly with the security of the jail or the security of inmates.
In response to Commissioner Maldonado’s question about who can stop an investigation in Internal Affairs, Sheriff Sheahan replied that only the Inspector General can stop an investigation in Internal Affairs.
REPORT ON THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
In response to Commissioner Maldonado’s question about whether it is typical for an investigation to last over two to three years, Sheriff Sheahan replied that yes, if a case involves litigation, it could be put on hold for several years.
In response to Commissioner Maldonado’s question about whether a case investigated by Internal Affairs has its findings reviewed by the Inspector General, Sheriff Sheahan replied that yes, the Inspector General reviews the findings and recommends disciplinary action, and then the findings go back to the jail to the Command Channel Review, first to the Executive Director and then to the Undersheriff.
In response to Commissioner Maldonado’s question about whether it was the practice that a request for medical attention should always be responded to, Sheriff Sheahan responded that it depended on the circumstances, but that yes, this was the generally the case.
Commissioner Maldonado commented that he had heard of an entity in other jurisdictions called critical incident review team that reviews critical incidents to make sure that the incident conforms to the proper policies and procedures.
Sheriff Sheahan replied that while there is no formal acronym, he meets with the executive director and superintendents of the jail to discuss any unusual circumstances. He further stated that good supervision is critical.
Commissioner Maldonado stated that he and the Sheriff had previously discussed the possible appointment of a person of Latino descent to the new panel.
Commissioner Peraica noted that over the past ninety days the Board has approved over $500,000 in consulting contracts for lobbyists in Springfield. He stated that he hopes that the Sheriff’s Office takes the opportunity to work with some of these lobbyists to procure funding and legislative initiatives from Springfield. He further stated that it has been asserted that there is racism at the jail, and asked for a breakdown of the racial makeup of the correctional officers.
Sheriff Sheahan replied that the racial makeup of the staff is mostly African American, then white, then Hispanic. He noted that the staff is dedicated and the job is tough. He also stated that the Jail has partnered with Moraine Valley Community College to support the staff earning college credit. He further stated that the American Correctional Association (ACA) has consistently rated Cook County as the highest among the major jails. He reiterated, the major problems confronting the jail are overcrowding, and that cases move too slow through the system. Additional problems include turf wars between gang members and inmates testifying against each other.
In response to Commissioner Peraica’s question about whether the jail has a representative on the Judicial Advisory Council, Sheriff Sheahan replied yes.
In response to Commissioner Peraica’s question about what legislative initiatives the Cook County Board of Commissioners should support, Sheriff Sheahan replied that the biggest issue confronting the jail is getting parole holds to a speedier resolve. He stated another initiative would be a limitation on how long it takes for someone to get a trial. He stated that a third initiative would be for the state to give the jail more funding.
Commissioner Silvestri commented that the state government is in deep financial debt and that the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Cook County jail should not rely on it for funding. He then asked whether there has been any effort, since the Budget Hearings, to come up with a way to work with the judiciary so that, for example, existing judges could be reassigned to the parole system.
Sheriff Sheahan stated that a request was made from the State for more judges, but that the State did not have the funds.
Commissioner Butler commented on reports that one detainee in particular was currently located in an area where an alleged incident was said to occur, and he wondered if it might be prudent to relocate this detainee.
Sheriff Sheahan replied that he would take Commissioner Butler’s comment under advisement.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
In response to Commissioner Suffredin’s question about whether suspected criminal activities are referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff Sheahan replied yes.
In response to Commissioner Suffredin’s question about whether the Merit Board plays any role in the reports of the Internal Affairs Division, Sheriff Sheahan replied that the Merit Board reviews firings. He stated that in cases of less than 30 days discipline, the case remains internal.
Commissioner Suffredin asked how the Sheriff is apprised of these happenings, and whether the Sheriff receives reports from the Inspector General or the Internal Affairs Division.
Sheriff Sheahan explained that the case routing is as follows: the case goes to the Inspector General, who makes a recommendation for discipline, then the case goes to the department from which it came, then it goes to Command Channel Review, then to the Undersheriff who concurs with or modifies the recommendation.
In response to Commissioner Suffredin’s inquiry about the 1999 and 2000 cases, Sheriff Sheahan responded that they were handled by Internal Affairs.
Commissioner Suffredin encouraged a speedy resolution of these cases because they could hold up the reappointments to the Merit Board, and this would be unfortunate. Commissioner Suffredin concluded by stating that he believes the committee should continue to work on the resolution offered by Commissioner Collins.
In response to Commissioner Hansen’s question about whether the State’s Attorney’s Office has considered filing a suit against the State of Illinois because parole holds are wards of the state and therefore the state should be held accountable, Patrick Driscoll replied no such suit is planned but that he would be willing to discuss it.
Sheriff Sheahan noted that his figures currently show 1,257 parole holds at the jail, and this figure causes severe budgetary pressures.
In response to Commissioner Gorman’s question about whether the understaffing at the jail is a budgetary issue or a result of the hiring criteria, Sheriff Sheahan replied it is primarily a budgetary issue, but also a result of the early retirement program.
In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Sims, Tom Lyons of the State’s Attorney’s Office made the distinction between several categories of parole holds, including one category comprised of new arrests that are pending trial.
Chairman Daley asked the Secretary to the Board to call upon the registered public speakers.
The following people offered public testimony:
1. Joseph Watkins – Voice of the Ex-Offender
2. Paul McKinley – Voice of the Ex-Offender
3. Howard Saffold – President & CEO - Positive Anti-Crime Thrust, Inc.
4. Charlotte Lee-Thomas – Sister of deceased inmate
5. Martavius Carter – Voice of the Ex-Offender
6. David Bates – Justice Coalition
7. Mary L. Johnson – Justice Coalition
8. Harriet McCullough – Executive Director, Citizens Alert
9. Aaron Patterson – APDC
10. Jeff Tichelar – Minister
11. William F. Wendt – Citizen
Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to defer consideration of Communication No. 258066. The motion carried.
Commissioner Quigley voted no.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FINANCE continued
ITEM #1 cont'd
258067 COMMUNICATION FROM COMMISSIONER MIKE QUIGLEY. Transmitting a Communication from Mike Quigley, County Commissioner, dated February 2003:
Re: Litigation involving the Sheriff
The following is a synopsis of the Communication from Commissioner Mike Quigley.
Over the course of the past few years, members of the Litigation Subcommittee of the Cook County Board Finance Committee have grown increasingly frustrated by ongoing payouts to victims of brutality and excessive force at the hands of Cook County Sheriff’s Deputies. While a certain measure of litigation is always inevitable, some of the outrageous fact patterns in the suits against the Sheriff's Department add to the Commissioners’ sense that oversight and accountability at the Sheriff's Department is lacking.
* Referred to the Finance Committee on March 6, 2003.
Commissioner Suffredin, seconded by Commissioner Hansen, moved to defer consideration of Communication No. 258067. The motion carried.
Commissioner Quigley voted no.
Commissioner Hansen moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned.
The transcript for this meeting is available in the Office of the Secretary to the Board, 118 North Clark Street, Room 567, Chicago, Illinois 60602.
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
JOHN P. DALEY, Chairman
ATTEST: SANDRA K. WILLIAMS, Secretary
_________________________
Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved that the Report of the Committee on Finance be approved and adopted. The motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ITEM #2
Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by
JOHN H. STROGER, JR., PRESIDENT and JOHN P. DALEY, County Commissioners
JERRY BUTLER, FORREST CLAYPOOL, EARLEAN COLLINS,
ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN, GREGG GOSLIN, CARL R. HANSEN,
ROBERTO MALDONADO, JOSEPH MARIO MORENO, JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY,
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 from our midst George Connor at the age of 78; and
PROPOSED RESOLUTION continued
ITEM #2 cont'd
WHEREAS, George Connor attended De LaSalle High School in Chicago where he was a star football player; and
WHEREAS, George Connor was an All-American football player at Holy Cross before World War II interrupted his college career; and
WHEREAS, when he returned from duty, he attended Notre Dame where he was a two year starter at left tackle and the leader of a dominating group of Notre Dame offensive lineman in the late 1940s; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his athletic talent, he earned the prestigious Outland Trophy in 1946; and
WHEREAS, he was one of seven lineman on the 1947 Notre Dame team to earn All-American honors; and
WHEREAS, his success continued on the professional level, during an eight year career with the Chicago Bears; and
WHEREAS, he would earn fame as a five-time all-NFL selection who played on both sides of the ball; and
WHEREAS, after a knee injury forced his retirement, he served as an assistant coach and later a broadcaster; and
WHEREAS, his professional football career was topped off with the 1975 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame presented by George Halas; and
WHEREAS, off the field, he was a successful businessman and gave of his time and talents supporting the Maryville Orphanage and other worthy charities; and
WHEREAS, he leaves behind his wife, Suzanne; sons, George, Jr. and Albert; a sister, MaryEllen Woodward; a brother, Jack; and several nieces and nephews.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby extends to the family of George Connor its most heartfelt sympathy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread in everlasting thoughts upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy be provided to the family of George Connor, that his memory may be so honored an ever cherished.
_________________________
Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, 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 #3
Pursuant to Rule 4-30, Delores Quinn, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Ms. Quinn spoke regarding her experience at Cook County Jail.
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ITEM #4
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.