NEW ITEMS
Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
County Board Room, County Building
Tuesday, April 23, 2002, 10:00 A.M.
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HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
ITEM #1
Transmitting a Communication, dated March 20, 2002 from
GWENDOLYN D. CLEMONS, Director, Department of Planning and Development
Re: HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME Program)
Respectfully request approval of a HOME Investment Partnerships Program second mortgage loan in the amount of $1,400,000.00, to a limited partnership to be formed by The Stough Group and the low income housing tax credit syndicator, for the construction of 56 residential units (50 HOME assisted units), affordable, senior rental housing complex to be located at 32nd and Loverock in Steger, Illinois. The development will also contain a 2,400 square foot square foot community center to be used by the residents, a resident manager's unit and a coach house for an on-site maintenance person. In addition to the HOME funds, other anticipated financing includes a conventional first mortgage loan, a third mortgage loan from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Trust Fund Program; equity raised through the sale of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proceeds and additional equity provided by the developer. The development budget is projected to be $5,889,056.00, of which $1,400,000.00 accounts for 24% of the total project costs.
The terms of the HOME Program loan will be structured as a 40-year fully amortized loan at 1% interest. The County HOME Program will receive annual principal and interest payments of $42,479.82 to be used for other HOME eligible activities.
I respectfully request approval of this project, and that the Chief Administrative Officer of the County of Cook, or his designee, be authorized to execute on behalf of the County of Cook, any and all documents necessary to further the project approved herein, including but not limited to the HOME loan agreement and any modifications thereto. The approval of this loan by this Honorable Body will permit staff to issue necessary commitments to allow this project to move forward.
Fiscal Impact: None. Grant funded amount: $1,400,000.00. (772-292 Account).
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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 Maldonado, moved that the request of the Director of the Department of Planning and Development be approved. The motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ITEM #2
Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by
PETER N. SILVESTRI, County Commissioner
Co-Sponsored by
JOHN H. STROGER, JR., PRESIDENT, JERRY BUTLER, ALLAN C. CARR, EARLEAN COLLINS,
JOHN P. DALEY, GREGG GOSLIN, TED LECHOWICZ, ROBERTO MALDONADO,
WILLIAM R. MORAN, JOSEPH MARIO MORENO, MIKE QUIGLEY,
HERBERT T. SCHUMANN, JR. and CALVIN R. SUTKER, County Commissioners
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Resolution to the General Assembly to
Amend the Child Labor Law
Providing Relief for Youth Officials, Umpires and Referees
Whereas, the Illinois Child Labor Law (hereafter “the Law”) referred to as (820ILCS 205/1-22) regulates and provides guidelines for the employment of youth under the age of 14; and
PROPOSED RESOLUTION continued
ITEM #2 cont'd
Whereas, the Law was designed to protect children from the dangers of industrial employment and the perils of adults taking advantage of a superior position in the workplace; and
Whereas, the Law has been admirably and diligently enforced by the Illinois Department of Labor; and
Whereas, from time to time laws must be reviewed to determine their applicability and relevance to contemporary life; and
Whereas, the Labor Department has interpreted that little leagues and other youth athletic programs cannot utilize the services of boys and girls under the age of 14 in these programs with compensation; and
Whereas, youth officials, referees and umpires play an important role in the administration of these sports programs for youths; and
Whereas, these programs play an important role in providing recreation programs for children; and
Whereas, the opportunity to be paid for participating in these programs serves as an important development tool for young boys and girls in teaching responsibility, developing a work ethic, enhancing community participation and instilling leadership skills in these youths.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the President and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County does hereby promulgate a review of the Law and amendments to same that would exempt government affiliated recreation programs, youth clubs and other not-for-profit organizations from the statutory provisions prohibiting minors ages 12 and 13 from serving as paid officials, referees, umpires and other related positions in youth sport leagues and programs; and
Be It Further Resolved, that the members of the General Assembly are urged to enact statutory amendments to the Law to provide such relief.
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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 Maldonado, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted, as amended. The motion carried.
Commissioner Hansen voted "present".
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
ITEM #3
April 22, 2002
The Honorable,
The Board of Commissioners of Cook County
ATTENDANCE
Present: Chairman Hansen, Vice Chairman Lechowicz, Commissioners Collins, Daley, Moran, Schumann and Sutker (7)
Absent: Commissioners Silvestri and Sims (2)
Also Present: Commissioners Butler and Quigley (2); Eugene Barnes - Barnes and Associates, Springfield lobbyist for the Cook County President; Steve Morrill - Morrill and Associates, lobbyists for the Cook County Board; Deborah Stone - Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Cook County President’s Office; Terry Steczo - Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Cook County Assessor’s Office; Gary Rycyzyn - Director of Elections and Mike Kreloff - Director of Policy and Communications, County Clerk’s Office; and Camella Gardner - Assistant State’s Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS continued
ITEM #3 cont'd
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Your Committee on Legislation & Intergovernmental Relations of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County met pursuant to notice on Monday, April 22, 2002 at the hour of 11:00 A.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:
242952 NORWOOD PARK STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT (APPOINTMENT). Transmitting a Communication dated, April 17, 2001: from John H. Stroger, Jr., President, Cook County Board of Commissioners:
I hereby appoint LOUIS H. PALLO to fill the vacancy at the Norwood Park Street Lighting District for a term to begin immediately and expire May 4, 2004.
I submit this communication for your information approval.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved the approval of Communication No. 242952, as amended. The motion carried.
249592 JUSTICE WILLOW SPRINGS WATER COMMISSION (APPOINTMENT). Transmitting a Communication from John H. Stroger, Jr., President, Cook County Board of Commissioners:
I hereby appoint Mr. SEAN McDERMOTT to the Justice Willow Springs Water Commission to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Ed King, for a term to begin immediately and expire on April 1, 2002.
I submit this communication for your approval.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved to receive and file Communication No. 249592. The motion carried.
The Chairman called on the Board’s lobbyist in Springfield, Steve Morrill, who gave a brief status report and answered questions on the following items.
Cook County Assessor
SB 1706 (Walsh T/Brosnahan) - Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Changes the exemption from the Act's inspection and copying requirements for computer graphic systems to an exemption for computer geographic systems.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved to recommend support of SB 1706. The motion carried.
Cook County Public Guardian
SB 1949 (Roskam/Hultgren) – Amends the Probate Act to provide that the court may discharge the public guardian of a disabled adult under certain circumstances and transfer the guardianship to the State guardian. Provides for court affidavits and reasonable fees.
Deborah Stone, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, stated the President’s opposition to SB 1949 was because of possible fiscal constraints being placed on the county.
Vice Chairman Lechowicz asked if there are any federal lawsuits pending in connection with overcrowding at the Department of Corrections.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS continued
ITEM #3 cont'd
Chairman Hansen responded that the Duran case is still pending in the federal courts. The chairman further commented that SB 1949 may burden county taxpayers no matter how commendable the project.
Commissioner Sutker, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved to receive and file SB 1949. The motion carried.
Cook County Sheriff
HB 1961 (Dart/Radogno) – Provides that the Sheriff, with the approval of the County Board, may operate a residential and transition treatment program for women established by the Department of Corrections.
Commissioner Daley requested a Roll Call vote to receive and file HB 1961. The yeas and nays being as follows:
Yeas: Chairman Hansen, Vice Chairman Lechowicz, Commissioners Daley and Schumann (4)
Nays: Commissioners Collins and Sutker (2)
Absent: Commissioners Moran, Silvestri and Sims (3)
The Roll Call vote to receive and file HB 1961 CARRIED.
Cook County State’s Attorney
HB 5140 (Lyons-E/Radogno) – Provides that the Department of Public Aid shall delegate to the State’s Attorney responsibility with respect to child support parentage establishment, support establishment, medical support establishment, support modification, and support enforcement. Authorizes the Department of Public Aid to contract for management of child support services in counties where the State’s Attorney is not operating such a program.
Chairman Hansen observed the county’s concern over the question of funding such a program.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Collins, moved to receive and file HB 5140. The motion carried.
Cook County Treasurer
SB 1666 (Cullerton/Biggins) – Provides that when the county collector discovers that a tax sale should not have occurred, he or she shall notify the tax purchaser or subsequent holder of a certificate of purchase of intent to declare an administrative sale in error. Also provides for a registry of owners of certificate of purchase to be maintained by the county clerk.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Sutker, moved to recommend support of SB 1666. The motion carried.
SB 1668 (Cullerton/Hamos) – Provides that, in provisions requiring a person to deposit with the county collector a letter of credit or other unconditional bond in an amount not less than 1.5 times the amount of any tax or special assessment due upon property the person intends to purchase at a tax sale, that in no event shall the letter of credit or other unconditional bond be in an amount less than $1,000.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Sutker, moved to recommend support of SB 1668. The motion carried.
SB 2074 (Viverito/Currie) – Provides that the clerk of the court may add a delinquency amount fee to the unpaid fines and unpaid costs of conviction.
Commissioner Sutker, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved to recommend support of SB 2074. The motion carried.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS continued
ITEM #3 cont'd
Criminal Law and Court Administration
HB 3717 (Daniels/Dillard) and SB 2024 (Dillard/Daniels) – Permits the State Police to require the submission of saliva or tissue specimens as well as blood specimens for analysis and categorizing into genetic marker groupings.
Chairman Hansen asked under what circumstances would these bills apply?
Steve Morrill stated that they would apply following conviction.
Commissioner Collins also raised the question of the constitutionality of the bills.
Chairman Hansen commented that any amendment should include the state’s responsibility for any costs.
Commissioner Schumann, seconded by Commissioner Daley, moved to recommend support of HB 3717. The motion carried.
HB 4103 (Howard/DeLeo) – Creates an Ex-Offenders Employment Program through the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Commissioner Sutker, seconded by Commissioner Collins, moved to recommend support of HB 4103. The motion carried.
Elections
SB 1732 (Dudycz/Saviano) – Requires the State Board of Elections and the Secretary of State to post certain voter registration information on their World Wide Web sites. Also provides that in Cook County, in a political party with a State central committee elected during the spring primary (Alternative A), a county central committee chairman taking office after the bill’s effective date need not be a member of the committee.
Commissioner Sutker, seconded by Commissioner Collins, moved to receive and file SB 1732. The motion carried.
Public Health
SB 1849 (Walsh-T/Saviano) – Shell bill for “Fairness in Health Care Services Contracting” concerning contracts between health care providers and insurers. Draft versions of amendments to this legislation have an estimated fiscal impact to the County of more than $20 million.
Commissioner Sutker, seconded by Commissioner Collins, moved to receive and file SB 1849. The motion carried.
Home Rule Preemption
SB 2155 (Burzynski/Bost) – Exempts off-road riding facilities from criminal liability due to noise emissions.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved to recommend opposition to SB 2155. The motion carried.
Quick Take
SB 2294 (Klemm/Hannig) – Specifies various actions that must be completed before a unit of local government may secure passage of quick-take authority from the General Assembly (similar to SB 550 and SR 41 from last year.)
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Schumann, moved to receive and file SB 2294. The motion carried.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS continued
ITEM #3 cont'd
Zoning and Building
HB 4023 (Slone/Rauschenberger) – Creates the Local Planning Technical Assistance Act to require the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to promote sensible planning and allows the Department to make grants to counties and municipalities to implement sensible planning programs.
Chairman Hansen asked if the phrase “sensible planning programs” is defined in the bill?
Steve Morrill responded that the phrase is not defined in the bill.
Commissioner Schumann, seconded by Commissioner Daley, moved to recommend support of HB 4023. The motion carried.
HB 5647 (Lyons-E/McCarthy) – Amends the Election Code. In counties with less than 500,000 population, removes the authority to accept voter registration on the 28th day before the general election if that 28th day is not designated for precinct registration. Effective immediately.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Sutker, moved to recommend support of HB 5647. The motion carried.
HB 5646 (Lyons-E/McCarthy) – Authorizes election authorities to use in-precinct automatic vote tabulating equipment. Establishes procedures for the use of that equipment. Requires that if the equipment is used, a voter must insert the ballot into the equipment unless the voter is otherwise entitled to assistance in marking his or her ballot. Requires that the equipment have voting defect identification capability that returns to the voter a ballot with a voting defect. Defines a voting defect as an over-voted ballot or a ballot that cannot be read by the automatic tabulating equipment. Effective immediately.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Sutker, moved to recommend opposition to HB 5646. The motion carried.
Commissioner Daley moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Vice Chairman Lechowicz. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
CARL R. HANSEN, Chairman
ATTEST: SANDRA K. WILLIAMS, Secretary
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Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Sutker, moved that the Report of the Committee on Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations be approved and adopted. The motion carried.
Commissioner Collins voted "no" on the receipt and file of Illinois House Bill 1961.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
ITEM #4
Pursuant to Rule 4-30, Reverend Robert E. Moore, CEO, United for Better Communities, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Reverend Moore expressed his concerns regarding Illinois House Bill 1961.
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ITEM #5
Pursuant to Rule 4-30, George Blakemore, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Blakemore expressed his concerns regarding the Human Rights Ordinance.