NEW ITEMS
Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
County Board Room, County Building
Tuesday, May 18, 2004, 10:00 A.M.
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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ITEM #1
Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by
JERRY BUTLER and BOBBIE L. STEELE, County Commissioners
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
TREATMENT ON DEMAND INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, Illinois voters recognize drug and alcohol addiction as a pervasive illness that affects all levels of society; and
WHEREAS, Illinois voters believe addiction is a public health problem better handled by prevention and treatment than by the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, billions of Illinois dollars have been lost in reduced worker productivity, criminal and court costs, emergency room visits, and lifelong medical care for infants affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs; and
WHEREAS, we seek to save the State of Illinois substantial funds by offering more targeted recovery support; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that drugs and alcohol contribute to the jailing of 80% of inmates in U.S. prisons; and
WHEREAS, studies have found that recidivism rates decline by 75% for inmates who complete drug treatment programs; and
WHEREAS, more than $30 billion has been paid for the incarceration of individuals with a history of drug and alcohol abuse; and
WHEREAS, it is socially and economically irresponsible to turn people away who request treatment; and
WHEREAS, a ballot initiative will give voters the chance to vote their opinion about the state ensuring all residents access to affordable, effective addiction treatment; and
WHEREAS, 100,000 Cook County voters have signed and submitted petitions in support of “Treatment on Demand” as a ballot initiative.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the President and the Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, do support the TREATMENT ON DEMAND INITIATIVE and agree that the following question should be added to the November 2, 2004 General Election Ballot: “Shall the Illinois State Government provide adequate funding for comprehensive and appropriate substance abuse treatment for any Illinois state resident requesting services from a licensed provider, community-based organization or medical care facility within the state?”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this Resolution are delivered to the Governor of Illinois, the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, the President of the Illinois Senate and the Illinois Congressional Delegation.
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Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Daley, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Moreno, moved that the Proposed Resolution be referred to the Committee on Health and Hospitals. (Comm. No. 265629). The motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
ITEM #2
Submitting a Proposed Ordinance Amendment sponsored by
CARL R. HANSEN, County Commissioner
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Amending Chapter 11: Traffic Regulation
of the Cook County Ordinances
WHEREAS, the County of Cook is a home rule unit of local government pursuant to Article VII, section 6(a) of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, and as such may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Cook County has adopted ordinances governing traffic regulation for the protection of the public health, safety, comfort and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Cook County desires to amend the ordinances governing traffic regulation for the protection of the public health, safety, comfort and welfare by adding provisions which establish certain limitations on the use of motor driven scooters on public ways within the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED THAT:
Section 1: Definitions.
Motor Driven Scooter Defined. For the purpose of this Ordinance, a “motor driven scooter” is defined as any electric or gas driven wheeled scooter, cycle or other vehicle.
Section 2: Operation of Motor Driven Scooters Restricted.
No person shall operate a motor driven scooter upon any public street, sidewalk, parking lot, bike path, park or on any other public property.
The following shall be exempt from the prohibitions contained in this Ordinance:
2. Motorized wheelchairs. For purposes of this Ordinance, a Motorized Wheelchair means any motorized vehicle designed for and used by a person with disabilities.
This Ordinance shall apply to those areas within Cook County, Illinois unless the area is governed by a statute or ordinance of another governmental entity which by law may not be superseded by this Ordinance. Without limitation, this Ordinance applies to areas of unincorporated Cook County, to areas owned or operated by Special Districts within unincorporated Cook County, and to areas within municipalities within Cook County which have not adopted ordinances governing the operation of motorized scooters within the said municipalities. To the extent a municipality has adopted an ordinance addressing the operation of motorized scooters, or to the extent a municipality adopts an ordinance electing not to be bound by this ordinance, the ordinance of the municipality shall apply, and this Ordinance shall not apply, to any areas within the jurisdiction of the municipality.
Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not less than $200.00 nor more than $1,000.00.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its approval by the Board of Commissioners.
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Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Daley, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Moreno, moved that the Proposed Ordinance Amendment be referred to the Committee on Roads and Bridges. (Comm. No. 265630). The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
ITEM #3
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.