REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION,
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND
VETERANS RELATIONS
The Honorable,
The Board of Commissioners of
ATTENDANCE
|
Present: |
Chairman Suffredin, Commissioners Beavers, Claypool,
Daley, Gorman, Goslin, |
|
Absent: |
Vice Chairman Silvestri, Commissioners |
|
Also
Present: |
Dr. Nancy L. Jones - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
of Cook County; Mark Kilgallon - Chief
Administrative Officer of Cook County; Dr. Stephen Martin – Chief Operating
Officer, Department of Public Health; Jim Reilly – Chairman, Regional
Transportation Authority; Ms. Susan
White – Susan J. White and Associates, Inc. |
Ladies and
Gentlemen:
Your Committee
on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations of the Board of
Commissioners of Cook County met pursuant to notice on
Chairman
Suffredin stated that the Committee would not be hearing Communication Numbers
287601 and 287604.
Your Committee
has considered the following items and upon adoption of this report, the recommendations
are as follows:
|
287201 |
CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER (APPOINTMENT). Transmitting a Communication from Todd H.
Stroger, President, I hereby appoint Dr. NANCY
L. JONES as the new Chief Medical Examiner to replace Dr. Edmund R.
Donoghue. I submit this communication for your advice and consent. * Referred
to the Committee on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations on |
Chairman Suffredin introduced Dr. Nancy L. Jones.
Dr. Jones presented her qualifications to the Committee, and
briefly described her vision for the Office of the Medical Examiner.
Chairman Suffredin asked the Secretary to the Board to call
upon the registered public speakers.
1.
Jerry
Anderson President and CEO, Gift of
Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network
2.
Scott
Seagren Christian Science-Committee
on Publications
Commissioner Beavers asked Dr. Jones if she has experienced
delays in test results or was dissatisfied with the Illinois State Crime
Laboratory’s service.
Dr. Jones replied in the negative, stating that the Office
of the Medical Examiner receives timely results from the Illinois State Crime
Laboratory.
Commissioner Steele asked how the Office of the Medical
Examiner can be utilized to educate in order to deter unhealthy behaviors or to
prevent death, particularly for youth.
Dr. Jones replied that the entire staff is more than willing
to go to schools and other forums to speak about the cases that come to the
Office of the Medical Examiner. For
example, she stated that in the past, homicide victims tended to be in the
range of twenty-five to thirty years of age.
However, over the years, the victims have gradually become younger and
younger. These types of cases can be
used to educate others on the consequences of unhealthy behavior and actions.
Commissioner Steele requested to receive a copy of the Dr.
Jones’ automation plan when it is completed.
Commissioner Sims expressed her support for Dr. Jones. She believed that Dr. Jones would run the
office effectively and treat the families and the Gift of Hope justly.
Commissioner Peraica expressed his interest in receiving a
multi-year plan for the Office of the Medical Examiner that includes capital
improvements, information technology and other improvements.
Chairman Suffredin asked Dr. Jones whether she was open to
working out protocols for various burial rites for people of diverse religious
beliefs.
Dr. Jones responded that her office was very receptive towards
learning and understanding the different needs and requirements of burial
rites.
Chairman Suffredin pointed out that if appointed, Dr. Jones
would have three full-time jobs:
performing autopsies, going to court and managing the Office of the
Medical Examiner. He questioned how she
would be able to balance these responsibilities.
Dr. Jones replied that she would relinquish some of these
duties, and stated that her main focus would be the administration of the
Office of the Medical Examiner.
Chairman Suffredin inquired whether Dr. Jones intends to utilize
interns and student technicians to assist in the workload at the morgue.
Dr. Jones replied that the idea of utilizing interns and
student technicians is a part of her plan for the office. There are pathology assistant students in the
area whose educational requirements include forensic experience. These types of students and interns can be
utilized at no cost to the County for their assistance.
Chairman Suffredin asked how the current budget, which is
under $10 million, compares to the budget of medical examiners in other
jurisdictions.
Dr. Jones replied that in every jurisdiction, a common
complaint is that there is inadequate funding for the office.
Commissioner Daley,
seconded by Commissioner Moreno, moved the approval of Communication Number 287201.
The motion carried.
|
287582 |
PRESIDENT, Todd H. Stroger, transmitting a Communication: requesting authorization for the Purchasing Agent to
increase by $52,000.00 and extend for six (6) months, Contract No. 02-41-1112
with SUSAN J. WHITE AND ASSOCIATES,
INC.,
Reason: The scope of services shall include but
are not limited to leading and coordinating services in relation to federal
in initiatives regarding health care, welfare and immigration reform, federal
crime legislation and regulatory concerns.
Susan J. White and Associates, Inc. has worked closely with Compensation for these services
shall be at a rate not to exceed $8,000.00 per month and the total
reimbursement expenses not to exceed $4,000.00. This contract is not to exceed $52,000.00
and will result in a net savings of 13,000.00. This request reduces the term of
the contract from twelve (12) months to six (6) months, reduces the monthly
compensation from $10,000 per month to $8,000 per month and reduces the total
reimbursement expenses from a not to exceed amount from $10,000 to $4,000. Estimated Fiscal Impact:
$52,000.00. Contract
extension: Approval of this item would commit Fiscal Year 2007 funds. * Referred
to the Committee on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations, as
amended, on |
Chairman Suffredin introduced Ms. Susan White of Susan J.
White and Associates, Inc.
Ms. White informed the members of her involvement in recent
lobbying efforts on behalf of the County.
She indicated that there has been an emphasis on lobbying for Medicaid
funding, and that she has been working closely with Senator Durbin and the
Commissioner Daley asked Ms. White whether she believed that
the County may find additional federal funds for health care or public safety.
Ms. White stated that she does not foresee any new dollars,
particularly as the current focus is on preserving Medicaid funding. She added that public safety funding is also
experiencing reductions.
Commissioner Claypool asked for further information on the
procedure used by Congress to impose a moratorium on the Bush Administration’s
rules, particularly the rule under which Medicare funding was going to be
greatly reduced.
Ms. White responded that the one-year moratorium on
reductions to Medicaid funding was done on an appropriations bill. She added that if the moratorium was not established,
it would have cost
Commissioner Sims asked Ms. White whether the
Ms. White responded affirmatively, and indicated that
Senator Durbin was interested in assisting with the resolution of this issue.
Commissioner Gorman asked Ms. White to elaborate on
Congressman Tancredo’s amendment, in which Homeland Security funding may be
jeopardized if local governments pass “sanctuary county” resolutions or do not
actively enforce immigration laws. She
also inquired whether Ms. White believed that this amendment would pass in the
Senate, as it has already passed in the House.
Ms. White stated that Congressman Tancredo has offered this
amendment every year. This amendment
states that local governments who provide “sanctuary” would not be eligible for
some Homeland Security dollars. She
added that it is unlikely that the amendment will pass the Senate.
Commissioner Schneider asked whether the County was legally
liable to provide health care to the indigent.
Ms. White was unsure, however she did state that several
years ago, the National Association of Counties surveyed each state’s Attorney
General on this question. The results of
the survey found that Attorney Generals from thirty-eight states believed that
the counties were legally liable. She
was unsure whether
Chairman Suffredin pointed out that Commissioner Goslin had
recently requested an opinion on this subject from the State’s Attorney, and
was awaiting a response.
Commissioner Schneider asked how Ms. White’s lobbying
services differ from and complement lobbying services received by the County
from Richard Boykin of Barnes and Thornburg in
Ms. White stated that she has known Mr. Boykin for many
years. While they work on different
issues on behalf of the County, they coordinate many of the meetings held with
the
Chairman Suffredin informed the Committee members that a
report listing all of Ms. White’s and Mr. Boykin’s legislative activities for
the first six months of this year will be released next week, according to the
President’s office.
Commissioner Steele asked if the
Ms. White stated that they had concerns, especially in the
early part of the year. However, she
believes they are beginning to understand the issues and difficulties faced by
the Bureau, and they see the efforts being made to address these issues. She added that she feels there is a
willingness to help.
Commissioner Moreno inquired whether Ms. White believed that
the County might persuade the federal government to loosen the rules under
which Medicaid claims are filed, allowing the County to apply for
reimbursements for claims that have expired.
Ms. White was not certain, and replied that she believed it
depends on how the state’s Medicaid policy is drafted.
Chairman
Suffredin noted that in order to assist the County, Ms. White has taken a
reduction in her rate for this six month extension.
Commissioner Daley,
seconded by Commissioner Moreno, moved the approval of Communication Number 287582,
as amended. The motion carried.
|
287601 |
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE H-1B AND L-1B VISA FRAUD AND
ABUSE PREVENTION ACT OF 2007 (PROPOSED RESOLUTION). Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored
by Larry Suffredin and Roberto Maldonado, PROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE H-1B AND L-1B VISA FRAUD AND ABUSE PREVENTION ACT OF 2007 WHEREAS, the federal H-1B program was
created to provide companies and universities access to foreign workers in
areas determined to be a “specialty occupation” by the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, but, instead, has become abused by employers as a
de-facto outsourcing program; and WHEREAS, through the H-1B program,
employers are not required to seek local talent, thus blocking local white
collar workers, including administrative and professional positions, from
competing for these job openings; and WHEREAS, thousands of American white
collar workers have been laid off and their jobs offered to H-1B visa
holders, many in the technology sector, the backbone of the new information
economy; and WHEREAS, the Information Technology (“IT”)
sector has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs since the recession of 2001 and
not only has failed to replace those jobs, but also continues to severely
under-represent women and minorities; and WHEREAS, more than half of the IT jobs
filled under the FY 2005 H-1B program were designated as entry-level white
collar positions; and WHEREAS, the H-1B program further
accelerates the race to the bottom for white collar workers by allowing
employers to offer lower wages and impose other unfair labor practices by
making the H-1B visa holder beholden to their employer and holding the threat
of deportation over his or her head; and WHEREAS, in Cook County, between 2001 and
2005 over 180,000 white collar jobs were put at risk, because of the H-1B
program; and WHEREAS, Senators Dick Durbin and Charles
Grassley have introduced S. 1035, the H-1B and L-1B Visa Fraud and Abuse
Prevention Act of 2007 to reform the H-1B hiring program by requiring
employers to recruit from the U.S. workforce first, attest that the H-1B visa
holder will not displace an American worker and require that companies
advertise job openings for 30 days on the Department of Labor website before
resorting to the H-1B program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED, that
the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby support S. 1035 and urges
the United States Congress to pass the measure and President Bush to sign it;
and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that
suitable copies of this Resolution be delivered to the President of the
United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Majority Leader
of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and all
members of Congress representing Cook County. * Referred
to the Committee on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations on |
No action was taken on Communication
Number 287601.
|
287603 |
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FULL FUNDING FOR MASS TRANSIT
(PROPOSED RESOLUTION). Submitting a
Proposed Resolution sponsored by Larry Suffredin, County Commissioner;
co-sponsored by William M. Beavers, Forrest Claypool, John P. Daley,
Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, Gregg Goslin, Joseph Mario Moreno, Anthony J.
Peraica, Timothy O. Schneider, Deborah Sims and Robert B. Steele, County
Commissioners. PROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FULL FUNDING FOR MASS TRANSIT WHEREAS, maintenance of adequate public
transportation is an “essential public purpose”, as recognized by Article
XIII, Section 7 of the 1970 Illinois Constitution and is in the interest of
all citizens of Cook County; and WHEREAS, the preservation, improvement and expansion of
public transportation services in Cook County is in the best interests of
preserving the quality of life for the residents, visitors and business
community of Cook County; and WHEREAS, public transportation is a regional resource,
improving the quality of life for all residents of Northeastern Illinois
through reduced traffic congestion, cleaner air and a more efficient and
productive economy; and WHEREAS, the RTA has presented Moving
Beyond Congestion, a joint strategic planning process which calls for full
funding of the CTA, Metra and Pace; and WHEREAS, appropriate legislative action
is required to give the RTA full funding; and WHEREAS, Senate Bill 572 has been
introduced in the General Assembly, to provide for full funding of the RTA,
CTA, Metra and Pace. NOW, THEREFORE, IT
BE RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board concurs with the
RTA that the Illinois General Assembly should act to increase transit funding
for all three of the transit agencies serving Cook County and the entire
region, in order to avoid significant cuts in service; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board urges the Illinois General Assembly to
take such action as is necessary and appropriate to increase operating
funding to the levels established by the Regional Transportation Authority
(RTA); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this Resolution be provided to the
RTA, Metra, Pace, CTA, the Honorable Governor Blagojevich, Senator Emil
Jones, Jr., President of the Illinois Senate, Representative Michael J.
Madigan, Speaker of the Illinois House, Senator Frank Watson, Senate
Republican Leader, Representative Tom Cross, House Republican Leader, and all
of Cook County’s duly elected representatives in the General Assembly. * Referred to the
Committee on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations on |
Chairman Suffredin introduced Jim Reilly, Chairman of the
Regional Transportation Authority, and provided the members of the Committee
with the most recent newsletter published by the Authority. (See Attachment
#1.)
Mr. Reilly informed the members of recent developments with
regard to funding issues and pending legislation that impacts the Regional
Transportation Authority.
Commissioner Gorman asked what specific legislative action
the Committee was supporting in this resolution.
Chairman Suffredin explained that Senate Bill 572 is the
vehicle that will be used to provide additional funds and to make the necessary
changes to the Regional Transportation Authority Act. He stated that there are a number of
amendments that have not yet been presented, however he has given the Committee
members a summary of those that have been presented. These include amendments that contain a
formula that increases the sales tax by one-quarter cent in
Commissioner Claypool asked whether this bill addresses only
operating funding or whether it includes funding for capital improvements.
Mr. Reilly indicated that the Authority needs both types of
funding, however Senate Bill 572 deals strictly with operating funding. However, he stated that a bill might emerge
later in the session that addresses capital improvements.
Commissioner Schneider was concerned with the ambiguity
related to the funding mechanism.
Chairman Suffredin stated that the decision needs to be made
by the General Assembly, but added that the
Commissioner Beavers asked if federal funding opportunities
for capital improvements exist, and whether the Regional Transportation
Authority pursues these opportunities.
Mr. Reilly responded affirmatively, stating that they did
very well when the federal capital bill passed two years ago. The problem is that the Authority needs
additional state capital funding in order to draw down the federal funds to
which they are entitled.
Leave was granted to
add all commissioners as co-sponsors of Communication Number 287603.
Commissioner Daley,
seconded by Commissioner Steele, moved the approval of Communication Number
287603. The motion carried.
|
287604 |
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HB1100, THE ROADWAY SAFETY AND
MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE ACT (PROPOSED RESOLUTION). Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored
by Roberto Maldonaldo and Larry Suffredin, PROPOSED RESOLUTION WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of
motorists in Cook County and throughout Illinois take to our roads every day
to drive to work, attend school, shop, participate in community events, and
gather with family and friends; and WHEREAS, as many as 250,000 WHEREAS, undocumented immigrants want to
drive legally and purchase insurance, but cannot do so under current WHEREAS, the Federal REAL ID Act, enacted
in May 2005 to enhance national security, specifically enables states to
issue driving documents to undocumented immigrants so long as these documents
appear different from regular licenses and are not valid for Federal
identification purposes; and WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly is
now considering HB 1100, the Roadway Safety and Mandatory Insurance Coverage
Act, which, in compliance with the REAL ID Act, would authorize the Illinois
Secretary of State to issue driver’s certificates to Illinois motorists who
otherwise would not be eligible for driver’s licenses; and WHEREAS, enabling these motorists to take
a driving test, get a certificate, and buy insurance will enhance the safety
of roads in Cook County and throughout our State; and WHEREAS, because of the benefit to road
safety, HB 1100 is endorsed by the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Association
of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Sheriffs Association, the Illinois State
Crime Commission, Governor Rod Blagojevich, former Governor Jim Edgar,
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle, no fewer
than eight mayors of other municipalities in Cook County, Judges Patrick
McGann, Thomas More Donnelly, Edmund Ponce de Leon and Carl Walker of the
Circuit Court of Cook County, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State
Bar Association, and numerous religious, labor, and community organizations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED, that
we, the President and the members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
do hereby endorse HB 1100, the Roadway Safety and Mandatory Insurance
Coverage Act, and memorialize the Illinois General Assembly to urge the
passage of this legislation to improve the safety of Illinois roads and
enable Illinois motorists without access to driver’s licenses to drive
legally and with insurance; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a
suitable copy of this Resolution be delivered to the Governor of Illinois,
the President of the Illinois Senate, the Speaker of the Illinois House of
Representatives, and the members of the Illinois General Assembly
representing districts in * Referred
to the Committee on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations on |
No action was taken on Communication
Number 287604.
Commissioner Daley,
seconded by Commissioner Steele, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion
carried and the meeting was adjourned.
YOUR COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING ACTION
WITH REGARD TO THE
MATTERS NAMED HEREIN:
Communication
Number 287201 Approved
Communication
Number 287582 Approved
as Amended
Communication
Number 287601 No
Action Taken
Communication
Number 287603 Approved
Communication
Number 287604 No
Action Taken
|
|
Respectfully
submitted, Committee
on Legislation, Intergovernmental and Veterans Relations xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Larry
Suffredin, Chairman |
Attest:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Matthew B.
DeLeon, Secretary
** The audio recording for this meeting is available from
the Office of the Secretary to the Board,