NEW ITEMS

 

Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners

County Board Room, County Building

Tuesday, February 3, 2004, 10:00 A.M.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

ITEM #1

 

Submitting a Proposed Ordinance sponsored by

 

BOBBIE L. STEELE and ROBERTO MALDONADO, County Commissioners

 

Co-Sponsored by

 

JERRY BUTLER, EARLEAN COLLINS, ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN, GREGG GOSLIN,

CARL R. HANSEN, JOSEPH MARIO MORENO, JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY,

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

and LARRY SUFFREDIN, County Commissioners

 

PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

AN ORDINANCE CREATING AN EMPLOYMENT DEMONSTRATION

PILOT PROJECT FOR FIRST TIME NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS ENTITLED

“THE COOK COUNTY RE-ENTRY EMPLOYMENT PROJECT”

 

WHEREAS, Illinois has the ninth largest prison system in the United States; and

 

WHEREAS, there are currently almost 44,000 individuals incarcerated by the Illinois Department of Corrections with an additional 35,000 under the Department’s supervision in the State of Illinois; and

 

WHEREAS, there are now more than 11,000 persons incarcerated in the Cook County Correctional Center; and

 

WHEREAS, the majority of individuals currently incarcerated have committed nonviolent offenses; and

 

WHEREAS, the majority of these individuals upon release return to communities within Cook County; and

 

WHEREAS, there are currently 425,000 formerly incarcerated individuals former offenders in Illinois with the majority residing in communities within Cook County; and

 

WHEREAS, there are approximately 30,000 inmates scheduled to be released from IDOC institutions this year with more than 60% returning to Cook County; and

 

WHEREAS, currently there is a 44% recidivism rate for former offenders released from state correctional facilities in Illinois; and

 

WHEREAS, access to livable wage employment has proven to be a key factor in reducing the re-commission of crime and the rate of recidivism; and

 

WHEREAS, the unemployment rate among former incarcerated individuals who are county residents is higher than the general population in large part due to the social stigma of being an ex-offender, unfair employment discrimination, and the lack of access to legal employment opportunities, education and vocational training within sectors of government and private industry due to current policies; and

 

WHEREAS, government should be an exemplar to private industry in regards to providing equal opportunity for qualified individuals seeking employment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners shall enact the following ordinance to establish and implement a Re-entry Employment Demonstration Pilot Program for 150 adults and 50 youth who are former offenders and residents of the County to facilitate more access to Cook County government employment opportunities and positions with private sector employers who secure contracts from Cook County as a strategy for increasing public safety and reducing recidivism.


PROPOSED ORDINANCE continued

ITEM #1 cont’d

 

ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1-1      This Ordinance shall be known as the “Cook County Re-entry Employment Project Ordinance.”

 

Applicability

 

Section 1-2   (a)     This Ordinance shall establish the provision for and control of the issuance of Certificates of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation by first time nonviolent offenders by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

 

                     (b)     This Ordinance shall direct the Review Panel and the Cook County Board of Commissioners on how to provide access to employment within Cook County government and private sector employers who secure contracts from Cook County government for program participants who are nonviolent first time former offenders.

 

Severability

 

Section 1-3      If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or clause of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person is for any reason deemed to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect, impair or invalidate any remaining section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or clause hereof or the application of this Ordinance to any other person.

 

Effective Date

 

Section 1-4      (a)  This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its passage and publication.

 

                        (b)  Within 6 months after the implementation of this Pilot Project, the Review Panel shall report to the Cook County Board of Commissioners regarding the use, costs, effectiveness, and future viability of the Program as related to employability of first time nonviolent offenders.

 

ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS

 

Definitions

 

Section 2-1  As used in the Cook County Re-entry Employment Project Ordinance:

 

                        (a)  "Eligible offender" means a person who has been convicted of a crime or of an offense that is not a crime of violence as defined in Section 2 of the Crime Victims Compensation Act, a Class X or a non-probationable offense, or a violation of Article 11 or Article 12 of the Criminal Code of 1961, but who has not been convicted more than once of a felony.

 

                        (b)  "Felony" means a conviction of a felony in this State, or of an offense in any other jurisdiction for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment in excess of one year was authorized.

 

                        (c)  “Conviction” means a plea or a verdict of guilty upon which a sentence of probation, conditional discharge, or supervision has been imposed shall be deemed to be a conviction.

 

                              (i)   two or more convictions of felonies charged in separate counts of one indictment or information shall be deemed to be one conviction.

 

                        (d)  The minimum period of good conduct by the individual referred to in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Section, shall be as follows:  if the most serious crime of which the individual was convicted is a misdemeanor, the minimum period of good conduct shall be six (6) months; if the most serious crime of which the individual was convicted is a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 felony, the minimum period of good conduct shall be one (1) year.  Criminal acts committed outside the State shall be classified as acts committed within the State based on the maximum sentence that could have been imposed based upon the conviction under the laws of the foreign jurisdiction.  The minimum period of good conduct by the individual shall be measured either from the date of the payment of any fine imposed upon him or her, or from the date of his or her release from custody by parole, mandatory supervised release or commutation or termination of his or her sentence.  The Review Panel shall have power and it shall be its duty to review all applications when the application is presented and to grant or deny the same within a reasonable time after the making of their recommendation.


PROPOSED ORDINANCE continued

ITEM #1 cont’d

 

ARTICLE III.  THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF REVIEW PANEL

 

Section 3-1      Establishment of Review Panel

 

                       (a)  In order to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the Board shall establish a Review Panel consisting of seven (7) members.

 

                       (b)  The members of the Review Panel shall be appointed as follows:  the Clerk to the Circuit Court appoints one (1) member; the Chief Judge appoints one (1) member; and the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners appoints five (5) members.

 

                       (c)  The Panel shall keep records of all of its official actions and shall make them accessible in accordance with law and the rules of the Panel.

 

                       (d)  Each member of the Panel and any hearing officer designated by the Panel shall have the power to administer oaths and to take the testimony of persons under oath.

 

                       (e)  Any written report submitted to the Review Panel under this Section is confidential and may not be made available to any person or public or private agency except if specifically required or permitted by authorization of the court.  In its discretion, the court may except from disclosure a part or parts of the report that are not relevant to the granting of a certificate, or sources of information which have been obtained on a promise of confidentiality, or any other portion of their report, disclosure of which would not be in the interest of justice.

 

                       (f)  The Review Panel shall interview each applicant and review each application for a County issued Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation.  After the Panel has decided an applicant is eligible for a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation, the Panel shall make their recommendation to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

 

                       (g)  In making such a determination, the Review Panel shall consider the following factors:

 

                              (1)  the public policy of Cook County and the State, to encourage the employment of persons previously convicted of one nonviolent criminal offense; and

 

                              (2)  the specific duties and responsibilities necessarily related to the position being sought; and

 

                              (3)  the bearing, if any, the criminal offense for which the person was previously convicted will have on his or her fitness or ability to perform one or more such duties and responsibilities; and

 

                              (4)  the time which has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal offense; and

 

                              (5)  the age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal offense; and

 

                              (6)  the seriousness of the offense; and

 

                              (7)  any information produced by the person or produced on their behalf in regard to their good conduct and rehabilitation, including a State issued Certificate of Relief from Disabilities and/or Good Conduct, which certificates shall create a presumption of rehabilitation in regard to the offense(s) specified in the certificates; and

 

                              (8)  the legitimate interest of Cook County in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individuals or the general public.


PROPOSED ORDINANCE continued

ITEM #1 cont’d

 

                        (h)  The Review Panel shall report to the Cook County Board of Commissioners by November 30 of each year, for each Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation issued, the number of applicants with felony convictions, the number of applicants with misdemeanor convictions, the number of applicants with State issued Certificates of Relief from Disabilities and/or Good Conduct, the number of applicants with felony convictions denied Certificates of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation and the number of applicants with Certificates of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation employed in County government jobs.

 

ARTICLE IV.  COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ PARTICIPATION

 

Section 4.1  Issuance of Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation

 

                       (a)  The Cook County Board of Commissioners shall have the power to issue a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation to any eligible offender who resides within this State and whose judgment of conviction was rendered by court in this or any other jurisdiction.

 

                       (b)  Upon entry of approval, the Cook County Commission shall issue to the person applying, a certificate stating that their behavior after conviction has warranted the issuance of the Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation as a prerequisite to employment within Cook County Government or with a designated County contractor.

 

                       (c)  The Cook County Board of Commissioners may, in its discretion, issue a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation to an eligible former offender.  The Certificate may not be issued earlier than six (6) months to formerly incarcerated individuals with misdemeanor convictions or one (1) year to those with one felony conviction subsequent to their release from County or State incarceration or supervision.

 

                       (d)  The Certificate may not issued by the Cook County Board of Commissioners unless the Board of Commissioners is satisfied that:

 

                              (1)  the person to whom it is to be granted is an eligible former offender, as defined in Section 2-1(a).

 

                              (2)  the access to employment to be granted by the Certificate is consistent with the guidelines of the Pilot Project for the eligible former offender; and

 

                              (3)  the access to employment to be granted by the Certificate is consistent with the public interest.

 

                        (e)  The Cook County Board of Commissioners by majority vote of a quorum, shall have the power to issue a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation to any eligible former offender previously convicted of a crime in this State, when the Board is satisfied that:

 

                              (1)  the applicant has conducted him or herself in a manner warranting the issuance for the required minimum period and has successfully completed the designated employment readiness training; and

 

                              (2)  the access to employment to be granted by the Certificate is consistent with the Pilot Project of the County; and

 

                              (3)  the access to employment to be granted is consistent with the public interest.

 

                        (f)  The Cook County Board of Commissioners shall have the power to issue a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation to any person previously convicted of a crime in any other jurisdiction, when the Board is satisfied that the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) are met.


PROPOSED ORDINANCE continued

ITEM #1 cont’d

 

                        (g)  No application for any employment specified in Article V, Section 1 granted under the authority of this County shall be denied by reason of an eligible former offender who has obtained a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation, as defined in this Ordinance, having been previously convicted of one criminal offense, or by reason of a finding of lack of "good moral character" when the finding is based upon the fact that the applicant has previously been convicted of one criminal offense unless:

 

                              (1)  there is a direct relationship between the previous criminal offense and the specific job sought; or

 

                              (2)  the employment of the person would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.

 

ARTICLE V. CATEGORIES OF SELECTED COUNTY EMPLOYMENT AND

ELIGIBILITY FACTORS

 

Section 5-1  Based on a review of current Cook County Job Classifications, most positions have an entry- level title and career advancement potential.  Therefore, vacancies or additional needs for staffing in such positions shall provide the access to increase opportunities for employment for successful qualified participants of the Re-entry Employment Project.  These positions shall include but not be limited to the following: Activity Worker, Administrative Assistant, Baker, Barber, Beautician, Bookkeeper, Butcher, Building Custodian, Building Service Worker, Cable TV Intern, Carpenter, Cataloguer, Caseworker, Cashier, Certified Nursing Assistant, Chief, Clerk, Clerk Typist, Community Organizer, Compliance Intern, Cook, Custodial Worker, Data Entry Operator, Dental Assistant, Dietician, Employment Interviewer, Food Service Worker, Grounds keeper. Health Advocate, Help Desk Aide, House Keeper, Intake Attendant, Laborers, Laboratory Aide, Laundry Worker, Life Guard, Maintenance Worker, Occupational Therapy Aide, Painter, Pharmaceutical Apprentice, Pharmacy Helper, Planning Intern, Public Health Educator, Recreational Worker, Safety Liaison, Sales Clerk, Sanitarian, Sign Painter, Store Keeper, Student Intern, Student Trainee, Supply Clerk, Telephone Operator, Trainee and Typist.

 

Section 5-2  Completion of Designated Employment Readiness Training and Internship as Prerequisite to Employment

 

In order for formerly incarcerated individuals who are first time nonviolent offenders and residents of the County to be issued a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation and apply for employment within the designated Job Classifications of the County and/or with companies serving as contractors, they must have successfully completed a Board approved employment readiness training, a twelve (12) month County Internship Program, and be in receipt of documentation to that effect which is to be submitted as the primary evidence of their good conduct and rehabilitation to the Review Panel for consideration of certificate issuance.  Other documents may also be submitted to further support the participant’s status of rehabilitation as related to education, vocational training, employment and/or volunteer experience. Participants with State issued Certificates of Good Conduct, Certificates of Relief from Disabilities or State professional/occupational licenses shall be awarded additional preference when applying for participation in the Project as well as for employment.

 

Section 5-3  Ex-Offender Job Readiness Program

 

As the first phase for an individual to become eligible for a Cook County issued Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation, she/he would need to complete a job readiness program specifically designed for former offenders and designated by the Cook County Board of Commissioners as a qualifying training program.

 

Such a training program shall provide intake and screening services to identify needs of each participant and develop a specific employability training plan.  All training plans shall include core modules to address, in a holistic approach, the special needs of former offenders seeking employment within the County and/or with designated County contractors.  The modules shall include information/education, skill building and behavioral modification techniques in the areas of cognitive restructuring, resume preparation, interviewing, alcohol and substance abuse prevention, anger management and conflict resolution, and relationships in the work place.

 

The designated training provider shall also have referral agreements in place with educational institutions and social service agencies for participants to access supportive services for assistance with food, clothing, housing, substance abuse counseling, GED classes, vocational training, and family reunification services.  The work readiness program shall also include an aftercare component which will serve as an on-going support system for candidates who have successfully completed the core training modules.


PROPOSED ORDINANCE continued

ITEM #1 cont’d

 

 

Eligibility criteria for admission to the former offender work readiness training program shall be established by the community based organizations that are operating such programs with the specific inclusion of the following:  Participants must be screened for motivation to participate in the program, history of drug and alcohol use/abuse, mental health history, type of offense committed, criminal record, current immediate support  needs (housing, food, clothing, temporary emergency financial assistance, etc.), employment history, educational background, and willingness to change their thinking and behavior.  All participants must be drug free prior to entering the program. Drug test will be given randomly throughout the work readiness program.

 

Section-5-4 Pre-Employment/ Internship Program

 

Upon successful completion of the Job Readiness Training program, participants shall become eligible for a twelve (12) month Pre-Employment Internship Program to prepare them for full time employment within Cook County government and/or businesses serving as County contractors.  All participants will be paid a stipend of $7.50 per hour (livable wage) during their participation as interns. Internships may or may not be directly related to the full time position for which the participant may ultimately apply depending upon staffing needs of the County and of participating County contractors which shall determine availability, types, and number of full time position openings.  Upon successful completion of the designated internship, participants may then petition the Review Panel for the issuance of a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation. Once issued, participants may then apply for the first appropriate full time position that is available with the County and/or selected contractors.

 

ARTICLE VI.  LEGAL IMPACT OF COUNTY ISSUED

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD CONDUCT AND REHABILITATION

 

Section 6-1  This Section shall not affect the right of a person to collaterally attack his conviction or to rely on it in bar of subsequent proceedings for the same offense.

 

                        (a)  A Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation does not, however, in any way prevent any judicial proceeding, administrative, licensing, or other body, board, or authority from relying upon the conviction specified in the certificate as the basis for the exercise of its discretionary power to suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or refuse to renew any license, permit, or other authority or privilege.

 

                        (b)  A Cook County issued Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation shall not limit or prevent the introduction of evidence of a prior conviction for purposes of impeachment of a witness in a judicial or other proceeding where otherwise authorized by the applicable rules of evidence.

 

                        (c)  A Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation may be granted as provided in this Section to an eligible offender as defined in Article II this Ordinance who has demonstrated that s/he has been a law-abiding citizen.

 

                        (d)  A Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation may not, however, in any way prevent any judicial proceeding, administrative, licensing, or other body, board, or authority from considering the conviction specified in the certificate.

 

                        (e)  A Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation shall not limit or prevent the introduction of evidence of a prior conviction for purposes of impeachment of a witness in a judicial or other proceeding where otherwise authorized by the applicable rules of evidence.

 

                        (f)  Certificate is not to be deemed to be a pardon.  Nothing contained in this Article shall be deemed to alter or limit or affect the manner of applying for pardons to the Governor, and no certificate issued under this Article shall be deemed or construed to be a Pardon.

 

Section 6-2      Grievance Process

 

It is not the intention of this Ordinance or the actions of the Review Panel or the Board of Cook County Commissioners to replace or substitute any employee grievance process that currently exists in County government.  This Ordinance does not preclude a participant from exercising their due process rights that may be available to them within the scope of their employment.


PROPOSED ORDINANCE continued

ITEM #1 cont’d

 

                        (a)  If an employee is subject to an adverse action by their employer/supervisor and they have a grievance procedure to address the employee’s issue, the employee must exhaust the process for redress.

 

                        (b)  This Ordinance does not create a separate or alternative grievance process for employees to seek redress from an adverse action taken against them.

 

ARTICLE VII. REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE OF GOOD CONDUCT AND REHABILITATION

 

Section 7.1  In revoking a Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation, the action of the Cook County Board of Commissioners shall be by majority vote of the members authorized to revoke the Certificate.

 

                        (a)  Revocation shall be upon notice to the person, who shall be accorded an opportunity to contest the grounds of revocation prior to a decision to revoke the Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation.

 

                        (b)  Any such person possessing a Cook County issued Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation, shall upon receipt of the determination of revocation, surrender the certificate to the Cook County Board of Commissioners or their designee.

 

                        (c)  A person who knowingly uses or attempts to use a revoked Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation in order to obtain or to exercise any right or privilege that they would not be entitled to obtain or to exercise without a valid certificate is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

 

                        (d)  If the program participant is terminated from their employment with Cook County, the Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation will automatically be revoked.

 

ARTICLE VIII. FORMS AND FILING

 

 

Section 8-1      (a)  All applications, certificates, and orders of revocation necessary for the purposes of this Article shall be upon forms prescribed under an agreement among the Review Panel, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Cook County Board of Commissioners or their designees.  The forms relating to Certificates of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation shall be distributed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

 

(b)    Any court or board issuing or revoking Certificate under this Article shall immediately file a copy of the Certificate of Good Conduct and Rehabilitation or a copy of the order of revocation with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.

 

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved that the Proposed Ordinance be referred to the Committee on Law Enforcement and Corrections Department of Corrections Subcommittee.  (Comm. No. 263772).  The motion carried unanimously.

 

COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT

ITEM #2

 

Transmitting a Communication, dated January 29, 2004 from

 

RAYMOND C. ROBIN, Purchasing Agent

 

Re:   December 16, 2003

        Contracts and Bonds Letter

 

Please be advised that on the December 16, 2003 Contracts and Bonds letter there are three errors.  The first error is on the second item on page 3, Micrins Surgical, Incorporated, the contract number reads 04-41-151, when it should be 04-45-136.  The second error is the fourth item on page 4, Stryker Howmedica Osteonics, the contract period reads it is for a period of twelve (12) months, when it should be twenty-four (24) months.  The third error is the third item on page 9, Ravenswood Medical Resources Corporation, the amount reads $41,982.49, when it should be $1,982.49.


COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT continued

ITEM #2 cont’d

 

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Sims, moved that the request of the County Purchasing Agent be approved.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

COOK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY

ITEM #3

 

Transmitting a Communication, dated January 15, 2004 from

 

PATRICK T. DRISCOLL, JR., Deputy State’s Attorney, Chief, Civil Actions Bureau

 

Respectfully request permission to discuss the following cases with the Board or the appropriate committee thereof:

 

1.      James Guidone v. Weres, et al., Case No. 01-L-9044

         (Comm. No. 263773)

 

2.             Yale Brevda v. County of Cook, Cook County Hospital, and Robert Hall, M.D., Case No. 01-L-9464 (refiled 97-L-7953)  (Comm. No. 263774)

 

3.             Jerry Milam v. County of Cook, Chad R. Justesen, M.D., and James L. Stone, M.D., Case No. 00-L-7449  (Comm. No. 263775)

 

4.             Raul Aquirre v. Board of Review, Case No. 02-L-6793

         (Comm. No. 263776)

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Sims, moved that the communications be referred to the Committee on Finance Litigation Subcommittee.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT

ITEM #4

 

Transmitting a Communication, dated January 27, 2004 from

 

RUTH M. ROTHSTEIN, Chief, Bureau of Health Services

 

Re:    Intergovernmental Agreement

 

This is to request authorization for the President to execute Amendment No. 4 to the Intergovernmental Agreement originally dated July 1, 1995 with the Illinois Department of Public Aid regarding certain Medicaid payments.

 

Following the amendment to this Agreement, the County will make increased quarterly intergovernmental transfers to the State of Illinois to provide the local share to support increased Medicaid payments by the State to the County.

 

This amendment should result in increased Medicaid revenues to Cook County of $32 million in Fiscal Year 2004.

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Sims, moved that the request of the Chief of the Bureau of Health Services be approved.  The motion carried unanimously.


APPROVAL OF PAYMENT

ITEM #5

 

Transmitting a Communication, dated January 29, 2004 from

 

JOHNNY C. BROWN, Chief Operating Officer, Stroger Hospital of Cook County

 

requesting authorization for the Cook County Board of Commissioners to approve payment for nursing registry services received in Fiscal Year 2003 for the Department of Nursing at Stroger Hospital of Cook County, to the vendors listed below as follows:

 

VENDOR

AMOUNT

 

 

LMR Nursing Services, Incorporated

$355,990.29

Naperville, Illinois

 

 

Gareda Diversified Business Services

$169,544.63

Calumet City, Illinois

 

 

Midwest Medical Staffing

$107,965.22

Oak Park, Illinois

 

 

Nurse Agency, Incorporated

$ 67,071.75

Chicago, Illinois

 

 

Reason:

This unauthorized purchase was a result of the department’s error in not reconciling and submitting the invoices for payment on time.  In order to ensure that this does not occur again monitoring procedures are now in place.

 

Estimated Fiscal Impact:  $700,571.89.  (897-275 Account).

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Sims, moved that the payment to the above vendors be made.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS

ITEM #6

 

Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by

 

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

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

RECOGNIZING THE UPCOMING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA, KANSAS DECISION

 

WHEREAS, May 17, 2004, will mark the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown, et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et al.; and

 

WHEREAS, this historic unanimous decision ended federally sanctioned racial segregation in the nation's public schools, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson and ruling that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal".  This decision had the added benefit of serving as the impetus to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s and spearheading tangible integration in public facilities and accommodations; and

 

WHEREAS, the "spark" that ignited the movement was Linda Brown, who was denied admission to her local elementary school in Topeka, Kansas, because she was black; when her case was combined with several other cases, the collective body of cases ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court; and

 

WHEREAS, prior to the 1954 ruling, de jure segregation (legally imposed) was a fact of life in the majority of Southern school systems, with institutions charged with educating African-Americans routinely spending a mere fraction of the amount allocated to educate white children; and


PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS continued

ITEM #6 cont’d

 

WHEREAS, the disparity between the educational facilities was great, with black students forced to endure overcrowded classrooms, inadequate libraries, undertrained teachers and even a lack of indoor plumbing in the schools; and

 

WHEREAS, even though the Supreme Court ruling ushered in a feeling of optimism, actual desegregation was not immediate or easily implemented; to use the words "strong societal resistance" would be a gross understatement.  In fact, a second decision, commonly referred to as "Brown II", established guidelines for ending segregation, but without specific timetables, instead using the vague language, "with all deliberate speed"; and

 

WHEREAS, even though the major changes that occurred during the 1950s, 60s and 70s were tumultuous, this case is considered by many legal scholars to be perhaps the most significant of the last century; and

 

WHEREAS, although great strides have been made in our nation since the Brown decision, far too many individuals take their freedoms and educational opportunities for granted, with little regard for the countless lives that were lost over the span of the civil rights movement; and

 

WHEREAS, the County remains committed to protecting the diverse population of those who live, work and recreate in Cook County from discrimination, bias and bigotry.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners that Cook County Government does hereby acknowledge the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education ruling and urge all residents to take cognizance of the events leading up to and transpiring after this groundbreaking decision.

_________________________

 

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

 

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

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

ITEM #7

 

Transmitting a Communication, dated February 2, 2004 from

 

GWENDOLYN D. CLEMONS, Director, Department of Planning and Development

 

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 twenty-four (24) month abandonment rule under the Class 6b Ordinance.  This Resolution is required so that the company can complete its application 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 you 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 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


PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS continued

ITEM #7 cont’d

 

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.

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved that the Proposed Resolution be referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development.  (Comm. No. 263777).  The motion carried unanimously.

 

APPROVAL OF PAYMENT

ITEM #8

 

Transmitting a Communication, dated February 2, 2004 from

 

STEPHANIE WRIGHT-GRIGGS, Chief Operating Officer, Provident Hospital of Cook County

 

requesting approval of payment in the amount of $483,131.22 to Digby’s Detective and Security Agency, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, for partial payments for Contract No. 02-53-946 for security services for Provident Hospital of Cook County for the months of October, November and December of 2003.

 

Contract No. 02-53-976 was approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners on September 5, 2002, Bids Report Section ID, Page 11.

 

Estimated Fiscal Impact:  $483,131.22.  (891-249 Account).

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Butler, seconded by Commissioner Moreno, moved that the payment to Digby’s Detective and Security Agency, Inc. be made.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION

 

ITEM #9

 

January 28, 2004

 

The Honorable,

The Board of Commissioners of Cook County

 

ATTENDANCE

 

Present:

Chairman Sims, Vice Chairman Butler, Commissioners Gorman, Hansen, Moreno and Silvestri (6)

 

Absent:

Commissioner Collins (1)

 

Also Present:

Commissioner Peraica (1), Michael E. LaMont - Director, Office of Capital Planning & Policy


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION continued

 

ITEM #9 cont’d

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Your Committee on Construction of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County met pursuant to notice on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 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:

 

263530

OFFICE OF CAPITAL PLANNING AND POLICY, by Michael E. LaMont, Director, transmitting a Communication, dated January 6, 2004:

 

Transmitted herewith for your approval is Change Order No. 3, payable to G.F. STRUCTURES CORPORATION, for the Rockwell Warehouse Phase II Interior Project at the Rockwell Warehouse.  This change order is for work necessary to complete the project.  It is respectfully requested that this honorable body approve this request.

 

Reason:      This change order will relocate the switchboard equipment from the basement to the 1st floor, which is necessary to avoid excessive Commonwealth Edison construction costs and increased monthly service charges by ComEd.  During the construction phase, problems arose with the scheduling, coordinating, and pricing of Commonwealth Edison’s portion of the work.  This new relocation will allow us to complete construction without the need to coordinate and schedule work with Com Ed and will not affect current monthly service fees.  This also provides for a 105 day contract extension.

 

Contract No.  01-53-1169

 

Original Contract Sum:                                                               $2,854,994.00

Total Changes to-date:                                                                      21,594.00

Adjusted Contract to-date:                                                           2,876,588.00

Amount of this Modification:                                                           142,094.00

Adjusted Contract Sum:                                                             $3,018,682.00

 

Estimated Fiscal Impact:  $142,094.00.  Bond Issue (20000 Account).

 

Sufficient funds have been appropriated to cover this request.

 

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Vice Chairman Butler, moved the approval of Communication No. 263530. The motion carried.

 

263531              OFFICE OF CAPITAL PLANNING AND POLICY, by Michael E. LaMont, Director, transmitting a Communication, dated January 6, 2004:

 

Transmitted herewith for your approval is Change Order No. 7, a credit in the amount of ($130,266.00) to the contract with BROADWAY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES, contractor for the Department of Corrections – Division I, IV and VII Plumbing Renovation Project. It is respectfully requested that this honorable body approve this request.

 

Reason:        This change order provides for removal of existing plumbing fixtures and deletion from the contract, installation of new plumbing fixtures and related work in Division I, for a net credit.  This also provides for a 265 day contract extension.


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION continued

 

ITEM #9 cont’d

 

                          Contract No.  00-53-369 Rebid

 

                        Original Contract Sum:                                                               $2,147,000.00

                        Total Changes to-date:                                                                    222,539.00

                        Adjusted Contract to-date:                                                             2,369539.7700

                        Amount of this Modification:                                                         (130,266.00)

                        Adjusted Contract Sum:                                                               $2,239,273.7700

 

                        Estimated Fiscal Impact:  ($130,266.00).  Bond Issue (39000 Account).

 

Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Vice Chairman Butler, moved to defer Communication No. 263531.  The motion carried.

 

PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT – DECEMBER 18, 2003

 

Commissioner Hansen asked when the computer server consolidation will be completed in the 69 West Washington Building.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that in the next report he will project a time frame.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked Mr. LaMont if he would bring the Commissioners up-to-date on the 69 West Washington Building construction activities.

 

Mr. LaMont gave the committee a general overview of what has been occurring at the 69 West Washington Building.  He stated that on December 31, 2003, floors thirty through thirty-five were reoccupied; however, they do not yet have sprinklers.  A week later the pedway, daycare center and lobby were opened, and the building became a public building.  By January 9, 2004, floors five and six were occupied; the fourth floor was occupied a week later.  Mr. LaMont further stated that the sprinkler system is being installed.  At this time floors six and below have been completed.  Currently floors seven through eleven are being worked on; they should be reoccupied within the next two weeks.  The next phase for sprinkler installation will include floors twenty-nine through twenty-three.  Those floors should be completed on or before March 1, 2004.  Further he stated that the plan is to install five floors of sprinkler systems in a month.  He also stated that once floors one through thirty are completed, everyone from floors thirty and above will relocate so that the sprinklers can be installed.  In conclusion, Mr. LaMont stated that the whole sprinkler project would be completed in mid-to-late summer.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that while the sprinklers are being installed the ceilings are also being replaced in most areas, because most of the building had what is termed a “spline” ceiling.  Such a ceiling is made of one-by-one tiles which are now being replaced by a two-by-two drop-in ceiling with new lighting.

 

Chairman Sims asked whether the light fixtures and ceilings are covered under insurance.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that floors that were damaged by smoke, soot, fire or by water from below are covered.  The floors that did not suffer that type of damage will be covered and paid for by capital bonds.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked the estimated cost of the sprinkler system.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that $15 million was put into the capital program after the fire.  The estimated cost of the sprinklers and ceilings is $8.5 million.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that there are two other major projects.  The first is a door unlocking system, which is currently being installed and is expected to be completed in two weeks.  At this time the doors are unlocked; also there is extra security in the building walking on various floors and up staircases.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked the cost for the door unlocking system.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that the cost is about $350,000.00.

 

Commissioner Hansen requested a memorandum showing the current estimates for the projects at 69 West Washington.


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION continued

 

ITEM #9 cont’d

 

Mr. LaMont responded that he will get the information to the commissioners.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked who unlocks the doors in the instance of a fire.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that the doors are unlocked automatically or manually.  Smoke detectors or sprinkler flow trigger the automatic system; the manual system is operated from the front console located on the first floor.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that the other major project is putting in a visual detection system, which is termed “occupant notification.” He further stated that there may be other upgrades to the fire alarm system.  Mr. LaMont concluded by saying with all the above mentioned projects, the cost is still below $15 million.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked if the ground floor escalators at 69 West Washington were operating.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that one of the escalators is undergoing renovation, which is partly due to the water damage and the fact that it needed to be upgraded.  He stated that this was a good opportunity to renovate the escalator because the building has fewer occupants.  The work will be completed in mid March.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that there is a project to install an elevator and an escalator on the west end of the building.  He stated that there is also a freight elevator that travels the length of the entire building.

 

Commissioner Hansen requested a cost estimate regarding the old nurses building.

 

Mr. LaMont replied that approximately $7 million has been spent on the building during the past eight years, specifically for a new electrical system, switch-gear, chiller, elevator modernization, wiring and continuous air conditioning.

 

Commissioner Hansen inquired what the cost estimate would be to build a new nurse’s building versus renovating the existing building.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that a report done by McDonough Associates which dated back to the late 80’s or early 90’s indicated a price of $50 million.

 

Commissioner Hansen asked Mr. LaMont to find out if the $50 million was for a new building.

 

Mr. LaMont stated that he will provide the commissioners with the figures.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

COMMITTEE ON CONSTRUCTION

 

DEBORAH SIMS, Chairman

 

ATTEST:  MICHELLE HARRIS, Secretary

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Sims, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved that the Report of the Committee on Construction be approved and adopted.  The motion carried.

 

Commissioner Daley voted “present” on Comm. No. 263530 regarding G.F. Structures Corporation.


PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS

ITEM #10

 

Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by

 

EARLEAN COLLINS, Cook County Commissioner

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED EX-OFFENDERS FOR EMPLOYMENT

 

WHEREAS, Cook County is a home rule unit of local government pursuant to Article 7, Section 6a of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 with power to regulate those matters which pertain to its government and affairs; and

 

WHEREAS, Cook County government has the responsibility for assuring employment opportunities for all qualified resident applicants of Cook County; and

 

WHEREAS, the Cook County Bureau of Human Resources (BHR) has within its rules a clause to reject or disqualify any applicant or disqualify any eligible person at any time prior to appointment or disqualify any employee prior to the completion of his/her probationary period when certain conditions apply; and

 

WHEREAS, under the Bureau of Human Resources Rule 3 Recruitment and Application paragraph (3.03 (b) 1.), the above cited disqualifying event apply to an individual who, “Has been convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanor under certain circumstances or for applicants for positions in certain County facilities”; and

 

WHEREAS, paragraph (3.03 (b) 1.) of BHR Rule 3 is punitive and denies employment opportunities to Cook County residents who are otherwise qualified but have been convicted of a felony, or misdemeanor under certain circumstances or for positions in certain County facilities.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County BHR Rule 3 be amended to reject or disqualify any applicant or disqualify any eligible person at any time prior to appointment or disqualify any employee prior to the completion of his/her probationary period if he/she is employed in an area or Cook County facility in which his/her felony conviction, or misdemeanor under certain circumstances occurred (e.g., conviction of a crime involving a child would disqualify ex-offender from working in any County facility or program that serves children); and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any contractor that bids on County Contracts, and where that contractor employs or will employ ex-offenders, be granted a 3% dollar reduction preference where such contractor’s bid for a County Contract exceeds the lowest bid by 3% or less of the lowest bid dollar amount.

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Collins, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, moved that the Proposed Resolution be referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development.  (Comm. No. 263778).  The motion carried unanimously.

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

ITEM #11

 

Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by

 

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

 

Co-Sponsored by

 

JERRY BUTLER, FORREST CLAYPOOL, EARLEAN COLLINS, 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 and LARRY SUFFREDIN, County Commissioners

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called Cook County Forest Preserve's Deputy Chief of Police Emmett J. Burke from our midst; and


PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS continued

ITEM #11 cont’d

 

WHEREAS, Emmett J. Burke began working for the Cook County Forest Preserve Police Department on July 1, 1994; and

 

WHEREAS, over eight years of service Mr. Burke demonstrated a great enthusiasm for the rigors of law enforcement; and

 

WHEREAS, recognizing this dedication, the Cook County Forest Preserve Police Department promoted Mr. Burke to the position of Deputy Chief of Police on March 22, 2002; and

 

WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Burke provided an exceptional example for all of the Districts' officers through his diligence and commitment to protecting the missions of visitors to the District's vast holdings each year; and

 

WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Burke having worked with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, was widely recognized as an outstanding law enforcement official; and

 

WHEREAS, Deputy Chief Burke was the loving fiancé of Kathleen Marie Chlebek, devoted son of the Honorable Anne M. and the Honorable Edward M. Burke, and dear brother to Jennifer, Edward, Sarah and Travis, and a cherished coworker and friend to many.

 

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 family as well as the many friends and loved ones of Deputy Chief Emmett J. Burke; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of Deputy Chief Emmett J. Burke so that his legacy of commitment to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County may ever be remembered.

_________________________

 

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

 

Commissioner Maldonado, seconded by Commissioner Moreno, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted.  President Stroger called for a rising vote.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

ITEM #12

 

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.