Live reporting by
Will Reynolds
Cook Country Commission, a potential raise for interpreters
Will Reynolds
@willinois
Good morning! I'm live tweeting today's Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters.
09:59 AM Dec 15, 2022 CST
@CHIdocumenters It's scheduled to start at 10am and can be viewed here: cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-…
You can find the agenda for this and other meetings at: cook-county.legistar.com/DepartmentDeta…
I'm watching remotely.
You can find the agenda for this and other meetings at: cook-county.legistar.com/DepartmentDeta…
I'm watching remotely.
The Cook County board gets started a little late and jumps into public comments. The first speakers talks about working conditions of Cook County court interpreters.
The speaker gives two examples of times when interpreters were critically needed for people in the cook county court system. He's asking for a fair contract for county interpreters, saying they're lower paid than similar professionals.
Commissioner Miller presents a resolution updating policies related to COVID. I didn't hear an explanation of what it does, but it now includes other diseases of concern. It passes without debate.
Commissioner Daley presents a financial resolution. The pension fund is over 67% funded, which he calls good. Board President Preckwinkle praises commissioner who voted for a sales tax increase.
Commissioner Miller asks if a contract with Emergency Management will be negotiated in January. Staff say negotiations are ongoing and hopes to have them wrapped up as soon as possible.
They approve a series of contracts on the agenda without further debate.
They approve a series of contracts on the agenda without further debate.
.@CookCountyBoard encourages remote participation, but their video meetings are still difficult to watch. I can't maximize the video window, which makes slide presentations unreadable.
Commissioners don't have visible nameplates. The president's mic keeps cutting out.
Commissioners don't have visible nameplates. The president's mic keeps cutting out.
They present and pass a series of agenda items unanimously without debate.
Commissioners present consent resolutions that express condolences, recognize retirees, and celebrate achievement. They break from consent resolutions and pass a series of binding resolutions without debate.
Staff and board members praise the work of Vincent Patterson, who's retiring after 30 years of working on the Cook County budget.
The consent agenda passes.
The consent agenda passes.
New resolutions are read into the record for referral to committee.
New county commissioner Anthony Quezada introduces a resolution on property tax reform. He talks about displacement in communities and the need to tax the wealthiest.
New county commissioner Anthony Quezada introduces a resolution on property tax reform. He talks about displacement in communities and the need to tax the wealthiest.
President Preckwinkle wishes everyone happy holidays and the Cook County Board of Commissioners adjourn the meeting. This concludes my live tweeing for @CHIdocumenters