LWVCC News

League of Women Voters^®
of Cook County

The latest news from LWVCC.

CCHHS Leaders at July Lunch & Learn. Harms Woods Tour. Update on Shakman Compliance. Annual Business Meeting Report. Presentation.

Health & Hospitals System Leaders Addressed LWVCC at July Lunch & Learn

Warren Batts, Chairman of the Board, and William Foley, CEO, spoke at the LWVCC's July 28 Lunch and Learn presentation on the Cook County Health and Hospitals System (HHS). Providing health care services through the HHS is a major function of Cook County government. Some facts provided by the gentlemen:

about 29% of County expenditures goes to HHS
almost one-third of County personnel are employed by HHS--over 7000 employees
HHS is the 3rd largest public health system in the US
the system includes 3 hospitals and severalprimary care clinics
HHS received more than 600,000 patient visits this year
About $1 billion will be spent by Cook County for health and hospital services this year.

The Independent Board was created in February 2008 to remove the system from oversight by the County President and put it under professional management. After gathering extensive information, the Board developed a strategic plan to respond to an anticipated increase in patients by creating a patient centered system with more outpatient services. The Board is also committed to improving patient care and service in the system, reducing the long waits, better training staff, and utilizing electronic records. The newly created and expanded clinics will provide better access to care, and the County will develop partnerships with other providers to better coordinate primary and specialty care. Recognizing the value of this independent oversight, the County Board at the end of July made the Board, initially a three year experiment, permanent.
Those interested in learning more are encourages to check out our reports on the HHS Board meetings at the Cook County Observer blog.

LWVCC Forest Preserve Interest Group Toured Harms Woods

On Saturday, June 5, the Forest Preserve Interest Group learned about common trees of the area on a walk through Harms Woods, part of the Skokie Division of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Docent Cynthia Quick (5th from left) led the tour, providing clues to identifying different tree species with excellent cheer despite the occasional rain!
The Interest Group was also joined by Benjamin Cox, Executive Director of Friends of the Forest Preserves, (5th from right). Thanks go to Ben for his assistance in arranging the tour.
The Forest Preserve Interest Group is open to all League of Women Voters members in Cook County. Anyone interested in working on Forest Preserve issues are invited to email Chairperson Henrietta Saunders to indicate his or her interest in receiving future communications from the committee.

Shakman Compliance explored at LWVCC Annual Meeting

About 70 LWVCC members from all over Cook County gathered at the Brookfield Zoo on May 17 for the 2010 Annual Meeting. Under the guidance of President Cynthia Schilsky, League members conducted necessary business, received reports on the year's activity, and heard interesting presentations from two of the three Cook County Shakman Compliance Administrators on efforts to fulfill the court decrees on restricting patronage in hiring and promotions resulting from the 1969 lawsuit by Michael Shakman.
Ms. Mary Robinson, Compliance Administrator for the Cook County President's Office since 2009, explained the extensive efforts of her office to eliminate patronage hiring, with a major focus on monitoring all the hiring for non-exempt staff. In addition, her office is developing a plan for better employment procedures, identifying unprofessional practices currently in use, recommending better and more efficient management practices, and improving training. She admitted that efforts to clarify the extent and location of Shakman exempt positions (those positions exempt from the impact of the court decree) have been stalled, although it is a key issue.
Mr. Jan Carlson, Compliance Administrator for the Forest Preserve District since 2009, has been examining hiring and personnel process for the more than 500 Forest Preserve employees. He reported meeting a pattern of obstruction in efforts to enforce compliance, and outlined the benefits to the tax payers from better hiring practices and better management of personnel.
Mr. Cliff Meacham, Compliance Officer for the Cook County Sheriff, was unable to attend, but Ms. Robinson reported that the Sheriff's Department has been quite cooperative and has greatly improved hiring practices.
League members found the presentations both interesting and discouraging, and responded with several questions, including how the League could encourage County Commissioners to support efforts to improve hiring and employment of County employees.

2010 LWVCC Annual Business Meeting held May 17

The LWVCC business meeting reflected a wide range of activity undertaken by the organization, as well as a sound financial state, due particularly to the successful Lunch and Learn fundraising programs initiated in the past year. The 2010-11 Budget was approved as presented and suggested bylaws changes submitted by the Bylaws Committee were approved. Elections were held for open Board positions. A study of Special Purpose Funds in the Cook County Budget was also approved by the membership.
During the past year, the LWVCC established four Interest Groups to investigate important aspects of County government and service: Juvenile Justice, Cook County Government Budget and Structure, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, and the Cook County Forest Preserve District. These groups meet monthly or bi-monthly for discussion and to consider action the LWVCC can take under approved League positions.
League members from throughout Cook County are encouraged to join one of these Interest Groups or to become involved with the study of Special Purpose Funds. You can sign up or request more information by calling 312-939-5935 x27 or emailing cook@lwvil.org.

Cook County League Offers Presentations on County Government

The Cook County League will send a speaker to your League, organization, or business to provide an overview of Cook County government, including its structure, budget, and budget process, and some recent developments, such as the sales tax issue. The presentation is designed to be 30 minutes (not counting questions & answers), with a 10 minute addition for local leagues, but it can be adjusted to fit your time availability.
Call the League at 312-939-5935, ext. 27, or e-mail the League at cook@lwvil.org to discuss booking a League speaker.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: September 1, 2010 15:49 PDT.