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Hi, I’ll be live-tweeting today's Cook County Board of Commissioners Criminal Justice Committee meeting for #ChiDocumenters @ChiDocumenters. In addition notes and audio of the meeting will be recorded to be posted afterwards on http://chicago.documenters.org
This is going to be a big one to follow. The Cook County's Criminal Justice Committee will discuss Justice for Black Lives, a resolution to redirect funds to housing, physical/mental health, restorative justice, job creation, public transit & MWBE support / Mon, July 27, 3:30 pm
Agenda available here https://cook-county.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=798351&GUID=D925D067-86DD-45E6-994A-F1207B7932CB
You can observe the livestream here starting at 3:30 CST
https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings
Written comments provided prior to the start of the meeting will be acknowledged at the meeting.
https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedings
Written comments provided prior to the start of the meeting will be acknowledged at the meeting.
For some background: County Commissioners are elected officials who oversee county activities and work to ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations run smoothly.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners is the governing board and legislative body of the county. It is comprised of 17 Commissioners, each serving a four-year term and is elected from single member districts. Each district represents approximately 300,000 residents.
Current Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle @ToniPreckwinkle lost her mayoral bid in 2019 against current Mayor Lori Lightfoot @chicagosmayor https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/04/02/lori-lightfoot-sweeps-mayoral-race-winning-all-50-wards-in-historic-victory/
Given that the first item on the agenda is the proposed resolution titled "Justice for Black Lives", I'm suspecting there will be much public comment.
Full text of the Proposed Resolution is as follows, starting with background then moving to action being taken.
Background:
Background:
Action:
Copies of testimony are available to download and view here: https://cook-county.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=798351&GUID=D925D067-86DD-45E6-994A-F1207B7932CB&Options=&Search=
Notable testimony from Sharlyn Grace
@SharlynDGrace of @ChiBondFund, Jeremy Rosen @jnrosen of @shrivercenter , @d4a_il
@SharlynDGrace of @ChiBondFund, Jeremy Rosen @jnrosen of @shrivercenter , @d4a_il
Roll call is being taken and meeting has started with a quorum
322 individuals registered opinion on the meeting, given the number only 10-12 will be read into the record then all names and organizations that registered a comment will be read with a general position.
Additional testimony for download at previous link: Juliana Pino ( @julianapino) of @LVEJO, Bri Hanney of @LoveProtectOrg, Cindy Eigler of @chitorture, @UWFIllinois, Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago, Sarah Ross of @ArtsPrison, Willette Benford of @livefreechicago
@chitorture "If the jail budget had been reduced to reflect the decrease in the number of people locked up since 2013, the County would have $117 million to fund health care, housing, jobs, restorative justice, and more. That represents what we stand for."
Reverend Charles Straight of Faith United Methodist Church @UMChurch urges the board to pass the resolution
Audio and video quality is poor, yet sufficient.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights @icirr urges the board to pass the resolution
Deirdre Jackson of Oak Park submits testimony on behalf of her brother, who in a break of mental health was arrested for assaulting officers after a trespassing event yet found not guilty due to insanity. He went on to endure legal battles with Oak Park PD @vopnews
@julianapino "La Villita Park is a
demonstration of the benefits of investment in community well-being instead of
incarceration....
demonstration of the benefits of investment in community well-being instead of
incarceration....
"... Still, including this park, over twice as much land in Little Village is dedicated to incarceration of neighbors and loved ones in Cook County Jail than to green gathering spaces like these for the community.
Overwhelming support to defund Cook County Jail @CCSOPIO and move resources to community resources to protect Black, Brown, and Immigrant communities
@d4a_il "By undertaking the Justice for Black Lives resolution, Cook County has an opportunity to be a
national and local leader in providing a framework that addresses systemic racism and
champions justice for all. We urge the County Board to support this resolution."
national and local leader in providing a framework that addresses systemic racism and
champions justice for all. We urge the County Board to support this resolution."
"When a department
so spectacularly fails to deliver on its promise of protection, service, and safety, it is time to
reevaluate."
so spectacularly fails to deliver on its promise of protection, service, and safety, it is time to
reevaluate."
Selected statements have all been read with overwhelming support of the resolution, reading of individuals who have submitted testimony to begin shortly.
2 individuals out of 322 individuals and organizations that submitted testimony were in opposition of the resolution.
20-2867 PROPOSED RESOLUTION JUSTICE FOR BLACK LIVES has been approved unanimously
Stanley Moore Chairman of Criminal Justice Committee delivers speech on resolution, thanking architect of legislation Vice-Chair Brandon Johnson
Johnson "This resolution purely acts as a guide" goes on to say that this is not an immediate fix, and that there has been a history of reforms that have not have a substantive impact on racial inequality.
Bridget Degnen @DegnenBridget County Board Commissioner - I am in favor of this resolution. Commits support of their office.
Dennis Deer County Board Commissioner, 2nd District - This resolution hits home, and reflects my life work. Thankful for Vice-Chair for work on developing the resolution. Brings up previous concern that support for Black Lives dies down over time.
Commissioner Larry Suffredin 13th District brings up concerns about resolution laying off people providing any government services. Vice-Chair responds saying that no it does not. Suffredin is grateful for new members of the board for driving this change
Donna Miller County Board Commissioner, 6th District brings up that the issues brought up in the resolution have always been an issue and they are just bubbling up now.
Kevin B. Morrison County Board Commissioner, 15th District "important to not only say Black Lives Matter, but show that Black lives matter" thanks Vice-Chair for work done developing resolution
