Cook County approves $5.94 billion budget with no new taxes, fines or fees

Nov. 16--Cook County commissioners unanimously approved Board President Toni Preckwinkle's $5.94 billion election-year budget Thursday -- a spending plan crafted without any new taxes, fines or fees, though one outgoing commissioner warned that tax hikes are looming in the future.

Preckwinkle introduced the budget last month. It includes an increase of more than $700 million in spending over the current year's plan, driven largely by growth in the public health system. She touted the budget as one that "builds on the progress we have made to reform and reshape Cook County into a government that truly serves all of its residents."

"I believe the budget we passed today represents principled progress toward our commitment to making Cook County healthier, safer and more fiscally responsible," Preckwinkle said.

The budget includes a $647 million increase in the Health Enterprise Fund, partly because of higher-than-anticipated enrollment in CountyCare -- a largely Medicaid-funded insurance system that has grown dramatically under the federal Affordable Care Act.

"This is the least contentious budget in the 16 years I've been here," said Commissioner Larry Suffredin, an Evanston Democrat.

The lack of controversy around the budget was widely expected, considering this is an election year and Preckwinkle is also running for Chicago mayor.

But outgoing Commissioner John Fritchey, who was a staunch opponent of Preckwinkle's now-repealed pop tax, used the occasion to deliver a warning to the board and taxpayers, noting that future deficits could exceed $200 million.

"The time to start facing that reality is now, not at the last minute," Fritchey said after the meeting. "As a Chicago resident, I'm unfortunately predicting some really tough years ahead for Chicago taxpayers in light of the decisions that are going to need to be made at the city, county and state levels."

Preckwinkle's budget officials said his figure is "a little more dire" than theirs, as the general fund deficit in next fiscal year's budget is projected to be $49 million. The president's budget recommendation, though, did project deficits of $116 million by 2021, $179 million by 2022 and $224 million by 2023.

Aside from Fritchey's warning, the budget sailed through the board, with commissioners praising Preckwinkle and Finance Committee Chairman John Daley for their work. Commissioners also added modest amendments to the budget, including one sponsored by outgoing Commissioner Richard Boykin to fund sheriff's police for the South and West sides of the city and suburbs and half a million dollars to improve treatment for pregnant and postpartum women at the Cook County Jail, a measure introduced by Commissioner Bridget Gainer.

Over the summer, the administration projected a modest deficit, but it was plugged by a number of factors, including $52 million in sales tax growth.

2018 sales tax revenue increased because of a better economy, officials said. In 2016, the county increased the sales tax by 1 percentage point. That move was an about-face on the key issue that propelled Preckwinkle into office against Todd Stroger in 2010 but that she later cast as a necessary move for the county's pensions, debt costs and transportation infrastructure needs.

With Preckwinkle running to succeed Mayor Rahm Emanuel in February's election, this budget could be the last she introduces as the county's top official. Unveiling the budget, Preckwinkle touted her leadership since taking office and placed it in the context of nearly a decade's worth of work.

"We have achieved much because we have avoided quick fixes and one-time solutions," Preckwinkle said last month. "We have done the hard work and heavy lifting to instill sound fiscal discipline and ensure that more than 90 percent of our annual budgetary solutions are structural in nature. And this budget is no different."

Preckwinkle has highlighted reductions in the county's debt load, touted the work done by the Cook County Health and Hospitals System and praised reforms to the criminal justice system while discussing this year's budget.

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