Cook County Commissioner 1st District

Richard R. Boykin

100 Days in Office

A Report to the Community

March 2015

Table of Contents
Open Letter to 1st District Residents of Cook County . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Transition Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
My Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Organizational Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Policy Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6
Legislative Track Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Community Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 10
1st District Task Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Commissioner Richard R. Boykin, 1st District

100 Days in Office
A Report to the Community
The conviction to lead. The commitment to serve.

To 1st District Residents of Cook County:

First and foremost, thank you!
With your support and your input, we have made meaningful strides on key issues during my first
100 days in office as your 1st District Cook County Commissioner. I am therefore grateful and pleased
to submit this Report to the Community on the progress my office has made towards our goals and
commitments during this initial period.
As the first new occupant of this office in nearly 16 years, I felt it was important to provide a detailed
account of the actions we have taken to date. In so doing, I am holding my office to the same operating
principles that I am asking all county offices to abide by:
l TRANSPARENCY: I am committed to conducting the business of the 1st District in a fully

accessible and transparent manner so that my constituents can fully engage with county
government and hold me accountable for my performance as their representative.
l EFFICIENCY: I have made a commitment to serve as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
In order to ensure maximum efficiency in county government, it is critical that we document
and measure the performance of county government.
l EQUITY: Underlying our service to the 1st District and Cook County is a determination to
ensure that the resources of county government are invested in the most equitable manner
possible. That means making sure that funding for critical health, economic and public safety
initiatives is directed to the communities that are most in need of assistance.
Government, at its best, is not about the people who serve in government. Its about the people that
government serves.
Again, I thank you for your support and look forward to your continued engagement and participation in
this new beginning.
Kindly,

Richard R. Boykin, Cook County Commissioner, 1st District

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Vision

The vision of the Office of Cook County Commissioner Richard R. Boykin is to empower and advocate on
behalf of the people of the 1st District by providing principled, effective, and transparent representation.

Mission

The mission of the Office of Cook County

Commissioner Richard R. Boykin is to be
responsive and proactive to the people of the
1st District; by maximizing County resources
and by enhancing transparency of Cook County
Government through utilization of technology.
We will accomplish this by building strategic
partnerships and alliances with business
stakeholders, community and faith-based organizations, in addition to county governmental officials.

My Transition Team

My first order of business before I took office was to assemble a transition team made up of attorneys,
business professionals, clergy, community activists, elected officials, and subject matter experts in policymaking and government. I convened the transition team to ensure that upon taking office I would be
able to hit the ground running and serve my constituents effectively from Day One. Below is a list of
individuals who graciously agreed to serve as part of my transition team for the 1st District:
Abe Thompson
Al Ricchio
Bob Tucker
Hon. Cory Foster
Deborah Williams
Dr. Carl Bell
Hon. Frank Pasquale
Hannah Jubeh
Jim Wolfe
John Wicks
Kenneth Hunter
Nicole Janes
Rev. Leon Miller
Roy Appukutan

Stacy Senor
Adam Falkof
Arnold Bearden
Charlie Robinson
Crystal Bell
Hon. Don Williams
Hon. David Pope
Hon. Garnett Walters
Joe Walburn
John Wyma
Kevin Richardson
Hon. Danny K. Davis
Rev. Marvin Wiley
Sam Toia
Hon. Theresa Kelly

Hon. Adam Salzman

Bishop Claude Porter
Cherita Logan
David King
Donald Dew
Hon. Eugene Moore
Gloria Materre
John Mayes
Hon. Karen A. Yarbrough
Mike Mohr
Rev. Ira Acree
Hon. Rory Hoskins
Hon. Sherby Miller
Tommie Simmons

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My Staff

With the assistance of my outstanding transition team, I assembled staff made up of individuals who are
experienced at all levels of government. I am proud of my team and the work they have already done
and will continue to do for the 1st District!
CHIEF OF STAFF: Cory Foster
POLICY DIRECTOR: Adam Salzman
OFFICE MANAGER: Jeninne Hixson
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR: Anthony Beckham

Office of Cook County Commissioner

Richard R. Boykin,1st District

Constituents
Cook County
Board President

Cook County
Board of
Commissioners
(17)

Policy Director
Adam Salzman

Legislative Affairs

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Commissioner
Richard R. Boykin,
1st District

Chief of Staff
Cory Foster

Communications

Office Manager
Jeninne Hixson

Task Force(s)

Community
Affairs

Outreach
Coordinator
Anthony
Beckham

Policy Priorities

1. MENTAL HEALTH
Access to mental health treatment is one of the most critical issues facing our district, our county and our
state. As I made clear during my campaign for 1st District County Commissioner, I am committed to
securing resources to locate treatment for all residents in our community who are living with mental illness.
After winning the Democratic Party primary, I focused my efforts during the 2014 election on a countywide
advisory referendum asking the state for additional funding for mental health services. In November
that referendum received roughly 1.4 million votes. Since then I have been hard at work on assembling a
coalition in Cook County Government and the Illinois General Assembly to leverage the referendum results
to secure increased funding. Mental Health organizations throughout Illinois do so much to connect Cook
County residents to the quality care that is both a human right and a moral imperative.
In January, I had the distinct privilege of
observing Cook County's Mental Health Court
in action at the Cook County Criminal Court
Building at 26th and California. One can't help
but be impressed by the collaborative nature
of the program, which brings together judges,
attorneys, law enforcement and social services
to provide intensive services to inmates as an
alternative to incarceration.

Attending the Cook County Mental Health Court Call with Janelle Prueter, George

I intend to do all I can to support programs

that use this cooperative model.

Williams and Al Pizza of TASC, The Honorable Clayton Jay Crane, Cook County

Also in January I met with the leadership of

the Proviso Township Mental Health Affiliation
to discuss their outstanding work as mental health service coordinators for 14 different municipalities.
Proviso's Mental Health Commission collaborates with community partnerships for the development
and enhancement of social service programs that provide essential service to individuals dealing with
mental health and addiction challenges.
Circuit Court Judge and The Honorable Paul Biebel, Presiding Judge of the
Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

One thing I have learned from these exemplary professionals and programs is that when it comes to
mental health policy, collaboration works! I will keep that fact in mind as I convene my first hearings as
chair of the Cook County Boards Human Relations Committee next month. The subject of these hearings
will be how to address the service gaps in mental health care caused by the City of Chicagos closure of six
of its twelve mental health clinics, in addition to deep cuts seen within Federal and State Government.
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I also look forward to traveling to Springfield with key allies in April to address state leaders directly
about the urgent need to increase funding for mental health.
2. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
It is often said that the greatness of our nation is judged by how well we treat our children, our senior
citizens and those who are struggling among us.
The tragic deaths of too many African American males at the hands of law enforcement, the overrepresentation of minorities in our prisons, and the criminalization of the mentally ill show that we are
not meeting that test of greatness.
In fact, our county and our society are crying out for criminal justice reform.
According to the Sentencing Project, if current trends persist one in three black boys born today will
eventually become incarcerated. That should be unacceptable to all of us.
The time has come to examine our criminal justice system from top to bottom. Law enforcement, grand
juries, prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys- no aspect of the system should escape scrutiny.
That is why on Thursday, January 15, on what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s 86th birthday,
I convened a Town Hall Meeting on Criminal Justice Reform at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park.
Meeting participants included representatives from all
levels of government and community leadership. Cook
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County
States Attorney Anita Alvarez, Chief Judge Timothy Evans
of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and Cook County
Public Defender Abishi C. Cunningham, Jr. were joined
by State Senator Don Harmon, State Representative
Camille Lilly, top law enforcement officials 1st Deputy
Superintendent Al Wysinger of Chicago and Oak Park
Police Chief Rick Tanksley. We were also fortunate to
be joined by representatives of organizations who play
critical roles in this policy area: TASC, the NAACP, the
Safer Foundation, and numerous faith leaders.
With Archbishop Cupich at St. Agatha Parish on the West Side
of Chicago. Legendary broadcaster Merri Dee is also pictured.

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It will not surprise anyone that we did not arrive at a clear solution to the problem in one meeting.
But we did take a productive first step toward achieving the consensus that will be needed to pursue
a reform agenda, particularly regarding our Cook County jail. In Cook County, 86 percent of our jail
inmates are people of color. At the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center 80 percent of the children are
either black or brown. These staggering statistics should shock all of our consciences.
And if your conscience is not shocked, then the price tag of such high incarceration rates should at
least cause you great discomfort. For every child currently in the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center,
Cook County spends $600 of your tax dollars per day. For every inmate in Cook County jail, it costs the
county $143 dollars per day.
Our panelists all agreed that a focus on pre-detention alternatives coupled with an emphasis on
supportive services to be provided in the community was essential to achieve the important goal of
reducing our jail population in Cook County.
In the wake of our January town hall meeting, I introduced my first substantive legislation to the County
Board- an ordinance banning the use of choke holds by Cook County law enforcement.
That ordinance has been referred to the County Boards Criminal Justice Committee and will be up for a
debate and vote on March 11. In this matter, as with all matters related to criminal justice I have worked
closely with Sheriff Tom Dart and have appreciated his broad and deep understanding of the challenges
faced by our criminal justice system.
I also participated in
the interview and hiring
process for our new
Superintendent of the Cook
County Juvenile Temporary
Detention Center, Leonard
Dixon. Given the high price
tag associated with housing
juveniles in the JTDC,
finding the right person
for this job was absolutely
With Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Commissioners Luis Arroyo, Jr., left, and Robert Steele, right, and Leonard
critical. Superintendent
Dixon, our new Superintendent Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.
Dixon most recently
achieved meaningful progress at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility in Detroit, Michigan.
Cook County is fortunate to have him.

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LEGISLATIVE
TRACK RECORD

The Cook County Board of

Commissioners meets at least once a
month, as does the Board of the Cook
County Forest Preserves, on which all
Cook County Commissioners sit.
I look at every Cook County Board
meeting as an opportunity to advance our policy agenda for the 1st District. I therefore have endeavored
to make meaningful contributions at each meeting that has taken place since my swearing in.
Below, please find a complete list of the initiatives that I have introduced and advanced since being
sworn in as Cook County Commissioner for the 1st District:
ITEM # 15-0708 called upon the Governor of Illinois and the State Legislature to appropriate
additional funds for mental health treatment. (Passed)
ITEM #15-0715 called upon President Barack Obama to create a National Commission on Criminal
Justice and Race. (Passed)
ITEM #15-0709 addressed the predatory mortgage lending tactics of big banks. The Resolution
Holding Financial Institutions Accountable for Predatory Lending expressed Board condemnation of
such practices, particularly those that target minorities and poor individuals. I look forward to hearings
in 2015 on amending and strengthening the Countys predatory lending ordinance. (Passed)
ITEM #15-1585 called on the Illinois General Assembly to support SB 105 to restore funding to the
Childcare Assistance Program. (Passed)
ITEM #15-1565 seeks to amend Chapter 46 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances concerning Law
Enforcement by adding a new section, 46-38, prohibiting the use of choke holds by Cook County
law enforcement. This has been referred to the Criminal Justice Committee and will be taken up at the
March 11 meeting of the full County Board.
Key No Votes
I believe it is equally important to draw attention to the measures that I voted against. These instances
of opposition are consistent with the core values upon which I have built my legislative agenda as Cook
County Commissioner:
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ITEMS #15-1196, #15-1199, #15-1205, #15-1211 These four items were proposed contracts with debt
collectors. I voted against them out of concern for lack of meeting MBE/WBE Goals and consumer fraud
related issues, in addition to the lack of transparency in the procurement process.
ZONING AND BUILDING COMMITTEE ITEM #14-2566 This item granted a special use to real estate
developers seeking to build a project commonly referred to as Mission Hills in Northbrook. I voted
against granting the special use because of what I believe to be insufficient consideration of concerns
raised by nearby homeowners.

Community Activities

I believe that the residents of the 1st District of Cook County are entitled to leadership that is both
visible in the community and vocal on the issues that matter most to the community.
To that end, I have worked diligently to partner with community stakeholders in the social services, faith
based, and government sectors to register the opinions of our neighborhoods on matters of mental
health, criminal justice, responsible lending and banking practices and consumer rights.
The following are key examples of where my office has made a concerted effort to lead from the front
on the issues that matter most:
MENTAL HEALTH: Before taking office I spearheaded a countywide referendum calling on the State
of Illinois to provide additional funds for mental health treatment. I was deeply disappointed when
Governor Bruce Rauner introduced a budget calling for cuts in mental health services. It is critically
important that the 1st District and our associated legislators speak with one voice on this issue. To that
end, I partnered with Don Harmon, State Senator for the 39th District, to write and publish an OpEd
piece condemning the proposed cuts and urging legislators to fight against them. I look forward to
visiting Springfield this spring with dozens of community representatives to lobby our state legislators
and the Governor face to face.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: In addition to the Criminal Justice Town Hall we convened in January,
I spoke at the Black Lives Matter Rally convened by Reverend Shawn Schreiner of Grace Episcopal
Church in Oak Park. I have also been forthright in expressing my deep concerns about the allegations
of police abuses taking place at the police detention site known as Homan Square. I agree with
the President of the United States that community policing must be at the forefront of efforts to
rebuild relations between communities of color and our nations police departments. I am troubled
by the lack of accountability for decades of bad police practices that have plagued the Chicago Police
Department. As I expressed in an interview with WBEZ on March 2, 2015 about the Homan Square
issue, Without accountability, there can be no trust. In order for communities of color to begin to
establish partnerships with their local police, the police departments must show that they are willing to
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punish police officers who engage in excessive use of force and violations of civil rights. Chicago Police
misconduct lawsuits cost taxpayers over $50 million in 2014.
RESPONSIBLE BANKING AND LENDING PRACTICES: I came to office determined to do something
about the big banks that have targeted poor minority communities with bad mortgage loans that have
wiped out generations of wealth. I am dismayed that Cook County continues to do business with certain
big banks that are among the worst offenders in this area. To that end, my staff has been hard at work
on potential amendments to Cook Countys predatory lending ordinance to provide stiffer penalties
to bad actors. Additionally, we are researching the possibility of adding a community reinvestment
requirement to the ordinance that would require big banks to reinvest in the communities that were
most heavily victimized by predatory mortgage lending. I expect to introduce these predatory lending
ordinance amendments in April.
JOBS FOR YOUTH: I am pleased to have an
opportunity to work with the Brookfield Zoo as part
of my duties as County Commissioner. I am excited to
announce that I will be partnering with the zoo this
spring on a Youth Summer Employment Initiative.
I will be hosting two job fairs in the 1st District to
connect youth directly with the more than 1,100 jobs
that are available at the zoo starting in May. The first
job fair takes place on Saturday March 7 at Austin
Town Hall. The second will take place at the Maywood
Workforce Development Center in Proviso Township.
I look forward to launching what will hopefully be a
resource that we can bring to the 1st District Annually!

With some of our youngest Americans and Congressman Danny

Davis urging President Obama to locate his library on the West
Side of Chicago.

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With a new friend at the Brookfield Zoo. I am proud to serve on the

Zoological Committee of the Cook County Forest Preserve Board.

PROMOTING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: This year marks

the 50th Anniversary of the Signature of the Voting
Rights Act. Yet our overall voter turnout in local and
state elections remains low. This is a matter of great
concern to me. As part of a larger effort to promote
voting and civic participation, I am sponsoring a
student essay contest on the importance of voting. I
believe it is critically important for our elected officialsespecially our local elected officials to elevate civic
participation in the consciousness of young people. This
is a responsibility that I take seriously.

CONNECTING LOCAL OFFICIALS

WITH INFRASTRUCTURAL
ASSISTANCE: The 1st District has
had serious problems with flooding
during periods of heavy rainespecially the western part of the
district. To that end, on February
13, 2015, I convened a meeting
of West Suburban mayors, as well
as Commissioners Liz Gorman,
Peter Silvestri and Jeffrey Tobolski,
along with representatives of
the Cook County Department of
With West Suburban Mayors and Commissioners Silvestri, Tobolski and Gorman at a meeting on Planning and Development and the
Flood Mitigation in Westchester.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation
District to discuss how we can connect municipalities with flood mitigation resources. The meeting was
a good start, and we will be reconvening the group soon to move on to the specific menu of resources
available to each town.
BLACK HISTORY TRAILBLAZER PROGRAM: On Thursday,
February 19, I hosted our districts First Annual Black History
Celebration and Trailblazer Awards Ceremony. A number of
community leaders and 1st District residents gathered at the
Sankofa Arts and Business Center on the West Side of Chicago
where I presented the Trailblazer Award to three outstanding
leaders: Congressman Danny K. Davis, Former Cook County
Commissioner Earlean Collins, and Principal Keshia B. Warner
of Whittier Elementary School in Oak Park. I was inspired both
by the robust turnout and the message of the event- that it is
critically important to acknowledge both those leaders who
have blazed a trail for African Americans over the course of
several decades in public service, as well as those leaders who
are helping to chart our course for the future.
I cant wait until next years 2nd Annual Celebration!

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The young ladies of Maywood Fine Arts Association

put on a beautiful performance in honor of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.

Cook County 1st District Task Forces

"EVERYBODY CAN BE GREAT, BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN SERVE. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The office of citizen is the highest office in the land. One of the best ways to participate in our
democracy is by "Getting Involved," civically. I have made it a priority to bring as many 1st District
stakeholders into the process of local government as possible. Constituent input is important when it
comes to crafting successful policy initiatives that make a real difference.
Please consider joining our team by serving on one of the following newly launched task forces:
l Criminal Justice Advisory Task Force
l Economic Development Advisory Task Force
l Education Advisory Task Force
l Environmental Advisory Committee
l Faith-based and Community Partnership Task Force
l Mental Health Advisory Task Force
These task forces shall advise me as Cook County Commissioner of the 1st District on a wide range of
issues that affect the public welfare. These advisory committees shall also play a vital role in promoting
efficient, effective, transparent and honest government. For many, serving on a task force is one of the
most rewarding experiences of their lives.
To "Get Involved" by learning more and applying for membership, please contact
my office at (312) 603-4566 or Richard.Boykin@cookcountyil.gov
Let's work together to make the 1st District of Cook County great!

Commissioner Richard R. Boykin, 1st District

100 Days in Office
A Report to the Community
The conviction to lead. The commitment to serve.

Page 11

THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TONI PRECKWINKLE
PRESIDENT

LUIS ARROYO, JR.

RICHARD R. BOYKIN
JERRY BUTLER
JOHN P. DALEY
JOHN A. FRITCHEY
BRIDGET GAINER
JESUS CHUY GARCIA
ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN
GREGG GOSLIN
STANLEY MOORE
JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY
TIMOTHY O. SCHNEIDER
PETER N. SILVESTRI
DEBORAH SIMS
ROBERT STEELE
LARRY SUFFREDIN
JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI

STANDING:
Larry Suffredin, Greg Goslin, Jerry Butler, Robert Steele, President Toni Preckwinkle, John Daley, Jesus Garcia, Peter Silvestri, John Fritchey, Stanley Moore
SEATED:
Richard Boykin, Jeffrey Tobolski, Joan Patricia Murphy, Deborah Sims, Liz Gorman, Bridget Gainer, Tim Schneider, Luis Arroyo Jr