Public commenters press Cook County subcommittee on a rescinded award, paper agendas and county taxes

Three members of the public addressed the Cook County Finance Subcommittee on Workers' Compensation during the public-comment period.

Dr. Sandy Norman, introduced by the secretary as representing Life Beyond Limit Inc., said an award from the AFT Black Caucus that had been scheduled for Feb. 28 was rescinded without explanation. Norman said she had privately sought a meeting with the awarding organizations and received no response, and added, "I don't wanna be blackballed or have things taken away from me for no apparent reason," urging the committee for accountability.

Judge Blakemore spoke next and criticized county leadership sharply. He accused officials of corruption and said the county was "stealing money," also requesting that paper copies of agendas be made available. His comments included personal appeals and admonitions to the chair and other officials present; there was no formal response by committee members in the transcript.

Dennis White closed the public-comment period by asking whether the workers' compensation matters under discussion would be funded from local tax dollars and criticizing historical and current county tax policies. White asserted that an earlier county leader, Todd Stroger, put in a "10.25" county tax that he characterized as the highest in the country and accused several elected officials of misleading voters about tax increases.

The secretary had reminded speakers of the rules and time limits for public testimony; each commenter was given and observed the allotted time. The committee did not provide on-the-record answers to the policy or factual claims made by the commenters during the meeting as recorded in the transcript.