The Cook County Board of Commissioners has approved a $5.94 billion budget for fiscal year 2019, achieving a balanced plan without introducing new taxes, fines, or fees. The decision was made with unanimous support from the board members present, following a series of departmental hearings and public meetings.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle stated, “This budget 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.”
The adopted budget is $738.5 million higher than last year’s, mainly due to an increase in the Health Enterprise Fund. This rise is largely attributed to projected growth in CountyCare enrollment, which is expected to reach nearly 345,000 members per month in 2019. Additional expenses are linked to expanded surgery, dialysis, and health center services. However, much of these increased costs are offset by anticipated revenue gains from higher CountyCare membership.
Other sources contributing to balancing the budget include an estimated $52 million boost in collections and improved enforcement efforts generating $8.8 million from non-property taxes such as the gas tax.
Preckwinkle added, “Whether making supplemental pension payments or being more judicious in our debt management, we have achieved much because we have avoided quick fixes in our previous budgets. We have instilled sound fiscal discipline and implemented meaningful structural changes. I want to thank the members of the board and the separately elected officials for their efforts and collaborative work for the betterment of Cook County and our residents.”
All documents related to the FY19 budget are available for public review on the Cook County budget website at www.cookcountyil.gov/Budget.
