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PROPOSED ORDINANCE
ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON COOK COUNTY YOUTH
WHEREAS, there are approximately 1.2 million children residing in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 Raj Chetty, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and Nathaniel Hendren, Assistant Professor of Economics at Harvard University completed a comprehensive "Equality of Opportunity" study of the Causal Effects of Growing Up in Each of the 100 Largest Counties in the United States on Household Income, with household income at age 26 being a key indicator of a socially, economically, and educationally successful childhood; and
WHEREAS, the above-referenced "Equality of Opportunity Study," applying the above criteria ranked DuPage County number one (1) in the United States in terms of successful childhood outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the same study of the 100 Largest Counties in the United States ranked Cook County number ninety six (96); and
WHEREAS, the same study of the 100 Largest Counties in the United States ranked Baltimore City number one hundred (100); and
WHEREAS, the same study of the 100 Largest Counties in the United States and their ultimate impact on the success of the children that grow up in each of those counties further illustrates that every year a poor child spends in DuPage County adds about $200 dollars to his or her annual household income at age 26; and
WHEREAS, the same study of the 100 Largest Counties in the United States and their ultimate impact on the success of the children that grow up in each of those counties further illustrates that children who move from Cook County to DuPage County at an early age are less likely to become single parents, more likely to go to college, and more likely to earn more money; and
WHEREAS, a report issued by Drexel University's Center for Labor Markets and Policy in January 2015 found an unemployment rate among African American male teens in the City of Chicago of 91%; and
WHEREAS, a report issued by the University of Chicago Crime Lab in March of 2009 examining gun violence among school age youth found that the key to deterring gun violence among youth was to create opportunities for youth to engage in pro-social activities, chief among which are job and educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, it is both in the best interest of Cook County Government and a key responsibility of the officials tasked with governing Cook County to deeply consider the above findings; and
WHEREAS, Cook County government has an obligation to its residents and taxpayers to do everything possible to improve the economic, social and cultural outcomes of Cook County children; and
WHEREAS, Cook County government, like all units of local government, has an obligation to its residents and taxpayers to do everything possible to reduce youth gun violence; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED that the President Cook County and the Board of Commissioners hereby establish a Commission on Cook County Youth; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the Commission on Cook County Youth will operate in the manner described in the below ordinance; and
BE IT FURTHUER ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Chapter 14 Community Development, Article VII Commission on Cook County Youth, Sec. 14-70 through Sec. 14-79 is hereby enacted as follows:
CHAPTER 14- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ARTICLE VII. COMMISSION ON COOK COUNTY YOUTH
Sec. 14-70. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Ordinance Establishing the Commission on Cook County Youth."
Sec. 14-71. Declaration.
The County Board hereby establishes the Commission on Cook County Youth.
Sec. 14-72. Definitions.
The following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section, except where otherwise specifically indicated:
Board of Commissioners or County Board means the Board of Commissioners for Cook County, Illinois.
Members means appointed members of the Commission on Cook County Youth.
Chairperson means the chairperson of the Commission on Cook County Youth.
County means Cook County, Illinois.
Cook County Code means the Code of Ordinances of Cook County, Illinois.
Ordinance means this ordinance creating the Commission on Cook County Youth.
President means the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
Secretary means Secretary to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and the Office of the Secretary to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
State means State of Illinois.
Youth means a male or female resident of Cook County between the ages of infancy and 18 years of age.
Sec. 14-73. Purpose.
(a) The purpose of this Ordinance is to create the Commission on Cook County Youth, that will serve as an investigative and fact-finding body, with the objective of recommending a set of policies to the President and County Board designed to improve economic, social and cultural outcomes for poor children in Cook County.
(b) The Commission on Cook County Youth will hold public hearings throughout Cook County to gather testimony and data about the state of economic, social and cultural outcomes for poor children in Cook County and the best methodology for improving those outcomes. The hearings shall take place over a period of time not to exceed one year and shall culminate in a written set of policy recommendations to the Cook County Board designed to improve the economic, social and cultural outcomes for poor children in Cook County.
Sec. 14-74. Compliance with law.
As an investigative and fact-finding body empowered by the President and Cook County Board, the Commission on Cook County Youth shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and orders.
Sec. 14-75. Chairperson and Commission Membership.
(a) The Commission on Cook County Youth shall consist of 11 members, three of which shall be appointed by the President, two of which shall be appointed by the Cook County State's Attorney, two of which shall be appointed by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and two of which shall be appointed by the Cook County Sheriff. Additionally, there shall serve one Cook County Commissioner as an Ex-Officio Member of the Commission with voting rights. The Ex-Officio Member shall serve as a liaison between the County Board and the Commission on Cook County Youth. The Ex-Officio Member shall serve as the Chairperson of the Commission on Cook County Youth. The Ex-Officio Member selected from the Board of Commissioners shall be the same Commissioner tasked with chairing the Cook County Board of Commissioners' Committee on Human Relations.
(b) The 11th member of the Commission on Cook County Youth shall be a student no older than 18 years of age who resides in Cook County, and shall be nominated appointed by the Chairperson of the Commission on Cook County Youth, subject to the approval of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
(c) One of the members appointed by the President to the Commission on Cook County Youth shall be the Executive Director of the Justice Advisory Council of Cook County.
Sec. 14-76. Term of Office.
Unless otherwise provided or revised, the members of the Commission on Cook County Youth shall be appointed for a term of one year, subject to the approval of the Cook County Board.
Sec. 14-77. Quorum Requirement, Absenteeism, Administration.
(a) A quorum shall be necessary in order to conduct all hearings of the Commission on Cook County Youth. In the event of excessive absenteeism, the President may determine that removal of a member is warranted. Following a determination by the President for removal, the President may fill the Commission vacancy within a period of time not to exceed 30 days.
(b) The Secretary of the Cook County Board shall keep a record of each public hearing of the Commission on Cook County Youth. The Secretary shall take the roll and determine the presence or absence of a quorum. The Secretary shall record the minutes of each public hearing and publish said minutes. The Secretary shall provide all necessary administrative and logistical support necessary for the Commission on Cook County Youth to conduct its public business and investigative duties.
Sec. 14-78. Expert Testimony.
(a) The primary method of investigation by the Commission on Cook County Youth shall be the solicitation, hearing, recording and transcription of expert testimony. Such expert testimony shall include but not be limited to the following categories of professionals:
(1) Pediatric Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
(2) Law Enforcement
(3) Psychiatric Experts in Pediatric and Juvenile Development and Issues
(4) Social Scientists with expertise in any of the following areas:
a. Economics
b. Criminal Justice
c. Child Welfare
d. Conflict Management and Resolution
(5) Professional Educators
(6) Faith and Community Leaders
Sec.14-79. Report by the Commission on Cook County Youth.
Having concluded all hearings and investigatory functions, the Cook County Commission on Youth shall draft a Report on the State of Youth in Cook County. The length of time between the first hearing and the completion of the Report shall not exceed one year. The report will contain an overview of the impediments to successful child development in Cook County, and a set of policy recommendations designed to remove those impediments. The Report on the State of Youth in Cook County shall be furnished to the President, the Board of Commissioners, and all countywide elected and appointed officials. Once the report is furnished to the aforesaid officials, the Cook County Commission on Youth shall convene to review the totality of its proceedings to date and determine next steps.
Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.
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