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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS/FEDRAL REIMBURSEMENTS AND CREATION OF SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Cook County Code of Ordinances, Sections 26-36 and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305/11, on March 10, 2020, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle found that the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 constitute a public health emergency and issued a proclamation of disaster for Cook County; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Illinois law, on March 16, 2020, the Cook County Board of Commissioners through Resolution 20-2195, extended the March 10, 2020 Proclamation of Disaster through May 30, 2020; and
WHEREAS, throughout the fiscal year, Cook County departments may apply for and accept grants that are under $150,000 or are already budgeted; grants over $150,000 or those grants that are otherwise not budgeted require the approval of the County Board; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis, federal and state grants as well as opportunities for federal reimbursement for local funds spent related to the COVID-19 pandemic are becoming available; however, action on such grant or reimbursement opportunities and applications need to be executed expeditiously and such applications may be due prior to the Board of Commissioners being able to authorize such application or acceptance; and
WHEREAS, specifically, the federal government has authorized the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) which authorizes approximately $2 trillion in federal stimulus funds to combat the crisis related to COVID-19, and includes programs and reimbursements to address the issues that states and local governments are facing as they work to protect their communities during this public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure that Cook County can timely avail itself of grant and reimbursement opportunities, the Cook County Board of Commissioner shall authorize the Cook County Budget Director and President to apply for any grant or reimbursement opportunities without the advance approval of the County Board of Commissioners and further authorizes the Budget Director and Comptroller to create any Special Purpose Funds or other accounting measures that may be necessary to accept and track the receipt of such funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby authorize the Cook County Budget Director or designee of the Budget Director to apply, accept and authorize any grants or seek federal reimbursement on behalf of Cook County and its using departments or agencies that may otherwise require the pre-approval of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in accordance with the FY2020 Budget Resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Budget Director and Comptroller are further authorized to create and implement any Special Purpose Funds or other accounting measures to track the acceptance and spending of such grant dollars or federal reimbursements; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Budget Director shall issue a report on any such grants and federal reimbursements received as well as any created Special Purpose Funds in accordance with this Resolution on the 15th of each month to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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