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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
17th District, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison proposes financial remedy for local governments who face revenue shortfall from delayed second installment of property taxes
April 1, 2022 - A very real financial crisis could soon hit every government taxing body in Cook County. That’s because the Cook County Assessor’s Office could delay the second installment of the Cook County Real Estate Taxes up to six months and possibly into the first quarter of 2023. This delay in over $16 billion dollars in second half bills will force local government bodies to either draw down their reserves or borrow money with interest. This will have a massive financial impact on our municipalities, school districts, fire protection districts, police departments, park districts, public libraries, and everything in between.
Over seven months ago during county budget hearings, I raised the alarm of the likelihood of late tax installments and the effect they will have regarding the delay in the process of property tax certifications – due to the dramatically diminished amount of files being processed at that time. Aside from communications from Board of Review Commissioner Tammy Wendt’s office, my questions and communications were largely ignored from the various stakeholders.
Subsequently, I sent a letter in January 2022 requesting a special hearing of the finance committee to address this ominous issue. I was advised via letter, the issue is being addressed by a policy group under the Office of the President along with members of the Assessor’s office, Board of Review, County Clerk and Treasurer’s Office. I received no other actionable response on this item!
I, along with the public, have now learned via “the news media” that tax bills will be delayed up to six months or more. If these news reports are accurate, this will lead to local government taxing bodies across Cook County being forced to borrow funds to cover their pre-budgeted operating costs.
If this financial catastrophe occurs and Cook County is faced with a substantial delay in the release of tax revenues to local government bodies, then Cook County government should consider stepping in to address this issue.
Until such point in time as those stakeholders whose primary function is to provide for the on-time delivery of our property tax bill correct this problem, I have one immediate solution. Cook County government should consider setting aside up to $100 million dollars to provide for no/low interest short-term financing loans to our local taxing bodies.
I re-issue my call to convene a special finance committee meeting to address the looming financial crisis facing our local taxing bodies in Cook County.
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Commissioner Sean Morrison calls for end to Cook County's COVID Mandate & Restrictions
Orland Park, IL - Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison sent a letter to President Toni Preckwinkle calling for an end to the Cook County COVID Mandate & Restrictions - following the letter from Chicago’s five Catholic High Schools urging Mayor Lightfoot to modify the Chicago’s COVID restrictions on schools and children.
STATUS UPDATE: Cook County COVID Mandate & Restrictions
Commissioner Sean Morrison's Statement on PRESIDENT PRECKWINKLE'S NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR COOK COUNTY
Orland Park, IL (12/23/21) - Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced an overly aggressive order placed upon private sector business and employees in Cook County. I strongly oppose this approach as technically written/read, the order from Cook County's Department of Public Health (CCDPH), an office under the President of the Board Toni Preckwinkle, places a burdensome mandate on all private sector businesses to force vaccinations of all employees in order to maintain their employment.
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***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Statement from Commissioner Sean Morrison
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison: Cook County must protect judicial integrity by delaying implementation of the SAFE-T Act
Orland Park, IL – In the interest of fairness and the equal treatment under the law, Cook County government must delay implementation of the SAFE-T Act in light of the recent ruling from 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Thomas Cunningham striking down certain aspects of the law, according to Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison.
Judge Cunningham’s ruling strikes down the cash bail and pre-trial release provisions of the SAFE-T Act. The ruling only applies to the 65 counties involved in the lawsuit, but Morrison says if the law is eventually deemed to be unconstitutional – the ruling will apply statewide.
Morrison is issuing the following statement opposing the joint statement from the Cook County Office of the President; Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender; Cook County Justice Advisory Council; Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office; and the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County indicating the SAFE-T Act would be enforced despite Judge Cunningham’s ruling.
“There is a strong chance the SAFE-T Act’s pre-trial release and cash bail provisions will ultimately be found to be unconstitutional. While the initial ruling does not apply directly to Cook County, the higher courts could ultimately agree with the trial court and apply the ruling statewide. Changing the County’s policies only to potentially have to change them back will create a crisis in our criminal justice system. We will have what amounts to a two-tiered criminal justice system and a potential legal crisis as our judicial system sorts out how to handle cases adjudicated under a set of rules no longer applicable. We could avoid this chaos and confusion by simply delaying the implementation of the SAFE-T Act until we have a clear direction on how to proceed from the courts. It would be prudent for Cook County to prioritize fairness and the rule of law before proceeding down this path.”
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison’s Holiday Pet Supplies Drive
Nov. 28 - Dec. 21
ALL DONATIONS TO BENEFIT P.A.W.S. OF TINLEY PARK!
We kindly ask you to join us during this holiday season to help support the animals at their shelter with a generous donation of the following items:
- Potty Pads, Paper Towerls, 13 Gal. & 33 Gal. Garbage Bags
- Fleece Blankets, Bath Towels (New, Gently Used, Clean)
- Dawn Dishwashing Soap, Bleach, Liquid Laundry Detergent (No Powder or Pods)
- Snap Collars for Dogs (All Sizes), Nylon Lashes (4 ft. & 6 ft.)
- Kitty Toys & Kongs (Dog Toys)
FIND OUR DONATION DROP BOXES AT THESE 3 LOCATIONS
- COOK COUNTY 17th DISTRICT OFFICE: 15040 Ravinia Avenue Suite 44, Orland Park
- ORLAND PARK VILLAGE HALL: 14700 RAvinia Avenue, Orland Park
- TINLEY PARK VILLAGE HALL: 16250 S. Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
17th District, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's Statement ON ILLINOIS Appellate COURT’S RULING TO RELEASE Jussie Smollett
Orland Park, IL — For the Appellate Court to let Jussie Smollett walk out the door yesterday, pending his appeal, is appalling. Once again, Cook County citizens are left questioning the competence and integrity of our judiciary after repeatedly being misled by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, and exposed to her gross incompetence, and failure to perform the duties of her elected office.
The sentence handed down last week was fair and equitable, considering the gravity and calculated nature of Mr. Smollett’s exploits in his hate crime hoax. The Appellate Court’s ruling demonstrates the recurrent failures of our judicial system. Whether it is the Appellate Court or State’s Attorney Kim Foxx — public safety and holding those convicted of crimes accountable for their lawlessness, is disregarded. Most importantly, these misguided rulings and decisions come at a steep cost to the people of Cook County — and that cost is their safety and tax dollars.
It is my view Jussie Smollett, yet again, received "celebrity treatment" by the Cook County legal system caused by political pressure and influence, and a lackluster acting performance by Smollett himself. Not only does this decision further diminish the integrity of our legal institutions — it will also only serve to draw-out this embarrassment even further and provide a platform for Mr. Smollett to continue his delusional re-scripting of the truth with disparaging lies to avoid accountability for his despicable actions.
Mr. Smollett should serve out his brief 150-day sentence so the citizens of Cook County can finally close the book on this shameful chapter. Never forget this important fact — this entire fiasco began when Jussie Smollett made the disgraceful decision to orchestrate a hate crime hoax, which was further perpetuated when the political backroom dealing and cover-up by State’s Attorney Kim Foxx was exposed to the public. The Smollett/Foxx attempt to gaslight the people of Cook County and re-write the facts of this case will not change that.
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
17th District, Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison's Statement ON THE Jussie Smollett Sentencing & KIM FOXX’S RESPONSE
Orland Park, IL — On Thursday, March 10, 2022, actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in Cook County Jail in connection to a staged hate crime that occurred in Chicago on January 29, 2019. Cook County Judge, James Linn ordered Smollett to pay more than $120,000 in restitution to the City of Chicago, fined Smollett $25,000, and sentenced him to 30-months of felony probation. Smollett will begin his sentence immediately.
Commissioner Morrison believes the sentence from Judge Lin was fair and equitable, considering the gravity and calculated nature of Mr. Smollett’s exploits. His carefully crafted hate crime hoax caused the Chicago Police Department to utilize numerous personnel and extensive hours of investigation. Smollett’s attempt to besmirch Chicago residents and the City of Chicago should come with a steep cost.
This case has received international attention and cast the City of Chicago, Cook County, and its residents in a negative light. It took more than three years and a special prosecutor's investigation to bring this case to a resolution. The special prosecutor's investigation made clear that Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx is culpable in this detestable fiasco.
“Instead of holding Jussie Smollett accountable for devising a hate crime hoax, breaking the law, disregarding law enforcement officials and their time, and wasting taxpayer resources — Kim Foxx opted to use the authority of her elected office to provide favors for a political ally, and mislead the public, the press, and facilitate a cover-up for a politically connected celebrity. Had Kim Foxx done her job and properly executed her elected duties, we wouldn’t be in this position today, over three years later... It’s beyond disgraceful.”
“Kim Foxx could have accepted the facts and outcome of this case and taken responsibility for her role in this embarrassing saga, Instead, she chose to double-down with her latest delusional public response to the Smollett sentencing. Her detachment from reality is alarming and exposes a level of incompetence that is startling to Cook County residents, and residents across the State of Illinois.”
“For the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney to regain the trust of Cook County residents — competence, professional integrity, and accountability must be restored. Kim Foxx has repeatedly demonstrated that she has a total disregard for these important leadership qualities, and I once again call on Kim Foxx to resign from the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney, effective immediately.”
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Contact Us
Chicago Office
118 N. Clark Street, Suite 567
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Phone : 312-603-4215
Fax: 312-603-2014
District Office
15040 Ravinia Ave, Suite 44
Orland Park, Illinois 60462
Phone: 708-349-1336
Fax: 708-349-1627