Several public speakers addressed the Cook County Board during the meeting’s public-comment period, urging the county to protect or expand funding for veterans services, violence-prevention programs and behavioral health supports — and a number of speakers raised individual grievances with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Dutch de Groot, who identified himself as a board member of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VAC) and representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the VAC attracts federal dollars to Cook County and asked for additional veteran service officers. “With just 2 VSOs…last month they processed 90 intents to file, 76 claims,” de Groot said, adding an average monthly compensation figure he said was about $1,500 per claim and calculating that those payments would generate federal dollars flowing into the county.

Emma Gonzalez, outreach coordinator with the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, said her statewide coalition — which she said includes more than 60 organizations — seeks protection and increased funding for violence-prevention, behavioral-health and community services. “Cook County can protect and increase essential health and human services by freezing all spending for law enforcement,” Gonzalez said, urging investment in community-based approaches that she said have reduced harm.

Pastor Booker Steven Vance, speaking for the People’s Lobby and the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice, echoed the call to increase social-service investments and to avoid cuts to violence-prevention and behavioral-health programs.

Tawan Sims and another woman who testified described long periods without contact with their children after DCFS involvement. Sims provided a case number during her remarks (23D79597) and said she has been separated from her child for several years; she directly raised questions about how county resources or county-funded services intersect with court and child‑welfare processes. Another speaker said she had not seen or spoken to her children in 18 months and alleged a lack of response and accountability in her interactions with DCFS.

George Garton, a Marine Corps League chaplain and volunteer with local veterans efforts, urged the county to consider Native American healing practices and talking circles as supports for veterans and family members. A shorter, partially audible testimony by Shanika Webb addressed a personal situation and an audio recording she had attempted to play during her turn; the presiding officer asked speakers to provide live testimony rather than play recordings without documented permission.

Speakers’ statements were part of the public-comment period and did not result in board action at the special meeting. Several speakers tied their testimony to the ongoing budget process and urged commissioners to prioritize social services, community-based violence prevention, and veteran supports in the FY2026 deliberations.