August 20, 2025
By Roland Calia
On July 15, 2025, the Cook County Office of the Independent Inspector General (OIIG) issued its 2nd quarter 2025 report. The report included a follow-up to the OIIG’s 2021 investigation of unethical hiring practices, institutional mismanagement, uneven service delivery, waste, and conflicts of interest by Board of Trustee members at the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District (SCCMAD), the largest of the County’s four mosquito districts. The new report chronicles continued ethical and administrative problems with the District Board’s operations.
The Civic Federation published a first-ever comprehensive examination of the governance, transparency, and finances of Cook County’s four mosquito abatement districts in March 2025. The report found significant differences in service delivery and operational transparency between the districts. It concluded that these taxing districts are anachronistic government entities that contribute to Illinois’ larger problem of too many governments and too little accountability. The report recommended that Districts be dissolved to improve efficiency and transparency, accountability to residents, and equitable delivery of mosquito abatement services. Their vital vector control services and operations could be transferred to the Cook County government.
The July 2025 OIIG report provides further evidence that immediate reform is needed at the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District.
A resolution has been filed at the County Board of Commissioners, sponsored by President Preckwinkle and Commissioners Degnen, Daley, and Miller, calling for the Cook County Department of Public Health to evaluate the operations of the four mosquito abatement districts and recommend improvements. The resolution is expected to be considered by the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee in September.
Key Findings of the OIIG Report
The following are the key findings and recommendations of the OIIG’s report to resolve issues within the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District (SCCMAD):
SCCMAD Trustees Acting Past Expiration of Terms
Two trustees whose terms have expired have continued to act in their capacity as board members and collect stipends for attending board meetings.
OIIG Recommendations:
- The President of the Cook County Board, with the advice and consent of the County Board, should appoint two new trustees to fill the expired terms and one new trustee to replace a Board member who has resigned.
- A tracking system should be implemented to monitor trustee terms so that they can be filled in a timely manner.
Payments to SCCMAD Trustees Disguised as Travel Expenses
Under the terms of a 2022 policy adopted by the SCCMAD Board, trustees have been receiving payments of $34,100 disguised as travel reimbursement. This violates the County Ethics Ordinance, the Mosquito District Abatement Act, which specifies that trustees serve without compensation, and SCCMAD policy, which specifies that travel reimbursement can only be claimed under certain circumstances. The OIIG found the payments to be a breach of fiduciary trust.
OIIG Recommendations:
- The current trustee travel reimbursement policy should be repealed. Travel expense reimbursements going forward should conform to the District’s Personnel Manual requirements.
- Board of Trustee members should not accept travel reimbursement that exceeds SCCMAD policy.
- Trustees should reimburse Cook County for the improper payments, including those made to a Trustee who resigned in 2022.
Sales of Vehicles for $1
SCCMAD has stopped the practice of selling vehicles for $1 or donating them to other governments. But it continues to sell vehicles for nominal prices.
There was no OIIG recommendation.
Transparency of SCCMAD Operations
- In its 2021 investigation, the OIIG recommended that SCCMAD post its Annual Report on the District’s website, as the other three Cook County mosquito abatement districts do, and communicate more frequently on social media with the public about its operations. To date, a very brief 2024 Annual Report has been posted to the District website. It also has posted a limited number of messages on Facebook, Instagram, and X, these posts are primarily related to District events rather than mosquito abatement operations.
OIIG Recommendations:
- SCCMAD should publish its Annual Report on the District’s website.
- The District should use social media to communicate information to the public on a regular basis.
SCCMAD and County Board Responses to the OIIG Report
President Preckwinkle and the County Board accepted the OIIG recommendations. However, the response of the South Cook County Mosquito Abatement District Board to the report was mixed:
- The Board agreed to review its travel reimbursement policy, but did not address the recommendations that members cease to receive reimbursements exceeding District policy or reimburse the County for improperly received reimbursements.
- The Board agreed to publish its Annual Report on the District website and use social media to communicate public information. A very brief 2024 Annual Report has been posted to the District website.
The OIIG’s findings—and SCCMAD’s incomplete response—underscore the need for corrective action and stronger oversight. Cook County should implement the recommendations to replace expired trustees, repeal improper travel reimbursements, and improve transparency while the Board evaluates district operations in September. As in the March 2025 report, the Civic Federation continues to recommend that the County assess structural reform options, including consolidating mosquito abatement under Cook County Health and Hospital System to improve accountability, efficiency, and equitable service.