Administrator talks finalizing EDA loan agreement, weighing future options for CIP and PHHS

Kirsten Wisniewski | March 30, 2026

March is ending, but the Cook County Board of Commissioners will continue several ongoing discussions heading into April, including finalizing a loan agreement with the Cook County Economic Redevelopment Authority (EDA) and revising the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma told WTIP about those ongoing efforts, in addition to sharing her thoughts on a recent report focused on Public Health and Human Services (PHHS).

EDA golf course sale

The board’s agreement with the EDA will be revisited at a future meeting after the commissioners voted to table the item.

At the first March board meeting the commissioners decided to enter into a loan agreement with the EDA. The loan would cover a financial shortfall that the organization is anticipating following the sale of the Superior National at Lutsen golf course. Before the course can be sold, major work will be required on the septic and irrigation systems, and the board agreed to provide the EDA with a $200,000 loan to cover the resulting shortfall.

When the EDA presented their loan request to the county, EDA Chair Peter Clissold explained that the EDA was expecting a loan repayment from the owners of the Gunflint Vue between September 2026 and 2027. He said that once that loan to the EDA was repaid, the EDA would then pay back their loan from the county.

During the weeks between Board of Commissioner meetings, however, as an agreement was drafted, a mechanics lien against the Gunflint Vue was discovered. Several commissioners expressed concern over whether that was an indicator that the EDA’s plan to use a repayment from the Gunflint Vue to pay back the county was prudent. After much discussion, the commissioners opted to table approval to allow for amendments to the agreement.

“There is some risk given that that lien is in place, and so what we’re trying to do now is to mitigate some of the concerns by putting some additional language into the loan agreement,” Trebil-Halbersma said. “So that’s something that the county attorney will be working on with the EDA.”

Updating the CIP

2025 included several steps forward on needs identified by the CIP. The county saw the completion of a basement renovation project in the courthouse to expand office space, and the start of construction on an expansion to the Law Enforcement Center.

With those changes either completed or in progress, Trebil-Halbersma is working with BKV Group, the architects who the county has contracted with previously on CIP projects. They will work with a committee to evaluate what needs have not yet been met, and what priorities should be moving forward. Commissioners Deb White and Garry Gamble will be part of that committee to set priorities and update the CIP.

Trebil-Halbersma told WTIP that along with the previously identified needs of improving security and evaluating space needs, she anticipates discussing “wayfinding” for county buildings. She emphasized the importance of making sure that the public knows how to navigate county spaces and access the services they are seeking.

Reflecting on the PHHS report

Though it was not discussed at the March 24 regular Board of Commissioners meeting, the county board heard a report during the March PHHS board meeting from Meghan Mohs. Mohs is a contractor who has been working with the county since fall 2025 to evaluate the PHHS department.

PHHS was the subject of a series of investigations conducted last summer following complaints made by staffers the previous spring. In an effort to address problems with case management, documentation, financial management, and personnel matters, Mohs was tasked with creating a report and a series of recommendations for the department.

Grace Grinager was hired to lead PHHS as director beginning this past January. She has told WTIP about ongoing efforts to address the problems identified in the investigations.

“I don’t think there were any major surprises for either Grace or I,” Trebil-Halbersma told WTIP. “But the report was incredibly helpful because it gives us the roadmap that we can follow as we move forward.”

After the investigations were initially concluded, both Trebil-Halbersma and Attorney Jeanne Peterson told WTIP that the county would consider a reorganization of PHHS. At this point, however, the report suggests smaller staffing changes, rather than a complete overhaul of the department. Mohs’ report suggests increasing the amount of paraprofessional support staff, and adding manager roles to oversee the current supervisor positions.

Trebil-Halbersma said that she believes the intent behind the recommendation to be a way to ensure better oversight, support, and guidance for the department.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma for March county updates. Audio of that interview is below.