PHHS director and supervisor absent amid pending complaints
For the past four weeks, the Cook County Public Health and Human Services Director and the Behavioral Health Services/Clinical Supervisor have been absent from county meetings and the office.
On June 16, WTIP was informed by sources familiar with the PHHS Department that Director Alison McIntyre and Behavioral Health Services/Clinical Supervisor John Spieker were no longer working in the office.
WTIP then reached out to County Interim Administrator Rena Rogers for confirmation and inquired about the reasoning behind their absence.
Rogers told WTIP that McIntyre and Spieker were “out of office.”
When asked about the timeline for McIntyre or Spieker’s return to the office, Rogers declined to comment. The reasoning for McIntyre and Spieker’s absence was also not provided at that time.
WTIP was then made aware by sources familiar with the matter that McIntyre and Spieker’s absence was a result of complaints filed against both parties.
WTIP requested copies of all complaints filed within the PHHS Department within the last six months from the Cook County Attorney’s Office. Cook County Attorney Jeanne Peterson denied the request, stating, “The information requested is nonpublic information pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13.43, subd. 4”
Peterson did confirm, however, that three complaints had been made in the past six months, and all were currently pending.
A complaint was filed against Spieker on April 16, and a complaint was filed against McIntyre on June 10. Peterson stated that a third complaint was filed against a different PHHS employee within the last six months; however, it is unclear at this time whether it is related to Spieker’s or McIntyre’s absence. The employee is still currently working in the office. The Cook County Attorney’s Office did not confirm whether the complaints were filed internally by staff or from outside of the PHHS Department.
Peterson also could not confirm if McIntyre and Spieker’s absence were the result of the complaints.
With the PHHS Director “out of the office” since June 16, Fiscal Supervisor Plamen Dimitrov has provided the director’s report to the PHHS Board at its June 17 and July 15 meetings. The PHHS Board has not publicly discussed or addressed the matter during a meeting. The absence of the PHHS Director has not been publicly discussed during a Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting.
At this time, the county has maintained that there has been no official change to McIntyre’s title or employment. McIntyre and Spieker are still listed on the county website in their respective roles. Rogers advised WTIP that while McIntyre is out of the office, her responsibilities are covered by other department employees.
So far this year, at least six employees have resigned from the Public Health and Human Services department, according to county records. Half of the employees who resigned reported directly to Spieker.
WTIP has contacted Rogers and Peterson for further information regarding the complaints against McIntyre and Spieker and whether an investigation into the complaints is ongoing.
Peterson told WTIP, “In response to your questions below, what is public has been shared, and we can confirm that while the ‘out of office’ status for John Spieker and Alison McIntyre continues at present, clients can and should continue to rely upon Cook County Public Health and Human Services for appropriate services and referrals. Community health and welfare remain paramount.”
Josh Hinke July 16, 2025
