Cook County board approves employment agreement for new county administrator

The Cook County Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved an employment agreement for the county’s incoming administrator, identified in the meeting as Kristen Tribble Halbersman. The board approved the contract by voice vote after a motion and second; the tally was recorded as unanimous.

The vote followed remarks from members of the nominating committee and commissioners saying there was broad consensus on the candidate. Commissioner Gamble said the hiring process had been “a progression of things” that at times was “up and down emotionally,” but that the interviews and community and staff input supported the selection. “We chose to move on,” Gamble said, and described the candidate as having “qualities … that will lead us through this in a healthy way.”

Meeting remarks said the county and DDA, the county’s recruitment/consulting resource, worked over several months to refine the search and consider community input. The chair reported the nominating committee — which included Lisonbee Plummer, Commissioner Mills, Rena (a staff member), the part‑time executive, and the chair — reached agreement and presented a contract for approval. The meeting record does not specify who moved or seconded the motion.

County staff said Halbersman will begin full‑time employment Aug. 4 and will attend an upcoming MAT meeting next Monday to begin meeting staff as part of transition planning. A staff member described the visit as part of “figuring out all the pieces so she can hit the ground running.”

No statutes, ordinances or other legal authorities were cited during the discussion recorded in the meeting transcript. The board’s action was limited to approving the employment agreement; no additional direction or formal follow‑up tasks were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.