Nolan Downey speaks before the Cook County Finance Committee’s public hearing on the 2023 budget Thursday. [Cook County Government Livestream]

The Cook County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee convened for two public hearings Thursday on Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed 2023 spending plan.

During the first hearing Thursday morning, funding to support health care access and equity and the county’s guaranteed basic income pilot program were two dominant topics among public speakers.