2014 News Archive

President Preckwinkle Names New Chief Information Officer

Simona Rollinson joins Cook County with more than 15 years of private-sector experience Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced the appointment of Simona Rollinson as the new Chief Information Officer for Cook County.
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Technology

With Earth Day Approaching, President Preckwinkle Highlights Cook County’s Sustainability Accomplishments and Programs

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced a week of eco-friendly events and also highlighted the County’s sustainability initiatives over the past year. “Since I took office in 2010, my adm
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Environmental

President Preckwinkle Announces 2013 No Cash Bid Program Results

Thirty-eight taxing districts across Cook County were approved for 420 No Cash Bid purchases as part of the county’s No Cash Bid Program, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today.
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Taxes

A Letter to the Editor of Newsweek

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle responds to Newsweek Magazine’s March 4, 2014 article: “How Obamacare May Lower the Prison Population More Than Any Reform in a Generation”.  To the Editor: Cook County, home to 130 municipaliti
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Health

Cook County, Illinois Files Lawsuit Against HSBC, Bank of America, Countrywide and Merrill Lynch for Predatory and Discriminatory Mortgage Lending Practices

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez today filed lawsuits on behalf of Cook County against HSBC, Bank of America and Bank of America subsidiaries including, Countrywide and Merrill Lynch, alleging that their
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Public Safety and Jails

President Preckwinkle Releases FY 2015 Preliminary Budget Forecast

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released the preliminary forecast for Fiscal Year 2015 during a speech at the City Club of Chicago today. Since taking office, President Preckwinkle has solved for more than $1.2 billion in combined budge
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Budget and Financial

2014 Cook County Summer Fellowship Program Applications Now Being Accepted

The Cook County Government Fellowship is a summer internship opportunity in Chicago for graduate students to develop leadership skills, create a civic network and have a lasting, positive impact on Cook County.
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Cook County Board Approves Changes to Strengthen its Minority And Women Owned Businesses Program

The Cook County Board today approved revisions to the County’s procurement code that will strengthen future participation of Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and crackdown on fraudulent activity. “These changes will enhance our
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President Preckwinkle Launches Long Range Transportation Plan

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today set in motion the development of a plan that will look at the County’s transportation network and its impact on economic growth and quality of life over the next 25 years. “We can no longer continue
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Transportation

President Preckwinkle Proposes Technology Upgrades To Track County Vehicle Locations

The Cook County Board today approved technology upgrades proposed by President Toni Preckwinkle to track the location of County vehicles and automate building inspections, moving away from a paper-based system. The Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) s
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Technology

President Preckwinkle Seeks To Strengthen Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses In Cook County

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today introduced proposed revisions to the County’s procurement code to enhance participation of Minority- and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) and to crackdown on fraudulent activity. “My adminis
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Contractor and Vendor Resources

President Preckwinkle Announces National Accreditation For Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced that the County Medical Examiner’s Office has been awarded provisional accreditation by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). Provisional accreditation recognizes that the
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Health

Sheriff Dart Announces Results from First Month of Conceal Carry Applications

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office has objected to the concealed carry applications for 240 individuals within the first month of Illinois’ new concealed carry law, Sheriff Thomas J.
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Public Safety and Jails

Popular Savings Plan for Pet Spay and Neuter Month

Cook County will again partner with private veterinarians to offer discounted spay and neuter services for pets in February, which is National Spay and Neuter Month. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cited the ease of the program which pr
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Pets and Animals

Number of Cook County lobbyists, compensation kept growing in 2013

Lobbyists reported contacting Cook County officials less in 2013, yet the number of lobbyists and their compensation was higher than any year since online filing began, according to reports submitted to Clerk David Orr’s Lobbyist Online website. Lob
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Open Data and Transparency

Bitter Cold Temperatures and Snow Expected Tonight and Coming Days; Residents Advised to Take Precautions

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials are advising residents to take precautions against the extremely cold temperatures today and in the coming days.

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Health

President Toni Preckwinkle accepts the Next Century Conservation Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County

Forest Preserves of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle today formally accepted the “Next Century Conservation Plan” for the preserves.
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Outdoor Recreation

County’s Car Sharing Program Saves $250,000 in its First Year

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced that during the first year of the County’s car sharing program it downsized its vehicle fleet, cut mileage reimbursement and salvaged older vehicles.
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Budget and Financial

Harsh Winter Weather is Equally Hard on Pets

The heavy snow and Arctic-like weather of the past week should serve as a reminder to pet owners that special precautions should be made for health and welfare of their dogs and cats.

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Statement from President Preckwinkle on CCHHS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ram Raju’s return to New York to lead the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation

After two years at the helm of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ram Raju will return to New York to lead the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation as President. From the start, Dr.
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Health

President Preckwinkle Receives Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Leadership Award

At their Midwest Energy Solutions Conference held in Chicago on January 15th, the MEEA gave their 2014 Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. The award highlights President Preckwinkle’s initiatives to estab
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Environmental

New Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance Gets County Board Approval

After months of collaboration and input from community and government organizations, the solid waste industry, and environmental advocacy groups, the Cook County Board Wednesday approved a Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance (SWRO) that will give…

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Environmental

Cook County Partners with Smart Chicago Collaborative to Expand Open Data

The Cook County Board today approved a partnership between the Bureau of Technology and Smart Chicago Collaborative that will expand the open data the County provides and make it easier for the public to access.

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Open Data and Transparency

Influenza Activity Increasing in Suburban Cook County

Currently, suburban Cook County is experiencing an increase in influenza like illness with 44 confirmed  influenza ICU admissions and 6 influenza related deaths. Cook County Department of Public Health’s Chief  Operating Officer, Dr.

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Health

Cook County Offices Under the President Closed January 6, 2014

Due to the severe winter storm, cold and hazardous travel conditions, Cook County employees under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President – except those performing essential services required to provide for the public health and safety of our
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Emergency Management

Cook County Offices Under the President Will Resume Operations Tuesday January 7, 2014

The Offices Under the President will resume operations Tuesday January 7, 2014. However, the safety of our employees is paramount.

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Emergency Management