Cook County Commissioners today approved eight proposals from President Toni Preckwinkle’s Bureau of Economic Development (BED) that will provide tax incentives to businesses in Cook County.

The incentives, which will either create new or save existing jobs, were approved in the following communities: Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Lyons, McCook, South Holland and Wheeling. 

Recognizing  that  far  too  many  Cook  County  residents  who are released  from  jail  or  prison  return  to  detention,  Cook  County  Board  President  Toni  Preckwinkle  today announced that  Cook  County’s  Justice  Advisory  Council  (JAC) will  award  $1.2 million in  grants  aimed  at  reducing  recidivism. 

I was surprised by Mayor Emanuel’s announcement this morning that he has decided not to seek re-election. I want to thank him for leading our city for the past eight years and also for his service to the nation –his time in Congress and as Chief of Staff to President Obama. Being mayor of the nation’s third-largest city is extraordinarily difficult and all-consuming. I wish him and Amy well in their future endeavors.

Supported by Compliance Administrator, seek end to federal oversight stemming from 1972 and 1994 Consent Decrees and Supplemental Relief Order

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that the County and Shakman Plaintiffs have filed in U.S. District Court a joint motion to set a hearing for finding substantial compliance and dismissal of Shakman v. The County of Cook, et al. 

Youth in Juvenile Temporary Detention Center complete skilled trades training

Eleven students graduated as part of the Cook County Facilities Management Pre-Apprentice Program, which introduces residents of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) to skilled trades and career opportunities. 

I applaud last week’s Cook County Circuit Court ruling that upholds the County’s Firearm and Ammunition Tax, which was approved by the Board of Commissioners in November, 2015.  The ruling by Circuit Court Judge David B. Atkins granting the County’s motion for summary judgment in the case of Guns Save Life v. Ali upholds our position that the taxes are proper exercise of the County’s Home Rule powers and do not in any meaningful way impede an individual’s ability to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced that the County and Forest Preserve District will require employees to log contacts from elected officials regarding certain employment actions. President Preckwinkle was joined by Inspector General Patrick Blanchard, Cook County Shakman Compliance Administrator Mary Robinson, and Cook County Forest Preserve District Shakman Compliance Administrator Jan Carlsson.

The Cook County Medical Examiner Maps and Data Portal today received the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Exemplary System recognition. The portal provides up-to-date information about deaths in Cook County, including those caused by gun violence and the opioid epidemic.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle hailed a U.S. District Court ruling upholding the County’s ordinance banning specific types of assault weapons.

U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah last week granted the County’s motion to dismiss a challenge to its assault weapons ban filed by plaintiffs Matthew D. Wilson and Troy Edhlund.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the Cook County Department of Budget and Management Services its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.