A winter storm warning has been issued for the region. Cook County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) is monitoring conditions and is ready to deploy all resources necessary to keep the 1,500 lane miles the County maintains safe for drivers. 

DoTH advises drivers to take extra precautions when driving during storms – slow down and watch for snow plows. Also keep an emergency kit in each of your vehicles in case they break down or get stuck during severe weather. 

A basic safety kit should include the following items:

Food Drive to Benefit Greater Chicago Food Depository

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a countywide Holiday Food Drive today benefitting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 

Preckwinkle and the Depository’s Executive Director and CEO Kate Maehr urged Cook County residents to help feed the hungry in our community.

“We have a responsibility to help our neighbors in their time of need,” President Preckwinkle said. “We are working to curb hunger in our community and I am excited to invite our residents to join me in this effort.”

Winter weather is here. Cook County Animal and Rabies Control offers the following tips to keep pets safe and healthy during the winter months.

Bring all pets indoors: All dogs and cats, whether they are acclimated to outdoor living or not, must be brought indoors during sub-zero weather. As the responsible caregiver of a pet, you should provide an indoor heated shelter for your animal. 

The Cook County Board of Commissioners today approved a balanced $5.94 billion FY 2019 budget that confronts the County’s financial challenges while avoiding new taxes, fines and fees.  

The unanimous vote, with two absent, approving the budget follows a month of departmental hearings, commissioner questions and public meetings.

Cook County’s Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar has been appointment to the board of directions of the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).

The appointment is a recognition of Dr. Arunkumar’s leadership at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office (CCMEO). She played an instrumental role in implementing new policies and procedures and shaping the culture of the office while upgrading operations and technology. The Office received full accreditation from NAME in 2016. 

Dr. Arunkumar was recognized by the Cook County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

The first snowfall of the season is on track to arrive this evening. Cook County’s Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) is monitoring conditions and is ready to deploy all resources necessary to keep the 1,500 lane miles the County maintains, safe for drivers. 

DoTH advises drivers to take extra precautions when driving during storms – slow down and watch for snow plows. Also keep an emergency kit in each of your vehicles in case they break down or get stuck during severe weather. 

A basic safety kit should include the following items:

The Circuit Court and Cook County have finalized the scheduled closing of two Chicago branch court locations – 155 W. 51st St. and 2452 W. Belmont Ave.  – to take effect after court concludes on January 4, 2019. 

The two branch court closings, which were finalized as part of the budget litigation settlement between the county and the court, will help the county avoid $9.2 million in repairs, renovations and maintenance that would be necessary to keep the two buildings safe, operational and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

A new westbound entrance ramp onto the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) at Roselle Road opened to drivers yesterday. It is the final portion of the Roselle Road Interchange Project, designed to improve mobility and foster continued economic opportunity for the region. The new, full-access interchange now provides access at Roselle Road to westbound I-90 and from eastbound I-90. 

Cook County in Substantial Compliance of Hiring Practices, Ending Federal Oversight 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that Cook County has been found in compliance with the Shakman Consent Decree and will be released from federal oversight. 

At a hearing in U.S. District Court, Judge Sidney I. Schenkier granted the parties joint motion for substantial compliance and has agreed to dismiss the County from the Shakman v. The County of Cook, et al. litigation.

Public Urged to be Vigilant as Authorities Around U.S. Intercept Suspicious Packages