Cook County Commissioners today approved four 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: Countryside, Des Plaines and Elk Grove Village.

As a result of redevelopment activities, these incentives should support the creation of an estimated 107 new private sector full-time jobs, retain an estimated 25 full-time jobs and support 125 construction jobs. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled the list of the County’s 2018 pavement preservation and road maintenance construction projects, offering motorists a roadmap for the upcoming construction season.

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways plan will improve roads in suburban municipalities at a cost of approximately $7 million dollars.

“Cook County is working diligently to maintain our existing infrastructure while also expanding our role as a regional transportation leader,” Preckwinkle said. 

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is again hosting a Missing Persons Day to connect families, relatives and friends with loved ones who have been missing for more than one month, as well as making available resources and experts in the field.

Those with missing friends and family will be able to submit DNA samples, medical records, pictures and other records to aid in the search. Emotional support services will also be available to families. 

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has detected the deadly anticoagulant brodifacoum as part of the investigation of the death of a 22-year-old man.

The deceased was pronounced dead March 28 at Advocate Christ Medical Center. Excessive internal bleeding was found at autopsy.

The cause of death for this patient is pending at this time.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating a second case that presented with similar hemorrhaging, or bleeding. Toxicology testing is underway in that case.

Some County buildings will go dark for global event to call attention to climate change

Cook County will turn off its non-essential lights March 24 to commemorate Earth Hour and call attention to climate change.

The Cook County Department of Facilities Management will save energy – and send a message about the role local government and Cook County residents play in cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions – by turning off lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at several of its facilities.

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued the following statement in advance of scheduled votes on gun legislation in Springfield:

“A step toward more comprehensive gun safety laws is a step in the right direction because every gun death is one too many. 

I'm heartened that the state house will be taking action today on a variety of gun bills. But a vote is not enough. We must not stop pushing for commonsense change until it is law and we cannot stop at the state house because we are also in dire need of federal action. 

The County Medical Examiner’s Office has received national, full accreditation for 2018 from the National Association of Medical Examiners, known as NAME.

Accreditation recognizes that the office has met or exceeds national standards in key areas of operations, staffing and procedures.

The office regained full national accreditation in 2016 for the first time since 2011. The accreditation is verified annually.  

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle called on the Trump administration and members of Congress to advocate against civil immigration arrests in courthouses, which pose a threat to public safety. 

Last month, the Trump administration issued new guidance directing immigration officers to make civil arrests in courthouses and claimed it would improve public safety. Last week, a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections was wrongfully detained at the Cook County courthouse in Skokie when he appeared for a minor traffic violation.

Today, Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by leading clinical experts to discuss gun violence as a public health issue in Cook County. 

In 2017, 744 people in Cook County died in gun-related homicides. More than 1,100 patients were treated for gun-related injuries at Stroger Hospital, the flagship hospital for Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) in that same year.

Cook County, The Anti-Cruelty Society team up to promote the importance of spaying/neutering pets

February is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and Cook County Animal and Rabies Control and The Anti-Cruelty Society have teamed up to promote the importance of spaying/neutering pets. Spaying/neutering pets keeps them healthier, safer and reduces pet over-population at shelters.