Program encourages local and regional investments that support the County’s priorities

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) is seeking applications for transportation-related projects throughout Cook County as part of President Toni Preckwinkle’s initiative to strategically build and maintain a comprehensive regional transportation network.

County’s animal control administrator urges caution as temperatures remain low

Pet owners should take special precautious with dangerously low temperatures still forecasted.

Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, has tips for pet should to keep in mind during the cold weather season.

“It’s important for pet owners to remember that they should adjust their pets’ normal routine,” Dr. Alexander said. “Prolonged exposure to cold, snow and ice can be as dangerous for dogs and cats as it is for humans.”

Even a short drive can turn into a dangerous one, especially during severe weather. The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) advises residents to take extra precautions when driving during storms and to also keep an emergency kit in each of their vehicles in case they break down or get stuck during a storm. 

A basic safety kit should include the following items:

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and State’s Attorney Kim Foxx today announced the County has filed a lawsuit against the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies over their manufacture and aggressive marketing of prescription opioid painkillers and the resulting climb in overdose and fatality rates ravaging families and communities throughout Cook County.  

The passage of the Republican tax plan by Congress, and with it the repeal of the individual mandate, is a heavy blow to the significant progress we have made regarding health care coverage in our country since the passage of the Affordable Care Act.  

Today, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by leading health care advocates to encourage Cook County residents to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The enrollment deadline is tomorrow, Friday, December 15.

The president was joined at the Komed Holman Heath Center on Chicago’s south side by leaders from Get Covered Illinois, the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, EverThrive Illinois and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. 

Selected projects highlight Cook County’s transportation priorities

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced the approval of transportation projects selected as part of Cook County’s inaugural Invest in Cook grant program.

Intergovernmental agreements to fund $1.6 million for the eight projects were approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. 

From the outset of this process, Judge Hoffman has encouraged us to engage in communications with the Office of the Chief Judge to resolve this situation. We have done so. Unfortunately, the Chief Judge continues to insist that his office is provided with at least $290 million for FY18 instead of the $255 million contained in the Board-approved budget -- which is approximately the same amount his office spent in FY17.

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways has opened the Happ Road Bridge in Northfield, increasing access to nearby high schools and the local shopping district.

The bridge over the Skokie River was completely replaced with a new three-span reinforced concrete slab bridge. Work on the bridge began in June 2017.

The existing bridge was built in 1924 and had outlived its useful life, County officials said.

Budget crafted through collaborative effort between President and Commissioners 

The Cook County Board of Commissioners today approved a balanced $5.2 billion FY18 budget through a package of amendments presented by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

The 17-0 bipartisan vote approving the budget follows a month of extensive departmental hearings, commissioner questions and public meetings aimed at closing a more than $200.6 million gap that followed a vote last month repealing the Sweetened Beverage Tax.