The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed two recent deaths due to powerful opioids never before seen in Cook County.

Declaring it a keystone achievement in their public safety reform efforts to reduce the jail population and right-size facilities, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart announced today that several buildings on the Department of Corrections campus are being demolished. 

Reducing the number of buildings on the campus recognizes the collective efforts of Cook County criminal justice stakeholders to reduce the jail’s population to its lowest level since 1991, as well as provide cost savings for the County and its taxpayers. 

How to keep your dog and cat safe in cold, snow and during the holidays

The winter holidays are a time of family and joy, and for pet owners the celebration may include the furry members of the family.

Cook County Animal and Rabies Control is urging pet owners to take special precautions for the health and welfare of their dogs and cats as the holidays gets under way.

In order to improve customer service and efficiency for businesses and residents who reside in the unincorporated areas of Cook County, the Department of Building and Zoning, working jointly with the Department of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has launched a new on-line permitting system.

Balanced proposal preserves essential public health and safety services

The Cook County Board of Commissioners today approved a FY 2017 $4.4 billion operating budget that confronts the County’s financial challenges while avoiding debilitating cuts to public safety and public health services. Separately, the Board also approved a $475.7 million capital budget to fund critical investments in the County’s infrastructure and equipment. 

I am grateful to Chairman Daley and the Commissioners who supported the revenue proposal we brought today before the Finance Committee. Together with difficult budget cuts through layoffs and vacancy eliminations and management efficiencies, we will be able to move forward with a final vote on a balanced FY2017 budget next week. I am also grateful to the American Heart Association and members of their coalition, as well as to Mayor Bloomberg, for their support.

The Community Triage Center is the first clinic of its kind in the Chicago region. 

CHICAGO - Today the Cook County Health & Hospitals System (CCHHS), with support from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council, celebrated the opening of CCHHS’ new pilot Community Triage Center (CTC). 

I am pleased to learn of the Civic Federation’s support today of our FY2017 executive budget proposal. To have the endorsement of this organization, and others, as we confront both the short- and longer-term fiscal challenges facing Cook County is gratifying.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and County Commissioners Richard Boykin and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia announced today that they will join forces to implement a pilot workforce development and jobs program for 16-24 year olds who are at risk of violence or criminal justice system involvement.  

They were joined in the announcement by community service providers and advocates in support of the proposal.  President Preckwinkle has committed $1 million of her proposed budgeted $3 million increase in public safety grant funds for the effort.

Proposal would close budget shortfall and avoid cuts to public safety services through staffing reductions & additional revenue, but commit to no new tax hikes for at least the next two years

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today presented a proposed $4.4 billion Executive Operating Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2017 that confronts the County’s financial challenges while avoiding major cuts to public safety and public health services and programs.  Preckwinkle also separately proposed a $475.7 million capital budget to fund critical invest