Today we regrettably laid off more than 300 employees as a result of the County’s budget crisis. The exact number continues to change as our Human Resources Department works on this issue with departments, bureaus and the offices of separately elected officials. The personnel actions are necessary to address an approximately $68 million gap in our FY2017 that is directly related to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association’s (IRMA) lawsuit and Temporary Restraining Order that prohibits us from collecting the Sweetened Beverage Tax.

The Archdiocese of Chicago and Cook County officials today unveiled a black granite monument that will mark the gravesites of the indigent, unidentified and unborn during a committal service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2755 W 111th St.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President, gathered with Cook County Commissioners, local funeral directors and volunteers during the ceremony. 

Initiative encourages economic development; environmental stewardship

Cook County, in partnership with a coalition of seven west suburban municipalities, is working to return brownfield properties to productive use to encourage economic development. 

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control on behalf of the coalition that includes Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Northlake, Melrose Park, Bellwood, Maywood and Forest Park -- received in 2014 a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess brownfield sites in those communities.

I was made aware late yesterday of social media posts by Sharon Brannigan, a member of our Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues. If these posts accurately reflect her views on diversity and inclusion, I believe she should step down from the Commission. Such viewpoints certainly do not reflect our values nor, in my opinion, the kind of representation we want on the Commission. Ms. Brannigan is the appointee of Commissioner Sean Morrison. I ask that Commissioner Morrison seek Ms. Brannigan’s immediate resignation.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today a partnership with leaders from Dane County, Wisconsin to join “We Are Still In,” a coalition of governmental and institutional leaders dedicated to keeping America’s promise of mitigating climate change by meeting the Paris Climate Agreement. 

Repeats commitment to three-year fiscal plan, raises concerns on ACA repeal 

Continuing her efforts to promote fiscal responsibility and encourage government transparency, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today released the preliminary forecast for the County’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget that shows a gap of $97.6 million. This represents the lowest preliminary gap since President Preckwinkle took office in December 2010.  

I was surprised to learn today of County Clerk David Orr’s decision to not seek re-election. David has been a dedicated public servant for decades, both in the Chicago City Council and for the residents of Cook County. He has been a voice for progressive politics, accountability and transparency in government. I thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.

I am saddened to learn of the death today of Commissioner Robert Steele.

Robert’s life was marked by his long career in public service for the residents of Chicago and Cook County. He took office as Cook County Commissioner of the 2nd District in 2006. 

His contributions to the board were many. He was President Pro-Tempore of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Forest Preserve District Board. He served as chairman of the Environmental Control Committee and the Contract Compliance Committee and as vice chairman of the Health and Hospitals Committee. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and County Commissioners today recognized 40 military veterans for their sacrifice and service to nation under the annual Silver Star Service Banner program. 

President Preckwinkle created the County’s first-ever Department of Veterans Affairs in 2013. Among its tasks is to continue the tradition begun in 2008 of honoring Silver Star veterans at a Cook County Board meeting.

I am grateful for the bipartisan support given to our major legislative initiative this spring, reform of the process for expunging juvenile arrest records. I want to particularly thank Rep. Elaine Nekritz and Sen. Michael Hastings for sponsoring the bill in their respective chambers and helping steer them to passage. The Youth Opportunity and Fairness Act is an important step toward removing barriers from the paths of our most vulnerable youth as they try to build productive lives.