President Preckwinkle’s Initiative on Automatic Transfers Signed by Gov. Rauner Rep. Nekritz and Sen. Raoul’s leadership in Springfield leads to restoration of judicial discretion

Cook County Board President Toni’s Preckwinkle top criminal justice reform priority was signed into law today.


House Bill 3718, which was championed in Springfield by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Northbrook, and Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, will greatly reduce the number of juveniles who are automatically transferred to adult court.  The bill restores judicial discretion in nearly 70 percent of cases that are currently automatically transferred to adult court.

Statement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle In Support of the Clean Power Plan

I applaud the release today by President Obama and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the Clean Power Plan, which sets flexible and achievable standards to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and provides world leadership in avoiding the worst effects of climate change. Our County has already proven that significant reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions – while saving money -- is possible. Cook County reduced its emissions by 9 percent between 2010 and 2014 by upgrading heating and cooling systems, replacing lighting, and improving air ventilation units and controls.

President Preckwinkle Announces Her Choice for County Budget Director

Tanya Anthony, the current Chief Administrative Officer of the Chicago Park District, is Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's choice to be the County's next Budget Director.

Preckwinkle will present Anthony's appointment at the July 1 County Board of Commissioners meeting. The appointment will be considered first by the Board's Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, and then by the full Board at its next meeting.

Statewide Emergency Exercise Preps Agencies for Severe Weather Event

In the face of increasingly severe and damaging weather across the country, ComEd, the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), Ameren Illinois and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will partner with more than 30 state, county, municipal and private entities for “Operation Power Play.” Operation Power Play will test how agencies would respond if a series of severe storms produced 28 tornadoes throughout Illinois on the same day.

Cook County Awards Local Municipalities and Nonprofits more than $1 Million

Cook County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) announced today that it has awarded $1,207,350 to law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations from around Cook County through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG)

The JAG program provides states and local governments with critical funding for:

  • law enforcement

  • prosecution and court programs

  • prevention and education programs

  • corrections and community corrections

  • drug treatment and enforcement

Cook County Hosts 2015 Vendor Fair on Contracting Opportunities

Building on her efforts to encourage competition and promote transparency, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle took part in a 2015 Vendor Fair on Wednesday. The annual event is part of a collaborative effort between Cook County and the City of Chicago aimed at providing useful information on how to do business with local governments. The Vendor Fair provided a chance for outside vendors to learn about contracting opportunities with Cook County and the City of Chicago, as well as State, Federal and non-profit assist agencies.

Public Camping Returns to Cook County at 5 Forest Preserve Sites

The first season of camping in Cook County began on Friday, May 22, 2015, with the opening of Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland, the first of five new or renovated campgrounds being introduced by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.  This weekend marks the first time in decades that families and individuals can join organized groups in camping overnight in the Forest Preserves.

Preckwinkle’s Key Criminal Justice Initiative, Reducing Automatic Transfers, Wins Approval in Illinois General Assembly

Rep. Nekritz, Sen. Raoul shepherd restoration of judicial discretion through Legislature

The Illinois General Assembly today gave final approval to legislation that will ensure that nearly 70 percent of Cook County youth will no longer be automatically transferred to adult court when facing certain criminal offenses. HB 3718 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 79-32. The bill previously passed the Senate on May 19.
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