Cook County, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Cook County Health and Hospital System are hosting a public meeting as part of a new disparity study on the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) Program. The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at the George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 West Washington Street, Pedway (Lower Level) Conference Room. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today recognized dozens of military veterans for their sacrifice and service to nation under the annual Silver Star Service Banner program. A total of 46 veterans were honored. The veterans were saluted for their service in wartime during the County Board meeting and at a reception beforehand. To be eligible for the Silver Star Service Banner program, a veteran must have been wounded or become ill while serving in a war zone.

Cook County will authorize a study that will evaluate trucking and rail freight needs and recommend improvements to the system that will lead to jobs and economic development, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said today. The Cook County Board approved a $1 million appropriation at its monthly meeting today for the freight rail study.

The Partnership will play a major role in Mariano’s talent acquisition strategy Mariano’s, a subsidiary of Roundy’s Inc., a leading grocer in the Midwest, today named the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, the second largest public workforce system in the U.S., as a local hiring partner for its store locations in Chicago and neighboring suburbs.

Warmer weather brings with it special conditions and situations for pet owners to protect the health and welfare of their dogs and cats. Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control, issued a number of warm weather-related tips for dog and cat owners. Heat and fireworks that accompany summer months can create special problems for pets. Summertime means that children spend more time outdoors, and interaction between pets and children should be closely monitored.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that the County’s annual road construction program would focus heavily on restoring pavement damaged by this winter’s severe conditions. Preckwinkle unveiled a number of road and bridge projects that will commence during the spring and summer under the supervision of the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, including reconstruction of Crawford Avenue from Devon Avenue to Oakton Street in Lincolnwood and Skokie.

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and Clerk of the Circuit Court Dorothy Brown today announced the opening of the new Records Storage and Digital Imaging Center located at 1330 S. 54th Avenue in Cicero, Illinois. The facility represents the first step in modernizing the records storage and digital imaging process for the Cook County Court System, allowing the County to consolidate more than one million boxes of records from multiple locations for digitization. Providing quick and efficient access to court records is an essential function of Cook County government.

Simona Rollinson joins Cook County with more than 15 years of private-sector experience Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced the appointment of Simona Rollinson as the new Chief Information Officer for Cook County. Rollinson previously served as President of Follett Software, a K-12 technology business with more than 500 employees. Her first day is Monday, April 21, 2014. “From day one I’ve said that modernizing Cook County government was one of the most important goals of my administration.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced a week of eco-friendly events and also highlighted the County’s sustainability initiatives over the past year. “Since I took office in 2010, my administration has given high priority to protection of the environment and investing in energy efficiencies,” Preckwinkle said.

Thirty-eight taxing districts across Cook County were approved for 420 No Cash Bid purchases as part of the county’s No Cash Bid Program, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today. Many of those taxing districts began collecting their Certificates of Purchase last week.