Clerk Orr hails winners of “Voting at 17” video contest, kicks off “Democracy Week”

 
Cook County Clerk David Orr on Tuesday congratulated Maine East High School students Andrea Garneata and Veronica Malesinski, the winners of a “Voting at 17” video contest.

In addition to personally congratulating the students and their teachers at the Park Ridge high school Tuesday afternoon, Clerk Orr and staff are teaming with the school to conduct voter registration for 17-year-old students on Thursday.

President Preckwinkle Releases FY 2015 Preliminary Budget Forecast

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released the preliminary forecast for Fiscal Year 2015 during a speech at the City Club of Chicago today. Since taking office, President Preckwinkle has solved for more than $1.2 billion in combined budget deficits while at the same time returning $1.1 billion to taxpayers by rolling back the 1% County sales tax increase.

Popular Savings Plan for Pet Spay and Neuter Month

Cook County will again partner with private veterinarians to offer discounted spay and neuter services for pets in February, which is National Spay and Neuter Month. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cited the ease of the program which provides discounts of up to $40 per procedure. It is available for up to two pets per household. “There are no coupons or bar codes to print, and there are no limitations on where this service can be performed,” Preckwinkle said.

Number of Cook County lobbyists, compensation kept growing in 2013

Lobbyists reported contacting Cook County officials less in 2013, yet the number of lobbyists and their compensation was higher than any year since online filing began, according to reports submitted to Clerk David Orr’s Lobbyist Online website. Lobbyists were paid more than $2.8 million in 2013, as they attempted to influence Cook County officials on issues including staffing in the 2014 budget, the down payment assistance program, fuel tax amendment, Section 8 and multi-family housing, a solid waste ordinance and the county’s land bank, according to the reports. The total 2013 compensation

President Toni Preckwinkle accepts the Next Century Conservation Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County

Forest Preserves of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle today formally accepted the “Next Century Conservation Plan” for the preserves. The plan was created by a blue-ribbon commission of local leaders appointed by Preckwinkle in 2013 as part of the Forest Preserves’ centennial anniversary celebration. The Next Century Conservation Plan aims to make Cook County a national leader in urban conservation.

County’s Car Sharing Program Saves $250,000 in its First Year

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced that during the first year of the County’s car sharing program it downsized its vehicle fleet, cut mileage reimbursement and salvaged older vehicles. The measures saved the county roughly $250,000. Overall, savings were generated by employees using Zipcars and the County’s Shared Fleet of existing vehicles. Previously most of the County’s passenger vehicles were assigned to various departments, which were not being used to maximum efficiency.

Statement from President Preckwinkle on CCHHS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ram Raju’s return to New York to lead the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation

After two years at the helm of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ram Raju will return to New York to lead the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation as President. From the start, Dr. Raju knew the potential of Cook County’s system. During his time here, Dr. Raju spearheaded the County’s efforts to secure an 1115 Waiver from the federal government in order to early enroll those eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in our CountyCare program.

President Preckwinkle Receives Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) Leadership Award

At their Midwest Energy Solutions Conference held in Chicago on January 15th, the MEEA gave their 2014 Inspiring Efficiency Leadership Award to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. The award highlights President Preckwinkle’s initiatives to establish Cook County as a world-class model of sustainability. Her administration has worked to boost energy efficiency practices throughout County government. The County has partnered with local governments, not-for-profits and businesses to make communities sustainable. With funding from the U.S.

Lake Cook Road Improvements Highlighted by President Preckwinkle as Cook County Concludes Major 2013 Construction Projects

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today marked the end of the county's 2013 construction season at Lake Cook Road, a major arterial thoroughfare in the far northern suburbs that has undergone significant improvements. “In this, the centennial year of the County’s Transportation and Highways Department, I am pleased we have been able to reconstruct or improve 74 lane-miles of roadway in municipalities throughout the county,” Preckwinkle said.

Great American Smokeout is November 21, 2013 – it’s a great day to quit

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials encourage suburban Cook County residents to set the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout as the day to quit smoking.

Currently, 22 percent of suburban Cook County residents smoke, which is slightly higher than the national average of 20.4 percent. CCDPH data indicates that 67 percent of current smokers in suburban Cook County have tried to quit smoking in the past year.

Subscribe to Newspaper Article