Cook County and Forest Preserves Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bridget Gainer (D-10th) today announced an additional $100,000 in the FY 2014 budget to provide young people summer jobs at the Forest Preserves District of Cook County (FPDCC). “Providing teenagers with summer jobs will enhance their development and give them productive ways to spend their time,” President Preckwinkle said. “These opportunities will keep young people off the streets while they are out of school and teach them valuable life skills.

“Today’s landmark vote by the Illinois General Assembly finally brings marriage equality to the land of Lincoln. I’m thrilled same-sex couples who are in loving, committed relationships will be able to get married in Illinois and be treated equally in the eye of the law. Gay and lesbian couples deserve full recognition and now they won’t have to leave home to tie the knot.

Many private companies tout the service level they provide their customers— from product quality assurance to customer response time. You utilize government services every day. How do you know how well your government is performing? Since 2011, all offices and agencies of the County report progress toward stated goals quarterly to elected leaders and residents, and work together to improve performance through the STAR Performance Management Program. The Performance Management Office focuses on expanding the use of performance data in Cook County government.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today highlighted a plan that is expected to save more than $100 million over the next 15 years by consolidating and better managing county real estate. The County plans to reduce downtown office space to save $30 million. The County anticipates saving about $8 million by consolidating highway facilities, roughly $18 million by modernizing records storage in County warehouses, and $45 million by removing considerable unused space at Oak Forest Health Center.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today presented her Chief of Staff, G.A.

Forest Preserves of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled her 2014 Executive Budget Recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The proposed budget is $179 million and is balanced without increases to property taxes, fines or fees. “This 2014 budget allows us to protect the diversity of plants and animals that depend on the Preserves and introduce new educational and recreational opportunities for residents of this County,” Preckwinkle said. The restoration and preservation of Cook County’s precious natural lands remains the Forest Preserves’ top priority.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced her administration is establishing a new enforcement measure to go after businesses and individuals that avoid paying transfer taxes on real estate transactions by undervaluing the property they sell. The County’s Department of Revenue will audit real property transfer tax returns filed with the Recorder of Deeds to identify improper exemptions and determine whether individuals undervalue the sale of real estate in order to pay fewer taxes.

The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy announced Thursday that Cook County Clerk David Orr has been appointed a Senior Fellow. The appointment is effective September 30, 2013, and runs through June 30, 2016. “Policy practitioners like David Orr are able to give our students insight into how local government really works and what it takes to create and change public policy,” said Chicago Harris Dean Colm O’Muircheartaigh. “Moreover, consistent with the mission of Chicago Harris, David has been a leading proponent of transparency and public access to data.

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is pleased to announce that the fall trout fishing season starts at dawn on Saturday, October 19. Catchable-sized rainbow trout (1/2 –1 lbs) will be stocked into Axehead Lake, Belleau Lake, Horsetail Lake, and, new this year, Busse Reservoir North Pool. As part of the stocking process, from October 1 until dawn on October 19, fishing for and possession of any trout is illegal. In addition, the trout lakes will be closed to all fishing from Monday, October 14, until dawn on October 19.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today introduced her FY 2014 Executive budget recommendation. The proposed $3.2 billion operating budget includes no new taxes, fines, or fees and makes critical investments in the County’s public health and safety systems while reducing unnecessary costs. “This budget reflects my administration’s work over the past three years and is a testament to the reforms we have put in place to institutionalize fiscal responsibility in County government,” President Preckwinkle said. “We are not raising taxes and we are prioritizing spending.