U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier has granted a motion to dismiss the Shakman litigation against the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The motion was filed jointly by the District and Michael Shakman, with the agreement of the Court-Appointed District Compliance Administrator. With this decision, the Judge confirmed that the District has achieved substantial compliance with the Shakman Consent Decrees, and that political considerations play no role in hiring or employment decisions made by the District with respect to non-exempt employees.

A long-time advocate of marriage equality, Cook County Clerk David Orr today applauds the Illinois Senate's passage of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. It is a good day for love, said Clerk Orr, who was recently inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. The Illinois Senate took a historic step forward today.

“I applaud the members of the Illinois Senate for taking the first step towards marriage equality in our state. Gay and lesbian couples deserve full recognition of their relationships. Couples who are in loving, committed relationships should be able to marry and be treated equally in the eye of the law. I congratulate Senator Heather Steans for her tireless leadership on this issue. I urge the House to pass this landmark legislation.”

The Cook County Government Fellowship is a summer internship opportunity in Chicago for graduate students to develop leadership skills, create a civic network and have a lasting, positive impact on Cook County.

President Preckwinkle attends ribbon-cutting at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show on February 9th, kicking-off this year’s show. Joined by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Dave Sloan, General Manager, Chicago Auto Show and other dignitaries, the ribbon was cut opening the doors for the 105th Auto Show, making it the oldest and largest exhibit in the country. Prior to the ribbon cutting, President Preckwinkle made a few brief remarks, noting the major link between transportation and economic development.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today the members of the Cook County Land Bank Authority’s Board of Directors, which will oversee the work of the land bank’s efforts to return vacant properties to productive use. The board is comprised of a diverse group of professionals with expertise in a variety of fields, including housing, open space, real estate and commercial development to ensure the land bank authority can be nimble in responding to market demands. “The land bank will be an important planning tool in the economic revitalization of the County’s most blighted ne

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle lauded the passage by the Cook County Board today of an ordinance requiring firearm owners to report the sale, loss, theft, destruction or transfer of firearms. Individuals who sell, lose, destroy, transfer or have their firearm stolen in the County, are now required to report it to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office within 48 hours. Firearm owners will be required to report the make, model and serial number of the firearm, along with the date and location of purchase.

President Preckwinkle has formed a New Media Council composed of marketing and social media experts who will help the County develop a digital strategy to better engage, serve, and connect with the public. The council has been tasked with providing input and feedback on the County’s on-going efforts to redesign its website.

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is proposing gun control legislation aimed at reforming and strengthening the enforcement provisions of the state’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) system; expanding the reporting of persons who are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms because of serious mental illness; and extending the supervision terms for felons and gang members convicted of weapons offenses. “Our state’s gun laws are designed to fail and put communities at risk.

Lobbyists were paid nearly $2.4 million in 2012 as they attempted to influence Cook County officials on issues including the county's new land bank, driver's licenses for immigrants, and the landfill moratorium, according to reports submitted to Clerk David Orr's website. The tobacco lobby was particularly prominent in 2012, likely due to the $1-a-pack cigarette hike included in the budget approved in November.