Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today introduced an ordinance that would require gun owners to report the loss, theft, destruction or transfer of firearms. The ordinance will require individuals who lose, destroy, transfer or have their firearm stolen in the County, to report it to the Sheriff’s Office within 48 hours. Individuals who fail to comply will be subject to a $1,000 fine for the first violation.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to create the Cook County Land Bank Authority today, making it the most populous county in the United States to establish the innovative planning tool. The Land Bank Authority is being created as an agency of the County so it can help return vacant and abandoned properties to productive use.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is pleased to welcome Carlos Ponce as her new Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations. Ponce, 62, has an extensive background in local government, most recently serving as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Originally published January 12, 2012 at FPDCC.com Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and General Superintendent Arnold Randall today released the District’s new camping master plan. “Our goal was to create a camping program that showcases the rich heritage of our preserves and celebrates the cultural and natural landmarks within our county,” President Preckwinkle said.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle stood with business leaders today to herald the final rollback of the Stroger sales tax in Cook County, which will result in an overall savings of $440 million for taxpayers. “I have worked hard since taking office to ensure that families and businesses can trust County government again,” President Preckwinkle said. “I kept my promise to residents to eliminate the sales tax hike, the most significant pledge of my 2010 campaign.

Cook County Clerk David Orr announced Thursday new wallet-sized certificates tailor-made for same-sex couples with a civil union, married couples with two different last names or any couple who wants to carry proof of their union. The legal, embossed certificates are available for anyone married or civilly united in Cook County for the same $15 fee as a standard-size certificate. This will help couples who want a handy certificate to carry when they travel or need documentation of their marriage or civil union, Orr said.

This commonsense legislation will allow individuals who are already driving to work, school and worship services to continue to do so in Cook County without fear of unnecessary and costly incarceration. Requiring all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, to be trained, tested, licensed and insured will make our roads safer and ease the burden on Cook County courts and the jail. In Cook County, more than 40,000 tickets were issued in 2012 to motorists for driving without a license. That amounts to roughly 10% of all traffic court cases. I commend House Rep.

Originally published in the January 3, 2013 edition of FPDCC.com Though the name “Gully Walkers” vaguely suggests a band of restless apparitions or the title of a Disney movie, it’s really Friends of the Chicago River’s newest volunteer opportunity, and a unique way to care for the forest preserves and the Chicago River at the same time. Gullies are small-scale canyons—ditches, for the less poetic—carved into soil by water traveling downhill. Some gullies are natural and eventually form valleys, canyons, ravines and other formations.

As the clerk in Illinois' most populous county, I urge all legislators to support the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act sponsored by Representative Greg Harris and Senator Heather Steans. This measure will provide all committed couples with the same legal protections under Illinois law - a step that is long overdue. Illinois should join the growing ranks of states which already afford marriage rights to all couples. I do not believe that government should be in the business of deciding whose love is valid.

Originally published in the January 3, 2013 edition of FPDCC.com Just a few days ago, many of us made New Year’s resolutions. Very often, we choose resolutions that address something fundamental and ambitious—to get healthy, work harder, be nicer. But we can predict the fate of all too many of these resolutions. More than a few optimistic revelers will set a lofty goal—only to lose their way somewhere around February. Yet those who are really serious about following through will set up a system to measure progress toward their goals, and then stick to that system.