Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today urged the Illinois House to adopt legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, citing data that it will ease the burden on Cook County’s courts. In Cook County, more than 40,000 tickets were issued in 2012 to motorists for driving without a license. Cook County traffic court data shows roughly 10% of all cases involved driving without a license in 2012. Illinois is home to approximately 250,000 immigrant motorists who are unable to get a driver’s license and insurance.

Stephen Pyo and Angela McKinney were so determined to obtain Cook County's first marriage license of 2013 they lined up two hours before Clerk David Orr's office opened on Wednesday morning. We wanted to start off the new year right, Pyo said. Dressed for the occasion - he in a grey suit, she in a white lace gown and veil - the couple held hands as they applied for the marriage license at Cook County Vital Records, 50 W. Washington, Chicago. A judge waived the 24-hour waiting period so Orr could marry them immediately. I love this part of my job, Orr 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.

Everyone six months of age and older should get an influenza, or flu, vaccine, every year. Vaccine is readily available at your local pharmacy, family doctor and grocery stores throughout suburban Cook County.

Cook County Health and Hospitals System Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ram Raju today celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

Originally appeared in the December 12, 2012 edition of CookCountyCourt.org Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced beginning January 14, 2013, the public will not be permitted to bring cell phones and other electronic devices into any Circuit Court of Cook County courthouse facility except for the Richard J. Daley Center Courthouse.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer today introduced legislation creating a Cook County Land Bank Authority, an agency of the County tasked with acquiring vacant and abandoned properties throughout the region to seek to return them to productive use. The Cook County Land Bank Authority, created under the County’s home rule authority, is designed to address the critical problems facing communities as a result of the foreclosure crisis. It will ultimately serve as the main tool used by state and local governments to address foreclosure.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today announced that Cook County Commissioners amended a contract with Securus Technologies, which will significantly lower the cost of telephone calls detainees in Cook County jails and detention centers place to their friends and families. The County has eliminated the highest-priced call option, $9.99 collect calls to cell phones. Paid calls will be extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Originally published in the December 10, 2012 edition of CookCountyAssessor.com Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios announced today that his office has certified all 2012 assessment values ahead of schedule and earlier than any other recent City of Chicago assessment. The 2012 assessment of the City of Chicago took 335 days to complete, 110 days less than the 2009 assessment of Chicago and 172 days less than Chicago’s 2006 assessment. This was accomplished despite a continual increase in the number of properties that have appealed their assessments during each city triennial assessment.

Originally appeared in the December 11, 2012 edition of CookCountyAssessor.com Homeowners will continue to pay $60 to $75 more when they get their second installment property tax bills in 2013, Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios said on Wednesday. The announcement comes after the Illinois Senate again failed to pass a law that would allow assessors to go after people who claim fraudulent property exemptions. “This is a rampant problem in Cook County,” Berrios said. “Tax cheats know the system and that we can’t force them to pay.