President Preckwinkle today met with ministers from across Cook County to address concerns regarding the medical examiner’s office and the proactive steps her office is taking to remediate problems.

President Preckwinkle today addressed staff and senior management at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, announcing policy and procedural changes that will institute stricter controls, accountability and disciplinary measures throughout the department.

Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr., Commissioner Michael M. Cabonargi, and Commissioner Dan Patlak announced today that the Cook County Board of Review is now open to accept property tax assessment appeals for Bloom, Hanover, Niles, Proviso, and Schaumburg Townships. Those taxpayers who own property within these townships and feel they have been over assessed have until Wednesday, February 22, 2012 to file an assessed valuation appeal with the Board of Review.

Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr. of the Cook County Board of Review, along with Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., State Senator Maggie Crotty, State Senator Toi W. Hutchinson, State Representative William Q.

Lobbyists were paid $1.9 million in 2011 as they attempted to influence Cook County officials on issues including the budget, pension reform, and taxes on tobacco, alcohol and amusements, according to reports submitted to Clerk David Orr's Lobbyist Online website. Lobbyists contacted officials nearly 1,200 times in 2011 about important issues facing the people of Cook County, Orr said.

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Michael M. Cabonargi will hold a property tax seminar with State Senator John Mulroe (10th District) and Alderman Tim Cullerton (48th Ward) on how homeowners can appeal their property assessment and lower their property tax bills. The seminar will be held on Monday, January 30 at 6:30 PM at The Portage Park Senior Center, located at 4100 N.

Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr. of the Cook County Board of Review, along with Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., State Senator James T. Meeks, 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston, 7th Ward Alderman Sandi Jackson, 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris, 9th Ward Anthony Beale, 10th Ward Alderman John A. Pope, and 20th Ward Alderman Willie Cochran will be holding two free property tax appeal community outreach forums in Hyde Park Township: 1/25/12 at 6:30 PM – Bryn Mawr Community Church – 7000 S. Jeffery Blvd., Chicago, IL 1/26/12 at 7:00 PM – House of Hope (Main Lobby) – 752 E.

As part of her administration’s continued effort to promote effective government and enhance public safety, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is announcing an in-depth review of how bonds are set, in order to provide equitable access to justice for all county residents. To further this goal, the president has asked the Cook County Judicial Advisory Council (JAC) to conduct a six-month, comprehensive study on the issuance of bonds that will collect information and generate recommendations from a cross section of public safety stakeholders. Currently, judges’ release or detention de

Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr. of the Cook County Board of Review, along with Mayor of the Village of Riverdale Deyon Dean, Mayor of the City of Harvey Eric J. Kellogg, President of the Village of Phoenix Terry R. Wells, Mayor of City of Calumet City Michelle Markiewicz-Qualkinbush Mayor of Village of Dixmoor Keevan A. Grimmett, Mayor of the City of Markham David Webb, Jr., Mayor of the Village of Dolton Ronnie C. Lewis, , and President of the Village of South Holland Don A.

Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr., Commissioner Michael M. Cabonargi, and Commissioner Dan Patlak announced today that the Cook County Board of Review is now open to accept property tax assessment appeals for Hyde Park, Jefferson, Northfield, Orland, and Rich Townships. Those taxpayers who own property within these townships and feel they have been over assessed have until Wednesday, February 8, 2012 to file an assessed valuation appeal with the Board of Review.