Independent Board of Health Directors

On May 2, 2008, President Stroger announced his 9 appointments to the initial Independent Board of Health Directors: Daniel Cantrell, David Carvalho, Jorge Ramirez, Heather O’Donnell, Norman Bobbins, Andrea Zopp, Barbara Hillman, Quin Golden, and Benn Greenspan. A confirmation hearing will be scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10 am to consider their confirmation.

In addition, President Stroger and I will introduce an amendatory ordinance to strengthen the independent powers of the initial Health Board, including streamlining personnel and procurement issues, and giving more transparency on budget and financial matters.

I congratulate President Stroger and the Nominating Committee on a job well done, and I look forward to the confirmation hearings to ensure that the Bureau of Health Services will be in capable and competent hands to continue the Bureau’s legacy of outstanding care for the residents of Cook County.

Click here to read President Stroger’s letter naming his nine appointments.
Click here to read a statement by Commissioner Suffredin.

previously:

I am happy to announce that the Nominating Committee for the Independent Board of Health Directors had their first meeting on March 20, 2008. Congratulations to Mr. Richard Sewell, representing the Illinois Public Health Association, who was selected as Chair, Dr. Larry Goodman, representing the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, selected as Vice Chair, and Dr. Aida Giachello of the Midwest Latino Health Research Center who was selected to be Secretary.

The Nominating Committee is charged with submitting to President Stroger a list of 20 candidates to serve on the Independent Board of Directors, the independent body charged with day-to-day oversight of the Cook County Bureau of Health Services. Of that list of 20, President Stroger will select nine names to put before the Cook County Board of Commissioners for approval.

The Nominating Committee will next meet Friday, April 4, 2008 at 1 pm to begin reviewing potential nominees. The Committee has until Friday, April 18 th to submit their list of 20 candidates.

Click here for a list of Nominating Committee members

Click here for the ordinance establishing the Independent Board of Health Directors

Crain's letter to the editor: Suffredin made tough choice to save county health system

Court upholds right of County to enact gun control laws

click here to read the Judge’s opinion

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER LARRY SUFFREDIN ON 2008 BUDGET PASSAGE

At midnight on February 29th President Stroger was threatening to shut down Cook County Government unless his sales tax increase passed. I voted for a compromise that I believe offered the best chance for reforming Cook County and insuring that all vital services continued. I'm not totally happy about the compromise but it was a case of choosing the lesser of two evils.

As you are aware, President Stroger has been working for months to impose a sales tax increase to fund the county's budget. I have fought hard to stop that increase, because I do not believe a tax is necessary. We should reduce our spending to make government more efficient and avoid the tax. I presented many ideas to stop a tax increase that were voted down by the Commissioners supporting President Stroger.

Read more

Below find President Stroger's remarks at the presentation of his 2008 Budget recommendation and a link to information on the date and location of four public hearings on the budget.

* Budget remarks
* Budget briefing presentation
* Public hearing information
* 2008 Executive Budget
* FY2008 Department Hearing Schedule (no opportunity for public comment)

Suffredin Unveils Ordinance to Rein in Gun Shops

View the press release
View the proposed ordinance

Forest Preserve Restoration

Support restoration efforts and good stewardship in the Forest Preserves. Here's how you can help:

* Action Alert: Support Prescribed Burning
* Action Alert: Support Forest Preserve Restoration

Cook County Revenue System Report

Below find the Report on the Cook County Revenue System presented by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

* Executive Summary
* Report

Supplemental Fund Transfer

I am happy to announce that at the September 6, 2007 meeting, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a supplemental Fund Transfer Resolution to provide cost of living increases to non-union County employees operating under grant programs and supervisors in the Office of the Public Defender. These workers were not included under the previous Fund Transfer Resolution. This move will ensure that all employees of Cook County are treated equally and fairly.

Click here for the full text of the supplemental Fund Transfer Resolution

Suffredin Statement on Salary Increases for State's Attorneys

Veterans Benefits Resolution

The County Board passed a resolution authorizing a referendum to be placed on the February 5, 2008 primary election ballot. As a co-sponsor of this measure, I believe that an affirmative vote on this referendum will show a strong show of support for our Veterans and our troops.

Read resolution.

Cook County Clerk's Voting Equipment Reports

* Final April 17, 2007 Election Assessment
* Election Report 4-19-07
* Election Report 3-36-07
* Election Report 3-19-07
* Election Report 3-12-07
* Election Report 3-5-07
* Election Report 2-26-07
* Election Report 2-19-07
* Election Report 2-12-07
* Election Report 2-5-07

Evanston Legislators call upon residents to help combat domestic violence by recycling old cell phones

Are you getting a new phone this holiday season? U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, State Senator Jeff Schoenberg, State Representative Julie Hamos, and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin encourage you to donate your old cell phones to help combat domestic violence.

Used wireless phones can be dropped off at the Evanston Legislative Offices during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, located at 820 Davis St., 1st Floor, Evanston, IL 60201.

More information

Cook County Transition Team Final Report

I am pleased to offer the final report of President Steele's Transition Team. This report will be given to President-Elect Todd Stroger as a guide to reforming Cook County.

View report.

The County & The FBI

Statement of Larry Suffredin

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois have done the citizens of Cook County a favor by executing a search warrant and serving Grand Jury subpoenas concerning Cook County 's hiring process. This investigation is an opportunity for the County Board to redesign the employment rules and bring transparency that will give the citizens and our County and Forest Preserve employees confidence that merit and qualifications are the sole criteria for hiring, transfers and promotions.

The nearly 26,000 County and Forest Preserve jobs belong to the public and the public has a right to fair access to those jobs. President Bobbie Steele has made a good first step in issuing Executive Order 2 on employment. This Executive Order and the Shakman Consent Decree on hiring, transfer and promotion must now become the basis for a new employment ordinance. I will introduce such an ordinance at the October 4, 2006 Board meeting.

We should all be glad that the Federal Government has helped exposed the old system of hiring that was part of the 1950's or earlier style of politics. A new ordinance must have clear job rights and protections similar to Federal workers. The lack of a strong law has made County and Forest Preserve workers the object of scorn.

I trust that this action will give hope to our many dedicated County and Forest Preserve workers and that their futures will be decided by their efforts and not by outside political forces. If we are successful, then in the future County workers will have the same standing in society that Federal workers have now.

See related articles:

* Feds seize county hiring records Chicago Sun-Times 9/22/06
* FBI raids county Daily Herald 9/22/06
* FBI raid targets county job files Chicago Tribune 9/22/06
* Steele's Executive Order 06-2- Banning Political Hiring 8/29/06

Rogers Park to receive new Federally Qualified Health Center

Heartland International Health Center, an affiliate of Heartland Alliance
to be new community health provider. Read more

Chicago Journal: Just what the doctor ordered IndiaPost.com: Quality care for diverse Rogers Park community