Office Address
2510 Green Bay Road
Evanston 60201
(847) 864-1209
Note: Due to the pandemic, staff are generally working remotely. We staff the district office Monday through Thursday. We are meeting with constituents by appointment only. Staff can be reached via email: Mjordan@suffredin.org.
TO READ Larry Suffredin's Statement on Completing Current Elected Term at County and Forest Preserve click here
Last week the Cook County Board unanimously passed the 2022 budgets for Cook County and the Forest Preserve District. Commissioner Suffredin's statements on both budgets below:
A “Yes” Vote For 2022 Cook County Budget
Good Financial Management and Federal Assistance Saves the Budget
On November 18, 2021, I voted “Yes” for President Toni Preckwinkle’s $8 Billion 2022 Cook County budget which did not raise taxes, maintains a rainy-day fund; took advantage of good management to cover all essential services; and wisely budgeted CARES and ARPA funding from the Federal Government. This budget grew by just over $1 billion from last year because of expansion of our County Care Health Program during the pandemic and the receipt of Federal funding.
The County has received $1 billion of ARPA funding that will be divided over three budget years with each budget having $333 million. In this budget $100 million is used to cover for lost tax revenues from various sources during the pandemic. $233 million has been appropriated to cover programs to be identified in the future in the following areas: economic development, mental health services, violence prevention, housing, workforce development and criminal justice reform.
In this COVID period, extraordinary management is necessary to lead a government Cook County’s size. Of all the large governments in Illinois Cook County is in the best position to survive in this pandemic world because of its fiscal management.
The budget continues our funding of additional pension payments which has stabilized our Cook County bond ratings and given us the best funded and most stable large public pension fund in the State.
For the fourth year there are no home rule tax increases included in this budget. Cook County has not raised Property Taxes since 1994. This budget was crafted to maximize services and protect taxpayers from unfair taxation. It is also the result of serious budgeting decisions that have been made over the last 5 years that focused on cost savings.
The Cook County Health and Hospital System’s budget allows it to respond to the pandemic and changing patient needs. Israel Rocha became the President and CEO of our Health Care System a year ago. His leadership and that of the Independent Board has shaped the Health Care budget to ensure quality services.
This budget allows the Cook County Chief Circuit Judge Timothy Evans to expand Domestic Violence Court services to give greater protection to victims. In addition, we have increased juror fees and expanded appointments of lawyers for indigent people.
There are additional changes to the Budget Resolution that will expand the County Board’s flexibility to appropriate any additional financial relief the Federal Government may give us during the coming year. We will be able to prioritize the spending of these added resources and thus eliminate the need for any future tax increases.
Overall, this is a quality budget that shows good planning and accountability is essential to good government.
A “YES” Vote for Cook County Forest Preserve 2022 Budget and the reason we need to pass the Referendum to Save Our Forest Preserves
On November 18, 2021, I voted for a maintenance 2022 Cook County Forest Preserve District Budget because it is the only way we can function under the current tax structure. The reality is that all our revenue sources have been tapped out and are not sufficient to support our mission of preserving our land. This budget uses reserve funding and excellent management to let the District survive.
This is the fifth survival budget in a row that does not address the actual needs to protect our land resources and strengthen the commitment to the future.
To solve this problem the Forest Preserve Board has placed a Referendum on the November 2022 ballot that would raise $40 million a year with a small real estate tax increase.
As a Non-Home Rule unit of local government, the Forest Preserve District can only raise funds through property taxes, fees, or any other authorization the Illinois General Assembly may grant. Tax cap limits on non-home rule units of governments have crippled the Forest Preserve District’s ability to keep up with inflation. In addition, unfunded mandates from the State have put a pension burden on the District as well as limited our ability to properly protect the land.
Passage of the Referendum would give the voters the right to decide what level of taxation is appropriate. The Referendum campaign will highlight: expanded restoration services and programing on our land; additional land purchases; increased assistance to the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden; expanded stormwater protection; increased carbon reduction our trees and other vegetation provide to improve air quality; and increased recreational and educational opportunities.
Finally, our Forest Preserves land survives because of the thousands of hours that our volunteers give to protect our vast and diverse holdings. We all owe these dedicated volunteer workers a thank you for their service. Passage of the Referendum will give these volunteers the resources they need to do more.
FYI: Nov. 15 is Opening Day for Forest Preserves of Cook County 2022 Picnic and Special Event Permits and Camping Reservations for details click here
“Roadmap for Spending County ARPA Funds”
ROADMAP TO RECOVERY: COOK COUNTY'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
To read the recently developed Roadmap to Recovery: Cook County’s American Rescue Plan 2021 Performance Report click here. To read the Board of Commissioners Budget Briefing on ARPA click here
COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER LARRY SUFFREDIN ANNOUNCES THAT NILES TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS CAN APPEAL THEIR 2021 PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS TO THE COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR THROUGH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021.
Commissioner Suffredin’s office will not be taking in-person appointments. We will continue to help people via phone and email. Commissioner Suffredin's office can be reached at 847-864-1209 or mjordan@suffredin.org.
Residents can contact Niles Township Assessor Scott Bagnall at Assessor@Nilestownshipgov.com or 847.673.9300 ext. 103.To schedule an appointment click this link https://nilestownshipassessor.setmore.com/bookappointment
Residents can also visit the Cook County Assessor’s website at cookcountyassessor.com.
August 23, 2021: The Cook County Department of Public Health has issued an indoor mask requirement. Click here for a press release and here for further details from the Cook County Department of Public Health *This order requires masking in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.
Cook County Health has a website with new COVID FAQs added weekly
Click here to submit your COVID questions and get factual answers from public health experts. Sign up and you will receive a weekly email notification when FAQs have been updated. Click here to read a current list of questions and answers.
COVID19
Vaccination Virtual Town Hall
On February 2, there was a virtual Town Hall Meeting on the vaccine. To watch this event click here. To read the frequently asked questions from the event click here. To view the slides from the event click here.
Individuals can still make appointments at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or by calling 833-308-1988, Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Visit cookcountyhealth.org/covid19-vaccine-sites/ for updated hours of operation.
Vaccine Information
Cook County is open to statewide residents
All Cook County Sites are open to all Illinois residents. The State is supplying increased vaccinations.
Cook County Vaccination Report
Here is Cook County’s bi-weekly report on vaccination distribution dated November 15, 2021. These reports are updated bi-weekly. Past reports can be found here. This report does not include Evanston, Skokie and Chicago as these municipalities have their own independent health departments. Here is the Cook County Vaccine Equity Report.
WHEREAS, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a deadly infectious disease that has swept across our county, state, nation and world; and
WHEREAS, anyone can contract COVID-19, regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, as of October 21, 2020, COVID-19 had killed more than 4.9 million people worldwide, 732,000 people in the United States, 28,344 people in Illinois and 11,757 people in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, each of the departed leave family, friends and communities in mourning; and
WHEREAS, as of October 21, 2021 COVID-19 had killed 1,079 residents who lived in the 13th District of Cook County; and
May 28 to September 13, 2020, September 14 to December 7, 2020 December 8, to May 5, 2021 May 5, to June 13, 2021, July 21, 2021 to October 20,2021
