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Thank you for visiting my website. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the Cook County Board Commissioner and Forest Preserve District Board Commissioner for the 13th District which includes the following Cities and Villages: 49th & 50th Wards of the City of Chicago, the City of Evanston and the Villages of Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka. Although our Cook County government has a low profile, it is a vast operation with many important responsibilities and an annual budget of $3 billion. It is responsible for operating our court system, jail, maintaining 68,000 acres of forest preserves, and acting as a healthcare safety net through the operation of four hospitals and 30 clinics. The purpose of this site is to provide information on Cook County government and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County as well as links to other government resources. I regularly post news stories and information on County and Forest Preserve issues which may be of interest to you. Additionally, my legislative library contains up-to-date information on County and Forest Preserve legislation. I encourage you to contact me with any questions or ideas you have regarding Cook County or the Forest Preserve District. I hope you find this site useful. Thank you for taking the time to visit. Sincerely,
 Larry Suffredin
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May 2008
16th Annual Chicago River Day You are invited to participate in the 16th Annual Chicago River Day. Join Commissioner Suffredin and Friends of the Chicago River in cleaning up one of our region's beautiful natural resources at the 16th Annual Chicago River Day workday. The event will occur this Saturday, May 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Skokie Lagoons, in Winnetka. read more
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. Amendment to the Independent Board of Health Directors Ordinance introduced Click here for the executive summary Click here for the full text of the amendment 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
Cook County Clerk's Report on TIFs
* Press Release from the Cook County Clerk * TIF Report Executive Summary * TIF Summary – Cook County * Clerk's Website
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
Assessor Houlihan Report
Cook County Assessor's Report on hospital tax exempt status.
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
Emergency Network to Save Cook County Health Services
Below you will find materials from the Emergency Network to Save Cook County Health Services, a group fighting to save Cook County's Health System. I fully support their important work.* Bureau of Health Services Review Commitee Report (Goodman Report)
* Full report * Quotes from Goodman Report * Sun Times Editorial, "Bad Medince" * Danny Davis Opinion Piece * Commissioner Suffredin's Draft Ordinance: Bureau of Health Services Trusteeship * Proposed Ordinances * Comparison Sheet * Chicago Tribune Editorial, "First Stabilize the Patient" * Weekly Bulletin #9 * Weekly Bulletin #8 * Weekly Bulletin #7 * Weekly Bulletin #6 * Weekly Bulletin #5 * Weekly Bulletin #4 * Weekly Bulletin #3 * Weekly Bulletin #2 * Weekly Bulletin #1 * Questions & Answers * Endorsement form and list * List of Endorsers as of December 17, 2007 * Institute of Medicine of Chicago Position Statement * Women Leader's Letter * Patient Story Banking Form ( English ) ( Spanish ) * Provider Story Banking Form ( English ) ( Spanish )
Chicago Public Schools and Gun Violence
Attached is the letter from CEO Arne Duncan that was part of the back to school packets given to all CPS students on the first day of school.
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
COLA Agreement Statement of Commissioner Larry Suffredin (7/30/07)
This is the best the County could do to gain a fair and just wage for 6,221 non-union Cook County workers.
These hard working employees work everywhere in the County - from the Courts and other public safety jobs through administration of assessments, issuing of marriage licenses, collecting taxes, recording of deeds and the providing of quality health care.
As County officials we knew that it would take $46 million to give all non-union workers COLA's back to December 1, 2004 and we had identified $47 million that could be used for this purpose. But we had to also work at stabilizing both the 2007 and 2008 budgets. Therefore, we agreed to use $21 million from a bankruptcy settlement to cover this pay adjustment with full and partial COLA's and agreed to use the remaining $26 million to help balance both the 2007 and 2008 budgets. We know that there is still is work to be done to provide full COLA's for all.
In addition on tomorrow's agenda we have two items that will further help stabilize our 2007 and 2008 budgets and strengthen our ability to provide fair and just pay to all in the future. First a measure championed by Commissioner Collins and Co-Sponsored by me to stop further payments to the Special Prosecutors in the Burge case after July 10, 2007. Second a resolution sponsored by me to require all Court related offices to develop plans to increase revenue from the various programs they run. These cost savings and enhanced revenues will help the County's financial picture and give us resources to plan for the future.
We also need continued and increased support from our partners in government - the Federal and State governments - if we are to continue to provide quality services to all who need it, especially the indigent, in the areas of Public Safety and Public Health.
I want to thank President Todd Stroger and his staff Lance Tyson, Donna Dunnings, Joseph Fratto and Jarese Wilson for their efforts and good faith in negotiating this agreement. All this would not have happened if they did not meet with Commissioners John Daley, Mike Quigley and me often over the last two weeks.
Finally, I know that there are still County employees, especially the Public Defender Supervisors, who under this deal are not getting the pay deal they deserve. I pledge to correct this in future budget negotiations. The struggle for fair and just wages for dedicated union and non-union employees is always ongoing.
View statement. View Resolution on COLA Transfer.
Suffredin Statement on Salary Increases for State's Attorneys Since the budget alternative that I helped craft was defeated by the Board, I have worked to implement the current budget in a fair and equal manner. At the time the current budget was passed it was known that non-union County employees were not getting the normal COLA adjustment back to December 1, 2004 that our unionized employees were going to receive.Since the passage of the current budget I have introduced along with Commissioner Mike Quigley a “Fund Transfer Ordinance” to fund full COLA raises for the State's Attorney and Assessor Offices from existing funds and new funds from two Court settlements.
Since the introduction of our “Fund Transfer Ordinance” we have been in negotiations with the Administration to come-up with an agreeable solution to this pay disparity problem for all non-union employees. Our goal was always to have a final proposal available for passage at the July 31, 2007 Board meeting with checks payable in August.
Read full text of statement
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
President Steele's Transition Report
I am pleased to present President Steele's Health and Hospitals Transition Team's final report.
View report
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.
Shakman Settlement: Statement of Larry Suffredin
On November 29, 2006, The Cook County Board of Commissioners agreed to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of Cook County with the plaintiffs in the federal court Shakman lawsuit. The settlement will resolve all pending civil matters related to any alleged violation of the Shakman consent decrees under the offices of the President and will allow the citizens of Cook County to have full confidence that the County is moving forward with both fair and honest administration of government and that the hiring of non-exempt positions are done so without the influence of politics. U.S. District Court Judge Wayne Andersen entered the order on November 30, 2006 accepting the settlement agreement. Read full statement .
Read related documents:
* County Shakman Administration Information Page * Judge Nowicki's Report (1/3/07) * Judge Anderson's Order * Shakman ordinance
Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Update
Please see the latest report of the John Howard Association on the JTDC. This report is disappointing since The Board had been assured that many of the issues raised had been corrected. As the link to both the Tribune and Defender Stories on this report indicate we have a long way to go before we can be proud of the work at the JTDC. I will continue to push for reforms.
Read related documents & articles:
* Monitor Report - 2/07 * March 28, 2007 report from the John Howard Association * Chicago Bar Association Blue Ribbon Committee Report (1/11/07) * Stroger's wise move (Tribune 1/12/07) * Modified Implementation Plan (1/3/07) * Juvenile center reforms detailed (Chicago Tribune, 1/9/07) * Plan for Fixing Jail Ready (Sun-Times, 1/9/07) * Juvenile center boss rips reform report (Chicago Tribune, 11/30/06) * Juvenile center not cooperating: monitor (Sun-Times, 11/21/06) * Friction at Youth Center Reported (Chicago Tribune, 11/21/06) * Juvenile center chided on reform (Chicago Tribune, 10/18/06) * New report indicate county juvenile detention center flawe (Chicago Defender, 10/19/06) * John Howard Association report
Crain's: Suffredin seeking $200 million a year to fund county system
By Mike Colias and Greg Hinz (October 8, 2006) A Cook County commissioner wants to squeeze as much as $200 million a year from local hospitals to help fund the county's cash-starved health system.
Commissioner Larry Suffredin says he'll introduce a measure in coming weeks that will pose a choice to the county's more than 50 non-profit hospitals: Offer more free medical services to ease the burden on the struggling county hospital system, contribute cash to that system or pay property taxes.
Read the entire article.
Forest Preserve Land Management
I am pleased to present the Executive Order issued Oct. 3, 2006 by President Steele concerning best management practices in the Forest Preserve District.
View Executive Order.
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
Health Policy Report
Protecting the Legacy of Caring for Vulnerable Populations: An Action Agenda of the Cook County Health System
Through the efforts of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine Institute for Healthcare Studies, Health Management Associates and the Otho S. A. Sprague Memorial Institute, a comprehensive study of Cook County health delivery systems was conducted. The resulting report and executive summary are attached. I will work in the coming days to implement the key recommendations of the study. View Executive Summary View Full report
Military Style Assault Weapons Ban Referendum on 11-7-06 Ballot
In order to protect our children and communities, I sponsored the attached resolution to place the following question on the November 7, 2006 Ballot:
“For the health and safety of children and the entire community, shall the State of Illinois enact a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, sale, delivery and possession of military-style assault weapons and .50 caliber rifles?”
Please encourage your friends and family to vote for it.
Read Resolution.
Online Legislative Library Launched
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new, comprehensive Cook County and Forest Preserve District legislative library accessible on this website.
www.suffredin.org/legislativelibrary
The library is the first of its kind for Cook County government and includes all ordinances passed or proposed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners and Forest Preserve District of Cook County since I took office in December 2002. My office will be working to ensure that this library is continuously updated.
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
Heartland Alliance Report
I am pleased to present the Heartland Alliance recent report, Building on our Success: Moving from Health Coverage to Improved Access and Comprehensive Well-Being for Illinois Children and Youth.This report, funded by the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation, documents the barriers in Illinois to achieving a healthy life in the areas of physical, mental and oral health, as well as nutrition issues and insurance coverage, and makes recommendations for improving well-being for children and youth.
* View Report * Press Release * Youth Survey
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More cloutrageous choices Thursday, May 08, 2008 Chicago Sun-TimesDressed down Thursday, May 08, 2008 Special to suffredin.org16th Annual Chicago River Day Wednesday, May 07, 2008 Special to suffredin.orgA stacked deck Wednesday, May 07, 2008 Chicago TribunePublic defender wins round against county Tuesday, May 06, 2008 Law BulletinGoslin's no-show excuse rings hollow Monday, May 05, 2008 Daily HeraldStroger nominates 9 to monitor public health system Sunday, May 04, 2008 Chicago TribuneJudge delays County Board hearing on Stroger plan to fire public defender Saturday, May 03, 2008 Special to suffredin.orgStroger's health board picks praised Saturday, May 03, 2008 Chicago Sun-TimesCourt delays hearing on lawyer's firing Saturday, May 03, 2008 Daily HeraldPublic defender tries to head off board effort to fire him Friday, May 02, 2008 Law BulletinStellar public servant should need no defense Friday, May 02, 2008 Chicago Sun-TimesCook Co. commissioner has his say over meeting Friday, May 02, 2008 Daily HeraldJudge Nordberg, enough! Friday, May 02, 2008 Chicago TribuneFailed clinic operator on county's health board list Friday, May 02, 2008 Chicago TribunePublic defender: Stroger gave me unqualified workers Thursday, May 01, 2008 Chicago Sun-TimesThree pros Stroger needs on new county health board Thursday, May 01, 2008 Chicago Sun-TimesIn Todd Stroger's absence, Palatine talks of removing itself from Cook County Thursday, May 01, 2008 Chicago TribuneStroger: Secede if you want to, but it's 'not really practical' Thursday, May 01, 2008 Daily HeraldPalatine residents attend gathering despite Stroger's decision not to go Thursday, May 01, 2008 Daily Herald
all news items
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