Tuesday, November 12, 2002
Special to suffredin.org

Cook County Commissioner-elect Larry Suffredin (13^th District) has assembled a transition team of community leaders to advise him as he takes office on December 3rd.

Chairing the transition team is 13^th District resident Christopher G. Kennedy, President and Director of Merchandise Properties, Inc., and an active member of numerous non-profit groups and civic organizations.  Kennedy's reputation as an esteemed leader in the business world and an advocate for humanitarian causes will be a major asset to the team, Suffredin said.

"Chris Kennedy will provide invaluable leadership and great insight to the complex challenge of taking over a new office.  I can think of no better individual to head up this team and I look forward with great enthusiasm to working with Chris during my first days in office," the commissioner-elect said.

The distinguished team includes four elected officials from the 13^th District serving as co-chairs; Evanston mayor Lorraine Morton, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Glencoe Mayor Anthony Ruzicka, and 50^th Ward Chicago Alderman Bernard Stone.

The transition team is intended to be a vehicle for enhancing constituent services in County government; a key objective of Suffredin's throughout his campaign.  The area leaders and activists comprising the team have an intimate knowledge of the government services now provided in their communities, as well those that are most in need.

Suffredin's first priorities in office remain bringing new services such as an outpatient health-care facility to the district, and the experience and know-how of the team's members should prove to be vital aids in these pursuits.

The transition team also includes the chairs of four task forces Suffredin recently organized to tackle key challenges in County government and reform policy in vital areas.  Jane Balaban, a Nature Conservancy Board member and Skokie resident, chairs the Forest Preserve Task Force; Pradeep Roy-Singh, an Evanston lawyer and leader in the Indian community, chairs the Court Reform Task Force; Catherine Counard, a local physician and public health leader, chairs the Health Care Reform Task Force; and Ann Rainey, 8^th ward Evanston Alderman, chairs the Tax and Revenue Reform Task Force.

Dick Witry, an attorney with the law firm of McCarthy Duffy and a former Skokie Parks member, will serve as legal council.  Judith Ross, a former Niles Township trustee, has been appointed as the staff director.  Suffredin will be appointing more community members in the coming weeks.

Suffredin is a 25-year resident of Evanston.  He has advocated for public interest groups in causes such as handgun control, a woman’s right to choose, job development and education.  As an attorney, he has represented civic associations, labor unions and leading companies as their advocate in federal and state courts, public agencies and the Illinois legislature.

The 13^th District of Cook County encompasses much of Evanston, New Trier and Niles Townships, as well as Chicago’s 49^th and 50^th wards.

People seeking more information about Suffredin and his stance on the issues important to the office can visit his website – www.suffredin.org.