This makes sense because it reduces costs and improves services to the residents who make up about 2 percent of the county's total population.

As recently pointed out by World Business Chicago, in its recently published "Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs," our region has suffered a "lost decade" in terms of economic growth. Reversing the negative economic trends requires, among other bold moves, reducing the Byzantine system of inefficient government that discourages businesses from committing to the region.

When firms see that Cook County government is creating more effective and fiscally responsible systems for improving municipal and Cook County service delivery, they will be encouraged to investand grow.

The task force has offered to take another six months to advance its agenda, which brings critical public and private support to a thorny issue. We congratulate everyone involved.

-- George Ranney, president and CEO, Metropolis Strategies, Chicago