Articles filed under Cook County Board

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Mayor: County must help homeowners May 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Letter to the editor: Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen urges the Cook County Board to investigate skyrocketing real estate taxes for homeowners, and find some relief. "If the economy is truly to recover, we must stabilize our neighborhoods and protect our homeowners," he writes.
Cook County, Schaumburg tout joint road projects for 2013 May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and other county officials joined with their Schaumburg counterparts Thursday to mark this year's important collaborative road projects and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cook County Highway Department."This is a real opportunity for us to show off the good work the county does," Preckwinkle said.
Preckwinkle: Development efforts must be regionalApr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Investing in education and infrastructure is the key to economic growth in Cook County, coupled with a focus on the region and not just Chicago, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Tuesday during a business luncheon in Palatine. "We're at the core of the region," she said. "My view is our goal has to be to figure out how we can support economic development and growth in the region as a whole."
Cook County OKs program to boost transit-oriented development Apr 17, 2013 12:00 AM
Cook County soon will offer federal loan guarantees for economic development projects that feature transportation and job growth opportunities. The county board voted Wednesday to participate in the U.S. Housing and Urban Development program. County officials are still determining how the loans will be issued, but the $30 million available has to be allocated by February 2014.
Candidate to replace Beavers has ethical troubles Apr 10, 2013 12:00 AM
A published report says a leading candidate to replace convicted Commissioner William Beavers on the Cook County Board has some ethics problems of his own.
Ex-Cook County Board president wants to return Mar 22, 2013 12:00 AM
A familiar name in Chicago politics has expressed an interest in replacing convicted Commissioner William Beavers on the Cook County Board. Former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger says he will reach out to Democratic Party committeemen over the weekend to determine how much support he may have.
Beavers found guilty of tax evasion Mar 21, 2013 12:00 AM
An influential Chicago Democrat was convicted on Thursday of tax evasion for not declaring campaign cash he gambled away on slot machines as income. William Beavers slumped in his courtroom chair after the verdict. But post-verdict, standing in the federal courthouse lobby surrounded by TV cameras, the Cook County commissioner regained his trademark swagger — smiling and sounding defiant.
Ex-casino worker testifies Beavers lost nearly $500,00 on slots Mar 15, 2013 12:00 AM
A powerful Chicago politician who earns just a five-figure salary gambled away nearly $500,000 playing slot machines over three years at a single casino, according to records entered into evidence by prosecutors Friday at the Democrat's tax-evasion trial.
Beavers lied about campaign money, prosecutors say Mar 14, 2013 12:00 AM
A powerful Chicago politician fond of playing slot machines spent thousands of dollars from his campaign coffers at a casino and then falsely declared he'd spent it on authorized campaign expenses, a prosecutor told newly seated jurors Thursday.
Beavers' tax evasion trial resumes Mar 11, 2013 12:00 AM
A tough-talking Chicago Democratic politician remained defiant as his tax-evasion trial resumed Monday after a three-month delay, vowing to testify and challenge prosecutors when testimony begins in coming days. William Beavers has pleaded not guilty to charges he diverted more than $225,000 from campaign coffers to support a gambling habit and for other personal use without reporting it on 2006 through 2008 returns.
Cook County’s use tax is entirely bogus Feb 27, 2013 12:00 AM
Letter to the editor: "Has anyone else in Cook County been slapped with the Non-Retailer Use Tax?" asks Jesse Szach of Schaumburg, who tells the story of the $175 tax he was forced to pay on a used motorcycle he bought in 2012.
Cook County passes ordinance aimed at illegal guns in Chicago Feb 5, 2013 12:00 AM
In an effort to slow the flow of illegal guns to Chicago streets, county commissioners approved an ordinance Tuesday that imposes fines of as much as $2,000 on suburban residents who fail to report when their guns are lost, stolen or given to someone else.
Stroger sales tax hike rolled back Dec 31, 2012 12:00 AM
Cook County shoppers could save a little money on their purchases starting Jan. 1. The final one-quarter percent of an infamous sales tax increase championed by former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger rolls back, moving the county's share of local sales taxes back to 0.75 percent.
Cook County officials propose land bank Dec 19, 2012 12:00 AM
Two Cook County elected officials want to create a land bank they hope would help turn sites left abandoned or vacant by foreclosure into productive properties. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bridget Gainer on Tuesday introduced their plan to create a Cook County Land Bank Authority. A public meeting on it is scheduled for Jan. 15.
Cook County approves forest preserve budget Dec 19, 2012 12:00 AM
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners has unanimously passed the proposed 2013 budget, which calls for expenditures of $189 million, and no tax increase. The budget includes plans for a renewed focus on community engagement and outreach, working with community groups, churches, not-for-profits and other organizations to attract new users.
Cook County cuts cost of jail phone calls Dec 19, 2012 12:00 AM
The Cook County Board has approved revisions to a contract with Securus Technologies, which will result in Cook County Jail inmates being able to talk twice as long for half the cost.
Beavers can say he repaid money if he testifies Nov 30, 2012 12:00 AM
An influential Chicago politician can tell jurors he put cash back into his campaign coffers and amended his tax returns as part of his defense at his upcoming tax-evasion trial, but only if he takes the stand and speaks to jurors directly, a judge ruled Friday.
Barrington Hills, East Dundee clash over auto auction business Nov 19, 2012 12:00 AM
The village of Barrington Hills and a citizens group have launched a campaign against Insurance Auto Auctions, which hopes to build a car storage and auction site in East Dundee, amid fears fear the business will pollute the local water supply with toxic fluids from leaky vehicles. But an East Dundee official accuses Barrington Hills of "significant fear mongering" and "all kinds of craziness."
Editorial: Preckwinkle gives and takes Cook taxesOct 24, 2012 12:00 AM
A Daily Herald editorial comments on the continuing efforts by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to bring county spending in line.
Preckwinkle’s plan: Add a nickel for every bullet Oct 18, 2012 12:00 AM
As Chicago struggles to quell gang violence that has contributed to a jump in homicides, a top elected official wants to tax the sale of every bullet and firearm — an effort that has national gun-rights advocates already considering a legal challenge. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle submitted a proposed budget on Thursday that would impose a tax of a nickel for each bullet and $25 for each firearm sold in the county.