Cook County

Only in Cook: Highest bidder wins contract

A $298,000 parking-lot contract goes to the firm with the highest price tag and the longest list of campaign contributions. County commissioners say the company was more experienced than competitors.

2 months ago | By Paul Rock

Tax repeal proposal fails

A proposal by Commissioner Tony Peraica to reverse the county's 1 percent sales tax fails by a 10-7 vote with some of Peraica's colleagues accusing him of political grandstanding.

3 months ago | By Paul Rock

County health system headed for $40 million deficit

County officials tell health and hospital board members that revenues aren't keeping up with the expense of running the county's three hospitals and 16 clinics, where more patients are uninsured.

4 months ago | By Paul Rock

County to pay $425,000 to settle case of man beaten by hospital police

County commissioners agree to cut their losses and settle the case of a 77-year-old man whose lawsuit alleged he was dragged out of his car and beaten by hospital police in 2006.

4 months ago | By Paul Rock

Officials press for property tax reform

Existing caps on property tax increases aren't enough, the mayor says. Tax bills are rising faster than paychecks, leading homeowners to default on their mortgages, he says.

5 months ago | By Jennifer Slosar

Former Tupperware CEO to lead hospitals board

Warren Batts, 75, was named as the new Cook County Health and Hospitals System's first chairman of the board. He says his business experience may help the troubled system operate more efficiently.

5 months ago | By Paul Rock

County to borrow against sales taxes

County commissioners narrowly approve a plan to take out a short term loan against a sales tax increase that won't start flowing into county coffers until July 1.

5 months ago | By Paul Rock

County bans ambulance company

Superior Ambulance of Elmhurst submitted the lowest offer to transport patients between the county's network of public hospitals and clinics. But county commissioners say bidding problems led then to ban the company.

5 months ago | By Paul Rock

Brawl breaks out after murder case verdict

Six people are in custody after a fracas erupted in a courtroom. Authorities say relatives of the deceased stormed the defendant after he was found not guilty.

5 months ago | By Jessica Pupovac

Juvenile home chief holds line on firing

A Cook County juvenile detention center employee accused of using unnecessary force successfully appealed his firing. But the center director won't have him back.

6 months ago | By Paul Rock

Juvenile detention director asks for patience

The transitional administrator to the county's troubled juvenile detention center tells the county's criminal justice committee that a turnaround will take two years.

6 months ago | By Paul Rock

Juvenile home chief gets grilled

The head of Cook County's troubled juvenile detention center faced harsh criticism from county commissioners, who accused him of lying to them.

6 months ago | By John Greenfield

Board to Peraica: Put up or shut up

In an apparent response to Commissioner Tony Peraica's complaints about patronage abuses, the Cook County Board voted to require reporting of any information about patronage hiring.

6 months ago | By John Greenfield

Mayor pitches property tax relief

County: reassessment not in the cards

9 months ago | By Jennifer Slosar

Cook housing chief to head CHA

New exec has family ties to Rockwell Gardens project

11 months ago | By Jennifer Slosar
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