Calls for Budget Cuts in Cook County

by Ashley Muchow Cook County Board President-elect, Toni Preckwinkle, recently warned county officials they would be responsible for making major spending cuts in their budgets to close the county’s $487 million gap. Preckwinkle met with elected county officials, including Cook County Clerk David Orr, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, and Treasurer Maria Pappas, asking each to cut...

by Ashley Muchow

Cook County Board President-elect, Toni Preckwinkle, recently warned county officials they would be responsible for making major spending cuts in their budgets to close the county’s $487 million gap.

Preckwinkle met with elected county officials, including Cook County Clerk David Orr, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, and Treasurer Maria Pappas, asking each to cut their budgets by 21 percent over three quarters for the fiscal year after the budget is passed–equal to a 16 percent cut in each department for the year.

Preckwinkle has avoided solving the county’s fiscal problem with tax hikes, as was the approach of ousted County Board President Todd Stroger. She ran her campaign emphasizing fiscal stability and tax relief and won. As of now, she appears to be on her way to living up to those campaign promises.

Preckwinkle plans we should keep close eye on include:

Combining purchasing and other county functions that could save more than $150 million.

“We’re going to be talking to the labor unions about the contribution that they can make to helping us deal with the terrible problems we’ve got,” she added.

And:

She said the changes will start with her office: she’s taking a 10 percent pay cut,consolidating services and doing desk audits to see if there are any redundant positions.

If these promises are met, Preckwinkle’s aim to close the budget hole will likely bode well for all of Cook County.