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Deer Grove Restoration Project Open House
A large-scale, 5-year project for the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in
Palatine is slated to get underway in late summer, helping to restore
and enhance wetlands and increase the biodiversity of diminishing
native plants and animal species.
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Open HouseAugust 1st
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walter R. Sundling
Jr. High
1100 N. Smith Street
Palatine, IL
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Sales Tax Repeal Update: A Veto-Proof Reduction!
At today's County Board Meeting, the 1% Cook County sales tax increase was reduced 50% by vote of 13 - 3 (1 absent). The compromise amendment detailing this partial repeal had 14 sponsors--enough to override a potential veto. The reduction of the County sales tax from 1.75% to 1.25% will take effect on January 1, 2010.
In addition to rolling back the sales tax 0.5%, the approved ordinance amendments require the FY2010 budget to be based on actual revenue in 2009 (adjusted for the tax rate reduction from 1.75 to 1.25%). The legislation also commits the Board of Commissioners to no further tax increases to balance the budget and requires a public presentation of preliminary budget requests for FY2010.
Counties and governments across the nation are experiencing serious budget shortages, but in economic times such as these it is more important than ever for citizens to be put first. Before imposing burdensome tax increases on already overstressed taxpayers, government must first look to eliminate its inefficiencies and streamline operations to provide quality services at the best possible cost to its citizens.
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No-Smoking Perimeter Increased at Health Facilities
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| In June I sponsored an amendment to the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance to increase the smoking prohibition distance at county-owned health facilities from 15 to 30 feet from any entrance or exit. At today's Environmental Control Committee meeting, this amendment was approved. This increased no-smoking perimeter will help ensure that citizens, especially those suffering from asthma or
other respiratory conditions, are not unduly exposed to secondhand
smoke as they go about their daily lives.
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Civil Action to Be Pursued Against Burr Oak Cemetery
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$250,000.00 of taxpayer money have been expended through the efforts of the Cook County Sheriff's Office to investigate and sort out the criminal activity and mismanagement of the owners and operators of Burr Oak Cemetery.
In addition to the criminal prosecution of those in violation of state laws, I sponsored a resolution to file a civil action against all those responsible in an effort to bring judicial closure to the families
of the deceased whose graves have been desecrated and to recoup those
much needed public funds spent as a result of these heinous acts.
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Amendments to County Zoning Ordinance
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Two amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance were proposed today regarding parking of trucks, commercial vehicles, trailers, recreational vehicles nad boatson residential lots in Residence Districts R-1 through R-8. These amendments were referred to the Building & Zoning Committee.
Detailed information is available on today's board agenda. |
In the District
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Northfield Township
Referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals a new application seeking a Map Amendment from the R-5 Single Family Residence District
to the R-6 General Residence District for four two-story townhomes
in Section 33 of Northfield Township. Property consists of .374
of an acre located on the northwest corner of Central Road and Glenshire
Road. Intended
use: The buildings will be used for four (4) two-story townhomes.
Approved Intergovernmental
Agreement between the County of Cook and the Village of Arlington Heights regarding Arlington
Heights Road,
Rand Road
to University Drive in the
Village of Arlington Heights. Centerline
Mileage: 1.41 miles Fiscal
Impact: $110,000.00 ($55,000.00 to be reimbursed by the Village
of Arlington Heights) from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund.
Approved Completion of Construction on West
Lake (East Lake) Avenue, Milwaukee
Avenue to Patriot Boulevard in
the Village of Glenview. Final
Cost: $12,665,720.26
Wheeling Township
Approved Speed Limit Zoning Ordinance, changing the speed limit from 35 to 30 mph on Willow
Road, Rand
Road to Schoenbeck Road in the
City of Prospect Heights and the Village of Arlington Heights.
Approved Class 6b Property Assessment for 2320
South Foster Avenue, in Wheeling. The application from Marathon Cutting Die, Inc. was reviewed by the County Board and approved on grounds cited by the Village of Wheeling, including that the Class 6b
is necessary for development to occur and that significant rehabilitation and renovation is required. The re-occupancy will create an estimated 24 new jobs. |
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Let's
have a conversation! As always, feel free to
reply to this newsletter, send me an email or give me a call about any
Cook County issue.
Sincerely,
Gregg |
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