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Now on Twitter!
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Follow Commissioner Goslin on Twitter to find out what he's been reading in the news and for live updates during County and Forest Preserve Board Meetings.
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Now on Facebook!
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Connect with Commissioner Goslin on Facebook and let him know what's on your mind!.
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NOTICE: Beginning with the following issue, this e-newsletter will be sent from CommissionerGoslin@cookcountygov.com. Please add this e-mail to your address books to ensure that future issues are delivered to your inbox.
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Consolidation of Cook County Technology
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Cook County has struggled for years to seek out the best
approach to address the technology requirements of all entities under the
auspices of the County. Lately, it has become evident that the County cannot afford to continue funding separate technology plans for different
agencies and departments under the umbrella of the County.
Annual technology funding outside of the Bureau of Technology is
significant:
- $30 million and 240 FTE's for automation
- $26 million with 192 FTE's for document storage
- over $50 million for technology related to the 260 and 579
accounts
Consolidation across all areas of
technology will improve efficiencies and save the County money. In 2010 the
Bureau of Technology will save $700,000 by consolidating the iSeries system
into the mainframe and $450,000 by transitioning phone system maintenance to
existing staff.
With these savings in mind, I proposed a resolution for the consolidation of Cook County Technology. The resolution directs the Bureau of Technology to prepare
a report identifying all county staff employed in automation or technology-related jobs throughout the county in preparation for the FY2011 budget.
This item was referred to the Information Technology & Automation Committee.
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Creation of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Committee
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The newly re-formed Cook County Homeland
Security and Emergency Management Department (CCHSEM) is charged with overseeing the use
of federal funds in suburban Cook County and providing a county-wide
emergency management system that integrates available first responders, their
departments and resources.
In light of a past report on the non-interoperability of radio systems from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the
state of emergency preparedness in the Chicago area, the goal of the new CCHSEM department is to improve our
current emergency management system and preparedness capabilities.
Due to the significant responsibilities of this department, I introduced a resolution creating the Cook County
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Committee to provide oversight with a timely flow of information and updates detailing the CCHSEM department's activities.
This resolution was referred to the Rules & Administration Committee.
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Independence of Health & Hospitals System Board
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As one of the original supporters of an
independent governing body for the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, I
remain a strong supporter of the CCHHS Board and their efforts to promote
efficiency and improve services in the County health system.
The CCHHS Board
has done a tremendous job since its creation, as evidenced by their FY2010 budget presentation, which showcased the elimination of 1400 full-time positions, the implementation of management audit recommendations and a variety of
other cost-cutting measures.
I am pleased with their current progress, in order to ensure lasting and effectual improvement, the CCHHS board must remain autonomous. That is why today I proposed an amendment to make the Cook County Health & Hospitals System Board Permanent. This amendment will cement the independence and autonomy of the CCHHS Board and allow them
to move forward uninhibited by meddling from the Cook County Board.
This item was referred to the Health & Hospitals Committee.
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Fleet Management Program
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At today's County Board Meeting, I introduced a resolution to explore the use of an
electronic fleet management system to manage Cook County vehicles. This system would use technology similar to Zipcar and I-GO to create a
car-sharing approach to county vehicles on a cross-departmental basis
in an effort to
increase the efficiency of the county fleet, acheive potential
cost-savings
and lower the environmental impact of county vehicle usage.
Cook County has a fleet of approximately 2000 vehicles used by various departments in the course of conducting county business. An electronic fleet management system would provide real-time data to help maximize fleet performance
and reduce the total number of county vehicles. Such data could also be used to help ensure vehicle
policies are followed by tracking the location and driver of County vehicles at
all times.
This item was referred to the Finance Committee.
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Tethering of Animals
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Today the Board approved an amendment to its ordinance concerning animals that imposes restrictions on the tethering of dogs in suburban Cook County. This amendment takes effect immediately.
The restrictions include:
- Tethered dogs must have access to water, shelter and dry ground
- Dogs must be tethered separately, with separate food, water and shelter
- Tether must be at least 10 feet long and not induce injury or strangulation
- Pinch, prong and choke collars can not be used in tethering
- No dog may be tethered in extreme weather conditions, including cases of heat advisories or wind chill warnings
- Dogs may not be tethered within 200 yards of a school
- Owners must keep tethered dogs from making excess noises such as barking, whining or howling
The purpose of this amendment is to prevent people from breeding dogs and using them in dog-fights. The amendment applies to suburban Cook County, though any more stringent municipal regulations will take precedent. The City of Chicago already has similar legislation on this matter.
To see a more detailed copy of the ordinance amendment, please visit the County Clerk's website and refer to Item #16 on the 1/26/10 County Board Agenda.
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Now Hiring at Brookfield Zoo!
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Brookfield Zoo is looking for friendly, fun, energetic people to join the zoo crew.
Flexible work schedules and great starting pay are part of the job.
Seasonal Job Fairs will be held in the zoo's Discovery Center on Monday, February 15 and Monday, March 15, 2010 from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
Applications can be printed from the seasonal employment application.
For more information, call the zoo's job hotline at (708) 688-8881. Applicants must be at least 16 years old.
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Waiver of Permit Fees
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I sponsored an amendment to Building and Zoning Fees, which extends the waiver
of permit fees for public entities (municipalities, school districts, library
systems, etc) to include annual and semi-annual inspection fees. This amendment was approved.
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In the District
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Niles Township
Approved Highway Improvement Resolution for Old Orchard Road, Harms Road to the Edens
Expressway (I-94) southbound ramps in the Village of Skokie and
unincorporated Niles Township. Fiscal Impact:
$8,750,000 from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund
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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 Goslin, Commissioner
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