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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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Connect with Commissioner Goslin on Facebook to get useful updates on county programs and opportunities!
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Car-Sharing in Cook County
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Yesterday, Commissioner Goslin's resolution requesting a report on the cost-savings of utilizing a car-sharing program countywide was approved.
The Cook County Vehicle Steering Committee has been working with various departments to update all vehicle information so that maintenance , fuel costs and usage data can be appropriately included in such calculations. The report, due in 30 days, will also include a plan to implement the car-sharing program in the current budget year.
Goslin has long been supportive of a transition from the traditional county fleet to a car-sharing program, and is eager to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the City of Chicago's recent car-sharing contract, which allows for other local units of government to piggy-back on the City contract.
The significant cost-savings available through the transition of the county fleet to a car-sharing program will bring the County Board one step closer to fulfilling its promise of a full repeal of the sales tax increase.
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County General Business License
| | Applications for the County's General Business License are due May 1, 2011. A new Cook County law requires all businesses in unicorporated Cook County to hold a General Business License (GBL). The purpose of the GBL is to ensure businesses operating in unincorporated Cook County are in compliance with public health and safety standards, as well as with all other County ordinances.
Any person or business in unincorporated Cook County must obtain a GBL if:
- They maintain a fixed place of business.
- They own or lease real property for business purposes.
- They regularly maintain a stock of tangible personal property for sale in the ordinary course of business.
Business owners must apply for the GBL, which is good for two years, and pay the $40 license fee online. Late applications will be subject to a late fee of $40, and businesses out of compliance may be subject to a $1000 fine.
Our office has received several calls from constituents regarding this matter, and we would like to note that businesses operated from homes in unincorporated Cook County are required to hold a General Business License.
Visit the Cook County Department of Revenue's website for more information about the GBL and to complete an online application.
The General Business License is a new requirement, and we are working with the Cook County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Revenue to try and make sure the process is as smooth a possible. Please contact us if you are confused about the requirement, have trouble with the application or have comments on anything--your input would be greatly appreciated.
You can e-mail us at commissioner.goslin@cookcountyil.gov or call us at 312-603-4932. |
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Reforms at the Forest Preserve District
| As chair of the Forest Preserve District Finance Committee, Commissioner Goslin joined President Preckwinkle and FPD Superintendent Arnold Randall this week in announcing the implementation of new reform measures and policies at the District.
Superintendent Randall worked with the Inspector General to audit personnel rules and develop new ones. These reforms are targeted at the type of inappropriate behavior and theft that occurred last summer at the Cermak Family Aquatic Center. Among the key changes that are being made at the pools are: - New cash management practices and a new credit card system;
- Additional security cameras at all pools;
- Wireless access for management to supervise swimming pool activity;
- New employee training program that includes ethics training.
In addition to these changes, Commissioner Goslin joined his colleagues in sponsoring the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Office of Inspector General Ordinance. The Forest Preserve District will continue to make use of the Cook County Inspector General for investigations related to FPD activities. This ordinance was approved at today's FPD Board Meeting.
For more information about the reforms related to FPD aquatic facilities, and the disciplinary measures taken against Cermak pool personnel, please visit the county website.
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In the District
| The Cook County Forest Preserve District is going out to bid for the following projects in or near the 14th District for 2011:
- River Trail Nature Center Shoreline Repair
- Repave North Branch Bicycle Trail between Dempster and Oakton
- Lake Cook Road - North Branch Bicycle Trail Extension in Partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden
- Install bird blind on Bullrush Marsh at Crabtree Nature Center
The Cook County Highway Department is beginning work on two reconstruction & rehabilitation projects in the 14th District: - Arlington Heights Road, University Drive to Lake Cook Road, in the Villages of Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove - This approximately 1.6 mile project provides reconstruction of the existing pavement from south of University Drive to north of Whitehall Drive and patching with diamond grinding of the existing pavement and reconstruction of the outer northbound lane from north of Whitehall Drive to the south edge of Lake Cook Road.
- Lake Cook Road from Wilmot Road to Pfingsten Road in the Village of Deerfield. This is approximately 1.2 mile project provides patching with diamond grinding of existing pavement from east of Wilmot Road to Pine Street and reconstruction of the existing 4 lane pavement to 6 lanes from Pine Street to the east edge of Pfingsten Road.
Please be advised that during construction, traffic in project areas will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Both projects are scheduled for completion in late fall 2011. |
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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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