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Extending the period of time to pay these fines, fees and taxes is the right decision while businesses and residents continue to struggle with the economic fallout of the coronavirus,” Preckwinkle said. “During these tough times, pushing the deadlines on this economic package will provide additional relief to our businesses as hopeful“We expect the economic impact of COVID-19 to be substantial and believe extending many deadlines to June 1 can help businesses weather this storm,” said Cook County Chief Financial Officer Ammar Rizki. “We hope extending deadlines can help our businesses with a path to recovery by providing much-needed cash flow during this pandemic.”
Under the relief package, due dates for Home Rule Taxes like the Alcoholic Beverage Tax, Amusement Tax, Tobacco Tax and Gasoline and Hotel Accommodations Tax will be pushed back as will numerous fines and fees under the jurisdictions of the Departments of Transportation and Highways, Environment and Sustainability, Revenue, Building and Zoning and Public Health. The relief measures have the potential to free up $45 million for Cook County businesses. A full list of the business-friendly efforts is available in English, Spanish and Polish.
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Report highlights include Cook County’s reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, transportation, waste and water by 2.2% in 2018 from the prior year, putting the County well ahead of its target goal to achieve carbon neutral facilities by 2050. The County avoided emitting 409,869 million metric tons of total GHGs cumulatively since 2010 by reducing building emissions, and saved taxpayers a cumulative $33 million by reducing energy use since 2010. The County also reduced water usage by 12% in one year.
These initiatives align with President Preckwinkle’s vision outlined in the Cook County Policy Roadmap to create a fairer, more equitable Cook County by building vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities where people want to live, learn, work and play.
“We have a responsibility to combat the devastating effects climate change will have in our region,” said President Preckwinkle. “We must pay particular attention to our most vulnerable neighbors who are hardest hit by the effects of climate change, such as flooding, extreme heat and poor air quality.
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Originally published on hpherald.com 04/27/20
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is skeptical that the coronavirus pandemic will have a positive effect on the social and economic inequality of the nation, as some have suggested.
"Frankly, the idea that this crisis is going to transform inequality in this country seems to me to be incredibly optimistic," she said. "The inequality which African Americans are challenged by as a result of 250 years of slavery and 100 years of brutal oppression afterwards and the idea that one single event is going to magically change this profoundly racist country — and a country that's willing to tolerate tremendous income inequality – is optimistic.
"It doesn't mean we shouldn't try to work to use this crisis … as an opportunity to address those things. But I think you have to have realistic expectations."
Preckwinkle said her job is to try to help as many people as she can: "We run a health care system and criminal justice system, and I've worked hard (to try to guarantee) that we deliver good care throughout health care system and that I can make our criminal justice system as fair as possible in a country that's profoundly racist and in which Black and Brown people get ground up."
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Originally published on news.wttw.com 04/24/20 | Image: Raed Mansour / Flickr
Parking lots at the most popular forest preserves in Cook County will be closed on weekends through the end of May, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Friday.
The move was prompted by an influx of visitors in recent weeks, and concerns that many guests are ignoring the social distancing rules that have been established to stem the spread of COVID-19, Preckwinkle said.
The following preserves will be closed Friday through Sunday through May 31: Bunker Hill, Busse Woods, Catherine Chevalier Woods, LaBagh Woods, Maple Lake, Pulaski Woods, Saganashkee Slough and Wolf Road Woods.
The closing of parking lots is intended to curb the large number of people flocking to certain preserves as an escape from the city during the state’s stay-at-home order, a situation only likely to worsen as the weather warms up, said Preckwinkle. Limited access should have the effect of lowering visitor counts.
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Paid for by Preckwinkle for President. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board's official website, http://elections.il.gov/, or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. All contributions are reported to the State Board of Elections. Contributions are not accepted from employees of Cook County. Companies holding contracts with the Cook County are limited to $750. |
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