All Week Long
Originally published on chicagotribune.com 10/23/2019 | Image: James F. Quinn/Chicago Tribune
A state review board has approved plans to build an eight-story, $240 million facility for Provident Hospital in Bronzeville.
The new hospital will sit immediately west of the current Provident Hospital, and will be 22% smaller than the existing building but offer some services not currently available at the hospital.
The Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board approved Cook County Health’s application to build the facility Tuesday. Construction is expected to be completed by April 2023.
The facility will have fewer beds for medical/surgical patients, dropping from 79 beds to 42, but it will have 70 outpatient exam rooms.
The hospital is downsizing partly in response to a national trend of fewer patients needing overnight care. Many patients head home after receiving specialty care or undergoing tests or procedures.
“Provident Hospital has served as a beacon of hope since it first opened in 1891 as an African-American hospital,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in a news release. “A new modern facility will allow CCH (Cook County Health) to help close the health equity gap by providing the community with high-quality health care close to where they live.”
Originally published on chicago.suntimes.com 10/24/2019 | Image: Craig Newman/Sun-Times
Cook County voters will soon be able to request ballots in eight more languages besides the four already offered.
The Voting Opportunity and Translation Equity ordinance, which passed the County Board Thursday, would require the county clerk to offer fully translated ballots in eight more languages over the next two years.
The pilot program will begin with the March primary, when ballots will be offered in Korean and Tagalog.
Starting in November, ballots will be translated into six more languages, including Polish, Arabic and Russian. The translated ballots will be available electronically, by audio ballot and can be requested on an on-demand basis for mail-in ballots.
Printed translated ballots won’t begin until 2021.
Originally published on chicago.suntimes.com 10/22/2019
“We’re cognizant of the current atmosphere facing Cook County taxpayers, and it goes without saying there’s a great sensitivity to any potential levy increase,” Preckwinkle said. “But let me be abundantly clear: we remain serious and committed to helping the forest preserves, and we will do everything in our power to help prioritize their needs and help them find viable long term solutions that will benefit all Cook County residents.”
Originally published on blockclubchicago.com 10/22/2019
After being presented with keys by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle last week, Johnson toured her new home with her mother and children and received housewarming gifts from GMA Construction Group and Mariano’s in Evergreen Park.
“I’m the first person to own a home in my family,” said Johnson, who has worked as a bursar at Harold Washington College for 17 years. “This is life-altering for me, and it gives me something to pass on to my children and other generations. I’m so excited that my grandson will be able to come in and see this.”
Johnson will only be responsible for property taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance. She’s required to live in the home for five years, after which she’ll have to freedom to sell or turn it into a rental property.
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.
Political contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes.