From a press release issued by county board president Toni Preckwinkle:
"Foley was an integral part of a turn-around that resulted in less reliance on County tax dollars and an increase in access to patient services. Foley is leaving the County to pursue an opportunity in the private sector.
He said on Thursday that he regrets having to leave the County and is proud of his achievements during his tenure. Read more...
Cook County commissioners overwhelmingly voted in favor of making the independent board governing the Cook County Health and Hospitals System permanent this morning.
The ordinance creating the health board in 2008 was set to expire next year. Commissioners voted 13-3, with one absent, to make the board permanent.
But while the health board is now permanent, county commissioners say provisions in the amended ordinance would allow the health board to revert back to the County Board's control, if there were enough votes. Read more...
Lee Kidd is 56 years old and HIV positive. And he’s fed up with the kind of customer service he receives at the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.
Kidd addressed health system leaders today at Stroger Hospital, complaining about wasting three hours trying to get his wisdom teeth pulled, only to find out the procedure wasn’t offered at the time for which his operation was scheduled.Politicians across the nation are still debating what the health care reform bill will and won't do. But good or bad, it could have major consequences right here in Cook County.
The Health and Hospitals System, already faced with a reduced budget since the lowering of the county's sales tax, must now also contend with the uncertainty of broader health care reform.
Health board chairman Warren Batts says he is still trying to sort out what the bill means for Cook County. But Batts and others expressed fears that the county health system might become a victim of a health care program that may encourage people to look elsewhere for care. Read more...
With the semi-annual campaign finance disclosure reports trickling in, we’ve already had a chance to see how the Republicans running for Cook County Board president are doing.
Though former state Sen. Roger Keats has the endorsements of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Daily Herald, he’s far behind Chicago police officer John Garrido in fundraising.
For the reporting period (July 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2009) Garrido raised $26,439, while Keats’ campaign brought in $18,624. Read more...
