Celebrate a summer day fishing at Busse Woods, a Cook County Forest Preserve, with some of your friends and family. Bring your fishing gear and fish for fantastic prizes! No fishing license needed during Illinois Free Fishing days!



Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today visited Gonnella Baking Company’s newly expanded facility made possible by a Class 6B tax credit that kept the company from moving outside of Cook County, which it has called home for more than a century.

Founded in the City of Chicago in 1886, Gonnella Baking Company has been a leading manufacturer of bread in the Chicago metropolitan area for more than 125 years.  The 30,000-square-feet expansion of the suburban Schaumburg facility brought with it 40 full-time jobs.

At a news conference held at the newly expanded facility, President Preckwinkle said she hopes more businesses follow Gonnella’s example and remain in Cook County.

“By working with businesses to provide tax incentives, we are able to create and keep jobs while helping important, family-owned companies like Gonnella grow right here in Cook County,” said President Preckwinkle.  “This is part of our broader effort to encourage the residents of Cook County to support our local companies, while centralizing the resources at the County’s disposal to provide incentives for businesses and create jobs.”

Gonnella Baking Company President Nick Marcucci says the tax incentives provided by Cook County were a significant component in keeping the facility in Cook County.

“We were considering expanding our facility outside of Cook County, but the incentives provided by President Preckwinkle’s administration tipped the scales in favor of the Schaumburg location,” Marcucci said.  “President Preckwinkle and her economic development team understand the critical importance of strengthening the region by helping local businesses create and keep jobs.”

The “Commit to Cook” campaign, which launched in February of this year, encourages residents to support Cook County businesses while engaging the business community to spur economic development.  President Preckwinkle laid out an ambitious goal of 2,500 new jobs in 2012.  As of April 2012, the County’s Bureau of Economic Development has incentivized more than 1,200 created or retained jobs in Cook County.

Preckwinkle also rolled out a website in conjunction with “Commit to Cook” aimed at helping local businesses engage the County’s Bureau of Economic Development.  The website includes information on tax incentives, zoning restrictions, collaborative grant opportunities and workforce development activities in one, centralized location.

To view the “Commit to Cook” website, please visit www.CommitToCook.com

Income and party were two key factors driving the outcome of election contests from president to local referenda in the March 20 primary, according to a Post-Election Report for Suburban Cook County released today by Cook County Clerk David Orr.

“Despite the low turnout, Republican voters made their mark this time around,” Orr said. “The number of ballots cast for Republican candidates rose by 12% compared to the February 2008 Presidential Primary.”

March 20 was the first presidential primary without a major Democratic contest since 1996, with overall turnout dropping to 24 percent of registered voters. That is down from 43 percent in 2008, when seven candidates vied for the Democratic nomination.

• Despite the uptick in Republican voters and downturn in Democratic voters, total ballots still tilted significantly to Democrats, at 53 percent of all ballots cast. Nearly 1 percent of voters took nonpartisan ballots.
• On the Republican side, Mitt Romney won every township in CookCounty, with Rick Santorum taking second place. Romney’s support was strongest in townships with higher incomes; Santorum made consistently larger inroads into Romney’s margins as the income level of the township dropped.
• Four of the five closest races on the ballot were referendums, all of which were electricity aggregation referendums. Fifty-five of the 66 electricity aggregation referendums on the ballot in SuburbanCookCounty won approval.
• The success of electricity referendums had an inverse relationship to income-municipalities with higher incomes were more likely to pass a referendum which promised to save money on electric bills. Lower income communities were less likely to pass them.

The highest turnout by township and the lowest by precinct were both in Evanston. It was the only township to exceed 30% turnout but suffered from low turnout on the Northwestern campus during its spring break.

Charts and maps illustrating the new General Assembly districts and full election results are in the Post-Election report at cookcountyclerk.com, and to download here.

Police officers and other law enforcement personnel from all police agencies throughout Cook County are expected to attend the 11th Annual Cook County Peace Officers Ceremony of Recognition and Remembrance on Thursday, May 10th. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and honors peace officers killed in the line of duty from throughout Cook County.

The event will be held at the Cermak Woods Forest Preserve, 7601 W. Ogden Avenue, in Lyons, and is open to the public. The event begins with a silent police motorcade comprised of police motorcycles and vehicles from over 60 different departments. The motorcade will begin at 10:30am from Morton College, 39th & Central in Cicero. It will travel west down 39th St (Pershing Road) to Ogden and then to the site at Cermak Woods where the ceremony will begin at 11:00am.

The ceremony will honor officers who died in the line of duty within the last year:

• Chicago Police Officer Paul W. Nauden, End Of Watch (E.O.W.) 5-20-11

• Chicago Police Clifton Lewis, E.O.W. 12-29-11

In addition, the ceremony will pay tribute to historical honorees who died in the line of duty:

• Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer William J. Pottow, E.O.W. 6-6-45

• Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer Leonard Hurwitz, E.O.W. 6-9-45

These two Sheriff’s Police officers were killed in the line of duty more than 65 years ago, but it was only recently that their sacrifices were discovered. This will be the first time they are honored as line of duty deaths.

The event is hosted by the Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County, a non-profit organization established in 2001 dedicated to honoring all area officers killed in the line of duty. The organization’s primary goal is to build the first-ever Cook County Peace Officers Memorial to acknowledge the sacrifices made by these officers.

By resolution, the Cook County Board of Commissioners has designated May 10th as Peace Officer Day of Recognition and Remembrance in Cook County. For more information about the Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County, or about the May 10th ceremony, visit www.pomfcc.org or e-mail POMFCC@aol.com or contact Ed Sajdak at 312-315-9629.

On Saturday, May 5th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm the Cook County Department of Environmental Control and Triton College is sponsoring a free Prescription Drug Take-back program.  Citizens will also be able to recycle old electronics as well.

This event is a low-cost, high-value opportunity to tackle a critical environmental issue.  The EPA has asked people not to flush old medications, as trace elements have been found in groundwater.  Each year, close to 5,000 tons of pharmaceutical and personal care products enter the waste stream.  Many survive water treatment processes and end up in drinking water.  Medicines improperly disposed of end up in landfills, leading to the potential of accidental overdose by animals and humans.

Residents can drop off unused prescription drugs at 2000 5th Avenue in River Grove. This one-day collection event is sponsored by  the Cook County Dept. of Environmental Control and Triton College. For more information, contact Adrian Fisher at the Triton Sustainability Center, 1-708-456-0300 ext.3848; or Cook County Environmental Control( frank.coconate@cookcountyil.gov) at 1-312-603-8217.

Residents should bring only medication items—not items from businesses or doctors’ offices.  To ensure anonymity and security, people are asked to black-out all prescription label information.  Take prescriptions to the drop off center ONLY during event hours.

Acceptable items include:

• Prescription drugs
• Over the counter medications
• Medicated ointments and shampoos
• Liquids containing medication
• Sharps or needles
• Prescription and over the counter inhalers
• Glass thermometers and other instruments that contain mercury

Unacceptable items include:

• DEA controlled substances
• Narcotics
• Illegal drugs
• Bio-hazardous materials
• Radioactive materials
• Other toxic household wastes

Consumer electronics accepted for recycling are:

Computers, peripherals, laptops, monitors, TVs, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, printers, fax machines, MP3 players, portable digital assistants, video game consoles, videocassette recorders/players, digital videodisk players, zip drives, scanners and microwaves.

For more information, contact Adrian Fisher at the Triton Sustainability Center, 1-708-456-0300 ext.3848; or Cook County Environmental Control( frank.coconate@cookcountyil.gov) at 1-312-603-8217.

On Tuesday, May 1st, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle praised 27 Cook County veterans who were wounded in combat; who are this year’s recipients of the Silver Star Banner.  “We are remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by our wounded warriors, and the suffering many of them continue to endure as a result of their bravery,” President Preckwinkle said. “This ceremony is also a reminder that we must offer unwavering encouragement and support to the thousands of wounded servicemen and women who are coming home from Afghanistan and who served so nobly in Iraq.” said President Preckwinkle.

We’ll look at the recipients, more on the Silver Star Service Banner Award, and finally the Veteran’s Assistance Commission of Cook County.

About the Recipients:

1. US Army WWII SGT  Sgt. Joe Fleck, wounded in 1945 by an 81 MM mortar shrapnel.  He was 21 at the time.

2. US Army WW II PFC, Richard H. McGathey Infantry-rifleman. Wounded in Caumont, France-Normandy by German tank fire.  He suffered a broken arm, leg and injures from shrapnel.

3. US Army Korea PFC Pedro Marquez. Wounded at the Nontong River in Korea, and suffered from Head, eye, and ear injuries.

4. US Army Korea PFC Jose L. Martinez. Wounded in Youngchon, Korea wounded by 81 MM Motar fire, first casualty list from Illinois.

5. US Army Korea PFC Mitchell E. Wierzgac.  Wounded in the foot in Korea  in1953 by enemy fire in foot.

6. US Army Vietnam SP4 Manuel De La Cruz.  Wounded during an ambush by a pungi stick to the left lung in South Vietnam Sep 1969.

7. USMC Vietnam CPL Espiridion Araujo.  Wounded in Vietnam 1968 while walking point fire fight.  His finger was shot off.  He earned a Silver Star , the Navy Achievement with V Device, Purple Heart with with a Gold Star, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry for eliminating 138 enemy and capturing 33 weapons.

8. US Army Vietnam SP4 Benito Garcia, who served 3 tours in Vietnam.  He was severely wounded, taking bullet shrapnel to head and knee.  Garcia served with all 3 Airborne Units-82nd, 101st, and the 173rd Combat Infantry Battalion.  He earned  4 Purple Heart medals, with a 5th currently pending.

9. US Coast Guard Vietnam E-4 Robert McKay.  Wounded in 1970 at Song Ong-Vietnam.  He currently suffers from PTSD.

10. US Army Vietnam SP4 Victor Franco.  Wounded at Nha Trang Vietnam, during his 2nd tour.  He received mortar shrapnel to head and face.   His father Victor Sr. was serving with 5th Special Forces at same time as his son in Vietnam .  The Father was a purple heart recipient in Korean War.

11. US Army Vietnam Sgt Ronald Baltierra.  Wounded in 1969, during the Vietnam War.  A landmine injured his knees, rib cage and back. Baltierra served as Pointman, 50 gunner, and Battalion RTO.  He graduated from 9th Infantry 2nd Sniper School in Vietnam.  He received 2 Bronze Stars, 1 with a “V” for Valor.  Baltierra also received 3 Commendation Medals, 1 ot these with a “V” for Valor.

12. USMC Vietnam PFC Henry Gonzales.  Wounded in Vietnam, August 1969 during  firefight.  He took mortar shrapnel to the leg.

13. US Army Vietnam Sgt Carlos Brown.  Wounded in Vietnam in 1969 while serving with the 1st Infantry.  He took shrapnel to the left side of his body during a firefight.

14. US Army Vietnam Sargent Major Levester Spearman.  Wounded in the temple and head by a rocket-propelled grenade during the Vietnam War.  wounded by rocket Spearman served 2 tours in Vietnam, and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and a Purple Heart.

15. US Army Vietnam SP4 John Domina.  Wounded in 1970 during the Vietnam War.  He came under attack by 370 NVA, and made a gun out of parts to hold off the enemy.  Domina was struck in the head and body by a rocket-propelled grenade. He received a Commendation Medal with a “V” for Valor.

16. USMC Vietnam LCPL James Balcer.  Wounded in Vietnam, 1968. Balcer was  wounded by shrapnel to legs, and back.  He received 3 Purple Hearts.

17. US Army Vietnam PFC SP4 Frank Rolla.  Rolla was wounded during a firefight in Vietnam, 1969.  He received shrapnel and currently suffers from PTSD.

18. US Army Vietnam PFC Manuel Esparza.  Esparza was wounded in the leg and face by an enemy grenade in 1969.

19. USMC Vietnam CPL Enrique Araujo was injured in Vietnam.  He saw action there in 1967-68.  Araujo currently suffers from PTSD.

20. US Army Vietnam PFC John Garcia.  Garcia served in 1966-67 with the 173rd Airborne as a Combat Medic.  He is the only Medic to have made a Combat parachute jump during the Vietnam War.

21. US Army Iraq LTC Lavell Johnson, served in the Iraq War and was wounded when his vehicle hit an IED in 2006.  Johnson received his purple heart at a Chicago Bears game Oct. 28, 2007.  He is enrolled in the Chicago Police Department Academy.

22. US Army Afghan Derrick Dawayne Ross was wounded during the Afghan War in 2011.  He suffered broken boned in both legs, his back, as well as a shattered foot.

23. USMC Afghan Michael Horbaczewski, was wounded during the Afghan Ward in Aug. 2010.  An IED Blast and shrapnel, broke his ribs, legs and tibia. Horbaczewski is till on Active Duty in California.

24. US Navy Afghan Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Robert Spejcher, was wounded during the Afghan War.  In May 2004, while on patrol with the First of the Sixth of the 22nd Marines, Spejcher came under extreme enemy fire and received multiple shrapnel wounds to the front of his body.  He also suffered a ruptured ear drum from an rocket-propelled grenade.  Spejcher was awarded a  Bronze Star with a “V” for Valor.

25. USMC Afghan CPL Joshua Misiewicz, was wounded during the Afghan War.  While on patrol, he stepped on land mine , losing both legs. He was awarded a Purple Heart.

26. US Army Vietnam SP4 Bruce B. Borowicz.  Borowicz served during the Vietnam War in 1966-67.  He served with 25th Infantry, and during his tour of duty he was exposed to chemicals used to clear the jungle.  Borowicz now suffers from side effects due to exposure to Agent Orange chemicals.

27. US Army Vietnam SP4 Dave Smith, 1965-66 Bien Hua, Vietnam.  During Smith’s tour of duty he was exposed to chemicals used to clear the jungle and now suffers with ongoing medical conditions due to exposure to Agent Orange chemicals.

More on Silver Service Banner Day

The tradition of a service banner with a blue star covered with silver threads to represent wounded service personnel began in 1917 following the suggestion of the “Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defense”, but faded from use sometime between WW I and WW II. When the use of Blue and Gold Star Service Banners was formally adopted into the United States Code and made official, the tradition of the Silver Star Service Banner was overlooked.

The US Government has always honored the sacrifices made by the wounded warriors or those members of the armed forces fallen ill in combat, and noted that the sacrifices of the military service members and veterans of the Armed Forces on behalf of the United States should never be forgotten.

On April 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed House Resolution 855 making May 1st Silver Star Service Banner Day, an Official Day to honor wounded, ill and injured veterans. On May 19, 2010 the United States Senate followed suit and approved Senate Resolution 534.

The Silver Star Service Banner has come to represent those members of the Armed Forces and veterans who were wounded or became ill in combat in wars fought by the United States.

Silver Star Families of America was formed to help the American people remember the sacrifices made by the wounded and ill members of the Armed Forces by designing and manufacturing Silver Star Banners and Silver Star Flags for that purpose.

The sole mission of the Silver Star Families of America is to evoke memories of the sacrifices of members and veterans of the Armed Forces on behalf of the United States through the presence of a Silver Star Service Banner in a window or flying a Silver Star Flag.

In designating May 1st as “Silver Star Service Banner Day”, the U.S. Government calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

About the Veteran’s Commission of Cook County

The (VAC) Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County was formed in 1909, celebrating 100 years of continuous service to veterans a couple years ago. The Veterans Commission is organized with a membership from 45 different Veteran Organizations from throughout Cook County. The executive board and members meet once a month on the last Tuesday of each month in the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center auditorium.

The mission of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County is to provide assistance to Honorably Discharged Veterans from Cook County. The VAC provides immediate assistance to eligible veterans in need of a helping hand and who qualify under low income guidelines.

• Veterans can receive travel car fare assistance for their VA Hospital clinical appointments, scheduled job interviews and approved educational training classes

• Rental and mortgage assistance

• Utilities payments

• Food assistance

• Clothing and Shoes for work

• Burial assistance, must have served during war time

Veterans may call for an appointment or visit our office on a walk in basis, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County

Located at the Juvenile Detention Center

1100 S. Hamilton, C 011 (Lower Level)

Chicago, Illinois 606112

(312) 433-6010

“The Cook County Pension fund released figures today showing that the funded ratios for Cook County and the Forest Preserve District as of December 31, 2011 are 57.5% and 61.6%, respectively.  In 2010, the funding levels were 60.7% and 65.2%, respectively.

“The downward trend of our funding ratios resulting from a recurring structural deficit is a reminder of the glaring need for pension reform at the State level.  We owe it to the employees who have paid into the system and the taxpayers who are frustrated with the status quo to make comprehensive changes that will make the system sustainable.  I urge the members of the General Assembly to move swiftly to enact responsible legislation.”

President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled the 2012 Cook County Highway Plan today, offering motorists a roadmap for construction season and all-new online information about ongoing projects.

The 2012 Cook County Highway Plan will improve 70 miles of roads in more than 30 suburban municipalities at a cost of $65 million dollars.  The 27 county roadway projects scheduled for this construction season are spread across the area—from north suburban Des Plaines to Lynwood in the far south suburbs.  The Highway Department’s two biggest jobs this year are the 88^th Avenue reconstruction project in Hickory Hills and Palos Hills, and the Joe Orr Road project in Lynwood and Ford Heights, which involves a nearly two-mile reconstruction and realignment of the roadway.

For the first time, the county will post user-friendly highway information online for residents, which can be accessed from the county’s homepage at www.cookcountyil.gov .  The site includes an online map that allows residents to see where highway projects are located—and their current status.

“The highway plan is part of my administration’s efforts to improve services, transparency and accountability to our residents,” President Preckwinkle said. “We’re going to make it easier for motorists by putting ongoing roadway projects at their fingertips. As we move forward, we’re continually coming up with ways to make road construction season navigable for drivers.”

The Highway Department has also made important operational improvements over the past year to make programs more effective and efficient.

Under the leadership of new Highway Superintendent John Yonan, the department has greatly improved project management capabilities though the creation of high-tech software programs in order to ensure projects are completed on time. In addition, the department has expanded coordination with communities to minimize the local impact of construction. From design to completion, the Highway Department works closely with stakeholders impacted by the project, including local businesses, community groups and municipal officials.  The county has also launched joint planning efforts with other transportation and regional planning agencies to improve coordination and leverage existing funding.

An example of this is the Canadian National Railroad Intermodal facility in Harvey. Next year, the county Highway Department will restore 1.5 miles of Center Street, which leads to that facility. This crucial project will increase the street’s capacity to handle more traffic associated with the railroad’s terminal expansion, leading to further expansion and more economic development for Harvey.

“Next year I plan to implement even more improvements,” President Preckwinkle said. “My administration is working toward a new spirit of regional cooperation. In 2013, we will create the county’s first comprehensive Highway Transportation Plan that addresses regional transportation needs.”

The 2013 Plan will be part of county’s long-term effort to partner with the surrounding counties and the state of Illinois to coordinate projects and long-term planning in the region.

President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners today honored veterans from five wars who were wounded in combat.

During a ceremony on Tuesday hosted by the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, 27 seven veterans from five wars were honored, including five who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two others were World War II veterans; three served in Korea and 17 in Vietnam. Each veteran was individually presented with a Silver Star Service Banner and Certificate by President Preckwinkle and the commissioner representing the veteran’s district. The Board also approved a resolution designating May 1 Silver Star Banner Day in Cook County, the official day to honor wounded, ill, and injured veterans.

“We are remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by our wounded warriors, and the suffering many of them continue to endure as a result of their bravery,” President Preckwinkle said. “This ceremony is also a reminder that we must offer unwavering encouragement and support to the thousands of wounded servicemen and women who are coming home from Afghanistan and who served so nobly in Iraq.”

This is the fifth year Cook County has observed Silver Star Service Banner Day and honored Silver Star veterans.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios on Tuesday urged the Illinois Senate to pass legislation that would target property owners who fraudulently collect exemptions.

“Each year, Cook County taxing bodies struggle to make ends meet,” Berrios said. “The legislation I’ve proposed will not only deter people from claiming false exemptions, but help recover the money they’ve unfairly received. When someone cheats, someone else picks up the tab.”

Tax cheaters typically claim that a home is their primary residence when they live somewhere else most of the year. Or, they claim an exemption for a rental property, Berrios said.

On Tuesday, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle sponsored a special resolution requesting the Senate pass House Bill 4148 — the Erroneous Exemption Bill.

“Residents have to bear the financial burden when their neighbors wrongfully take property tax exemptions, so this legislation is about leveling the playing field,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.  “HB4148 promotes fairness in our tax system and will help mitigate difficult budget decisions in the months and years to come.”

The erroneous exemption bill, which passed the House in March, gives assessors throughout Illinois the means to recoup funds from those who have improperly received homeowner, long-time, senior citizen, senior freeze, disabled persons’ or disabled veterans’ exemptions.

It is estimated that $154 million would be recovered in Cook County within the first three years after the bill is signed into law. That money, which does not include penalties or interest, would be distributed to the local taxing bodies.

Berrios proposed the legislation after taking office when his administration noticed the high volume of e-mails and anonymous phone calls complaining about people improperly receiving homeowner or senior exemptions. In 95 percent of those cases, the claims were proven to be true.

“We receive over 1,000 anonymous allegations a year,” Berrios said. “But we’ve never had a law with any teeth to go after the cheaters.”

By law, a person is allowed one homeowner exemption, and it must be on the person’s primary residence. In one case, a man living in the northern suburbs of Cook County had been receiving multiple homeowner exemptions on property he owns. He has saved nearly $90,000 over the course of eight years through cheating the system, Berrios said.

“Without this law, we can’t go after him for any of that money,” Berrios said.

HB4148 provides for the collection and distribution of unpaid property taxes, penalties and interest:

• Unpaid taxes will be paid to the original taxing districts.
• Penalty fees will be paid to the chief county assessment officer for administrative costs.
• Interest collected will be paid to the county in which the property is located.

In another Cook County case, a Chicago woman was receiving four homeowner exemptions on various condominiums she owned. A $40,000 check for the money she owed arrived at the Assessor’s office last fall after her case was anonymously reported and she voluntarily made repayment. That money was sent to the Treasurer’s office, Berrios said.

The bill includes a provision for clerical errors by an assessor’s office which nullifies interest and penalty charges for homeowner exemptions received in error. Those who receive a notice from the assessor’s office that they are fraudulently getting an exemption will have the option to appeal the finding within 30 days.

HB4148 allows the chief county assessment officer to administer property tax liens on the homes of those taxpayers who have received undue property tax exemptions. The penalties for those claiming erroneous homestead exemptions are presented in the chart below.

Texas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma have some of the most severe homestead fraud laws in the country. Tax authorities in Florida, New York, Ohio, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia have all increased auditing and recovery of funds over the past few years, Berrios said.