Current Operational Situations: Information, Intelligence, and Data Reports

Today’s Weather

Tip of the Day:

President Obama Declares a Disaster for Illinois

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Friday that disaster aid has been made available to the State of Illinois to aid recovery from the recent flooding. This action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, and Will counties.

There are three ways to apply for assistance:

• Apply online at disasterassistance.gov.
• Apply via a smartphone at m.fema.gov.
• Apply by phone:
• - Call (800) 621-3362
• - Call TTY (800) 462-7585 for people with speech or hearing disabilities.

Information of the Day:

May 16, KTRK 13 Houston – (Texas)

Tank ruptures, leaks chemical into southeast Houston gully.

A ruptured tank from a biodiesel facility leaked chemicals into a nearby gully in southeast Houston. The extent of the leak was unknown, but officials began cleaning and were investigating the cause of the rupture.

May 16, Scranton Times-Tribune – (Pennsylvania)

Fire, possible explosion at Susquehanna gas compressor station thought to be accidental, remains under investigation.

A May 14 fire at a Williams Partners LP gas compressor station in Brooklyn Township is still under investigation and officials said the station will remain in complete shutdown until operations can resume safely.

May 16, Associated Press – (Texas)

Texas tornado winds believed to be up to 200mph.

Around 20,000 homes and businesses in Granbury lost power after tornadoes formed in the area, destroying structures and leaving at least 6 dead and dozens injured.

May 16, WDIV 4 Detroit – (Michigan)

Feds: Detroit business paying with crack instead of cash.

The owners of the Big C Tire Shop in Detroit were charged with cashing $100,000 in counterfeit Post Office paychecks. Federal investigators also reported that the shop distributed drugs to employees.

May 16, WBAL 1090AM Baltimore – (Maryland)

Man finds explosive in his mailbox.

Bomb technicians spent nearly 5 hours determining how to safely remove a pipe bomb found May 15 in a mailbox in Taneytown.

May 15, WTVD 11 Raleigh-Durham – (North Carolina)

Salmonella outbreak spreads in Fayetteville.

The Cumberland County Health Director reported close to 100 people may have been exposed to salmonella from restaurants in the Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville.

May 14, Mason City Globe Gazette – (Iowa)

Liquid Nitrogen spill reported at Coulter ag supply business.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported an estimated 800 gallons of 28 percent liquid nitrogen fertilizer spilled at a Franklin County farm supply facility in Coulter. Around 650 gallons reached a tile inlet that drains into Maynes Creek, a drainage ditch on the south side of town.

May 16, KTLA 5 Los Angeles – (California)

Grand Fire burns 3,500 acres in Frazier Park.

Firefighters reached 15 percent containment May 16 of the Grand Fire that burned over 3,500 acres in the Frazier Park area. Hungry Valley Park and Piru Creek Campground were evacuated and the Frazier Mountain High School was closed.

May 16, Newark Star-Ledger – (New Jersey)

Township’s fifth bomb threat this year causes Alexandria Middle School evacuation.

Alexandria Middle School in Alexandria Township was evacuated for nearly 3 hours after a bomb threat was written on a bathroom wall. The threat, the fifth in the township for 2013, was unfounded after police conducted a search.

May 16, Help Net Security – (International)

Researchers reveal OpUSA attackers’ MO.

Trend Micro researchers analyzed attacks in the recent OpUSA campaign and found that attackers compromised some sites ahead of time with compromised URLs.

May 16, KCRG 9 Cedar Rapids – (Iowa)

Cell phone service outages reported across eastern Iowa.

Service was partially restored to people that experienced Internet and/or cell phone service outages in several Iowa cities. A cut fiber optic cable in central Iowa was the cause of the outages and impacted customers with Mediacom telephone and Internet service as well as U.S. Cellular customers.

15, WFMY 2 Greensboro – (North Carolina)

Phone outages might affect 911 service in SE Alamance County.

AT&T customers in southeastern Alamance County experienced phone outages which affected emergency services for landline customers. Authorities are investigating the cause of the outage and do not have an estimated time for restoration of services.

May 15, MyCentralJersey.com – (New Jersey)

Woodbridge Center security guard charged with bomb threat to mall’s kiddie play area.

A security guard was arrested and charged May 15 after making a bomb threat which targeted the Woodbridge Center Mall’s children’s play area where he worked, prompting the mall’s evacuation May 14.

Count Down To:

06 Days – May 27, Memorial Day
06 Days – May 27, Millennium Park Music Series – Mondays through the summer              
31 Days – June 21, First Full Day of Summer 2013                                                                       
44 Days – July 04, Independence Day                                                                                                 

Observances for the Month:

May 22: National Maritime Day
May 25: National Missing Children’s Day
May 25: Duddha Day – Birthday of Buddah
May 29: Ascension of Baha’u’llah  -Baha’I Holiday
3rd Friday in May: National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week
Third Week of May: World Trade Week
Third Week of May: National Hurricane Preparedness Week
Week Prior to Memorial Day: National Safe Boating Week
May: Older Americans Month
May: Jewish American Heritage Month
May: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May: Mental Health Awareness Month
May: National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
May: National Foster Care Month

Scheduled Pre-Planned Events or Festivals:

May 20 – 22, 7:10 pm, Cellular Field, White Sox vs. Red Sox
May 24, 7:10 pm, Cellular Field, White Sox. Vs. Miami Marlins
May 24, 7 pm, First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, Tim McGraw
May 25-26, 12 pm, Belmont – Sheffield Music Festival
May 25, 12 pm, Chicago Memorial Day Parade
May 25, 6:15 pm, Cellular Field, White Sox vs. Miami Marlins
May 25, 8:20 am, Soldier Field, Fleet Feet Sports 10 mile,
May 25, 7 pm, United Center, Blackhawks vs. Red Wings, Conf. Semifinals Game C
May 25, 9 am, Toyota Park, Run or Dye
May 26, 1:10 pm, Cellular Field, White Sox vs. Miami Marlins
May 26, 5:30 am, MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive
May 26, 12 pm, Toyota Park, Mexican Rodeo
May 27, 6:10 pm, Cellular Field, Chicago White Sox v Chicago Cubs
May 27, 4 pm, Allstate Arena, Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix

Click here for NOAA’s daily Space Weather forecast

Earthquake Report

Click here for today’s USGS earthquake report

Cook County Rivers and Streams Report

Click here for today’s NOAA Rivers and Streams report

 Cook County Road and Construction Report

Click here for today’s Road and Construction Report from Travel Midwest

On April 29, 2013 Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by distinguished jurists and the Chief of Police of Aurora, Illinois to discuss how to make the justice system more efficient.

Efficient administration of justice promotes a speedy trial and all of its attendant benefits. While that constitutional right to a speedy trial should be reason enough to strive for greater efficiency, today’s economic climate compels us to work not only harder, but much smarter.

The discussion was moderated by Tom Wartowski, a retired Assistant State’s Attorney from Winnebago County, IL.  Along with President Preckwinkle, the panelists were as follows:

Panelists:

• Paul Logli, State’s Attorney and Circuit Judge in Winnebago County, IL (Retired), Past President of the NDAA
• Pamela Dembe, President Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
• Gregory Thomas, Chief of Police of the City of Aurora, Illinois
• Randolph Stone, Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School Mandel Legal Aid Clinic’s Criminal and Juvenile Justice Projects

You can also watch from 8 key questions addressed during the event:

Question 1: “What kinds of incentives or policies can encourage justice system stakeholders to work collaboratively?

Question 2: “How important is it that the public have faith in the system?”

Question 3: “What are common barriers to efficiency, and what strategies have you found to overcome them?”

Question 4: “What role has technology played in increasing efficiency in your justice system?”

Question 5: “Are there better ways than a traditional money bail and warrant system to ensure court appearances by defendants?”

Question 6: “Many of defendants who return to the system over and over also have serious mental or behavioral health issues. Are there better and more efficient ways for system to work with this population?”

Question 7: “How you found ways to cooperate with communities affected most by crime?”

Question 8: “How can a more efficient address the inherent racial and economic disparity in the criminal justice system?”

Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) officials encourage suburban Cook County residents to prevent against tick bites while outdoors enjoying the warmer weather. Ticks are found in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush. Infected ticks can transmit diseases including ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and Lyme disease through their bites.

“Last year there were 36 cases of Lyme disease in suburban Cook County,” said CCDPH chief operating officer Terry Mason, MD, FACS. “Tickborne diseases can cause mild symptoms, severe infections requiring hospitalization and even death.  Avoiding tick bites takes a few precautions and protects residents when enjoying their neighborhood and the many Forest Preserves in suburban Cook County.”

To avoid tick bites:

• Walk in the center of trails so weeds do not brush against you.
• Use repellent that contains 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin. Always follow product instructions.
• Use products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants (especially the cuffs), socks and tents.  Or look for clothing pre-treated with permethrin.
• Tuck long pants into your socks and boots. Wearing light-colored pants makes ticks easier to see.
• In heavily wooded areas or in tall grass and brush, check yourself, children and other family members every two to three hours for ticks (especially ears, hair, neck, legs and between the toes).
• If you let your pets outdoors, check them often for ticks. Ticks can “hitch a ride” on your pets, but fall off in your home before they feed.

If you find a tick, on yourself, others or pets, remove it promptly. The best way to remove a tick is to grasp it with fine-point tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk the tick. Wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite site.

Within two weeks following a tick bite, if you experience a rash that looks like a bull’s-eye or a rash anywhere on your body, or an unexplained illness accompanied by fever following, call your doctor. The most common symptoms of tick-related illnesses can include fever, chills, aches and pains, and rash. Early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases the risk of serious complications.

For more information, please visit: www.cookcountypublichealth.org.

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, commemorative events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes — wherever young readers and books connect!  In 2013, official events will be hosted in a record-breaking 50 cities, along with innumerable local events.

Cook County is helping with this valuable event.  Drop off your used children’s books through May 19 at the Cook County Law Library, 50 W Washington St., Room 2900.  The books will be donated to the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Children’s Advocacy Room at the Daley Center.  For more information, call the law library at 312-603-5423.

Children’s Book Week is administered by Every Child A Reader, a 501(c)(3) literacy organization dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children. The Children’s Book Council, the national non-profit trade association for children’s book publishers, is an anchor sponsor.

This year’s program will include health screenings, cooking demonstrations, educational materials and more. Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois booth to register for WalkingWorks®. All you need is your County ID to join us and pick up your free pedometer.

Calendar of Events

May 16
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Rolling Meadows -
3rd District Courthouse
Lower Level – Cafeteria
2121 Euclid Ave.
Rolling Meadows, IL

May 17
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Markham Courthouse
Lower Level – Cafeteria
16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy.
Markham, IL

May 20
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cook County Bldg.
8th Floor Lobby
118 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL

May 21
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Criminal Courts Bldg.
Cafeteria
2650 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL

May 22
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stroger Hospital
Lower Level – Cafeteria
1900 W. Polk St.
Chicago, IL

The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, a collaborative workforce development program announced that Platform to Employment (P2E), a national program addressing the specific needs of unemployed workers over 50 and military veterans, has opened its on-line application for residents of Chicago/Cook County.

Those interested in the program can apply at the Platform to Employment website by clicking on the Platform to Employment Application button on the homepage.

The program is accepting applications from those who are unemployed and have exhausted 26 weeks or more of unemployment. Applicants must be 50 years old or older or veterans who are 30 years old or younger.

If you meet these criteria you are encourage to apply now as seating is limited and applications will not be accepted after May 10th.   Classes are scheduled to begin in late May.

P2E, which began in Southwest Connecticut in 2011, and has been featured on 60 Minutes and other national news programs, combines job readiness training, personal and family support services, and financial counseling. The program in Connecticut has placed nearly 80 percent of its participants into work experience programs with local employers.  90 percent subsequently moved to full-time employment.

For more information on this program, along with other training opportunities and classes for job seekers, contact:

Dunni T. Cosey Gay
dcgay@workforceboard.org
69 W. Washington, Suite 2860
Chicago, IL 60602
Tel: (312) 833-8973

The Cook County Board of Commissioners has passed an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cook County and the Village of Robbins to participate in the County’s Vacant Building Ordinance. The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) passed on May 8, 2013.

The agreement is the result of the efforts undertaken by the Bureau of Economic Development, the Department of Building and Zoning, the Department of Administrative Hearings and representatives of the Village of Robbins. Under the agreement, the Cook County Department of Building and Zoning will work with Village of Robbins employees to determine if buildings within the village are vacant and have not been registered with the County. Building and Zoning will then institute the administrative hearing process where necessary.    The stakeholders will also work closely together to register vacant buildings with the County.

The Vacant Building Ordinance will work alongside the Village of Robbin’s municipal property maintenance ordinances.   The Vacant Building Ordinance, which came into effect last year was co-sponsored by President Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bridget Gainer (D-10th). It seeks to eliminate blight in communities hit hard by the foreclosure crisis. The Ordinance requires owners and mortgagees to register their properties with the County and maintain the interior and exterior of the buildings to certain standards.  Additionally, it expedites the adjudication process that continues to clog up the County’s court system.

For more information, please contact Cook County Building and Zoning/Bureau of Economic Development at:  (312) 603-0500 or go to their website at: www.cookcountyil.gov/BuildingZoning.

An international digital marketing agency today rated Chicago the 5^th most socially connected city during Big Data Week. Bloom Agency UK rated Cook County’s “CHGBigDataWeek” Twitter account the number one social media influencer of the event and “@ToniPreckwinkle” was rated number three in influence.  Click here to read the full report

During the recent Big Data Week (http://bigdataweek.com), Cook County Government and Chicago-based software firm INXPO combined forces to develop, produce and stream live interactive presentations from over 20 local experts on big and open Data topics.

“Cook County is home to many of today’s technology leaders and is well-known as an incubator for digital entrepreneurs,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “Big Data Week gave us the opportunity to showcase our expertise and accomplishments.”

Big Data Week 2013 was a global event with 27 participating cities including Beirut, London, San Francisco, Kuala Lumpur and Toronto.  Using INXPO’s platform, Cook County and the City of Chicago held 32 virtual and physical events, the most of any participating city.

“We wanted to build a stage to tell the world about what data and technology companies are doing in the Chicago area, because Silicon Valley is not the only place where innovation is happening,” said Lydia Murray, Cook County’s Chief Information Officer.  “INXPO’s platform gave us the ability to create a very professional looking and interactive experience.”

Promoting local firms is an extension of President Preckwinkle’s regional strategy for economic development. In April, the county’s Council of Economic Advisors released an economic growth agenda (read the report).

In keeping with Preckwinkle’s focus on local technology companies, Cook County worked with Chicago-based INXPO, whose next generation webcasting platform, Social Business TV, powered the online experience. Working with the Bureau of Technology, INXPO supported the Big Data Week online experience and streamed three days of live programming from its downtown Chicago studios. Viewers accessed the content on desktops, laptops and mobile devices

“INXPO is honored to support Cook County and the City of Chicago. Their goal to reach a large dispersed audience with an important series of online presentations is a challenge that organizations of all sizes face,” said Drew VanVooren, President of INXPO. “Social Business TV is the ideal platform to deliver a highly engaging, interactive and measurable viewing experience.”

All of the Big Data Week Chicago presentations are available on demand and free of charge here.  On demand viewers can access the video-based programs from any device at their convenience.

On May 8, 2013 the Cook County Board of Commissioners today approved an amendment to lower tax rates on the transfer of motor vehicles between county residents.

The new rates, which take effect August 1, set a $90 tax on the transfer of motor vehicles nine years or older.  Vehicles four to eight years old will be subject to a $175 tax. Vehicles three years old or newer will pay a $225 tax.  Vehicle transfers between immediate family, certain business transactions and transfers to beneficiaries of an estate, will continue to have a $25 tax rate.

“This amendment will provide a lower and more equitable tax rate on the transfer of motor vehicles between County residents,” President Preckwinkle said.  “After listening to constituents throughout the County, we responded with a compromise solution that reduces the burden on taxpayers.”

The amendment also creates a new tax rate for the transfer of motorcycles. Beginning August 1, it will cost $90 for each transfer.  The $25 rate for family, businesses and estates will also apply to motorcycle transfers.

“The initial transfer tax ordinance was overly aggressive, but through the cooperative efforts of President Preckwinkle and her office we have now lessened the financial burden on county residents, especially for low income earners and young people who are first-time car buyers and have limited resources,” Commissioner Elizabeth Gorman (R-17th) said.

Previously, vehicles five years or newer were subject to a $225 tax, while vehicles between six and 10 years were subject to a $200 tax and vehicles 11 years or older were subject to $175.  Motorcycles were subject to the same levy as motor vehicles under the previous ordinance.

The County projects the ordinance change will be revenue neutral due to greater enforcement.  It is expected to raise $7.8 million in FY 2013.

On May 8, 2013, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle  introduced an amendment that would lower the rate for many individuals who park in garages and lots.

After a change in state law, the County and the City of Chicago are able to implement a percentage-based rate, rather than a tiered structure.  The County plans to impose a flat, 8.5% tax rate on parking garage fees.

“Changing the way we tax garage parking will allow more residents to pay less, while asking those who have premium service parking to pay a little more,” President Preckwinkle said.  “This change will benefit taxpayers and parking garage operators without negatively impacting tourism here in Cook County.”

Exemptions for residents of a municipality of greater than 250,000 people will remain in place for those who pay $2.00 or less over a 24-hour period, $10.00 or less weekly and $40.00 or less monthly.  Exemptions for residents of a municipality of 250,000 people or fewer will remain in place for those who pay $3.00 or less over a 24-hour period, $15.00 or less weekly and $60.00 or less monthly.

The County anticipates $42.6 million in revenue in 2013, which is unchanged from projections under the current tiered system.

If approved, the new rates will take effect July 1.