Last week, the Cook County board voted to give an independent board permanent control over the Cook County health system to curtail incompetency and improve efficiency.The Cook County Health and Hospitals System has been running the system for the last two years with an expiration date of 2011. The 13 to 3 vote on June 1 eliminated the sunset provision and made the board permanent, with the exception of any future legislative action. Cook County has been a long patronage paradise, but the independent operator has been slashing bloated payrolls and moving the health system to become more effective. more ›

We know Tank Johnson's busy getting ready for the Super Bowl and stuff, but Chicagoland isn't going to let those guns go unused. A man walked into a South Side restaurant Sunday night, fired two shots and hit a woman in the hand and a man in the leg. Then he cruised off into Washington Park. A leg shot gets you a trip to Northwestern, while a shot to the hand earns you a trip... more ›

If there is one thing you can say about Tony Peraica, it's that he doesn't take it lying down. In one of the most closely contested, and divisive, races in recent local history, Peraica and Stroger have all but come to blows out on the street. Chicagoist is fascinated by the race for Cook County Board President, for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is its potential to punch a hole in... more ›

OK, look. We know it's hard to get a job in the Chicago area. Hell, it took Chicagoist about three months to find a good job, even with a pretty solid resume. But with another hiring scandal coming out of the woodwork nearly every month, we can't help but wonder if it's impossible for anyone to get a government job through traditional means. If you were wondering why you never heard back about that Cook... more ›

County Commissioner Michael Quigley has dropped out of the race to become County Board President and is throwing his support behind fellow commissioner Forrest Claypool by becoming chairman of Claypool’s campaign. The Tribune offers a love letter to Quigley today, praising him for his “unselfish act” in dropping out of the race and his “passion for repairing Cook County.” Can’t you almost hear Barry White playing softly in the background? This sets up a... more ›