Preckwinkle Promises No New Taxes Or Fees In 2014 Budget

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 11, 2013 8:40PM

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled her 2014 budget Thursday and, as she promised a couple weeks back, it includes no new taxes, fees or fines, cuts spending across the board and makes crucial investments in the county health care system.

The $3.2 billion budget proposed by Preckwinkle is rosy and, she says, reflects her and county government's efforts to streamline operations over the past three years. “This budget reflects my administration’s work over the past three years and is a testament to the reforms we have put in place to institutionalize fiscal responsibility in County government,” Preckwinkle said.

Cook County had a $152 million budget deficit in June and much of that deficit will be closed through enrolling current and new patients of the county health care system in Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act. The County will save an additional $14.4 million in health and pharmacy costs through better management of employee benefits and closer monitoring of specialty drugs and conditions. Preckwinkle's budget projects $278 million in net revenue from CountyCare and has sent 110,000 new applications to the state for approval.

Public safety funding remains an issue and the county has increasing debt payments in later years to deal with. Preckwinkle told the Tribune editorial board pensions remain a priority but that requires state action. Preckwinkle also ordered county departments to trim 20 percent of their vacant jobs from their respective ledgers, noting that Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans requested 100 new jobs next year but has 175 vacancies. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez disagreed with Preckwinkle, stating her office needs the money to move cases more quickly—a Preckwinkle directive.