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Commissioner Suffredin's Statement on 2004 Budget and Proposed TaxesMonday, November 24, 2003 Special to suffredin.org From November 24, 2003 Press Conference I want to protect Cook County taxpayers from needless tax increases. The effort to cut the proposed budget without jeopardizing jobs or services is possible because of all the extra money that is hidden in the proposed budget. This hidden money is never intended to be spent. Truth in budgeting will allow all citizens to know what County Government actually costs and how tax dollars are spent. I, along with other Commissioners, propose not only stopping the proposed tax increases but actually lowering existing taxes. This can be accomplished by cutting last year’s budget by 2%. The actual spending levels from last year are even lower than that! County Government should not be overtaxing its citizens. County budgets have continued to rise while there has been an annual fund surplus for the last three years of more than $200,000,000. In addition, the budgets have fully funded the salaries, cost-of-living-adjustment increases and benefits of nearly 1000 jobs that have not been and will never be filled. These facts have denied County taxpayers an efficient government. The proposed 2004 budget with a sales tax and lease tax increases shows excessive appropriations above actual spending that could lead to a $300,000,000 surplus a year from now. Our proposal will require the County Board to be more vigilant in monitoring the spending habits of the County. Also, County managers will be required to manage more effectively by meeting tighter budgeted numbers. These managers will also have to report changes of circumstances to the County Board more often than once a year. Nothing in this proposal will require any cuts in services or jobs. We are requiring managing within the actual reality of expenditures, not inflated appropriations. Our opponents are experts in the use of hyperbole to scare employees and those in need. This is unnecessary. Hopefully there will be a positive public discussion of this budget in the days between now and when we vote December 9th. This spirited discussion should both improve the quality of service Cook County provides its citizens and prevent higher taxes.
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Recent Headlines
Working together to ensure that land, water, and life will always thrive in the forest preserves in Cook County. Wednesday, July 06, 2022 Special to suffredin.orgFor the Love Of Water (FLOW) is a summary of news from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Tuesday, July 05, 2022 Special to suffredin.orgFirst mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus reported in Cook County Sunday, July 03, 2022 Chicago TribuneForest Preserves of Cook County presents family fun at Kids’ Fest in Thornton Thursday, June 30, 2022 Chicago Tribune‘Check your check’: Minimum wage increases Friday in Chicago and Cook County Thursday, June 30, 2022 Chicago Sun-TimesFirst Graduates of Cook County Restorative Justice Program Recognized Thursday, June 30, 2022 WTTW NewsIllinois getting nearly 4,500 doses of monkeypox vaccine from national stockpile Thursday, June 30, 2022 Chicago TribuneCook County restorative justice program offers 2nd chance for young, non-violent offenders Wednesday, June 29, 2022 ABC LocalProtect endangered species from overuse of deadly ‘neonic’ pesticides Sunday, June 26, 2022 Chicago Sun-TimesCook County Public Health Officials Announce First Presumptive Case of Monkeypox Saturday, June 25, 2022 Special to suffredin.orgIllinois child welfare officials defend leaving kids in jail after release Friday, June 24, 2022 WBEZ NewsCook County rescued popular restaurant from tax sale, then hosted an event there Friday, June 24, 2022
Cook County Officials Unveil Rosy 2023 Budget Outlook Friday, June 24, 2022 WTTW NewsTrailblazers Program Empowers Volunteers Thursday, June 23, 2022 Special to suffredin.orgPreckwinkle forecasts county’s smallest budget gap in a decade, no new taxes or fees planned Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Chicago TribuneCook County's nonexistent residency policy Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Crain's Chicago BusinessCook County invests $925,000 in COVID-19 stimulus money to bolster south suburban metals, machinery and equipment manufacturers Sunday, June 19, 2022 Daily SouthtownCOVID-19 risk in Chicago, Cook County improves to ‘medium’ Friday, June 17, 2022 Chicago Sun-TimesMan found beaten to death inside Cook County Jail cell: autopsy Wednesday, June 15, 2022 Chicago Sun-TimesCook County unveils new flag designed by high school student and inspired by 1893 World’s Fair goddess statue Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Chicago Tribune
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