One on One with Toni Preckwinkle

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Cook County Board leader Toni Preckwinkle is optimistic about 2012 for her constituents. (Photo Credit: Office of the Cook County Board President)
Cook County Board leader Toni Preckwinkle is optimistic about 2012 for her constituents. (Photo Credit: Office of the Cook County Board President)

Toni Preckwinkle spent nearly 20 years as alderman of Chicagos 4th Ward before launching her bid for the Cook County Board of Commissioners presidency. In November 2010, Preckwinkle was elected the first female president of the county board.

Preckwinkle recently told the Chicago Citizen she ran for the countys highest office because residents deserved someone who was willing to work hard.

I knew this undertaking was going to be difficult but Ive always believed that if you had a vision of what you wanted, and were willing to work hard, you could make it a reality, she said.

Prior to her election, Preckwinkle said she spent two years learning about critical issues facing Cook County. She also said during that time she spoke with thousands of resident about how county government could better serve them.

I think our county needed a new direction. For too long Cook County had been allowed to drift without a strong sense of purpose, responsibility or accountability, Preckwinkle said.

The county chief says that constituent interaction drives her to keep working on behalf of county residents.

What keeps me going is hearing from people on the street. Some say they have a new sense of faith in this government or that they appreciate the work we are doing. I am grateful for both their support and encouragement, she said.

Although Preckwinkle notes many seem to be happy with her performance thus far, there are critics who are quick to argue she possesses a blunt leadership style. Preckwinkle said her aim is to lead with honesty.

I hope I dont put too many people off but weve got a tough job to do. I believe that the best way to operate is just to tell people the truth as often as you can. Given the position we found ourselves in when we took office, weve done pretty well, she said.

Transparency has become a huge part of government. The Chicago Citizen asked Preckwinkle why this idea is important and how does she maintain honesty in her administration.

On day one, I laid out our four tenets: fiscal responsibility, innovative leadership, transparency and accountability and improved services. These four basic principles shape every one of our decisions. We published our full transition report, offering employees and residents alike the opportunity to see our roadmap for the future. In a similar vein, we have posted a one year report card on our website www.cookcountyil.gov, she said.

Preckwinkle has several projects she is working on for 2012 that affect South Suburban Cook County.

She said the 2012 county budget caters to overhauling suburban highways, roads and bridges.

Our fiscal year 2012 budget includes our commitment to investing in suburban highways, roads and bridges by bonding off Motor Fuel Tax funds to support a job-creating $100 million infrastructure plan. Previously, these projects were funded on an annual, pay-as-you-go basis, not allowing for long-term, guided capital investments in our suburbs. The 2012 expected capital improvement spending budget of $49 million is projected to create 1,316 jobs in 2012, concentrated in suburban Cook County, she said.

Affordable housing is also among Preckwinkles objectives.

The county placed $3.9 million in HOME funds towards a 77-unit supportive housing development in Country Club Hills (the Wellness Center). Projects like these provide affordable housing in areas where the economic downturn and the foreclosure crisis has been particularly severe. Most HOME loans go only to low-income households, so this new unit in the South Suburbs is a good step in the right direction, said Preckwinkle.

The county leader also said funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program have also helped county initiatives. NSP is a federal grant program that is an arm of President Barack Obamas economic stimulus initiative.

Currently, there are nearly $20 million worth of NSP projects either planned, in construction, or completed in 13 different municipalities across the county, from Maywood to Chicago Heights, where there has been substantial vacancies and foreclosure activity, said Preckwinkle.

Public safety is also on Preckwinkles agenda for 2012 which includes lowering the population at Cook County Jail.

The countywide performance management review sessions are coming together around strategies to reduce the jail population, including ways to increase the use of electronic monitoring and other alternatives to detention, such as I-bonds and community based programs, she said.

The 2012 county budget is also a main priority for Preckwinkle.

This budget not only reflects our tireless commitment to get Cook Countys financial house in order; it builds the framework for Cook County to provide better and more effective services for its residents. While we had a smaller deficit than last year, in many ways this budget was the toughest the county has had to face, she said.

Preckwinkle said the budget reinforces critical systemic upgrades to public safety that will make communities safer and reduces the countys health system subsidy without reducing the quality of patient care.

These are the measures that will have direct impact on our FY2012 budget, she said.

by Thelma Sardin

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