Cook County produces vast sums of data each year, ranging from records of property-tax payments to court proceedings. Providing taxpayers with ready access to timely and accurate information is one of the county’s most critical functions.
Unfortunately, the county’s information technology systems are woefully antiquated, and because different offices maintain their own systems, there is often a costly and inefficient duplication of functions. These issues of cost and efficiency have become even more important as the county grapples with closing a looming structural deficit estimated to reach $500 million by the year 2000.
The Civic Federation applauds Cook County Board President John Stroger for taking an important step to remedy the situation by establishing a new Bureau of Information Technology and Automation to coordinate and modernize the county’s computer systems. It will also find ways the county can better serve the public by providing ready access to information and services, promoting data-sharing among agencies and providing employees with better access to data and end-user tools.
The bureau can be instrumental in helping to bring Cook County into the 21st Century as a modern, responsive government. Developing a comprehensive information technology strategy will generate substantial cost savings as duplication is eliminated and practices are streamlined. And establishing countywide standards and oversight should yield greater efficiency and accuracy in the production and distribution of data.
