CHICAGO–Readers of “Alarm bells in the County Building” (Editorial, Feb. 11) may have gotten the impression that there is a linkage between last fall’s Cook County budget and revenue measures, and my recent report to County Board members that addressed questions about Forest Preserve District audits.
There is no linkage.
First, county government and the Forest Preserve District are separate units of government with separate budgets and revenues. By law, the County Board’s members serve a dual role as FPD commissioners. And in both capacities, they serve the public well and faithfully.
Second, the Tribune’s readers should recall “Cook County Forest panel faces deficit of $16 million” (Metro, Feb. 7), noting that county government released the fiscal reports, and that I raised the questions now being addressed.
There is no “bad financial management” in county government, despite the overheated rhetoric of some critics. There is, in fact, a healthier fiscal climate in Cook County, thanks to sound management that was noted on Feb. 9, when one of the nation’s bond-rating agencies upgraded Cook County’s bonds and another agency issued a “positive” outlook for the county.
As for policy and political differences among County Board members, I have worked to foster an atmosphere in which cooperation and progress are possible. But there always have been disagreements among us, and I suspect there always will be. My colleagues and I have strong views; we are a diverse lot, we have a 12-5 partisan composition, of which Democrats currently have the larger share. And there always have been disagreements among Democrats. These do not diminish our respect for another’s roles on behalf of our constituents.
The problems at the Forest District that I have identified for review will be corrected.
