Thank you for

your interest in learning about how I am representing you, your family, and neighbors on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

My mission and

passion is to "Professionalize, Modernize and Privatize Cook County government while providing efficient, effective, economical and compassionate management of County business."

                                             — Gregg Goslin

P.S. Sign up for our E-newsletter—timely, concise information e-mailed as it happens. Click to subscribe

Updated: 2/5/10 1:12 p.m.

_____________________________________

Now Hiring at Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo is looking for friendly, fun, energetic people to join the zoo crew.   Flexible work schedules and great starting pay are part of the job.

Seasonal Job Fairs will be held in the zoo's Discovery Center on Monday, February 15 and Monday, March 15, 2010 from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.

Applications can be printed from the seasonal employment application.  For more information, call the zoo's job hotline at (708) 688-8881.  Applicants must be at least 16 years old. 

_____________________________________

Botanic Garden Summer Internship

We are now accepting applications for the summer 2010 President John H. Stroger, Jr. Internship Program.  This program offers Cook County residents between the ages of 18 and 21 the opportunity to work with Garden staff members who serve as mentors.  Under the supervision of staff from the Garden's Center for Teaching and Learning, interns will have experiences working in one of the Garden's departments, ranging from communications to horticulture. 

For more information on the types of internships available and to download an application, please visit the Chicago Botanic Garden website.

_____________________________________

Homelessness Prevention Call Center

As part of the County's new Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP), Cook County has opened a Call Center for the Prevention of Homelessness.  The call center will link homeless and at-risk residents of suburban Cook County to services such as short-term and medium-term rental assistance, security deposits, utility payments, moving assistance and motel/hotel vouchers.

Suburban Cook County families seeking help should call:

1-877-4-COOK-15
(1-877-426-6515)

In 2008 over 40,000 foreclosures were filed in Cook County, approximately half of these in the suburbs—such foreclosures affect property owners as well as renters.  The economic environment continues to be difficult, and the services offered through the new call center can help prevent the very real risk of homelessness that many families are facing.  If you know of anyone who may be in need of assistance, please give them this number.

_____________________________________

Commissioner Goslin on the

Healthcare Access Protection Initiative

I am against the HAPI ordinance because I do not believe that imposing a new tax on hospitals in Cook County is the appropriate method to ensure access to care for all.    Many private hospitals are already struggling, and imposing strict charity care requirements could result in health care service reductions and hospital layoffs, potentially affecting thousands of jobs.  Any reduction in services at private hospitals would only increase the burden on the public healthcare system and hospital closures would inflict permanent damage to our regional healthcare safety net.  Read more.

_____________________________________

Sales Tax Rollback Approved Over Veto

At the Board Meeting on December 1st, 12 Commissioners successfully voted to override President Stroger's veto of the 0.5% sales tax reduction.  Effective July 1, 2010, the Cook County sales tax will be reduced from 1.75% to 1.25%. 

In the coming year I intend to lay the groundwork for reducing the sales tax another 0.5% to complete the repeal of President Stroger's one-point tax increase.  I will be introducing proposals to improve efficiency and reduce the County's monetary obligations, including proposals to consolidate Information Technology functions into a single department and convert the County pension system from a defined benefit to a defined contribution plan.  Read more.

_____________________________________

Commissioner Goslin on Hinsdale's

Proposal for Use of Forest Preserve Land

At the Forest Preserve Real Estate Committee in September, the Village of Hinsdale submitted a proposal for a long-term lease of an isolated parcel of Forest Preserve land, Bemis Woods.  This proposal provides for continued use of a portion of the land (known as Duncan Field) for athletic purposes, as well as some funding for restoration of the remaining acreage of Bemis Woods.
 
On October 7, 2009, the FPD  Board approved the continued discussion of Hinsdale's proposal with FPD staff.  I do not support Hinsdale's plan in its present form, but I do support further discussions.  Read more.

_____________________________________

Deer Grove Restoration Project

A large-scale, 5-year project for the Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine has started, helping to restore and enhance wetlands and increase the biodiversity of diminishing native plants and animal species. 

Click here for more details.

_____________________________________