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
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Return of dollars to district -
A note from Commissioner Goslin
 A key responsibility for me as your representative is to fight every year to get a good return on your tax dollars by securing a fair share of available resources for our 14th district.
In 2007, $12,225,871 in County tax dollars were returned to the District last year via improvements, services, grants and capital projects. Since taking office in 1998, a total of $302,789,514 has come back to our community!
Protecting your wallet - No to new taxes
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger unveiled his 2008 budget and his plans to fill the $300 million anticipated deficit on October 17, 2007. I have maintained consistently and feel passionately that the County budget should be balanced on the expense side by providing efficient, effective, compassionate services, managed in a professional manner.
I am against any new taxes and I voted against all of the proposed taxes. While President Stroger was able to collect enough votes to pass a 1% increase in the Sales Tax, our group of reform-minded commissioners defeated every other proposal for new taxes. To see details about each proposal, click here...
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Now in his third term, Commissioner Goslin has …
- Worked to control real estate taxes by increasing the efficiency of county government,
- Sponsored and supported measures which promote professionalism throughout county government;
- Protected our forest preserves by opposing the sale of non-surplus FPD land, and encouraging management based on science and consultation with professional conservationists and botanists.
- By supporting and encouraging the establishment of a primary care clinic in Palatine Township, and in other locations through the county, I have worked to make Cook County government more compassionate, by bringing services to citizens in their own communities.
"Staycation" Station
"Staycation" is the latest trend describing those of us planning to stay home this summer for our vacation. To help you plan for an memorable time, Commissioner Goslin has information about many of our area's outstanding resources. Call for information about the Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden exhibits, the Forest Preserves "Discover Nature" programs and bike trail maps, fishing and boating areas and more - 847-729-9300.
Are you doing a project for school or want to learn more? Click here for "Kids Kounty", with information designed for kids and families…
A new partnership with Cook County and the National Association of Counties offers those without prescription insurance, or who have maxed out on their insurance coverage, a chance to save money on their medications.
This program is free to any Cook County resident. Medications that are included average a savings of 20% on many prescription purchases, with extra savings on mail order medications. There is no registration or enrollment fee. To check if your pharmacy is participating and if your medications are included, call 1-877-321-2652 or click here to check on-line for more information.
Cards are available through your commissioner’s office. Residents of the 14th District can call 847-729-9300 for the closest location.
National Association of Counties' President Eric Coleman appointed Commissioner Goslin to chair the County Hospital Task Force. Reappointed last July by the new association president Don Stapley, the Task Force is charged with identifying best practices in hospital operations and developing recommendations for healthcare reform.
 Commissioner Goslin served for two years as chair of the Large Urban County Caucus of the National Association of Counties. The Caucus is composed of the 100 largest counties in America. "Not only was this a great honor to lead this prestigious organizations," he reports, "but I have an opportunity to help shape national policy which directly benefits the citizens of Cook County.
To learn more about Commissioner Goslin's NACo appointments and its work to benefit our local community, please call 847-729-9300.
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Public Lands Day
September 27, 2008
Somme Woods, Northbrook
9:00 a.m.
Volunteers Welcome!
Come out with your friends or meet new friends for an exciting day of forest renewal. Celebrate National Public Lands Day by giving back some time and energy in the Forest Preserves. Cleaning up debris and removing the invasive plant buckthorn helps return the forest to its natural state, it is easy to do and a joy to work with other people who care about our world. Perfect for families, scout or school groups and individuals -
We'd love to have you join us!
Commissioner Goslin receives award from
Little City Foundation
Northbrook Star
- With a packed crowd of more than 300 in attendance, Little City Foundation presented Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin with its first "Ambassador of Little City Foundation" award on Feb. 24 during the agency's "Night on the Red Carpet" fund-raiser that coincided with the Academy Award gala in Hollywood.
Goslin was selected for the award for his "longtime, dedicated service to not only Little City Foundation but the many communities he represents in the 14th District," said Fred G. Lebed, board president of Little City Foundation, who presented Goslin with the award along with Shawn Jeffers, executive director of the agency.
"Gregg has always shown great compassion toward people with disabilities," said Lebed, who is a principal in the consulting firm of Burris and Lebed LLC in Chicago. "I believe at least a part of that influence has come from his wife, Victoria, who has been a special education teacher for many years."
"I am very appreciative to receive this honor from Little City Foundation," Goslin said. "Reaching out and finding ways to help people with disabilities is simply the right thing to do, and it's my hope that more and more people will see the changing needs of this community, including a growing senior population that doesn't receive much support right now." (March 20, 2008)
Controlled Burns in our Forest Preserves
The spectacular forest preserves in our area add much to our community’s quality of life and are so valued by all of us. That can make it particularly distressing when we see smoke – or fire – doing what looks like damage to this precious resource. But there is more to the story. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County, along with a grant from the USDA Forest Service explains prescribed burns are essential for the health of the forest preserves.
Just like human beings, ecosystems have special requirements for staying healthy. Ecosystems need food, air, water, and as strange as it may sound, our local woodlands also need fire to survive. A prescribe burn, also called a controlled burn, is the process of using fire under tight restrictions to burn the ground cover in the native ecosystems found in our forest preserves.
More than 200 scientific institutions and land management agencies support and use prescribe fire to maintain natural areas across the United States.
Preserve burns are safe, and the coordinators do extensive planning. One of the most important tools of a prescribe burn is up-to-date weather information. Proper weather conditions ensure that the smoke will lift upward into the atmosphere, and burns are canceled if conditions are not adequate for safety. The Cook County Forest Preserve District notifies the local fire department, police department, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, as well as other agencies. Additionally, personnel are on site to talk with residents during each burn to answer questions.
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County has developed an excellent publication with detailed information about the operations of prescribed burns. For your copy of the Prescribe Burn publication, please call Commissioner Goslin at 847-729-9300
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Community Development Block Grants Help Locally
The Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnership and the Emergency Shelter Grant programs enable organizations in Cook County to support projects tailored to its community’s unique needs.
CDBG has served communities for 30 years as an effective resource to help cities, counties and states meet their development, affordable housing, human and economic needs. In Cook County, over the past five years, $65,000,000 in CDBG funds has funded infrastructure improvements, construction for senior and youth activities, alcohol and drug addiction services and much more.
Grants Awarded 2007
Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County
Continuum of Care Coordination $147,000
Center of Concern
Housing Counseling and Home Sharing $12,500
City of Rolling Meadows
Florey Park Accessible Playground $75,000
Clearbrook
Interior Lighting Replacement $42,000
Connections for the Homeless
Northfield Family Housing Program $10,000
Cook County Economic Development
Economic Development Set Aside - $100,000
Greater Wheeling Area Youth Outreach
Dream Maker’s Program $10,000
Home of the Sparrow
Palatine Shelter Rehab $30,000
Housing Opportunity Development Corporation
Housing Counseling $13,000
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Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs Fair Housing $45,000
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Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs Home Sharing $10,200
Little City Foundation
CILA Home Kitchen Renovation $60,000
Northwest Housing Partnership
Single Family Rehabilitation $470,000
Omni Youth Services
Wheeling Community Resource Center $46,000
Omni Youth Services Prospect Heights Community Resource Center $46,000
Orchard Village
Quad Home Rehabilitation $19,000
Pads to Hope
Homeless Day Center Services $17,000
Rebuilding Together
Single Family Rehabilitation $15,000
Resources for Community Living
Housing Counseling and Support Services for People with Disabilities $29,500
Shore Community Services
ADA Accessibility $25,000
Special Leisure Services Foundation
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle - $23,000
The Harbour
Safe Harbour Emergency Shelter - $10,000
Wings Program
Shelter Housing Program $24,000
The Center of Concern Transitional Housing and Prevention Programs $9,161
Connections for the Homeless
Supportive Services for Family Transitional Housing Program $15,000
The Harbour Emergency Shelter and Service Program for Homeless $5,000
Home of the Sparrow
Transitional Housing Program for Victims of Domestic Violence $10,000
PADS to HOPE
Emergency Overnight Shelter System and Prevention Program $10,000
WINGS Program
Housing for Women & Children $23,000
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