Driving the gap next year: an expected dip in PPRT receipts from the state and a pickup in hiring. Fresh off the passage of reforms in Springfield, the county will be making a pension payment that is $22 million higher than in 2023.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presides over the Cook County Board on Dec. 5, 2022.
The county is expecting a $214.7 million surplus for the end of 2023, thanks to a one-time boost in personal property replacement tax, or PPRT, revenues from the state and higher-than-expected sales tax receipts, due in part to higher inflation.The county has also struggled to make a dent in the roughly 4,000 job vacancies it had on the books at the time of the 2023 budget’s passing. The upside is payroll savings.
The county’s reliance on contract workers at its hospital system — there are 700 registered nurse vacancies and the county is using 500 agency RNs, a spokeswoman said earlier this month — has led to flare-ups with its unionized workers, who say not filling empty roles with full-time employees has lowered the quality of care.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is closing enrollment for the state-funded health insurance program for immigrants under 65 and capping enrollment for those 65 and older on July 1. Among other changes to the program to control ballooning costs, Cook County Health is on the hook to “reimburse the State for any excess payment in a method and amount as determined by the Department,” according to a state release. As a public health system, CCH had been paid higher rates than other providers.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Modi calls for 'one earth, one family, one future' at U.N. yoga eventIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a celebration of International Yoga Day at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday and called on people 'to join hands together to realize the goal of one earth, one family, one future.'
Read more »
Preckwinkle: No new taxes, fees needed to close Cook County's anticipated budget gapCook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said no new taxes or fees are necessary to close an expected $86 million budget gap next fiscal year caused largely by reduced state funding and medical costs associated with asylum seekers.
Read more »
Dems choose activist, CTU worker Tara Stamps to fill Mayor Johnson's Cook County commissioner seatCommunity activist and Chicago Teachers Union employee Tara Stamps beat out five other candidates Tuesday night vying to succeed Mayor Brandon Johnson on the Cook County Board.
Read more »
Inflation, job vacancies combine for Cook County budget surplusCook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has rolled out her annual budget forecast, an early look at the county’s year-end projections for spending and revenue in 2023 and a look ahead at 2024. The expected shortfall heading into 2024: $85.6 million.
Read more »
Cook County projects nearly $86M deficit in next fiscal year's budgetCook County is projecting a nearly $86 million deficit in its budget for the next fiscal year.
Read more »
County To Go On Offense After Abbott Signs Bills Targeting Harris County ElectionsThe ongoing standoff between local officials and the state over who will control Harris County election operations has reached a head after Governor Greg Abbott, as expected, signed two bills into law late last week. Senate Bill 1750 would effectively put Harris County elections administrator Clifford Tatum out of a...
Read more »