Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider News

Cook County gives suburbs an out on red-light cameras

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:14:44 -0400

Suburbs across Cook County won a reprieve Tuesday from having red-light cameras installed at their intersections without their approval.

County allows suburbs to say no to red-light cameras

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:13:20 -0400

A bipartisan block of commissioners, who heard the backlash from local municipalities, approved the “opt out’’ measure as the county highway department prepares to install cameras at 20 of the most dangerous suburban intersections.

Cook board lets suburbs opt out of red light cameras

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:12:29 -0400

Reacting to a backlash from angry suburbs, the Cook County Board agreed Tuesday to let towns opt out of its plan to install red-light cameras at certain intersections.

11th hour deal could avert county shutdown

Sat, 1 Mar 2008 01:38:27 -0400

As a midnight deadline passed it appeared as though Cook County commissioners had worked out a deal to avoid a government shutdown. Marathon negotiations continued to hammer out the details. One result of the deal -- it is likely there will be a higher sales tax in Cook County.

County Board Rollsback Sales Tax Increase

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:37:26 -0400

Schneider and others say the tax hike hurts consumers struggling through a recession, and the business owners who watch as buyers flee to other counties. The hike pushed Chicago’s overall sales tax to 10.25 percent, the highest in the country.

Cole’s Criminal Past Revealed Last Year

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:36:52 -0400

County Board President Todd Stroger refused to answer questions about why he asked for the resignation of his cousin, former county chief financial officer, Donna Dunnings., who twice posted Cole’s bond.

Fox Chicago Sunday: Tim Schneider

Sun, 3 May 2009 01:31:14 -0400

In Studio - This week on Fox Chicago Sunday: Anger boils over at the Cook County board, when commissioners demand answers about the firing of Todd Stroger's cousin.

Stroger hire feeds fire in county meeting

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:30:11 -0400

Commissioners at a Cook County Board meeting accused President Todd Stroger about withholding the truth about one of his hires.

Todd Stroger Employee's Firm Awarded County Contract

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:28:25 -0400

"I think at this point we're having a going out of business sale and everything must go and we're pulling in all of Todd's friends and family and giving them jobs and contracts," said Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider.

She's back: Stroger puts aide back on payroll

Tue, 11 May 2010 01:27:48 -0400

Five days off. That's the punishment Cook County Board President Todd Stroger deems appropriate for his embattled deputy chief of staff.

Carla Oglesby, Todd Stroger's Deputy Chief of Staff, Returns to Work in Spite of Investigation

Wed, 12 May 2010 01:26:47 -0400

Our investigation found that Oglesby's company CGC Communications got a contract for $24,975 -- just $25 less than the amount that would have required approval by the county board.

Stroger staffer defends herself, contract

Wed, 12 May 2010 01:25:40 -0400

"It defies common sense. I think he thinks he can do whatever he wants at this point," said Commissioner Tim Schneider, (R) Bartlett, last night.

Commissioner Schneider and Mayor Johnson Co-sponsoring Flood Victim Grant Seminar

Fri, 14 May 2010 08:29:32 -0400

Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider (15th District) and Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson, in conjunction with the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, are pleased to announce that they are co-sponsoring a flood victim grant seminar on Monday, May 17, 2010, for Elk Grove Village area residents.

'Magic' at Work in Cook County Contract Bid Process

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:38:31 -0400

It starts with a locked box outside the County Board chamber where businesses drop their sealed bids.

Commissioners decline to fully repeal county sales tax

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:37:08 -0400

Cook County commissioners were reluctant to repeal the remainder of the county’s sales tax, striking down another bid against it at yesterday’s County Board meeting.

Cook Co. board again nixes full sales-tax rollback

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:35:39 -0400

The Cook County Board Tuesday again rejected an attempt to fully roll back the 1 percentage point hike in the sales tax imposed in 2008.

Late Cook Co. Board member Hansen set to rest

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:59:13 -0500

Despite a gruff exterior, former Cook County Commissioner Carl R. Hansen was a sentimental man who faithfully served his suburban constituents, friends say.

Sound firm leaves Cook County in rearview mirror

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:58:04 -0500

It's what many fear could become a growing trend as, in a harsh and competitive economy where businesses are struggling just to survive, Cook can no longer fall back on its Chicago center and location, location, location to draw and retain business and industry.

Dart approaches compliance on all fronts

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 21:57:14 -0500

Bartlett Republican Commissioner Timothy Schneider applauded a potential end to the "cottage industry we've created for retired judges and attorneys," who are typically assigned to police compliance in the suits.

Cook Co. considers renaming forest preserve to honor Hansen

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:56:12 -0500

Timothy Schneider, the 15th District Commissioner, said that during Wednesday's Cook County Forest Preserve District meeting he'll ask members to vote on renaming the Shoe Factory Road Woods the Carl R. Hansen Woods.

Cook Co. board votes to save, rehab abandoned hospital landmark

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 21:50:55 -0500

Key to the deal was a measure insisted on by Bartlett Republican Commissioner Timothy Schneider that Chicago contribute about $23 million from tax increment financing, which comes from additional property taxes generated after a designated property increases in value.

Schaumburg Twp. offers ride service

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:52:18 -0500

Senior citizens and people with disabilities residents of Schaumburg, Elk Grove, Hanover, Palatine or Wheeling Townships can use TRIP - Township Riders Initiative Pilot, a transportation service that will take you across Township lines to medical appointments.

Cook Co. Board votes to cut sales tax; majority should be veto-proof

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:52:53 -0500

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to cut the sales tax a half cent on the dollar by a seemingly veto-proof 12-5 margin today.

Cook County Board votes to roll back sales tax

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:53:31 -0500

If it holds, the latest attempt would decrease the county sales tax rate from 1.75 percent to 1.25 percent on July 1. But a few sizable hurdles remain before people start paying less in taxes.

Commissioners approve half-cent sales tax break

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:53:46 -0500

Republican Commissioner Tim Schneider, from the northwest suburbs, called the argument against the rollback a scare tactic. "I don't buy the doomsday scenario that county government will shut down without this sales tax."

Board votes to rollback tax

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:54:22 -0500

With an assist from Springfield, the Cook County Board's fourth effort to rescind a one cent increase in the sales tax might stick this time. Five Republicans were joined by seven Democrats to form what appears to be a veto-proof majority.

County budget proposal would cut jobs, keep taxes steady

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:55:23 -0500

Stroger's financial plan quickly became the latest fodder for the long-running political feud that envelops county government. Several of the 17 commissioners took aim at the budget, saying it includes unnecessary spending.

Cook commissioners, critics rock Stroger's balanced budget proposal

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:55:45 -0500

The spending plan ran into immediate resistance from suburban Republicans, and others pointed to how it makes no allowances to roll back the county sales tax.

Bipartisan reform effort hits Cook County Board

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:56:09 -0500

Cook County Clerk David Orr and several Cook County commissioners will ask the county board Wednesday to require more disclosure of lobbyists' activities.

Cut in Cook County sales tax rests on election

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 12:56:42 -0500

Gorman, Schneider and Suffredin all pointed to a DePaul University study released this week showing that sales are down at an unusually heavy rate in suburban Cook County. "The rise in sales tax rates is likely responsible for some of the decline," the study concluded.

Cook Co. board scurries to prepare for critical tax vote

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 12:57:05 -0500

The Cook County Board faced a critical tax showdown with President Todd Stroger today after a new commissioner was hurriedly appointed in the 8th District.

Cook County board fails to override sales tax veto

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 12:57:29 -0500

"It's really disappointing," added 15th District Commissioner Timothy Schneider. "I thought we were going to come and return some of the money to the taxpayers, restore some confidence in what we do here and the County Building, listen to our taxpayers and say enough is enough."

Cook Co. commissioner leaves, jeopardizing sales tax cut

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:57:51 -0500

Money keeps flowing from Cook Co. contractors to board prez Stroger

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:58:15 -0500

Cook County commissioners vote to trim sales tax

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:59:08 -0500

Schneider Votes No On Marijuana Decriminalization

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:59:46 -0500

Unsteady majority OKs county tax rollback

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:00:22 -0500

Commissioner Schneider Invites State Treasurer for Cash Dash

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 13:17:35 -0500

Commissioners Timothy O. Schneider (15th district) and Elizabeth "Liz" Doody Gorman (17th district) have invited State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias to conduct a Cash Dash event at their district office in Elk Grove Village.

In Cook County, lowest bidder seldom wins the contract

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 13:00:59 -0500

When it comes to Cook County government, money is no object.

Study: In Cook Co., contracts, campaign donations intertwined

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:02:26 -0500

A joint investigation by the Daily Herald and the Better Government Association has found that the companies that received the 11 contracts worth $11.8 million in all accounted for $208,178 in campaign contributions to county officials, their relatives or funds they control. Cook County Board President Todd Stroger alone got $47,920 of those donations.

Cook Co. fund mismanagement cost taxpayers $227,871

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:03:34 -0500

The past practices of the Cook County Public Administrator's Office cost taxpayers at least $227,871 in missing funds and possibly millions more in sweetheart contracts, a new audit indicates.

Cook Co. board again fails to override veto of sales tax rollback

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 13:03:56 -0500

Had the veto been successful, it would have reduced the county's portion of the sales tax from 1.75 percent to 1 percent in 2010 and then to .75 percent in 2011.

Property Tax Assessment Appeal Seminar for Hanover Township on Thursday, June 4th

Thu, 28 May 2009 13:17:04 -0500

The Twittering comissioner, provides look inside government

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 13:04:38 -0500

One of those might be Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider, who started using Twitter last month under the name Fighting15th.

Cook hospital panel ignores Stroger, passes purchasing plan

Sat, 30 May 2009 13:04:57 -0500

The finance committee of the independent Cook County Health and Hospitals System board ignored a plea Friday from Cook County President Todd Stroger to slow down on a plan to engage in consolidated purchasing for the hospitals.

Public Health officials urge residents to prevent West Nile Virus

Fri, 8 May 2009 13:15:45 -0500

Yearly surveillance is underway in suburban Cook County to identify mosquitoes, birds and humans possibly infected with West Nile Virus (WNV). Officials with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) urge residents to take basic steps to prevent WNV and to call the WNV hotline at 708-492-2650 to report dead birds for testing.

Cook County sales tax hike to stay in place as commissioners fail to override Stroger's veto

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:05:29 -0500

Supporters of the tax cut needed to convince 14 out of 17 commissioners to override Board President Todd Stroger's veto of a measure that would have repealed the tax Jan. 1.

Override vote on Stroger's tax rollback veto may come today

Tue, 19 May 2009 13:05:51 -0500

Tim Schneider, a Bartlett Republican who voted against the sales tax originally and will be voting to override, made it clear his side wants a veto vote before considering anything else.

Stroger vetoes Cook Co. sales tax hike repeal

Mon, 11 May 2009 13:06:13 -0500

"I certainly think that at least that (original proposal) should and will come back," said Commissioner Timothy Schneider, a Bartlett Republican. "I would support any way we can reduce the impact of this egregious tax."

Cook County cuts another $20 million of borrowing

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 13:06:34 -0500

But now some commissioners, like Bartlett Republican Tim Schneider, want to go over each and every capital project one more time to make sure they're all really necessary. Apparently, they're not.