The Cook County President and Board of Commissioners met on November 4 at 10:00 A.M. for the monthly board meeting.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which manages Pace buses in the suburbs and Chicago's CTA, is facing a significant financial shortfall, and, therefore, the agencies will raise their fares. A bus ride in the suburbs will be raised to three dollars per ride, and the city's public weekend train pass will shortly be raised to seven dollars. Commissioner Murphy suggested van pools as an option for people who depend on public transit to take them to work. She also inquired about other sources of funding for the mass transit system, such as stimulus money or sales tax revenue. Commissioner Simms expressed concern that, with unemployment at such a high point, the lack of public transportation is an additional hardship for people who rely on the bus system. Commissioner Peraica questioned why buses in the western suburbs look empty. Commissioner Silvestri asked whether ridership increased during the recession, although there has actually been a decline. Pace is suffering a $64 million shortfall from the RTA.
Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Tim Evans was recognized for the William Rehnquist Award by the National Center for State Courts [press release]. He is the first judge from Illinois to receive such a prestigious honor. The commissioners expressed their congratulatory comments and Justice Evans pointed out that reform in the courts of Illinois was a collective effort of commissioners and the court system.
Discussion of a potential strike by AFL-CIO employees at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center ensued. 180 employees who have a high school degree but no college education were recently given pink slips, as the authorities have decided employees must have a college degree or be working toward one in order to keep their job. A motion arose to cover payment to Wackenhut, an outsourcing company which will provide the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center with employees, in the event the employees decide to strike.
--Submitted by Observer Stephanie Polito
