"County health board forwards budget plan"
Hal Dardick, Chicago Tribune, Oct. 3, 2008
Although the 2009 budget recommendation for Cook County's massive public-health system wasn't listed on the Friday meeting agenda, the new independent board overseeing the system approved a spending proposal that includes a $70 million increase.
When a reporter pointed out the budget was not on the agenda, as required under Illinois law, Health and Hospitals Board Chairman Warren Batts said, "That's a mistake." But he said "there was clearly no intent to slip something through the system."
The recommendation calls for about $70 million in additional spending next year, Batts said. This year's health system budget is about $870 million.
The additional spending would go toward salary increases, restoring "essential services" lost in cuts made in previous years and some system improvements, Batts said. The recommendation will be forwarded to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, who proposes the overall county budget that must be approved by the full County Board.