Rethinking the Cook County Criminal Justice System
Problems with Cook County’s Criminal Justice System not only drain the County’s budget, but also pose a serious threat to public safety. As Cook County Commissioner for the First District, Ade will support exploring alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders, in addition to providing treatment for addiction, educational classes, and life skills training, especially by collaborating with community-based programs and organizations. Not only will these actions serve to reduce recidivism, but it will also ensure that our communities are safer by reducing the number of individuals in jail, facilitating reentry into the community and job training, and reducing the number of repeat offenders.
Reinvigorating the Cook County Healthcare System
As a Cook County Commissioner, Ade will push to make the independent Board of Directors a permanent body, and free these healthcare professionals from the political influences that impede their effectiveness. Most importantly, this Board should be responsive to the citizens of Cook County, and Ade intends to hold the Board accountable to the people that the healthcare system serves. Furthermore, Ade will work to eliminate extensive waste and duplication in the healthcare system, and correct mismanaged resources to focus on preventive care. Ade also supports expanding the number of healthcare facilities in the County to provide greater access to those seeking medical services, especially the uninsured and the underinsured.
Strengthening the Forest Preserve District
The Forest Preserve District is in dire need of reorganization in order to instill professional management and end rampant patronage that has come to characterize this arm of the County. We can begin to achieve this goal by conducting a comprehensive audit to determine the productivity and efficacy of all Forest Preserve District employees. As Commissioner for Cook County, Ade will push to devote more resources to actually maintaining the forest preserves, addressing the problem of too many managers vs. front line employees.
Repealing the Sales Tax Increase
As Cook County Commissioner for the First District, Ade supports repealing Todd Stroger’s 1% percent sales tax increase. However, the work does not end here. Ade will also fight to implement responsible spending practices and eliminate wasteful programs. Ade will ensure that the County is capturing all due income, such as streamlining the billing system for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, which could bring an additional $40 million of revenue annually.1 As Commissioner, Ade will explore every alternative revenue source before resorting to a regressive sales tax increase that burdens voters in the County.
1. Source: Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, 2007.