Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday issued a warning to department heads: cut your budgets yourself or she'll do it.
"We’re obliged to submit a balanced budget and we hope for their help and cooperation," she said during an event to announce Tariq Malhance as the county's new Chief Financial Officer. "We hope for their help and cooperation, and we’ll submit a balanced budget whether or not we get their help or cooperation."
She said her office is making its own concessions in staff and salaries.
Malhance, for example, will make about $54,000 less than his predecessor, the Chicago Tribune noted.
"President Preckwinkle has clearly established that her administration will do business differently than it was in the past. As a result our budget process will be open and transparent," said Malhance.
Malhance is a former city comptroller.
