For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Contact: Harrell Kirstein, 217-819-1830

Clerk Brown Shares Details of Plan to Reform the Budgeting Process and End Patronage and Wasteful Spending

Clerk Brown today unveiled the details of her plan to reform the Cook County budgeting process, and eliminate all of the wasteful and patronage spending.

“I know what it means to run a family on a budget, to be the sole bread earner,” said Clerk Brown.  “That is the mentality that I will have as I review the Cook County budget every year.”

The Clerk presented a three point plan for budget reform, while simultaneously eliminating wasteful patronage spending.

• Implement zero-base budgeting, where each year the Cook County starts with a budget of zero dollars rather than just adding new expenses to the current budget.
• Create a Citizens Review Commission, an independent commission to review the budget and restore the trust in County government.
• Begin timely and coordinated budgeting with all the agencies, departments, and elected officials to eliminate redundant and wasteful spending.

As Clerk of the Circuit Court, Dorothy Brown has a proven record of reform, having never accepted a raise and ended no bid contacts.  As President of the Cook County Board she will uphold and aggressively enforce the Shakman decree, ensure all employees are qualified for the jobs they hold, increase consolidation, implement joint purchasing and eliminate the waste, fraud and abuse in contracting.

The Clerk presented her plan on the fifth floor lobby of the Cook County Government building.

*Dorothy Brown has served as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County for nine years.  She is a CPA, has an MBA, holds a law degree, and has the executive management experience and financial background to set Cook County’s financial house in order.

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