“We have no money” seems to be a mantra from all levels of government, city, county, state and national. As public budgets get tighter and money more scarce, decisions are being made on who and what will be funded by government and from whom money will be taken away. The work of social service agencies, jails, health care facilities, subsidized housing, job training, drug rehabilitation, and education appear to be the immediate victims.

Yet are not they, and those who serve their human needs, the ones who should be the recipients of the government? Why does it seem that they are the last being served properly and the first to have services taken away? Why does it appear that the poor among us continue to be the least of all?

The President of the Cook County Board, Toni Preckwinkle, is in a position to see this dilemma on a daily basis. Her office has responsibility for Cook County jail, the Cook County Hospital, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, to name but a few.

She was elected President of the Cook County Board in December 2010. Since then she has had to rebuild the credibility of County Government. She faced a deficit of $1.4 billion. She cut $465 million in expenditures while focusing on County services that help the least among us.

The First Friday Club was honored to have President Toni Preckwinkle speak to us on Friday, May 6, 2016.