Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking veto power over the selection of the public health system’s next leader, a move that comes after a $542,000 severance package and generous pension for the ousted CEO raised eyebrows.
In addition, Preckwinkle would get the power to directly appoint the chair of the health system’s board of directors. The new CEO also would be required to meet monthly with her, and the Preckwinkle-controlled Human Resources Bureau would wield the power to negotiate union contracts.
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.