May 9, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact Andre Garner, Director of the Department of Communications & Public Affairs at 312-603-0393 or afgarner@cookcountygov.com.

Stroger Releases Auditor’s Report on Juvenile Detention Center

Audit one of a series launched by Stroger administration to push reforms at facility as County moves forward with plans to turn over management to Chief Judge.

May 9, 2007 – Today, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger released a Cook County audit of financial operations at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, and outlined a series of recommendations and policy changes designed to address issues the audit has identified. Among the changes include the appointment of Jennifer Koehler, a senior policy advisor to President Stroger, as a full-time senior administrator at the Center.

“My administration launched this audit to identify ongoing challenges at the Juvenile Detention Center, and we embrace our responsibility to push forward in the wake of its results,” said President Stroger. “Sound fiscal practices are an essential component of good management practices, and the recommended improvements will continue to move the Center forward in its effort to improve oversight and management at the facility. I’m delighted that Jennifer has agreed to be part of the team that will implement those improvements.”

The audit is part of the Stroger administration’s ongoing efforts to eliminate waste and mismanagement in County Government. As part of that commitment, Stroger has given County Auditor Laura Burman broad latitude to review financial and operational practices throughout the units of County Government under his leadership.

The audit reviewed practices in purchasing, inventory control, petty cash, payroll, overtime, unclaimed and/or confiscated funds and property, and current written policies and procedures, and has recommended a series of fixes designed to enhance management oversight, increase transparency and improve accountability.

The recommendations come in the wake of a series of improvements that the Stroger administration has implemented since January 1, including new overtime procedures, an employee review process designed to tackle excessive absenteeism, and plans to implement a swipe system for employees to sign into the worksite. The Stroger administration, which initiated the audit shortly after Stroger took office, is currently conducting audits of policies and procedures throughout the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in an effort to improve operations as the President’s Office prepares to turn oversight of the facility over to the Office of the Chief Judge.

Stroger testified in Springfield this March in favor of legislation that would formally authorize the Chief Judge to assume responsibility for the facility. House Bill 236 is positioned for a vote before the full senate this week, and will then go to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for his consideration.

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