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Embattled CFO of Cook Cty's Bureau of Health resignsCrain's Chicago BusinessAugust 16, 2006By Greg HinzThe embattled chief financial officer of Cook County’s Bureau of Health has resigned his position. Alvin Holley, who has been under intense fire this year as bureau finances sunk deeper and deeper into the red, will leave office effective Friday, according to a statement released by County President Bobbie Steele. The statement said Ms. Steele “accepted” the resignation and termed it “the first step in the reorganization of the bureau,” which runs the county’s network of charity hospitals and clinics. Ms. Steele’s spokeswoman did not elaborate, but Commissioner Michael Quigley said the departure is a situation of “leaving before you’re pushed.” Mr. Holley repeatedly and publicly had insisted earlier this year that a deficit in bureau finances was temporary and would be alleviated soon. Instead, the shortfall has continued to increase, and is now at $73 million, according to Ms. Steele. She termed that "totally unacceptable." The spokeswoman for the Bureau of Health did not return a phone call seeking comment, and Mr. Holley was not available for comment. Meanwhile, Ms. Steele indicated she intends to allow the bureau to continue to manage its own finances, and is interviewing replacements for Mr. Holley. Commissioner Forrest Claypool has proposed concentrating all financial decisions under Thomas Glaser, the county’s chief financial officer, but Ms. Steele said in a statement that his plan “is not” being considered. The health bureau traditionally has been semi-autonomous from other county departments.
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