CHICAGO - Cook County, Ill. budget director Andrea Gibson is leaving after four years on the job, board President Toni Preckwinkle announced April 21.
John Cooke, head of the Bureau of Asset Management, is also leaving. Cooke oversaw the county's 10-year, $1.9 billion capital project program, among other duties.
"Both Andrea and John have played a vital role in the transformation of Cook County into a fiscally responsible, accountable and transparent government agency," Preckwinkle said in a statement. "It's clear they both have bright futures ahead and I look forward to watching them continue to serve the public as they move into the next phase of their careers."
Preckwinkle said the county, home of Chicago, will launch a national search for a new budget director. Until then, deputy budget director Shellie Riedle will be interim director.
Gibson moves to the county's massive health and hospital system, where she will serve as Director of Project Management. Cooke is taking a job as a regional commissioner for the Great Lakes at the U.S. Public Buildings Service.
Rating agencies have downgraded Cook several times over the last few years, largely due to pensions. Fitch Ratings has an A-plus rating on the county's general obligation bonds. Moody's Investors Service rates it A1 and Standard & Poor's rates it AA. Moody's has a negative outlook.
