New county health COO will get massive raise

At today's Cook County Health and Hospitals System board meeting, CEO Bill Foley told board members he was getting closer to hiring a full-time interim chief operating officer.

Earlier this month, COO (and former interim CEO) David Small announced he would leave his job by Nov. 30.

Foley said he was looking for a turn-around specialist, "someone who can hit the ground running, which is something I really need on my team."

All signs indicate a candidate has been chosen...we're just waiting for the formal announcement.

While Small made $200,000 as interim CEO, his replacement as COO will make a hefty $425,000 salary for the year he or she is contracted. Foley, by the way, makes $500,000, which CCHHS says is a mid-range salary for his position.