Despite serious cost-saving measures, the Cook County Health and Hospital System's budget is still $35 million shy of what Board President Toni Preckwinkle can dole out to the agency. Preckwinkle told health system officials that they would have the find the money elsewhere to balance the budget.

“Government at all levels is facing difficult economic circumstances and we have to do more with less,” Preckwinkle said in a statement, according to the Sun-Times. “My administration will continue to work to make Cook County government more effective and more efficient for its residents.”

Health system officials say they understand that county government is struggling under a difficult economic climate, adding that "there's just no money."