Residents of Cook County have a fresh reason to dive into the details of their property information, as the Bureau of Technology’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) division has rolled out an upgraded edition of their CookViewer app, now in its third-generation iteration, also known as CookViewer 3.0. Insights from public input have steered this revamp, thus enhancing the mobile experience and incorporating Spanish language support to foster greater accessibility across the County’s diverse user base, according to a statement obtained by Cook County's official announcement.
CookViewer 3.0 represents a significant development in the county's approach to inclusive digital upgrades, by adopting a user-centric design philosophy that specifically takes into account linguistic diversity – notably, the new Spanish support mirrors the linguistic reality for some 21% of Cook County's residents who, as per the latest US Census figures, speak the language at home; Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle highlighted this demographic detail, add the GIS team's commitment to regular review of user feedback, will ensure the app remains pertinent and usable. "By collecting resident feedback in both Spanish and English, we are ensuring equitable access while also ensuring that this interactive map is as useful as possible for our five million residents," Preckwinkle told Cook County News.
The updated CookViewer 3.0 does not merely talk the talk but walks the walk with new features: the inclusion of a full PIN search functionality adds depth to condominium property searches, while historical imagery, which dates as far back as 1998, enriches the user experience. Cook County Chief Information Officer Tom Lynch praised the work, signifying it as a "significant step forward in providing accessible, user-friendly property information," according to their official release.
However, the benefits of CookViewer extend far beyond individual property owners, realtors, and homebuyers; various County departments also rely on its comprehensive data – for instance, Cook County's Department of Transportation and Highways (DOTH) finds the tool invaluable for analyzing projects that fall within their jurisdiction, and they’re able to access information spanning multiple agencies at once while connecting with other units of government; also, the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Resource Management Section utilizes the tool to swiftly respond to queries related to potential tree hazards, helping coordinate prompt crew allocation and direct inquiries efficiently. Introduced in 2010, CookViewer's trajectory from a public property information platform to the now 3.0 version continues to align with County goals of transparency and innovation, poised to serve the varied needs of its community, as indicated in the official news release.
