The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan has visited the city of Chicago in Cook County Illinois with a trade delegation from Cork County. One of the highlights of a hectic visit was a meeting with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Cork County and Cook County signed a Sister County Agreement in July 1999, which has gone on to become the longest agreement in Cook County. The aim of the agreement is to foster economic, commercial and cultural links between both counties. The delegation also discussed local government best practice and ideas on how the two counties could collaborate further.