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| YOUR COMMUNITY CONNECTION |
Want Change?: Bring your conscious to the
polls, leave your loyalty at the door
We want to encourage all who long for purposeful and responsible government that works for
the people to make a conscious decision at the voting polls.
Unconscious decisions and misdirected loyalties have landed Cook County in a cease pool of
misdealings and bloated spending that serve a few and failed services to constituents in need
the most.
Six candidates in all, four Democrats and two Republicans, are vying for the Cook County
Board post that oversees some 25,000 jobs and a $3 billion budget.
Democrats
During our candidate interviews for County Board President, Todd Stroger, 47, who took over
the reigns at the county after his father and former president suffered a stroke, says he’s
“balanced the budget”. Stroger followed a dual track to “balance the budget”. First, he
strategically hired his cousin as chief financial officer over the county’s $3 billion budget.
Second, he says “I avoided massive budget problems and improved health care access”.
Perhaps. But at the expense of a very unpopular tax increase ranking Chicago at the top of
highest sales tax echelon in the nation.
Toni Preckwinkle, a Chicago Alderman, vows to repeal the half-cent Stroger sales tax
increase. The 62-year-old former high school teacher touts herself as a reformer who
supports change. Leading by example, Preckwinkle pledged to take a 10 percent pay cut if
elected board president.
“I will restrain spending and place the county health system under the control of an
independent professional health board.”
To reduce rising cost in the criminal system, Preck-winkle supports drug court programs,
rehabilitation programs and job training programs for non-violent offenders. Preckwinkle will
offset the county’s bloated budget by offering more resources to small businesses to create
jobs and consolidate some county services saving the county about $40 million a year.
The race for Cook County Board President is Preckwinkle’s to lose. But we hope she wins.
Preckwinkle is refreshing, independent, savvy, reform -minded and practical. She gets it and
so do we, which is why we enthusiastically endorse her.
The most formidable of Preckwinkle’s Democratic opponents, Dorothy Brown, 56, was elected
to the Cook County Circuit Clerk in 2000. Rallying behind Brown are the westside political
dinosaurs that we sorely need to rid good government of. The business as usual suspects
tout Brown’s “background” as the tool needed to lead the county out of financial debacle. But
Brown has been plagued by her own debacles and unethical practices, including her
acceptance of cash from county employees as birthday gifts.
Terry O’Brien, Cook County Water Reclamation District president, says he too will repeal the
county’s sales tax increase. O’Brien, 53, says the county must be run like a business to
reduce excess and rebuild voter’s trust in their government.
Republicans
John Garrido, 42, is an attorney and lieutenant with the Chicago Police Department. Garrido.
He says he will take a 10 percent pay cut if elected.
Roger Keats, 62, says he plans to clean up corruption and regain the publics trust. His plan
involves more government transparency. Keats will make county records available to the
public and add inspectors. Keats served in the Illinois legislature from 1976 to 1993.
2010 Change Revolution
It’s a four way race for Cook County Commissioner of the 1st District.
The incumbent, Earlean Collins began her political career during a time when Chicago saw
the emergence of many influential African-American politicians that included Emil Jones,
Danny Davis, and Harold Washington. In Springfield, Collins allied herself with an
independent bloc of Democrats known as the “Crazy Eight,” which held sway over the senate
since the Democrats could not reach a majority without securing the group’s votes.
During her tenor commissioner, Collins proved to be the crucial swing vote and outspoken
critic of the Stroger family. In 2003, Collins gave the decisive vote in shooting down then-Cook
County President John Stroger’s proposed budget that called for tax hikes. It was the first time
in 30 years that the board successfully voted down a president’s budget. She allied herself
with Commissioners Quigley, Forrest Claypool, Larry Suffredin and all five Republicans in
exchange for a series of budget reforms that would have shifted power away from the
president and to the board.
Collins supports a 50 percent rollback of the 1 percentage point sales tax increase that took
effect under Cook County Board president Todd Stroger in 2008.
Collins says her top priorities are, “To cut operational expenses of criminal justice, health care
and public safety. Currently, we are spending millions of dollars annually to comply with
Federal Consent Decrees for mismanagement and abuse of offenders held for trial while
serving time in the department of corrections.”
“As chairman of the Cook County Board’s Criminal Justice Committee including the juvenile
detention center, my goal is to bring the county into compliance with all of the Federal Consent
Decrees. I am working with the court appointed administrative of the juvenile detention center
to achieve substantial compliance by the end of 2010. In addition, as Chairman of the
Employment and Training Committee my goal is to bring us into full compliance with the
Shakman Decree. I am proposing the creation of an Independent Merit Board to replace the
hiring functions of the human resource department. This will apply to all divisions and
departments of county government.”
Collins most formidable opponent, Ade Oneymi is a 25-year resident of Oak Park. A licensed
architect, Onayemi is the treasurer of the Madison Street Development Corporation, NFP. In
partnership with the City of Chicago, this effort is responsible for bringing in commercial, retail
and mixed-use development that will bring jobs and a better quality of life for residents of the
West Side. He also has co-chaired the Madison Street Leadership Committee, tasked by the
Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce, to restore the economic vitality to Madison Street from
Hamlin Avenue to Cicero Avenue. This plan was a collaborative effort of residents, businesses
and organizations.
Onayemi also serves as the Chair on the Board of Directors for the Austin African American
Business Network, Inc., a cooperative, non-profit organization that works to affect meaningful
change in the Austin community.
There is no doubt that if Preckwinkle wins the Cook County Board president seat she will need
a ready line up commissioners who are independent thinkers.
Chris Harris of Forest Park is a political newcomer and the most independent of the
challengers. In an interview with the WSJ Harris says his “work history qualifies him for the
position”. The business development manager and entrepreneur said of his background that
his, “hands-on experience creating new businesses from the ground floor, managing
businesses and implementing creative solutions to problems” will help solve the challenges
facing the county.
Harris says his first order of business will be to ask for a “complete audit of the current county
budget.” “Lazy politics is saying ‘we need more money, so let’s raise taxes.’ I say ‘no, let’s
itemize our spending and adjust as needed.”
Another local paper said with regard to Harris’ political ambition, “Harris is a decent fellow
moved to run out of legitimate upset. But the battle ahead is going to be fierce… We want
Harris in politics. He needs to find a different entry point.”
The WSJ says to their argument, “That’s weak”. And recalls the editorial board’s outspoken
support for a rising star on the political fast-track… oh, what’s his name… Ah, yes, Barack
Obama.
Harris says “transparency” and “creating small business resources” are among his top
priorities. “Transparency will help change the culture” he said of back room deals and
patronage hiring. “Employment practices among the top end of all employees needs to be
reevaluated. Top end employees at our public hospitals are making over $500,000 in
salaries… perhaps they should move into private practice.”
Harris says he shares commonalities (views) with like minded candidates that include Toni
Preckwinkle, Terry O’Brien and humbly opponent Ade Onayemi.
Derrick Smith is a 20-year resident of the 1st District and a career politician who works for
Jesse White in the Secretary of State’s office. He’s shifted posts from one payroll department
to another including county medical examiner to a ward superintendent to a forest preserve
district employee.
Smith’s priorities if elected include addressing the county’s foreclosure and predatory lending
crisis through legislation, supporting alternative financing to help reduce tax burden on
residents and working to increase access to healthcare facilities for residents.
polls, leave your loyalty at the door
We want to encourage all who long for purposeful and responsible government that works for
the people to make a conscious decision at the voting polls.
Unconscious decisions and misdirected loyalties have landed Cook County in a cease pool of
misdealings and bloated spending that serve a few and failed services to constituents in need
the most.
Six candidates in all, four Democrats and two Republicans, are vying for the Cook County
Board post that oversees some 25,000 jobs and a $3 billion budget.
Democrats
During our candidate interviews for County Board President, Todd Stroger, 47, who took over
the reigns at the county after his father and former president suffered a stroke, says he’s
“balanced the budget”. Stroger followed a dual track to “balance the budget”. First, he
strategically hired his cousin as chief financial officer over the county’s $3 billion budget.
Second, he says “I avoided massive budget problems and improved health care access”.
Perhaps. But at the expense of a very unpopular tax increase ranking Chicago at the top of
highest sales tax echelon in the nation.
Toni Preckwinkle, a Chicago Alderman, vows to repeal the half-cent Stroger sales tax
increase. The 62-year-old former high school teacher touts herself as a reformer who
supports change. Leading by example, Preckwinkle pledged to take a 10 percent pay cut if
elected board president.
“I will restrain spending and place the county health system under the control of an
independent professional health board.”
To reduce rising cost in the criminal system, Preck-winkle supports drug court programs,
rehabilitation programs and job training programs for non-violent offenders. Preckwinkle will
offset the county’s bloated budget by offering more resources to small businesses to create
jobs and consolidate some county services saving the county about $40 million a year.
The race for Cook County Board President is Preckwinkle’s to lose. But we hope she wins.
Preckwinkle is refreshing, independent, savvy, reform -minded and practical. She gets it and
so do we, which is why we enthusiastically endorse her.
The most formidable of Preckwinkle’s Democratic opponents, Dorothy Brown, 56, was elected
to the Cook County Circuit Clerk in 2000. Rallying behind Brown are the westside political
dinosaurs that we sorely need to rid good government of. The business as usual suspects
tout Brown’s “background” as the tool needed to lead the county out of financial debacle. But
Brown has been plagued by her own debacles and unethical practices, including her
acceptance of cash from county employees as birthday gifts.
Terry O’Brien, Cook County Water Reclamation District president, says he too will repeal the
county’s sales tax increase. O’Brien, 53, says the county must be run like a business to
reduce excess and rebuild voter’s trust in their government.
Republicans
John Garrido, 42, is an attorney and lieutenant with the Chicago Police Department. Garrido.
He says he will take a 10 percent pay cut if elected.
Roger Keats, 62, says he plans to clean up corruption and regain the publics trust. His plan
involves more government transparency. Keats will make county records available to the
public and add inspectors. Keats served in the Illinois legislature from 1976 to 1993.
2010 Change Revolution
It’s a four way race for Cook County Commissioner of the 1st District.
The incumbent, Earlean Collins began her political career during a time when Chicago saw
the emergence of many influential African-American politicians that included Emil Jones,
Danny Davis, and Harold Washington. In Springfield, Collins allied herself with an
independent bloc of Democrats known as the “Crazy Eight,” which held sway over the senate
since the Democrats could not reach a majority without securing the group’s votes.
During her tenor commissioner, Collins proved to be the crucial swing vote and outspoken
critic of the Stroger family. In 2003, Collins gave the decisive vote in shooting down then-Cook
County President John Stroger’s proposed budget that called for tax hikes. It was the first time
in 30 years that the board successfully voted down a president’s budget. She allied herself
with Commissioners Quigley, Forrest Claypool, Larry Suffredin and all five Republicans in
exchange for a series of budget reforms that would have shifted power away from the
president and to the board.
Collins supports a 50 percent rollback of the 1 percentage point sales tax increase that took
effect under Cook County Board president Todd Stroger in 2008.
Collins says her top priorities are, “To cut operational expenses of criminal justice, health care
and public safety. Currently, we are spending millions of dollars annually to comply with
Federal Consent Decrees for mismanagement and abuse of offenders held for trial while
serving time in the department of corrections.”
“As chairman of the Cook County Board’s Criminal Justice Committee including the juvenile
detention center, my goal is to bring the county into compliance with all of the Federal Consent
Decrees. I am working with the court appointed administrative of the juvenile detention center
to achieve substantial compliance by the end of 2010. In addition, as Chairman of the
Employment and Training Committee my goal is to bring us into full compliance with the
Shakman Decree. I am proposing the creation of an Independent Merit Board to replace the
hiring functions of the human resource department. This will apply to all divisions and
departments of county government.”
Collins most formidable opponent, Ade Oneymi is a 25-year resident of Oak Park. A licensed
architect, Onayemi is the treasurer of the Madison Street Development Corporation, NFP. In
partnership with the City of Chicago, this effort is responsible for bringing in commercial, retail
and mixed-use development that will bring jobs and a better quality of life for residents of the
West Side. He also has co-chaired the Madison Street Leadership Committee, tasked by the
Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce, to restore the economic vitality to Madison Street from
Hamlin Avenue to Cicero Avenue. This plan was a collaborative effort of residents, businesses
and organizations.
Onayemi also serves as the Chair on the Board of Directors for the Austin African American
Business Network, Inc., a cooperative, non-profit organization that works to affect meaningful
change in the Austin community.
There is no doubt that if Preckwinkle wins the Cook County Board president seat she will need
a ready line up commissioners who are independent thinkers.
Chris Harris of Forest Park is a political newcomer and the most independent of the
challengers. In an interview with the WSJ Harris says his “work history qualifies him for the
position”. The business development manager and entrepreneur said of his background that
his, “hands-on experience creating new businesses from the ground floor, managing
businesses and implementing creative solutions to problems” will help solve the challenges
facing the county.
Harris says his first order of business will be to ask for a “complete audit of the current county
budget.” “Lazy politics is saying ‘we need more money, so let’s raise taxes.’ I say ‘no, let’s
itemize our spending and adjust as needed.”
Another local paper said with regard to Harris’ political ambition, “Harris is a decent fellow
moved to run out of legitimate upset. But the battle ahead is going to be fierce… We want
Harris in politics. He needs to find a different entry point.”
The WSJ says to their argument, “That’s weak”. And recalls the editorial board’s outspoken
support for a rising star on the political fast-track… oh, what’s his name… Ah, yes, Barack
Obama.
Harris says “transparency” and “creating small business resources” are among his top
priorities. “Transparency will help change the culture” he said of back room deals and
patronage hiring. “Employment practices among the top end of all employees needs to be
reevaluated. Top end employees at our public hospitals are making over $500,000 in
salaries… perhaps they should move into private practice.”
Harris says he shares commonalities (views) with like minded candidates that include Toni
Preckwinkle, Terry O’Brien and humbly opponent Ade Onayemi.
Derrick Smith is a 20-year resident of the 1st District and a career politician who works for
Jesse White in the Secretary of State’s office. He’s shifted posts from one payroll department
to another including county medical examiner to a ward superintendent to a forest preserve
district employee.
Smith’s priorities if elected include addressing the county’s foreclosure and predatory lending
crisis through legislation, supporting alternative financing to help reduce tax burden on
residents and working to increase access to healthcare facilities for residents.