Carl Segvich's Tax Day Speech

Carl Segvich is a conservative candidate running for 11th District Cook County Commissioner. He gave this powerful speech at the Tax Day Tea Party on April 15, 2010. It's worth a replay! Learn more about Carl Segvich at his campaign website.

Todd Stroger's Funny Money Game

As if being on the bottom of the polls for Democrat candidates for Cook County Board President wasn't enough, it turns out now that Todd Stroger has no money to campaign with. Incumbent president Stroger has raised a mere $55,000 in six months. And now, this: Stroger squirrels away $500000 in campaign funds. Hoo boy, Todd Stroger is one freaky dude. Half a million bucks but he's not spending it on campaigning. Why not? Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica tweeted this today: "Stroger has no $$$ for TV. Union-owned Amalgamated Bank loaned him $500K in 06 and have sequestered that!!! Todd is done!" Related: Stroger gets $100k boost from Emil Jones Chicago Current Filings: Stroger campaign raised less than $55k over six months Chicago Current The $$$ race -- who gave what to whom, as primary election nears? Crain's Chicago Business Stroger Allegedly Fires Employees Over Politics NBC Chicago Wierdness with the Strogers (Feb 1, 2007) (cache from ilcampaign.org) Todd Stroger Turns It On! Democratic Party, 49th Ward Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Re-Elect Tony Peraica - Video

Tony Peraica deserves to be re-elected as a commissioner on the Cook County Board. We only wish he was running for President of the Board! Also visit Tony's web site "Reform Cook County," and view my exclusive video interview series, "Conversation With Tony Peraica." Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Preckwinkle Debuts First Ad in Race for Cook County Board President

Jan. 14, 2010 - "Alderman Toni Preckwinkle’s first television advertisement began airing on local channels today, part of a $425,000 media buy," reports Alex Parker today at Chicago Current. "The 30-second spot, produced by veteran ad man Ken Snyder, touts her background as a history teacher and her work with a non-profit organization that created jobs." Here's the video, which can also be found at Preckwinkle's YouTube channel. Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Cook County Board Kills Stroger Tax Cut Veto, 12-5

Finally, some good news for people who live, work or shop in Cook County: That 1/2 cent sales tax that Cook Co. President Todd Stroger loved so much was finally repealed today. The vote was historic, too. As Cook Co. Commissioner Tony Peraica wrote on his Twitter page today, "What a day! County Board made history today, and, for the first time in 175 years (apparently) overrode county President. The County Board proved today that it is not the City Council or the State Legislature, but that it is truly a legislative body. Congrats! " Today's veto override required 11 votes, but it was higher before the Illinois Legislature change the law to lower the requirement. Chicago Breaking News Center reported this: Cook County commissioners today voted to roll back part of a sales tax increase despite an impassioned plea from Board President Todd Stroger that "some people will die needlessly" if health care for the poor is cut as a result. The County Board voted 12-5 to override Stroger's veto of a measure that would cut the county portion of the sales tax from 1.75 percent to 1.25 percent on July 1. The overall sales tax rate in Chicago would drop to 9.75 percent. See the list of how they voted below. The Chicago Sun-Times has this report:

After Stroger successfully vetoed three previous measures to lower the sales tax —and commissioners were unable to muster the 14 votes for an override — suburban state lawmakers stepped in to push for a change in Illinois law that lowered Cook County’s override threshold. In November, Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law a measure lowering the threshold to 11 votes out of 17, or a three-fifths majority, in line with the voting rules of local governing bodies and even [the U.S.] Congress.

All of the five Republicans on the board voted for the override, and the majority of those voting to override Stroger's veto are Democrats. All five commissioners who voted to support Stroger's veto are Democrats. Peraica commented on this as he tweeted live from the meeting: "Com [Larry] Suffredin is arguing the Laffer Curve Theory that says: the higher the taxes, the lower the revenue. Interesting for a democrat." Yes, very interesting, considering that most Democrats will - pardon the expression - laugh in your face when you try to explain the Laffer Curve to them. (Perhaps that's why it's called "Laffer" Curve.) Perhaps it's really not so surprising when you consider that there's an election soon and the smart board member know how furious Cook County voters are with high taxes. Indeed, Suffredin has been hypocritical on the issue. Another Peraica tweet from the meeting: "Com Suffredin (who was the 9th vote last year to raise the sales tax) is now arguing in favor of tax repeal and veto override." In other words (mine), Suffredin and other Democrats on the board don't really care about giving taxpayers relief. They care about getting elected, and that's why they voted the way they did today. HOW THEY VOTED (Republicans in Red): Voting to override and cut taxes: Earlean Collins, D-Chicago Forrest Claypool, D-Chicago John Daley, D-Chicago Bridget Gainer, D-Chicago Elizabeth Gorman, R-Orland Park * (see note below) Gregg Goslin, R-Glenview Tony Peraica, R-Riverside Edwin Reyes, D-Chicago Timothy Schneider, R-Streamwood Peter Silvestri, R-Elmwood Park Robert Steele, D-Chicago Larry Suffredin, D-Evanston Voting against override and preserve tax increase: William Beavers, D-Chicago Jerry Butler, D-Chicago Joseph Mario Moreno, D-Chicago Joan Murphy, D-Crestwood Deborah Sims, D-Chicago * Elizabeth Gorman is a troubling character who has not been good for the Cook County Republican Party. She has senselessly attacked Tony Peraica, the most outspoken voice for real reform that Cook County has ever known. For more about this, see Stroger Ally: Budget Fight All About Race. In a special series of reports about Gorman, Illinois Review wrote that "Liz Gorman seems anything but conservative. In fact, she has surrounded herself with such troubling characters, that it is hard to understand why any ethical politician or leader – Republican or Democrat – would knowingly hitch themselves to her political star." Read the full series on Gorman. Gorman is a political ally of RINO Jim Dodge, an Orland Park village board member who is running for Illinois State Comptroller against conservative Republican William J. Kelly. RELATED: Beavers: Budget Battle Is Because Stroger Is Black - cbs2chicago.com Suburban Chicagoland: Liz Gorman says she is being threatened in ... The Strangely Ecumenical Liz Gorman Mark Thompson for County Commissioner Leave a Comment Conservative T-Shirts Follow CNB on Twitter RSS Feed

Stroger Tax Battle Will Be Tweeted Live by Tony Peraica

Drama! Action! Suspense! Peraica! The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to roll back the "Stroger Sales Tax," but Pres. Todd Stroger vetoed that vote. Tomorrow, Dec. 1, the Board will try to override that veto. You can follow the action as Commissioner Tony Peraica sends out live tweets from the session in real time. Sez Tony on his Twitter page today: "Log on tomorrow at 10 AM for LIVE coverage of the Stroger Sales Tax veto override vote. I will tweet live as history is made." He's opitimistic, too. In another tweet today he wrote, "So far, it appears that 12 commissioners are holding FIRM to override Stroger veto." That's hopeful, since 11 votes are required to override. Peraica is a master tweeter, and he does not restrict himself to Cook County matters. A sampling of his recent tweets: Anti-corruption law: Supreme Court decision could derail ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's trial -- chicagotribune.com - http://shar.es/aEoBM Daley Lies About TIF's: Experts have beef with Daley on TIF :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State: http://bit.ly/6vSW9T Chicago budget: Aldermen focus on ward issues rather than $370 million plan to dig deep into parking-meter reserves ... http://shar.es/aEoMJ Powerful Piece: WSJ.com - Opinion: The Arabs Have Stopped Applauding Obama http://bit.ly/5T7bPY RELATED: Peraica vs. Daley, Stroger, Sims, et al Stroger to Peraica: "You Don't Know When to Shut Up" Leave a Comment Conservative T-Shirts Follow CNB on Twitter RSS Feed

Todd Stroger a No-Show at Candidates Forum (Updated)

UPDATED: SEE VIDEO REPORT HERE Chicago - Nov. 15, 2009 - There should have been four Democrat candidates for Cook County Board President at a forum for candidates running for Cook County Board President. Three showed up, but the incumbent was an unapologetic no-show. Present and willing to answer questions from moderator Andy Shaw were Toni Preckwinkle, Dorothy Brown and Terrence J. O'Brien. Preckwinkle is currently Chicago's 4th Ward alderman; Brown is currently the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court; O'Brien is the current President of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Stroger, the current President of the Cook County Board, was absent. The crowd was surprisingly small; slightly less more than half of the room was full. There were signs and campaign literature in the foyer of the student center from Brown, Preckwinkle and O'Brien, but Stroger's campaign efforts were as starkly absent as he was. The candidates forum was sponsored by the Better Government Association (BFA) and the 43rd Ward Democrats at the DePaul Student Center, just south of Fullerton Avenue in Lincoln Park. Andy Shaw is the Executive Director of the BGA. He was a political reporter for ABC7 (WLS) in Chicago from 1983 until his retirement just after Barack Obama's presidential swearing in ceremony in January, 2009. Conservative Caps, Shirt and more! Leave a Comment - Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Visit us on Twitter!

Will Todd Stroger Be There Today? Will You?

Will Todd Stroger attend today's free forum of the Cook County Board President candidates? Man, I hope so - I need new photos of the clown. YOU can get fresh photos of Clown Stroger TODAY (Sunday, November 15) by attending the forum at the DePaul Student Center. That's at 2250 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago, an easy walk from the Belmont CTA station. For details, see our Nov. 12 post here. Note: If you plan to attend, please let the event coordinators know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com. Conservative Caps, Shirt and more! Leave a Comment - Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Visit us on Twitter!

Cook County Board President Forum, Nov. 15

Who is your choice for President of the Cook County Board? Still not decided? Perhaps you 'd like to attend a free, live forum of the candidates on Sunday, November 15 at the DePaul Student Center. For details, read the following media advisory from our friends at the Better Government Association (BGA). Note: If you plan to attend, please let them know so that they can best accommodate a large crowd. RSVP to countyboardforum@gmail.com. The Better Government Association & 43rd Ward Democrats Host Candidates Forum Andy Shaw, Executive Director of the Better Government Association, will moderate a lively discussion among the Democratic Candidates for President of the Cook County Board: Todd Stroger, the incumbent; Toni Preckwinkle, 4th Ward Alderman; Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court; and Terrence O'Brien, President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The debate is a DePaul University Forum. Democratic Committeeman Michele Smith and the 43rd Ward Democrats are hosts of the County Board President Democratic Candidates Forum, which is being held at the DePaul University Center at Belden and Sheffield in Lincoln Park. "The debate in the 43rd Ward offers voters and taxpayers an excellent opportunity to see who, among the Democratic candidates, is truly committed to eliminating the 'corruption tax' we all pay when government is run for the benefit of the politicians and not the public," Shaw said. "The BGA is dedicated to restoring FAITH in government, which is an acronym for Fairness, Accountability, Integrity, Transparency and Honesty. That's the Better Government Association's mission, and we're eager to see who shares it." Sunday, November 15th 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm DePaul Student Center 2250 N. Sheffield County Board President Candidates Forum Moderator: Andy Shaw Formerly of Channel 7 News Executive Director of the Better Government Association Todd Stroger - President, Cook County Board Toni Preckwinkle - 4th Ward Alderman Dorothy Brown - Clerk of the Circuit Court Terrence O'Brien - President, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Contact: Andy Shaw 312-386-9097 email: ashaw@bettergov.org Contact: Liz Caldwell 773-963-8963 email: caldwellchcg@aol.com All are welcome. Admission is free. Doors open to the public at Noon. Attendees are asked to please RSVP, if possible, at countyboardforum@gmail.com to help accommodate the expected large turnout. Public Parking Available: 2335 North Sheffield Public Transportation Red, Purple and Brown Lines: Exit at the Fullerton station. Forum Co-Sponsors: DePaul Democrats, DePaul Political Science Department, Better Government Association, WCPT AM & FM [820-AM Chicago] - Chicago's Progressive Talk Radio. Find out more about the BGA. Think about joining or sending a contribution. Founded in 1923 to fight Al Capone's ironclad grip on Chicago City Hall, the BGA is a Chicago-based, nonpartisan organization that combats waste, fraud and corruption in city, county, suburban and state government. Conservative Caps, Shirt and more! Leave a Comment - Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Visit us on Twitter!

Cook County Tax Cut Fails, Carol Marin Misses the Point

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted on September 1 to maintain its obscenely high tax rate. This is not only bad for the taxpayers of Cook County (which includes Chicago), it is especially bad for already-dim political future of Cook County President Todd Stroger. Although Stroger "won" the vote, it only highlights his diminishing lack of support. Strangely, notable writer Carol Marin completely misunderstands the reality and implications of the vote.

The Chicago Sun-Times noted on Sept. 1:

A year ago, a majority of commissioners passed a penny-on-the-dollar hike, pushing Chicago's overall sales tax to 10.25 percent, the highest big-city tax rate in the country. (Source)

Over the past year, some commissioners have argued for a roll-back of the hike. Indeed, as the Sun-Times also reported, Commissioner Deborah Sims (D-5) was among those calling for the cut. She flipped at the last minute, causing many to wonder Board President Todd Stroger made a deal with her. Again, from the Sun-Times:

Until Tuesday, Sims was among the 14 commissioners -- the required four-fifths majority -- lined up to override Stroger's veto of the proposed half-penny rollback. But she jumped ship and the measure failed 13-4, sending the board and Stroger into an election season with the sales tax hike on their back.

One of the four to vote in favor of the rollback is Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-16). Peraica has long been a proponent of lower taxes and has a reputation as a fierce reformer. He used his one of his web sites to issue a scathing condemnation of the vote - and of Commissioner Sims:

“Shame on those commissioners who upheld Stroger’s veto - - especially Commissioner Sims, who flipped her position to become the deciding vote in support of this tax," wrote Peraica. "With portions of our county having the highest tax rate in the country, it’s no wonder that our local economy is suffering so badly. Who in his or her right mind would want to make the situation worse?" 

(Also see "Tony Peraica Talks Tough," part of Chicago News Bench series of interviews with him.)

Voters in Cook County have a bigger question to ask themselves: Who in their right mind would want to maintain our bad situation by re-electing Todd Stroger? There are several candidates vying for the Democrat nomination, and word on the street is that the local Democrat Party is none too eager to endorse Stroger. With intelligent, well-spoken competitors such as US Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Chicago Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, Stroger's chances of keeping his job seem dim. Talk to people on the street - anywhere in Chicago or Cook County, regardless of ethnicity or socio-economic situation.

I take issue with an op-ed by Carol Marin in the Sun-Times on Sept. 2:

Todd Stroger's win is no small deal. He proved he's someone to be reckoned with. And that his victory, even in the face of terrible Cook County unemployment, high foreclosures, and consumer flight to collar counties with lower sales taxes, is something to sit back and study.

Marin, who I generally respect as an investigative reporter, got it spectacularly wrong in my opinion. She's right to say that Stroger has "proved he's someone to be reckoned with," but any board president is simply by having the power of the office. What Marin doesn't seem to understand is that yesterday's 13-4 vote actually highlights Stroger's weakness: A lack of majority support on the Board of Commissioners. Marin seems impressed by the overall effect of the vote, not taking into account the low pro-Stroger factor. Outside of the halls of Cook County government, Stroger is widely considered to be a bad joke, a fool, a high taxer, and a usurper of power.

Sure, Stroger managed (by only one vote) to maintain his tax hike. Marin, however, seems to discount the glaring fact of the 13-4 vote. Stroger received less than 24 percent of the votes cast. That's "someone to be reckoned with?" Not by most people's standards, except apparently, Carol Marin's. It was only because of the undemocratic, artificially high requirement of a four-fifths majority (80 percent) to overturn Stroger's veto of the rollback that Stroger "won." It was a win by technicality. It was not a win in absolute votes cast. Marin seems impressed that Stroger managed to get a mere four votes in his favor, against 13 opposed. It is puzzling that someone as bright as Carol Marin would miss that aspect of the story, as a well as missing the feelings of Cook County voters.

The vote - and Stroger's mismanagement, string of scandals, and general foolishness - is not lost on the voters, however. They will hold the high tax rate of Cook County against Stroger in the coming election, and when Stroger loses (my prediction), it will prove that Stroger is no longer "someone to be reckoned with." I respectfully suggest that Carol Marin talk to voters, then rewrite her column.

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