Tony Peraica is going for broke as a lone wolf at the county board table. His own release makes virtue out of his failure to get any support for his latest effort:
CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica’s resolution of “No Confidence” in the Stroger Administration failed to garner even a “second motion” in today’s County Board meeting, cutting off debate and a vote on the measure.
“By failing to support this resolution, my fellow commissioners have made it clear that they stand with Todd Stroger instead of the Cook County taxpayers,” said Peraica. “By voicing confidence in Stroger, they are saying loud and clear they support the rampant corruption in County government, the hiring of Stroger’s political cronies, the utilization of the County budget as a political payback tool, the continued third-world conditions at Stroger Hospital, and Stroger’s support for a property tax increase.”
However, he quotes other commissioners, agreeing with his intent if not his resolution:
“I think we’re about to see a revolt,” said Commissioner Larry Suffredin in a 5/29 CBS 2 News story. “”There’s no confidence in this government today.”
“I think this is a hijacking of the county budget,” said Commissioner Mike Quigley in a recent Chicago Sun-Times column, speaking about Stroger’s use of Richard Velazquez, who is paid out of the public defender’s budget, as his personal legal counsel.
“There has been absolutely no leadership from [County Board President] Todd Stroger or anyone else in this county,” said Commissioner Forrest Claypool in a recent Chicago Sun-Times story, discussing the deteriorating conditions at the County’s Juvenile Detention Center.
His fellow Republicans want no part of this:
The Republican commissioners – including Liz Gorman, who also serves as chair of the Cook County Republican Party – have been largely silent on Stroger’s failings. This isn’t surprising, given that not one commissioner – Republican or Democrat – supported Peraica’s recent resolution opposing the governor’s “Gross Receipts Tax” proposal. Several Republican commissioners also supported Stroger’s budget, which cut countless frontline workers and county health clinics, while protecting Stroger’s patronage army.
So. Cook County marches on . . .
Blithe Spirit 