Quinn Signs Veto Change, County Tax Vote Called

By Kevin Robinson in News on Nov 10, 2009 5:00PM

Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that makes it easier for Cook County commissioners to beat back a veto, reducing the number of votes needed from 14 to 11. And while Quinn called the measure a chance to make government more responsive to voters, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger wasn't too happy about it. Stroger's governmental affairs director Derek Blaida said the president's office "believes there are constitutional concerns and questions over changing the power of the executive branch and shifting that to the legislature during the middle of a term," according to the Tribune. Blaida said that Stroger will continue to review the measure, with an eye on a legal challenge.

Hours after the law went into effect, county commissioners called a special vote for next Monday to roll back the Cook County sales tax. Commissioners have voted to cut the controversial sales tax twice before. Each time Stroger has vetoed the measure, and county commissioners haven't been able to muster enough votes to override the veto. This time, says Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, there are enough votes to make the roll back stick. For his part, Stroger says the tax hike is critical to "keep the county solvent and protect the vital services that the most vulnerable citizens of the county rely on, including public health and safety."