Results tagged “stroger”

Given the success of recent summer blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Public Enemies that were filmed in the city, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger wants to ensure studios keep coming back even with the current recession. Stroger has proposed a Cook County Film and Entertainment Commission and Office to work with the current Chicago and Illinois Film Offices to that end.

Todd Stroger filed for re-election of his seat as Cook County Board President late Monday afternoon. By filing the nearly 22,000 signatures he's collected to put him on the ballot so late - he filed less than an hour before the deadline - he'll secure the last position on the ballot, considered second to the top spot in terms of voting booth strategy. "I feel great," Stroger told the press after filing. "I feel like 150 pounds of dynamite." While Stroger is perceived as politically vulnerable after a tenure of tax increases and budget debacles, that 150 pounds of dynamite has yet to really go off on Cook County residents. The 22,000 signatures are only about half of what a few of his opponents turned in. Never one to take the blame himself, Stroger instead told the Sun-Times it had to do with his helpers: "Normally, you have people who collect signatures. It's hard getting people out there to collect signatures."

Todd Stroger is none too pleased about that subpoena leak regarding the investigation of the Cook County finances. Went asked about the subpoena, Stroger said, "I don't talk about subpoenas because I don't know what they want, and I don't like to get in the middle of any investigation." Stroger didn't have a problem with Com. Daley giving other commissioners the memo, but he wasn't happy about commissioners calling the press about the memo: ""Committee members probably should have some confidentiality and not immediately call the press." [Sun-Times]

Sure, we've talked to Ald. Preckwinkle. And there are several other options of opponents the Toddler will have to face in his campaign to keep his position for Cook County Board President. And while we don't make a habit of officially endorsing political candidates here (save the Leftcagoist comments) we're finding it hard not to root for YouTube user icephoenix23, especially after watching this video declaring his candidacy. Watch the whole thing. Trust us.

• Cook County Democrats decided to not endorse any candidate in the race for Cook County Board President.
• The Sun-Times investigates swelling pensions for some state leaders.
• Today in disturbing statistics: "1 in 10 Chicago girls reports date abuse."

Saying that “it just wasn’t the right time for me for a number of reasons,” county commissioner Larry Suffredin, subject of perennial speculation about his designs on the board president's chair, announced that he would seek only re-election of his current seat. And while Todd Stroger has said that he'll be seeking re-election to the seat his father willed him, Michael Sneed (and we all know how credible her political ramblings are) hears otherwise.

Besides the controversial marijuana decriminalization, the Cook County Board also tackled another tax rollback but unlike last time they might succeed in getting it past President Storger thanks to a veto-proof majority. The measure rolls back the tax by half a percentage point, from 10.25 percent to 9.75 percent. The measure passed by a vote of 12-2 with one present vote and Commissioners Peraica and Claypool absent, but both of those commissioners have said they will vote to override Stroger's expected veto at the Board's September meeting. UPDATE: Per Peraica's twitter, the vote was 13-3 with 1 absent. The Sun-Times has more information including a full break down of the vote.

The Todd Stroger-Cook County Board patronage scandal has been rocking for more than a week, long enough that his political ally, and our beloved mayor, Richard J. Daley, has finally issued a comment.

 

The Cook County budget showdown is gearing up as county President Todd Stroger is expected to unveil his 2009 budget proposal today. Stroger has already put pressure on Cook County commissioners to approve a plan to borrow $720 million. The Stroger administration argues that the money is needed in order to keep the county afloat. Donna Dunnings, the county’s chief financial officer and Stroger’s cousin, told the Trib yesterday that massive layoffs are in store if the plan is rejected.

Remember all that drama last month when Todd Stroger was supposed to meet with county residents in Palatine, and then backed out at the last minute when it looked like village pols had set him up to be publicly ambushed by angry voters? Well, it seems like Stroger and Palatininans are talking about getting together again.

There's no shortage of disrespect towards Todd Stroger in Cook County these days. His nickname's "The Toddler," he's derided in bars and coffee shops around Chicago, and set up to be politically ambushed at a town hall-style meeting in Palatine, many county residents have no love the Cook County Board President. But one county resident took it a step further Tuesday.

As announced, Todd Stroger passed on last night's meeting with residents in Palatine. Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins took some of the blame for his absence, saying she understood why Stroger might be put off by the change of meeting format that came Monday. After a heated debate about the format of the meeting, Palatine Councilman Jack Wagner lost his temper.

Cartoon for Chicagoist by Tim Daly

With Friday's budget deadline looming for Cook County, Todd Stroger is finding himself in a very uncomfortable position. Stroger has been Continue reading "Cook County Budget Crisis Looms"