Stroger Does Palatine (Finally)

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jun 18, 2008 2:00PM

As promised, Todd Stroger finally met with Palatine residents Monday evening, and he did not get a warm welcome. In fact, Stroger was met with anger and derision by community members upset by the recent county tax hike. "I feel totally disenfranchised," Jeff Milstein, a jewelry store owner from Schaumburg, told Stroger. "I don't trust you guys."

Aside from being worried that political decisions in Cook County put the outer suburbs at a competitive disadvantage, many residents feel they they get little value from being a part of Cook County. Nancy Golemba, 48, of Inverness, said, "I think Cook County represents the residents of Chicago." Stroger, however, was unfazed by the criticism. "To be honest with you, that's part of being in a large government," he said. "There are going to be areas that are harder hit than others." Stroger also defended his tax hikes to the Tribune. "The thing I hope to accomplish is to let people know what their county dollars do for them," he said. "I don't think most people—anywhere, in the south, or north, or anywhere—really knows where their county dollars are spent."

Stroger wasn't the only one defending the actions of the county. Dr. Robert Simon, former interim chief county Health Services Bureau, (and paid consultant to the newly formed Health Care Board), said "I think it's absolutely stunning to see what is done with $3 billion.... It's absolutely amazing to me." But apologies for the management of the county seemed to do little to sway the secession sentiments brewing in the suburbs. "If you guys are not going to listen to us, then we do need to figure out a way to secede from Cook County and start our own stuff," Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins said.