Cook County Board Upholds Stroger Veto

By Marcus Gilmer in News on May 19, 2009 8:20PM

This afternoon, the Cook County Board upheld President Todd Stroger's veto of the tax repeal by a vote of 11 to override the veto, four to uphold, and two "present" votes; 14 votes are required to override the veto. Clout Street has how they voted:

To Override Veto: Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago), Bridget Gainer (D-Chicago), Lawrence Suffredin (D-Evanston), Elizabeth Gorman (R-Orland Park), Timothy Schneider (R-Streamwood), Greg Goslin (R-Glenview), Robert Maldonado (D-Chicago), John Daley (D-Chicago), Peter Silvestri (R-Elmwood Park), Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) and Joan Murphy (D-Crestwood)

To Uphold Veto: William Beavers (D-Chicago), Jerry Butler (D-Chicago), Joseph Mario Moreno (D-Cicero), Deborah Sims (D-Chicago)

Present: Earlean Collins (D-Chicago) and Robert Steele (D-Chicago)

The logistics are a little wonky, considering the previous vote was 12-3 to repeal: Com. Moreno switched sides while Com. Sims was one of two commissioners who didn't vote during the repeal, Collins being the other. Commissioners than made another attempt at a repeal of the tax but it, too, will likely fall short. Clout Street reports:

After the override vote failed, commissioners then approved a new ordinance to roll back three fourths of the tax on Jan. 1 and the remaining fourth on Jan. 1, 2011. The vote was 10-7, not enough to override the likely Stroger veto of that measure.

Stroger said he will veto the new tax repeal ordinance.

As for today's developments, Stroger said: "The reason I vetoed this is because it's not good for the county. You know where this will put us. It will put us back in the hole."

When asked by a reporter if "it was his way or the highway," Stroger responded: "Somebody's got to be a leader. Either lead, follow or get out of the way."

Afterward, Com. Tony Peraica, one of Stroger's biggest opponents, issued the following statement:

Todd Stroger and the commissioners who supported his veto today decided to keep the waste and tax the people - and they should be ashamed for punishing the taxpayers for the mismanagement of county government.

I once again commend all those commissioners who held strong and voted to repeal the onerous sales tax increase.

And thank you to the many constituents who made their voices heard in support of the tax repeal. Although your voices were ignored by some on this county board - they were heard loud and clear by most of us.