Stroger Cashes in on Contractors

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 28, 2009 3:40PM

Conventional wisdom around Cook County is that Todd Stroger is toast in the next election. But voter sentiment might not be the only thing at play in the primaries. That's because, according to an investigation by the Daily Herald and the Better Government Association, county contractors have not only benefited from contracts that weren't the best price, they've also been making contributions to Todd Stroger's campaign. Of 11 contracts for professional services, only three went to the low-bidder, and all 11 went to politically connected businesses. Two contracts in particular stand out, according to the Herald, because they will be paid substantially more than the original price quoted:

The biggest cost increase came in a design contract with Roula Associates Architects of Chicago, which won a $2.5 million increase to a $4.3 million contract for a portion of a massive jail expansion project. That's 58 percent more than the firm originally said the job would cost. ...

On the same day Roula was hired in January of last year, the county also contracted with Delta Engineering of Chicago to install heating and air conditioning in part of the jail complex.

The board last week increased that original $250,000 contract by $79,000, for design of a new metal security ceiling. The ceiling was not part of the original work, but was added, Washington said, because jail officials realized the need for a secure ceiling to keep inmates from hiding themselves, drugs or weapons.

Both Roula and Delta, which had contributed to Stroger's campaign fund before getting their original contracts, recently donated again. Delta contributed $1,000 in February, and Roula gave $1,500 in May.

A proposal has been before the county board to lower campaign contribution limits to $250, but the proposal has been held up in the board's Rules Committee. Chairman Joseph Mario Moreno says that he will bring the matter to a vote next week.