* From CBS 2…
Longtime Cook County Board President John H. Stroger Jr. has died at the age of 78.
Mr. Stroger suffered a stroke in March 2006, shortly after winning the Democratic primary for what would have been a fourth term as County Board president. He had also battled diabetes, prostate cancer and heart disease.
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- Anon - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 9:45 am:
May God bless him and his family.
- Rob_N - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 9:45 am:
I wasn’t his biggest fan but may he rest in peace.
(And may commenters to this thread keep it civil.)
- o'county - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 9:53 am:
One of the great political leaders in Chicago history. He has been and will continue to be sorely missed. May God Bless him and his family…
- Levois - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 9:55 am:
Yeah I’ll agree he was a great political leader. He has my respect.
- Rep. John Fritchey - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 9:59 am:
Despite the fact that Mr. Stroger and I did not see eye-to-eye politically, whenever I used to see him at the gym that I used to work out at, he was an affable and unassuming man who was nothing but gracious to me.
My thoughts are with Todd and his family.
- Garp - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:02 am:
I really thought he was a decent person and never hung my head when asking voters to support him.
- Angry Chicagoan - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:07 am:
A pioneering African American politician whose 1994 breakthrough for Cook County President was a significant factor in the county suburbs’ political realignment towards the Democrats. Never mind the tawdry succession; he will go down in history as a major figure in Chicago-area politics.
- Trafficmatt - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:08 am:
My thoughts are with his family.
Like others, I didn’t agree with his politics, but man, ya got to give it to him for his ability to practice politics and move things. Hell of a politician! (meant as a compliment).
- so-called "Austin Mayor" - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:17 am:
My sincere condolences to Mr. S’s friends and family.
– SCAM
- phocion - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:20 am:
Any official with such a long record of service should be honored. It is truly a sacrifice to one’s family to be a public servant. Respects to President Stroger and his family.
- hack - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:21 am:
he was the most entertaining politician to watch, he will be missed because there will never be another like him
- wordslinger - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 10:58 am:
Hell of a story. Up out of Arkansas,came through the system (such as it is), worked his way to the top. Old school. Loyal to a fault. A gentleman.
- jerry 101 - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:18 am:
Rest in Peace.
- Say WHAT? - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 11:21 am:
John Stroger reached out to the South Suburbs of Cook County. He was frequently at various events, listening (I mean REALLY listening) to concerns and doing his best to address them. A kind gentleman. My thoughts are with his family and close friends.
- Snidely Whiplash - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:08 pm:
Rest in peace. I’ll even wish the best to Todd Stroger as far as this goes. I never agreed with his policies or the way he carried them out, but you have to respect such a self-made man.
- RMW Stanford - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:09 pm:
May he rest in peace and God bless his family
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:22 pm:
Condolences to the family of a man who accomplished much in his life.
- fedup dem - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 12:40 pm:
A factual correction: John Stroger suffered his stroke exactly one week before the 2006 Democratic Primary, not after it was held.
- Bill - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 1:11 pm:
Rest in Peace, Mr. President, and…thanks!
- cermak_rd - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
RIP President Stroger. He was a kind and gracious man who worked his way up from the ground floor but never forgot from whence he came! Condolences to his friends and family.
- JakeCP - Friday, Jan 18, 08 @ 2:41 pm:
As some of you may know I was not a big Stroger fan at all. Neither Jorn or Todd. However it still saddens me because John Stroger was indeed an icon in Chicago politics and very entertaining as I might add. I am sorry that he had to go through so many health problems over the past couple of years. My condolences do indeed go to the Stroger family.