This just in…
Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 1:25 pm - It appears that Cook County residents might see some sales tax relief soon. The county board just approved rolling back half of the one-cent sales tax increase with 13 votes. It’ll take 14 votes to override, but Commissioner Forrest Claypool was absent and he’s expected to vote against any veto by President Todd Stroger.
Tony Peraica has already sent out a victory e-mail…
“What a difference a year makes: when I first introduced a sales tax rollback last year, many of my fellow commissioners scoffed. Now, with election season right around the corner, those same commissioners have found religion and passed this tax rollback.
“Whatever their reasons — today’s vote is a victory for the taxpayers.
“Todd continues to insult the taxpayers by promising to veto this tax relief ordinance. Fortunately, we believe we have the fourteen votes necessary to override his veto. Good for the taxpayers — bad for Todd.”
…Adding… Peraica live-Tweeted the vote, so the roll call is here.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 1:32 pm:
Is there an election coming up?
- Ghost - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 1:34 pm:
=== Now, with election season right around the corner, those same commissioners have found religion… ====
Peracia is probably correct, but it is a dangerous game to send out a victory letter which takes a swipe at people you are going to need to support the override.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 1:48 pm:
How did Suffredin vote?
- Obamarama - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 1:58 pm:
===How did Suffredin vote?===
In favor of the repeal.
- Will County Woman - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:03 pm:
this time the roll back effort was engineered by john daley, right?
- Downstater - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:33 pm:
Elected officials are going to need at getting things like pension cost and employee benefits in line. They need to be like private business, rather than the bloated system in place.
- Mike Ins - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 2:42 pm:
Anyone know when the rollback would actually take effect?
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:08 pm:
Also besides sales tax relief possibly soon, Cook County is not going to charge families who have loved ones buried at Burr Oak a search fee.
Another note: CC Comish Deborah Sims has 5 family members buried there, same comish who did not heed any complaints about another cemetery in her district until the Southtown star got involved. Homewood Memorial Gardens It appears Burr Oak is also in Sims District.
- Obamarama - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:19 pm:
===Anyone know when the rollback would actually take effect?===
It would be effective on January 1st.
- fedup dem - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 4:31 pm:
What a coincidence that a couple of Toddler toadies (Steele and Sims) suddenly see the error of their ways, during the last County Board meeting scheduled before their would-be primary opponents can begin circulating nominating petitions! Who would have thought it?
- Steve - Tuesday, Jul 21, 09 @ 6:00 pm:
The entire Cook County Democratic Machine should be asked in the coming months how they stand on this issue. Whether they support, supported, or opposed the high Cook County sales tax. We wonder where Barack Obama and Alexi Giannoulias stand on this issue.
- Mark Allen - Wednesday, Jul 22, 09 @ 1:34 am:
Its amazing that so much focus is on the entity that provides the least when it comes to County taxes when the City gets over 80% of the 1.75 tax. If Stroger walked on water, people would say that only proves he cant swim.