- Former Downstater - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
It’s been known for awhile that Orr wanted to retire so there has been a search underway for a progressive candidate to replace him. Pre-slating is tomorrow and Friday. Does anyone else appear before the committeemen for the post?
- Franklin Delano Bluth - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
Probably the most scandal-free mayor in the history of Chicago, so he’s got that going for him.
But for real, he seems like an honest and genuine gentleman who has put in a lot of years serving the city/county. Good for him, and hope he gets to enjoy retirement.
During Orr’s mayoral tenure, Rostys peeps floated a trial ballon in which Rostys alderman would resign, Orr would appoint Rosty to the council, and then the council would elect Rosty mayor.
Pipe dream. Orr said publicly he wouldn’t play ball.
- Big Bill Thompson - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
“nice place to land”
Karen Yarbrough needs a job now that her position of Recorder of Deeds is being merged…
Due to its direct impact on ensuring proper voter registration and fair elections, very important that this position be independent. Ethically, Orr set a high standard, and gave us comfort.
I agree Orr has been a good steward, one of the few in Cook County government. Thank goodness for the taxpayers, he was no where near the county coffers though. He definitely is on the Toni Sales Tax side of government.
Anonymous 2:49– who would appoint? Have you liked all the other Cook County elected officials?
David Orr was a vast improvement over his predecessor. He modernized the office and cut his own budget year over year. Lucky if the next one is half as good.
Guessing President Preckwinkle tries to appoint Chuy to the position.
- chitowndrummer - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 3:50 pm:
Whatever one thinks of Orr’s tenure as Clerk, he at least will be remembered for providing some degree of transparency on Chicago’s use of TIF districts, listing publicly the amounts being siphoned off from other taxing bodies (i.e., CPS, the Park District, etc.) so that taxpayers can see where their money is going. Also, he supports setting up a witness slip system (similar to the one used for the General Assembly) for proposed County legislation.
- Too Much to Handle - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
=== Guessing President Preckwinkle tries to appoint Chuy to the position ===
There’s no vacancy for Preckwinkle to fill. He’s not retiring - just not running for re-election.
I do not see how the County Clerk could be or should be an appointed office or a part-time job. The people saying that the office could be downsized or eliminated haven’t a clue.
To begin with the Clerk is secretary to the County Board. The Clerk is also responsible for running elections in all eighty townships in suburban Cook County. The lists of duties continues…
TIF does not “siphon” money from other taxing districts. It is essentially an additional tax. I’m all for ending it, though say bye, bye to affordable housing and community development.
Shytown has it right. that was the plan, but Orr was supposed to resign…months ago. this should not be a Karen Y. gimme. granted it should not be an elected office at all (which place on earth has the most election jurisdictions, Illinois, we all know) but there should be a competition to run the functions.
- Ron - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
why is this an elected position?
- Lt Guv - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
Artlcle 7 of the Illinois Constitution.
- Former Downstater - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
It’s been known for awhile that Orr wanted to retire so there has been a search underway for a progressive candidate to replace him. Pre-slating is tomorrow and Friday. Does anyone else appear before the committeemen for the post?
- Ron - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
But why?
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
I think he is Chicago’s longest-serving former Mayor. Forty years. That record should stand for a long time.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
Use the Google.
To the Post,
This seat opening up, dunno if it’s “possible” to give one person a clear shot. It’s a nice place to land.
- Ron - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:52 pm:
“It’s a nice place to land.”
That’s the problem with Illinois.
- Franklin Delano Bluth - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:54 pm:
Probably the most scandal-free mayor in the history of Chicago, so he’s got that going for him.
But for real, he seems like an honest and genuine gentleman who has put in a lot of years serving the city/county. Good for him, and hope he gets to enjoy retirement.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
===It’s a nice place to land.”
That’s the problem with Illinois.===
Do you like your job? Do you think Orr’s job is “easy”?
It’s a nice place to land because it has challenges, outreach, name recognition, importance to the election process…
Your cynicism is noted.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:04 pm:
During Orr’s mayoral tenure, Rostys peeps floated a trial ballon in which Rostys alderman would resign, Orr would appoint Rosty to the council, and then the council would elect Rosty mayor.
Pipe dream. Orr said publicly he wouldn’t play ball.
- Big Bill Thompson - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
“nice place to land”
Karen Yarbrough needs a job now that her position of Recorder of Deeds is being merged…
- Ron - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:21 pm:
“Karen Yarbrough needs a job now that her position of Recorder of Deeds is being merged…”
yep, this should be a simple appointed position with a $100K salary. what a waste
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
==Do you like your job? Do you think Orr’s job is “easy”?
It’s a nice place to land because it has challenges, outreach, name recognition, importance to the election process…
Your cynicism is noted.===
Shouldn’t be a job. Should be a “temporary job.” your logic is flawed. Logic like yours is why Illinois has been a mess for the past 40 years
- walker - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
Due to its direct impact on ensuring proper voter registration and fair elections, very important that this position be independent. Ethically, Orr set a high standard, and gave us comfort.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
===Shouldn’t be a job. Should be a “temporary job.” your logic is flawed.===
What does the Clerk… do.
“I’ll wait, thanks.”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:55 pm:
==What does the Clerk… do.
“I’ll wait, thanks.”==
I meant temporary as someone shouldn’t make it a career job.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
===meant temporary as someone shouldn’t make it a career job===
Why?
What does the Clerk… do?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Orr is the sad tale of what might have been had he had the slightest bit of ambition. 40 years in that job??? Yeesh.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
Why… Why “temporary”… never heard of a “Temporary Clerk”
What does the Clerk… do?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
I agree Orr has been a good steward, one of the few in Cook County government. Thank goodness for the taxpayers, he was no where near the county coffers though. He definitely is on the Toni Sales Tax side of government.
- Bored Chairman - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
Orr is a very decent public servant. And he has nice hair.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
Anonymous 2:49– who would appoint? Have you liked all the other Cook County elected officials?
David Orr was a vast improvement over his predecessor. He modernized the office and cut his own budget year over year. Lucky if the next one is half as good.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 3:41 pm:
Guessing President Preckwinkle tries to appoint Chuy to the position.
- chitowndrummer - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 3:50 pm:
Whatever one thinks of Orr’s tenure as Clerk, he at least will be remembered for providing some degree of transparency on Chicago’s use of TIF districts, listing publicly the amounts being siphoned off from other taxing bodies (i.e., CPS, the Park District, etc.) so that taxpayers can see where their money is going. Also, he supports setting up a witness slip system (similar to the one used for the General Assembly) for proposed County legislation.
- Too Much to Handle - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
=== Guessing President Preckwinkle tries to appoint Chuy to the position ===
There’s no vacancy for Preckwinkle to fill. He’s not retiring - just not running for re-election.
- W Flag - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
I do not see how the County Clerk could be or should be an appointed office or a part-time job. The people saying that the office could be downsized or eliminated haven’t a clue.
To begin with the Clerk is secretary to the County Board. The Clerk is also responsible for running elections in all eighty townships in suburban Cook County. The lists of duties continues…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 4:19 pm:
===eighty townships===
It feels like 80, that’s for sure… But it’s not.
Your point is Spot On, less the 80
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 4:37 pm:
TIF does not “siphon” money from other taxing districts. It is essentially an additional tax. I’m all for ending it, though say bye, bye to affordable housing and community development.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 4:46 pm:
Shytown has it right. that was the plan, but Orr was supposed to resign…months ago. this should not be a Karen Y. gimme. granted it should not be an elected office at all (which place on earth has the most election jurisdictions, Illinois, we all know) but there should be a competition to run the functions.
- W Flag - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 5:50 pm:
Oops! I added the number of Chicago wards (50) to the suburban townships (30).
This particular office has too many functions not to be subject to the electorate.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 5:50 pm:
==Shouldn’t be a job. Should be a “temporary job.”==
The more unpalatable we make these positions, the more unpalatable people will fill them.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 21, 17 @ 6:01 pm:
Arsenal, we have the worst politicians in the nation now and they are highly compensated. It really cat get worse.
State legislators should be volunteer.
- burbanite - Thursday, Jun 22, 17 @ 7:22 am:
Anonymous then only rich ppl could be legislators. No thanks.