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Stroger endorsed, Daley scrambles

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* The Chicago Tribune had a pretty good story yesterday about the questionable legality of some state capital project money being funneled to churches and other religious groups.

But today’s Tribune story about a meeting of pastors in a South Side church to explicitly endorse a candidate for reelection made no mention at all of the possible implications of this move…

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger formally kicked off his re-election campaign Tuesday with the backing of nearly 90 African-American ministers who say they favor him over three other black candidates in the contest.

Though some of his opponents in the Feb. 2 Democratic primary sought to discount the endorsements, Stroger entered the historic Quinn Chapel AME Church to thunderous applause and thanked the ministers.

No offense to the ministers, but that’s a pretty blatant use of a church for campaign purposes, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the IRS comes calling.

* Anyway, back to the politics of the endorsement itself…

Only one white candidate, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Terry O’Brien, is in the race, and these ministers say he will win if all four African-American candidates stay in the race.

If Todd Stroger is the only black candidate in the race, O’Brien wins. Period. Those ministers are, frankly, delusional.

Congressman Danny Davis’ recent poll had Stroger’s favorability among black voters at 37 percent. Just 8 percent of African-American voters backed Stroger in a five-way race. This is gonna be a tough sell for those ministers back in their churches - which, by the way, is also something the IRS may be curious about.

And good for Ald. Toni Preckwinkle…

“This is not an African American primary, it’s a Democratic primary,” [Preckwinkle] told AP.

* Meanwhile, Mayor Daley has been under fire for all sorts of problems - the Stroger stuff is starting to rub off on him - and to avoid blame on the proposed CTA fare hike he said yesterday that he wants the General Assembly to consider getting rid of free mass transit rides for seniors…

Daley urged lawmakers to consider rescinding the free rides for senior citizens tacked on to the 2008 CTA bailout by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The freebie was later extended to low-income riders with disabilities, disabled veterans and uniformed military personnel.

House GOP Leader Tom Cross agrees…

“My mom comes downtown. Sorry, mom, but she probably ought to pay. They’re doing okay. And I don’t think, quite frankly, that they’d resent that. And I think that in this economic time, and really for that matter in any time, I don’t think it’s fair for those that can pay in a situation like that to get a free ride.”

Failing that, Daley wants more state money, or at least authorization to move money around - a concept endorsed today by the Sun-Times…

CTA leaders are heading to Springfield this week to ask to use 2009 state construction dollars to fill the 2010 operating deficit.

Normally, siphoning money set aside to replace buses and upgrade trains is a bad idea, but these are extraordinary times. It is crucial, though, that legislators make it clear this is a one-time deal.

* Daley is also trying to put a softer face on the privatized parking meter fiasco…

Chicago will spend $20 million in proceeds from the parking meter lease to create its very own “Tech Corps” — by offering technology training and temporary city jobs to 10,500 laid-off professionals.

“There are a lot of people unemployed or who [have] lost their jobs — not just laid off. How do you get ‘em back to the work force as quickly as possible?” Mayor Daley said Tuesday, after a “Technology Summit” at Microsoft’s Chicago headquarters.

I doubt that’ll quell much of the uproar.

* Other Chicago/Cook news…

* Supreme Court to Look at Chicago Police Car Seizure Practices

* Daley rules out property tax increase to close budget gap

* City to feed jobless tech training with meter money

* Chicago fares soon could be among highest

* Daley: CTA Fare Hike Plan Is ‘Very, Very Ugly’

[If the comment link doesn’t work for you, try clicking here.]

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 10:50 am

Comments

The mayor is offering 10,500 temporary city jobs to
“laid-off professionals.” And how temporary will those jobs be. How quickly will those “temporary” friends and family of the Machine become permanent city employees, with the plush salaries, benefits, and pensions enjoyed by existing city workers. Not long, I’d say,
given that’s it’s the Daley Machine pushing this.
This is just another way to protect the right Democrats from the recession….paid for by all the rest of us.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 11:47 am
Anonymous 11:47, please use another handle; that one’s already taken. Thanks.

Comment by Ahem..The REAL Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 11:49 am
I suppose I’ll just replicate my comments from the other site.

These ministers know that most if not all of their congregations will listen to them. The unfortunate part is that their hitching their wagons to a lame horse. They’re also wishing for the status quo. That status quo isn’t good.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:11 pm
Has the IRS ever shown an inclination to question the churches? What a hornet’s nest.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:25 pm
I saw Todd Stroger on the local news last night, he sounded like a formidable canidate, he talked without mispronoucing words, he followed a train of thought. He went on about how the County did not have any blackout or furlough days. He said the city and state are in the red and the county is in the black (this got the most cheers).

As far as CTA, they had a nice big hike in fares when gas went over $4.50 a gallon, gas has been about $2 dollars a gallon lower for around a year….where is the money they saved on the lower gas prices?
As far as Seniors go, even if they paid a $1 a ride that would help out tremendously.
It’s the working people that are paying, many who have had none-to little raises in the last year.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:27 pm
===That status quo isn’t good.===
Yes it is. In fact, the county is one of the few government agencies that is well run. We need four more years. Compare the county with Chicago, the state of Illinois and many municipalities.
We have a balanced budget, all union contracts are being are being honored, no furlough days, bills are being paid. I wish we had leadership like that in Springfield and in City Hall.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:28 pm
You would think that people on this site could see thru the politics of the County situation. Cook County has had NO ONE including Stroger indicted or charged with any crime during his administration on corruption accusations spewed by other self serving commissioners. His budget is BALANCED, which should mean fiscal responsibility. SO that leaves you with an elevator mishap, Tony Cole which is nothing at all, supposed patronage and friends and family..but no one can name names..but even if they did are there more Strogers or Daleys and Madigans on public payroll??
The issue with Stroger is he didnt play ball with Madigan and Daley and just like everyone else they systematically are trying to destroy him.
What they are no counting on is the black backlash against the Dem party that is starting to rumble. We are not as dumb as everyone thinks only Feb will tell and Levois as a southsider dont you get it????Most of the people in your area have been given a chance to make it in this city by Stroger or his Dad..Thousands of middle class families are owed to this. Doesnt that mean something to you? or have you “made it” in your mind so you can now try to act like race doesnt ,atter in Chicago?

Comment by blackdem Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:29 pm
Someone tell me how sane people can call for the rollback of a 1 penny on a dollar tax that you dont get hit with everyday (it does not apply to groceries or medicine) The tax helps keep the county taxes flat and the budget balanced and provides healthcare for millions.
And the same people have incresed taxes many many times since the County including candy and softdrinks, water, and other items.
Why are we not trying to get the State to repeal their portion or Mayor daley and his numerous taxes and fees?? All SINCE STROGERS portion has been raised??
Lets be real here its not about fiscal responsibility because then Stroger would be right.
If Todd Stroger were white he would be called a reformer and praised for his accomplishments in a short time, but Daley, Madigan and the other pols
have deficits and layoffs but Stroger is the problem????

Comment by blackdem Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:34 pm
Despite the support todd stroger will still lose. Is mayor daley supporting terry o’brien? is it true that madigan is? not that it matters for the terry o’brien candidacy, but mayor daley and madigan are not so buddy-buddy, right?

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:39 pm
===mayor daley and madigan are not so buddy-buddy, right?===

Um, yes they are. They go back to childhood. They’re like brothers.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:41 pm
Danny Davis would have to officially announce once he submits petition signatures, right? i have a feeling by the end of this month he will announce that he is staying in congress. he’ll probably cite the historic significance of universal healthcare and the golden historic opportunities that exist legislatively with Obama in office.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:44 pm
When, oh when, will we get a state legislature and Guv with the stugots to require tying labor contract raises and benefits to revenues?

If you fix benefit and raise increases to a percentage of new, unrestricted revenues, the budget problems in an economic downturn are manageable and fair.

Giving raises and increases in benefits at multiples of the COLA during a depression isn’t.

Deferring safety related repairs, replacements and capital work and placing employee and rider lives at risk should NOT be an option in order to pay for early retirements and 4% raises!

I hope someone in Springfield has the guts to tell Hizzoner NO for a change!

Comment by PalosParkBob Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:45 pm
Well, not exactly. Ask Jane Byrne why.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:45 pm
Bill, if Chicago was going to double its taxes, and the State would its taxes, they also might be in the black.
Having a balanced budget does not say much when you needed to double the sales tax to do it.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:46 pm
Yep, that penny for every dollar sure is a hardship. That fact that the county is able to provide the services it does and only get 1 3/4 pennies per dollar sales tax is a testament to the leadership qualities of Todd Stroger, a man willing to make hard decisions to do the right thing without regard to political considerations.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:51 pm
I saw Todd Stroger on the local news last night, he sounded like a formidable canidate, he talked without mispronoucing words, he followed a train of thought. He went on about how the County did not have any blackout or furlough days. He said the city and state are in the red and the county is in the black (this got the most cheers).

Well he looked better with some ministers behind him giving him some support and some bass in their voices. That moment was more magnetic that a campaign speech he gave during his campaign in 2006. Any sound bite like that with the ministers may have him looking formidable.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:54 pm
==If Todd Stroger were white he would be called a reformer and praised for his accomplishments==

Blackdem, that statement is ludicrous on its face. You continue to perpetuate the myth that opposition to Stroger is purely based on race, and it’s in bad taste, serving only to obscure his accomplishments, what little there are. And the campaigns of Preckwinkle, Brown, and Davis are proof positive that your premise is flawed. Certainly, his father never endured the backlash you attribute to racism. But then again, his father was elected - by voters.

I’m a consistent and audacious Daley basher, and believe that almost everything he does as mayor is steeped in alterior motives to build his legacy and reward his cronies.

And while I do believe that Stroger has incurred an inordinate amount of flack during his tenure, his record is littered with questionable and bizarre decisions. His self-described crowning achievement is a tax hike.

And if it’s all about race for you, explain how he’s a better steward for the nation’s second-largest county as opposed to the other African-American candidates.

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:56 pm
Bill,
The tax was doubled. The size is more of a reflection that the county does not do much than about any efficieny.
Further, yes, that penny does add up.
As at risk of repeating myself, do you think Chicago or the State would balance their budgets if they doubled their taxes?
This idea by some Democrats that taxes don’t matter is ridiculous. If Illinois turns red, that will be the reason.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 12:58 pm
The county didn’t “double their taxes”. They raised a tax by 1 penny. If the state or city raised their portion of the sales tax by 1 penny it wouldn’t come near to putting a dent in their deficits. Maybe if Todd were Mayor or Governor he could solve those problems like he solved the deficit at the county.
Do you remember who instituted the state income tax? A republican. Do you remember who raised it? A republican. The idea that taxes are solely attributable to Democrats is absurd and the voters know it. I’m really not too worried about the state turning “red”. I’m worried about it being IN the red.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:11 pm
–As far as CTA, they had a nice big hike in fares when gas went over $4.50 a gallon, gas has been about $2 dollars a gallon lower for around a year….where is the money they saved on the lower gas prices?–

If I recall correctly, the CTA bought high in gasoline futures and missed out on the price drop. I don’t know if those contracts have expired.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:14 pm
bill & blacdem,

you two know better than this.
you both know that there is significant black voter blacklash facing todd, unlike the last go round. and you both know that yesterday’s black minister plantation politics smacking stunt engraged a lot of black folk even more against todd. come on now, you two.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:20 pm
Bill,

I stand correted. Stroger did NOT double the sale tax. It more than doubled. That is a fact. You can yell about it being a penny, but it still more than doubled.

And if you more than double taxes for the City and State, they likely would balance their budgets too. Luckily we have Daley and Quinn. Those may not be the best leaders, but they sure are smart enough to know that you don’t go around doubling taxes.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 1:21 pm
2009 Budget for Cook County: $2.94 billion, $555.28 per capita

2009 Budget for Chicago: $3.2 billion, $1,167.26 per capita

Comment by ben tej Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:09 pm
Wow, Ben. The City does about 100x more for residents at slightly double the cost. The County needs to do some serious work on efficiency.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:23 pm
rich,
re: daley and madigan

i heard a certain veteran chicago political reporter one morning state that that they weren’t so buddy-buddy. but, okay so that veteran chicago-based political reporter stands corrected. I knew that madigan looked upon the senior daley as a mentor, but mike and rich jr. are cut from the same clothe and traditons. makes sense that they would be like brothers. so, madigan is the fifth beatle, or rather fourth daley son.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:27 pm
Stroger gets kind of a bum rap on the sales tax. The sticker shock of it going over 10% in the city fuels the outrage against him, I think.

When you see it reported on TV news (and hear from some of the commissioners who know better), you’d think the county was collecting the entire bundle and using it to bail Tony Cole out of jail.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:30 pm
I was surprised the discrepancy of per capita spending was so large. I figured it’d be more like Cook was at 2/3 or 3/4 the Chicago budget.

Although I wouldn’t go so far to say this points to a difference in efficiency–we’d have to compare services rendered for that.

But what this does say is that it’s a lot easier for Cook to fill a budget deficit than Chicago. And also, what seems like a small tax compared to Chicago may not be so small relative to per capita spending.

Comment by ben tej Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 2:31 pm
2009 Budget for Cook County: $2.94 billion, $555.28 per capita

2009 Budget for Chicago: $3.2 billion, $1,167.26 per capita

The key word here is “capita” - Cook County has lost enough population over the last 365 days to have caused this. It isn’t a tax raise - folks bolted for the county line!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:07 pm
Vannie,
Not everyone bolted like you did. There are a lot of us here working to improve our lot in life and contribute to our community. Todd Stroger understands the needs and wants of working families as well as those less fortunate. Todd understands what it is like to need health care when you can’t afford it. He understands the need for spacious, clean and safe recreation areas, a fine criminal justice system and a responsive, concerned, honest county board to administrate our great county. We’re out working to spread the good news about Cook County under Todd’s leadership. Todd has certainly lived up to his family’s legacy of public service. He deserves to be re-elected. We all need him.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 3:59 pm
State Rep Will Burns tweets: “Several black members have risen in opposition to the veto override and the sales tax repeal bills.”

That’s not what I would have expected. So maybe Stroger has some support.

Comment by OdysseusVL Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 4:01 pm
yeah they did that just for show as a sympathy gesture.they know what’s good for them, so they’ll be corralled into the fold. was marlowe colvin among them? wait, no, don’t tell me.

Comment by Will County Woman Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 4:22 pm
Not only the IRS, but how about the Illinois Department of Revenue revoking the property tax exemptions for churches being used as political centers?

Comment by Dr. Reason A. Goodwin Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 5:13 pm
I know a lot of seniors who feel they ought to pay (both my parents, for instance, and my girlfriend’s dad.) They take the free ride, but they think it’s a little silly.

Comment by irving & ashland Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 7:36 pm
Before Todd Stroger: Cook County Sales Tax Rate: .75%. After Todd Stroger: 1.75%. That’s an increase of 133%. That’s “more than double” in my book, Bill. True, they get a tiny piece of our property tax bills, but the sales tax is the big one. Anyway, Stroger had the gall to ask for an increase to 2.75% but was pushed back by the county board and had to “settle” for 1.75%. If not for having a hostile county board his administration would be a complete disaster.

Comment by KPO'M Wednesday, Oct 14, 09 @ 9:16 pm
VM - I’m not sure you understand what per capita means. People leaving Cook County would raise per capita spending. The figure is Cook County’s total budget divided by the number of residents. Anyway, the City of Chicago is losing population, too, so the same thing would affect their numbers.

The figures also have nothing to do with a tax rate, they’re just spending. I would assume not all of their revenue comes from taxes. I’m not really sure how your point flows from the numbers provided.

Comment by ben tej Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 8:33 am
“Todd has certainly lived up to his family’s legacy of public service. He deserves to be re-elected. We all need him.”

Yeah, the do-nothings in the 8th Ward need him because otherwise they’ll be thrown out of work! Here’s a PERFECT example of how goofy Cook County is: They have 5 employees as spokespeople– Christine Geovanis, Derek Blaida, Sean Howard, James Ramos and Todd’s best friend Eugene Mullins. All of these people are making ~$100,000 plus benefits, pensions, etc., so there’s $500,000/year for people to promote Cook County to the press. Coca-Cola has ONE person as spokesperson, and that person makes a lot less than $500,000!

So, good bye Todd Stroger. To the black ministers who are endorsing Todd, say HELLO to the IRS!!!

Comment by ziggy Thursday, Oct 15, 09 @ 8:49 am