Peraica criticized the measure as a "scheme" designed to deflect attention from the board for its recent increase of the county sales tax from .75 percent to 1.75 percent, which he voted against.

Reporter: Why did you accept a political donation, albeit small, from Bill Singer, who has been publicly identified in a federal trial as a target of a criminal, federal investigations?

Cook County State’s Attorney Candidate Anita Alvarez (D): Okay, I don’t know Mr. Singer, personally, and I’ve accepted a small donation. I don’t believe he’s convicted of anything. As far as I know, he’s not. And, I haven’t violated any ethics ordinance, by doing so.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, if somebody is subject to an investigation by the U. S. attorney, but not convicted of anything, it’s appropriate for you to accept a donation from him? is that right?

Cook County State’s Attorney Candidate Anita Alvarez (D); I am abiding by the County ordinances and I’m abiding, you know, by those rules and I don’t believe I’ve violated any of those.

Alvarez is saying, no matter what the U. S. Attorney is saying about you, you can contribute to Alvarez and have a willing new friend, personal or not, in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. On hearing that, Daley, Madigan and Burke must have breathed a collective sigh of relief and said, “That’s our girl.”

- Why does she refuse to return campaign cash that she received from more than 80 of her subordinates (a clear conflict of interest) in the State's Attorney office?

- If she's a true reformer, then why did she choose to appoint Bob Clifford as her finance chair - a top Blagojevich fundraiser and trial lawyer who has made a small fortune from legal settlements with the county.

A federal court monitor wants Cook County to pay $3.2 million to about 100 people who were victims of illegal patronage in Cook County government between August 2004 and February 2007.

The Cook County Board is expected to approve the awards Wednesday for people who claimed they were denied jobs or promotions because of politics.

Background

• Tony earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. During the ensuing 20 years, Tony built a thriving law practice while remaining very involved in his community. From 1990 to 1992 he served as a Special Assistant for the Attorney General of Illinois. He founded the South Loop Chamber of Commerce in 1990 and is currently the Commerce Secretary. From 1995 to 1997, Tony served as the International Vice President for the Boy Scouts of America. In 1996, Tony was appointed by former Governor Jim Edgar to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation where he served four years.



• Commissioner Tony Peraica has a history of winning elections. Over the past six years Tony Peraica has stood for election and won five out of the six times. His wins include a contested primary and general election in 2002 for the 16th district County Board seat, and primary for Lyons Township Republican Committeeman. In addition, he won a contested general election for his County Board seat in 2006 and a contested primary for Committeeman. His lone defeat was in the race for County Board President where he received 47% of the vote in the worst Republican election in the past fifty years. Despite entering that election with limited name ID he carried a majority in 23 of 30 suburban townships and won an unheard of 12 Chicago wards; including the Northwest side's 41st ward with over 70% of the vote. He has received over 40% of the vote in six additional wards.

• Peraica's name ID continues to rise due to his previous candidacies and numerous appearances in the electronic and print media. He has a well-established reputation among the general public for standing up to the county administration as an advocate for taxpayers by opposing tax increases, bloated budgets and public corruption. Therefore, he does not need to use valuable resources introducing himself to voters. As State's Attorney he will investigate, indict and convict corrupt public officials and use those resources to disseminate his message that corruption equals higher taxes.



• Suburban Republican candidates whose congressional seats are threatened can benefit from a robust countywide campaign by a candidate who won suburban Cook County with 63% of the vote in 2006.



• Peraica's opponent Anita Alvarez enters the race with low name ID and with only 26% of Democratic primary voters having cast a vote for her in February. She reported $168,000 cash on hand as of June 30th but is in debt for $600,000. According to the disclosure report her creditor (husband) has already started receiving some debt repayment. This does not bode well for future loans.



• Voters in Cook County are extremely agitated about the recent sales tax increase and are experiencing buyers remorse after having voted for Todd Stroger. They want change. Peraica has established himself as an elected official who is not afraid to hold the Republican banner high and fight for the principles of lower taxes, smaller government, elimination of government corruption and individual responsibility. This is a winning message for all Republicans!

The Cook County President's Office of Employment Training has a professional new look, but critics say the new attire comes at too high a cost.

The office recently spent nearly $10,000 to outfit every one of 73 employees in new, custom-embroidered sport coats or vests, county records show.

Republican candidate for state's attorney, Tony Peraica, claims this case is proof prosecutors some times give police a pass.

"We believe this has been an ongoing conspiracy to cover up a criminal act Since then, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office had two chances to take a look at this particular situation and to convene a grand jury," Peraica said.

After the primary, when Stroger's son Todd replaced him on the ballot under controversial circumstances, a good-government Republican named Tony Peraica attracted the same kind of bipartisan support from reformers in the November election. But Mr. Obama endorsed the young heir to the machine, calling him -- to the absolute horror of Chicago liberals -- a "good, progressive Democrat."