NEWS

Only in Cook: Highest bidder wins contract
Thursday, September 04, 2008 - By Paul Rock - Chitown Daily News
Chicago firm Infrastructure Engineering Inc., submitted the highest of three bids to design and build a parking lot at one of Cook County's facilities, but it won the $298,000 contract anyway.
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Stroger allies give donor contract, despite it being the most expensive
Thursday, September 04, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - The Daily Herald
Allies of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger awarded one of his campaign donors a $300,000 contract Thursday, despite that donor being the most expensive of three bids.
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Cook County faces $3.2 million tab for patronage
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
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.
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ENDORSEMENT: The Shopper Endorses Peraica for State's Attorney
Friday, August 29, 2008 - By Arlo Kallemeyn - The Shopper Onlne
Dick Devine is not seeking re-election to the Cook County States Attorney's office. Tony Peraica is running as the true reform candidate against as many as six Democratic contenders. Tony is a true American success story. Peraica came to America at the age of 13, after losing both of his parents and unable to speak a word of English.Tony persevered and is now living the great American dream. Tony is a successful attorney, business owner and Cook County Commissioner - and he is committed to reforming Cook County government to put an end to the rampant waste, fraud and corruption that enriches political insiders at the expense of Cook County residents and taxpayers.
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Cook County agency pays $10,000 to dress employees for success
Thursday, August 28, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
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.
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Cook County skims 3% from workers' charity donations
Monday, August 25, 2008 - By Mark J. Konkol - Chicago Sun-Times
Attention, Cook County workers: Read the fine print before you agree to give part of your paycheck to charity.

County employees can pick from a list of charities to support. But, it turns out, not all of the cash goes to the charities they pick.

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State's Attorney Reopens Chicago Cop Crash Investigation
Sunday, August 24, 2008 - NBC 5 News
The Cook County State's Attorney said they will reopen the criminal investigation of a fatal Thanksgiving crash involving Chicago Police Officer John Ardelean. NBC5's Lauren Jiggetts reported that a video showing Ardelean drinking five shots and leaving with a bottle in his hand just 12 minutes before he was involved in a car crash that killed two men apparently swayed first assistant state's attorney Bob Milan to reopen the case.
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LETTER TO EDITOR: Taxes push sales out of Cook County
Saturday, August 23, 2008 - Daily Herald
Hey, Todd Stroger, I hope I got your attention. I just bought a big screen LCD and a table to put it on.

Guess where I bought it? Not in Crook County. I bought it in DuPage County.

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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Calls for Federal Investigation of Car Crash that Killed Two
Friday, August 22, 2008
CHICAGO -- Commissioner Tony Peraica, candidate for Cook County State's Attorney called today for a federal investigation of a car crash that took two lives last November. Joining Peraica in asking that federal prosecutors get involved in the case was the attorney for the victim's families, Daniel O'Connor.
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Bar Video Sheds New Light On Police-Involved Crash
Thursday, August 21, 2008 - NBC5
New developments in a Thanksgiving Day crash involving a Chicago police officer have prompted a Chicago attorney to revisit a DUI case previously dismissed by a judge.
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Corruption- weary shrug
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - By Neil Steinberg - Chicago Sun-Times
The sad truth is, uncovering corruption is over-rated, something the public pretends to care about in the abstract but shrugs off in reality.
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COMMENTARY: A fine tradition of Chicago mediocrity
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times
Let us be the first to commend Illinois Senate President Emil Jones for easing the way for his son to take over his Senate seat after Jones retires.
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Calls for Sales Tax Repeal
Monday, August 18, 2008 - By Chuck Salvatore - SWNews Herald
State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-41st) would like to see the Cook County sales tax increase be rolled back because she believes it is bad for business.
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Cook County President Gets Earful from Angry Citizens
Monday, August 18, 2008 - By Steve Stanek - The Heartland Institute
Hundreds of residents of Cook County, Illinois gave County Board President Todd Stroger (D) an earful over a 1 percentage point sales tax increase that is forcing county shoppers to pay the highest sales tax burdens in the nation.
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Chicago could be $420 million in the red next year
Friday, August 15, 2008 - By Dan Mihalopoulos and Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
City Hall must figure out how to come up with $420 million to balance its books, but aides to Mayor Richard Daley said Thursday they have not yet decided whether city employees will be laid off.
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Illinois unemployment rates jumps to 7.3%
Thursday, August 14, 2008 - By James P. Miller - Chicago Tribune
Illinois employers eliminated a total of 9,700 jobs statewide during the month of July, state officials said today, pushing the Illinois unemployment rate leaped from 6.8 percent to 7.3 percent -- the state's highest jobless level in almost 15 years.
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City Hall details budget gap but mum on layoff number
Thursday, August 14, 2008 - By Dan Mihalopoulos - Chicago Tribune
City Hall must figure out how to come up with $420 million to balance its books, but aides to Mayor Richard Daley said Thursday they have not yet decided whether to lay off city employees.
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Former state Rep. Maureen Murphy dies
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - By Patricia Trebe - Chicago Tribune
Whether it was as chairman of the revenue committee when she was a Republican member of the Illinois House or as a commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review, Maureen Murphy had a goal to save taxpayers money.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Unnecessary Tax
Monday, August 04, 2008
The following letter, written by Tony Peraica, was published in Sunday's Chicago Sun-Times.
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LETTER TO EDITOR: Unnecessary Tax
Monday, August 04, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times
Last Tuesday, I and six other commissioners on the Cook County Board, sponsored a repeal of the recently enacted sales tax increase. Unfortunately, President Todd Stroger and his allies defeated the measure in a 10-7 vote. I was criticized and called "irresponsible" by pro-tax commissioners for sponsoring this proposal.
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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Tony on "At Issue" this Sunday
Friday, August 01, 2008
Tony will be a guest on WBBM's "At Issue" program this Sunday at 9:30 AM and 9:30 PM.
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Former Democrat Turned Republican Fights For All
Thursday, July 31, 2008 - By Okema J. McLoyd - The Shopper Online
As Tony Peraica pursues the office of States Attorney he asks one thing of Cook County citizens, "Make an educated vote!" If police brutality is going to end, corruption is to be beaten and if taxes are going to be lowered and if a change is to come, voters must start thinking outside the box. It makes no sense to vote for a Democrat just because you call yourself a Democrat or to vote for a Republican because you're a Republican. When I asked Peraica what caused him to make the drastic change from the Democratic to the Republican Party, he said, "It wasn't a drastic change, it was evolution. The Republican Party simply more closely identifies with my own political views."
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Peraica giving back donations
Thursday, July 31, 2008 - By Eric Herman - Chicago Sun-Times
One day after a Sun-Times story about political donations Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica received from men with criminal convictions, Peraica announced he is giving the money back.
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Alvarez, Peraica still trading barbs on questionable donors
Thursday, July 31, 2008 - By Joseph Ryan - Daily Herald
Republican Tony Peraica and Democrat Anita Alvarez continue to blast each other over questionable campaign contributions as they compete to be Cook County's top prosecutor.
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Sufferin' Suffredin's hypocrisy on the County Board
Friday, July 25, 2008 - By Ray Hanania - SW NewsHerald
When Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin was running for Cook County State's Attorney, he told me that he opposed the tax increase package being rammed through by President Todd Stroger.
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Campaign Cash From Employees
Thursday, July 24, 2008 - By Rob Wildeboer - Chicago Public Radio
Campaign contributions for the first six months of the year were made public this week and they show that Democrat Anita Alvarez is taking donations from people who work in the state's attorney's office and would become her employees if she wins in November. Alvarez says she doesn't think that's a conflict.
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Free publicity for Peraica ends with tax re-vote
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Tony Peraica lost twice Tuesday.

The first defeat was a foregone conclusion: His effort to roll back a wildly unpopular 1 percentage point sales tax increase had been widely acknowledged as doomed because no "yes" votes on the county board had indicated they would reverse their votes.

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Should state's attorney select IG when one of the candidates is a donor?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
When Cook County commissioners were writing the ordinance that revamped the county's Inspector General office, they never considered that one of the future candidates would be a Cook County assistant state's attorney.
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Effort fails to repeal Cook County's sales-tax hike
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
An uphill battle to repeal Cook County's new sales-tax increase tanked Tuesday as commissioners accused its sponsor of political posturing to boost his bid for countywide office.
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'I'm doing a damn good job'
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - By Mark J. Konkol - Chicago Sun-Times
Self-described Cook County Board reformers took one last shot at repealing the county's sales tax increase that went into effect this month, but they didn't have the votes to make it happen.
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Cook Co. tax hike repeal shot down
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - By Andy Shaw - ABC7 Chicago
The tax revolt, led by Commissioner Tony Peraica, was crushed by board president Todd Stroger and his supporters.
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Cook County Board rejects sales tax increase repeal
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
After a lengthy and emotional debate peppered with political accusations against Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, the County Board voted 10-7 on Tuesday to reject his proposal to repeal the county's new 1 percentage-point sales tax increase.
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Peraica Joined by Other Board Members in Calling for Repeal of Sales Tax
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Chicago, IL -Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, candidate for Cook County State's Attorney, joined by a bi-partisan coalition of four Republicans (Silvestri, Goslin, Gorman and Schneider), and two Democrats (Claypool and Quigley), called on other County Board members to join him in repealing the massive $430 million Cook County sales tax increase which went into effect July 1st making Cook County the highest sales tax county in the nation..
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Reborn Cermak aquatic center opens July 24
Monday, July 21, 2008 - By Bob Uphues - The Landmark
The Cook County Forest Preserve District-operated aquatic center, geared toward children 12 and under, officially opens Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m.
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Illinois unemployment increases to 6.8%
Friday, July 18, 2008 - WQAD Channel 8 News
The number of unemployed workers in Illinois increased for the second month in a row in June, rising to its highest level since June 1993.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Supports U.S. Attorney Investigation of County Jail
Friday, July 18, 2008

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EDITORIAL: Your sales tax calendar
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - Chicago Tribune
Days since the Cook County Board raised the sales tax: 16
Days until the Feb. 2, 2010, Illinois primary election: 566


The push to roll back Cook County's increase of a full percentage point in the sales tax has begun. County Board member Tony Peraica on Monday filed the formal paperwork asking the board to reverse this most egregious of tax hikes. Peraica needs nine votes on the 17-member board to get traction. His measure now boasts seven sponsors.

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Empty retail space jumps in second quarter
Monday, July 14, 2008 - By Thomas A. Corfman - Chicago Business
The vacancy rate for Chicago-area retail real estate shot up during the second quarter to its highest level in nearly five years, and is expected to continue to climb this year as merchants retreat.
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Amid record tax hike, county cuts program for poor moms, babies
Monday, July 14, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Despite raising taxes $426 million annually earlier this year, Cook County leaders have decided to stop funding at least $1.8 million a year for a program designed to keep poor pregnant women and their babies healthy.
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Cook Co. commissioners disagree on sales tax
Sunday, July 13, 2008 - ABC 7 Chicago News
Commissioner Tony Peraica held a news conference Sunday in front of Commissioner Larry Sufferdin's office in Evanston. Peraica is asking his colleague to change his vote for the tax and support him in repealing it. The new tax raised Chicago's sales tax to 10.25 percent, making it the highest in the nation.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Calls on Suffredin to Support Repeal of Corruption Tax
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Chicago, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, candidate for Cook County State's Attorney, today called on fellow commissioner Larry Suffredin to support Peraica's soon-to-be-introduced ordinance to repeal the county's recent 1% sales tax increase.
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Even Supporters Doubt Chances Of Repealing County Sales Tax Hike
Friday, July 11, 2008 - By Craig Dellimore - WBBM NewsRadio 780
Some Cook County commissioners are ready to try to repeal the county's new-and much criticized-sales tax increase. But, even they doubt if they will be successful.
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The winners in city scandals? The lawyers
Thursday, July 10, 2008 - By Tim Novak, Art Golab, Chris Fusco, Mark J. Konkol, and Natasha Korecki - Chicago Sun-Times
City of Chicago has paid criminal attorneys more than $625,000 since Hired Truck

As City Hall's scandals mount, so do the legal bills for taxpayers.

Since January 2004, Mayor Daley's administration has spent more than $625,000 on outside lawyers to represent city employees in federal criminal investigations, records show.

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Stroger administration hunkers down against press
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Besieged with negative press over a record-breaking $426 million sales tax increase, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's administration is forbidding department heads from speaking with the media unless his spokesman is present - an apparent effort to improve the news coverage of his administration.
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EDITORIAL: Killing the Sales Tax Hike
Monday, July 07, 2008 - By Editorial Board - Chicago Tribune
This week, County Board member Tony Peraica intends to finish drafting a resolution to do just that. Other board opponents of the hike, notably Michael Quigley and Forrest Claypool, likely will join as co-sponsors.
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Fitch questions Cook County sales tax hike, cuts outlook
Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - By Greg Hinz - Crain's Chicago Business
(Crain's) - Even as controversy rages over Cook County's big new sales tax hike, a major financial ratings service is warning that the county's fiscal picture is darkening and suggests that a sales-tax increase now may not have been a good idea.
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Shoppers bypass Cook Co. to avoid tax hike
Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - By Kimberly Pohl and Madhu Krishnamurthy - The Daily Herald
For Leslie Kaehler, avoiding the 1 percentage point sales tax increase that went into effect in Cook County Tuesday is a matter of "principle more than a few cents."
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From City of Broad Shoulders to City of High Taxes
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - Associated Press
Chicago's no Second City, at least not when it comes to sales taxes. A boost in the Cook County sales tax that took effect on Tuesday means people shopping in Chicago now pay a cumulative 10.25 percent levy -- the highest of any major U.S. city.
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VIDEO: View the TV Coverage of Tony's 'Corruption Tax' Protest
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
A collection of news clips from Tony's 'Corruption Tax' Protest...
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PRESS RELEASE: Repeal the Corruption Tax, Challenges Peraica
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Chicago, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, candidate for State's Attorney has called for the repeal of the new county sales tax and laid the blame for the tax at the door of the Cook County State's Attorney's office for failing to investigate corruption in county and city government.
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LISTEN: Tony on the Don Wade & Roma Show!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
On July 1st, Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica joined Don Wade and Roma to give you the inside story on why Cook County now has the highest sales tax in the United States. Whose fault is it and will it ever go back down? Will this hurt retail sales in Cook County? Plus, find out why he calls the new sales tax a "corruption tax!" And how will Tony Peraica help clean up Cook County if he is voted in as Cook County State's Attorney?
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Cook County Tax Hike In Effect, Businesses Furious
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - CBS 2 Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Sales taxes in Chicago are now the highest in the nation, and business leaders are furious.
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Will latest sales tax hike be too much?
Monday, June 30, 2008 - By Mike Nolan - Chicago Sun-Times
Come Tuesday, Chicago will have the highest sales tax rate of any big city in the nation, and Keith Kujawa is already thinking about how he could save money.
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Businessman says he bribed county official
Monday, June 30, 2008 - By Ray Gibson - Chicago Tribune
A south suburban businessman accused of a nationwide swindle has told federal investigators he paid bribes to a Cook County official to operate an allegedly illegal recycling center for fluorescent light bulbs in a Riverdale warehouse, the businessman told the Tribune.
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EDITORIAL: Your Stroger-Daley Tax
Monday, June 30, 2008 - Chicago Tribune
On Tuesday the cost of taxable items you purchase in Cook County will increase by a full percentage point. Chicagoans will awaken July 1 to the highest sales tax in the nation. Cook suburbanites will face sales taxes several percentage points higher than at stores in collar counties. Expect merchants in those counties to post more of the big signs that boast: "No Cook County Taxes."
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Stroger to Use Homeland Security Funds to Upgrade SUV
Friday, June 27, 2008 - By Dane Placko - Fox News Chicago
Chicago -- Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is catching heat for his new ride. Some commissioners are not exactly thrilled with the size of his new County provided S.U.V. Another problem is the plan to upgrade it with Federal Homeland Security money.
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Fraud probe raises intriguing questions
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - By Carol Marin - Chicago Sun-Times
There was a federal arrest at O'Hare Airport 13 days ago that was curious.

A Las Vegas-to-Chicago flight landed, carrying a number of retired Chicago cops and at least one still on the force, Joseph A. Grillo.

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Harvey Park District closes
Monday, June 23, 2008 - By Phil Kadner - Southtown Star
Harvey's park district shut down on Friday, an apparent victim of corruption and a political power struggle.
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EDITORIAL: Stroger, banking on Palatine
Sunday, June 22, 2008 - By Editorial Board - Chicago Tribune
When Stroger appeared in Palatine to defend the wasteful government he runs, he was doing his job. The question is whether, as 2010 approaches, the rest of us will do ours.
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67 arrested in Chicago mortgage fraud
Friday, June 20, 2008 - Chicago Business
The Chicago portion of a major national crackdown on mortgage fraud has netted 67 people ranging from mortgage brokers to attorneys, federal officials announced Thursday.
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OPINION: Stroger's actions hurt more than help
Thursday, June 19, 2008 - Chicago Tribune
I believe Mr. Stroger's department is not working efficiently. Probably, he is not capable to run the office. That is why Cook County constantly has deficit in the budget. Why does Cook County need thousands of new job positions? It seems that the existing Cook County governmental staff is not working at full force and possibilities. We are getting sick and tired of hearing and reading about dysfunctions and bribes.
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Stroger-Connected Firm's Multimillion-Dollar Bond Deal Eeks Past County Board
Thursday, June 19, 2008 - By Ben Calhoun - WBEZ Chicago Public Radio
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger used a rare tie breaking vote to squeak a multi-million dollar deal through the county board. Turns out the firm that drafted the deal has extensive ties to Stroger and his political organization.
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County to borrow against sales taxes
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - By Paul Rock - Chitown Daily News
Cook County commissioners voted 9-8 yesterday to give chief financial officer Donna Dunnings the authority to borrow $150 million against increased sales tax revenues that go into effect next month.
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Updated 6/17: Stroger faces angry northwest suburbanites
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - By Andrew Hellpap - Wheeling Countryside
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger left some northwest suburban residents unsatisfied after his Monday evening visit to Harper College in Palatine.
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Play-by-play of Stroger's visit
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - By Ashok Selvam - Daily Herald
The audience applause portion of the night as begun.

You know when the crowd claps their hands to show their support of a fellow crowd member's idea or question.

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'I don't trust you guys'
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - By Jeff Long and Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger finally kept his date Monday with taxpayers in the northwest suburbs, where some officials had threatened to secede from the county in anger over a sales tax increase he championed.
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Stroger gets an earful over taxes in Palatine
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger pushed through a sales tax hike earlier this year -- giving the Chicago area one of the largest ones in the country --and Monday night, some 200 suburbanites pushed back.
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COMMENTARY: Alleged torture by cops needs thorough probe
Thursday, June 12, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times
It's easy to brush off the torture allegations involving former Chicago Police Lt. Jon Burge and the cops he oversaw.
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Cook commissioner's bouquets a bit too revealing
Monday, June 09, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Say this for Bill Beavers. He tells it like it is.

The plain-spoken defender of patronage let loose at Tuesday's Cook County board meeting with a tutorial on how to confound federal investigators and construct plausible deniability.

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Political donor in line for Cook County pact
Monday, June 09, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
A political donor to Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is in line to receive a county contract today, despite the fact that the company proposes charging 22 percent more than the next closest proposal and 32 percent more than the lowest price offered.
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County bans ambulance company
Wednesday, June 04, 2008 - By Paul Rock - Chi Town Daily News
Cook County commissioners yesterday banned an ambulance company from vying for county business, saying bidding problems could have caused patients to suffer.
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Tax Rebellion Stirs Talk of Secession in Cook County
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 - By Steve Stanek - Budget & Tax News/The Heartland Institute
A brewing tax rebellion in suburban Cook County, Illinois, which includes the city of Chicago, has local officials and some state lawmakers talking of forming a new county.
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Cook County Board President Todd Stroger names new chief of staff
Monday, June 02, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Park District executive once was Stroger's boss

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's new chief of staff is a former Chicago Park District executive from Bridgeport who once gave his new boss a job.

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Digging for answers on county cars, jobs
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - By Carol Marin - Chicago Sun-Times
Mild-mannered columnist turns Indiana Jones in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

What began as fact-checking a news tip became an all-out quest Tuesday. Snakes and fire ants and boulders in my path? Not quite. But an obstacle course for sure.

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911 for county system
Saturday, May 24, 2008 - By Paul Merrion - Chicago Business
Four years into a $41-million program to install police surveillance systems throughout suburban Cook County, a third of municipalities are equipped, the contractor has been replaced after a number of technical glitches and a subcontractor responsible for installing the equipment is bankrupt.
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New Corruption Charges Hit Building, Zoning Departments
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - NBC 5 Chicago
CHICAGO -- U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Thursday a series of arrests last year didn't stop the bribery going on in the Chicago departments of Building and Zoning, it just made those involved get "sneakier."
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Cook County rejects used radiology equipment
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Back in February, Cook County administrators cited the dire need for health care for poor people when they raised taxes $426 million a year.
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Outgoing Cook Co. health chief praised despite falling revenue
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Cook County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday praising outgoing Bureau of Health chief Bob Simon, even as they accepted a report on hospital financials that indicate revenues continued to plummet under his stewardship.
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Personal Aside: Tony Peraica's Stunning Command of Cook County's Governmental Affairs Warrants Election.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - By Tom Roeser - TomRoeser.com
I heard Tony Peraica's presentation at the City Club of Chicago earlier this week. Inured to campaign speeches since I first started covering them in 1953, fifty-five years ago, I thought I'd load up on good Italian food and meet some old friends while Tony would recite a list of campaign truisms.
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Cook County state's attorney foes go back and forth on corruption
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
State's attorney candidate ties Alvarez, Cook culture

The Republican nominee for Cook County state's attorney on Monday accused his Democratic opponent of being part of a culture that does too little to fight pervasive public corruption.

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County clout for ex-cons
Monday, May 19, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
'FRIENDS AND FAMILY' | Stroger hands jobs to 2 brothers of lawmakers

Both have criminal records and both are brothers of state legislators.

Now, both have been personally hired by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

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Property values down, but not taxes
Thursday, May 15, 2008 - By Phil Kadner - Southtown Star
Readers have been telling me for months they see a silver lining within the dark cloud that is the real estate market.
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Cook County Board thwarts 2 of Stroger's health board nominees
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger must pick four new nominees for an important new health board, and critics said Tuesday they hope he uses the opportunity to create a more balanced, independent slate.
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Stroger's Health Care Board Picks Face Criticism
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - By Mike Flannery - CBS2Chicago
After a daylong battle over who will run Cook County's billion-dollar system of hospitals and health clinics, County Board President Todd Stroger must come up with several new names.
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CBS 2 CHICAGO SPECIAL REPORT: Exposing Todd Stroger
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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Juvenile home chief gets grilled
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - By John Greenfield - Chitown Daily News
The head of Cook County's troubled juvenile detention center faced harsh criticism yesterday from county commissioners, who accused him of lying to them and failing to update them on problems at the facility.
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LETTER TO EDITOR:Let's shut down the money machine
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - Daily Herald
I would like to encourage the Arlington Heights village board to follow Palatine's lead and consider secession from Cook County. I see nothing negative about this idea. Our Cook County Board is out of control.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Think You're Taxed Enough? Alvarez Wants More
Monday, May 05, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Despite the recent tax increase that has given Cook County the highest sales tax in the country - State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez wants more. In her speech to the City Club of Chicago earlier today, Alvarez parroted the political insiders' party line by claiming her office doesn't have enough money to do its job ("Cook County State's Attorney Candidate Anita Alvarez Blasts County Board for Cutting Prosecutor Office's Budget", Michael Higgins, Chicago Tribune, 5/5/08).
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LETTER TO EDITOR: Why didn't Goslin attend town hall?
Monday, May 05, 2008 - Daily Herald
I would like to know why Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin, who represents Palatine, was not at the town hall meeting held Wednesday at Harper College.
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PODCAST: Tony Appears on The Jerry Agar Show
Friday, May 02, 2008
Tony appeared on WLS 890-AM's "The Jerry Agar Show" this morning to discuss Todd Stroger's snub of a recent Palatine Town Hall Meeting to discuss the recent tax increases.

Click here to listen to the interview.

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Cook Co. commissioner has his say over meeting
Friday, May 02, 2008 - By Kimberly Pohl - Daily Herald
Official who missed meeting defends himself, county, but not Peraica

Cook County Board Commissioner Gregg Goslin says there's a good reason he didn't join his constituents at Wednesday's town hall meeting in Palatine

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Todd Stroger's absence does not make northwest suburbanites fonder
Thursday, May 01, 2008 - By Andrew Hellpap - Chicago Sun-Times
Palatine residents got their meeting with a Cook County board member Wednesday to discuss the county's forthcoming sales tax increase, but it wasn't County Board President Todd Stroger.
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In Todd Stroger's absence, Palatine talks of absenting itself from Cook County
Thursday, May 01, 2008 - By Jeff Long - Chicago Tribune
About 100 people attend special meeting, where focus on high county taxes shifts to secession

Despite the absence of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, about 100 people turned out for a special meeting of the Palatine Village Council on Wednesday, where discussion of high county taxes soon turned to talk of secession.

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Palatine residents attend gathering despite Stroger's decision not to go
Thursday, May 01, 2008 - By Kimberly Pohl - Daily Herald
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger may have done himself a favor by steering clear of Wednesday's town hall meeting in Palatine.

About 100 northwest suburban residents united in their disdain for county government showed up at Harper College despite the late-breaking news of Stroger's absence.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Stroger Snubs Palatine Town Hall Meeting – But 'Show' Will Go On as Planned
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Peraica to Address Palatine Residents and Officials

CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was scheduled to speak to a Town Hall Meeting of Palatine residents and officials tonight - but announced today his plans to skip the meeting. Palatine residents and officials are angry by this snub - but the meeting will occur as planned.

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Politicians call for referendums on future tax increases
Friday, April 25, 2008 - By Adam Verwymeren - Medill Reports
Even without the county sales tax increase coming into effect this summer, Chicagoans are already among the most heavily taxed people in the country. Some Illinois politicians are looking for ways to put more power in the hands of the people to control government spending.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Media Reports on Peraica Proposals Referendums to Give Power to the Voters
Friday, April 25, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Two media organizations this week reported on Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica's proposed resolutions that would give voters more power to defend against oppressive Cook County taxation.
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'Put Up or Shut Up' About Patronage
Thursday, April 24, 2008 - By Shawn Allee - Chicago Public Radio
Cook County government's had a reputation for patronage. Some commissioners say crooked hiring is rampant-others say it barely exists, if at all. Either way, the county ethics policy says employees must report illegal patronage hiring. Yesterday, the Cook County Board formally declared it will operate by the same rule.
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Stroger: 'If you don't tell people, they won't know'
Thursday, April 24, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
Cook County now spends more than $1 million for 15 salaried public relations employees.
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Stroger wants employees to sign confidentiality agreement
Thursday, April 24, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
Just 18 months ago, Todd Stroger was campaigning for office on a promise to make Cook County government more open and transparent.
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Should Cook County Voters Decide Fate Of Taxes?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - By Shawn Allee - Chicago Public Radio
Earlier this year, the Cook County Board voted to increase sales taxes. Politically, that's ancient history, but one commissioner never got over it. Today, he's proposing a measure to keep it from happening again.
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Peraica Statement Regarding Chicago's Weekend Spate of Violence
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tony Peraica released the following statement following the weekend violence in which six were killed and 23 injured:
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6 dead, 23 hurt in shootings over weekend
Monday, April 21, 2008 - By Megan Twohey and Emily S. Achenbaum - Chicago Tribune
Sanders was one of 28 people shot, six fatally, in Chicago between 12:01 a.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Sunday, part of a bloody string of violence that stretched across the city, police said. At least one more shooting occurred Sunday evening
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Rolodex of clout: Contacts convicted patronage chief kept
Friday, April 18, 2008 - By Tim Novak - Chicago Sun-Times
Sorich kept an extensive Rolodex filled with 300 names and telephone numbers -- until his Rolodex was seized by FBI agent John Hauser on April 29, 2005, in a raid on Sorich's fourth-floor office at City Hall.
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3 docs sue county over layoffs
Friday, April 18, 2008 - By Mike Colias - Crain's Chicago Business
(Crain's) - Three doctors who were laid off amid widespread layoffs at Cook County's health system last year are suing the county, claiming officials ignored their seniority in making the job cuts.
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Court orders Daley cronies to prison
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - By Abdon M. Pallasch and Tim Novak - Chicago Sun-Times
HIRED TRUCK | Ruling on patronage hiring convictions could jump-start gov probe

The federal appellate court in Chicago Tuesday upheld the conviction of four men charged with running the patronage hiring system in Mayor Daley's City Hall.

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Convictions in City Hall hiring scandal upheld by federal appeals court
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - By Michael Higgins and Dan Mihalopoulos - Chicago Tribune
In a sharply worded ruling that struck a new blow at City Hall patronage, a federal appeals court Tuesday upheld the convictions of four men for scheming to rig hiring in Mayor Richard Daley's administration-even though prosecutors never proved they personally benefited.
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PRESS RELEASE: Why the Sorich conviction should worry Anita Alvarez
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - This week's announcement that the federal appellate court has upheld the convictions of four leaders of the Daley patronage army - including patronage chief Robert Sorich - should work Cook County State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez.
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Monitor: Cook Co. hiring still a problem
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - By Andy Shaw - ABC7Chicago
A court-appointed federal monitor testified on Wednesday that illegal political hiring is still an apparent problem in Cook County government.
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COMMENTARY: County showdown will cost taxpayers
Friday, April 11, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times
Taxpayers, get out your checkbooks. President Todd Stroger is heading toward a showdown with the federal court monitor assigned to help root out patronage hiring in county government.
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County scolded for not moving fast enough on hiring reform
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
The court-appointed official in charge of rooting out patronage hiring at Cook County scolded President Todd Stroger by letter Tuesday, chastising him for not having appointed a permanent human resources director for the past seven months.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Calls on Alvarez to Return Tainted Campaign Cash
Thursday, April 03, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County State's Attorney candidate Tony Peraica today called on candidate Anita Alvarez to return any campaign contributions raised, bundled or contributed by members of the scandal-plagued Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) or fugitive from justice Jorge Montes de Oca.
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Statement by Tony Peraica at Press Conference on Alvarez Tainted Campaign Cash
Thursday, April 03, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - The following statement was given today at a press conference by Cook County Commissioner and State's Attorney candidate Tony Peraica:
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County's new lobbyist throwing fundraiser for Stroger
Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - By Greg Hinz - Crain's Chicago Business
(Crain's) - Just months after receiving a pair of six-figure, no-bid contracts, Cook County's new Washington, D.C., lobbyist is hosting a fundraiser for the official who awarded him that work: County Board President Todd Stroger.
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PRESS RELEASE: Anita's Insider Friends and Fugitive Fundraiser
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - In a CBS 2 Chicago report last night, Cook County State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez called Tony Peraica a racist for "insinuating" ties to the scandal-plagued Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) - but she then confirmed those ties in a Daily Herald story this morning.
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Alvarez's Appearance at Event in Question
Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - The Daily Herald
The Democratic candidate for Cook County state's attorney who pledged to make prosecuting political corruption part of her agenda recently hobnobbed with two longtime stalwarts of a now-disgraced political action committee, the campaign recently acknowledged.
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Controversy In Race For Cook Co. State's Attorney
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - By Mike Parker - CBS 2 Chicago
"It reinforces to the citizens of Cook County that what we have is corruption on steroids that is prevalent at all levels of government," Peraica, a Cook County Commissioner, said.
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PRESS RELEASE: Stroger's April Fool's Joke
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Chief Financial Officer/Todd Stroger Cousin Donna Dunnings today revealed the punch line to the county insider's April Fool's joke: despite Todd Stroger's claims to the contrary, the recent massive sales tax increase was just the beginning.
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EDITORIAL: Stroger cousin's raise another slap in the face for county taxpayers
Friday, March 28, 2008 - By Editorial Board - Southtown Star

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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Introduces Resolution to Rescind Cook County Home Rule
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica announced today that he will put forth a resolution at the April 9, 2008 County Board meeting that provides for a November 2008 ballot referendum calling on the Illinois General Assembly to rescind home rule for Cook County.
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Repealing your Stroger Tax
Monday, March 24, 2008 - Chicago Tribune
No, no, no. This isn't going the way they plotted and planned.

You're not behaving the way victorious members of the Cook County Board expected amid the high-fiving and back-slapping a few minutes after midnight Saturday, March 1. Nine of the 17 board members had just voted to add 1 percentage point to the sales tax.

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Stroger's cousin gets 12% hike
Monday, March 24, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
COOK COUNTY | Took CFO post last year for lower pay -- that was then

When Cook County Board President Todd Stroger introduced his cousin Donna Dunnings as the county's new chief financial officer last year, they each boasted of the savings taxpayers would realize. She would take a salary far less than the previous CFO.

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EDITORIAL: Governments' hang-up with providing records is downright unsettling
Monday, March 24, 2008 - Southtown Star
THE ISSUE: When we asked 11 government bodies to provide the cell phone records for one of their public officials, we were dismayed only three complied in full. Most cited reasons such as invasion of privacy for releasing only the bills instead of an itemized breakdown of calls made.
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Peraica Disputes Budget Talk
Friday, March 21, 2008 - By Chuck Salvatore - Southwest News-Herald
Commissioner Says Stroger's Contention Is All Wrong

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-16th), the Republican candidate for State's Attorney, was at the Garfield Ridge Civic League meeting Monday to answer questions.

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PRESS RELEASE: Devine defends Stroger on Patronage
Friday, March 21, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Doing what his office does best, Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine today defended the Stroger Administration against a recent federal court monitor's report showing rampant illegal patronage hiring in county government.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Launches Updated County Employee Database
Thursday, March 20, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today announced that he has launched an update to his popular online searchable database of Cook County employees. Available at CookEmployees.com, the site now includes a searchable database of all 2007 county employees, as well as a new database of 2007 Forest Preserve District vendors.
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Cook County Misuses Millions, Suit Says
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
A Chicago attorney frequently critical of government sued elected Cook County leaders Monday, alleging they have improperly diverted up to $15 million a year meant for specific programs such as court services, the public health system and collection of overdue child support.
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Legislators want to limit county board's power
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - By David Beery - Daily Herald
Using Todd Stroger's new budget as a rallying cry, Republican lawmakers are calling on Springfield to restrict Cook County's ability to raise taxes and add workers.
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County payroll swells despite Stroger vow
Sunday, March 16, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - The Sun-Times
More than a year ago, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger vowed to reduce a bloated payroll to just 22,000 employees. Today, there are 23,851 county employees -- 145 more than were budgeted just last year -- and 1,100 more are on the way.
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Deposition reveals politics were at work
Sunday, March 16, 2008 - By The Daily Herald - Rob Olmstead
Critics of the Cook County inspector general's office have long argued that politics has interfered with the office's zeal in investigating corruption.
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DAILY HERALD EDITORIAL: Quit stalling on Cook County reforms
Sunday, March 16, 2008 - By Editorial Board - The Daily Herald
Eight months after an ordinance passed that Stroger had offered to placate critics, the county still has not begun replacing its existing inspector general through a new, more-independent process.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Another insider joins Alvarez campaign
Thursday, March 13, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - For someone who ran her primary campaign as an independent agent of change, State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez sure is doing her best to position herself as the candidate of the Daley/Devine/Blagojevich political insider class.
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Cook tax increase has county border towns steaming
Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - By Liam Ford and John Keilman - Chicago Tribune
After calling on Cook County Board President Todd Stroger to personally "explain himself" for pushing through a sales tax increase, some angry Palatine Village Council members said they had an even better idea -- secede from the county.
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'I ain't buyin' nothing in Cook'
Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - By Judy Masterson - Waukegan News-Sun

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KADNER: Will County should host Todd Stroger Day
Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - By Phil Kadner - SouthtownStar
After this tax hike, if you've got a choice between a Best Buy store in Orland Park (Crook County) or Tinley Park (in Will County), where are you going to buy your $1,000 big-screen TV?
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MEDIA ADVISORY: State's Attorney's office should answer for corruption
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner and State's Attorney candidate Tony Peraica announced that he will not hold a press conference today to discuss the federal court monitor's report that illegal patronage hiring is "alive and well in county government." Instead, Peraica calls on Anita Alvarez, a 22-year insider of the State's Attorney's office, to hold a press conference to take questions about why that office has consistently failed to fight government corruption in Cook County.
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Report blasts Stroger's government for favoritism, political hirin
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - By Hal Dardick with Gary Washburn - Chicago Tribune

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: County Contract for Troubled Firm?
Monday, March 03, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Tribune reports today that Cook County is poised to award an $18 million contract to a firm that was recently named in the corruption indictment of Lacy Thomas, the man who once ran Stroger Hospital.
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Cook County considers firm linked to probe
Monday, March 03, 2008 - By Hal Dardick and Ray Gibson - Chicago Tribune
A consulting firm named in the corruption indictment of a former Las Vegas hospital official who once ran Stroger Hospital is poised to garner a multimillion-dollar contract to help Cook County fix the finances of its health-care system.
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EDITORIAL: Your New Stroger Tax
Sunday, March 02, 2008 - By Editorial Board - Chicago Tribune
Sure enough, the 2008 budget approved late Friday reflected Cook County's true priorities. Board President Todd Stroger, with his broken promises of reform trailing behind him, won a 1 percentage point increase in the sales tax. That's half of what he had wanted, but still maddeningly unnecessary. The hike will take an additional $426 million per a year from taxpayers. Businesses? In Chicago they'll be stuck collecting the steepest big-city sales tax in the U.S.: 10.25 percent.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Votes Against Massive Tax Increases
Friday, February 29, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica tonight voted against a massive tax increase that was part of an 11th hour, backroom deal on the county budget.
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PRESS RELEASE: Stroger's newest PR flak
Friday, February 29, 2008
As Stroger pushes for a massive tax increase and threatens fictional "massive budget cuts", he has gone ahead and hired yet another six-figure staffer to his sizeable and expensive PR team. What's more, this new staffer, Gene Mullins, is a childhood friend of Stroger.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Where was the State's Attorney - again?
Friday, February 29, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Tribune today reports that yet another corruption investigation for the U.S. Attorney has resulted in a conviction - this time of a local businessman who bribed a Cook County official to win a lucrative county contract.
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Board's D.C. trip costs you $10k
Friday, February 29, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
COUNTY | Critic calls conference 'a beyond-worthless boondoggle'

Amid threats to cut jobs and close health clinics and courthouses, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and almost half of the County Board are set to get away from it all this weekend in Washington, D.C., at taxpayer expense.

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Stroger rejects tax compromise
Friday, February 29, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
With less than 12 hours to go until a potential government shutdown, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley suggested the board break up into groups to discuss ways to broker a deal to balance the budget.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: John Daley, Anita Alvarez and Tax Increases
Thursday, February 28, 2008
In addition to showing the political insiders' frustration at Tony Peraica's opposition to their massive tax increase plan, Commissioner John Daley today exhibited the insiders' support for Anita Alvarez, their chosen candidate for State's Attorney...
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ABC 7 NEWS: Peraica the "most outspoken anti-sales tax increase commissioner"
Monday, February 25, 2008 - By Charles Thomas - ABC 7 Chicago News
Peraica remains the most outspoken anti-sales tax increase commissioner. He is joined by the board's four other Republicans and four Democrats.
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PERAICA TO STROGER/DALEY FACTION: Stop Fear Tactics; Distorted Budget Numbers
Monday, February 25, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today called on Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and Finance Chairman John Daley to stop their fear tactics and distorted numbers in their quest for a nearly $1 billion tax increase on Cook County residents and taxpayers.
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No to cuts, silent on tax hikes
Monday, February 25, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
COOK COUNTY | Officials speak up to defend budgets

There are just two pressing budget choices facing the Cook County Board next week -- raise taxes or cut spending.

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Getting away from it all on your dime
Monday, February 25, 2008 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
COOK COUNTY | Hospital chief gets paid $391,000 but uses county car and county-paid gas to drive to his Michigan family home every weekend

Week after week, Cook County hospital chief Dr. Robert Simon painfully tells County Board members there's no waste and no frills in his bare-bones hospital operation.

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Collection still leaves Cook short
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - By Hal Dardick - Chicago Tribune
Paid fees do little to help fix budget

The Stroger administration acknowledged Tuesday it collected only slightly more than a third of nearly $150 million in previously unbilled Cook County public health services, and that's about all it expects to get.

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Complaints mounting at juvenile facility
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - By John Garcia - ABC 7

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Hire, Spend and Tax
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - Peraica Press Office
Stroger's Inflated Budget Contains 1,100 New Hires; Administration Seeks Lucrative Contract for Politically Connected PR Firm
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Peraica Comments on Juvenile Detention Center Brawl
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - By John Garcia - ABC 7 News
Some workers at the Cook County juvenile center are worried about their safety and the safety of the children there. Ten people were hurt during a big brawl at the center Monday. There's even talk of a possible worker walkout.
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It's Riverside versus River Forest in state's attorney race
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - By Bill Dwyer - Riverside/Brookfield Landmark
"The state's attorney office has long built a reputation of turning a blind eye to public corruption," Peraica campaign manager Curt Mercadante said last week. "Anita Alvarez, especially since she boasts of heading the Public Integrity Unit, was a big part of this well deserved reputation.
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LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Peraica voluntarily cuts office budget
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - Peraica Press Office
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica is leading by example, cutting a minimum of 15% of his commissioner's office - even though county commissioners were only asked to cut 13%.
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SOUTHTOWN/STAR: Stroger cutting it close by not releasing a new budget
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - By Editorial Board - The Southtown Star
It feels like it's always either/or when it comes to Stroger's budgeting - make massive cuts or approve a tax hike. Who cuts expenses across the board by a flat percentage point rather than taking a hard look at line-by-line spending? By withholding a new document until so late in the approval process Stroger gives the board almost no time to review it or suggest alterations.
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Peraica targets Alvarez as a political insider
Monday, February 11, 2008 - By Meghan Street - Northwest Indiana Times
Peraica, an attorney who presently serves as a Cook County Commissioner, told reporters Wednesday that he intends to "campaign vigorously." He criticized Alvarez for being part of what he calls "a political elite club that ran (the state's attorney's) office as a personal political patronage fiefdom."
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PRESS RELEASE: Daley ties and county contractor cash
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Cook County State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez has based her campaign on the claim that she is not a "politician" and promises to be an independent prosecutor. This morning on "Fox Chicago Sunday", however, she admits to a pre-election sit-down with Mayor Daley (she handily won the Daley-controlled 14th Ward), and credits her TV ads (funded with campaign cash from county contractors) with her primary election win.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Chicago Tribune Calls Peraica a "Change Agent"
Thursday, February 07, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Tribune editorial board today labeled Cook County Commissioner/State's Attorney candidate Tony Peraica a "change agent" while noting Alvarez "more likely to defend" the status quo.
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New faces emerge in local elections
Thursday, February 07, 2008 - By Mario Lavorato - Mario's Mark

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PRESS RELEASE: Alvarez already dodging debates
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - After a full day of media interviews following her Primary Election victory, Cook County State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez was conspicuously absent from a "joint appearance" with her opponent, Commissioner Tony Peraica.
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Peraica's Veterans Funding Resolution Passes
Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - Daily Herald
In a non-binding temperature-taker on veterans' benefits, Cook County voters overwhelmingly endorsed funding benefits for U.S. veterans. The resolution was introduced by Tony Peraica.

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Peraica Statement Regarding Alvarez Democrat Primary Victory
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
"We congratulate Anita Alvarez on her Primary Election Victory, and we look forward to a General Election campaign based on an honest discussion of who is better fit to serve as this county's chief law enforcement officer."
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Polish Daily News Endorses Peraica
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
The Polish Daily News, the oldest ethnic langugage daily newspaper in teh United States, has endorsed Tony Peraica for Cook County State's Attorney.
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PRESS RELEASE: Lobbyists, Insiders, Slumlords and Stroger Allies
Monday, February 04, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - The leading Democrat candidates for Cook County State's Attorney may be attacking each other, but they all have one thing in common: they would all be stewards of the status quo, the political insiders, and the failed policies of the Stroger administration.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Endorses McCain for President
Friday, February 01, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today announced that he is endorsing Senator John McCain for President of the United States.
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State's Attorney candidates meet in forum
Monday, January 28, 2008 - ABC7Chicago
One of the closely watched races on the ballot in Cook County is the race for Cook County state's attorney. Six Democrats and one Republican are vying to replace Dick Devine, who is retiring.
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Candidates divided on minor drug cases
Friday, January 25, 2008 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
In one of the clearest dividing lines in the Cook County state's attorney race, the one Republican and six Democratic candidates are sharply divided on whether to allow police officers to give out warnings instead of filing formal charges for possession of drugs in small amounts.
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Tony's Statement on the Passing of John Stroger
Friday, January 18, 2008
"John and I didn't always agree on policy positions, but I respected him and his four decades of service to Cook County. It has been a tough year for John and his family, and our prayers and condolences go out to them in this time of mourning. We wish them all the best."
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Peraica 'led surge against status quo'
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - By Ashley Sears - Medill News Service
All but one Cook County state's attorney candidate emphasized a need for change rather than experience during a forum at Chicago-Kent College of Law on Tuesday night. Tony Peraica, the only Republican candidate, led the surge against the status quo in his opening remarks.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Urges Illinois Legislators to Block Massive Tax Increase
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today urged Illinois legislators to block final passage of the mass transit bill that would increase the sales tax by a quarter of a percentage point in Cook County and a half of a percentage point in the five collar counties. The legislation also gives the Chicago City Council six months to enact a 40 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax.
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Republican Organization of Lyons Township Issues Primary Election Endorsements
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
LAGRANGE, IL - The Republican Organization of Lyons Township (ROLT) announced today the organization's endorsements for the February 5, 2008 Primary Election.
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Peraica says he'd take aim at troubled towns
Sunday, January 13, 2008 - By William Lee - The Daily Southtown
Cook County Tony Peraica says that as top prosecutor, he would step in to fix troubled towns - including Harvey.
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EDITORIAL: Stroger's inner Blagojevich
Thursday, January 10, 2008 - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports that County Board Todd Stroger inability to compromise on his budget plan is going to hurt the county. He instead keeps trying to bully people onto his side with threatening letters and refuses to listen to other's ideas.
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Cook County Commissioners Shrug Off Layoff Warning Letter
Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - By Bob Roberts - WBBM 780 Chicago Radio
WBBM 780 Chicago Radio reports on Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's latest idea to try to get his budget passed. Scare tactics to county employee unions threatening layoffs and naming the nine commissioners who oppose his budget as the culprets.
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New prescription for hospitals' ills
Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - By Clare Walters - The Southtown Star
The Southtown Star reports that County Board President Todd Stroger is going to increase funding for hospitals. This is after weeks and weeks of saying we need new taxes to cover current expenses in the budget. Wonder where this money is going to come from?
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The Public is Catching on to Stroger's Deceptions
Wednesday, January 02, 2008 - By Bill Dwyer - Chicago Daily Observer
The Chicago Daily Observer reports on the recent Stroger blunders to have happened over the holidays. These include his aides calling into radio shows that Stroger is on and trying to disguise his voice, to his faulty math in the budget struggles.
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Peraica Will Break the 'One-Party System' in Cook County
Friday, December 21, 2007 - By Rob Olmstead - The Daily Herald
Tony Peraica, the lone Republican and a Cook County Board commissioner from Riverside, said he's most up for the task because, as a Republican, he'd break the stranglehold of the "one-party system" in Cook County.
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Cook County Board rejects request for 2 billboards along I-355 extension
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - By Tribune Staff - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Cook County Board voted against 2 new billboards along I-355.
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Cook County Board backs casino proposal
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
The Daily Herald reports that the county approved a measure to allow more casinos and gambling in Cook County.
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Peraica challenger tossed off GOP ballot
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - By Bob Skolnik - Riverside/Brookfield Landmark
The Riverside/Brookfield Landmark reports that Edward J. Barron was kicked off the ballot for Cook County State's Attorney for failing to file enough valid signatures on his petitions.
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Monitor rips city hiring
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - By Laurie Cohen and Todd Lighty - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports that a court-appointed monitor rips apart Mayor Daley's administration for ignoring hiring rules and giving jobs to favored candidates. This illistrates why the county needs a new states attorney who can catch this early.
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EDITORIAL: For Cook County, it's over
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports on the waste that is going on in the county that should be getting cut instead of having tax increases.
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Can this county budget be saved?
Monday, December 17, 2007 - By Greg Burns - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune put together a committee of five businessmen to review the county budget. They came to a conclusion that the tax increases are not the answer but instead need to concentrate on their expendatures and to get rid of wasteful spending.
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Criminal courts overburdened: report
Friday, December 14, 2007 - By Eric Herman - Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that current Cook County States Attorney is complaining about the Cook County board even though they did grant a 12.5% increase in salaries last month.
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EDITORIAL: The power of taxpayers
Thursday, December 13, 2007 - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports that the taxpayers have spoken and the result is stopping Todd Stroger's tax increases.
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Don't like sales tax hike? How about tax on booze?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Todd Stroger is trying his hardest to tax just about anything and everything instead of looking for alternatives to tax increases.
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EDITORIAL: Peraica counters Stroger budget
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - Daily Herald
The Daily Herald reports Tony's budget plan for 2008 and how it is different than the one set forth by Todd Stroger.
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Urges State's Attorney's Office to Protect Underprivileged Residents Served by County
Monday, December 10, 2007
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner and State's Attorney Candidate Tony Peraica today called on the State's Attorney's office to investigate alleged abuse at Aunt Martha's Youth Center, and to ensure all residents served by the county are protected, and whistleblower protection laws are enforced.
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Residents question whether officials are listening to them
Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - By Kathy Chaney - Chicago Defender
The Chicago Defender reports that people are mad about the lack of progress by the Cook County State's Attorney in identifying police officers who have used deadly force in apprehending people.
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OPINION: Legacy of tax-fed patronage must end
Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - By Jesse Jackson Jr. - Chicago Tribune
Jesse Jackson Jr. writes that the old-school, massive bureaucracy that protects itself needs to be changed, along with this new tax that Todd Stroger wants.
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UPDATE: Peraica Sponsors County Board Resolution Honoring Congressman Henry Hyde
Monday, December 03, 2007
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica will sponsor a resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of Congressman Henry Hyde, who passed away last week.
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Taxpayers pay to push county tax hike
Sunday, December 02, 2007 - By Chicago Sun-Times - Steve Patterson
Cook County taxpayers paid Friday to shuttle in demonstrators to support a tax hike.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: An alternative to Stroger's county budget
Sunday, December 02, 2007 - By Tony Peraica - Chicago Sun-Times
The vitriol and personal attacks that have surrounded the Cook County budget discussions are unfortunate and accomplish little but damage the faith of the taxpayers in our government.
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UPDATE: Peraica Wins Two More Endorsements
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Two more key endorsements for the Peraica campaign ...
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Legacy of tax-fed patronage must end
Saturday, December 01, 2007 - By U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. - Chicago Sun-Times
The historic forces who rob taxpayers and call tax opponents "racist" are now gearing up to keep control of key Cook County government positions in the Feb. 5 primary.
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UPDATE: Elk Grove Township GOP Endorses Peraica
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Regular Republican Organization of Elk Grove Township held its endorsement session last night and overwhelming endorsed (by a vote of 78-2) Commissioner Tony Peraica for Cook County State's Attorney.
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Policy, not racism, causes Stroger budget failures
Friday, November 30, 2007 - By Kristen McQuery - The Southtown Star
The Southtown Star reports that the stall on the proposed budget by Todd Stroger has nothing to do with racism, but on the tax increases that have been proposed.
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EDITORIAL: Beavers' race rhetoric is wrong on facts and as political tactic
Friday, November 30, 2007 - The Southtown Star
The Southtown Star reports that the policy and taxes that Todd Stroger is trying to pass is flawed as is the bringing up the race card against the commissioners that are wanting discussion on the budget.
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UPDATE: The Peraica Balanced Budget Plan
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tony Peraica has introduced a budget proposal that would balance the budget, avoid any new tax increases and save the Cook County taxpayers more than $125 million.
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EDITORIAL: Bill Beavers' Cynical Game
Thursday, November 29, 2007 - By Editorial - Chicago Tribune
Beavers is playing an old and very tired game, and few people are buying it. No one on the County Board echoed his complaint of racism at play. If he listened to black talk radio Wednesday, his ears were burning. Callers said Beavers did a disservice to those who stood up and risked their lives during the civil rights movement to confront real racial inequities in America.
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COMMENTARY: Clash clown
Thursday, November 29, 2007 - Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times writes that it was wrong to play the race card just because Stroger and his allies cannot push their budget plan through with higher taxes.
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Former U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde
Tony's Statement on the Passing of Congressman Henry Hyde
Thursday, November 29, 2007
For more than a quarter-century, Congressman Hyde served us with distinction in the U.S. House of Representatives, providing consistent conservative leadership aimed at improving the lives of all Americans.

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Commissioner Beavers plays race card at county board meeting
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - NBC 5 Chicago
NBC 5 reports about the low blows and uncalled for name calling against Tony Peraica which shows how desperate they have become.
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Stroger on county budget deadlock: 'We are stuck'
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - By Andy Shaw - ABC 7 Chicago
ABC 7 reports that the board is stuck on trying to pass their taxes and have resorted to name calling and using the race card as a last grasp at trying to sway voters.
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UPDATE: Vote on Stroger tax hike plan may be delayed
Monday, November 26, 2007 - By Mickey Ciokajlo - Chicago Tribune
The chairman of the Cook County Board's Finance Committee said today a vote on President Todd Stroger's 2008 budget may be delayed because it appears there's not enough support for the tax plan.
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EDITORIAL: Getting through to the Stroger 9
Monday, November 26, 2007 - By Chicago Tribune - Editorial
If the Stroger 9 do vote for taxation instead of cutting bureaucracy, Stroger then will be free to add whatever he wishes -- in higher operating costs, capital improvements, and new beneficiaries of his Friends and Family Hiring Plan.
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Peraica wants to cut waste, not raise taxes
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - By Meghan Streiet - Northwest Indiana Times
Commissioner Tony Peraica, R-Westchester, proposed slashing departmental expenditures by 2 percent nearly across the board, and eliminating dozens of "duplicative" county jobs.
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Does sheriff's office have authority to hire auditor?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - By Rob Olmstead - Daily Herald
Cook County Commissioners were livid Tuesday upon learning a $220,000 audit had been contracted through the sheriff's office without, they maintained, their knowledge or approval.
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400 county workers refuse Stroger's demand to take 20 unpaid days off
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - By Steve Patterson - Chicago Sun-Times
Hundreds of Cook County workers are thumbing their nose at a demand they take 20 unpaid days off work to balance the 2007 budget.
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Cook County sues itself in budget war
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - By Greg Hinz - Crain's Chicago Business
In a bizarre twist to Cook County's budget woes, the county's public defender on Tuesday announced that he is suing County Board President Todd Stroger in a bid to get needed funding for the office.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Stroger campaign fund slapped with fine
Monday, November 19, 2007
CHICAGO, IL - In what is only the latest troubling incident to cast doubt on the competence and integrity of the Stroger Administration, the Illinois State Board of Elections today slapped Todd Stroger's campaign fund with a $25,000 fine for hiding more than a quarter-million dollars in campaign contributions until three months after the 2006 election.
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Stroger's political fund fined about $25,000
Monday, November 19, 2007 - By Chris Fusco - Chicago Sun-Times
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's political fund was fined today for failing to report $255,816 in campaign contributions until three months after Stroger won election in 2006.
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Support for Stroger budget is a no-show
Monday, November 19, 2007 - By Mickey Ciokajlo - Chicago Tribune
Three major Cook County elected officials declined Monday to endorse board President Todd Stroger's plan to more than triple the county sales tax as they stood with him at what he hoped would be a show of support for his budget.
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State's Attorney Candidates Hold Debate
Friday, November 16, 2007 - By Paul Meincke - ABC 7 News
"We're going to audit the books and lock up the crooks," said candidate Tony Peraica (R) of his own campaign slogan.
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8 aldermen split votes on Daley plan, tax hike
Thursday, November 15, 2007 - By Gary Washburn and Mickey Ciokajlo - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports that two of the candidates for state's attorney did some political gymnastics over Mayor Daley's tax increase plan.
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Peraica Endorsed by Wheeling Township GOP
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Republicans of Wheeling Township announced this week that they have endorsed Tony Peraica for Cook County State's Attorney. Peraica won the endorsement with 82% of the vote - the highest percentage received by any of the candidates endorsed by the organization.
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Property tax hike of $83.4 million OKd
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - By Fran Spielman - Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that a massive property tax was approved by the alderman of Chicago, much to the chagrin of reformers.
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Schools watchdog to target corruption
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - By Jo Napolitano - Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune reports here that the cleaning up of corruption in Cook County is getting some much needed help from a superintendent of suburban schools in Cook County.
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TonyPeraicaNoCasinoLetter.pdf
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica Urges Governor, State Legislature to Oppose Expansion of Gambling
Friday, November 09, 2007
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica today sent letters to Governor Rod Blagojevich, Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones and Republican House and Senate leaders urging opposition to the construction of a casino in the Chicago area as a supposed solution to the state's budget problems
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PRESS RELEASE: Peraica One of Only Three Commissioners to Vote Against Tax Increase for Forest Preserve District
Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - By Press Release - Citizens for Peraica
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica joined Commissioners Claypool and Schneider in voting against a Cook County Forest Preserve District (FPD) FY08 budget that increases the real estate levy by 5%. Unfortunately, the budget passed on a vote of 13-3 (1 absent).
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PRESS RELEASE: The Devine/Suffredin gravy train
Monday, November 05, 2007 - By Press Release - Citizens for Peraica
CHICAGO, IL - Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, who yesterday announced his candidacy as a "reform" candidate for Cook County State's Attorney, has one major trait he shares with current State's Attorney Dick Devine: he works for the same politically-connected law firm that used to employ Devine, and which profits handsomely as a contractor for Devine's office: the law firm of Shefsky & Froelich, Ltd.
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EDITORIAL: Our View
Monday, November 05, 2007 - Daily Southtown
The Daily Southtown reports that amid all the tax increases that Todd Stroger is advocating, he now wants to also increase the commissioners payroll.
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COMMENTARY: Bad medicine
Monday, November 05, 2007 - Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times reports on the health care system's problems in Cook County.
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GUEST COLUMNIST: Another Take
Monday, November 05, 2007 - By Lynda DeLaforgue - Daily Southtown
The Daily Southtown reports that Todd Stroger and company are trying to ignore the problems that are happening in the Cook County health care system.
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Hospital's residencies at risk
Thursday, November 01, 2007 - By Judith Graham - Chicago Tribune
Cook County's public hospital is facing major hardships the Chicago Tri