JoinPeraica.com :: Blog

Corruption is Costly

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:36:00 CST

Higher taxes is not the only cost for corruption and patronage going on in our government. Now Cook County has to pay $3.2 million to 100 people that were victims of patronage according to this Chicago Tribune article.

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.

Corruption in government is costly and that is why we need Tony Peraica to be able to get rid of this corruption and patronage to help lower taxes.

Help the Victims of Hurricane Gustav

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:15:00 CST

Just because we in Cook County weren't hit by Hurricane Gustav doesn't mean we don't feel the impact of our fellow Americans in need.

Today, our thoughts and prayers are with those are affected by this natural disaster.

Please click here to make a contribution to the American Red Cross today.

Why Peraica?

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:30:00 CST

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.

Fighting Corruption

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!

More Wasted Money

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:26:00 CST

After making Cook County the area with the largest sales tax in the United States, the Cook County government found enough money to pay for 73 employees to receive new work clothes for $10,000, all from taxpayers dollars. The article can be read here.

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.

This is why we need Tony Peraica to be Cook County State's Attorney so he can be in a position to stop the corruption that is going on in the government which will lead to lower taxes.

Cover Up?

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:55:00 CST

Tony is quoted in ABC 7 News' story of the ongoing case of the car crash that took two lives last November:

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.

Click here to read Tony's full statement on the issue.

True Reformer

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:52:00 CST

In a recent Wall Street Journal article Tony Peraica was mentioned as a true good-government true reformer.

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."

In the upcoming election for Cook County State's Attorney, a true reformer and proponent for good-government in Tony Peraica is up against the machine of Chicago politics. Let us not make the same mistake twice.

Your Tax Dollars at Work: Stroger Putting Name on Road Project Signs

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:02:00 CST

This report from My Fox Chicago highlights Cook County's new practice of using tax dollars to put Todd Stroger's name on road project signs:

Highest Taxes...Now Highest Unemployment

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:17:00 CST

The Illinois Department of Employment Security last week reported that Illinois' unemployment rate has jumped to a whopping 7.3%.

Not surprisingly, here in Cook County, our unemployment rate is even higher - 7.6%

While so many men and women here in Cook County are out of work, a select group of political insiders are profiting at our expense - through waste, fraud and abuse.

Their corruption costs us millions - and has resulted in the massive "corruption tax" increase that is draining your pocketbook.

Higher taxes hurt job creation. Higher taxes mean employers can afford less employees.

In other words - corruption is directly contributing to the high unemployment rate. The only way to stop this trend is by prosecuting the rampant corruption that leads to higher taxes and less jobs.

Tony Peraica is the only candidate for Cook County State's Attorney who is a proven reformer and tax fighter.

Condolences to the the family of Maureen Murphy

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:27:00 CST

We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Maureen Murphy. Her passing is a great tragedy for Cook County Republicans.

She was a pioneer in becoming the first women in 150 years to lead the Cook County Republican Party. She also helped out the families in Cook County by passing a property-cap and a public school reform.

We remember her service to our county, and wish the best to her family.

Corruption Run Rampant

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:12:00 CST

In a recent article by Greg Hinz in Chicago Business, Hinz showcases the state of the local government.

Mr. Stroger really doesn't have any financial problems right now - and may not for years to come if the economy snaps back. That's because last year he pushed the local sales tax rate to Mount Everest levels, as high as 10.25% downtown, all the while adding more than 1,000 jobs to the payroll. Why cut when you've got a blank check from taxpayers?

Other board members share varying levels of complicity. But on a board in which Mr. Stroger's predecessor doubled her pension after serving as president for just a few weeks, then handed off her board seat to her kid, the message is clear: Grab with both hands. They'll keep grabbing until taxpayers say no.

The solution to this mess is simple. Cut the corruption and it will cut the taxes. We need someone who has shown that they can go after the corruption and be a reformer for the county of Cook. Only this will help lower the "corruption" tax that is affecting each and every one of us.