Cook County Board President

Todd Stroger

Since being elected in 2006, my administration has been productive. I acknowledge that there are some things I could have handled differently; however, many of my accomplishments have been unreported and ignored. I now recognize the only way to give voters and the residents of Cook County the information they need to make an informed decision on February 2nd is for me to personally reach out to my constituents and outline the facts.

On my first day in office, I was faced with a $500 million deficit. During my first 100 days, I worked tirelessly with the Board of Commissioners to close that deficit without raising taxes or fees. In the second year, the County faced a $230 million dollar deficit. Once again, I worked with Commissioners to close that deficit without raising taxes or fees. We did this without layoffs or furlough days!

While the media and self-serving individuals consistently criticize me for the “one penny” tax increase, they continually ignore and refuse to acknowledge the need for that increase.

William Foley, CEO of the Cook County healthcare system, recently stated that without the tax increase, in-patient care at Oak Forest and Provident hospitals would end. Faced with the possibility of having to close hospitals and clinics, the tax increase was necessary. It is just as important that a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer in Glencoe receive the same quality healthcare as a woman diagnosed with breast cancer in Chicago Heights.

Stroger Hospital has the largest, and one of the most respected, cancer facilities in the nation. Notwithstanding what you may have heard, Cook County has not raised property taxes since 1996 despite the increased demands on the county’s health, jail and court systems.

Cities, villages, school boards, park districts, the County Clerk’s office, and the Water Reclamation District have all increased taxes or fees since 1996, the County has not.

The “penny tax” does not apply to necessities such as medicines, groceries, gasoline and other essentials.

Since my election in 2006, Cook County has awarded 35% of its contracts to minority-owned businesses and 10% of contracts have been awarded to women-owned businesses.

I have placed more qualified women in high-level positions than any prior administration in the County’s 178 year history.

At the height of the financial crisis in 2009, I partnered with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America to help 25,000 families in Cook County avoid foreclosure.

During my next term, I will continue to help county residents increase their level of self-sufficiency and reduce dependency. People argue that we have to shrink government, but the only rational way to do that is to reduce the need for those services by strengthening families, increasing employment, improving the environment and implementing programs to reduce crime.

We must maintain and improve the quality of life for all residents of Cook County. I will continue my father’s legacy in fighting for all residents of Cook County to have access to quality healthcare.

No matter what is written or said about me, please examine my record over the past 3 years. I ask that you vote for me in the upcoming Democratic primary for President of the Cook County Board on February 2, 2010.

Sincerely,

Todd H. Stroger
Cook County Board President

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