Politics

CHICAGO (CBS) ― A dramatic showdown at the Cook County Board is being chalked up to politics. CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine takes a look at the 1 percent sales tax rollback that's not rolling anywhere.

For a while Tuesday, we thought we might be giving up the title of highest sales tax in the nation. Then the reality of the repeal set in.

"It's classic Chicago politics," said South Loop resident Dave Tokarz. "That's what it is."

"They're gonna start revolting pretty soon," said Wrigleyville resident Deborah Griffin. "And it might be kind of ugly."

Todd Stroger blames the media.

"Everything that goes wrong in the world is President Stroger's fault. I expect nothing different," Stroger said. "The papers haven't printed anything good about the county since I got here. But what you will find is the county runs well, runs smoothly and we've done what we need to do."

"People are getting in cars and driving out of Cook County to do purchasing to save money," said John Tillman of Illinois Policy Institute.

The biggest losers, according to the Illinois Policy Institute, are places like Northbrook, whose revenue fell 8.6 percent, compared to a decline in Deerfield, just over the border in Lake County of 1.8 percent. Riverside saw revenue drop 19.7 percent compared to 5.1 percent in Oakbrook in DuPage County.

Earlier Tuesday, CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery warned Cook County residents not to get excited about the tax hike repeal quite yet.

The final vote was overwhelming: 12-3. Two commissioners, including Stroger supporter Deborah Sims, were absent from the session.

Stroger's veto power is the strongest in the state. It takes 80 percent -- 14 of the 17 County Board members -- to override a Stroger veto. So, the bottom line is despite Tuesday's political drama, the increase imposed last year is likely to remain.

If Sims sides with Stroger, he will have the four votes necessary to sustain a threatened veto and repeal the measure.

Stroger appeared angry at the meeting, repeatedly interrupting the commissioners.

"I don't want to hear that crap," Stroger said when arguments were made that the County wastes money and could afford to repeal the 1 percent hike.

He even had a flare-up with Finance Committee Chairman John Daley, a longtime ally.

"Today you might want to listen for a change," Daley said.

Another blowup came as Stroger was being lectured on reform by Commissioner Forrest Claypool, a likely challenger in next year's Democratic primary.

Another Stroger blowup came as he was being lectured on reform by a commissioner who's likely to challenge Stroger in next year's Democratic primary.

"Reform is getting rid of nepotism and patronage," Claypool said.

Stroger responded, "Excuse me. I am very upset today. And it's not just this. It's all this crap."

Peraica reported that several commissioners usually loyal to Stroger, including Joseph Mario Moreno (D-7th), Joan Patricia Murphy (D-6th), and Daley (D-11th) voted to repeal the tax, although the votes could not immediately be confirmed.

Also voting to repeal the tax was Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-13th), the deciding vote in favor of the tax in 2008. 

For the 2008 budget, the county sales tax rose from 0.75 percent to 1.75 percent, bringing the overall sales tax in Chicago to the highest of any major city at 10.25 percent.

Stroger persuaded the County Board to raise the sales tax because it was projected to bring in $400 million more in tax revenues.

Last month, Stroger called for a rollback of some of the tax hike, reducing it from 1.75 percent to 1 percent. He said stimulus money would make up the difference. But Peraica didn't think the rollback went far enough, and he called for an alternate plan to repeal the tax hike altogether.

Commissioner Bill Beavers said Tuesday's vote was just a bit of political theater.

"That's all it is, political," Beavers said. "If they knew how many people would have to get laid off, and how many jobs would be cut instantly, then I don't think they would try to kill this sales tax."

"If the voters of Cook County weigh in on this debate, I believe Todd Stroger will not want to commit political suicide by vetoing this," Peraica said.

"Well, so be it. Screw that," Stroger said. "I took that when I said we needed a sales tax. Todd Stroger's gonna be alright. I'm gonna be able to work and make money."

And with 14 of 17 votes needed to override that veto, the tax will stay.

Despite its impact on businesses like the Guichards' art gallery in Bronzeville.

"I think he might want to re-evaluate and look closer at what the small businesses are really going through," said gallery owner Andre Guichard.

But it's not only Stroger. The 12 commissioners who voted to repeal the tax knew they weren't going to override Stroger's veto so they made their protest and kept their tax; a political version of having their cake and eating it too. As the South Loop resident said, "classic Chicago politics."

Stroger claimed cutting 1 percentage point from the sales tax would force 5,000 layoffs, close Oak Forest and Provident Hospitals, and 14 neighborhood health clinics. His critics said other cuts could be made.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine and CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery contributed to this report.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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