Sep 30, 2007 8:51 pm US/Central
Stroger's Push For Tax Increase Draws Criticism
Some Say Dirty Politics Involved
by Joanie Lum
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Cook County President Todd Stroger is pushing his new tax increase, but as CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, he is accused of using dirty tricks to get the resolution passed.
A Cook County surgeon made a house call to rally for a sales tax increase in Cook County.
"Last year alone the Bureau of Health had a million clinic visits," said Dr. Courtney Hollowell, a Cook County surgeon.
The congregation at Sweet Holy Spirit Church heard several clergy members say a two-percent sales tax hike will save the health care system and close the county's $307 million deficit.
"We call it a leisure tax, not a hardship tax," said Fernwood United Methodist Church Rev. Al Sampson.
Opponents disagree.
"This is not a leisure tax, it's punishing and will affect the poorest members of the county the most," said Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-16th).
"Every once in a while government needs new revenue," Stroger said. "We need to face facts."
Stroger won't get support from Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (D-8th), who says Stroger's chief of staff made threats last week. The threat: if Maldonado doesn't vote for the tax increase, Ald. Bill Beavers (D-Chicago) will introduce legislation to revoke the law that declares Cook County a sanctuary for immigrants. Revoking that law will undo Madonado's latest achievements.
"If their position is to use the Latino community to get me to support things they want me to support, I will work against him – big time," Maldonado said.
Stroger's reply to Maldonado's statement: "What he needs to do is talk to me and we'll talk about what's important to the county and how we're going to fix it."
One hundred thousand flyers were distributed to 375-area churches, urging people to testify at the Cook County Board's public hearing Monday. Commissioners predict it will be a long meeting on the South Side.
The Cook County Board is expected to vote on the sales tax Monday. If passed, the county sales tax would be 11 percent.
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