Politics

Shakeup Coming To County Government

Sources Say Top County Officials Being Eyed For 'Resignations'

CHICAGO (STNG) ― Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is delving deep into county operations, and the first major shakeup of his administration could soon be on the way.

Sources say dozens of top county officials -- all of whom serve at Stroger's will -- are being eyed for "resignations."

Among the first casualties is longtime respected county finance chief Tom Glaser --who was quickly scooped up by Treasurer Maria Pappas.

Hospital finance chief John Cookingham -- who just came here last year from Michigan -- is being demoted to a finance job at Oak Forest Hospital. Sources say he's set to be replaced by Chicago health care consultant Bridget Gibbons.

Unrelated to changes at the hospital system, Stroger spokesman Gene Mullins said Stroger "is looking at organizational practices . . . after which a shake-up could occur."

Stroger's administration largely looks the same as that of his father, longtime Board President John Stroger.

Yet Glaser was loyal to John Stroger for 12 years, and that didn't save him. Insiders long knew he was on the outs with Stroger's cousin, Donna Dunnings, who replaced Glaser as county finance chief last year and wields great power behind the scenes.

Mullins denied personalities are at play. And Glaser declined to comment.

Glaser initially got a higher-paying hospital job after hospital chief Dr. Robert Simon said he wouldn't take over the system without Glaser's help.

But by year's end, Glaser was demoted and, this week, he turned in his resignation. Hospital spokesman Sean Howard said Glaser had been "a great asset to the bureau."

"He was not treated in the manner he deserved out there," Commissioner Gregg Goslin said.

Simon declined to comment on Glaser's resignation.

(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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