Dec 22, 2006 11:11 am US/Central
Stroger Gets Own County Building Elevator
Press Officers: New County Board President Needs Elevator To Expedite Schedule
The Associated Press and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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County Board President Todd Stroger (File)
CBS
Newly-elected Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is receiving a new perk at the County Building.
A public elevator was recently roped off for Stroger's exclusive use. Special treatment such as this is typically reserved for such officials as Mayor Richard M. Daley and Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
But according to Stroger's press representatives, he needs the special elevator to expedite his schedule.
"It's really for expediting his schedule so we can get him places and get everything completed," spokesman Bill Figel said. "It's one of many features to modernize county operations, but it also speaks to his inclination to stop and talk to everybody."
The elevator is roped off, with the door open, when Stroger is in the building. When he is not, an orange cone is placed inside as it's parked on the building's fifth floor.
The president's elevator is closest to his fifth-floor office, leaving 11 others for the general public.
The move comes on the heels of other moves by Stroger that keep him out of the public eye and away from reporters.
This new perk comes on the heels of other moves by Stroger that keep him away from the public and press.
He has demanded that reporters not talk to him while he's in the hallways near commissioners' offices. And he has put an end to public comments at County Board meetings, meaning residents can no longer stand up and address elected officials as they gather there.
There also has been a stiffer security presence around Stroger at those board meetings -- though his staffers admit there have been no recent threats against him.
"A little dose of reality, a little unfiltered interaction with the public, even in an elevator, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him," said Jay Stewart of the Better Government Association.
"It strikes me that in the same week we're hearing about 17 percent cuts in the county budget, 'Oh, I get my own elevator.' It's not the end of the world, but while some are sacrificing, others get special treatment."
Many county employees have grumbled about waiting for an elevator on the fifth floor while looking over at Stroger's empty, unused elevator. But Figel insists it's a practical move for scheduling.
Stroger's father -- the very chatty John Stroger -- never got a special elevator when he was County Board president, not even when the 77-year-old suffered health troubles. He also permitted public comments at every board meeting, sometimes indulging speakers beyond the three-minute limit his staff imposed.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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