its black and white

This article describes politics in Cook County Illinois:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/04/stroger-now-wants-sales-tax-cut-but-cant-explain-how-it-would-work.html

The following quote gets to the heart of the political debate:

County Commissioner William Beavers (D-Chicago), a key Stroger ally, said the tax increase had been necessary.

“People are screaming, but they don’t realize that the money went to the county hospitals,” Beavers said. “People on the North Side think it’s all poor black people going to those hospitals. There are more white people that use those hospitals. They don’t seem to understand and that’s why they don’t want to pay.”

For more on William Beavers follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/d34sen

Cook County Board President Todd H. Stroger’s replaced his father John Stroger as president of the Cook County Board. Todd’s rise to the presidency is an interesting story:

The 2006 election was among the most controversial in the colorful history of Cook County politics. Despite suffering a severe stroke just a week before the primary election, John Stroger still managed to secure his party's support by a final margin of 53 percent to 47 percent over Claypool. The severity of Stroger's condition was concealed from voters both before the primary election and for three months thereafter, possibly allowing his primary victory and preventing independent opposition to the replacement Democratic candidate in the general election. Although he had overcome health complications in the past, questions still lingered regarding his ability to serve another term as Cook County Board President.

In late June 2006 John Stroger was removed from the Democratic ticket for Cook County Board President and replaced by his son, Todd Stroger. John Stroger also resigned as Cook County Board President effective August 1 and was replaced by interim president Bobbie L. Steele. Republicans and some Democrats saw the move as nepotism, and Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool even told the Chicago Sun-Times that he would not vote in the November general election. Todd Stroger faced a challenge in that race from Republican Tony Peraica, a vocal critic of the John Stroger regime. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley blasted Claypool, his own former chief of staff, and warned that Claypool risked "destroying [his] political career" by not backing Stroger against Peraica. While Peraica did very well in suburban Cook County, Todd Stroger received strong support from the powerful Mayor Daley and the Chicago Democratic machine. Stroger's strength among Chicago voters allowed him to win the election with 54 percent of the total vote.

For more information about Todd see the following: http://tinyurl.com/d39dtz