Todd Stroger stands up debate in "the sophisticated ward"

The neighborhood's electorate is "so sophisticated," Michele Smith explained, that "the people of the 43rd ward don't need slogans, they need information."  

 

And did they.  The 10.25 percent sales tax in Cook County, the highest in the country, is the issue directly impacting the vitality of business and consumerism county-wide and in Lincoln Park, too.   O'Brien's promise to eliminate it on day one was a less favorable move to Preckwinkle and Brown, who would incrementally roll back the tax over the years of their term.

 

Smith also told Lincoln Park Now that a packed-political A-List attended who represent a powerful force of civic engagement in the community.   Expect to hear more from these candidates in the weeks to come as we Lincoln Park Now bloggers
develop our community. 

 

Reform was in the air, and plenty of candidates, too

 

Candidates contesting in the February primaries for several important offices rounded the room for handshakes before the debate started.

It might be the first time a Cook County Green Party candidate worked a crowd in a cowboy hat, but No-Games-Chicago leader and Lincoln Park resident Tom Tresser discussed his approach to the race for President with Lincoln Park Now.

Tresser stressed the utility of a report published by Illinois' 5th District  U.S. Rep Mike Quigley during his tenure on the Cook County Board.  Inclined to eliminate the sales tax, Tresser  would prefer to delay such action until a "complete forensic audit" on Cook County's spending could be implemented by his transition team.

Dominating talk at the panel's table were several public health questions regarding the independent board of the Cook County hospital system.   Dorothy Brown suggested improved insurance and address databases to screen incoming patients for insurance to improve the account's receivables for the hospital's services, and thus raising money for the financially-frail county health institutions.

All candidates present vowed also to either maintain or expand accessibility to abortion services at county hospitals since federal subsidies for abortions will not accompany the health care reform package to come from the current federal government since passage of the Stupak amendment.   Shaw posed this question on behalf of several attendees who were especially concerned according to submitted questions. 

 

And putting Shakman political appointed jobs for the county online?

 

Andy Shaw really, really wants Shakman jobs, those "political hires" filled by elected officials without any oversight at all, to become transparant.  Listing these jobs online with descriptions of their required qualifications, what is expected of each position, and how this position serves the County, would tremendously boost the BGA's mission.

The candidates promised unanimously that they would be compliant if elected.  And Shaw, a Lincoln Park Resident, will continue the BGA's pressure campaign for all government transparency, especially on this issue.

 

Even though Stroger never showed, later citing a non-descript "conflict of interest" to the Chicago media, Shaw said it was an insult to the 43rd ward that Stroger no-call-no-show'ed everyone.

No love seemed lost to the approximately 350 citizens expecting a lively debate.   It was a five-star event for the 43rd ward.   The candidates were happy to blast Stroger's lack of communication with the ward as neglect to his responsibilities as board president and take up the extra time allotted to push their platforms.

So, Lincoln Park, were you there?   Are you glad you missed it? 

What do you think about the proposed management of Cook County brought to the ward yesterday?   Anxious to see reform?    What do you feel is most important to Lincoln Park
in this "most important race?"