From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Last Chance to Vote Early Ends Thursday
Please click here to watch our new ad and remember to vote early or on November 2.
Early Voting and Vote by Mail end this Thursday, October 28. That’s right — there are only a few days left to avoid the long lines. Vote at your convenience by voting early at a number of locations throughout Cook County until Thursday, October 28.
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Watch Our New Ad: Re-elect Tony Peraica”
From the office of Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Today, I was humbled to receive the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune for re-election to the 16th District Commissioner seat. Calling me a “warrior for taxpayers” who is “relentless in questioning business as usual”, the Chicago Tribune writes:
The Tribune endorses Peraica because he’s been a reliable thorn to Democratic officials who think citizens exist primarily to pay taxes.
How fitting, then, that this endorsement comes on the same day I am introducing two taxpayer-protection initiatives to the Cook County Board.
Endorsed by the Tribune — Early Voting Just Days Away!”
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Update on Our Efforts at Tax Relief and Ethics Reforms
I wanted to take this chance to update you on important developments in county government.
I am pleased to announce that the county finance committee recently passed a series of reforms to the Cook County Ethics Ordinance — one of which prohibits conflicts of interest in lobbying. Hopefully, at the next County Board meeting on October 5 the adoption of these amendments will be approved by the entire County Board.
The second item we are looking at introducing is a requirement that any future tax increase is subject to a super majority vote of the County Board. As it stands now, it is much easier to pass a tax hike in Cook County than it is to repeal it. This is wrong — and our proposal is needed to protect the taxpayers.
As you know, we were successful at rolling back one half of the one percent sales tax increase early this year — and I will not rest until we have fully repealed the Stroger sales tax increase.
I invite you to watch our brief video in which I update you on these, and other, important issues that directly impact your pocketbook:
From the office of Cook COunty Commissioner Tony Peraica…
The late July flooding that ravaged much of Cook County was salt in the wounds of many individuals and employers who are already fighting to recover from the economic downturn.
Those of us in the bipartisan contingent of local elected officials who fought for the federal “disaster area” declaration were pleased when that declaration came last month. So far, upwards of $75 million in federal disaster assistance has been distributed.
Thank you to all the residents, businesses, municipalities and townships that helped distribute and gather the data collection forms which helped us in our effort to garner this federal declaration.
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$75 million in federal disaster assistance to victims of July flooding”
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
The federal government has declared Cook County a disaster area due to the flooding that occurred in late July.
Those of us in the bipartisan contingent of local elected officials who fought for this declaration were pleased when it came last week. Thank you to all the residents, businesses, municipalities and townships that helped distribute and gather the data collection forms which helped us in our effort to garner this declaration.
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How to apply for Federal Flood Disaster Assistance”
From Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
While the County Board is out enjoying the last few weeks of summer — issues facing taxpayers and our citizens continue to mount.
That’s why I want to make sure you are aware of the following important issues facing the county board in the coming weeks.
I also invite you to watch my brief video update:
Tony Peraica
Cook County Commissioner
www.commissionerperaica.com/
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
In the small suburban Cook County village of McCook it’s all about hiring as many relatives to the village payroll as possible.
It is mind-boggling to find out that a village as small as McCook (only 250 residents) — has at least 12 relatives of Mayor Jeffery Tobolski, including his own wife who work or contract for something with the village of McCook.
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It’s All In The Family In Suburban McCook”
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica….
There were two tidbits in today’s headlines that further support my push to fully repeal the Stroger sales tax hike in Cook County.
First, despite rising taxes and fees, tax collections are actually down in the state (again). As the Champaign News-Gazette reports, overall state tax collections are down 9.5% in July.
The reason for this decline? Simple: people are out of work. When they are out of work, their incomes drop (obviously). That leads to a drop in income tax revenues. They also consume less, which leads to a drop in sales taxes. It is for that reason that increasing the income tax and keeping sales taxes high will only further decimate our economy.
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Peraica: Today’s Taxing (and Troubling) News”
From the office of Tony Peraica, Cook County Commissioner…
You are invited to join me tomorrow for a town hall meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. at LaGrange Village Hall to discuss local village flooding and local governmental efforts to provide relief to local residents and families.
WHEN: Tomorrow, Saturday, July 31, 2010 — 10 a.m.
WHERE: La Grange Village Hall (53 S. La Grange Avenue)
We will have data forms available for you to fill out to detail any property damage. These forms will help our efforts to garner federal aid for local flood damage. You can also find those forms online at our Web site (please note: they are to be returned to your local town, village or township office.)
We hope to see you tomorrow
Sincerely,
Tony Peraica
Cook County Commissioner
From Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Earlier today, in another direct insult to the county taxpayers — Todd Stroger and his administration put forth yet another campaign official from their failed primary campaign to join the county payroll as a $60,000 paid labor consultant.
It is high time for the Stroger administration to stop granting political favors by placing former campaign workers in high paid roles on the backs of the taxpayers.
Tony Peraica
Cook County Commissioner
www.reformcookcounty.com
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Let’s not forget that even though the county board approved to cut back the sales tax by a .5 percent reduction , there is still more work to be done.
This was an important step forward for Cook County taxpayers, who are struggling to make ends meet amidst rising unemployment and a growing tax burden.
But it is only a first step.
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The Jobs’ Not Done Yet — Sales Tax Still Highest in Nation”
From the office of Cook County Commissinoer Tony Peraica…
I would like to offer my gratitude to Cook County and local municipal officials in the 16th District for their efforts in addressing the massive flooding which occurred over the past weekend.
I am pleased that everyone came together and worked to help county residents, especially the elderly. County employees from the Sheriff’s Department, Office of Homeland Security, and my own staff were on hand to survey damage and provide needed assistance. While this was certainly an unfortunate event, it was heartening to see local officials, neighbors and friends helping one another in this time of need.
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Tony Peraica: Local Flood Relief Assistance”
From the Office of Tony Peraica, Cook County Commissioner…
Earlier today, the County Board considered the newly proposed budget for the county health bureau.
Unfortunately, in terms of promoting transparency and truth in budgeting and taxation, the health bureau budget falls short.
You can read my statement on the budget here.
From the office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
CHICAGO, IL — Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-16) issued the following statement regarding the .5 percent reduction in the Cook County sales tax, which goes into effect today:
“This is an important step forward for Cook County taxpayers, who are struggling to make ends meet amidst rising unemployment and a growing tax burden.
“But it is only a first step.
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Peraica Statement on County Sales Tax Decrease Going into Effect”
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica has “three positive things” that County government will be bringing us over the next few months..
From Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
The Cook County Board failed to override Todd Stroger’s veto of the board’s hiring freeze.
So it appears Todd is going to continue to thumb his nose at the taxpayers by hiring cronies for sweetheart, taxpayer-funded county jobs.
The latest is Todd’s friend, State Rep. Art Turner. You see, he makes more than $87,000 per year as a state legislator.
But now, thanks to Todd, Turner will also make a $110,575 salary as the director of the county’s President’s Office of Employment and Training (POET).
Do you want to be the first to receive important county reform updates like this?
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Stroger Serves Up a Tasty Double-Dip Doles Out County Job to Crony State Representative”
From the Office of Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
Thank you to UIC Law Professor Dick Simpson, who highlights our recent reform proposals in a new commentary piece in Chicago Journal.
Professor Simpson writes:
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Commissioner Tony Peraica: Time to Make Reform a Reality”
-By Warner Todd Huston
This is how hatemongers like Cook County Eddie Reyes play their little games, isn’t it? In Tuesday’s Cook County Board meeting a resolution to boycott Arizona-based companies to exclude them from being patronized by Cook County government was discussed and the pandering Reyes as much as called Commissioner Tony Peraica, himself a son of immigrants, a racist because he voted against the boycott of Arizona companies.
During the debate, Reyes told Peraica, “and Tony, honestly, you should be ashamed of yourself for being a son of immigrants and going thru the process and not having the heart to support this issue.”
Like many of his pandering ilk, Reyes imagines that the Arizona law is merely some race card issue he can throw out. Peraica did not take kindly to being called a racist, however.
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Hispanic Pandering Cook County Commish Attacks Commish Peraica, Son of Immigrants”
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica (R-16) will introduce new ethics ordinance amendments to help curb the unethical and corrupt practices of county elected officials and employees. The measures will be introduced at today’s Cook County Board meeting.
“Cook County has long had problems with illegal hiring and patronage and we must set a new standard of behavior for all, starting with elected officials and all the way down to the front line workers,” said Peraica.
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Peraica Introduces New Ethics Ordinance Amendments”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Todd Stroger lost his bid for re-election to his position as President of the Cook County Board. Since he lost that primary, Stroger has stepped up his efforts to spread County cash to all his buddies in a last ditch, lame duck campaign to reward his friends and family before he’s out of office for good.
Led by Commissioner Tony Peraica the County Board has been racing to put an end to this wild, lame duck spending spree. They have voted to put a limit on the spending that Stroger can indulge.
Sadly, this is what we have come to expect from Chicago politicians. Whether on the way out or on the way in, they all too often use their offices as a cash machine for friends and family.
Fortunately some, like Peraica, valiantly fight in the public’s interests. but it is up to we voters to pay attention to what our elected officials do and it is incumbent upon us to do something about it.
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The Campaign to Stop Stroger’s Lame Duck Spending Spree”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Last week we discovered through the Cook County online check register that the county spent $300,000 for coffee services from the ACE Coffee company. (See here, and here). This week The Prairie Stater has discovered that the county is spending more than $200,000 additional budget dollars on “fresh rolls and pastries” from Chicago’s Alpha Baking Company.
So, not only do county workers make more than you on the job and far more than you in retirement, now we find out they even eat better than you on the job.
It must be like a party to go to work everyday in county government.
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Cook County Spending Over $200,000 for ‘Fresh Rolls and Pastries’”
-By Warner Todd Huston
Tony Peraica has chimed in on the “Coffee Czar” controversy as reported here earlier this week.
“Yes, despite the political insiders’ claims that government is bankrupt and their calls for tax increases — we’ve learned that the county taxpayers spent more than $75,000 on a local coffee company in the first three months of the current fiscal year alone. That adds up to some $300,000 a year for coffee and snacks!
As I told the reporter for that story, I’ve long said that we have “corruption on steroids” here in Cook County — but now we learn it might also be fueled by coffee!
Are these really the types of wasteful “projects” on which our hard-earned tax dollars should be spent?
As your commissioner, I will continue to fight to expose these instances of abuse, and to fight for sensible spending reform and tax relief.”
Gov’t Waste: $300,000 for Coffee in Cook County Government?”
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica produced this video of his attendance at the Tax Day Tea Party event held in Daly Plaza, in beautiful, corrupt downtown Chicago!
Tony is right to mention the “corruption tax” we in Crook County pay every day. Let’s hope that in November of 2010 these tea party efforts will help bring about the real hope and change that this country needs.
From Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…
This week the focus is on federal Tax Day — the deadline for us all to file our federal income taxes.
And, yes, while federal taxes are burdensome and growing, we must not forget about the tax shenanigans going on right here in Cook County.
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Tell the Insiders Not to Play Politics With Your Property Taxes: Text REFORM to 77007″
Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica provides an update from the April 6, 2010 Cook County Board meeting. On tap is a discussion of Cook County property tax assessments, as well as a massive borrowing scheme involving the issuance of $740 million in bonds.
Needless to say, Commissioner Peracia opposes this corrupt bargain.