Jackson rips Stroger budget plan
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Daily Southtown
By Jonathan Lipman
February 22, 2007
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. stepped into the Cook County
budget mess Wednesday, threatening county commissioners
in his congressional district with "political consequences"
if they don't oppose board President Todd Stroger's spending
plan.
In a joint news conference with Stroger's loudest critic,
Commissioner Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago), Jackson (D-2nd),
of Chicago, said the proposed cuts to health care and the
sheriff's department in Stroger's budget were not acceptable.
"These are not negotiable items, period," Jackson
said. "The county board faces a choice, and it should
be an easy choice."
Jackson said commissioners Jerry Butler (D-Chicago), Deborah
Sims (D-Chicago), and Joan Murphy (D-Crestwood) should support
a budget amendment plan proposed by Claypool and other commissioners
that would cut administrators and restore front-line personnel.
The budget vote is today.
"Let me be clear, we are watching this vote ... and
there are consequences to this vote," Jackson said.
"Real political consequences."
Jackson backed candidates against Sims and Murphy in last
year's election, and both were soundly defeated by the incumbents.
Jackson's wife, Sandi, is locked in a tough election battle
for alderman of Chicago's 7th Ward against Darcel Beavers,
daughter of Commissioner William Beavers (D-Chicago), a
key Stroger ally.
Also joining Jackson Wednesday were mayors Rick Reinbold
of Richton Park and Mark Stricker of Matteson. Reinbold,
president of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association,
said Stroger's budget plan would have a terrible impact
on the Southland.
"Reduction in health care and police protection is
simply not tolerable," he said.
