Toni Preckwinkle Applauds the Override of Stroger's Veto
Candidate for Cook County Board President advocates for a full rollback of the sales tax
The Cook County Board of Commissioners successfully overrode President Todd Stroger's veto today, which sought to block the half-penny rollback of his 2008 sales tax increase.
"This is an important step toward instilling the real, responsible reform that Cook County needs and I commend the work of the County Commissioners," stated Alderman Toni Preckwinkle. "The sales tax has been devastating to our working families and businesses throughout Cook County. In particular, the outer edges of the County have especially felt the impact of the sales tax increase, because it has driven consumers and businesses to our neighboring counties and Indiana."
As a candidate for Cook County Board President, Preckwinkle has long advocated for a full repeal of the sales tax. "Cook County government has an obligation to deliver good services and to do so effectively and efficiently. The sales tax increase was a Band-Aid solution to balance the budget without having to evaluate and cut wasteful spending or stop patronage hires," stated Preckwinkle. "As Board President, I will repeal the remainder of Todd Stroger's sales tax increase in conjunction with implementing responsible spending practices, eliminating wasteful programs and ensuring that the County fully captures all due income."
As articulated in her Compact for Change, a 12-point plan outlining her policy priorities for the County, Preckwinkle also addressed the need for a formal long-term financial planning process. "For too long Cook County has failed to develop and implement any long-term process to guide its operations," stated Preckwinkle. "The public has been let down as the County continues to stumble from one fiscal crisis to the next. Long-range financial planning empowers the County to more effectively prioritize our resources and spending as well as identify potential concerns before they become crises, so that reasonable actions can be taken."
Preckwinkle also argued that the County must take a more active role in economic development and regional planning. "Cook County is currently operating with an unemployment rate of roughly 11 percent. We must fight to improve the County's economy, not only by fully repealing the sales tax increase but also by assessing arenas of economic development, supporting job training programs and prioritizing funds for new, growing sectors such as 'green collar' businesses and jobs," stated Preckwinkle.
For Toni Preckwinkle's entire Compact for Change, please visit: http://www.tonipreckwinkle.org/page/compact-for-change
For more information, please contact: Jessey Neves (562) 453-6342