Toni Preckwinkle announces her new Compact for Change
Cook County Board President candidate lays out her policy priorities

Toni Preckwinkle unveils her Compact for Change today, a 12-point plan in which she outlines her policy priorities as Cook County Board President.

"This race has been too focused on politics - who's in, who's out, who's petitions are being challenged and so forth. What I'm offering today is a "compact for change ."  This isn't just a litany of reforms. This is a new compact between the people of Cook County and its government and it rests squarely on the demands of the citizens," stated Preckwinkle.

Since announcing her candidacy for Cook County Board President in January, Preckwinkle has spoken with voters throughout the County who have become distrustful of and dissatisfied with County government.  She believes we cannot afford to become stuck in the old, divisive way of politics. We must address the issues facing the County: the need to repeal the sales tax increase and stimulate economic development, the responsibility to make our neighborhoods safe and the drive to improve our health care and criminal justice systems. Preckwinkle articulates her vision for restoring responsibility and accountability to Cook County  today. It's time to end the legacy of corruption and restore faith in our government.

"I believe the greatest failure of the current administration is not mismanagement, it's not endemic corruption and it's not the hordes of patronage employees - though these are all serious shortcomings,"  stated Preckwinkle.  "It is, rather, the current administration's cynical disregard of the wishes, concerns and fears of the citizens." 

The agenda unveiled today is consistent with  - and in part based on  -  progressive agendas previously laid out by Forrest Claypool, Mike Quigley and Larry Suffredin. It promises a progressiveness that deserves, but has not received, the full support of County government ; to champion the issues of our working families, to fight for those most vulnerable and to stand up for those who continue to face discrimination. 

The policy platform includes a pledge to complete the rollback of the sales tax, concrete plans for fighting corruption and new ideas for economic development and job creation. 

Preckwinkle will continue the dialogue on her vision for the future of Cook County in the weeks to come, elaborating in detail on each of the 12 points in subsequent press releases and conferences. 

Today's full remarks and Preckwinkle's Compact for Change are attached. All will be available on www.tonipreckwinkle.org later this afternoon.

For additional information, please contact: Jessey Neves at (562) 453-6342 or jessey@tonipreckwinkle.org