One commissioner’s last minute decision to jump ship has kept Cook County’s controversial 2008 sales tax increase in place, for now.
Commissioner Deborah Sims (D-5th), who was the crucial 14th vote needed to override Board President Todd Stroger’s veto of the tax rollback, flipped before the board’s Sept. 1 vote and upheld Stroger’s veto.
“It’s too bad we didn’t have the people that gave us their word,” said Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-13th).
Sims said she walked into the meeting in support of a veto, but after much debate and discussion among her fellow commissioners, she had to do what she thought was best.
“I gave my word to the president in the very beginning,” she said. “If anyone should feel sold-out it should be him. But I had a change of heart today – I had to do what was best for the people I represent.”
As a line of more than 20 people stretched down the hallway waiting to get into the meeting, Sims sat in the board chambers scribbling notes and listening to the tax debate.
She said she met with the three clinics in her far South Side district, and couldn’t get a clear answer on whether they would have to shut their doors if the tax rollback won approval.
“When I came in here this morning I was on board with the override,” Sims said after the vote was final. “It was a combination of me sitting here and listening to what everyone said, and really just figuring out what my district needs.”
Suffredin said keeping the sales tax at its current level would drive consumers into the suburbs and harm the local economy.
Commissioner William Beavers (D-4th) countered Suffredin’s arguments and said an overwhelming majority of his constituents supported the sales tax hike.
“The sales tax is not for food, it’s not for medicine,” he said. “People are willing to pay that one penny.”
Today’s outcome surprised Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th), who has announced she will challenge Stroger for Cook County Board President. Preckwinkle said she would support a change in lowering the number of votes needed to override a president’s veto, stating, “it’s simply good government.”
“My expectations were that the veto would be overridden,” she said. “There were 14 commissioners today that voted to repeal a half-cent of the tax increase, which is a pretty significant number – a super majority.”
The failure to override the veto means the county portion of the state sales tax will sit at 1.75 percent. Commissioner Forrest Claypool (D-12th) said this is a sign that real work still needs to be done.
“Change doesn’t come easy,” said Claypool, who has been a thorn in the side of Stroger since Claypool lost his 2006 bid for County Board President.
Claypool, who has decided not to seek re-election for another term, endorsed state Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) earlier in the day. Fritchey is looking to take over Claypool’s seat on the Cook County Board.
“It is important for there to be a strong, experienced and effective voice in the county,” Claypool said.
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