The son also rises? Stroger's son admits seeking presidency

Daily Herald

June 29, 2006

By Rob Olmstead

Chicago Alderman Todd Stroger emerged from his shell long enough Wednesday to confirm that he will seek the support of Cook County Democratic committeemen in a bid to replace his father on the November ballot for county board president.

"There will be a letter going out to (Democratic Party) Chairman (Thomas G.) Lyons," Todd Stroger told reporters. "I will be asking the committeemen for their support."

Todd Stroger said his request to replace his father, Cook County Board President John Stroger Jr., was endorsed by his dad. The elder Stroger suffered a stroke in March and went on to win the primary anyway. He has not been seen publicly since then, although staffers claim they have met with him and he is still directing county government.

Todd Stroger already has the backing of Alderman William Beavers, the party's vice-chairman, as well as other committeemen, such as Chicago Alderman Arenda Troutman.

Beavers downplayed reports that he'll take John Stroger's commissioner seat on the county board while Todd takes the presidency. He said he's still considering that option, but added that Todd may ask to run for both.

Other committeemen seemed a little miffed that Todd Stroger has not yet approached them to kiss their rings and said they had no position on his ascendancy.

"Oh, they may be put off, but they know they're going to vote for Todd if they're told to ... as long as (Chicago) Mayor Daley and ... and (Illinois Speaker of the House) Mike Madigan (say so)," said Congressman Danny Davis, who had himself expressed interest in John Stroger's position.

While Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley himself said he hasn't yet made up his mind on Todd Stroger, his failure to back him is unlikely, given that the Daley family owes the Stroger family, Davis said.

Still, Davis wasn't closing the door. He wouldn't say whether he'd seek the president's position on the November ballot.

Cook County Commissioner Bobbie Steele was less vague, saying she would seek the spot.

"I still hold that I'm the best-qualified person," Steele said.

And she questioned whether what Beavers and Todd Stroger say John Stroger wants is really what John Stroger wants.

"Well, is this John Stroger's wish? I haven't seen anything in (Stroger's) print." said Steele. "I would rather see or hear the president's statement."

Todd Stroger said that letter will come Friday.

Beavers, who appointed himself spokesman for the Stroger family last month, said John Stroger said he will not resign his office and will finish out his term.

That did not sit well with Cook County commissioners, who are facing a potential $77 million shortfall this year and have next year's budget looming on the horizon, and need someone at the helm to make decisions.

"We need a visible leader," said Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman. "We need one soon."

Commissioner Larry Suffredin said he has already asked Cook County Finance Committee Chairman John Daley to put his ordinance on the July budget. That measure would allow Stroger to declare himself temporarily incapacitated so an interim replacement could be picked. Stroger would technically remain president, however.

Commissioner Mike Quigley also thought the idea of Stroger dealing with a budget crisis through surrogates from his bedside was unrealistic, and he hinted that if the Stroger family didn't back down in some fashion, the board might do it for them. "I am publicly encouraging the family to make the same choice on an interim basis. Otherwise, the board will have to make tougher choices if they don't," Quigley said.

Beavers hinted that something might be worked out where an interim leader was given Stroger's power as long as Stroger weren't removed.

"The president pro tem (Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno) is doing a (heck) of a job, and if the board wants, they can give him the power," Beavers said.

He may have been referring to a proposal by Commissioner Earlean Collins that would temporarily give Moreno presidential power yet still keep Stroger in office.

Currently, Moreno can chair meetings in John Stroger's absence, but does not have veto power and cannot make administrative decisions, like writing a budget. Republican County Commissioner Tony Peraica, Stroger's opponent in the general election, said his campaign will benefit from Stroger's plan because voters are growing tired of political nepotism.

"He is handing the office over to his son as if it was part of his estate," Peraica said. "The voters of Cook County are going to look at this and be repulsed by it."

Beavers noted several white politicians have anointed their children to office, such as Michael Madigan pushing Lisa Madigan for attorney general.

He said there was a double standard at work.

"It's (only) not right when black folks do it," he said.

- Daily Herald News Services contributed to this report.

Copyright 2006, Paddock Publications, Inc.

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