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Stroger vows reform: But supporters expect political payback, jobsChicago Sun-TimesNovember 9, 2006By Steve Patterson and Mark KonkolClaiming victory Wednesday, Todd Stroger promised to keep his word and end the days of patronage, bloat and waste when he takes over as Cook County board president. Tell that to the ward bosses and union leaders who surrounded Stroger after propelling him to victory over Republican Tony Peraica and now have their hands out. "If percentages are based on jobs, then I'm doing damn good," Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) was overheard telling Ald. William Beavers (7th), referring to the vote he got out for Stroger and the county jobs he expects in return. BACKERS HAVE HANDS OUT "I expect him to reach out to a good guy like me for recommendations for qualified candidates in top jobs he has control over," Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th) said, complaining about the lack of West Siders among 26,000 county employees. But with the FBI investigating allegations of job-rigging and patronage in Stroger's 8th Ward political organization, some around Stroger warn that he must steer a careful course as he takes over a $3 billion government with a $400 million deficit looming. "Right now, his answer to everyone has to be 'no,' " Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley said. "It's absolutely critical he gets a good start, because if he loses the public's trust and the board's trust at the beginning, he'll be backpedaling for a long time." Still, after beating Peraica with about 54 percent of the vote, there is a lot of political capital to be paid to people such as Brookins and aldermen Carrie Austin (34th) and Freddrenna Lyle (6th), who turned out more than 50,000 votes for Stroger. There are also the friends of his father, former board president John Stroger. And there is Beavers -- whom Todd Stroger called "my godfather" -- who said black wards carried the day for Stroger, comparing it to when black voters helped Rod Blagojevich become governor. "I told the mayor when the governor first won: 'Kiss this ring,' " said Beavers, who won a county board seat Tuesday and will be Stroger's muscle. On Wednesday, as Stroger looked out across a crowd wearing "Todd Squad" buttons, carrying "In Todd We Trust" signs and chanting "Soldiers for Stroger," he vowed he will not be deterred from reform. "I am rolling up my sleeves, and I will be steadfast in promoting a progressive and inclusive Democratic vision for Cook County," he said. PERAICA: VOTERS 'BAMBOOZLED' Peraica, who gave a concession speech after a night of marches and allegations of improprieties in vote counting, said he'll contest the outcome if Stroger's lead drops to less than 30,000. Peraica attributed his loss to voters being "bamboozled" by Stroger's claims of reform and his focus on Peraica's conservative social values. Peraica said he'll hold Stroger to his campaign promises. - Contributing: Abdon Pallasch
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