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Like father, like son: Stroger mum on why he goes on medical leaveDaily HeraldJune 19, 2007By Rob OlmsteadIn an unintentional reminder of how he came to power, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger announced Monday through his staff he's taking a medical leave, and like his father, he shared little information on why with the public. Stroger was admitted to an undisclosed hospital Monday for a "routine medical procedure" that had been planned for some time, said spokeswoman Ibis Antongiorgi. "He will be in touch on a regular basis with his chief of staff," said Antongiorgi, who said Stroger and his family ask that people respect their privacy in the matter. Some criticized the president, the memory still fresh of the smoke and mirrors used regarding his father's health. John Stroger, the former board president, suffered a stroke just days before winning the primary in February 2006. For months, supporters claimed to have visited with the president and promised he would be back. In fact, the news of his resignation was withheld until it was too late for any other Democratic candidates to file for candidacy for president. The Democratic Party then installed Todd Stroger as the candidate. He went on to defeat the Republican challenger in November. "My hunch is it's not that severe," said Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, a Chicago Democrat, about the medical condition. "That's not the point. When you're in this type of position ... people have a right to know. ... It comes on the heels of people using it (medical secrecy) to retain their power." In Stroger's absence, president pro-tem Joseph Mario Moreno will run board meetings, including today's. Stroger, Antongiorgi said, will continue to make day-to-day decisions by keeping in touch with his chief of staff, she said.
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