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How independent was $22,000 report on county finances?Chicago Sun-TimesNovember 5, 2007By Steve PattersonCook County Board President Todd Stroger and his top aides have, in recent weeks, repeatedly pointed to an "outside, independent" report analyzing county spending to help justify a series of tax increases. But Stroger used taxpayer funds to pay for that report -- drawing criticism that it can hardly be called "independent" and that it never calls for a tax increase. Though the $22,000 report Stroger commissioned from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability points to a dire need for new revenues in the county, it doesn't say how the revenues should be raised. No one has criticized the report or its findings, but Stroger opened himself up for criticism by repeatedly citing the report -- including in his budget address -- but never mentioning he paid for it. "I don't think it was purposely slanted," Commissioner Mike Quigley said. "But you just can't call it 'independent' if you've paid them to do it." Stroger stands by the findings, and Center director Ralph Martire said "absolutely no one should be able to question our numbers." "Nothing messes with our independence," he added. "It's pretty clear the county's revenues don't support their costs. But that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities for savings." The study simply looked at how much the county spends versus what it takes in -- with the group not allowed to further delve into personnel or levels of management.
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