It Pays to be a Cook County Democrat Insider

April 23, 2009 by CookReformer
Filed under: Corruption, Reform, Todd Stroger

As if the recent scandal over the departure of his cousin/Cook County CFO Donna Dunnings wasn’t enough …

As if he wasn’t getting enough blow back over his paltry, political proposal to reduce the sales tax hike by a mere quarter of a percent …

Now Todd Stroger is in the news today for hiring yet another political insider to the county payroll in a highly-paid position.

The SouthtownStar reports:

Cook County may be struggling with an ongoing financial crisis, but board President Todd Stroger has found taxpayer cash to hire another connected south suburban supporter to a $61,000-a-year job.
Merrionette Park Mayor Dennis Magee - also a Democratic Committeeman for Worth Township - is due to start work Friday working as an administrative assistant for the Cook County Forest Preserve District, according to district spokesman Steve Mayberry.

Magee, 61, has been collecting a pension from the county since retiring in August from County Clerk David Orr’s staff. He worked for the clerk’s office for 24 years and retired on a salary of $82,000, Orr spokeswoman Courtney Greve said.

But here’s the best part:

Magee can legally collect his pension from the county while being paid by the Forest Preserve.

Good work if you can get it, eh?

It pays to be a Democratic insider in Cook County - especially when the incumbent Board President is looking to shore up support the year before he is sure to face a contentious Primary Election.