Let’s Keep That Spotlight Shining

July 17, 2010 by Tony Peraica
Filed under: Uncategorized

by Tony Peraica

It shouldn’t take a media spotlight to force the county’s patronage czars to stop breaking the law.

A week ago, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s administration was poised to hire three politically connected job candidates, including the finance chair of Stroger’s election campaign and the wife of a Chicago alderman.

But when county hiring watchdog Mary Robinson started asking questions about the job candidates, the Stroger administration nixed hiring all three, including Ebonie Taylor-Brookins, wife of Ald. Howard Brookins (21st). The alderman backed Stroger in his losing bid for re-election this year, even as many other African-American politicians stood with the eventual winner of the Democratic primary, Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th).

Some people criticize me for my vigilance in publicly calling out instances of corruption and pushing for the media to cover the breaches of trust and tax dollars within county government.

This particular instance shows why — spotlight is the best disinfectant.

That’s why I’m running for re-election to the county board … to continue our efforts to bring about reform by keeping that light on the corrupt and the inept who abuse your tax dollars.