Would Put Referendum on County's November 2008 Ballot
CHICAGO, IL – Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica announced today that he will put forth a resolution at the April 9, 2008 County Board meeting that provides for a November 2008 ballot referendum calling on the Illinois General Assembly to rescind home rule for Cook County.
“Cook County is the only Illinois county with home rule authority – and that authority has been abused by political insiders who continue to enact oppressive taxes on the county taxpayers,” said Peraica. “Home rule allows a governing board like the Cook County Board of Commissioners to vote to raise taxes without seeking voter approval. I believe that Cook County has abused the home rule powers granted by the 1970 Illinois Constitution, and that Cook County's home rule powers should be repealed.”
Rescinding Cook County’s home rule authority would require voter approval for future tax increases. In the recently passed FY 2008 budget, the Cook County Board passed a massive half-billion tax increase to shore up an alleged $280 million deficit. On the same day this tax increase was enacted, a federal court monitor’s report lambasted the county for continued rampant illegal patronage hiring.
“This latest tax increase was unnecessary and highly unpopular with the residents of Cook County, as it sticks the taxpayers with the bill for the insiders’ patronage abuse and corruption,” said Peraica. “This resolution to rescind home rule will restore power to the taxpayers, and prevent the insiders from pushing through last minute, draconian tax increases in future budget years.”
The full resolution can be viewed online at: http://joinperaica.com/blogs/blogview.asp?blogID=24492.
