Gov. Quinn signed into law Saturday a measure that slices away some of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's authority and sets the stage for county commissioners to slash a controversial sales tax increase as the 2010 elections loom.
The new law, effective immediately, makes it easier for commissioners to override the board president's veto. Until Saturday, the 17-member board needed a four-fifths majority, or 14 votes, to override a veto. The new law requires only a three-fifths majority -- 11 votes.
Quinn told reporters the law is "fair" and brings Cook County government in line with the Illinois Legislature and other governing bodies across the country.
Under the old rules, Stroger on three occasions vetoed attempts by commissioners to roll back a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase -- one that pushed Chicago's overall sales tax to 10.25 percent, the nation's highest. But commissioners were unable to muster a four-fifths majority to override the vetoes.
Dispatches from Chicago's south side.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Quinn sets stage for sales tax rollback
There are probably going to be a lot of happy people in the suburbs since the law that reduces the number of votes on a county board veto override has finally been signed into law:
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