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Highest Taxes...Now Highest Unemployment

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:17:00 CST

The Illinois Department of Employment Security last week reported that Illinois' unemployment rate has jumped to a whopping 7.3%.

Not surprisingly, here in Cook County, our unemployment rate is even higher - 7.6%

While so many men and women here in Cook County are out of work, a select group of political insiders are profiting at our expense - through waste, fraud and abuse.

Their corruption costs us millions - and has resulted in the massive "corruption tax" increase that is draining your pocketbook.

Higher taxes hurt job creation. Higher taxes mean employers can afford less employees.

In other words - corruption is directly contributing to the high unemployment rate. The only way to stop this trend is by prosecuting the rampant corruption that leads to higher taxes and less jobs.

Tony Peraica is the only candidate for Cook County State's Attorney who is a proven reformer and tax fighter.

Condolences to the the family of Maureen Murphy

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:27:00 CST

We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Maureen Murphy. Her passing is a great tragedy for Cook County Republicans.

She was a pioneer in becoming the first women in 150 years to lead the Cook County Republican Party. She also helped out the families in Cook County by passing a property-cap and a public school reform.

We remember her service to our county, and wish the best to her family.

Corruption Run Rampant

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:12:00 CST

In a recent article by Greg Hinz in Chicago Business, Hinz showcases the state of the local government.

Mr. Stroger really doesn't have any financial problems right now - and may not for years to come if the economy snaps back. That's because last year he pushed the local sales tax rate to Mount Everest levels, as high as 10.25% downtown, all the while adding more than 1,000 jobs to the payroll. Why cut when you've got a blank check from taxpayers?

Other board members share varying levels of complicity. But on a board in which Mr. Stroger's predecessor doubled her pension after serving as president for just a few weeks, then handed off her board seat to her kid, the message is clear: Grab with both hands. They'll keep grabbing until taxpayers say no.

The solution to this mess is simple. Cut the corruption and it will cut the taxes. We need someone who has shown that they can go after the corruption and be a reformer for the county of Cook. Only this will help lower the "corruption" tax that is affecting each and every one of us.

Insider's Choose One of Their Own for County Inspector General Spot

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:43:00 CST

This Sun-Times story says it best

Cook County's national search for an independent corruption watchdog turned up a top candidate who's already on the county payroll.

The Inspector General is supposed to be an independent corruption watchdog within the county.

So it's no surprise that the county insiders chose one of their own to fill the spot.

A national search? Give us a break. Nothing but window dressing.

Once again, the insiders are going to try to pull a fast one on the Cook County voters.

Alvarez Attacks - Help Us Respond

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:37:00 CST

As expected, the Alvarez-Daley faction attacked us this week - attempting to change the subject from Anita's troubling and questionable campaign contributions. In case you missed it, Alvarez has received contributions from more than 80 current employees of the State's Attorney's office. Those are employees who - if Anita won election - would work for her at the State's Attorney's office. We don't have to tell you that this poses a MAJOR conflict of interest.

What's more, Alvarez has accepted $70,000 in campaign cash from Blagojevich fundraiser/insider trial attorney Bob Clifford. Clifford is making a small fortune suing Cook County to win taxpayer-funded legal settlements. Talk about the lawsuit lottery!

So, predictably, Alvarez attacked us for taking some miniscule (about $2700 total) contributions - during past campaigns - from individuals who later ran afoul of the law.

Fair enough. A candidate for State's Attorney should avoid even the apearance of impropriety - so we are returning those contributions in question.

But we now challenge Alvarez to return her tens of thousands of dollars in "conflict of interest" campaign cash. Will she do it? We bet she doesn't - and, in the process, proves that she is little more than a political insider out to defend the status quo.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY TO RESPOND TO THESE ATTACKS....

Please read the following stories and add your comments in the comments section...or consider writing a letter to the editor. Tell your fellow citizens that Tony is doing the right thing - and that Anita needs to come clean with her questionable campaign cash.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/07/gop-states-atto.html

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2008/07/peraica-respond.html

http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1083585,073108peraica.article

With your help, we will beat back this attack and help expose the Alvarez campaign.

Thank you for your continued support - together, we will reform Cook County!

Attacks from political insiders

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:07:00 CST

This video is from February 2008 when the political insiders first threaten Tony.

And this video is from July 2008 when Tony tried to repeal the "Corruption Tax" and was attacked again.

Surprise, surprise, the political insiders are trying to stop any type of reform from taking place in Cook County. They wish to just do business as usual and attack anyone that tries to have a different opinion.

Daley and Stroger are just starting to use their political clout to attack a true reformer in Tony Peraica.

Daley will use his influence with media contacts to attack Tony in the upcoming months.

The insiders do not want Tony to win and are just starting in their smear campaign.

Letter to the Editor: Time to Say 'No'

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:38:00 CST

Ryan Melchin has a great letter to the editor in today's Daily Herald:

Residents in Cook County are now paying the single highest sales tax in the entire nation as of July 1st.

The sales tax increase was passed to fix budget shortfalls in Cook County.

It's the same Cook County where family members and friends of County Board President Todd Stroger receive jobs that pay hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. This is outrageous.

I attended the Palatine meeting with President Stroger and found myself in disbelief. I am 19 years old and come from a middle-class family. The Democrats in Illinois aren't fighting for my family. They are fighting for themselves.

Time after time, the Democrats in Illinois have been given the chance to lead and to get things done for working families across the state. They have failed. They have not led.

It's time for a new brand of leadership in Cook County and in the state of Illinois.

You said it, Ryan.

TV Coverage from Tony's Ordinance to Repeal the Corruption Tax

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:37:00 CST

Below is a wrap-up of some of the TV coverage of Tony's efforts to repeal the Corruption Tax:

Larry "The Lobbyist" Changes His Tune

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:39:00 CST

Here is a video from Larry Suffredin's campaign during the Cook County State's Attorney primary.

"I've stood up to Todd Stroger's tax increases"

What a difference a few months makes. During the Primary Season, Larry portrayed himself as a corruption-fighting tax-cutter.

But after losing the Primary - he became the deciding vote to pass the massive Cook County sales tax.

Then, last week, he voted to uphold this "Corruption Tax" to protect his friends, the political insiders.

It just goes to show that political insiders like Larry - and his friend, Anita Alvarez - can't be trusted to fight the corruption being perpetrated by their friends and cronies.

VIDEO: Tony's Appearance on the Jeff Berkowitz Show

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:05:00 CST