An edited version of this letter was printed in the Tribune on Tuesday, July 22, 2008.
On July 16, 2008, the Chicago Tribune editorial page called to task Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, who voted for a county tax increase because of "pressure from public employee unions." We wrote to the Tribune to set the record straight on why Suffredin voted the way he did.
Here's our letter:
July 18, 2008
Dear Editor:
The July 16 editorial, “Your sales tax calendar,” encourages “taxpaying constituents” to believe that Cook County Commissioner Suffredin hurt them by voting for a sales tax increase, and that he did so under pressure from union groups. This is an inaccurate characterization of why Suffredin cast his vote.
His was a principled act: It prevented a county government shut-down that would have had a catastrophic impact on public safety, social services and our courts. The vote helped secure majority support for a new independent governance board to oversee the Cook County Bureau of Health Services. The board is now in place and moving ahead on reforms that will restore lost health services and improve quality.
With larger numbers of county residents losing health coverage, Suffredin’s leadership on the county health reforms benefits us all, regardless of one’s status as a “taxpayer.” His particular courage, if not politically popular, should be appreciated by taxpayers when we see too many elected officials posturing instead of seeking real solutions.
Perhaps one day, a member of the Tribune editorial board or a loved one may need the services provided by our public health system. If that day comes, maybe Suffredin’s vote won’t seem so egregious after all.
Sincerely,
Mary F. Morten
Interim Executive Director
Chicago Foundation for Women
For more information, contact Laura Fletcher, communications and advocacy manager, at (312) 577-2824 or
lfletcher@cfw.org.