THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008
No Stroger
County Pres Changes Mind On Meeting With Palatine To Discuss Upcoming Tax Hike
By RICHARD MAYER
Journal Reporter
Palatine officials received word Tuesday that Cook County Board President Todd H. Stroger was not going to attend a special committee meeting of the village board scheduled for yesterday (Wednesday) at Harper Community College.
"I planned to attend a community meeting in Palatine to inform local residents of the extent and description of Cook County services that are provided to them as residents of the county," Stroger said in a written statement. "However, as a direct result of the actions of the village in changing the forum from a community meeting to a special village board meeting, and then to a special village board committee meeting, it became apparent the format was manipulated such that the forum would no longer be community based. This change in format diminishes the ability of the community to voice their concerns and instead allows for political grand-standing by village council members."'ĮPalatine Mayor Rita Mullins told the Journal she understood why Stroger decided not to attend.
"There was a change in the format for Wednesday's meeting on Monday and it was accidentally sent out to the public," said Mullins.
Mullins said Stroger was fine with Mullins running the meeting but not a councilman.
Stroger said he remains "committed" to addressing the concerns raised by county residents. He also said he will be attending community meetings throughout northwest Cook County in the coming weeks.
Last month, Stroger met with Mullins to discuss concerns over county services provided to Palatine residents.
During that meeting, Stroger accepted Mullins' invitation to attend a community meeting in Palatine, eventually set for Apr. 30.
However, according to Stroger, Palatine officials had a different agenda.
'Ä®"I want to speak to the residents of Cook County face-to-face," said Stroger. "That is the very reason why I planned to travel to Palatine, however, I will not debate local Palatine elected officials who expect to exploit this opportunity to further their own political agendas. Other meetings are designed for that purpose, this one was not. My attendance at upcoming local community meetings will allow residents the opportunity to be made aware of all services that Cook County has to offer to them."
"It was unfortunate and accidental that the format got sent out," added Mullins. "We are all very disappointed and frustrated."
Mullins said a meeting with Stroger is expected to be organized within the next few weeks at another location within the county.
However, the Village Council still planned to hodl its special meeting and invited residents and business owners to attend and express their concerns on the sales tax increase recently adopted by Cook County.
Beginning July 1, Palatine residents will have to swallow another tax increase, a 1% jump from Cook County, or $4.5 million.
Currently, shoppers in Palatine pay an 8.75% sales tax. In addition to the 1% increase from the county, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will tack on an additional .25%, totaling an even 10%.
By the end of this year, stores along the county line will charge as much as 10 cents on the dollar. They will be competing with their neighbors to the north in Lake County, who will be charging seven cents on the dollar. Village officials have stated that Palatine could lose approximately $600,000 in annual revenue.
Some officials have talked about possibly of breaking away from Cook County and forming a new county.