Todd Stroger Cook County Board Comeback? Ex-President Wants To Replace Bill Beavers

Todd Stroger Interested In County Board Comeback

With a seat on the Cook County Board due to be vacated by a disgraced ex-ally of his, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is reportedly eyeing a comeback.

Stroger, who was defeated in 2010 by Toni Preckwinkle, told multiple media outlets Friday that he is interested in returning to the county board.

"I really do think that government is here to help people and that’s what I know best. And I think I’d like to go back to it," Stroger told WGN.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Stroger has been considering mounting a comeback "for some time."

Just one day earlier, long-time county commissioner and influential Chicago Democrat William Beavers was convicted on four counts of tax evasion and faces a sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

Meanwhile, Cook County Democratic leaders are moving ahead with plans to fill Beavers' seat and hope to have a new board member appointed by their next meeting on April 17, the Chicago Tribune reports. Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) is chairing a committee to appoint Beavers' successor and Ald. Michelle Harris (8th) will serve as vice chairman.

This is not the first time in recent history Stroger, whose term in office was a controversial one due to the unpopular sales tax hike he approved, has talked of a political comeback. Last fall, Stroger said he was considering running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress -- before a report emerged that $500,000 mysteriously disappeared from his campaign fund, an oddity he chalked up to an accounting error.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot